Media Center Building, Visayas Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
US, ASEAN CONDUCT FUEL VEHICLE EFFICIENCY WORKSHOP
Monday 20th of May 2013
MANILA, May 20 (PIA) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States (US) are expanding their energy cooperation through the US-ASEAN Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Workshop held in Jakarta, Indonesia last week.
The workshop was conducted to address ASEAN’s oil use for road transport which is forecast to grow rapidly in future years and potentially bringing serious economic, environmental and energy security consequences for member states.
The workshop brought together forty ASEAN officials responsible for energy efficiency and conservation to examine the US experience of setting minimum vehicle fuel efficiency standa...
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17May2013MANILA, May 17 -- The European Union (EU) reiterated its support for the peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) at a meeting between senior officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the (EU) held in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam on May 14 and 15. The EU underscored its interest in peace, maritime security, stability, freedom of navigation, and unimpeded...
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18May2013MANILA, May 18 -- Filipino students participated in the 1st Russia-ASEAN Youth Summit held in Moscow from May 13 to 14. The Philippine delegation was composed primarily of Moscow- and Manila-based students, namely, Reanne Apostol (College of St. Benilde - CSB); Farrah Espejo (Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia); John Paul Mondejar (CSB); and Jhaline Villapando (De La Salle University (DLSU) - Dasmariñas). Also present were Filipino expatriates, Ms. Cheri Mapa of the Anglo American Sch...
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17May2013QUEZON CITY, May 17 -- About 100 food products produced and processed in Mindanao are currently featured in this year’s International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex from May 16-19. Along with more than 600 other exhibitors from the country and abroad, these Mindanao products stand a good chance for more opportunities to find export partners. Romeo Montenegro, Investment and Public Affairs Director of the Mindanao Development Authori...
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17May2013MANILA, May 17 (PIA) -- Senior officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) recently held a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to review ASEAN-EU cooperation. The ASEAN-EU Senior Officials’ Meeting held on May 14-15 was co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh of Vietnam and Viorel Isticioaia-Budura, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific of the European External Action Service. The meeting reviewed ASEAN-EU cooperation, inc...
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17May2013MANILA, May 17 -- The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that officials from the Department of Agriculture and representatives of four private Philippine agri-business companies participated in the Horti Asia 2013, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from May 9 to 11. Now on its second year, Horti Asia is an international tradeshow for horticulture and floriculture production and processing technology. The other participating countries included Taiwan, Korea, Th...
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17May2013QUEZON CITY, May 17 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved over 60,000 new teaching positions even as it gave the green light to provide funding for teachers being redeployed from schools with excess teacher items to areas with shortages. DBM has made available 61,510 new teacher items for fiscal year 2013 as the Department of Education (DepEd) keeps pace with demand for teachers on account of increasing enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. ...
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17May2013TAGUIG CITY, May 17 -- “The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) regrets that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has retained the Philippines in the ordinary watch list because just like in the past, vigorous efforts have been made to address enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) by the law enforcement agencies of IPRs in the country. Even the 2013 Report recognizes the efforts of the Philippine government so we cannot understand why we have been reta...
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17May2013PASIG CITY, May 17 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved over 60,000 new teaching positions even as it gave the green light to provide funding for teachers being redeployed from schools with excess teacher items to areas with shortages. DBM has made available 61, 510 new teacher items for fiscal year 2013 as the Department of Education (DepEd) keeps pace with demand for teachers on account of increasing enrolment in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. ...
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17May2013MANILA, May 17 -- Forty-seven more Filipinos from Damascus are scheduled to cross the Syrian-Lebanese border today May 17, as part of the government’s repatriation efforts, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. From the border, the group will be brought directly by the personnel of the Embassy in Beirut to Rafic Hariri International Airport in time for their evening flight to Manila. They are expected to arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I on May 18 at 3:55 p....
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16May2013MANILA, May 16 -- Malacanang appealed to the Taiwanese people to treat Filipinos staying in that country decently in the midst of new tensions due to the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes last week. Some Filipinos working in Taiwan have expressed concerns of harassment by some Taiwanese despite the Philippines’s appeal to spare them in the recent diplomatic row. “Naniniwala kami na ito pong naiuulat na ginagawa ng iilang mga Taiwanese ay isolated incidents lamang. Hindi ito kaga...
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16May2013PASIG CITY, May 16 -- Department of Education (DepEd) signed a memorandum of agreement with Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) that will prioritize the hiring of 1,000 Teachers Program (1000 TP) graduates in the public schools. The 1000 TP is a flagship scholarship program of PBEd that seeks to uplift the image and quality of the teaching profession by attracting the best and the brightest to joining the teaching ranks. Promising high school graduates, who are part of the top ten percen...
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15May2013QUEZON CITY, May 15 (PIA) -- The Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards is now accepting entries for this year’s best agriculture stories and photos in tri-media across the country. In a press briefing held today at Dulcinea Restaurant in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Bright Leaf Agriculture Awards Project Manager Mr. David Isaac Buenaventura said they formally started calling for entries since April 30. Now on its 7th year, Bright Leaf seek out the best agriculture stories and photos in pri...
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15May2013QUEZON CITY, May 15 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III signed today the K to 12 law, a landmark piece of legislation that institutionalizes 12 years of basic education, making it responsive to global educational standards. The law, which introduces two additional years in secondary education and makes Kindergarten mandatory among five-year olds, is expected to give graduates better choices in the field of work or further education. “[Sa K-12] tinitiyak nating sapat at kapaki-pakinabang ang k...
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15May2013MANILA, May 15 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) chairman Amadeo R. Perez to convey his and the Filipino people’s deep regret and apology to the people of Taiwan and the family of the fisherman who died during last Thursday's shooting incident between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and a Taiwanese fishing vessel off the Batanes group of islands. "The President has appointed MECO chairman Amadeo R. Perez as his personal representative ...
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15May2013PASIG CITY, May 15 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is assuring teachers that their honoraria for services rendered as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) for the elections may already be withdrawn through their Landbank ATMs or through cash cards for those with no payroll accounts, this amid reports that a P200 registration fee is being charged for the cards. “We have been assured by COMELEC that Landbank has not required a registration fee for the cash cards. Our personn...
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14May2013TABUK CITY, Kalinga, May 14 (PIA) -- The intensified campaign by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provincial office here, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) against forest laws violation resulted to the confiscation of thousands of board feet of illegally transported lumber for the first quarter of this year . Severino Dalutag, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO), said two confiscations ...
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14May2013QUEZON CITY, May 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs is urging irregular overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to take advantage of the new Saudi government program to correct their residency and labor status. The Saudi Ministries of Interior and Labor issued on May 10 guidelines allowing irregular workers to correct their status or leave the country without obtaining No Objection Certificates. With the issuance, irregular OFWs can now leave the country without the need to obtain No Obj...
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14May2013MANILA, May 14 -- The midterm election last Monday was “safer and less bloody” compared to the polls conducted in 2010 and 2007, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas said on Tuesday, May 14, citing consolidated police figures. “Sa ngayon, masasabi natin na mas naging mapayapa at mahinusay ang pagsasagawa May 13, 2013 elections kumpara sa dalawang nagdaang eleksyon nuong 2007 at 2010,” said Roxas, who launched Task Force Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2013 in Novemb...
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14May2013NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, May 14 (PIA6) -- Defective compact flash memory cards and Precinct Count Optical Scan machines in the province caused the delay in the transmittal of results to the Consolidation and Canvassing System. Commission on Election Provincial Election Supervisor Will Arceño said some of the results in the province cannot be transmitted because of these defects where the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) have to bring the ballots to the town proper to process the counting. “We...
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14May2013NEGROS OCC.,May 14 (PIA6) -- The May 13 election in the province was generally peaceful despite occurrence of minor incidents mostly related to the exercise of suffrage, 303rd Brigade Commander Col. Jon Aying said. May 13 was like any ordinary day except for the emergence of some events that could not have happened if it were not elections, he explained. He said the army will continue to be on alert on their post until canvas and proclamations are all conducted in the different LGUs of Negr...
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14May2013MANILA, Mayo 14 (PIA6) – Ang Department of Education (DepEd) ang may ginatalana nga serye sang mga paghanas para sa mga manunudlo sang musika sa Grades 7 kag 8 sa idalum sang K to 12 nga programa sa edukasyon. Katuyuan sang nasambit nga mga paghanas amo ang pagpasanyog sang mga igkasangkol kag kinaadman sang natungdan nga mga manonudlo sa pagtudlo sang “music education curriculum”, suno kay DepEd Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro. Gindayaw ni Luistro ang mga Filipin...
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14May2013TABUK CITY, Kalinga, May 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial office here is organizing transition teams for the smooth transfer of governance to newly elected local officials by the end of June. Provincial DILG Director Francisco Gamatero said the team is composed of the local chief executive and department heads of the concern local government unit (LGU) including heads of national agencies operating within the LGU. “We have already relayed t...
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14May2013BAGUIO CITY, May 14 (PIA) -- The people have made their choice on who would be their leaders in the next three years during the midterm election yesterday. In this Summer capital, based on partial and unofficial result from 194 of 214 clustered precincts, the City Board of Canvassers tally shows incumbent mayor Mauricio Domogan and vice-mayor Daniel Fariñas likely winning another term while city councilor Nicasio Aliping Jr. is emerging as the new congressman. Dom...
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14May2013MANILA, May 14 -- The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Department of the ASEAN Secretariat held its strategic planning workshop this month in Bogor, Indonesia in preparation for the ASEAN Community in 2015. The workshop aimed to assess the Department’s capacity and articulate opportunities in the Department’s role in assisting in the implementation of the Roadmap to the ASEAN Community 2015, specifically the ASCC Blueprint. The ASCCD workshop was participated by all the core ASEC sta...
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14May2013MANILA, MAy 14 -- Malacanang expressed satisfaction on Tuesday over the conduct of the 2013 midterm elections, saying the Commission on Elections and its “deputized agencies came together and did their utmost to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.” In a statement read during his regular press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda also lauded the Filipino people whom he said “undertook this exercise and the right of suffrage with tenacity and good cheer.” “By all a...
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14May2013QUEZON CITY, May 14 -- The Philippine agriculture industry grew by 3.3 percent in the first three months of 2013, the Department of Agriculture said. DA said that all four subsectors — crops, fishery, poultry and livestock — posted respective increases, grossing a total of P352.5 billion at current prices. Citing estimates of the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the crops subsector, accounting for more th...
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14May2013MANILA, May 14 -- The Department of Health (DOH), together with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Education (DepEd) received a Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) from the Government of Japan. Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona in a statement said that the NPGA is assistance from the Government of Japan in the form of goods/products provision to support the promotion of the economic and social develop...
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14May2013QUEZON CITY, May 14 -- Skills training and assessment of Filipino welders get a big boost with the donation of P20 million worth of equipment to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) by the Middle East Industrial Training Institute (MEITI). The donation, consisting of 40 packages, was sent from the United Arab Emirates to the TESDA Regional Training Center in Buhisan, Tibungco in Davao City, a statement from Tesda said. Secretary Joel Villanueva, Tesda director gener...
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13May2013TARLAC CITY, May 13 (PIA) -- President Benigno Aquino III went home to Tarlac today to cast his vote in the first general elections under his administration. Aquino, dressed in yellow polo shirt, arrived in Central Azucarera de Tarlac Elementary School in Barangay Central, Tarlac City at 9:30 AM. Sisters Ballsy and Viel, in laws and nephews who are all likewise registered voters of the village, joined him. In an ambush media interview, Aquino expressed satisfaction in his voting this 2013 ...
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13May2013PANGASINAN, May 13, (PIA) -- Two congressmen and at least seven town mayors in Pangasinan are assured of seats after the May elections. Leading the walk in the park are socialite Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas (third district) of the Liberal Party and sixth district Rep. Marlyn Primicias of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Former Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas, who would have ran on her third and final term withdrew her candidacy and was substituted by her mother Rosemarie. For the mayoral ra...
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14May2013QUEZON CITY, May 13 (PIA) -- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. Paje has appealed to candidates and their followers to keep the polling precincts clean and remove campaign posters, banners and other paraphernalia after the elections. “It is about time we change the face of Philippine politics with clean elections defined not only by an intelligent electorate, but a trash-free one as well,” Secretary Paje said. He said candidates should order their supporters not to clutte...
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13May2013LAOAG CITY, May 13 (PIA) -- Clad in her signature red dress ensemble, re-electionist Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos showed up in precinct 36A at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac City at 7:20 am to cast her vote. The former First Lady-turned congresswoman took more than 30 minutes to complete her vote before leaving the polling precinct at 8:05 am. Voting along with Mrs. Marcos was her children Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Irene Marcos-Aranet...
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13May2013CONCEPCION, Tarlac, May 13 (PIA) -- Senatorial candidate Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV has already voted in Precinct 225A in Concepcion South Central Elementary School, barangay San Jose in Concepcion town shortly before noon today. Wife Mary Fatima accompanied Aquino who was dressed in yellow polo shirt. In an ambush media interview, Aquino expressed confidence that he will make it to the Magic 12 nationally and will top the race in his home province. The former National Youth Commiss...
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13May2013LAOAG CITY, May 13 (PIA) – Despite early morning drizzles, voters here lined up in various polling precincts when they opened at 7 am today. As of 12 noon, the Commission on Elections said voting in Ilocos Norte was generally peaceful except for minor delays in various polling areas. Lawyer Joel Gines, provincial election supervisor, said PCOS (precinct count optical scan) machines froze in at least 20 polling precincts around the province causing a delay in voting. “Machines have been st...
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13May2013ILOILO CITY, May 13 (PIA) --- Of the 52 million strong Philippine electorate, there are 43 percent or around 22 million come from the youth sector ages 18-35, according to Commission on Elections (COMELEC) data. This figure proves the youth plays a potent force in the electoral process and the volume of young people who will vote today, May 13, could be the single biggest factor that will determine the outcome of the mid-term elections. Aira Monica Millan, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairp...
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13May2013Give way to PWDs, pregnant women, and senior citizens BACOLOD CITY, May 13 ( PIA6) -- Bacolod City Election Supervisor Lawyer Salud Milagros Villanueva urged voters to give way to the express lane intended for senior citizens, heavily pregnant women and Persons with Disabilities in today’s election. She asked the public to understand the conditions of these people who have as much right to vote as those who have no disabilities. Villanueva said today’s election may cause inconvenienc...
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13May2013LUNGSOD NG TARLAC, Mayo 13 (PIA) -- Umuwi kanina si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III sa Tarlac upang bumoto sa kauna-unahang general elections sa ilalim ng kanyang administrasyon. Dumating si Aquino, na naka dilaw na polo shirt, sa Central Azucarera de Tarlac Elementary School sa Barangay Central, lungsod ng Tarlac pasado alas nuwebe y medya ng umaga. Sinamahan siya ng kanyang mga kapatid na sina Ballsy at Viel, mga in laws at pamangkin na pawang mga rehistradong botante rin ng naturang barangay...
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13May2013NEGROS OCC., May 13 (PIA6) -- Negros Occ. Election Supervisor Wil Arceno confirmed the replacement of 13 PCOS machines that malfunctioned after the final sealing and testing conducted here last week. He also requested the replacement of seven defective cards and one defective PCOS battery. Defective machines came from the cities Bacolod 2, Escalante 1, San Carlos 1, Toboso 1, Talisay 1, Victorias 1, La Carlota 1,Sagay 1 and from the towns of Isabela 1, Cauayan 1 and Hinigaran 1. Defective car...
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13May2013MANILA, May 13 -- The Commission on Elections is all set and ready for today's automated mid-term polls. Over 52 million registered voters are expected to troop to 77,829 polling precincts and choose candidates who will fill 18,053 elective positions. "We are ready," Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr said. Despite a few glitches encountered during the testing of the precinct count optical scan machines, the poll chief reiterated that these machines are "very reliable." At the same time, ...
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13May2013MANILA, May 13 -- The Philippines welcomes the release of all four Filipino peacekeepers who were abducted on May 7, 2013 in Al Jamla, Syria. “The Philippine government and its people express deep appreciation to the United Nations (UN) and to all those who have exerted and contributed to the collective efforts to effect the safe release of all four UNDOF members,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in the statement, Sunday. It further said that the “Philippines stresses the impart...
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11May2013MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, May 11 (PIA) -- Six armed men, who are allegedly members of the New People’s Army (NPA), were nabbed on Friday at a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) checkpoint in Villarama Highway, barangay Bitungol in Norzagay town in Bulacan. “The group, who converted a civilian vehicle into a military type transport were apprehended by the combined elements of Norzagaray Police and 56th Infantry Battalion,” said 7th Infantry Division (7ID) Public Affairs Officer Captain Mark A...
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10May2013QUEZON CITY, May 10 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warns small businesses of the continuing and increasing cases of cyber hacking particularly on import and export transactions of local businesses with their foreign counterparts. “We have recently received reports of the modus operandi of hackers that divert Filipino importers’ payments to their bank accounts, ”Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED) Officer-in-Charge Jerry T. Clavesillas said. ...
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11May2013PASIG CITY, May 11 -- As millions of voters are expected to troop to polling places throughout the country for the 2013 midterm elections on May 13, the Department of Education readies its Election Task Force (ETF) Operation Center to assist teachers in fulfilling their duties on election day. “As we deploy our teachers to this special duty, DepEd joins the rest of the nation in making this political exercise an honest, orderly, and peaceful one. This operation center is one contribution the ...
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10May2013QUEZON CITY, May 10 -- The Department of Agriculture is allotting an initial P28.8 million to help develop and promote agri-tourism sites under a multi-sectoral collaboration, aptly called “Green Initiative,” involving other concerned government agencies, academe and private institutions. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the DA is privileged to be a part of the ‘Green Initiative,’ which aims to protect the country’s biodiversity, create livelihood opportunities and thus e...
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10May2013MANILA, May 10 -- Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona today ordered the Department of Health (DOH) regional health offices and hospitals to be on Code White alert to continuously monitor events in their respective areas for the country’s elections on Monday, May 13. “In anticipation of any eventualities that may occur during the 2013 National Elections the Code White Alert is raised in all DOH regional offices and hospitals effective May 12, Sunday,” Ona said in a statement from DOH....
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10May2013MANILA, May 10 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released a total of P1.39 billion to cover the pension benefits of additional Philippine National Police (PNP) retirees, whose names have already been cleared and verified for enrolment in the Land Bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM) system. Of the full amount, P715 million will cover the pension requirements of the additional 8,890 retired officials and personnel for the period of January to December 2013. Meanwhile, the r...
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09May2013QUEZON CITY, May 9 (PIA) -- Finally, political organizations and interested groups can now take a look at the source code for the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines. The certified source code, human readible computer instructions that instructs how a PCOS machine operates, is now open for review at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brilliantes and his colleagues turned over the certified source code, which was saved in a CD, to BSP Deputy Go...
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09May2013QUEZON CITY, May 9 -- The Department of Agriculture has earmarked P24 million for the restoration of typhoon-damaged portions of the Banawe rice terraces. Another P10M is also alloted to further develop and increase the production of traditional or ‘heirloom’ rice varieties for both domestic and export markets, the Department of Agriculture said Wednesday. The restoration of damaged terrace walls and irrigation canals, particularly in Barangay Batad, Banawe, Ifugao, will be completed by J...
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09May2013QUEZON CITY, May 9 -- Power supply in Luzon was restored at 11:50 p.m. of May 8, the Department of Energy (DOE) said in a statement. The DOE stresses that while the power supply is now back to normal, it has called on all generation facilities and transmission and distribution systems operators to make sure that their facilities should be in good working condition to avoid a similar major system disturbance in the future. DOE also gave assurance that “all involved agencies and entities ar...
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08May2013QUEZON CITY, May 8 -- As the May 13, 2013 mid-term elections draw nearer, the Department of Education assures teachers’ readiness to serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), Board of Canvassers (BOCs), and PCOS technicians. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro expresses its full confidence that the teachers are ready to do the job. “The Commission on Election has given training to the public school teachers who will again serve as PCOS technicians, and chairmen and mem...
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08May2013MANILA, May 8 -- The Philippine Government has brought more than 4,000 Filipinos in Syria to safety since violence broke out in the country in March 2011. Official data from the Philippine Embassy in Damascus puts the number of repatriated Filipinos at 4,131. The number includes 120 Filipinos who will be turned over by the Embassy in Damascus to the Philippine Embassy in Beirut today. Forty (40) of them will take a Qatar Airways flight with a stopover in Doha, Qatar while the remaining 80 re...
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08May2013QUEZON CITY, May 8 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of National Defense (DND) have launched a joint project to transform idle or reserved areas in military camps into farms, and enable military personnel to produce their own rice, corn, root crops, vegetables, fruits, fish, and other food requirements. Secretary of Agriculture Proceso J. Alcala and Secretary of National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin launched the project—dubbed “DA-DND agricultural livelihood developmen...
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07May2013MANILA, May 7 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reiterates its warning to Filipino travelers against carrying devices and other articles which are classified as “arms” by the domestic laws in their countries of destination or transit. The warning comes after a recent spate in arrests of Filipino nationals who have been found carrying such devices and articles while traveling in or transiting India and Hong Kong. The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi reported to the DFA that a Fili...
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07May2013QUEZON CITY, May 7 -- Slower price increases of food, electricity, and petroleum brought inflation down to 2.6 percent in April 2013, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Tuesday. “The average inflation rate for the first four months of 2013 settled at the low-end of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC)’s inflation target of 3.0 to 5.0 percent for 2013,” said Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning Arsenio M. Balisacan. Headline inflation decelerated a...
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07May2013MANILA, May 7 -- Continuing its determined efforts to send home all Filipinos with illegal status in its area of responsibility, the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah succeeded in repatriating on May 6 another group of Filipino “illegals” consisting of five Filipino umrah pilgrims who have overstayed their visas in the Kingdom. The five who were originally with the 700 Filipino “illegals” who have pitched camp, and continue to camp, beside the Consulate are: Mohammad Guro Mangacop, 30 yr...
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07May2013QUEZON CITY, May 7 -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is offering scholarships to teachers and education supervisors to hone their skills in effectively communicating to students a culture-based K to 12 curriculum. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said it is important to understand that the goal of K to 12 is to develop holistic learners who are fully aware of their cultural identity as Filipinos. “While K to 12 is geared towards producing world-calibre graduates, all learning sho...
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07May2013MANILA, May 7 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today countered reports announcing the deadline extension for agency budget proposals for FY 2014. The agency added that the May 13 deadline was intended for budget proposal adjustments, including the fleshing out of lump-sum amounts in agencies’ budget submissions. The clarification was made in a statement following news reports that the budget submission deadline had been extended from April 15 to May 13 this year. However, g...
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06May2013MANILA, May 13 -- Malacanang cited international credit rating firm Standard & Poor's (S&P) recent credit upgrade of the Philippines for the strengthening peso. In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that with the credit upgrade, the Philippine Peso now ranks third on the list of best performing currencies in the world. "Yung isa pa hong good news natin, the Philippine peso ranks third in the list o...
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06May2013PASIG CITY, May 6 -- Education Secretary Armin Luistro has declared the 2013 staging of the Palarong Pambansa in Dumaguete City as unrivaled in terms of local government unit (LGU) support, private sector participation, remarkable display of sporting prowess and environmental impact. “Palaro 2013 is sans rival because this is the first time that 19 municipalities and 6 cities helped make sure that Palaro 2013 will be a resounding success. It is also unprecedented that 11 private schools ope...
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06May2013QUEZON CITY, May 6 -- With rice self-sufficiency in sight, the Philippines after 40 years will once again export rice, initially comprising of 35 metric tons (MT) of aromatic, long-grain and organic black rice bound for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Department of Agriculture reported. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, who led the ceremonial send-off at the Manila Harbor Center,May 6 said the event is historic as it ushers in a new era in the country’s rice industry and the agricult...
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05May2013MANILA, May 5 -- The Aquino administration vowed to continue upholding its mandate to protect all people following reports that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) threatened to stage more offensive attacks against government troops and civilians during the election period, a Palace official said on Saturday. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in an interview aired over government-owned station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday ...
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04May2013QUEZON CITY, May 4 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued a warning anew to the public against an on-going scam supposedly soliciting funds for the national and local elections on May 13, 2013. The warning came in the light of numerous reports received by the DTI that some unscrupulous groups and individuals are soliciting money for the upcoming elections by namedropping Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa. “As a matter of policy, solicitation...
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05May2013MANILA, May 5 -- Cesar Guarin, Filipino father of the ultramarathon, ran 60 kilometers in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on May 1 as the 7th leg of his global run around the world. Starting and ending at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, he ran around Riyadh and to Twaiq to complete the 60 kilometers, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Embassy personnel, together with members of the Filipino community, cheered him on. “We are very proud of Cesar. He serves as an inspiration to u...
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04May2013MANILA, May 4 -- The Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Argentine culinary book Sabores del SudesteAsiatico (Flavors of Southeast Asia), published by Ediciones Lea, was successfully launched last May 1 at the United States Embassy stand at the ongoing 39th International Book Fair of Buenos Aires. The publication, authored by Ms. Christina Sunae, is said to be Argentina’s first cookbook on Southeast Asian cuisine originally written in Span...
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04May2013MANILA, May 4 -- Tourist arrivals for the first quarter reached 1.27 million, a 10.76-percent growth from last year’s 1.15 million for the same period, the Department of Tourism said Friday. This, according to DOT marks the second time that foreign tourist arrivals breached the one-million mark in the first quarter, setting the pace for the Department to reach its 5.5 million arrival target for 2013. The first quarter performance accounts for 23 percent of the target arrivals for the year. ...
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04May2013MANILA, May 4 -- Former National Basketball Association (NBA) star center Yao Ming, together with his team, the Shanghai Sharks, is in Manila as part of the Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges (YFE) agreed upon by Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and former Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2011. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said, the Sharks arrived in the country a day ahead of the former Houston Rockets cager who flew in Friday, May 3. Organized by th...
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04May2013MANILA, May 4 -- The country’s campaign against border security breaches and transnational crimes, including smuggling, got a big boost with the signing of the historic Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement between the Philippines and Russia in a historic ceremony held at the Manila Hotel on April 24. The Department of Foreign Affairs in a press report said Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon represented the Philippines while the Russian government was represented by t...
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03May2013MANILA, May 3 -- The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the 25th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) International General Assembly (SIGA) was hosted by Laos from April 22 to 26. SSEAYP International (SI), which was established in 1987 and is comprised of the SSEAYP alumni associations in all ASEAN countries and Japan, has been meeting annually for a general assembly. This was the first time that Laos hosted the event. A total of 40...
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03May2013MANILA, May 3 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong advises Filipinos not to bring stunning devices and spear guns or harpoons when traveling to or through Hong Kong's ports as the territory’s Firearms and Ammunitions Ordinance classifies such devices as “arms.” The Department of Foreign Affairs in an advisory said Hong Kong’s Airport District Police has reported that 57 flight passengers were arrested for possession of stunning devices in 2012. Of this number, 13 were Filipi...
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03May2013QUEZON CITY, May 3 -- The Department of Education has increased by 24% the number of slots for Grade 7 students availing of tuition fee subsidy in private schools under the education service contracting scheme (ESC). Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement said that from 250,896 slots in school year 2012-2013, the ESC slots for Grade 7 students has been increased to 310,709 slots for school year 2013-2014. ESC is a scheme under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in...
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03May2013NAGA CITY, May 3 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III led the inauguration Friday of the newly upgraded Naga City Hospital for the health care needs of the poor Naguenos. “Sa pagbalik natin dito sa Naga, hatid natin ang isa na namang magandang balitang bunga ng ating bayanihan at pagpiling iangat ang kapwa ---ang mas pinaunlad na Naga City Hospital,” the President said in his message during the inauguration. “Iisa ang diwa ng ating mga programang pangkalusugan: binibigyang-lakas natin ang ...
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02May2013MANILA, May 2 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that 35 Filipinos safely crossed the Syrian-Lebanese border yesterday, May 01. The group, which is now under the care of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut, will take a flight for Manila via Doha, Qatar today. They will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I tomorrow, May 03 at 11:00 p.m. aboard Qatar Airways flight QR 644. Upon the group’s arrival, the tota...
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02May2013MANILA, May 2 -- Reaffirming the Administration’s goal of strengthening the country’s infrastructure base, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today announced that disbursements for infrastructure and capital outlay (CO) grew by 50.1 percent to P58.1 billion in the first quarter of 2013, up by 19.4 billion year-on-year. This, together with improved spending for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures (MOOE)—which climbed to P70.4 billion as of March, 25.1 percent higher yea...
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02May2013MANILA, May 2, 2013 -- The Philippines today received investment grade rating from international credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s. In a statement released by the agency, the country’s sovereign long-term foreign currency rating was upgraded from ‘BB+’ to ‘BBB’ - with stable outlook. This upgrade by S&P comes after the Philippine sovereign received its first investment grade rating from Fitch Ratings in March this year. Receiving news of the announcement, Department of Fina...
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30Apr2013VIENTIANE, April 30 -- The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, in cooperation with the Filipino community in Laos, organized a Poetry Reading Session for Kids last April 27 as part of its year-long Sentro Rizal program of activities. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said the poetry reading session featured two poems and a children’s song, namely;Gatas at Itlog (Milk and Eggs), a poem which highlights the importance of milk, egg and fruits in a child’s diet;Ang Aking Ina (My ...
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30Apr2013Quezon City, April 30 -- Department of Health (DOH) data indicate that 13,883 cases of different injuries were recorded during the last quarter of 2012. This is based on DOH's Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (ONEISS), a data gathering system on diseases and injuries from 86 public and private hospitals. Majority (71.7%) of the total injury cases were unintentional or accidental, about 26.3% were intentional (due to violence), and 0.6% were self-inflicted injury cases. ...
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30Apr2013JAKARTA, April 30 -- H.E. Mr Donald Bobiash, Ambassador of Canada to ASEAN, presented his Letter of Credentials to H.E. Mr Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Monday at the ASEAN Secretariat. Ambassador Bobiash expressed his honour to be accredited as Ambassador of Canada to ASEAN. He reaffirmed that relations with ASEAN remained a priority in Canada’s foreign policy, and expressed Canada’s support for ASEAN Community building efforts, with more concrete cooperation plans and measure...
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30Apr2013MANILA, April 30 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III today called on the Filipino workforce and employers to make Labor Day a "good job day," setting aside negativism and blaming. Aquino issued his appeal during a pre-Labor Day dialogue with labor organizations in Malacanang on Tuesday. “Hindi po ba mas maganda kung imbes na tratuhin ang Labor Day bilang araw ng piket at sigawan, ituring natin ito bilang selebrasyon— isang araw na masayang nagdiriwang ang mga manggagawa at mga negosyante da...
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29Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 29 -- Some 52 government information officers (GIOs) convened for the Development Communication Coordinating Network (DevComNet) Planning and Teambuilding Workshop last April 18 - 19 at the Development Academy of the Philippines Conference Center, Tagaytay City. The planning workshop aims to update action plans to communicate development programs aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). Hosted by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), the two-day work...
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30Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 30 -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has suspended the processing of application to import all live shrimps and susceptible crustaceans indefinitely. In a statement, BFAR said this is to prevent Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) and other shrimp diseases from entering and spreading in the Philippines. BFAR draws its action from the recommendation done by Dr. Donald Lightner, a known shrimp disease expert. Likewise, the shrimp operators themselves expressed c...
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30Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 30 -- More than 40,000 jobs were up for grabs on Tuesday at the job fair organized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment in Tarlac City in celebration of Labor Day. A total of 126 local employers and overseas recruitment agencies were at the fair, as thousands of graduates, including technical vocational graduates of TESDA came armed with their credentials to try out for their future job. President Beni...
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30Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 30 -- To encourage the creation of new businesses, and support the growth of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs), the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED) will conduct free entrepreneurship sessions next month. “Start-ups are crucial to the economic development, and direct and indirect job creation at the local and national levels,” BMSMED Officer-in-Charge Jerry T. Clavesillas said. For Ma...
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29Apr2013MANILA, April 29 -- Malacanang called on government workers and media practitioners to take advantage of the three-day local absentee voting period and exercise their right to vote. “We encourage all eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and exercise your right to suffrage,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing on Monday in Malacanang. The local absentee voting for the synchronized national, local, and regional elections in the Autonomous Regi...
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29Apr2013MANILA, April 29 --The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P575.3 million to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the purchase of school tables and other furniture, supporting the Aquino administration’s commitment to improve educational facilities nationwide and boost the country’s public education system. Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said the release—chargeable against DepEd’s fund for the Requirement of Basic Education Facilities under the 2013...
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27Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 27 -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) have agreed to strengthen their collaborative efforts against suspected money launderers, particularly drug syndicates, who “wash” their illegal transactions and proceeds being routed through banks. The agreement was reached by AMLC Executive Director Atty. Julia Bacay-Abad and PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. on April 24 at the PDEA National Headq...
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26Apr2013MANILA, April 26 -- Kuwait Chief of the Office of Domestic Workers Affairs (ODWA) Gen. Abdullak Al-Ali eased a ban on 159 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), allowing them to go home to the Philippines. This is in line with ongoing mutual cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait and the Kuwait government on human rights, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The announcement was made on the occasion of the Human Rights Symposium in Kuwait on April 18, and was the result of joint effo...
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27Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 27 -- The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) will conduct the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Summit this coming May 3 at the Sofitel Hotel, Pasay City. The event aims to update the public on the reforms developed by the concerned agencies to address the challenges on the ease of doing business in the Philippines, a statement from the Department of Trade and Industry said. Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, together with other top ranking governme...
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26Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 26 -- The Board of Investments (BOI) approved Asiapac Green Renewable Corporation as the renewable energy (RE) developer of four hydropower plants in Mountain Province worth P1.675 billion pesos. In a statement, BOI said the four hydropower plants will have a combined power capacity of 10.55 Megawatts (MW) will generate a total of 39,947,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually. The 2.4 MW Dicapan Hydropower Project in Barangay Lubon, Tadian, Mountain Province will...
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26Apr2013MANILA, April 26 -- The Philippine government is confident that the five-member United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Arbitral Tribunal will vote that it has jurisdiction to hear the territorial and maritime issue between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China (PROC) when it convenes hopefully by July this year, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said. Secretary del Rosario issued the statement during the press briefing in Malacanang on Friday after the ...
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26Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 26 -- The All-China Youth Federation (ACYF), through the National Youth Commission (NYC), is inviting Filipino young leaders to the 2013 China-ASEAN Youth Camp. With the theme “Feel the Charm of China, Build the Bridge of Friendship – Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership,” the program aims to promote mutual understanding and goodwill between young people of ASEAN and China. The NYC will be sending four Filipino delegates to t...
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25Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 25 (PIA) -- Government officials urged the public to report persons or establishments possessing celfone signal jammers or jamming devices. A jammer is an electronic box (the size of a DVD player) with three to four antennae which comes in silver or black colors. These jamming devices, Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brilliantes said, could delay the transmissions of election results during the May 13 polls. In a press conference held in Camp Crame Thursday, authorit...
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25Apr2013BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, April 25 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III joined other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in calling for a peaceful resolution to the South China Sea situation as the regional bloc said it looked forward to “continued engagement” with China in implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in a “full and effective manner.” The ASEAN leaders issued their stand in the widely discussed issue during the issuance o...
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25Apr2013PASIG CITY, April 25 -- The Department of Education has issued new guidelines for the equitable deployment of public school teachers to address teacher shortage and overcrowding in various parts of the country. DepEd Memorandum No. 22, series of 2013 sets the rules for deploying teachers in order to optimize student-teacher ratios nationwide, including cases when teachers can be reassigned to other schools. “We need to be able to transfer teachers from one station to another to address the p...
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25Apr2013MANILA, April 25 -- Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Thursday called on members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to come up with a comprehensive regional approach to counter and combat all forms of human trafficking. The Philippines is hosting the third ASEAN Experts Working Group against human trafficking from April 25 to 26, and Ochoa hopes this will strengthen the commitment of member-countries to fight this regional problem. “While there are universal me...
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25Apr2013MANILA, April 25 -- Undocumented Filipinos in Saudi Arabia who are camping out on a vacant lot near the Philippine Consulate while waiting for their repatriation has been provided temporary shelters by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah. The Consulate is now setting up two large tents on the fourth floor of the Consulate to accommodate a total of 200 women and children, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday. A friend of the Consulate likewise offered to take in 80 women and...
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24Apr2013MANILA, April 24 -- The Aquino government remains focused on generating jobs for Filipinos in the urban areas and countryside in keeping with its goal to mitigate poverty, a Palace official said on Wednesday. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday following reports that the percentage of Filipinos living below the poverty line has remained almost unchanged in the past six years. "These are Year 2012 numbers, the...
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25Apr2013MANILA, April 25 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs announced today that the President of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) has appointed the remaining three members of the five-member UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal including the President that will hear the Statement of Claim filed by the Philippines against China on the West Philippine Sea. The President transmitted a letter to Solicitor General Francis H. Jardeleza, Head of the Philippine Legal Team, dated 24 April 2013...
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24Apr2013MANILA, April 24 -- The government has set aside around P7 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s attendance to the 22nd high-level meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Brunei Darussalam from April 24 to 25, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Wednesday. President Aquino left this afternoon for Bandar Seri Begawan via a chartered Philippine Airlines flight accompanied by 51-member delegation that includes Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, F...
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24Apr2013MANILA, April 24 -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue has issued two revenue regulations to improve collection of taxes from transfers that usually go unregulated. One, RR no. 5-2013, prescribes the advance payment of probable taxes due on sales of jewelry, gold, and other precious metals, particularly to non-resident foreign individuals or corporations. RR No. 6-2013, on the other hand, amends certain portions of previously issued RR No. 06-2008 to clarify rules on the sale of shares of stock of d...
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24Apr2013MANILA, April 24 -- Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman today said that 1,755,034 children in 45,389 day care centers nationwide will benefit from the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for school year 2013-2014. In the 2013 DSWD budget, it has allocated more than P2.9 billion for the program covering all 17 regions including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Secretary Soliman explained that the SFP i...
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24Apr2013MANILA, April 24 -- The Filipino community in Yunnan Province, China participated in the International Fair hosted by Kunming International School on April 20. More than 10 countries were represented in the Fair. The Filipino community set up a booth consisting of a nipa hut with displays of tourism posters and a food stand where Filipino favorites such as pansit, lumpiang shanghai, barbeque, maja blanca and other Filipino delicacies were quickly sold out. Members of the Filipino community ...
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24Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 24 -- A new training center designed to offer higher technology skills to Filipinos is now open, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority said. The Philippines-Korea Technological and Cooperation Center (KPTCC) in Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, which started operations on Monday, April 22 is envisioned to become the new hub for technical vocational education and training in the country. Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, said the ...
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24Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 24 -- The Carlos Palanca Foundation, sponsor and organizer of the 63rd Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards), is encouraging participants not to wait for the eleventh hour to email or submit their entries for this year’s competition. Contest deadline is at midnight of April 30, 2013, Entries with complete requirements may be submitted at the Foundation’s Research Facility office at the 6th Floor, Unit 603 Park Trade Center Bldg. 1716 Investment...
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24Apr2013MANILA, April 24 -- The European Parliament adopted a resolution on March 14 approving a report which included its support to the Philippines’ arbitration initiative, under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in clarifying the country’s maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday. In the said report, a paragraph on the West Philippine Sea was included, viz: “...underlines the global importance of the Sou...
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24Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 24 -- The Philippines is taking part in the world’s largest gathering of ocean stakeholders that seeks to develop leadership and collaboration in the sustainability risks and opportunities affecting the future of marine environment. Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje represents the country to the second Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) being held from April 22 to 24 in Washington, D.C., a statement from the Department of Energy said. Organized by ...
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24Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 24 -- Social Security System (SSS) pensioners can now easily remember their annual schedule for confirming their eligibility to pension, with the yearly visit to banks or SSS now based on the members’ birth month, instead of the month of contingency such as retirement, death or disability. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement said pensioners for retirement and total disability can present themselves for the Annual Confirmation of Pe...
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23Apr2013MANILA, April 23 – Malacanang said the record-breaking performance yesterday of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index, which breached the 7,000-mark for the first time in history, indicates continued confidence in the economy. “This stands as a manifestation of continued confidence in the prospects of our economy, not only from the international community, but also from Filipinos who are raising their stake in our country’s success,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. T...
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23Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 23 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said today, one year after the historic Supreme Court decision, that the distribution of land to farmworkers in Hacienda Luisita remains on track. In a statement, the DAR said two crucial stages in the process have been completed: the identification of 6,212 qualified beneficiaries and the segregation survey in the country’ biggest sugar estate. DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes also noted that other activities required in th...
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23Apr2013MANILA, April 23 -- Three distressed Filipino seafarers who were stranded at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya last Easter Sunday, were safely repatriated on April 21, through the combined efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the seafarers’ Philippine recruitment agency, Stella Maris. The three seafarers worked aboard the cargo ship MV Asahi. They are Edgar Tolentino (boson), Boyeto Ba...
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23Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 23 -- The Department of Education has released the guidelines in the giving of cash incentives to athletes who win gold medals or break records in the on-going 2013 Palarong Pambansa in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. Individual athletes who win an official 2013 Palarong Pambansa gold medal shall be entitled to a P3,000 cash reward. For gold medalists in team events that have less than five members, each member shall also receive P3,000. In team events that have more than ...
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22Apr2013MANILA, April 22 -- The Department of Budget and Management released P1.5 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for various public works projects. The funds will support the construction and development of the region’s national roads, bridges, strategic infrastructure projects, and other public works. “The signing of the Bangsamoro peace framework signaled not just a new era of peace for the ARMM, but also the begi...
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22Apr2013MANILA, April 22 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that 69 Filipinos safely crossed the Syrian-Lebanese border yesterday, April 21. The group, which is now under the care of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut, will take two separate flights for Manila today, DFA said in a statement. The first batch composed of 34 repatriates will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I today at 11:10 p.m. aboard Etihad Airways fli...
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22Apr2013MANILA, April 22 -- The growth of agro-based exports may be sustained with the opening up of new markets for sugar and bananas, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). “In addition to South Korea and India, Indonesia and the Middle East, were also identified as potential market for sugar,” said NEDA officer-in-charge (OIC) and Deputy Director-General Emmanuel F. Esguerra. The Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and the Sugar Regulatory Adminis...
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22Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 22 -- Anchored on this year’s Palarong Pambansa theme, “Sports: Road to Peace and Progress,” the Department of Education and the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental vow to put more emphasis on the values the national sports competition can instill to participating athletes. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said that the 2013 Palarong Pambansa offers many firsts – highlighting what sports can do in unifying people and achieving peace and progress. “This...
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22Apr2013TAGUIG, April 22 -- A team of scientists at the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) has come up with a biodegradable food packaging material that protects food and extends its shelf while being kind to the environment. In a statement, the DOST said green packaging technology will not only help address the disposal of food packaging wastes but will also benefit the packaging and plastic industries in the country. While plastic food packa...
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22Apr2013MANILA, April 22 (PIA) -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes is not quitting his post. Brillantes said today that he has decided to follow President Aquino’s advice for him to finish his job in the Comelec. He said his family also persuaded him not to leave his job. “We certainly commend Chariman Brillantes in putting the country’s interest ahead and ensuring that he will oversee the elections this 2013,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during t...
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21Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 21 -- Expect the 2013 Palarong Pambansa in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental to be cleaner and greener than ever as the Department of Education adds new eco-friendly highlights this year. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro directed all Palaro officials, athletes and school administrators to promote environmentally-sound practices which optimize the utilization of resources while protecting the environment during the week-long Palaro. “Every staging of the Palaro should be...
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20Apr2013JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 20 (PIA) -- The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is proudly presented by the Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company in the 9th Best of ASEAN Performing Arts series to a jam-packed audience at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on April 19. The Mission joined hands with the ASEAN Secretariat, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia, Shangrila Hotel, and the Philippine ...
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19Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 19 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III is one of TIME’s 100 most influential people under the Leader category. The list appeared on time100.time.com. Time’s news director Howard Chua-Eoan gave significance to Aquino’s bravery in confronting Beijing’s claim over the South China Sea and his courage in passing a reproductive-right law in a Catholic nation, which many said was impossible. “Aquino pushed through a reproductive-rights law that many said was impossible in ...
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19Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 19 -- The Department of Education will set into motion Operation Balik Eskwela (OBE) for school year 2013-2014 on May 27 to 31. It will also set up the Public Assistance Station (PAS) on June 1 to 8 to ensure the smooth opening of classes when school year 2013-2014 starts in June, DepEd said in a statement. The annual OBE and PAS address the problems that usually crop up during school opening and see to it that school children are in their respective classrooms and buckli...
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18Apr2013MANILA, April 18 -- President Aquino today has appointed two new commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Lawyers Louie Tito F. Guia and Al A. Parreño were the two new appointees, the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS) said today. Guia and Parreño filled in the positions vacated by Armand Velasco and Rene Sarmiento, respectively. Guia was the acting director of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections. He has also been an International Election Consultant to countr...
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18Apr2013DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, April 18 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on Thursday that the government intends to allocate more funds on infrastructure projects in the province and other parts of the country to achieve the target of 56.1 million tourists by 2016. In his keynote speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of the P335 million road upgrading project at Barangay Cogon here on Thursday, the Chief Executive said his administration plans to allocate funds for year 2014 t...
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18Apr2013MANILA, April 18 -- Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced that spending for infrastructure and other capital outlays as of February increased by 40.8 percent or P9.4 billion from the same period last year. A big portion of the increase was attributed to an increase in spending by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The agency’s disbursements for infrastructure projects jumped to P12 billion this year, a big 114.5-percent leap from their P5.6-billion disbursement ...
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18Apr2013MANILA, April 18 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued new guidelines for the release of retirement perks for all government employees, in a move to facilitate the efficient processing and timely release of benefits to retiring government employees. Under Budget Circular 2013-1 dated April 12, 2013, government retirees will receive their retirement perks, gratuities and other benefits due them within 30 days from their actual date of retirement, provided all necessary require...
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18Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 18 -- Every child in the Philippines will now have the chance to be schooled. This is the vision of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Education (DepEd) as they launch Kariton Klasrum with the theme “Katropa, Edukasyon at Kalusugan Mo’y Sagot ko! Sakay na sa Kariton ng Pagbabago!” today in Ultra Sports Complex, Pasig City. More than 200 children will be attending the said event to celebrate the start of the drive and to witness the sy...
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18Apr2013MANILA, April 18 -- A three-member delegation from Philippine Science High School (PSHS) received recognition at the XX Vernadsky National Contest of Student Research Projects held in Moscow from April 08 to 13. PSHS students Quinito Miguel Baula and Anthony Ivan Geronimo were cited for their entries under the earth sciences and medical science and healthcare categories, respectively, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. This was the Philippines’ maiden participation in the said compe...
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18Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 18 -- The Social Security System (SSS) broadened further the reach of its innovative microsavings scheme called "AlkanSSSya," as it now covers golf caddies and self-employed workers who serve members and clients of an elite golf club in Calatagan, Batangas province. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement said the agency’s newest AlkanSSSya partner is the Samahan ng mga Caddy sa Calatagan Golf Club, Inc. (SCSCGCI). The association has...
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18Apr2013MANILA, April 18 -- Two-state-of-the-art biometrics equipment was given to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) by the United States government to aid the reinforcement of the agency’s capability to capture aliens and other foreign fugitives in the country. The apparatuses will be used by the intelligence division of the bureau and the airport operations division in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to BI. BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. formally received the equipment f...
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17Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 17 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) enjoins the consumers, businesses and particularly the overseas Filipinos to transact only with freight forwarders accredited with the Philippine Shippers’ Bureau (PSB) to avoid difficulties in transporting their cargoes and or packages especially balikbayan boxes. “Accredited freight forwarders can be trusted because they follow government standards that guarantee their capability to provide reliable service to their clien...
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17Apr2013MANILA, April 17 (PNA) -– No Filipino has so far been among the casualties in the 7.8-magnitude quake that struck southeastern Iran on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Tremors were felt across the Middle East, including Pakistan and India, but Filipino communities in affected areas told embassy officials that there are no known casualties from the Philippines. There are at least 1,000 Filipinos in Tehran, mostly working in the skilled and unskilled sectors or married to Ira...
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17Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 17 --Overseas Filipino Workers in Arab countries especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) must respect immigration and labor laws of their host countries, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Tuesday. “Remember that you are our ambassadors as well, so your actions also reflect on our country,” Binay reminded OFWs as he repeated his call on Philippine Embassy officials in Saudi Arabia to speed up the processing of papers of undocumented workers who needed to be sent b...
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17Apr2013MANILA, April 17 --President Benigno S. Aquino III will join other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders in attending the 22nd ASEAN Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on April 24 and 25. The Summit’s theme under Brunei’s chairmanship is “Our People, Our Future Together,” which emphasizes the importance of ASEAN citizens in realizing the vision of an ASEAN Community by 2015. This year also marks the 46th year of ASEAN’s existence. This event serves as a follow...
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17Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 17 -- The Department of Education has created an Election Task Force (ETF) Operation Center at its Central Office in Pasig to ensure full support to teachers who will serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors for the 2013 national and local elections. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro has designated Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Atty. Alberto Muyot as Chair of the Steering Committee, a statement from the DepEd said. The ETF will ensure that teachers are pr...
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16Apr2013MANILA, April 16 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the bombing at the Boston Marathon, calling “this senseless violence… all the more appalling for taking place at an event renowned for bringing people together from around the world in a spirit of sportsmanship and harmony.” Speaking at a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York commemorating the 19th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide, Mr. Ban said that although reports on the incident were still coming in, it wa...
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16Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 16 -- The Philippines is getting €3.5 million (roughly P189 million) in grants from the European Union (EU) under its SWITCH-Asia Programme for projects aimed at promoting cleaner and more energy efficient industrial production in one of Asia's rapidly transforming economies. Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in a press release said the awarding of the financial aid on Tuesday will formally put into implementation t...
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16Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 16 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) countered predictions that budget cuts are in the offing for the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and other departments and agencies. Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad in a statement said that budget-cut outlooks for key departments and agencies are premature, citing the tentative nature of the budget ceilings for the next fiscal year. "The indicative budget ceiling i...
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16Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 16 -- As a result of its drive to provide members quick and convenient services, the Social Security System (SSS) posted a record 601,936 transactions via its mobile phone-based facility called "Text-SSS" in 2012, reflecting a jump of 106 percent from its total of 291,600 in 2011. SSS Vice President for Member Services Division Mario Sibucao in a statement said the number of new Text-SSS users showed a similar surge of 107 percent, with a total of 163,384 new registrants reco...
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16Apr2013MANILA, April 16 -- Two-state-of-the-art biometrics equipment was given to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) by the United States government to aid the reinforcement of the agency’s capability to capture aliens and other foreign fugitives in the country. The apparatuses will be used by the intelligence division of the bureau and the airport operations division in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to BI. BI Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. formally received the equipment fro...
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16Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 16 – Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam vowed to work with the Philippines in pursuing development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region. "As Asean Chair for this year, Brunei will continue to work with the Philippines, towards achieving concrete outcomes in economic growth and social progress and in promoting regional peace and stability,” Sultan Bolkiah said today during the state luncheon held in his honor at Malacanang Palace. ...
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16Apr2013MANILA, April 16 -- No Filipinos were among the reported casualties in an explosion that killed two people during the Boston Marathon Monday afternoon (EST), the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez, in his twitter account said, “So far, (there were) no Filipino casualties in the Boston bombings, but (our) Consulate in NY continues to monitor with US authorities and Fil-am com leaders.” In a statement, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail F. Valte s...
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16Apr2013The Secretaries-General of the ASEAN-Korea Center, ASEAN-Japan Center and ASEAN-China held a meeting to discuss their areas of partnership and additional support among ASEAN as well as them (the Republic of Korea, Japan, and China), April 12, 2013 at the ASEAN-Korea Center. The three ASEAN Centers - Korea, Japan and China are intergovernmental organizations established between the Governments of ASEAN Member States including Korea, Japan and China. The three Centers have been working altoget...
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16Apr2013MANILA, April 16 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates started the conduct of the overseas absentee voting for the 2013 National Elections on April 13, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Ms. Rosanna Manahan Pol was the first to cast a ballot at the Consulate. Voting is held at the Consulate General on weekdays (Sunday-Thursday), from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. On weekends (Friday-Saturday), voting is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to ...
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15Apr2013MANILA, April 15 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to look into improving the ride quality of its automated guideway transit (AGT) system. This is in order provide the utmost comfort and security for its passengers, a statement from the Presidential Communications Operations Office said. The President issued his instructions after taking the AGT, the Philippines’ first locally developed and fully automated transport system locat...
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15Apr2013MANILA, April 15 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III wants a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that would be doable and has solid foundation that will withstand scrutiny, a Palace official said on Monday. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday following the holding of the 37th GPH-MILF Formal Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last week. "He (President) wants something that is d...
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15Apr2013MANILA, April 15 – Ninety Filipinos from Syria are expected to arrive here this week, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). These Filipinos availed of the Government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP). The group is scheduled to leave for Beirut, Lebanon today, April 15, where they will take two separate flights for Manila via Doha, Qatar and Manama, Bahrain. The first batch composed of 60 repatriates will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino I...
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11Apr2013MANILA, April 11 -- Senator Chiz Escudero has vowed to put in more funds for the protection and preservation of environmental treasures in the country like Tubbataha Reef. “The protection of the country’s environmental treasures should be a national concern. Government funding should be allocated towards this end. I would also like to see agencies like the Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy commit to the protection and preservation efforts,” Escudero said in a statement. A Chinese fishi...
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13Apr2013MANILA, April 13-- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday has warned internal and external stakeholders against the modus operandi of unscrupulous individuals soliciting contributions or selling tickets for an organized event. DPWH re-issued the warning in the light of continuing reports received from field units of letters of solicitation to DPWH employees and officials, contractors, consultants, and suppliers purportedly endorsed by top hierarchy of the Department. As...
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13Apr2013COTABATO CITY, April 13 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III assured local leaders on Friday that the government is crafting a mechanism that will boost the power sources in Mindanao. During a dialogue with the local leaders at the ORG Conference Room, ARMM Compound here, the Chief Executive said the government is looking for alternative sources of energy to effectively address the power crisis in Mindanao. The power crisis in Mindanao has been attributed to the decreased generating capacity of...
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12Apr2013MANILA, April 12 -- The Board of Investments (BOI) recently approved the application of Philnewenergy as a Renewable Energy (RE) Developer of Solar Energy Resources. According to a Department of Industry statement, Philnewenergy will augment the current supply of energy in Mindanao by an additional 35 MW annually. Its Php3.33 billion project will install a solar photovoltaic power plant in Darang, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The Solar photovoltaic power plant will start commercial operation by ...
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12Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 12 -- More college and vocational-technical (voc-tech) course students can expect to meet their financial requirements for enrollment as the Social Security System (SSS) further liberalized the guidelines of its educational loan facility called the SSS Educational Assistance Loan Program or "Educ-Assist". SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement said members earning P25,000 and below per month are now eligible for Educ-Assist loans, repla...
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12Apr2013MANILA, April 12 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario on Thursday said that the Philippines has resorted to the rule of law by initiating arbitral proceedings under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to clarify the country’s maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea. Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Secretary Del Rosario stressed that the Philippines’ recourse to arbitration is firmly rooted in ...
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12Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 12---Nomination to the 2013 Gawad Jose L. Guererro is now open. Otherwise known as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Media Awards, the Gawad Jose L. Guerrero aims to recognize media organizations, private and public, that write or report science and technology information in the country. Award categories include Professional and Institutional Award (for Media Practitioners in Print, Broadcast, and Cyber), and Outstanding Information Officer Award for DOST emplo...
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12Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 12 --There is another first in this year’s Palarong Pambansa. It will be the first time for the People’s Television 4 to cover the event, affording televiewers a comprehensive update on the country’s biggest annual sporting event, a Department of Education statement said. PTV4 General Manager Cleo Donga-as and DepEd Undersecretary Rizalino Rivera signed an agreement today, which binds the national television network to provide airtime and telecast the daily events o...
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12Apr2013MANILA, April 12 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) hand in hand with the private sector United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP), and Philippine Coconut Oil Producers Association (PCOPA) organized the holding of the 1st Meeting of the National Focal Point Working Group on Coconut on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme at the Richmonde Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City on April 10-12, 2013. Of the total 10 Mem...
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12Apr2013MANILA, April 12 -- Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer on Thursday said that the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is taking on a “new phase” never reached before by both sides. “We are where the process has never been before. Never before had the negotiations between the government and the MILF come to the stage of actually defining and listing down powers; of actually identifying sources of funds and revenues f...
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12Apr2013MANILA, April 12 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Officer (posthumous) on the late columnist William M. "Billy" Esposo for his distinguished service as the Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs in the Department of Local Government in January 1987, in which he led the participatory democracy, in simple ceremonies in Makati City on Thursday. The Chief Executive presented the award to Esposo's widow, Amelia "Mey" Esposo in a ceremony follo...
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11Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 11 -- With the election campaign period reaching its peak, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on Thursday urged candidates to stop using women’s bodies as selling points in campaign sorties. “We are against any activity that capitalizes on sensual and provocative images of women. To win votes, candidates should sell their political platforms, not women’s bodies,” PCW Chairperson Remedios Ignacio-Rikken said in a press statement. PCW noted that hiring women en...
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11Apr2013MANILA, April 11 -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to receive a $7.1-million technical assistance grant from the Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to help boost the competitiveness of the tourism industry. The funds will administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the ADB-CIDA Technical Assistance on Improving Competitiveness in Tourism was signed yesterday in a ceremony held at the Bayleaf ...
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10Apr2013MANILA, April 10 -- Vice-President Jejomar Binay opened on April 08 the Philippines' first ever grand exhibition at the Musee du Quai Branly in the heart of Paris, the world's cultural capital, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Entitled "Philippines:Archipel des échanges" (archipelago of exchanges), the grand exhibition is hosted by the Branly Museum, one of Europe's premier museums dedicated to the arts and civilizations of Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. More than 300 essenti...
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10Apr2013NEW ZEALAND, April 10 -- Upon the invitation of New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae, Philippine Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez joined the Heads of Diplomatic Missions to a State Welcome Ceremony and a State Dinner on the occasion of the visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang-Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, to New Zealand at the Government House on March 26. The Sultan’s visit built on the positive and friendly relationship ...
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10Apr2013PASIG CITY, April 10 —The Philippines is set to further strengthen relations and liberalize trade with neighboring countries to allow local producers to take advantage of preferential tariffs and provide better access to markets of partner economies. “We are closely looking at how we can do well in global and regional integration with partner economies, especially at opening new markets and strengthening existing ones for our local producers,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Ba...
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10Apr2013MANILA, April 10 -- President Aquino said on Wednesday that the government had already come out with an action plan to effectively curb smuggling in the country. In an interview in Roxas City, Capiz where he led the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roxas City Airport Development Project, the President said the newly-crafted measure would solve the problem on smuggling. The President said his administration remains committed to improve the services of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) by enhancing th...
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10Apr2013MANILA, April 10 -- The government will ensure that the country’s laws are enforced. Thus, said President Benigno S. Aquino III in reaction to the recent grounding incident in Tubbataha Reef involving a Chinese fishing vessel during an interview at the Roxas City Airport on Wednesday. The President said the government will execute Republic Act 10067 that states anyone entering the protected zone is considered a poacher. “There are penalties--imprisonment, fines--our job as the executive d...
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09Apr2013MANILA, April 9 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario will attend the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam on April 10 and 11. The AMM will prepare for the 22nd ASEAN Summit, which is scheduled for April 24 and 25 in Bandar Seri Begawan, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The Secretary is expected to call for ASEAN’s concerted actions on issues related to maritime security, the situation in the Korean Peninsula, nuclear ...
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08Apr2013DAVAO CITY, April 8 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to undertake a population count of the Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) in Mati, Davao Oriental and in Kapalong, Davao del Norte. In his report to DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, DENR-Region 11 Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada said the study will also include an assessment of the natural habitats of the tarsier in the two provinces. “The results of the study will serve as basis in craf...
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08Apr2013JAKARTA, April 8-- ASEAN launched the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement: A Guidebook for Businesses and Investors (ACIA Guidebook) during the Forum on the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement - Transforming Investment in ASEAN through ACIA (ACIA Forum). A press report from ASEAN said the Forum was held to introduce ACIA, the ASEAN investment legal instrument which entered into force last year to replace the Framework Agreement on the ASEAN Investment Area (AIA Agreement) and the ASEA...
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08Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 8 -- Fifty representatives of government agencies in Region IX and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are drafting an action plan to ensure that services are provided to families returning from Sabah. The plan will involve programs by different line agencies that could be provided for the returnees, a statement from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said. Based on the April 5 report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Disas...
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08Apr2013ROME, April 8 -- The Philippine Embassy in Rome and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhlPost) launched a commemorative stamp in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Italy Diplomatic Relations. The launch was held last April 03 at the Headquarters of Poste Italiane, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. The unveiling ceremony was led by Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. with the presence of PhlPost Chief Executi...
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08Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 8 -- The National Food Authority has released, 99,500 bags of rice for distribution to Filipinos in Mindanao displaced by the Sabah crisis. National Food Authority Administrator Orlan A. Calayag said this was as of April 5. Distribution of the rice stocks is being handled by the Crisis Management Committee called “Oplan Tabang Basulta.” BASULTA stands for the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi where majority of those fleeing from Sabah have returned to live with...
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07Apr2013MANILA, April 7 -– The Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that 28 Filipinos are set to arrive in Manila from Syria today, April 7, on board two separate flights. Two of them took a commercial flight to Manila via Kuwait City and Doha, Qatar from Damascus. They will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal I at 4:35 p.m. on board Qatar Airways flight QR 646. The 26 other repatriates were brought by representatives of the Philipp...
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07Apr2013MANILA, April 7 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Region will observe World Health Day 2013 on April 8 with a ceremony honouring Philippine President Benigno Aquino III for his leadership in public health. "It is fitting that we celebrate World Health Day by recognizing President Aquino's exemplary leadership in public health," says WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Shin Young-soo in statement. "Among his most significant accomplishments have been ...
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07Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 7 -- As part of the observance of the 2013 Philippine Veterans Week, a “Tribute to All Filipino Heroes” will be held April 7, at 9 a.m. at the Filipino Hereos Memorial in Corregidor Island, Cavite, with Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. and a son of a World War II veteran, as guest of honor and speaker. The said tribute shall honor all Filipino heroes, patriots and defenders who fought and died for country’s freedom and liberty – from the time of Lapu-lapu to the...
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07Apr2013MANILA, April 7 -- "Billy Esposo served our country with distinction." This is how Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma described the person whom he considered as a friend and a mentor. William "Billy" Esposo, a former Director-General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Chairman of the government–supervised Radio Philippines Network (RPN) during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, died from complications due to a kidne...
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06Apr2013MANILA, April 6, 2013 -- The 29th Balikatan military exercise between the Philippines and the United States formally started yesterday. Among the officials present at the opening ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo were Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert Del Rosario, US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr, Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista. More than 8,000 combined Philippine and U.S. personnel will participate in the exercise, which will take...
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05Apr2013STA. CRUZ, Laguna, April 5 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III led Friday the launching of the Laguna Lake flood control and river protection project that will shield communities along the lake from raging flood waters during rainy seasons. Upon arriving at the project site, the President was briefed by Secretary Neric Acosta, the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager, about the flood control project. Acosta said the P180-m...
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05Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 5 -- Three government agencies have partnered to provide 2,000 classrooms for public schools under the Department of Education. The targeted additional classrooms will be constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and will be funded from the P2 billion donation committed by the Pagcor, a statement from the Department of Education said. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) will turn over the classrooms to the DepEd on December 2014,...
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05Apr2013MANILA, April 5 -- The Philippines is hosting the first ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights on April 4 to 5 at the Ateneo Professional Schools in Rockwell, Makati. University students from the ten ASEAN Member States participated in the two-day event bearing the theme, “Mainstreaming Human Rights in ASEAN Community-Building,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The event aimed to raise greater awareness and appreciation of human rights, as well as to promote camaraderie among the stude...
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04Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 4 -- The Department of Education’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP), which aims to address shortages in public school classrooms through partnerships with the private sector, has made it as the lone entry from the ASEAN to the internationally-acclaimed Partnerships Awards 2013. The PSIP is a qualifier for the ‘Best Pathfinder Project’ category. Previous winners were mostly from Europe and the Americas. The awarding ceremony wi...
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04Apr2013TERNATE, Cavite, April 4 – The Department of Public Works and Highways – Bureau of Construction said the Ternate-Nasugbu road project would spur tourism and livelihood industries and decongest traffic within the provinces of Batangas, Cavite and other nearby locales. The project will be completed and opened to public use in July this year, said DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, who briefed President Aquino during the latter’s visit here today. Construction began in 2009. The P860,000-pro...
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04Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 4 (PIA) – A 5.4-magnitude earthquake hit Metro Manila including Baguio, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija at 10:26 a.m. today. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS) Director Renato Solidum said the tremor’s epicenter was located at 17km northeast of Baler, Aurora with a depth of 5km. Intensity V was felt in Baler, Intensity IV in Cabiao,Nueva Ecija, Intensity III in Cauayan, Quezon, Taguig, Pasay, Antipolo and Mandaluyong City, Intensity II in Manila; Mal...
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04Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 4 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is boosting its production of bio-fertilizers by 55 percent during the first half of 2013 to ensure the supply of root growth enhancers for planting materials to be used in the government’s National Greening Program (NGP). According to the DENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), some 155 tons of bio-fertilizers will be made this semester or 55 tons higher than what was produced during the s...
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04Apr2013MANILA, April 4 -- Underscoring the critical role the Philippines plays in the Asia-Pacific, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday assured Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario of Washington’s commitment to further strengthening its defense cooperation with Manila. “Secretary Hagel conveyed to us the need for the Philippines and the US to further deepen their partnership to uphold peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific Region,” Secretary del Rosario said after his meeting...
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04Apr2013MANILA, April 4 -- The Central Bank Governors from ASEAN member states (AMS) launched at the sidelines of the 9th ASEAN Central Bank Governors’ Meeting on 3 April 2013 in Brunei Darussalam the Summary Report entitled “The Road to ASEAN Financial Integration - A Combined Study on Assessing the Financial Landscape and Formulating Milestones for Monetary and Financial Integration in ASEAN”. The Summary Report is a joint initiative of the ASEAN central banks and monetary authorities, the ASEA...
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03Apr2013MANILA, April 3 -- Describing Manila’s move to seek arbitration as a step in the right direction, United States (US) Secretary of State John F. Kerry on April 2 assured Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario Washington will continue to work with the Philippines in seeking a peaceful solution to the conflicting claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), particularly in the coming ASEAN and related meetings. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Secretary Kerry ga...
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03Apr2013MANILA, April 3 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today announced that disbursements increased at P124.1 billion for February—14.3 percent higher than expenditure levels posted in the same period in 2012—exceeding the 11-percent year-on-year spending jump posted earlier in January. The DBM on its website today also reported that cumulative disbursements for the first two months of the year amounted to P282 billion, P31.2 billion or 12.4 percent higher than the P250.8 billion ...
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03Apr2013MANILA, April 3 – The Transition Commission (TC) convened today to begin drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law that will pave the way toward the establishment of the new Bangsamoro entity, a statement from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process reported. TC chair Mohagher Iqbal urged partners from the government, legislature, and the international community to support the work of the all-Bangsamoro TC. “Let me call on our partners from government to work hand in hand w...
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03Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 3 -- The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) will coordinate and provide technical assistance to the establishment of 28 small to large-sized rice processing centers (RPC) costing approximately P421 million, which will help farmers reduce postharvest losses and become less dependent on private millers. PhilMech Executive Director Rex L. Bingabing in a statetment said that the project, called “RPC 1-2-3,” aims to establish milling fa...
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03Apr2013MANILA, April 3 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today announced that disbursements topped at P124.1 billion for February—14.3 percent higher than expenditure levels posted in the same period in 2012—exceeding the 11-percent year-on-year spending jump posted earlier in January. The DBM also reported that cumulative disbursements for the first two months of the year amounted to P282 billion, P31.2 billion or 12.4 percent higher than the P250.8 billion posted in January to Fe...
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02Apr2013MANILA, April 2 -- Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad reiterated that subsidies for state universities and colleges (SUCs) have been increased yearly under the Aquino administration, adding that the SUC budget in 2013 saw an increase by 44 percent to support President Aquino’s campaign for improved public tertiary education in the country. Abad made this statement following a call by United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) leaders to increase subsidies for state schools. “Over th...
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02Apr2013MANILA, April 2 -- Filipino film talents proved once again that they are world-class in their chosen field as they reaped honors during the first ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards (AIFFA 2013) in Kuching, Sarawak from March 28 to 30. During the awards night held on March 30 at the Borneo Convention Center and attended by prominent ASEAN film personalities, Filipino actors Alessandra de Rossi, Anita Linda and Bugoy Carino took home the Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Su...
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02Apr2013MANILA, April 2 -- The Department of Finance, Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue together have undertaken a campaign to curb oil smuggling and bring smugglers to justice. “One of this administration’s priorities is to combat smugglers directly, especially in high-risk commodities such as oil. We in the DOF and its attached agencies are using a proactive, information-driven approach to fight oil smuggling. This is part of establishing tuwid na daan for all businesses in the Phi...
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02Apr2013MANILA, April 2 -- The Lifestyle Publication recently named the Philippines as one of 2012’s “Best Leisure Destinations”. The Grand Annual Tourism Awards had been conferred by the Lifestyle Publications for three years now. The awardees were chosen by the tourism industry representatives and professionals, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Other awardees in the same category were Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives. Lifestyle is among the top 10 most ...
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02Apr2013MANILA, April 2 – The Philippine POLO Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Seoul said the situation is normal in South Korea, even as it advised overseas Filipino workers (OFW) to stay alert. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday urged OFWs in South Korea to remain calm and alert after the North Korea declared a state of war against South Korea. “The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Seoul, which is constantly monitoring the conditions in the region, rep...
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02Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 2 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has joined forces with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure a garbage-free election campaign. A joint memorandum circular (JMC) was signed by the heads of the three agencies to make sure that local officials, political parties, party-list organizations, candidates and their supporters will adhere to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. ...
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02Apr2013QUEZON CITY, April 2 -- The sixth batch of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent-trainees began their training on April 1, at the PDEA Academy in Camp General Mariano Castañeda, Silang, Cavite. A statement from PDEA said the 75-strong- 48 men and 27 women- agent-trainees took their oath before PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. They will embark on a six-month Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course (DEOBC), a comprehensive and regimented training progra...
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02Apr2013MANILA, April 2 -- The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon issued a reminder to the public to be extra cautious in making transactions over the internet with spurious companies and individuals offering employment and issuance of entry/working visas for Portugal. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said, the Embassy has recently noted an upsurge in the number of Filipinos who have been victimized or have received emails from alleged companies or law firms in Portugal who offer jo...
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01Apr2013MANILA, April 1 -- The 10th ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Informal Meeting (10th ACDFIM), 10th ASEAN Military Intelligence Informal Meeting (10th AMIIM) and 3rd ASEAN Military Operations Informal Meeting (3rd AMOIM) were held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam from March 19 to 20. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), attended the 10th ACDFIM along with his counterparts from other ASEAN member states, a statement from the Department of F...
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01Apr2013MANILA, April 1 -- Fitch Ratings’ investment grade stamp for the Philippines will help push infrastructure spending higher, as the Administration creates greater room for expenditures for the country’s social and economic sectors, according to the Department of Budget and Management. “With the country now at investment grade, we’re determined to strengthen our economic position further and expand our fiscal space for key socio-economic services. At the same time, we expect to attract mo...
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01Apr2013MANILA, April 1 -- Contingency plans are in place in the event that the recurring tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalate further in light of North Korea’s recent declaration of a "state of war" with South Korea, Malacañang said on Monday. Quoting the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Filipino community leaders in South Korea have already been contacted and put on Alert Level 1 for heightened awareness of the situation. “If you reme...
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31Mar2013MANILA, March 31 -- The country has progressed a lot when the true power of government was given back to the people, President Benigno S. Aquino III said in his Easter message Saturday. In his message, the President said the resurrection of Jesus Christ mirrors the hope of the Filipino people to rise from the ill effects of corruption and despair. “Mula nang naibalik sa mga Pilipino ang tunay na lakas ng pamahalaan, at naiwaksi ang kultura nang pagkakanya-kanya at panlalamang, nagawa nating ...
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29Mar2013MANILA, March 28 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III joins the Filipino nation in the observance of the Holy Week and called on the people to emulate the example set forth by our Savior Jesus Christ. "Bilang mga tagasunod ni Kristo, nararapat lamang na tayo’y tumulad sa Kanyang mabuting ehemplo," the Chief Executive said in his Lenten message issued on Wednesday. President Aquino asked his fellow Catholics and Christians to remember the great atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of ...
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27Mar2013MANILA, March 27 -- The Department of Public Works and Highways will continue to take advantage of the relatively low volume of vehicles this Maundy Thursday (March 27, 2013) to Easter Sunday (March 31, 2013) with implementation of various re-blocking works on damaged pavement along national roads in Metro Manila. Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said repair of national road including portions of EDSA, the most heavily travelled highway in the National Capital Region, will follow the standard prac...
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27Mar2013MANILA, March 27 -- Fitch Ratings today declared the Philippines “Investment Grade,” the first-ever such rating achieved by the country from a major western credit rating agency. In a statement, the credit rating agency upgraded the Philippine sovereign’s long-term foreign currency rating to ‘BBB–’ from ‘BB+’, and its long-term local currency to ‘BBB’ from ‘BBB–’, with a ‘stable’ outlook on both ratings. Reacting to the announcement, Bangko Sentral...
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27Mar2013JAKARTA, March 27 -- The anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in northeast Japan is the focus of the March 2013 edition of “ASEAN Today.” A statement from ASEAN said that interviews with residents rebuilding their lives, and what ASEAN did to help is in a special report from the area hit two years ago. Dalton Tanonaka of Indonesia’s Metro TV reports on the people and places of the dynamic Southeast Asia region. Also included in this month’s program are ...
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27Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 27 -- The Social Security System (SSS) is reminding beneficiaries of members who passed away since April 2, 2012 and who have still not filed for an SSS Death Benefit claim, that the Loan Penalty Condonation Program will end on March 31, 2013. In a statement, SSS said under Situation B of the Condonation Program that was implemented in 2012, beneficiaries of deceased member-borrowers with unpaid loans who will file for Death Claim within the period of April 2, 2012 up to the...
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27Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 27 -- The Philippines got its first ever investment grade on Wednesday, March 27 as Fitch Ratings gave the county a ‘BBB-’ from BB+ with a stable outlook. President Aquino in a statement welcomed the good news saying that “this means much more than lower interest rates on our debt and more investors buying our securities. Greater access to low-cost funds gives us more fiscal space to sustain and further improve on social protection, defense, and economic stimulus, amon...
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27Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 27 -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency teamed up with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to help ensure the safety of all travelers this Holy Week. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. said that surprise drug tests were conducted randomly to provincial bus drivers in the northern and southern bus terminals of the metropolis. These tests were done in coordination with MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino. On March 26, the PDEA Laborato...
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27Mar2013MANILA, March 27 -- Officials from the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and representatives from the travel industry participated in the Guangzhou International Travel Fair (GITF) 2013 on March 6 in a bid to attract one million tourists from China. The Philippine delegation was headed by the DOT, through the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board and the Philippine Tourism Office-Shanghai, with the support of the Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou, and partner sponsors - Cebu Pacific,...
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26Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 26 -- The Gender Equality Committee, led by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), launched three documents called for by R.A 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) on March 22 in Quezon City in a bid to address women’s issues and concerns in the news and entertainment media. These are the Code of Ethics for Media, Gender Equality Guide and Guidelines to Protect Women from Discrimination in Media and Film. ...
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26Mar2013PTV Management promptly investigated the reported incident of sexual harassment filed by a contractual employee against the network’s news department overseer through a panel composed of officers from the ranks of both management and employees. Based on the panel’s report and investigation, PTV management meted the penalty of 60-day suspension on the news department overseer for simple misconduct – that which had put in jeopardy a professional relationship between a trainee and a contrac...
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26Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 26 -- The Department of Education has renewed its partnership with Rappler, Inc., a media organization of veteran journalists, as its official social media partner for the 2013 Palarong Pambansa set in Negros Oriental this April, a statement from DepEd said. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro and Rappler Chief Executive Officer and Executive Editor Maria Ressa were present in the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement on behalf of their respective organizations...
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26Mar2013MANILA, March 26 -- Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad emphasized that state universities and colleges (SUCs) did not suffer a budget cut this year, but were instead given a total of P37.1 billion in 2013, 44 percent higher than their total allocation in 2012. Abad confirmed this in the wake of recent reports that decried alleged budget cuts imposed on SUCs. “To say that we decreased the budget for SUCs is grossly inaccurate. As a matter of fact, the Aquino administration gave...
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26Mar2013MANILA, March 26 -- Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Toshinao Urabe, signed and exchanged notes on March 25, on two yen loan projects. These are for the Capacity Enhancement of Mass Transit Systems in Metro Manila (Y43.25 billion or P18.56 billion) and the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project (Y10.78 billion or P4.63 billion), and two grant aid projects, namely, the Mini-Hydropower Develo...
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25Mar2013MANILA, March 22 -- H.E. Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, the new Permanent Representative (PR) of the Republic of the Philippines to Asean, informed H.E. Le Luong Minh, the Secretary-General of Asean, that Asean is an integral part of the foreign policy of the Philippines and the country attaches great importance to peace and stability in the region. SG Minh expressed his appreciation to the Republic of the Philippines for its valuable contribution and strong commitment to Asean. He also said that he l...
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25Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 25 -- The Philippines is viewed as leader in terms of responding to violence against women and girls (VAWG) during the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW57) which took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from March 4-15. Priority theme of the UNCSW57 is “Elimination and prevention of all forms of VAWG.” The international community lauded the country’s progressive interventions for sustained prevention and multi-sectoral respo...
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25Mar2013MANILA, March 25 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of a combined P1.92 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the implementation of flood control and farm-to-market road projects, respectively. DBM Secretary Florencio Abad in a press report confirmed that P1.23 billion of the total amount was released to the DPWH to fund the implementation of flood management projects to mitigate perennial...
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23Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 23 -- How does one show love for country? Today, March 23 proves that one need not die to show love for country as thousands of volunteers from all over the country and even teams from the US, Canada and Singapore trooped to 37 locations nationwide to join the Bayani Challenge 2013. Bayani Challenge 2013 is the country’s biggest gathering of volunteers organized by the Gawad Kalinga (GK) in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), which ...
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23Mar2013MANILA, March 23 --The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System’s (PhilGEPS) proposal to implement new membership types, which will support PhilGEPS’ operational self-sufficiency and enhance transparency and efficiency in the public procurement process. Under the proposed plan, registered suppliers will be subject to additional fees, which will pave the way for additional and beneficial user features such as electronic bi...
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23Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 23 (PIA) -- Four years ago, some 200 young persons from Metro Manila and other cities left for Sulu to help build new and better homes for the poor. Some took out savings, others sold cellphones, MP4s and other personal gadgets to raise money for the trip to Panglima Estino: an unfamiliar town where they have no friends nor relatives. These builders were volunteers of Bayani Challenge 2009 who were in Sulu when Abu Sayyaf bandits were snatching foreigners and locals for ran...
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23Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 23 --The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Department of Education bared the winners in the 2012 National Search for the best public school teachers of savings and financial literacy who received generous financial reward for their effort. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement identified the national winners who received P100,000 each as Violeta Roson of F. Benitez Elementary School of Makati City, May Villanueva of Sta. Rosa Elementary School of Laguna, ...
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23Mar2013MANILA, March 23 -- Malacanang is encouraging government departments and entities to participate in this year’s Earth Hour to raise awareness on climate change and environmental protection. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. issued a memorandum dated March 21, enjoining all the heads of departments, and agencies of the national government to participate in this year’s Earth Hour, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday...
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23Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 23 -- Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman bared that there are 249 more Filipino deportees from Sabah, Malaysia who arrived on March 19 in Tawi-Tawi. In a statement, the DSWD said the deportees were immediately given stress debriefing, counselling services, and relief assistance to augment support for their daily basic needs. As of March 20, a total 1,319 families composed of 3,704 Filipino returnees from Sabah arrived in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu pr...
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22Mar2013MANILA, March 22 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said P831.8 million have already been made available to several departments and agencies, state colleges and universities (SUCs), and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) for the distribution of the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) to their respective employees. “We commend all departments, agencies, and GOCCs that successfully complied with their requirements, and whose employees were among the first to receive the...
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22Mar2013MANILA, March 22 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur’s humanitarian/consular teams went on high gear when the team based in Lahad Datu, led by Team Leader Renato P.O. Villa, turned over on March 20 food packs and relief goods for Filipinos at the four evacuation centers located at the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) Salahat area. The relief goods were turned over to Alia Asfa, a community leader at the Embara Budi evacuation center whose mother is Filipina-born. There are a...
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22Mar2013MANILA, Marso 22 (PIA) -- Pumayag na ang pamahalaan ng Malaysia na bisitahin ng mga tauhan ng Philippine Embassy ang mga nahuling Pilipino na tauhan umano ng Sultanato ng Sulu. Ayon kay DFA Spokesperson Raul Hernandez, nagpapadala na ng note verbale ang Malaysian Foreign Ministry sa Philippine Embassy sa Malaysia kung saan nakasaad ang pahintulot na mabisita ng kawani ng embahada ang mga nahuling Pilipino. Gayunpaman, hindi naman sinabi roon kung kailan sila mabibisita at kung ilan ang eksakt...
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22Mar2013NAGA CITY, March 22 -- The Department of Energy (DOE) will be presenting an immediate solution to the Mindanao power problem to relieve businesses from frequent power outages, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Thursday. It was reported that Mindanao businessmen have called on the President to use his emergency power to solve the power crisis in the region, which may affect trade as well as the upcoming elections in May. The Chief Executive noted that the DOE made an assurance that major ...
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21Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 21 -- Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz urged private sector employers to observe correct pay rules and general occupational safety and health labor standards for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Black Saturday. “I reiterate to our private sector employers to observe the pay rules and other core labor and occupational safety and health standards during these holidays in the interest of workers’ welfare and protection,” she further said. The ...
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21Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- Reproductive Health (RH) advocates launched on Wednesday the Purple Vote campaign in support of national and local candidates who will push for the implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) law also known as Responsible Parenthood Act. In a statement, former health secretary and Purple Vote lead convernor Esperanza Cabral said, "Purple vote speaks of the right to informed decision-making. Through Purple vote, we shall use our right to vote to guarantee everyt...
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20Mar2013MANILA, March 20 --President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law a Bill that will “revitalize” the operations of government television station PTV-4 (People’s Television Network, Incorporated) to be at par with global standards with programming relevant to the times, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said. Coloma, in a press conference held at Malacanang on Wednesday, said that the President signed into law Republic Act No. 103901 or An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7306, en...
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20Mar2013MANILA, March 20 -- The Department of Education endorses the Tahderiyyah Curriculum in Islamic community schools operated by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), giving Muslim preschool children equal access to quality kindergarten education. The Tahderiyyah curriculum was developed for five-year old Muslim pupils in schools under the BDA. The standards and competencies of the curriculum are aligned with the kindergarten curriculum implemented in all public schools nationwide, a statement f...
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20Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 20 --The Philippines is eyeing to export yellow onions to other countries, starting with Japan. The Department of Agriculture in a statement said it is partnering with the National Onion Growers Cooperative Marketing Association, Inc. (Nogrocoma) to make it a reality. Several DA and NOGROCOMA officials sent off a trial shipment of 20 metric tons of yellow granex onions to Japan, on March 16, 2013, at the Manila Harbor Center. The onions were harvested from Bongabon, Nue...
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20Mar2013QUEZON CITY, Mar 20 (PIA) -- The Philippines is the first choice of Germany and the first non-European country to sign a labor agreement on health care professionals recruitment with the Federal Republic of Germany. During the signing of a bilateral agreement Tuesday held at the Department of Labor and Employment, Manila, German Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Dr. Ursula Von Der Leyen said Germany highly prefers Filipino nurses primarily because of the values that are similar with the Germ...
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20Mar2013BUTUAN City, March 19 -- President Benigno Aquino III signed into law Thursday, March 14 the PTV4 bill which would mark the start of change in bringing the good news of President Aquino's 'Daang Matuwid' program to the people. Senator Loren Legarda, one of the sponsors of the bill in the Senate, called the signing into law as a timely resuscitation of the national television network. "PTV4 has great potential, not for propaganda, but for information dissemination of the advocacies of our vari...
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20Mar2013MANILA, March 20 -- Thirty-one Filipinos, all of them women, are scheduled to arrive in Manila today, March 20. The group is the latest batch of repatriates who fled the violence in Syria with the assistance of the Philippine Embassies in Damascus and Beirut. The repatriates will be arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal I at 3:55 p.m. on board Qatar Airways flight QR 646. Upon their arrival, the total number of repatriates from the strife-torn country will reac...
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19Mar2013MANILA, March 19 -- The Philippines-Saudi Arabia Joint Technical Working Group (TWG) convened at the Ministry of Labor (MOL) in Riyadh to discuss and mutually agree on the provisions of the draft Agreement on Domestic Worker Recruitment on March 16. The proposed agreement aims to enhance Philippine-Saudi cooperation on the recruitment of Filipino domestic workers, and seeks to protect the rights of both the worker and the employer and regulate the contractual relations between them, a Departme...
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19Mar2013MANILA, March 19 -- Filipino health professionals now have the opportunity to work in Germany. This, as the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany on Tuesday, March 19, concluded a government-to-government agreement that will facilitate the placement of Filipino health care professionals in employment positions in Germany, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The Agreement was signed by Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (P...
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18Mar2013MANILA, March 18 --Philippine and Mongolian foreign ministry senior officials will meet in Manila on March 19 for the 1st Philippines-Mongolia Policy Consultations. The Philippine panel will be headed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Del Rosario while Vice Foreign Minister Damba Gankhuyag will head the Mongolian panel. The Mongolian delegation will call on DFA Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario. They will also meet with Philippine To...
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18Mar2013MANILA, March 18 -- For the first time, an Irish Government Minister visited the ASEAN Secretariat. A press report from ASEAN said, H.E. Brendan Howlin, Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform of the Republic of Ireland, visited the ASEAN Secretariat, March 14 to be updated on the latest development and prospects of achieving the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. The Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the AEC, H.E. Lim Hong Hin, received the Minister and his delegation. Minister H...
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18Mar2013MANILA, March 18 -- Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Germany is here in Manila to witness the signing of the agreement that will allow Filipino health care professional to work in Germany. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said the German Minister will witness the signing of “Agreement Concerning the Placement of Filipino Health Care Professionals in Employment Positions in the Federal Republic of Germany at the Department of Labor a...
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18Mar2013BAGUIO CITY, March 18 -- Diplomacy, dialogue, rules based approach not saber-rattling and violence. This is how government is handling the issue of Sabah, President Benigno S. Aquino said during the commencement exercise of the Philippine Military Academy Pudang Kalis class ng 2013, Sunday even as he assured government has not given up its claim on Sabah. “Tingnan po natin bilang halimbawa ang situwasyon sa West Philippine Sea. ‘Di ba’t gaya nang sa Sabah, paninindigang nakatuntong sa is...
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16Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 16 -- Eighteen wood processing plants (WPPs) in Davao del Norte have forged an agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to fund seedling production and establishment of 210 hectares of commercial tree plantations in the province in support of the National Greening Program (NGP). In a report to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, DENR-Region 11 Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada said the wood processing plan...
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15Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 15 -- President Aquino signed Republic Act (RA) 10380 otherwise known as the Local Absentee Voting for Media Law, allowing media practitioners nationwide the opportunity to cast their votes every election. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in a press briefing, Friday said the pertinent provisions of this new law shall apply to all members of the media and their respective technical and support staff who are usually busy covering the election day. They, howeve...
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15Mar2013MANILA, March 15 -- The Philippines and South Sudan signed on March 13 a Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between them in simple ceremonies held at the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya. The Philippines officially recognized South Sudan as a sovereign and independent state soon after South Sudan declared its independence on 9 July 2011. Philippine Ambassador to Kenya Domingo D. Lucenario, Jr. signed the Joint Communiqué on behalf of the Philippine Government while S...
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15Mar2013MANILA, March 15 -- The Philippines was chosen "Most Popular Destination" by Guangzhou Information Times and the Guangzhou International Tourism Fair (GITF) in separate ceremonies held on March 7 in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong in southern China. In a press conference/awarding ceremony held at the Nanhu Travel Display Center, the Philippines was presented the "Most Popular Destination in Asia" award by Mr. Li Xinzhang, Vice President of Guangzhou Information Times, a statement from the Dep...
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15Mar2013QUEZON CITY, Mar 15 (PIA) -- The Office for Transportation Security (OTS) launched “Ligtas Biyahe” in partnership with SM Malls, a move that would further boost public awareness on the role of OTS in protecting the citizen’s freedom and safety to travel via sea, air, land or rail. With the theme, “Ligtas Biyahe – OPLAN Pagpapaliwanag 2013, the two-day info-drive campaign started pn March 14 in SM Malls. The following are the schedule of the campaign in selected SM Malls nationwide: S...
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15Mar2013JAKARTA, March 15 -- ASEAN’s efforts to increase awareness among its citizens is working. Over 80% of the general public surveyed in the Capital cities of the ASEAN region recognizes ASEAN. The challenge is now for ASEAN to intensify its imprint and understanding among ASEAN citizens—in the capital cities and rural communities alike. Key findings of the Surveys on ASEAN Community Building Efforts are available online on ASEAN website here. Surveys on ASEAN Community Building Efforts were...
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15Mar2013MANILA, March 15 -- The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv met on March 11 the 21 Filipino United Nations (UN) peacekeepers in the Golan Heights who were detained by Syrian rebels last week. The 21 Filipino UN peacekeepers arrived at Camp Ziouani around 6 p.m. local time and were personally received and greeted by Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso D.G. Calonge, Philippine Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Nolie Anquiliano and other members of the Philippine contingent. The soldiers entered Is...
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15Mar2013MANILA, March 15 -- The government has established a mobile Humanitarian/Welfare Desk to complement the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) in Sabah to respond to the situation of Filipino nationals in Sabah, upon the directive of the President, a statement from the Department of Social Welfare and Development said. Two Rapid Response Teams (RRT1 and RRT2) were deployed in different areas in Sabah where there is a large concentration of Filipinos. Social Welfare Secretary Soliman said that RRT1, com...
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14Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 14 -- The Social Security System (SSS) filed charges against more than 1,400 delinquent companies last year for various violations, the most common of which is their failure to remit the monthly SSS contributions of their employees. SSS Officer-in-Charge Edgar Solilapsi in a statement said 1,165 employers were sued in 2012 for non-remittance of contributions totaling P376.33 million, including P193 million in penalties. Under the law, employers are charged a monthly penalty o...
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14Mar2013Quezon City, March 14---Catholics around the world should expect the new Pope will lead the laity towards church basics: Bible and traditions. In an interview, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Executive Secretary Father Francis Lucas said, said Francis I is a noted theologian who the Conclave sees as the appropriate Pope to respond to the challenges of modern times. Aside from expertise in the teachings, Father Francis said his katukayo (namesake) has a masters degree in chemis...
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14Mar2013MANILA, March 14 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III, along with the Filipino people, joined all the Catholic faithful in welcoming the new pope, Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a statement on Thursday following the election of Bergoglio as the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church said, "The President, along with the Filipino people, joins all the Catholic faithful as they receive their new leader and meet his proclamation with a sense of boundl...
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14Mar2013MANILA, March 14 -- The Philippine government will continue to exert efforts to gain access to Filipinos detained by Malaysian authorities following the deadly offensive launched by Malaysia in Sabah, Malacanang said on Thursday. “Our concern is for our Filipinos in custody. We will continue to pursue our desire to seek access to our Filipino brethren who are in Malaysian custody,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Thursday. Asked by reporters ...
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14Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 14 -- The Department of Education has significantly increased its allocation for schools maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) this year. In a statement, DepEd said it is up by 46% this year as the government intensifies its efforts to achieve the learning targets of some 20 million students in elementary and secondary public schools nationwide. Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said DepEd and the Department of Budget and Management both agreed to adopt ...
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14Mar2013QUEZON, March 13 --Government housing sector is looking into the viability of non-irrigable lands as sites for socialized and non-socialized housing projects. In a meeting with the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders' Associations (CREBA), Vice President Jejomar Binay said the state wanted to "prioritize the development of infrastructures that will fully utilize the potentials" of non-irrigable lands. The phrase "non-irrigable lands" suggest lands that lack the marked characteristics to justi...
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13Mar2013MANILA, March 13 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has intensified efforts to provide assistance to Filipinos affected by the recent events in Sabah. “We are exerting utmost efforts to reach out to as many Filipinos in eastern Sabah at the soonest time possible," Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya said in a statement. "We are making arrangements to repatriate those who express the desire to do so. We feel and understand the anxieties felt by many of our kababayans ...
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13Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 13 -- Now more adept in managing their business, 1,175 women from various regions in the country graduated from a training program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Coca Cola Philippines Inc. Of the women who finished the training, 126 who came from the cities of Pasay and Manila, were recognized on March 12 in ceremonies that feted them as the first batch who finished the Coke-Tesda Sari-Sari Store Training and the Access to Resources (...
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13Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 13 -- More schools and colleges with green practices can join the 2013 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools with the deadline for application reset on April 16. The search aims to raise awareness on environmental protection among students, teachers and their communities as well as encourage schools to hold environmental programs. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) pushed the extension of deadline ...
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13Mar2013MANILA, March 13 -- Malacanang assured today the government is providing enough assistance to Filipinos affected by the ongoing conflict in Sabah by helping them return to the country and providing food for those who have returned to Mindanao. Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, in a press briefing in Malacanang Wednesday, said there are 500 individuals who returned to Tawi-Tawi from Sandakan in Malaysia through the assistance of the Philippine Navy. They are part of the 1,500 Filipinos ...
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13Mar2013MANILA, March 13 -- The Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, briefed on March 8 over 20 United Nations (UN) experts on the latest developments in the Mindanao peace process following the historic signing last year of the framework peace agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Secretary Deles discussed the mandates of the different technical working groups. She also explained the roadmap for peace that envisions the eventual creation of the Bangs...
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13Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 13 -- The Department of Trade and Industry urged the people in e-commerce industry to self-regulate and act promptly on consumer complaints that are related to online transactions. “We encourage the industry to police its own rank. We urge you to be proactive in resolving consumer complaints, ideally within 48 hours upon receiving them, and screen complaints that should go to the government,” DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo told the members of the Digital Commerce (DCOM) S...
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13Mar2013MANILA, March 13 -- Affirming the Aquino administration’s commitment to invigorate its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program, the Department of Budget and Management released P978.4 million to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) for the acquisition of property under the National Housing Association (NHA), in line with plans to jumpstart the Modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center (MPOC). The MPOC is a recently approved flagship PPP project under the Department o...
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13Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 13 -- The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra goes onstage on March 22, Friday, 8pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). Billed as “The Maestro’s Maestro”, the PPO will be conducted by Mark Gibson with Chinese violinist Gao Can as guest soloist. Program includes Bizet’s Jeux d’Enfants, Saint-Saens’ Violin Concerto No. 3 and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe. Mark Gibson, in his fourth year as Artistic Director of t...
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13Mar2013MANILA, March 13 -- Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Lonely Planet recently released its latest Czech language travel guidebook on the Philippines. The Philippine Embassy in Prague welcomes the release of the guidebook by Svojtka & Co. Publishers, which has released 150 “Lonely Planet” guides in the Czech language since 2011. Ambassador Garcia expects an increase in tourist arrivals from the Czech Republ...
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13Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 13 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has targeted to issue this year around 4,900 residential free patents in the six provinces comprising Western Visayas. In a statement, DENR-Region 6 Executive Director Adeluisa Siapno calls on residents to avail of the “Handog Titulo” program which is being implemented by the DENR pursuant to Republic Act 10023 of 2009, “An Act Authorizing the Issuance of Free Patents to Residential Lands”. She also said t...
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13Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 13 (PIA) -- The Philippine Governmant expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after Saudi King Abdullah deferred the execution of all death penalty cases o qizas which included Joselito Zapanta. “His Benevolence (King Abdullah) has given our kababayan a three month lease on life, and his family additional time to raise the blood money.We also wish to thank the Emir’s Office for their efforts in facilitating the amicable settlement and forgiveness, as well as ...
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13Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 13 -- The Social Security System (SSS) has started issuing Employer (ER) Numbers to household employers, as part of the SSS registration requirements under the newly-signed Kasambahay Law that ensures the social security protection of househelpers such as maids, family drivers, nursemaids or yaya, gardeners, cooks, or laundry women. SSS Officer-in-Charge Edgar B. Solilapsi said that any person who engages the services of a househelper and actually pays the compensation for su...
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12Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 12 -- Key government officials today assured that government continues to ensure sufficient food supply in Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) with the influx of Filipino evacuees from Sabah. Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, in a press briefing at Camp Crame said the President is on top of the situation even as he has instructed all concerned government agencies to address the needs of Filipino evacuees. “Pinatitiyak ng Pangulo na sapat o mas mainam na...
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12Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 12 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) will provide additional supply of rice and basic food items in Tawi-tawi, Sulu and Basilan to satisfy the increased demand due to the influx of returning Filipinos and refugees from Sabah. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has instructed concerned DA officials to ensure a steady supply of rice of other basic food items in the three provinces to prevent a shortage and undue increase in prices. He instructed Administrator Orlan ...
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12Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 12 -- Senator Chiz Escudero is backing efforts to seek an extension of the Saudi Arabian government deadline which falls today for the payment of the P44 million blood money to save overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Joselito Zapanta from execution. Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, said that saving the life of one Filipino should involve the combined efforts of all Filipinos of whatever persuasion or political leaning. “I am enjoining t...
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12Mar2013Officials from BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN Secretariat push for the establishment of stronger linkages among sectoral working groups to strengthen further areas of collaboration and exhaust untapped economic potentials in some sub-regional groupings within the economic region. BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area, a sub-regional economic cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). At a meeting held earlier this week, the Secreta...
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12Mar2013MANILA, March 12 -- The Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that Somali pirates released M/T Smyrni, a Greek-owned and Liberian-flagged oil tanker and its 26-member crew, which includes 14 Filipinos. The vessel and its crew were released last March 9 after being detained for 10 months. All of the crew members are in good physical condition. The M/T Smyrni was hijacked by Somali pirates on May 10, 2012 off the coast of Oman. The vessel and i...
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12Mar2013MANILA, March 12 -- Germany has opened its doors for Filipino nurses. Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad met with officials of the Federal Employment Agency, International Placement Services (ZAV) in Bonn on March 8 to discuss the deployment of Filipino nurses to Germany and the upcoming visit of German Minister for Labour and Social Affairs Ursula von der Leyen to the Philippines, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Minister von der Leyen will witness the sign...
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12Mar2013MANILA, Mar 12 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P978.4 million to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) for the acquisition of property under the National Housing Association (NHA), in line with plans to jumpstart the Modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center (MPOC). This affirms the Aquino administration’s commitment to invigorate its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program, a DBM statement said. The MPOC is a recently approved flagship PPP p...
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12Mar2013MANILA, March 12 -- Germany labor market opens its doors to Filipino nurses. Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad met with officials of the Federal Employment Agency, International Placement Services (ZAV) in Bonn on March 8 to discuss the deployment of Filipino nurses to Germany and the upcoming visit of German Minister for Labor and Social Affairs Ursula von der Leyen to the Philippines, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Minister von der Leyen will witness t...
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12Mar2013MANILA, March 12 -- The humanitarian/consular teams from the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur have fanned out and are providing assistance to Filipinos in Lahad Datu and nearby areas. Two embassy teams, with augmentation from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and other Philippine agencies, were dispatched to Lahad Datu and Semporna/Tawau, and arrived there on March 8 to check on the condition of and assist the members of the Filipino community in those areas, the DFA said today. On ...
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12Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 12 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is providing P41 million-rehabilitation assistance to high-value crops farmers in Compostela Valley province. DA regional director for Davao Region Remelyn Recoter in a statement said the assistance is part of the commitment of Secretary Proceso Alcala through the agency’s Task Force Alayon (cooperation) and High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) to immediately provide assistance to farmers and their families who were greatly ...
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12Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 12 -- The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, has partnered with 11 state universities and colleges (SUCs) for the dissemination of farm postharvest and mechanization technologies and knowledge down to the grassroots level. PhilMech Executive Director Rex L. Bingabing in a statement said the agency’s partnership with the 11 SUCs will help in the dissemination of various postha...
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11Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 11 (PIA) -- Pre-election surveys reflect voters understanding of news, and information about candidates. These are not meant to influence the outcome of elections. Social Weather Stations President Mahar Mangahas said people would likely vote a candidate because of “his records or accomplishments, or favorable news where the candidate is the star.” "It’s the voters who might be changing their minds. They may be growing in strength for a certain candidate or diminishing...
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11Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 11 -- State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has launched a P5-billion facility that seeks to finance projects that will promote quality and excellent higher education in the country. The Financing for Higher Education (FHE) credit facility will fund various initiatives that will ensure the relevance and responsiveness of education programs and promote good governance in accordance with the thrusts of the education sector as stated in the Philippine Developmen...
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11Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 11 -- The Philippine government urges the Malaysian government to take steps to investigate alleged human rights violations committed against Filipinos in Sabah even as it reiterated its call to give humane treatment to Filipinos under their custody. The Department of Foreign Affairs made the call in view of the alleged rounding up of community members of Suluk/Tausug descent in Lahad Datu and other areas in Sabah and the violations of human rights reported in the media by so...
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11Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 11 (PIA) -- The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) was awarded the Anvil Award of Excellence at the 48th Anvil Awards held last March 6 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. PCOO Undersecretary George Syliangco received the award together with other PTV officials, namely: Atty. Jennifer Jimeno-Atienza, head ot PTV Corporate Communications, News Overseeing Officer Ed Finlan, Public Affairs Overseeing Officer Maria Cristina Mariano and New Media Head Dina Libunao. ...
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11Mar2013MANILA, March 11 -- Vice President Jejomar C. Binay today said the Philippine government is exerting all efforts to push back the deadline for the blood money payment of Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Joselito Zapanta, which ends Tuesday, March 12. Binay, who is the Presidential Adviser for OFW concerns, said Philippine embassy officials in Jeddah have made appeals to Saudi authorities, and to the family of the Sudanese national who was killed by Zapanta in 2009. “Sa nakaraang mga buwan, wal...
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11Mar2013MANILA, March 11 -- This time, government is taking no chances for any natural-caused disasters in Manila. This early, the Budget Department is preparing for the coming of typhoons, heavy rains, landslides, and any natural-caused disasters as it releases P1.59 billion to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). The amount will be for the rehabilitation of water pumping stations to mitigate perennial flooding in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. Twelve water pumping stations ar...
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11Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 11 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development assures that the needs of Filipinos currently in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu are given sufficient supply of food and other necessities, amidst the instability in Sabah, Malaysia, DSWD in a statement said in coordination with DSWD ARMM and the Department of Agriculture, it has sent a total of 1000 sacks of rice and 1,500 food packs to Jolo, Sulu and another 1000 sacks of rice and 1500 food packs to Bonggao, Tawi-Tawi. In addi...
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11Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 11 -- Jobs came looking for technical vocational graduates at the launch of the Jobs Bridging Program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Quezon City on Monday. The event, dubbed "Hanap Buhay Para sa TESDA Specialista," was the opening salvo of a series of jobs bridging activities to help graduates find employment after finishing their respective courses. "We want tech-voc students to finish their respective courses with optimism because th...
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11Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 11- --The Philippine Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai will be reconstructed in Xiamen, Fujian Province as part of the Philippines’ trade and investment and tourism promotion effort. The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) signed an agreement with China’s Longquan Group last March 5 granting the latter with exclusive rights to reconstruct the Philippine Pavilion in China, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The agreement was signed by Tourism ...
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10Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 10 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs today confirmed the release of 21 Filipino peacekeepers who were detained on March 6 in Jamla, Syria. In a statement the DFA said “the Philippine Government and its people express deep appreciation to the Jordanian Government and military officials on the successful safe passing over to the Jordanian side of all our 21 Filipino Peacekeepers and to all those who have exerted and contributed to the collective efforts to effect the safe...
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09Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 9 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is offering a generous scholarship package to children of “fallen heroes of the environment” or workers of the agency who died in the line of duty. In a statement, DENR said Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has signed DENR Memorandum Circular No. 2013-02, which outlines the general guidelines for the scholarship program that aims to help send kids of slain environment workers to college. “This is our way of re...
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09Mar2013MANILA, March 9 --The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur remains open, and its personnel committed to their work, in light of peaceful and orderly rallies that were held in front of the Embassy in relation to the incidents in Lahad Datu and other places. “We have a job to do, particularly to extend humanitarian assistance to those who have been displaced or otherwise adversely affected by the incident, and to ensure humane treatment to those who have been wounded and captured,” Ambassador J...
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08Mar2013MANILA, March 8 -- Malacanang has recognized the contribution of Filipino women to the government’s reform agenda and national progress as the country celebrates this year’s National Women’s Month. “My warmest greetings to all Filipino women as we celebrate this year’s National Women’s Month,” Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said in a message Friday. “This year, the Philippines has adopted the theme ‘Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan’ to recognize the cru...
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08Mar2013MANILA, March 8 -- The Philippine government on Friday has asked Malaysia that it be given access to followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who were arrested in Sabah . “This morning, we sent a note verbale to the Malaysian embassy to strongly request that the Philippine embassy team in Lahad Datu be given full access to 10 members of Kiram group apprehended in Sabah consistent with the Vienna Convention on Consular Affairs,” said Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez in a brief...
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08Mar2013Quezon City, March 8 -- A brother of one of the Filipino peacekeepers being kept hostage by Syrian rebels urged the latter to release the captives because they are not enemies. In a press conference at the Philippine Army Headquarters Taguig City, Army Second Lieutenant Xyson Meneses said the peacekeepers in Syria are there to help civilians and non-combatants and not to fight. Meneses thanked the Philippine government and the armed forces for keeping the families informed about the situation ...
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08Mar2013MANILA, March 8 -- Sixty-one Filipinos are set to be repatriated from Syria as the violence in that country continues. The Department of Foreign Affairs today said the repatriates are set to arrive in Manila tomorrow, March 9, at 9:15 a.m., aboard Qatar Airways flight QR 648 as part of the Philippine Government’s continuing repatriation operations in Syria. Upon their arrival, the number of repatriates from Syria will reach 3,692 individuals. The repatriates underwent a medical check-u...
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08Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 8 -- Are you ready to become the future of Philippine Art? The much-awaited art and design competition in the country, the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE), once again opens doors of opportunities for the future for young artist and designers this 2013. For its painting competition, MADE in a statement is inviting Filipino artists ages 18 – 35 years old who have not held a solo exhibition and professional/practicing Filipino sculptors who have staged at least one ...
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07Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 7 --National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) is pursuing a holistic approach to “engage all Filipinos who love the nation” in order to achieve a honest and fair elections on May 13. Under the leadership of Ms. Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo, former president of the Social Security System (SSS), Namfrel promised a reinvigorated organization firmly anchored on great love for the nation and good citizenship with volunteers equipped with moral fiber and skills. ...
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07Mar2013PASIG, March 7 -- The Department of Education has released the guidelines on the granting of Performance Based Bonus (PBB) for its personnel, based on Executive Order No. 80, s. 2012 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III. The guidelines took effect last February 28. DepEdhas created a Task Force composed of DepEd officials and field officersto formulate and finalize the guidelines. After an arduous set of meetings, the committee has come up with guidelines containing policies and clarifica...
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07Mar2013QUEZON CITY, Mar. 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Health, through the Philippine Organ Donation and Transplantation Program (PODTP) and the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PhilNOS), will try to break world records for the most number of organ donors as part of its campaign for an increased number of donor organs available for transplantation for patients with end-stage vital organ disease. As part of the plan to promote deceased organ donation, the PODTP/PhilNOS will attempt to beat the Gui...
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07Mar2013MANILA, March 7 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the role of the telecommunications sector in facilitating the free flow of information to our countrymen. "Knowledge empowers our people and sustains the momentum of our nation’s ongoing revitalization. As part of the telecommunications sector, you act as conduits that facilitate the free flow of information to our countrymen," the Chief Executive said in his message to the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Ass...
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07Mar2013MANILA, March 7 -- The Philippine Government has received confirmation from the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations that 21 Filipino peacekeepers assigned to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights have been detained by an armed group. All Filipino peacekeepers are reported to be unharmed and that negotiations are underway to secure their safe release. The Government is likewise coordinating closely with th...
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07Mar2013QUEZON CITY, Mar 7 (PIA) -- The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) has set the annual celebration of the World Kidney Day (WKD) in the Philippines on March 14. The event aims to raise public’s awareness on the renal health, its risk factors and reduction of frequency, impact, and associated complications. It shall feature activities such as poster-making contest using mixed medium for high school and college students in Metro Manila; a slogan-making, bumper sticker-making cont...
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07Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 7 -- Under the brand Manila Wear, unique fashion pieces from the Philippine fashion industry bagged praises and positive reviews during the 2nd International Fashion Showcase (IFS) in London. Manila Wear is a brand that reflects the distinct Filipino fashion style, and captures the carefree and fun Philippine lifestyle. Through the IFS, local fashion brands Aranaz and Rags2Riches were given international market exposure and media mileage. From February 15 to 19, buyers, gues...
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07Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 7 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is making history by becoming the first national agency to set up a provincial office on Dinagat Islands, the newest and fifth province in the Caraga region. DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje recently signed Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2013-09 elevating into a “provincial” status the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Dinagat Islands pursuant to Republic Act No. 9355, t...
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07Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 7 -- The Social Security System (SSS) has opened mobile data capture services for employees in large private companies and on-site services in barangays to facilitate members’ applications for the Unified Multi-purpose Identification System (UMID) that currently serves as the SSS ID system. SSS Officer-in-Charge Edgar Solilapsi in a statement enjoined companies with at least 100 employees to set an appointment with the SSS branch nearest them for the mobile UMID data captur...
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06Mar2013MANILA, March 6 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of P10 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of basic education facilities nationwide, supporting the Aquino administration’s commitment to close the longstanding classroom gap by 2013. DBM Secretary Florencio B. Abad in a statement said the release will be used for the construction, replacement and completion of kindergarten, elementary and secondary school buil...
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06Mar2013MANILA, March 6 -- The Philippines actively participated in this year’s 17th edition of Gulf Food Hotel and Equipment Exhibition and Salon Culinaire (Gulfood), the biggest food industry event in the Middle East and southern Africa, held on February 25 to 28 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines was also an active participant in 2012 with the Philippines’ “best sellers” taking the center stage ...
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06Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 6 -- An alternative delivery mode of education for Muslim schoolchildren supported by international agencies continues to reach more areas in Mindanao just a year after its launch. A statement from the Department of Education said that tTo date, the BRAC (formerly Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) Alternative Delivery Mode has 410 learning centers (292 preschool and 118 elementary schools) serving some 11,868 learners throughout the provinces of Lanao Sur, Maguindanao...
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06Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 6 -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reiterates its warning to the public of unscrupulous individuals posing as PDEA agents. In a statement, PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. reiterated the public advisory following the recent arrest of a police officer gone absent without leave (AWOL) and three others after engaging in a shootout and car chase with members of the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG). The policeman, together with three comp...
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06Mar2013MANILA, March 6 -- Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Wednesday called for stronger cooperation in the region to boost its capacity to respond to persistent threats of weapons of mass destruction. Speaking before officials and delegates of the European Union (EU) and United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), Ochoa emphasized the importance of forging deeper alliance and collaboration to ward off chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) th...
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05Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 5 -- Citing the implementation of key budget reforms to boost the efficiency and quality of public spending, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad today announced that expenditures in 2012 reached P1.778 trillion, a 14.1-percent increase from P1.558 trillion in 2011. While disbursements for the whole 2012 were 3.4 percent below the programmed level, it was nonetheless a notable improvement from the 9-percent shortfall in 2011, a statement from DBM said. Abad als...
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05Mar2013MANILA, March 5 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Germany agreed to adopt a stronger programmatic approach in designing and implementing future projects and to establish better linkages between national and regional-level activities within ASEAN, a statement from ASEAN said. This was reached during the ASEAN-Germany Cooperation Review last week at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Ms. Alicia dela Rosa...
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05Mar2013MANILA, March 5 -- The Mobile Theater Foundation (formerly Tanghalang Sta. Ana) will stage a pre-Lenten production entitled “Martir sa Golgota”, a senakulo play based on the life and passion of Jesus Christ on March 22, at 7:30 p.m. and March 23, at 3 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater). Directed by Lou Veloso, “Martir sa Golgota” features around 70 actors, mostly volunteer residents of Sta. Ana and invited TV, movie and sta...
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05Mar2013ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 5 -- The 289 deportees from Sabah are not connected to the Sabah tension between the Malaysian authorities and the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz , clarified this in a statement. "I visited Zamboanga City to get the best handle of the situation that might involve our OFWs in Sabah. I was informed by our field officials that the 289 are "regular deportees" who came from all over Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia through re...
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05Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 5 -- As high school students contemplate on their next education path after graduation, Secretary Joel Villanueva urged them to consider an option that may be equally worthwhile and rewarding as college -- technical vocational education and training (TVET). "I know the idea of a college or university education is always appealing. But TVET is more affordable, hands-on, and the path to a good job is shorter," Villanueva, director general of the Technical Education and Skills ...
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05Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 4 -- The provincial government of Negros Oriental is this year’s host of the 2013 Palarong Pambansa, the country’s biggest sporting event that aims to develop world-class athletes. The annual sporting event will be held at the Don Mariano Perdices Memorial Coliseum in Dumaguete City from April 21 to 27, 2013. It will be participated in by elementary and secondary students from public and private schools nationwide, Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro and Negros Oriental...
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05Mar2013MANILA, March 5 -- Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, Jr. was one of the lead speakers in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review event held from February 25 to 27 at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris. Speaking in the High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development, Coloma highlighted President Aquino’s vision of a “digitally empow...
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05Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 5 -- The World Bank (WB) has recognized and appreciated an innovative tool, called geo-tagging, that is used by the Department of Agriculture in its Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP) to validate and monitor infrastructure projects. “It is heart warming to know that MRDP’s geo-tagging tool is being recognized worldwide,” Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said in a statement. “The World Bank must have seen that the tool may be used in other countries, a...
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05Mar2013MANILA, March 5 -- To meet the high demand for the renewal of passports in the Riyadh area and after obtaining the kind approval of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Embassy extended passport services to Filipinos in the Daawah Islamic Center in Riyadh’s Second Industrial City on February 28, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. This was the first time that the Embassy had served applicants outside of the Embassy in Riyadh and in the industrial city....
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05Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 5 -- An illegal recruitment survivor said voters should look beyond popularity and political connections when choosing candidates in the May elections. "The elections are the right opportunity for picking leaders who can help bring about progress in our country," Sarah Balabagan, who in the 90s symbolized the plight of abused domestic helpers abroad, said in Filipino. Balabagan was 14 years old when illegally recruited to work as domestic helper in United Arab Emirates durin...
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04Mar2013MANILA, March 4 --The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released a total of P1.6 billion to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the repair, rehabilitation, and construction of farm-to-market roads all over the Philippines. "The development of farm-to-market roads will help expand our farmers’ capacity to sell their goods and gain access to a larger commercial base.This is part of our strategy of investing heavily in agriculture, in line will the Aquino administration’s goal of s...
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04Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 4 -- After its three-month implementation, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) lifted the sardine fishing ban in the East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait and Sibuguey Bay on midnight of March 1. The fisherfolk in these areas can now resume their sardine fishing activities, and also the sardine canneries in Zamboanga City, the largest producer of canned and bottled sardines in the country, are expected to take their production in full swing as the closed season come...
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04Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 4 -- A greener Pasig river. This is what government hopes to achieve as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) partnered with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) to embark on a P50-million mangrove-planting project along the banks of one of Metro Manila’s most important waterways. DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje and PRRC Chair Regina Paz Lopez formalized this partnership to plant mangroves along the banks of a 19-kilometer stretch of the Pa...
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04Mar2013MANILA, March 4 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario leaves for Kuala Lumpur this afternoon to meet with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman to continue discussions on how to avert further loss of lives and to appeal to the Malaysian authorities to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the remaining members of Kiram’s group in Lahad Datu. Secretary del Rosario will also take this opportunity to personally convey the Philippine Government’s requests for a full briefing ...
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04Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 4 -- The need to wage an armed struggle to change Philippine society has become irrelevant with democratic space obtaining in the country. This was the reason why some members of the political Left who used to shun elections, especially during the Martial Law period, do so now. In an episode of the TV talk show Paghahanda Para sa Hatol ng Bayan, Commission on Human Rights Chair Etta Rosales said, "There is no space for armed struggle for as long as you can do things peacefu...
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03Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 3 -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) appeals to the leaders of the transport sector to adopt an effective and regular implementation of drug-testing, particularly on long-distance bus drivers. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. in a statement said this in light of the recent arrest of two provincial drivers caught sniffing methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, inside an air conditioned bus in Muntinlupa. Two weeks ago, a 49-year-old b...
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02Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 2 -- The Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) of Saudi Arabia has chosen the Philippines anew to help enhance the country's capability on technical vocational education and training (TVET), a statement from Tesda said. The training for 40 TVTC technical staff and supervisors began on February 25. The two-week training will be on strategic planning for administration and management of TVTC training programs and will be conducted in two batches.This will center...
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02Mar2013MANILA, March 02 -- As the government continues its repatriation program, the Philippine Embassy in Damascus reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that 47 Filipinos were safely repatriated from Syria and will arrive in Manila at 10:15 p.m. today, March 02 via Qatar Airways flight QR644. The repatriates were brought from Damascus to Beirut, Lebanon where they took a commercial flight to Manila via Doha, Qatar. Upon their arrival, the total number of repatriates will reach 3,...
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27Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 27 -- The Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh and Foreign Affairs Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Frans Timmermans, exchanged views on possible aspects on further strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and the Netherlands as well as ASEAN-EU cooperation, a statement from ASEAN said. During the meeting that took place on February 21 at the ASEAN Secretariat, the two leaders discussed a variety of issues including developments in ASEAN, the needs of ASEA...
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01Mar2013MANILA, March 1 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) seeks to enhance relations with external partners and friends such as the South Asian for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and South Asian countries, Alicia dela Rosa Bala, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community on behalf of Secretary-General of ASEAN said. She conveyed this message in welcoming the SAARC delegation led by its Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Ahmed Saleem to the ASEAN Secretariat during their visi...
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28Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 28 -- The Philippine flag waved proudly at the finish line at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay during the 2013 Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon to welcome Filipinos participating in the race on February 24. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said, around 15 Hong Kong-based Filipinos and another 20 who flew in from all over the Philippines (Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Pangasinan, Quezon City) took part in the Marathon sponsored by Standard Chartered since 1997. ...
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01Mar2013QUEZON CITY, March 1 -- The Social Security System (SSS) has expanded the reach of its microsavings scheme called "AlkanSSSya" to include jail inmates earning a living from making handicrafts while inside a correctional facility. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement said an initial batch of 80 female inmates will benefit from the AlkanSSSya unit launched by SSS inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Quezon City Female Dormitory on Febr...
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01Mar201325 February 2012, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris By SECRETARY SONNY COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office Vice-Chair, UNESCO National Commission (UNACOM) Chair, UNACOM Communication & Information Committee Director-General Irina Bokova, esteemed delegates to this review meeting and conference, ladies and gentlemen: I am privileged to speak at this forum on this day that marks a significant milestone in the history of my country. Twenty-seven years ago today, the world witnessed how...
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28Feb2013MANILA, Feb 28 -- The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) has announced its commitment to keep the budget deficit target to 2 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014, in line with fulfilling the Aquino administration’s Philippine Development Plan from 2011-2016. The budget deficit target for 2014, which is equivalent to P266.2 billion, was announced in National Budget Memorandum No. 116, dated 15 February 2013. The Memorandum sets the macroeconomic assumpt...
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28Feb2013MANILA, Feb 28 —Growth in payments for capital goods, consumer goods, raw materials and intermediate goods propelled Philippine merchandise imports to a 13.2-percent year-on-year increase in December 2012, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). “The improvement in imports performance during the period represents a rebound in the value of imports from a 6.4 percent contraction a year ago and partly reflects the favorable sentiments of both businesses and consum...
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27Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 27 -- The deadline of application for the April 14 Career Service Professional and Sub-Professional written examinations is extended from February 28 to March 5. This was announced by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Examination, Recruitment and Placement Office to give more time for applicants who aim to earn Civil Service eligibility and be qualified to work in the government. The applicants for both levels of examination may still submit their applications to any CSC R...
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27Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will sue leaders of those who ransacked their office in Davao City Tuesday. Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman called the incident an act of hooliganism. "We will file charges because this is robbery and damage to public property," said Secretary Soliman in an interview. "Those relief goods are for typhoon Cresing victims," said Soliman as she wondered how the supposed "hungry and nothin...
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27Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 27 -- The Social Security System (SSS) released P189.05 million in business loans last year for growth and expansion projects of nine private enterprises. The firms include service providers, real estate and construction firms, and traders of various consumer goods. SSS Assistant Vice President for Lending and Asset Management Ma. Luz C. Generoso in a statement said the nine firms, which made up the first annual batch of borrowers under the SSS Business Development Loan Faci...
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27Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 27 -- The country’s top rice producing provinces and towns in 2012 — including the best performing irrigators’ associations (IAs) and agricultural extension workers (AEWs) — will be honored in the ‘2nd Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers’ Awards,’ on March 15. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in a DA statement said the contest, led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through its national rice program, is the Aquino government’s way of thanking the country’s ...
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27Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 27 -- After hitting the ground in late 2011, the Joint Program for Youth Employment and Migration or JP-YEM finished in December 2012 with 2,001 graduates or a 101 percent accomplishment. The graduates, who came from four of the country's poorest provinces - Masbate, Antique, Agusan del Sur and Maguindanao - were given free training in a course of their choice, and later on underwent assessment and received National Certificate from the Technical Education and Skills Develop...
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25Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 25 -- President Benigno S. Aquino has appointed the members of the Transition Commission (TransCom) that will draft the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Malacanang in a statement on Monday said, pursuant to Executive Order No. 120, s. 2013, the TransCom is composed of 15 members: seven appointed by the President of the Philippines and eight, including the Chairman, selected by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The seven that compose the Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel are:...
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26Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 26 -- Five Filipino filmmakers participated in this year’s Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) Talent Campus, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said today. The Filipino filmmakers are Joenathann Alandy, producer; Paul Sta. Ana, director; Alemberg Ang, producer; Hannah Tabitha Espia, director; and Ian Dean Loreños, screenwriter. They were among the 300 young and upcoming international filmmakers selected from 4,443 applicants from 137 countries to j...
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26Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 26 -- Filipino group Dubai Vocal Ensemble also known as the Christian Voices Chorale (CVC), beat six other choral groups, to win The Score Choir of the Year 2013, the first ever choir festival and competition in Dubai, on February 13 at the Dubai College Auditorium. Dubai Vocal Ensemble is based in St. Mary’s Catholic Church Dubai. Founded in 2004, CVC is the resident choir for the Friday English Mass. The choir is regularly invited to participate in various concerts and spe...
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26Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 26 - Know how the government works for you. The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has launched its newest newest radio program, Serbsiyo Todo-Todo (STT), live on air every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12 noon via DZRB Radyo ng Bayan situated at 738 KHz on AM Band. A joint production of the CSC and the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS), STT caters to all sectors of society as it tackles issues of public concern --- the bureaucracy and its citizens. It is also a great venue f...
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26Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 26 -- Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the ongoing implementation of the Medium-Term Information and Communications Technology Harmonization Initiative (MITHI), in line with budget preparations for fiscal year 2014 in a move to enhance the government’s information and communications technology (ICT) resources. MITHI, which was launched in January this year, is designed to synthesize ICT operations among all government departments and agencies, as well as ensure...
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26Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 26 -- ASEAN Secretary-General, H.E. Le Luong Minh suggested that ASEAN and Indian officials continue discussions and intensify efforts to concretize actions up to 2015, in-line with the vision set out by Leaders of ASEAN and India. ASEAN in a statement on Thursday, February 21 said SG Minh spoke during The Delhi Dialogue V aptly themed “ASEAN-India: Vision for Partnership and Prosperity” that was held in New Delhi, India on February 19-20 2013. He also encouraged both sides t...
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25Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 25 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is pushing for a different brand of tourism promotion in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to rehabilitate and protect the country’s environment while luring visitors. Called “voluntourism,” from the words volunteer and tourism, Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje in a statement said this campaign is envisioned to stir the Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit to help rebuild the environment, especially in a...
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25Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 25 -- The Philippine Embassy in Muscat, in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), organized a series of art workshops for children of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia. NCCA artists Salvador Convocar and Alma Quinto is conducting the “Art Workshop for Filipino Migrant Children in the Middle East” until March 2, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Over 600 students from different Phil...
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25Feb2013JAKARTA, Feb. 25 -- Upon the invitation of the European Union (EU), the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) visited the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels on 18-22 February 2013 to exchange experience in promoting and protecting women’s and children’s rights in Europe and Southeast Asia and to explore cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The visit also allowed ACWC Representatives to better understand EU institutions, ...
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25Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 25 – Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma said the vibrancy of a free media rests on the conduct of free elections. Coloma recalled that the success of the EDSA revolution was completed when the people saw that the government-owned radio station had been taken over by forces of democracy. And it was the people’s perception that the 1986 snap elections were rigged that triggered the bloodless people power revolt. He said the People’s Te...
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25Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 19 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and New Zealand conducted a meeting dubbed 20th ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue, held last week in Wellington, New Zealand, to discuss efforts to further ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation in the ongoing Four Flagship Initiatives. ASEAN in a statement said these initiatives encompass the ASEAN-New Zealand Scholarships Programme, Disaster Risk Management, Young Business Leaders’ Initiative and Agricultural Diplomacy. ASEAN Member St...
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25Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 25 (PIA) -- Democracy becomes meaningful only when people’s will prevails, especially in elections. This was the message of Presidential Communication Operations Secretary Sonny Coloma during the recent launch of Hatol ng Bayan 2013. He said holding honest elections is crucial to a nation’s democracy. “People power revolution happened because of people’s perception that there was massive cheating during the snap elections in 1986,” Coloma said in Filipino. Hatol ng...
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25Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 25 -- The Department of Education today said it has earmarked an additional P250,000 grant to each Muslim school (madaris) to upgrade their physical facilities and improve operational capabilities to better implement a culturally sensitive and Islam-friendly curriculum. The one-time financial support forms part of the Sajahatra program which seeks to deliver enhanced public services to the communities in the Bangsamoro as a result of the peace agreement signed on October 15,...
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25Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 25 --Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Sunday assured the Filipino people that the government under the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III will continue to pursue reforms in order to preserve the gains of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. Ochoa, who heads the EDSA People Power Commission (EPPC), said this year’s theme “Pilipinas Natin: Abot-Tanaw Na!” for the 27th anniversary of the bloodless uprising captures the core of the nation’s aspirations, ...
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25Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 25 -- Government-owned financial institutions (GFIs) have released a total of P30.4 billion loans to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the Access of Small Enterprises to Sound Lending Opportunities (ASENSO) program in 2012. “These loans made available under the ASENSO Program empower SMEs that make significant contributions to the Philippine economy. The journey was not smooth and the challenges were many but at the end of the day, and when the numbers ad...
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25Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 25 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is committed to and focused on uplifting the welfare of Filipinos in Sabah, said Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya during the opening of the Stairway to Hope (STH) Learning Center in Kota Kinabalu on February 16. “The Philippines and Malaysia are neighboring countries, and have a shared neighborhood. This presents both opportunities as well as challenges, some of which are very complex and take time to resolve. There are also some challenge...
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25Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 25 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has created a one-stop web page that contains all data on the state of the country’s environment and natural resources in one place. A statement from the DENR said the site is called the Environment and Natural Resources Statistics Information Systems (ENRSIS), – http://enrsis.denr.gov.ph/ – . It is a centralized database online destination that provides an integrated information bank on current environme...
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25Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 25 -- Retirement benefits of government workers should be released within 30 days. This was announced by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as it issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10154 (RA No. 10154), the Act Requiring All Concerned Government Agencies to Ensure the Early Release of the Retirement Pay, Pensions, Gratuities and other Benefits of Retiring Government Retirees. Retiring public servants must not be made to wait for they hav...
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24Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 24 (PIA) -- For the first time, the longest, most congested road in Metro Manila was closed Sunday morning for the conduct of a race to commemorate the bloodless revolution that ousted a 20-year government dictatorship. Roughly 3,000 runners assembled at the People Power monument this morning to join the official race of the 27th EDSA (Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue) People Power anniversary dubbed “Run for Juan - Run for Good Governance,” centering on the theme, “Pilipina...
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24Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 24 -- The Social Security System (SSS) surpassed the two-million mark in the total number of SSS website registrations last year, with a record 645,496 online enrollees in 2012, up by 55 percent from the previous high of 416,771 web registrants in 2011. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement attributed the surge in web enrollees to SSS website enhancements that enable registered members and employers to file online applications and submi...
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24Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 24 -- A ship on a humanitarian mission will be dispatched tonight to fetch and ferry back the women and other civilians among the 180-member group who are holed out in Lahad Datu, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today. The ship, with hull number AT296, will sail from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi to the village of Tanduo in Lahad Datu. The DFA in a statement said the ship is being prepositioned offshore Lahad Datu while talks with the group are underway. There are reportedly ...
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23Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 23 -- Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. has asked government personnel to actively take part in a series of activities lined up for the 27th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution next week. In Memorandum Circular No. 44, Ochoa encouraged state employees to extend their full support to the initiatives and programs for the annual celebration scheduled on February 25. “I urge my fellow civil servants, including those in government-owned and -controlled corpora...
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23Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 23 -- Spreading its benefits to more people, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is bringing its Cash for Training Program (C4TP) to the youth of northern Luzon. Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, led the launch of the program on February 22 in Baguio City targetting close to 5,000 out-of-school youth and unemployed young people in the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) to help them eventually find jobs or assist them in startin...
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23Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 23 -- More than 12,000 college and vocational-technical (voc-tech) students across the country have so far benefitted from the Social Security System’s (SSS) educational loan facility that released P148.64 million in 2012. SSS Assistant Vice President for Lending and Asset Management Ma. Luz C. Generoso in a statement said the SSS expects more members to borrow this year under the SSS Educational Assistance Loan (Educ-Assist) Program, which has nearly P7 billion in funds sti...
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22Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 22 (PIA) -- A public-private partnership has been forged to upscale Filipino women’s business skills and market niche through a women-led venture called the GREAT Women Brand (GWB) Project. The Philippine Commission on Women, ECHOsi Foundation (under ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle), and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) synergized energies to run the GWB project to promote and improve the locally-produced food and non-food products of the small-time Filipi...
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23Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 23 (PIA) -- The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates, together with attached agencies Philippines Overseas Labor Office (POLO), Pag-IBIG, and Social Security System (SSS), held mobile services in Fujairah on February 15 to 16, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. A total of 211 passport applications were processed, 44 expedited services, 23 amendments, and 21 notarial services. For attached services, the POLO representative processed Overs...
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21Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 21 -- Fifteen Filipino graduate students in South Korea received scholarship grants from the Woojung Education and Culture Foundation in a ceremony held on February 18 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce Building in Seoul, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs. The sponsor of the Foundation is Booyoung Group, a local conglomerate focusing on construction and headed by Chairman Lee Jong-kuen. Aside from the 15 Filipino students, there were als...
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21Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 21 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said "Lolong", the world’s largest crocodile in captivity may have died of pneumonia and cardiac arrest. “Lolong had a late-stage pneumonia and cardiac failure at the time of its death,” Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje in a statement said citing initial findings from a necropsy performed on “Lolong” submitted by a team of veterinarians and biology experts sent by the DENR to Bunawan, Agusan del Sur to determine t...
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21Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 21 -- Learning modules that teach students the lessons of EDSA will be taught in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide this week as the Department of Education’s contribution to the 27th commemoration of the People Power Revolution. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro, in statement said it is important that the lessons of the critical markers in Philippine history are not lost in generations of Filipino. “EDSA People Power is about freedom, democracy ...
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21Feb2013DAVAO CITY, Feb. 21 -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched its new umbrella Science and Technology program called Smarter Philippines to maximize the effect of science and technology on communities, improve the quality of life of Filipinos and drive socio-economic growth. DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo addressed Government and Industry professionals at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City on how the Smarter Philippines six core areas of Smarter Government, Smarter Economy, ...
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21Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Department of Tourism joined the eighth year of the Boston Globe Travel Show (BGTS), which was opened to the public on February 10, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The event, held at the Boston Seaport World Trade Center, was originally scheduled for February 8 to 10 but was cut short to one day (February 10) due to severe winter weather in the US northeast. The Philippine booth tu...
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20Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 20 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued a directive for the creation of the Task Force on Bangsamoro Development to push forward the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the region following the signing of the framework agreement for a peace settlement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday. Ochoa said Administrative Order No. 37, which President Aquino signed on February 13, wi...
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20Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 20 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will embark on a massive jobs bridging program for its “Specialistas” in various cities in Metro Manila to help them find jobs and be productive members of society. The program, dubbed “Hanapbuhay para sa mga TESDA Specialista" aims to link technical vocational training and actual jobs by providing TESDA graduates access to companies that are in need of the type of skills they specialized in. "Ultima...
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19Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 19 (PIA) -- “Good people in government are the bedrock of this administration,” Dr. Cayetano W. Paderanga, Chairman of the Board of trustees of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), said as he heralded the Public Management Development Program (PMDP) during the Graduation Ceremony at the DAP in Tagaytay City on January 31. This call for good men and women in the Philippine bureaucracy was sounded before 78 senior and middle level government executives who compri...
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19Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 19 --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) allocates over a P100 million to carry on its industry clustering approach as part of its business development strategy for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) this year. “To move forward from our accomplishments in industry clustering last year, the DTI has allotted P70 million to back industry clustering activities nationwide, and additional funds from other programs supporting industry clustering like the OTOP (or O...
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19Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 19 -- The Department of Education has issued the guidelines in assessing the year-end school readiness of kindergarten to check on their pre-schooling progress aimed at providing them with specific learning intervention. Kindergarten education has been made mandatory in public schools in 2011 by virtue of Republic Act 10157. To assess the performance level of all kinder pupils DepEd came up with School Readiness Year-end Assessment (SReYA). Kinder pupils will be assessed ...
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18Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 18 -- Government employees may express support for their favored candidates, but they cannot ask co-workers to vote for their choices. Civil Service Assistant Commissioner Ariel G. Ronquillo said government workers who engage in partisan political activities may face suspension, or worse, dismissal. Government employees that Commissioner Ronquillo was referring to were those who are career officials and rank and file employees in public offices. “We (government employees) a...
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18Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 18 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced that 84 percent of all projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been bid out as of end-January. This is in line with the government’s goal of sustaining the country’s strong economic growth through public infrastructure spending and development. Abad confirmed that the DPWH has already bid out 2,260 of its 2,697 projects set for 2013, with 868 or 32 percent of all projects already give...
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18Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 18 -- Government is intensifying efforts to address skills mismatch and attract investments that will generate more jobs, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said. “To generate more and better employment, we are working on improving the business climate and labor regulations,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan in a statement. He added that apart from creating new drivers of growth, addressing policy inconsistencies and administrati...
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17Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 17 (PIA) -- The National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), the lead kidney transplant center in the country, will celebrate its 30th founding anniversary and Transplant Week on Feb 18 to 23. The event will be highlighted with the awarding of the longest living kidney transplant recipient and donor, and the pioneer transplant team. The commemoration will also feature the presentation of the 5,000th kidney transplantation recipient and donor. On February 18, a Holy Mass ...
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17Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 17— Voters in the midterm elections will take a closer look at the line-up and leadership style of political parties, political experts said Tuesday. Political Affairs Undersecretary Chito Gascon, in an interview over Paghahanda Para sa Hatol ng Bayan, said coherence is key to survive national elections. He said people will judge candidates on the basis of coherence or disconnection of their messages from their personal histories and experiences. He also pointed out that ...
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17Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 17 -- A simple yet unforgettable graduation for students. This is what Education Secretary Luistro wants for graduating students to experience this year. Luistro said that the rites itself should be an affair that includes civic duties, sense of community and personal responsibilities and should be memorable and exciting without extravagant splurges. “It is a part of DepEd’s public service to the people in giving a simple yet an unforgettable graduation for students and ...
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17Feb2013MAKATI CITY, Feb. 16 -- The Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) recorded P3.8 billion loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and credit guarantees were up by 119 percent in 2012. SB Corp. president and chief operating officer (COO) Benel P. Lagua, in a statement said, this lending record brought the corporation’s total funding for MSMEs to P38.5 billion as of 2012. Besides, the corporation’s credit guarantee facility recorded a 119 percent increase from P40.2 million in...
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16Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb.16---The President will join sorties of Team PNOY but limited to strategic occasions. In an interview with PTV’s News @ 1, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said the President will be seen only in significant campaign sorties because he wants to continue his work. For instance, the President led on Friday the unveiling of the marker on the Expanded Operating Room Complex of the Philippine Heart Center on the center’s 38th Annive...
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16Feb2013JAKARTA, Feb. 16 -- As one of ASEAN’s most important Development Partners, Germany is making headway in helping Member States tackle the challenge of narrowing the development gap (NDG) in the region. In a statement, the ASEAN said that Germany’s support to regional economic integration in ASEAN is exhibited by its initiative to strengthen the capacities, particularly of the newer ASEAN Member States of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam or CLMV countries. This commitment was expre...
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16Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- The Filipino Language School, Learning Filipino Together in Canberra, Australia once again participated in the National Multicultural Festival 2013 held on February 8 to 10 at the Canberra Civic Centre, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The group set up a food stall featuring Filipino cuisine such as pork adobo, spring rolls, pancit and many more. They included also a “sungka” game space at the Children’s Sanctuary. Their participation hig...
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15Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 15 — Candidates with good looks, a consistent message and name-recall have a good chance of winning an election. Political management expert Malou Tiquia of Publicus-Asia Inc. said candidates must have “authentic messages and authentic campaigns” to gain public support during election campaigns. Tiquia, author of the book “Campaign Politics,” was guest during the Paghahanda Para sa Hatol ng Bayan, a news and public affairs program of People’s Television Network....
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14Feb2013JAKARTA, Feb. 14 -- “The spirit of promoting gender equality should be an integrated part of ASEAN’s policies and programmes towards the ASEAN Community. The goal of gender equality should be central to all three pillars of economy, political-security and socio-cultural of ASEAN,” said H.E. Le Luong Minh, Secretary-General of ASEAN, in his opening remarks at the Gender Mainstreaming Training launched today at the ASEAN Secretariat. “Gender equality is a key element of social justice. Wh...
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14Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 14 -– The top foreign affairs official of the United States (U.S.) has assured the Philippine Government of full cooperation in the salvaging of the USS Guardian as well as in the investigation of the grounding incident and that the U.S. stands ready to fully and appropriately provide compensation for all damages. This was the assurance given by the new U.S. Secretary of State, former Senator John Kerry, in a phone call last night to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosar...
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14Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 14 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and newly-installed United States (U.S.) Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed to continue forging stronger and deeper relations between the Philippines and the United States, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. This understanding was reached between the two officials in a phone call made last night by Secretary Kerry to Secretary del Rosario. “We spoke at length about our relations and the many op...
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14Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 14 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Department of Health (DoH) have partnered for the conduct of the pioneer, simultaneous nationwide run for the benefit of mothers and children. The PhilHealth-DoH Run 2013: Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection is set on February 17 to highlight the 18th anniversary of the PhilHealth with the theme,“Synergy for Universal Health Care!” The Philippine Children’s Medical Center, a health...
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14Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Political parties whose members are vying for various positions in the May 2013 mid-term elections will have until February 15, Friday, to file for accreditation with the Commission on Elections (Comelec). According to Comelec Resolution No. 9611 promulgated on January 15, 2013, the accreditation will determine which among the political parties will be accorded the status of dominant majority party, dominant minority party, ten major national parties and two major ...
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14Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 14 -- The construction of more than 9,000 classrooms under the Department of Education’s PPP for School Infrastructure Project – PSIP is about to begin. DepEd in a statement Wednesday, said that proponents of the Project representing two private companies assured Education Secretary Armin Luistro that classrooms will soon be up in Regions 1, 3 and 4A – areas identified under the agreement. The BF Corporation Consortium reported that they have already started the fa...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 --The Royal Canadian Navy is on a goodwill visit to the Philippines further demonstrating the strong relations between the two countries. Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Regina is docked at the Port of Manila until February 16, a statement from the Canadian Embassy said. The Regina last visited the country in 1996. “I am pleased to welcome HMCS Regina, its officers and crew to Manila. The Philippines has always been a very good host to our fleet and I know this ...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 -- Living up to its name, Pag-IBIG Fund sponsors today a mass wedding for its active members, among which are transport workers and household service providers. Dubbed as “I Do, I Do! Araw ng Pag-IBIG”, the event is being held today, Valentine’s Day, simultaneously in 30 venues nationwide (10 in the NCR, 7 in Luzon, 4 in Visayas, and 9 in Mindanao). Judges, priests, as well as city and municipal mayors will solemnize the exchange of wedding vows of thousands of parti...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 13 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Department of Health (DoH) have merged efforts for the conduct of the pioneer, simultaneous nationwide run for the benefit of mothers and children. The PhilHealth-DoH Run 2013: Nationwide Run for Mother and Child Protection is set on February 17 to highlight the 18th anniversary of the PhilHealth with the theme,“Synergy for Universal Health Care!” The Philippine Children’s Medical Center, a hea...
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13Feb2013LISBON, Feb. 13 -- The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that living in Portugal has been made easier with the recent launching by the Portuguese Government of its Golden Residence Permit program (GRP), which introduced major changes to the legal rules on entry and stay of foreign nationals in Portugal. This new mechanism allows foreign nationals to obtain a Portuguese residence permit if they make certain investments, either individually or through a co...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 -- The Board of Investments (BOI) recently held the Inter-Agency Consultative Meeting on the Proposed 2013 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP). The crafting of the IPP is a widely accepted process that involves nationwide public and inter-agency consultations. The IPP is the country's blueprint for investment promotions and a platform to attract strategic investments with impact, particularly in countryside development as well as in generating employment. Under the Omnibus ...
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13Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 13 -- Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad once again expressed optimism over the country’s chances of achieving investment grade from major credit rating agencies, citing the Administration’s strong fiscal strategy and continued commitment to key reforms, as well as mounting investor confidence in the country as a major investment hub in Southeast Asia. Abad made the statement today during the 2013 Philippine Economic Briefing, where the members of President Aqui...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 -- The country’s merchandise exports reached a record $51.994 billion as of year-end 2012, breaking the previous high of $51.5 billion registered in 2010 and posting a 7.6-percent growth over the $48.3 billion Philippine exports posted in 2011. A statement from the Department of Trade and Industry said this came on the back of expanded markets opened by free-trade agreements signed by the Philippines with preferred trade partners in the Asean and other neighboring countr...
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13Feb2013PASIG CITY, Feb 13 (PIA) -- The government’s efforts to boost the country’s economy through a digitally empowered government that delivers systematic, innovative, transparent, and citizen-centered public services kicked off at the first Plenary Conference of the Government-wide ICT Pre-Budget Strategic Planning Workshop under the Medium-Term ICT Harmonization Initiative (MITHI) last January 15-18 at the DBM Complex in Manila. The four-day conference was attended by a total of about 1,200 p...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 -- Education aid is coming to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communities in the form of technical vocational education and training (TVET) scholarships to help jumpstart development in the Bangsamoro areas. This is part of TESDA's support to the peace agreement the rebels signed with the government last year. Secretary Joel Villanueva, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) announced recently that at least 1,000 scho...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- The Philippine Year-End Economic Briefing, which will be attended by 11 Cabinet Secretaries of President Aquino’s Cabinet will be held today at 9 a.m. at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Policy-makers will report on last year's economic performance and discuss the country's pursuit of investment grade status in the briefing which is themed: “Good Governance is Good Economics: Achieving Investment Grade Status.” The country is cu...
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13Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 13 (PIA) -- Media practitioners, bloggers, students, and educators are invited to the 2nd National Communication Research Conference sponsored by the University of the Philippines – Communication Research Department. The conference, with the theme, “Communication in a Glocalized World,” is set on February 15 and 16, at the Cine Adarna of the College of Mass Communication, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Its theme will focus on the importance of communication research as an aca...
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12Feb2013JAKARTA, Feb. 12 -- Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Mr Le Luong Minh, welcomed the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Martin Hermann, expressing appreciation to him and the Government of Denmark for the commitment in moving forward cooperation between ASEAN and Denmark. A statement from the ASEAN secretariat said Ambassador Hermann met SG Minh, on February 3 at the ASEAN Secretariat to present his Letter of Credentials. Ambassador Hermann thanked the Secretary-Gene...
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12Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 12 -- In time for the Chinese New Year’s celebration, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has partnered with the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls to bring the Metro Festival at the Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, Manila, and open boutiques to showcase the best products of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the National Capital Region (NCR). “The exhibitors are MSMEs that DTI is helping, and have no capability to promote in big venues like department stores ...
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12Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 12 -- The Department of Budget and Management released P1.89 billion to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for the completion and rehabilitation of Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA 3). In a statement, DBM says this is seen to boost public infrastructure and the country’s fast-growing tourism industry. The Philippine government earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Takenaka Corporation (Takenaka) to impleme...
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12Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 12 (PIA) -- The Philippine Embassy in London cited before Philippine and British audiences the country’s initiatives and achievements in the fields of interfaith cooperation and human rights promotion. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said that on February 7, the Embassy hosted its first ever reception commemorating World Interfaith Harmony Week. The gathering brought together leaders and representatives of different religions in the United Kingdom (UK), as...
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11Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 11 -- The government is set today to roll-out a socio-economic initiative dubbed “Sajahatra Bangsamoro” aimed to uplift the health, education and livelihood conditions of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) communities, according to Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras. “Sajahatra Bangsamoro, an Arabic-Melayu-Bahasa derivative which means ‘Peace Bangsamoro,’ is the President’s concrete peace initiative and assistance for MILF communities,” he said. “Th...
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11Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 11 -- The Philippine Embassy in Yangon reported that the Philippine National Football Team known as the “Azkals” earned a close 1-0 victory over a feisty and gritty Myanmar side in an international friendly match held on February 06 at the Thuwanna Football Stadium in Yangon. The Azkals, cheered on by about 100 screaming and flag-waving Filipinos in the stands, parried all attacks by Myanmar with an outstanding performance at the post by goalkeeper Neil Etheridge who made coun...
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11Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 11 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), today sent a team of veterinarians and biological experts to Bunawan, Agusan del Sur to help determine the cause of death of Lolong, considered the largest crocodile in the world. DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje in a statement said the team is composed of representatives from the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) and the National Museum, who will make sure that Lolong's skin will be preserved la...
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11Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 11 -- The Department of Education and the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) have agreed to formulate and implement programs to mainstream arts and culture in the Philippine basic education system. The memorandum of agreement signed by the two agencies is in line with the proposed upgrading of the curriculum under the K to 12 Basic Education Program that seeks to enhance the special education program for the arts. “This means that we are recognizing t...
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10Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 10 -- The strong partnership between the government (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has become more evident as both sides work together in the process of identifying beneficiaries and their immediate needs that will be addressed by the Sajahatra Bangsamoro program, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said. “I am so proud of the Filipinos. I'm so proud of the people from both sides of the table. The people who are firing guns at each other are now sittin...
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08Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 8 -- How far have Department of Education (DepEd) and the private sector gone in improving the country’s public school system? This will be answered during the Greater Opportunities! (GO!) Education Finale exhibit slated on Feb 9 – 10 at the Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, a statement from the DepEd said. The event aims to create public awareness on the accomplishments thus far of the department especially in improving teacher quality, reform in the basic education curric...
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08Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 8 -- In another shining example of the indomitable spirit of bayanihan, the Filipino community in Hong Kong raised a total of HK$153,791.50 for those affected by typhoon Pablo since December 06. A Department of Foreign Affairs statement said the fund drive was organized by the Philippine Consulate General as well as other community organizations. The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong started the ball rolling by donating HK$75,000 in the days following the disaster. The Philipp...
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08Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 8 -- ASEAN welcomes Germany’s continued commitment to strengthen ties of friendship between ASEAN and Germany. ASEAN Secretariat, Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh expressed appreciation to German Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Georg Witschel, on Tuesday for its commitment in moving cooperation between ASEAN and Germany as well as the valuable ties between ASEAN and EU, a statement from ASEAN said. Germany also provides great assistance to ASEAN in the areas of...
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08Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 8 --The Department of Education is reopening the accreditation of Private Lending Institutions (PLIs) that can offer more alternative credit windows with better terms and lower financial charges on loans availed by teachers and personnel of the Department. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said there is a need to widen the field some more so that public school teachers and non-teaching personnel can choose which ones have the best offer. “This is part of our on-going re...
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08Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 8 -- Candidates running in the forthcoming May elections should not oversell themselves because they cannot hide the truth from the public--especially in the Internet age. In today’s episode of Paghahanda Para sa Hatol ng Bayan, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said voters can easily “fast-check” or verify statements made by candidates, like what US citizens did in their last presidential elections. Coloma said voters can easil...
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07Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 7 -- The Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) approved the P3 million seed fund for the special financing program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the creative industries in Cebu. “This special program is the first institutional financing program for creative entrepreneurs in the country. It seeks to address the challenges on financing access of MSMEs in the creative industries and creative services sector,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Under...
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07Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 7 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has scheduled its free briefing sessions for the month of February. The topics will provide useful information for budding entrepreneurs and existing businesses to improve their decision-making capabilities resulting in higher productivity and profitability. Topics for the sessions will include: Financial Management (February 8); Basics of Good Manu...
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07Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 7 -- Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro and Union Bank chair and chief executive officer Justo Ortiz have signed an agreement to produce learning tools in the teaching of literacy, English proficiency and values education for public school pupils. The project is Union Bank Learning System which integrates the teaching of Literacy, English Proficiency and Values Education in Grade 2 English subject. As stipulated in the agreement, DepEd will develop the Learner’s Materia...
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07Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 7 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of ASEAN Affairs announced Wednesday, that the ASEAN Foundation, which is based in Jakarta, Indonesia, is looking for interested applicants for the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director shall represent the ASEAN Foundation in all administrative and operational matters, including managing its activities, initiating plans and programmes, appointing and supervising the staff members, raising funds, and performing any oth...
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06Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 6 -- Under-shading an election ballot's ovals can cause delay in the casting of votes, as the election machine may reject the ballot. At the joint Senate-House of Representative hearing on Wednesday, officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and lawmakers traded solutions to problems that propped up during the recent mock elections. The Precint Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines will not accept ambiguous markings on ovals, like light- or under-shading. “If it is un...
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06Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 6 -- Filipino Guillermo “Bill” Capati, a registered engineer in Queensland in the field of civil and environmental engineering, was awarded a Public Service Medal by the Governor General of Australia during the 2013 Australia Day celebrations in January. The Award is in recognition of Mr. Capati’s outstanding public service to the sustainable water future of the Gold Coast and broader South East Queensland region, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. M...
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06Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb.6 -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs) has cancelled its Tsunami Alert No. 1. Earlier, the PhiVolcs declared Tsunami Alert No. 1 on provinces on the Eastern Seaboard after an earthquake with a Magnitude of 8 hit Santa Cruz Island in the Solomonsat at 9:12 a.m. today. In its advisory lifting the tsunami alert this noon, PhiVolcs said, "The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) reported a 0.91m tsunami recorded by the tide gauge in Santa Cruz ...
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06Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 6 -- Bayanihan, that Filipino tradition of helping one another, takes center stage again as government agencies led by the Department of Education (DepEd) and food giant Jollibee Corporation work together to build armchairs for public schools. Department of Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje, Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Joel Villanueva and Jollibee Group Founda...
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06Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 6 -- The UP Center for International Studies takes pride in marrying the theatrical traditions of Philippines and Japan. From February 10-17, 2013, UPCIS takes the center stage for the week-long Papet at Maskara: Celebrating 40 Years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation through Intercultural Collaboration as Dialogue. Papet: the face of intercultural dialogue Recognized as both a tangible and intangible heritage, the Naoshima Onna Bunraku is the only all-female puppetr...
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06Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 6 -- Two separate Sinulog Festivals held in Auckland and Wellington on January 20 showcased the strength of the Filipino people’s Christian beliefs and the richness of the country’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Thousands of Filipino devotees of the Sto. Nino, families and friends from New Zealand and other countries joined in the 19th anniversary of the Sinulog celebration in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city and home to more than 25,000 Filipinos, a statement fro the...
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06Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs) has declared a Tsunami Alert No. 1 over coastal provinces facing the Pacific ocean after an earthquake with a magnitude of 8 hit Santa Cruz Island in the Solomons at 9:12 a.m. (Philippine time). The PhiVolcs said Tsunami Alert No.1 does not require evacuation but authorities and residents in coastal areas under its coverage may prepare to leave for safe grounds whenever needed. The areas covered...
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06Feb2013MANILA, Feb 6 (PIA) -- A magnitude 8.0 earthquake rocked Solomon Islands, today, Wednesday. Because of the magnitude, several countries and islands near Solomon Islands had been issued tsunami alert level 1. Among these are nearby Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia. Here, the Philvolcs Director Renato Solidum had warned 19 provinces facing the Pacific Ocean about the earthquake and are advised to be on the alert for word from the Philippine Coast Guard and other auth...
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07Feb2013JAKARTA, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- Secretary-General (SG) of Asean, H.E. Le Luong Minh emphasized the importance of engaging the private sector to ensure constructive and timely realization of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) by 2015, a statement from ASEAN said. This was conveyed when SG Minh met with Mr. Alexander Feldman, President of US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) on February 4 at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta. “We are implementing a small and medium enterprises (SMEs) program in Asean me...
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05Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 5 -– The establishment of a "women's vote" in the Philippines could push Congress to make more laws favorable to women in the country. “There is no 'women's vote' in the country despite a huge number of women voters,” said Aida Santos Maranan, co-founder of the women's organization WeDPro. Maranan was guest during the second episode of the Paghahanda Para Sa Hatol ng Bayan aired over People's Television Network today. She said there is no women’s vote in the country becaus...
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05Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 5 -- The law may not prohibit pre-mature campaigning, but it is unfair, a Commission on Election official said. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez admitted COMELEC cannot go after those who dabble in pre-mature campaign until the official campaign period begins. Campaign period for senatorial candidates and party list groups is from February 12 to May 11. Candidates for the House of Representatives and elective positions in the regional, provincial and municipal may launch the...
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05Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 5 -- The regional meeting of the French Counsellors for foreign trade or popularly known in France as the Conseillers du Commerce Exterieur (CCE), held in the Philippines for the first time, manifests strengthened economic relations between the two countries. A statement from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said that DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo is delighted of the growing interest of French companies in the Philippines. In less than six months following the vi...
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05Feb2013LEGASPI CITY, Feb. 5 -- The DFA inaugurated the new office of DFA Legazpi located on the 3rd Floor of Pacific Mall Legazpi last February 1, another testament to the growing success of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA’s) Private Public Partnership (PPP) with leading shopping malls. The six-million-peso, 400-square-meter world class consular facility will serve the Bicol Region. DFA Legazpi is the 11th DFA mall-based consular office and the first to be inaugurated in 2013. The reloc...
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05Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA) - - Twenty-four Asean national disaster management officers throughout the region gathered for Disaster Monitoring and Response System (DMRS) Train-the-Trainers Workshop on January 29 – 31 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Workshop is expected to provide Asean National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) trainers with the necessary skills to further train their respective emergency operation center operators on effective use of the DMRS application. The DMRS is a sophisticat...
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05Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 5 (PIA) -- The National Social Action Council (Nasac) will gather about 300 leaders from the government, academe, and interfaith sectors for the 12th Nasac Trisectoral Congress to be able to tailor resolutions to challenges the country is facing. The Congress will be held with the theme, “Nasac and the Challenges of the Times,” on February 8, at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa, Manila from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Discussions will focus on economic develo...
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05Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 4 -- Filipino-Australian teams surprised spectators at the Cabramatta International 9s when the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Tamaraws won two matches on their first season in the international rugby league competition on February 2. They were the only team of Asian heritage in the competition dominated by European and Pacific Island countries, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis, together with Consul Marford Angeles and Cultur...
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05Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 5 -- The Philippine Embassy in Muscat reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that in line with the government’s tourism promotion efforts, a 2013 calendar showcasing the country’s top tourist attractions was recently released. The calendar was produced by Venus Travel LLC, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy. The travel agency is owned by Mr. Placid Reddy, who is a strong supporter of the Filipino community in Muscat. His company is also the franchisee o...
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04Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 4 -- People should vote for senatorial and congressional candidates who are familiar with different national issues. This was the advice to voters by former senators Ernesto Maceda and Rene Saguisag on the premier telecast of Paghahanda para sa Hatol ng Bayan 2013 on People’s Television Network. Paghahanda is one of the projects of Media ng Bayan, a partnership among leading news and information organizations of the government. Maceda, a former senate president, said a cong...
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04Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened its first meeting for the new term 2013 – 2015 this year under the Chairpersonship of Brunei Darussalam, on January 29 to February 2 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, a statement from ASEAN said. The progress of the implementation of AICHR’s priority programs and activities, including progress of the thematic studies in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Rights, and Mig...
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04Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 4 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) ordered its administered schools and training centers to start beefing up their curriculum and teaching methods to produce skilled graduates who can eventually land in sustainable jobs. Secretary Joel Villanueva , TESDA Director General, also called for a more effective quality control in assessing graduates, who will be issued national certificates. Villanueva issued the directives at the recently-conclud...
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04Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 4 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have teamed up to ensure that the government’s biodiversity conservation efforts would not be compromised by ongoing tourism development projects in various parts of the country. In line with the Aquino administration’s convergence strategy for sustainable development, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was entered into by the DENR and the DOT to make sure that known ecotourism ...
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04Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 4 -- Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad confirmed that the development of Mindanao continues to be a priority for the Aquino administration, especially in view of the Bangsamoro peace framework and the region’s overall growth potential. “Unlocking Mindanao’s potential is high up in the Administration’s list of priorities. Already, the region is poised to make great strides in pursuing its socio-economic goals, given the wealth of its resources and its re...
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03Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 3 --The Department of Education has created a committee and a technical working group to undertake the bidding and procurement of public school buildings to address classroom backlogs under the second phase of Public-Private Partnership for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP II). Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement said that the Department is on track in its goal to eventually close the classroom shortage by the end SY 2013. “We believe that we are right on ...
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02Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 2 -- Newly-installed NFA Administrator Orlan A. Calayag said the food agency shall continue its massive palay procurement strategies to achieve its target of 615,985 metric tons this year, even as he assured that the agency has enough supply of rice and food security buffer stocks. Calayag said that the food agency hopes to reach its target volume through intensified local procurement instead of importing rice from outside sources. “For us to finally achieve rice self suf...
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01Feb2013QUEZON CIY, Feb 1 (PIA) -- The launching of the first publication on European Union (EU) Development Assistance to the Philippines was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City on January 30. In his speech, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said, “This publication marks the first step towards a comprehensive communication and visibility strategy for European Union Aid and the member states' development assistance to the Philippines.” ...
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01Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb 1 (PIA) -- The Philippines is considering getting cheaper but quality medicines from India. This, after a group of Indian pharmaceutical firms visited the country to promote Indian-manufactured medicines. Ma. Lourdes Baua, President of Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) and Vice Chair of PITC Pharma Inc. (PITC Pharma) said that they will explore the possibility of importing therapeutic drugs from India. Right now, PITC Pharma does not import but instead buys me...
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01Feb2013TAGAYTAY CITY, Feb 1 (PIA) -- The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) has conferred the diplomas and certificates of completion for master’s and baccalaureate degrees to 34 senior executives and 40 middle managers from 22 government agencies during the Public Management Development Program (PMDP) graduation rites held yesterday at the DAP’s Convention Center in Tagaytay City. The program’s first batch of graduates is composed of senior executives and middle managers from several...
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01Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 1 -- The Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF), the construction manpower training arm of Department of Trade and Industry receives an ISO 9001:2008 Certification for its compliance with the global Quality Management System (QMS) Standards. After undergoing a series of organizational improvements, paperworks, and audits of their internal team and a third party certification body, the CMDF was certified compliant by the TUV Rheinland last December 19, 2012, only ...
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01Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 1 -- The province of Laguna is the next stop for the mobile classroom of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) currently going around the country to bring technical vocational education and training (TVET) to rural communities. Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, handed the key of the training bus to local officials signalling the temporary turn-over of the facility that was turned into a state-of-the-art classroom equipped with mul...
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01Feb2013MANILA, Feb. 1 -- The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has produced a 10-minute animated video titled, Animals and Plants in Danger, aimed at creatively educating a wide range of audiences on biodiversity conservation. The video focuses on endangered species in the ASEAN Member States and ways on how to save them from extinction. “Informing people on biodiversity issues is not easy. The challenge is how to make biodiversity an issue that can be easily understood by the public. So we came...
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01Feb2013QUEZON CITY, Feb. 1 -- Partnering with the Visayan Electric Company (VECO), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will embark on a training that will increase productivity of skilled linemen, and at the same time enhance safety measures in the performance of their job. "Linemen work under gruelling conditions - stifling heat, torrential rain and high wind. This training is critical to their safety and honing their expertise," Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director ...
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31Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 31 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) visited different areas of the country last year to inform exporters of the opportunities in foreign markets covered by free-trade agreements (FTAs) entered into by the Philippines. DTI Undersecretary for Industry and Trade Policy Adrian S. Cristobal Jr. in a statement said that through the Department’s Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA) outreach program, the DTI conducted a total of 116 DBFTA information sessions att...
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31Jan2013MANILA, Jan 31 (PIA) -- The immediate agenda of the new Asean Secretary-General Le Loung Minh was outlined in his first public statements. “For the past 46 years since its birth, Asean's consistent mission has been one to unite all countries in the region striving for peace, economic development, cooperation and integration. Building upon the achievements in carrying out that mission, in its process of building a community on all the three important pillars, Asean has succeeded in many respec...
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31Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 31 – To ensure accurate voters database in the coming midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will remove from its list dead registered voters and cross-check the names of those who have changed addresses. The cleansing of voters' lists was brought about by Comelec Resolution No. 9623 "in order to avoid discrepancy in the final data while respecting the universal principle of one man-one vote for the forthcoming May 13, 2013 National, Local and ARMM Election...
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31Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is weeding out the voters lists of those long gone and is correcting their database of those who had changed residences to come up with a clean, certified lists of voters before elections. The cleansing of voters lists was brought about by Comelec Resolution No. 9623 - "In order to avoid discrepancy in the final data while respecting the universal principle of one man-one vote for the coming May 13, 2013 national, local and A...
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31Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 31 --Responding to the financing needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) recently grew risk-based lending to 22 banks nationwide. “This risk-based lending will provide deserving SMEs access to financing even without collateral, and in the long-run these banks will be able to lend with more confidence and maintain a good quality portfolio,” SB Corp. president and chief operating officer (COO) Benel P. Lagua said in a statemen...
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31Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) climbed to 6.8 percent in the last quarter of 2012 while full-year GDP estimate was posted at 6.6 percent from 3.7 percent in 2011. GDP is used to measure the value of goods and services in the country. In a statement, National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Secretary General Jose Ramon G. Albert said the increase was due to the strong performance of the services sector, with trade and real estate and renting a...
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31Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 31 -- The Senate and the Congress have ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the K to 12 Basic Education Reform program, needing just President Aquino’s signature to make it a law of the land. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement has expressed elation on the swift passage of the Bill in both houses. “I am very grateful for the support of our legislators in both houses and most especially the members of the Bicameral Committee co-chaired...
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31Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 31 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) advises the public that there will be a delay of two to three days on the release of the electronic passports (ePassports) due from January 28 to February 02 because of a machine breakdown. Passport applicants who are expecting their passports this week are advised to call (632) 836-7745, (632) 836-7747 or e-mail DFA-OCA at passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph so they can make the necessary and appropriate arrange...
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31Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 31 -- Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has urged the country’s agricultural attaches to find ways to increase exports of Philippine farm and fishery products, and improve the country’s balance of trade, a statement from the Department of Agriculture said. “Help conclude trade transactions. Understand our products and find ways to break barriers for the benefit our farmers, fishers and agri-fishery stakeholders,” said Secretary Alcala, during his recent meeting...
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31Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 31 -- Yoko Ono, wife of the late John Lennon of the famed “The Beatles” and an established musical artist and fashion designer in her own right, donated US$ 10,000 for victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ (international name: Bopha) in the Philippines. The donation was remitted to the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on January 28, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Ms. Ono learned about the disastrous effects of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ in Mindanao following a person...
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31Jan2013QUEON CITY, Jan. 31 --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Regional Operations and Development Group (RODG) has partnered with the House of Representatives’ Committee on People’s Participation to conduct the industry clusters product and photo exhibit, and feature products of the Tindahang Pinoy or OTOP store in Clark. “With the theme “Strengthening industry cluster-based programs through people’s participation and inter-local cooperation”, this event aims to eleva...
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30Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 30 -- The growing and diverse market for international personal care product brands in Asean countries with its sizeable young population from among 600 million people draws the attention and attraction of investors to the region. Reinforced by the establishment of the Asean Economic Community, measures are being taken to ensure that the flow of goods, services, investments and capital in the cosmetics industry will become even more seamless within the region, a statement from ASE...
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30Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 30 -- National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) Undersecretary Benito Ramos lifted at 3:20 pm today the No Sailing, Flying, and Fishing Policy after the South Korea rocket was successfully launched at 3:02 Philippine Time. South Korea launched today the 3rd Science and Technology Satellite 2 (STSAT-2) aboard Korea Space Launch Vehicle- 1 (K8 V-1) after several attempts. Ramos said areas identified such as Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Alb...
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30Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 30 -- The People’s Television Network has come up with a program that will explain what the coming elections is all about. The first episode of Paghahanda sa Hatol ng Bayan on February 4 will tackle topics such as people’s right to vote, why elections are held every three years, electoral reforms through the years and the importance of mid-term elections. “We want Paghahanda to equip the electorate with adequate knowledge to help them make an informed choice come May 13,...
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30Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 30 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently launched two major initiatives in Central Visayas focused on women and the youth to help build a skilled workforce for the region’s sustained growth. The agency partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the Cash for Training Project (C4TP) and with Coca Cola Bottlers Corporation for the Coke-TESDA Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (S3TAR), which were both ...
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30Jan2013MANILA, Jan 30 -- The U.S. Congressional Delegation (CODEL) headed by Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) supported the Philippines’ move to pursue arbitration proceedings over the disputes in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The CODEL relayed this position to President Benigno S. Aquino III and other cabinet officials during a courtesy call in Malacañang today. Representative Royce is the new Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relation of the U....
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29Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 29 -- Avoid sailing, flying, or fishing on the eastern board on Wednesday as South Koreans attempt to send a satellite in space for the third time, warned the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC). Based on the initial information forwarded by the Office of the Asian Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the launching could take place between January 30 and February 8 from the Naro Space Center, Go Heung, Jeollanam-do. In a TV interview Tuesd...
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29Jan2013MANILA, Enero 29 -- Bukas, Miyerkules, na nang hapon ang rocket launching ng South Korea, pahayag ni Undersecretary Benito sa interbyu nito sa DZRH kanina. Sinabi niyang 2:55 n.h. ang iskedyul ng launching, Philippine time o tinatawag na window time. Preparado ang bansa sa sandaling ito kung kayat noong makalawa, linggo, naglabas ang National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council ng NOTAM o notice to airmen and notice to mariner na iwasang magpalipad ng eroplano at iwasang idaan ang...
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29Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 29 (PIA) -- The Senate has expressed full support to President Benigno S. Aquino III on the filing of arbitration against China under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Through its Resolution No. 931, the Senate said China’s steady and forceful assertion of its claim on the West Philippine Sea under its 9-dash line is expansive and inconsistent with the UNCLOS. “China’s 9-dash line claim encroaches on the legitimate maritime entitlements of th...
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29Jan2013MANILA, Jan 29 -- The government is ready to roll out its convergence program on child labor, which will provide focused, converged and synchronized strategies to effectively address the problem of child labor in the country, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz on Monday said in a statement. In a year-end press conference at the Labor department, Baldoz revealed that the convergence program, H.E.L.P. M.E. is a community-based approach against child labor and has a proposed budget of P9 ...
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28Jan2013MANILA, Jan 28 -- There will life after retirement for policemen, as the Department of Budget and Management announced the release of P4.83 billion to cover the retirement benefits of 54,660 retirees of the Philippine National Police (PNP), which has made the switch from check to electronic payments for monthly pension releases, a press statement said. The total release will support pension payments for retired policemen from January to March 2013. The retirees are also assured that they will ...
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28Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) has announced the extension of nominations for the Search for Journalists of the year until February 28. Filipino journalists from print, broadcast, and online media shall be recognized by the foundation for their excellent and responsible reporting that contributed to the development of the country. “The search is a fitting tribute to our Filipino press people on or behind the camera. It is about time that we recognize t...
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28Jan2013MANILA, Jan 28 -- Starting school year 2013-2014, the Sugar Regulatory Administration will formally open a Scholarship Study and Fellowship Program to deserving students. The prime goal of this undertaking is to promote and sustain a strong agricultural and industrial research and development program which will propel the Philippine sugar industry to stability and competitiveness in the coming years. Among its objectives are: 1) to provide the industry with a highly qualified and competent tec...
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28Jan2013MANILA, Jan 28 -- Starting school year 2013-2014, the Sugar Regulatory Administration will formally open a Scholarship Study and Fellowship Program to deserving students. The prime goal of this undertaking is to promote and sustain a strong agricultural and industrial research and development program which will propel the Philippine sugar industry to stability and competitiveness in the coming years. Among its objectives are: 1) to provide the industry with a highly qualified and competent tec...
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28Jan2013MANILA, Jan 28 (PIA) -- When there is a glut of harvest from sea or there is a need to preserve sea products, coastal communities and fishers use the sun for drying or an area for smoking to preserve fish and other sea foods. These two systems are unreliable when the skies are overcast or during rainy days.It is also unhealthy. Unknown to many in the fish sector, there is a machine that could improve their products and operations, and it is called the multi-commodity solar tunnel driers (MCSTDs...
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28Jan2013MANILA, Jan 28 (PIA) -- When there is a glut of harvest from sea or there is a need to preserve sea products, coastal communities and fishers use the sun for drying or an area for smoking to preserve fish and other sea foods. These two systems are unreliable when the skies are overcast or during rainy days.It is also unhealthy. Unknown to many in the fish sector, there is a machine that could improve their products and operations, and it is called the multi-commodity solar tunnel driers (MCSTDs...
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28Jan2013MANILA, Jan 28 (PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Davao City is set to start the rehabilitation of upland areas affected by typhoon ‘Pablo’ under the National Greening Program (NGP) according to a press statement of DENR. DENR will be prioritizing typhoon-ravaged areas in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental by reforestation or rehabilitation under the NGP this year, said Environment Secretary Ramon Paje. DENR has earmarked P34,652...
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28Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 28 --Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala underscored the important role and contribution of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in the government’s goal to attain food sufficiency during the agency’s 83rd anniversary celebration, January 24, in San Andres, Manila. He commended the men and women of the BPI, led by Director Clarito Barron, for their valuable contribution in the sustained growth and development of the country’s crop industry, which last year grew by 4.1...
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28Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 28 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has announced that it passed the first year of surveillance audit as part of compliance to its ISO 9001:2008. ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized quality management standard which specifies Quality Management System (QMS) requirements focused on an organization's ability to meet and improve upon customer satisfaction and quality requirements. The audit confirms that the agency is adhering to the hi...
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28Jan2013MANILA, Jan 28 — Public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure and value-chain development will be strengthened this year to sustain growth in the agriculture sector, an official of the National Economic and Development Authority said. “Support from the private sector is seen as a major contributor to the government’s efforts to quickly deliver the needed infrastructure and services in the agricultural and fisheries sector,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan...
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26Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- Communities must test and practice their disaster risk reduction and management plans to save lives and properties, the head of the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Friday. Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman made the call following the recent launching of the Typhoon Bopha/Pablo Revised Recovery Plan of Action at the Department of Foreign Affairs. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has constantly been reminding loc...
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26Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 26 (PIA) -- Deadline for submission of duly accomplished application forms for the 2013 Foreign Service Officer Examinations (FSOE) to the BFSE Secretariat, DFA Main Office is until 5 p.m. of January 31 only. The Board of Foreign Service Examinations Secretariat, under the Department of Foreign Affairs, opened the FSOE application in 12 December 2012 to seek candidates qualified for the appointment to the position of Foreign Service Officer, Class IV. Submission of application...
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25Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 25 -- As ASEAN embarks on the journey towards a single community in 2015 and beyond, Japan is looking forward to strengthen its bond even further with the people of ASEAN. This message was conveyed at the reception in Jakarta on January 18, celebrating 40 years of ASEAN and Japan friendship and cooperation, a statement from ASEAN said. From the fight against terrorism, maritime security cooperation, to addressing and promoting cooperation in disaster management, trade, and cultur...
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25Jan2013MANILA, Enero 25 (PIA) -- Ginugunita ngayong araw ang ika-80 kaarawan ng Dating Pangulong Corazon C. Aquino na simbolo ng demokrasya at kalayaan ng bansa. Kinilala rin siya bilang isang ina ng bansa at ilaw ng bayan dahil sa pagiging isa niyang magulang sa bansang Pilipinas. Ayon tagapagsalita ng pangulo sa isang kalatas, bilang pagkilala sa kanyang matatag na desisyon upang ipagtanggol ang ating demokrasya, isasapubliko ng Presidential Communication Development and Strategic Planning Office (...
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25Jan2013Quezon City, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) remains festive as it continues to savor the impact of the four-million foreign visitors the Philippines had in 2012, achieving 93.8 percent of its target for 2012. Next year, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez is confident that we "Will cross the five-million milestone." This is the first time the country has reached the four-million mark in tourism history. Jimenez is confident that the Philippines is on track towards the 10-mill...
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25Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 25 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has identified programs and projects to contribute in the country’s export growth target for this year. “To exceed last year’s export growth and to contribute in attaining the country’s goal of US$120 billion exports by 2016, we will continually employ helpful market and product strategies in our programs and projects to promote exports in 2013,” Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) Director Senen M. Perlada said i...
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25Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan.25 -- The Philippines is a certified business-tourism destination and the country's top salesman went to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Wednesday to talk about it. Before his departure for Davos, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III assured that he will do his best to present the Philippines as a sound investment site in the four-day forum. Apart from the industrious and creative people to rely on, the President said the Philippines has unforgettable locations frequ...
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25Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- A national recovery plan for typhoon Pablo survivors was revised to improve a system where the international humanitarian communities can better participate. The Typhoon Bopha/Pablo Response - An Action Plan for Recovery will now outline how humanitarian organizations and other institutions can continue to provide life-saving assistance and recovery support to the people of Mindanao in the next six months. An initial action Plan, launched December 2012, required...
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25Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 25 (PIA) -- The country commemorates today the 80th birth anniversary of former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino. Malacañang, in a statement Thursday, announced that to mark the birth anniversary of “the undying symbol of our nation’s freedom,” the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) have published a multimedia historical series on Aquino as “Commander in Chief and defender of the Fifth Republic" at www.gov.ph. The statemen...
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24Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 24 -- The government continues to repatriate Filipinos in Syria. Another 22 Filipinos are scheduled to arrive in Manila at 10:15 p.m. today, January 24 aboard Qatar Airways flight QR 644, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. From Aleppo, the repatriates were brought to the Philippine Embassy shelter in Damascus with the assistance of the Philippine Honorary Consul in the city, Mr. Wassim Nanaa. They left Damascus for Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport yesterday, ...
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24Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 24 -- The Department of Education is targeting at least 10 million early registrants this Saturday when the department mobilizes its workforce and partner agencies for the nationwide early registration for school year 2013-2014. “All systems go for this Saturday’s early registration of learners which we will conduct simultaneously nationwide for incoming kinder, regular students in all public schools as well as those who will avail of alternative delivery modes and learni...
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24Jan2013MANILA, Jan 24 -- Secretary of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman recently committed to release 10,000 sacks of rice to local government units affected by typhoon Pablo in Region XI, after a group of victims had a stand-off and requested for an audience with the Secretary and Governor Arturo T. Uy during a visit in Compostela Valley. During the dialogue, Sec. Soliman and Gov. Uy made it clear that the rice will be released provided they meet eight conditi...
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24Jan2013PASIG CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- “It’s high time government has a program that would produce a common culture of excellence especially among its senior officials,” Carmelita N. Ericta, Administrator and Civil Registrar General of the National Statistics Office (NSO), states in reply to a post-program assessment inquiry conducted by training provider, the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). Ericta cites the marked improvement noted in the four NSO scholars who recently graduated from...
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24Jan2013MANILA, Jan 24 -- For those in the dark about the continuing verbal exchanges in the Senate regarding “MOOE,” and “savings,” the office of Ma.Gracia M. Pulido-Tan, chairperson of the Commission on Audit, in a statement, Wednesday, clarified specifically what MOOE or Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses is. The clarification is being made in response to a letter of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on what MOOE are for. Tan said, under Section 63 of the General Appropriations Act ...
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23Jan2013CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Jan. 23 (PIA) – In celebration of the National Arts Month (NAM), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will hold the fifth installment of Cinema Rehiyon in the University of the Philippines Los Banos campus (UPLB) from February 5 to 8, 2013. Guided by this year’s theme of “Nurturing Cinemas of Home,” Cinema Rehiyon will showcase the works of Filipino filmmakers from all over the Philippines which will be shown in UPLB’s DL Umali Auditorium and S...
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23Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 23 -- In response to the call of the Department of Education to help students affected by typhoon Pablo in Mindanao, Philippine Business Bank donated P1,000,000 for the construction of one classroom and the implementation of a feeding program in Sangab Elementary School in Davao Oriental. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro personally accepted the check worth P1M from the Philippine Business Bank represented by its President and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rolando Avante. ...
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23Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 22 - Autism still has no cure, but modern therapy plus family support can turn around the lives of people afflicted with this lifelong disability. People must understand Autism so they can help create an environment where persons with Autism learn to survive and be a productive member of the community, Carmen Almendrala of the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) said in a forum at Philippine Information Agency (PIA). As a neurological disorder, Autism impairs or delays th...
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23Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 23 -- The government has set aside around P49 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s attendance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, where he is expected to highlight the administration’s anti-corruption campaign and make a pitch on the Philippines’ readiness to receive more investments, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Wednesday. Ochoa in a statement said the Chief Executive will not only participate in economic discussions with global bus...
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22Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 22 -- A native from Davao City, Charly Suarez, the only Filipino member of the Italia Thunder boxing team, won his second victory in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) against the USA Knockouts on January 12 at the Mediolanum Forum Stadium in Milan. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said, Charly became the main character of the evening who has also gained popularity as an idol for the Milanese. His spectacular and aggressive boxing won applauses and cheers from the a...
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22Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 22 -- The country’s agriculture industry grew by 2.92 percent in 2012, grossing P1.4 trillion at current prices, bannered by the crops, poultry and livestock subsectors. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala on Monday in a statement said the three subsectors — which accounted for about 82% of total farm output — posted a combined growth of 3.6%. The fisheries subsector, which shared 18% to total production, dipped by 0.04%, mainly due to a 3.9% decline in municipal fi...
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22Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 22 (PIA) -- The Philippine Bible Society (PBS) is inviting students to the “May They Be One (MTBO) Bible Run 2” on March 9 at the Quirino Granstand, Luneta Park, Manila. The Bible Run 2 has 3K, 5K, and 10K categories, which all may be joined by students for a special rate of P250. Finishers may get NSTP (National Service Training Program) credit certificates. Non-students may join in 3K and 5K for P350, and in 10K for P500. The activity tailed last year’s first PBS run...
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22Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 22 (PIA) -- The LEADS Environment Health Products Corporation will be holding a forum on February 13 to keep its industry partners abreast on the environmental science concerns and pest management. The forum to be held at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila, will discuss practical termite management, managing cockroaches, rodents, flies and mosquito management. The corporation’s mission is to provide its clients with updates and trends in the industry, Fernando Malveda, LEADS ...
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21Jan2013MANILA, Jan 21 (PIA) -- “Let’s build a ‘new rice terraces.'" This was the challenge posed by the new acting director general of the Philippine Information Agency as he was sworn into office today. Jose Mari Oquiñena, a former Gawad Kalinga Foundation head of operations, likened the challenge to the poser that, he said, must have faced the people of the Cordilleras of long ago. To provide food for the generations to come, the ancestors of the Cordillera people formed a communal group, an...
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21Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 21 -- Various schools and training centers of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) nationwide will soon have new equipment for use of their students courtesy of a donation from a university in South Korea. The new training equipment will soon find their way to these institutions to improve the quality and effectiveness of the programs they offer, a statement from the Tesda said. The P4.4-million (KRW115,000,000) worth of donations were recently tur...
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21Jan2013PASAY CITY, Jan 21 (PIA) -- The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) held yesterday the soft launch of the “1Pangako Campaign” which advocates to eliminate misuse of the word 'autistic' as a way of name-calling or ridiculing persons with autism (PWA). SM Investment Corporation president Hans T. Sy, together with top government leaders and officials from the Australian Embassy Manila and the Australian Agency for International Development, led the ceremonial signing of the campaign. The pledge...
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21Jan2013ni Lyndon Plantilla LUNGSOD NG QUEZON, Enero 21 (PIA) -- Ang Philippine Information Agency (PIA) ang dapat paghugutan ng mga mamamayan ng inspirasyon para sa ikasusulong ng bansa, ayon sa bagong director general ng ahensiya nitong Lunes. Sa kanyang kauna-unahang mensahe sa mga kawani sa punong tangggapan ng PIA, sinabi ni PCOO Undersecretary at ngayo'y Director General Jose Mari M. Oquiñena na hindi lang paghahatid ng impormasyon ang dapat gawin ng ahensiya kundi ang manguna sa mga malalaya a...
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21Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 21 -- The Department of Education is working closely with government and private organizations dealing with people with disabilities (PWDs) to ensure that children and youth with learning difficulties are identified and registered during the nationwide early registration set on January 26, 2013. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement said that the department is committed to providing all learners access to education under the millennium development goals which in...
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21Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 21 -- The 12th Meeting of the Asean Plus Three (China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea) Tourism Ministers was held on January 21 in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The year 2012 was a dynamic one for tourism in the APT countries. The growth of international visitor arrivals has been significant. Enhanced connectivity particularly air accessibility amongst APT countries has contributed to this positive growth. In 2012, the Asean Plus Three countries welcom...
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19Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 19 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared January 23 of every year as “Araw ng Republikang Filipino, 1899” to commemorate the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Friday. Ochoa said Proclamation No. 533, which the President signed on January 9, aims to promote awareness, especially among the youth, on the significance of this chapter in Philippine history that marked the culmination of the Philippine ...
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19Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 19 -- The conduct of the 2012-2013 National Achievement Test (NAT) will be on March this year for selected levels of elementary and high school students in public and private schools nationwide, a statement from the Department of Education said. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said the NAT for fourth year students of public and private schools is set on March 6, 2013. For Grade 3 pupils of public and Madrasah schools, the date of exam is March 12. On March 13, it is the...
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19Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 19 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED) will kick off this year’s free entrepreneurship briefing series with a session on how to start a new business on January 25 (Friday). “This session aims to help potential entrepreneurs identify businesses that will likely succeed and to provide insights on how to do it right,” BMSMED Director Rhodora M. Leaño said in a statement. “A session ...
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18Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 18 -- The 20th meeting of the ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) was held on January 17, 2013 in Jakarta. The meeting also marked 40 years of the ASEAN-EU friendship. A statement from ASEAN said this was the first JCC meeting since the adoption by ASEAN and EU Foreign Ministers, in April 2012, of the Bandar Seri Begawan Plan of Action to strengthen the ASEAN-EU enhanced partnership 2013-2017, the EU's accession to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in July ...
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18Jan2013MANILA, Jan 18 -- An official of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said the PAOCC did not approve the plan for police operation that led to the death of 13 people, including a known jueteng operator, in Atimonan, Quezon. “We at PAOCC, through a board resolution, did not approve Case Operation Plan Armado (COPLAN Armado) submitted by Police Superintendent Hansel Marantan, Police Superintendent Glenn Dumlao and Chief Supt. James Melad,” Chief Supt. Reginald Villasanta, ...
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18Jan2013MANILA, Jan 18 – To further promote transparency and accountability in governance, the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS), in partnership with Landbank of the Philippines (LandBank), launched a new electronic payment facility to allow government agencies to complete online purchases for supplies procured through the PhilGEPS Virtual Store. In a statement, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said the new system will help agencies ensure a quicker and m...
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19Jan2013DOHA, Jan. 19 -- As one of the last activities organized by the Philippine Embassy as Chair of ASEAN Committee Doha (ACD), the ASEAN Family Day 2013 was held on January 12 at the Barzan Olympic Park. The ASEAN Family Day 2013 aims to strengthen mutual understanding and solidarity among ASEAN countries. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Crescente R. Relacion emphasized that “ASEAN Family Day is important because this is the one way of dev...
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17Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 17 --The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), has partnered with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to provide some P17.1 Billion worth of crop insurance protection to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) over the next two cropping seasons. The protection plan is contained in the joint program called the “Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries-Agricultural Insurance Program (ARB-AIP).” DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala an...
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17Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 17 -- The Department of Education is mobilizing its resources and personnel nationwide to ensure the success of the nationwide early registration on January 26, 2013 and bring all school-aged children and youth including those with learning difficulties to school. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro has directed school officials from the DepEd regional and division offices to work closely with parents, the local government units, civil society groups, barangay and Sanggunian ...
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17Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 17 -- The Department of Education’s school-based feeding program (SBFP) targets over 42,000 severely- wasted beneficiaries in the person of children suffering from undernutrition to bring them back to health and improve their school performance. Education SecretaryArmin A. Luistro in statement said the feeding program which is being implemented since October 2012 up to March 2013 provides nutritious meals to selected pupils suffering from severe malnutrition for 100 to 120 ...
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17Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 17 -- The Okinawa Prefectural Government led by Governor Hirokazu Nakaima donated JPY 1 million (approximately P500,000) for the victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ (international name: Bopha) last December 28. In addition, the 48 members of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly led by its Chairman Masaharu Kina also donated JPY 500,000 (approximately P250,000) for ‘Pablo’ victims, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The donation from Okinawa, which totals JPY 1.5...
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15Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 15 -- The Department of Education continues to mobilize its personnel in school divisions damaged by Typhoon Pablo that swept Davao Oriental and CARAGA in December to bring back normalcy in school operations. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement said that as of January 11, 2013, some 71, 586 textbooks have been delivered to the affected areas. “These comprise the initial replenishment of textbooks which we sourced from regional and central office stocks,...
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15Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) -- The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) has set this year’s celebration of the 17th National Autism Consciousness Week on January 20 to 27 with the theme, “Autismo Alamin: Pagtanggap at Pag-unawa Palaganapin.” The week-long event will kick off with a walkaton dubbed “Angels Walks for Autism” which will be held at SM Mall of Asia on January 20. On January 21, the “1Pangako Campaign” will be launched aimed at changing the public’s discriminatory views ...
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15Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 15 -- Thirty-nine more Filipinos, including an infant, were brought home safely from strife-torn Syria after travelling along icy roads and through heavy traffic from Damascus to Beirut, Lebanon. The repatriates were brought to the Masna’a border crossing by members of the Philippine Embassy in Damascus. They spent the night at a Caritas shelter in Baabda assisted by personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The Embassy in Be...
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15Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 15 -- The Department of Education continues to mobilize its personnel in school divisions damaged by Typhoon Pablo that swept Davao Oriental and CARAGA in December to bring back normalcy in school operations. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement said that as of January 11, 2013, some 71, 586 textbooks have been delivered to the affected areas. “These comprise the initial replenishment of textbooks which we sourced from regional and central office stocks,...
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15Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 15 -- Monsanto Philippines, Incorporated is calling on eligible Filipinos to apply for scholarship funding from the Monsanto Beachell Borlaug International Scholarship Program (MBBISP). Chat Garrido- Ocampo, Monsanto Philippines Corporate Affairs Lead said scholarship applications are now being accepted until February 1, 2013. The MBBISP provides funds to scholars pursuing a doctorate degree in wheat or rice plant breeding. “This is a competitive scholarship program that...
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14Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 14 -- Filipinos in Dubai continue to pour their support to the victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ which ravaged the southern Philippines last December. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said that Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Sum of Tipanan Restaurant, a restaurant chain operating in Dubai and serving Filipino dishes, donated P80,000 through the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Similarly, Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers Society (OPPPS), a Dubai-based Filipino organization ...
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14Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 14 -- A team of students from Lopez National Comprehensive High School from Quezon Province won first prize in United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Bangkok’s Better Learning, Better Life competition. The contest was participated in by students from across the Asia-Pacific including Australia, China, India, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines who shared their vision on the future of education through both written submis...
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14Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Enero 14 (PIA) -- Muling pumirma sa isang kasunduan ang Social Security System (SSS) at Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) upang magkatuwang na pagtibayin ang seguridad at proteksyon ng mga manggagawa mula sa mga delinkwenteng employer. Magbabahagi ng impormasyon ang SSS sa mga lokal na pamahalaan na siyang magiging basehan sa pagbibigay ng business permit, ayon kay SSS President at Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. Sa naunang kasunduan ng SSS at DILG no...
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14Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 14 -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) will administer various examinations this year to screen prospective job applicants in government. The CSC will conduct the written Career Service Examinations (CSE), both for Professional and Sub-Professional levels, on April 14 and October 13, 2013. For the April 14 schedule, applications are being accepted at CSC Regional and Field Offices nationwide until February 28. The CSE are general ability tests designed to measure verbal, an...
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14Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 14 -- Tax incentives await schools, firms in TESDA dual training program. Business establishments that will open their doors to technical vocational education and training (TVET) students and trainees under the dual training system (DTS) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will enjoy tax break and other incentives, a statement from Tesda said. The tax incentives, which were detailed in a new circular released by the agency, aim to encourage gre...
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14Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 14 -- The Social Security System (SSS) has renewed its partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to strengthen the monitoring of businesses’ SSS compliance as part of the pension fund’s campaign to protect its members from erring employers. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement Saturday disclosed that a new agreement provides for regular sharing of information between the SSS and local government units ...
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14Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 14 -- Out of 113,168 examinees, a total of 13,412 or 11.85 percent passed the Career Service Examinations administered nationwide by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on October 21, 2012. Of the said figure, 11,449 passed the Professional level while 1,963 passed the Sub-Professional level. Mark Anthony B. Pelaez from the Bicol Region topped the Professional level with a rating of 87.85. Joining him at the top 10 are Justin Alick M. Cordova (Western Visayas), 87.39; Ma. Crist...
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14Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 14 -- The Department of Budget and Management announced the release of P4.14 billion to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to support preparatory activities for the Synchronized National, Local, and ARMM Elections this year. The release was charged against savings from unutilized appropriations under the 2012 General Appropriations Act. “We augmented the COMELEC’s budget to enable them to make the necessary preparations for this year’s elections. The additional fund sup...
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12Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 12 -- The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and its chair, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., were not in any way involved in the shooting incident in Atimonan, Quezon last Sunday, officials from the commission said on Friday. Chief Supt. Reginald Villasanta, PAOCC executive director in a statement said that contrary to a newspaper report, the police operation was not approved by the commission. “We at PAOCC have nothing to do with the operation...
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12Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 12 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that it has decided to discontinue its Sunday operations in its consular offices in malls beginning January this year. The cancellation of Sunday operations according to a DFA advisory is due to the low client turnout on this day. The DFA advisory said that it has discontinued Sunday operations of the following Regional Consular Offices (RCOs) and Metro Manila satellite offices beginning January 2013 -- DFA NCR-East (SM ...
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12Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 12 -- The Philippines won one of the “Best Tourist Destination” awards at the 2012 Oriental Morning Post’s annual World Travel – Special Trips Awards. A statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said the award was based on a consumer survey done by the Oriental Morning Post, one of the top news dailies in Shanghai. Other winning countries in the category were Ireland, Korea, Singapore and Finland, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The awarding ceremony was...
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11Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 11 --The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) now has close to 20,000 registered programs all over the country, dominated by in-demand courses such as those related to Information and Communication Technology and Tourism. "College education is still popular among our youth, but technical vocational education and training (TVET) is offering them a new route to rewarding careers," Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, said in a statement. "...
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11Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has dispelled reports that Malacañang gave the go-signal to a police operation in Atimonan, Quezon last week where 13 people died. In a statement, Ochoa said the operations plan cited in a report in the Inquirer was a confidential proposal that was not approved. “I wish to point out though that a news report saying that the Palace okayed the operation is completely erroneous,” Ochoa said. He added that he has directed t...
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11Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 11 -- H.E. Le Luong Minh, a former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, assumed the post of Secretary-General of the ASEAN in a Ceremony for the Transfer of Office at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta on January 9. The five-year tenure of Mr Minh will be from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2017. His appointment was formally endorsed by the ASEAN Leaders at the 21st ASEAN Summit in Cambodia in November 2012, a press report from the ASEAN said. “The next five years will b...
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11Jan2013MANILA, Jan 11 -- Total net commitment from official development assistance (ODA) amounted to US$8.83 billion as of the third quarter of 2012. This was a US$318.31-million increase from the previous quarter, data from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) revealed. “The increase in total net commitment was due to one newly-signed loan, one newly-effective loan recorded during the quarter, and adjustments reflecting exchange rate fluctuations,” NEDA-Project Monitoring Staff...
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11Jan2013MAKATI, Jan. 11 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will launch the shared services facility (SSF) for the coffee industry cluster in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) on Wednesday next week (January 16) in Tabuk City, Kalinga. “After screening proposals and conducting public bidding for the supply of SSF last year, we are finally launching the coffee machines and equipment for the coffee industry in the CAR,” DTI Undersecretary for regional operations and development Merly ...
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11Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 11 -- Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Ma. Gracia M. Pulido Tan assured the public that the Commission is already looking into the reported realignment of the Senate’s savings into additional budget for maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE). In a statement, Tan said the law empowers the Senate to augment any item in the appropriation. She pointed to Special Provisions Applicable to the Congress of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 20...
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10Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 10 -- Buoyed by higher revenue collections in 2010, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reported Wednesday that the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for 2013 jumped by 37.5 percent to P302.3 billion, up from the P219.9-billion figure posted in 2012. Internal tax revenues generated in 2010 climbed to P822.6 billion, a notable increase over the P750.3 billion collected in 2009. Under Section 284 of the Local Government Code (LGC), LGUs shall have a share in national intern...
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10Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 10 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launched on Wednesday, Jan. 9 the Philippine component of an internationally-funded project on invasive alien species (IAS). The project, entitled “Removing Barriers to Invasive Species Management in the Production and Protection Forests in Southeast Asia” is funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) through the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), with the DENR-Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau ...
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10Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is looking forward to stronger cooperation and enhanced strategic partnership with Japan. This, after del Rosario met with Japan's newly-appointed Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida during the latter’s official visit today. Del Rosario said in a statement that he and Kishida had productive discussions on several issues, including trade, investments, tourism, development assistance, people-to-people exchanges and maritim...
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10Jan2013MANILA, Jan 10 -- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. has been chosen by The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times group, as Central Banker of the Year for Asia-Pacific. The Banker said its Central Bank Governor of the Year Awards celebrate the officials who have successfully steered their countries through the economic turbulence of 2012. Governor Erdem Basci of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey representing Europe was chosen as Global Central Bank Gov...
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09Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 9 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced on Tuesday that P8.1 billion in funds have already been made available for flood-control and irrigation projects earlier approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board. The funds will be charged against overall savings generated by the national government from FYs 2011 and 2012. Of the total amount, P5 billion has been allocated for 15 flood-control projects under the Department of Public W...
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09Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- About 651 families or 3,195 individuals were affected by flooding in some barangays of regions 11 and 12 caused by a Low Pressure Area (LPA) in Southeast of Mindanao. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Council (NDRRMC) monitored a flash flood incident Monday (January 7) at Barangay Pangyan, Glan, Sarangani Province caused by heavy rains which displaced 18 families. A flooding incident also occurred Sunday (January 6) in Barangay New Visayas, Montevista, Compostel...
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08Jan2013MANILA, Jan 8 (PIA) -- The country’s premiere economic planning agency said government is moving closer toward achieving targets in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016. In its Socioeconomic Report (SER) 2010-2012, the National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA) said economic targets contained in the PDP are likely to be attained. The PDP 2011-2016 is the government’s blueprint for inclusive growth, which was formulated in consultation with stakeholders belonging to differe...
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08Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA) -- The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) broke the 6,000-point mark and closed at another record high of 6,044.91 points on January 7, its fourth day of trading in 2013. In a statement, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the record-breaking advance reflects the sustained confidence of investors in the local economy. Valte says the strong performance of the PSEi validates the Aquino administration’s aggressive reforms and commitment to good gov...
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08Jan2013PASIG CITY, Jan. 8 -- The Department of Education has released some P2 million to buy school supplies for students affected by Typhoon Pablo in Region 11 and Caraga Region as school activities continue to normalize after the onslaught of the powerful storm. “We have received some P2.7 million in cash given by donors from within and outside DepEd to help the survivors -- specially our school children -- pick up the pieces, so to speak,” Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said in a statem...
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07Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 7 -- Around 22 Filipinos from the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal I tomorrow, Tuesday, January 08 at 10:15 p.m in line with the Philippine Government’s Mandatory Repatriation Program (MRP). The repatriates travelled by land to Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport where they took Qatar Airways flight QR 423 to Doha and then flight QR 644 to Manila, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. T...
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07Jan2013MANILA, Jan. 7 -- The 16th ASEAN University Games was held in Vientiane, Laos from December 12 to 20. Malaysia topped the medal tally with a haul of 60 gold, 48 silver and 72 bronze medals, while in second place was Vietnam with 56 gold, 35 silver and 28 bronze medals. Thailand came third with 45 gold, 52 silver and 56 bronze medals, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The Philippine team participated in five events namely, taekwondo, judo, badminton, athletics and aquat...
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07Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 7 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government of Rosario, Cavite led in a groundbreaking ceremony for an P2.5-million infrastructure project in the municipality using the community-driven development approach (CDD). The infrastructure project will benefit some 1,000 families and provide jobs for 166 laborers in the municipality. The work involves dredging and delisting of a 560-linear meter creek with the construction of a 1,250- linear ...
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04Jan2013MANILA, Jan 4 -- As part of government’s efforts to promote socio-economic growth in risk-prone areas, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released an additional P745.5 million for peace and development activities throughout the country under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan Program (Pamana). The fund will be used to support development in settlement sites in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the disposition of arms and forces, and the construction of strategic...
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04Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- Malacañang is happy with the announcement of the National Statistics Office (NSO) that the country’s annual average headline inflation rate slowed to 3.2 percent in 2012, compared with 4.6 in 2011. Headline inflation refers to the rate of change in the consumer price index, which is an indicator of the change in the average retail prices of a fixed basket of goods and services commonly bought by average Filipino households relative to a base year, according to p...
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04Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 4 -- With its training cum production program, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is helping Mindanao communities ravaged by typhoon "Pablo" (international name: Bopha) become victims to builders. Secretary Joel Villanueva , TESDA Director General, in a statement said that typhoon victims will be given training in construction-related skills such as carpentry, masonry, electrical installation and plumbing to make them capable of rebuilding their ...
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04Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Dec. 4 -- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje asked on Wednesday law enforcers to get the killers of a community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) in Quirino province, as he condemned this latest attack against environmental defenders as another attempt to silence them. On New Year’s Day, Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) CENRO Alfredo Almueda was shot and killed by two unidentified men armed with assault weapons w...
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04Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan 4 (PIA) -- The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is implementing the Management Development Program (MDP) for the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA). Under JICA’s program on Capacity Building for Community Development in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (CD-CAAM), DAP will implement MDP to BDA’s Board of Directors, central and regional managers, and key officers of the Bangsamoro Leadership and Managemen...
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03Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 3 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced the launch of a new budget regime in 2013, with a focus on enforcing a one-year lapse period for department and agency appropriations. “One of the major reform measures we aim to enforce in 2013 is the one-year lapse period for all budget allocations. Previously, departments and agencies enjoyed a two-year lapse period for their allocations, which allowed them to carry over their unused appropriations to the follo...
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03Jan2013QUEZON CITY, Jan. 3 -- The Social Security System (SSS) has granted over P2 billion through its calamity relief programs to about 134,000 affected members and pensioners all over the country who benefited from the early renewal of SSS salary loans and advance release of three months’ worth of pensions in 2012. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement said the SSS disbursed over P2.1 billion to 108,300 calamity-hit members through the Salary Loan Early Re...
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29Dec2012MAKATI CITY, Dec. 29 -- The unparalleled record of inbound business missions to the Philippines this year manifests the strong confidence of foreign investors in the country’s business environment, the DTI said. “Consistent with positive reviews of international rating agencies on the Philippines, this influx of business missions is a strong affirmation of the Aquino administration’s economic reforms that have resonated prominently to foreign investors worldwide,” Department of Trade ...
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29Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 29 -- The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo welcomed officials from Sumitomo Corporation who pledged ¥10 million in cash (approximately P5 million) as humanitarian assistance for those affected by Typhoon Pablo (international name: Bopha) in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao. The donation, coursed through the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, will be turned over to proper authorities in the Philippines, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez met wit...
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28Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 28 -- Help desks set up by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) have aided close to 300,000 disadvantaged youth and jobless graduates find their path to employment. Called the Jobs Bridging and Internship Program (JBIP) or blue desks, it aims to assist Tesda graduates find employment through referral or job matching. From January up to November this year, a total 281,666 individuals have been hired out of the 444,318 who have availed of the blue d...
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28Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 28 (PIA) -- Client satisfaction surveys in 2012 have yielded positive results as majority of government offices obtained high ratings, prompting the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to pin high hopes on its anti-red tape efforts. Based on the Report Card Survey (RCS) conducted by the CSC, 305 out of 594 government offices nationwide garnered a rating of Good, with numerical scores between 80 to 90. Another 50 offices obtained an Excellent rating, the highest in the scale with sc...
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28Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 28 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Agana continues to receive donations for Typhoon Pablo victims, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. On December 20, the Consulate General received check donations from the National Association of Mapua Alumni (NAMA) and the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) in Guam. Theese organizations had also donated cash for the victims of the flooding caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) that hit Luzon last Augus...
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28Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 28 -- In advancing the industry cluster approach as an integral part of its industrial development policy, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was able to generate 354 new micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in its first year of implementation. Along with existing 743 MSMEs assisted, these new MSMEs invested P415.2 million, created 9,641 jobs, and generated P261.8 million domestic sales and US$ 24.1 million worth of export deals, a statement from DTI said. ...
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27Dec2012MANILA, Dec 27 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved P32.29 billion for quick-disbursing priority programs and projects that are expected to bolster domestic economic growth in the remaining days of 2012 as well as in the first few weeks of 2013. In a statement, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said the funds will come from savings of P28.9 billion incurred from unreleased 2011 and 2012 appropriation; as well as P4.4 billion in remaining windfall revenues (Unprogramm...
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27Dec2012MANILA, Dec 27 – Government spending from January to November this year increased by 14.1 percent to P1.54 trillion, from P1.35 trillion in the same period of 2011. In a statement, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said ndisbursements net of interest payments during the 11-month period have increased by 14.5 percent year-on-year to P1.25 trillion. He noted that the growth rate of agency disbursements is faster than the 12.3-percent growth of interest payments. ...
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27Dec2012MAKATI CITY, Dec 27 -- The Philippines is now seen as the emerging overseas investment destination of choice for Korean small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This was based on an article recently published in the Korea Economic Daily (KED). A copy was furnished by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Seoul to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) capital office. “KED is published in Korean language. It is one of Korea’s most widely read and respected economic dailies. ...
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26Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 26 - Responding to the great challenge brought about by the recent typhoon that devastated large parts of Mindanao, Huawei Technologies Phils., Inc. and the Philippines Response to Indigenous Peoples’ and Muslim Education (Prime) have joined the Department of Education in bringing hope to the affected students in Mindanao. Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC has turned over to officials of affected regions the P4 million donation from Prime. The assistance will be a ...
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26Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 26 (PIA) -- Tropical Storm "Quinta" has slightly weakened after making landfall over Leyte and is now traversing Camotes Island. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Quinta has maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast move West at 20 kph. Pagasa said Quinta will be 70 km Southwest of Coron, Palawan on Thursday morning, and 460 km N...
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26Dec2012MANILA, Dec 26 -- The Department of Budget and Management has released P8.81 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the implementation of Phase II of the Public-Private Partnership for the School Infrastructure Project (PSIP II). This is in line with the Aquino administration’s goal to close the nationwide classroom gap by 2013 and prime up development via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). The PSIP II involves the design and construction of 10,680 classrooms—including school ...
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25Dec2012OSLO, Dec. 25 -- A total of 101 certificates were handed out by the Philippine Embassy in Oslo and its volunteer teachers to students who had successfully completed the recently concluded Levels 1 to 3 informal Norskkurs classes held at the Embassy from September to December this year. Ambassador Bayani S. Mercado congratulated the new batch of levels 1 and 2 graduates in his speech while First Secretary & Consul Patrick Hilado wished the graduates of level 3 well during their respective gradu...
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23Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 23 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III in his Christmas message Saturday thanked Filipinos who contributed in making possible a culture of honesty and compassion for people, as the nation continually treads the "tuwid na daan (straight path)." “Pagkakataon ang Pasko para magpasalamat sa lahat ng biyayang ating natamasa. Sa ngalan ng buong pamahalaan, nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng Pilipinong nakiambag sa pagtatag ng kultura ng katapatan at malasakit sa kapwa (It is just apt t...
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23Dec2012SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 23 -- A food blogger and an executive chef emerged as the winners of the 3rd Kulinarya Finals, an annual live cooking showdown hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. Justin Hulog, a food blogger and a graduate student at the San Francisco State University, and Thomas Weibull, the executive chef at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco, were declared winners in the cookfest by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, a Department of Foreign Affai...
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24Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 24 -- Three members of the Filipino community in New South Wales, Australia, garnered two major awards from the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) for 2012, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Atty. Imelda Argel received the Banaag Award from President Benigno S. Aquino in an awarding ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace on Dec. 5. The Banaag Award is a category of the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas administered ...
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23Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 23 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario returned to Syria on December 22 to once again review and intensify the Philippine Government’s ongoing efforts for the safe repatriation of all Filipinos in the country in view of an anticipated escalation of conflict in Damascus. He was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus I. Yabes. They joined Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis who arrived in Syria a day ahead on December 21, a statement from the...
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22Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 22 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III signed the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda announced on Friday. A news release from the Presidential Communications Operations Office said this landmark legislation criminalizes the “arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State.” Under the law security forces involved in such offenses can be arrested and charged. Among the sal...
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22Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 22 -- Representatives of Marubeni Corporation, one of Japan’s largest general trading companies, called on Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel M. Lopez last December 18 to convey their pledge to donate a total amount of JPY 10 million (approximately P 5 million) for the victims of Typhoon ‘Pablo’ in the Philippines. Former Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Makoto Katsura, in his capacity as Corporate Advisor to Marubeni Corporation, expressed his company’s sympathy...
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23Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 23 --Four Filipino films were featured in the Third Luang Prabang Film festival held from December 01 to 05 in Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos, situated north of Vientiane. The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane said the four films featured this year were Boundary, directed by Benito Bautista with Ronnie Lazaro and Raymond Bagatsing, artists; Dance of Two Left Feet (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa), directed by Alvin Yapan with Jean Garcia, Paulo Avelino, artists; Si...
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22Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 22 -- A Filipino community newspaper editor in Hong Kong, received the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service from Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in a special ceremony held at the Government House on 8 December 2012. Ms. Daisy CL Mandap, editor of The Sun was cited for her “meritorious community service, particularly her contribution in serving the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong,” a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. She has...
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22Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 22 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is urging the public to shun the costly firecrackers and fireworks and switch to eco-friendly alternatives to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year to help sustain the gains made to improve the quality of air in Metro Manila, Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje in a statement said these traditional ways of marking the Christmas holidays after all are also taking their toll on the environment and human health, ...
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22Dec2012Just like in the leading character in the recent popular Filipino soap opera in television, George Vacal Paraliza returned to the Philippines after working abroad. They envisioned to set up a company that will produce premium coconut wine and be a key player in the global wine industry. “My wife, Tila, and I shared a dream to create a legacy for our family so we founded the DJCRATER, Inc. after I retired from a rewarding career in an oil company in the United States of America,” Paraliz...
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22Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 22 -- The ten countries comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have formulated their respective national communication plans towards the goal of One ASEAN Community by 2015. During the 47th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information in Ha Noi, Viet Nam on December 10-15, 2012, the Philippines reported that all the ASEAN Member States are ready to implement communication activities in support of ASEAN Community building following the approval...
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22Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 22 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a 56-man team from Malaysian non-governmental organization (NGO) Kelab Putera 1Malaysia will be undertaking a five-day humanitarian volunteer mission to Davao and adjoining areas to provide assistance to Typhoon Pablo (Bopha) victims. In a courtesy call on Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya on December 19, Kelab Putera 1Malaysia president Datuk Hj Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim said that the gro...
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22Dec2012DAVAO City, Dec. 22 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development with several cabinet secretaries will distribute ‘noche buena’ packs in Compostela and New Bataan, Compostela Valley province today, December 22 to share the spirit of Christmas with the families affected by Typhoon ‘Pablo’. A statement from the DSWD said, each ‘noche buena’ pack contains 1.5 kilos bihon for pancit, 2 cans corned beef, 2 packs fudgee bar, 1 can fruit cocktail, 1 can condensed milk, 1 box cheese...
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21Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 21 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong successfully conducted a series of gift-giving visits in eight correctional institutions in Hong Kong, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said today. These institutions are Tung Tau Correctional Institution, Stanley Prison, Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, Lai Chi Kok Reception Center, Shek Pik Prison Tai Lam Centre for Women, Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre and the Lo Wu Correctional Institution from December 03 to 13. ...
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21Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 21 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III approved the release of P1.28 billion for the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). This is an inter-agency effort among the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Statistics Office (NSO), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), a statement from DBM said. The RSBSA is a nationwide d...
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20Dec2012PASIG CITY, Dec. 20 -- Students from the public schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) showed the true meaning of Christmas as they donated for victims of Typhoon Pablo. In a simple turnover ceremony held Tuesday at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC received coin donations from public school students in NCR to help areas in Mindanao devastated by Typhoon Pablo. A total of P1,254,499.05 was raised during the five-day fund driv...
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20Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 20 -- The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the United States (US) Senate confirmed last December 18, by a vote of 91-0, the nomination by US President Barack Obama of Lorna Schofield, an American judge of Filipino descent, as a Federal District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York. She is the first Filipino-American to serve as an Article III Federal Judge. Ms. Schofield who was recommended for nomination to...
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19Dec2012MANILA, Dec 19 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III led the ceremonial signing of the P2.006-trillion 2013 General Appropriations Act (GAA) in ceremonies held in Malacanang on Wednesday. Dubbed the Empowerment Budget, the 2013 GAA was signed into law by President Aquino at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of Malacanang Palace. The 2013 National Budget aims to give the Filipinos more opportunities for governance engagement by investing in strategic programs and projects that spotlight the citizens' role...
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18Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 18 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III today issued Executive Order No. 120 creating a Transition Commission (TC) that will draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law provided for in the Framework Agreement signed by the Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on October 15. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles in a statement said the EO "affirms the President's resolve to move forward the peace process for the Bangsamoro as a strategic initi...
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19Dec2012MANILA, Dec 19 -- Based on preliminary and unofficial collection figures, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) breached the one trillion-collection mark as of December 17, 2012. In a statement, the BIR said cumulative collection for the period January to November 2012 reached P969.34 billion. Considering projections of collections from other sources (e.g. RCOs, TRAs) still unaccounted for as of the said date, the BIR could have hit the 1 trillion mark much earlier. "The feat is historic for th...
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19Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 19 -- Experts from the Department of Science and Technology and the University of the Philippines conducted a test run of the country's first ever train developed by Filipinos. Aboard the maiden test run last Friday were DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo and University of the Philippines (UP) President Alfredo Pascual. The train, also called the Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) was designed by DOST engineers in consultation with UP experts. The AGTS’s test run, when co...
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18Dec2012MANILA, Dec 18 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III today issued Executive Order No. 120 creating a Transition Commission (TC) that will draft the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law provided for in the Framework Agreement signed by the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on October 15. Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos Deles said the EO “affirms the President’s resolve to move forward the peace process for the Bangsamoro as a strategic initia...
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18Dec2012MANILA, Dec 18 -- The Aquino administration lauded the legislators for the passage of the Responsible Parenthood Bill, paving the way for the Filipinos to raise their respective families in a manner that is just and empowered, a Palace official said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement following the passage of the Responsible Parenthood Bill on 3rd reading at the Senate and the House of Representatives on Monday night. "The passage of the Responsible Parenthood Bill s...
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17Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 17 -- Officials and officers from the Philippines’ cultural and information agencies visited Ha Noi, Viet Nam on 10-15 December 2012 for the 47th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI). The meeting, which is held annually among delegates from the ministries of culture and information of the ten ASEAN Member States, discussed and approved regional cooperation projects for the year 2013. Nine cultural a...
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17Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 17 -- The selection of women sari-sari store owners who will train under the Coke-TESDA S3TAR Program is now underway. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and Coca-Cola Bottlers Corporation, which jointly manage the program, finished signing an agreement with the local government of three Metro Manila cities and nine provinces for the training of the women beneficiaries. The beneficiaries will come from Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pal...
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17Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 17 (PIA) -- Members of the House of Representatives today passed on third and final reading the controversial Reproductive Health Bill with 133 "yes" votes, 79 "no" votes and seven abstentions. The Senate has also passed the bill on third and final reading with 13 "yes" votes, eight (8) "no" votes and zero abstentions. Among those who voted against the bill were senators Koko Pimentel, Gregorio Honasan, Jinggoy Estrada, Manny Villar, Tito Sotto, Antonio Trillanes, Juan Ponce E...
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16Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 16 -- Metro Manila commuters taking the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) will soon find information about technical vocational education and training (TVET) on the train stations as part of Tesda’s social marketing and advocacy. A memorandum of agreement between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Department of Transportation and Communications – Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (DOTC-MRT3) allows the former to utilize designated areas in M...
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15Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 15 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) recognized five individuals who manifested dedication and commitment to volunteerism to help strengthen Filipino communities and create positive impact to nation building. Maria C. Ang, Dr. Roberto C . Licup Sr., Bro. Martin Francisco, BSMP, Bacolod Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade, and Sr. Eva Fidela C. Maamo, SPC, MD, were hailed as the Outstanding Volunteers 2012 in a ceremony held last Wednes...
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14Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 14 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in collaboration with Metrobank Foundation, recently launched DiplomART2: Cultural Diplomacy through Philippine Architecture and Allied Arts. DiplomART2 was formally launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to signify the opening of the exhibit “Salumpwit, Bangko, Silya, Atbp: Chairs in Filipino Life.” The ceremony was led by DFA Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña, and witnessed by...
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14Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 14 -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has set aside P50 million for the extension of economic assistance to coconut farming communities in Southern Mindanao and rehabilitation of coconut farms ravaged by Typhoon Pablo. “We begin with the immediate payments to participant-beneficiaries of Phase 2 of the Participatory Coconut Planting Program, which amount, for humanitarian consideration, is increased to P20 per seedlings already transplanted before the onslaught of th...
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14Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 14 -- Canada announced today that it is providing more than P70 million (Cad$ 1.75million) as additional assistance to victims of typhoon ‘Pablo’ (Bopha) in the Philippines. This is in addition to its initial contribution of P10 million (Cad$ 250,000) to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to support the Philippine Red Cross in helping approximately 50,000 people affected by the typhoon, a statement from the Canadian Embassy said. "Canad...
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14Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has lifted the travel ban to Gaza and central and southern Israel, the agency said in a statement issued today. The DFA said the travel ban was lifted "in view of improved security conditions in Israel and Gaza as a result of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas." Alert level 2 (Restriction Phase) for central and southern Israel and Alert level 4 (Evacuation/Mandatory Repatriation) for Gaza raised last November ...
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13Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 13 -- On its first anniversary, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) officially launched a Disaster Emergency Logistic System for ASEAN. The event was held Thursday, December 7, at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang, Malaysia, a statement from ASEAN said. As establishment of the Disaster Emergency Logistic System is supported by the Government of Japan through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund, the symbolic handover of ...
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14Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 14 -- The Social Security System (SSS) has disbursed a total of P9.88 billion for December and 13th month pensions for about 1.6 million SSS pensioners, who were granted double the amount of their regular pensions this month to make their year-end holiday celebrations more meaningful. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr., in a statement said a total of P9.81 billion were credited to the savings accounts of 1.63 million pensioners, while P63.60 millio...
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13Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 13 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today announced the cancellation of its annual department-wide Christmas celebration, electing instead to support continuing relief efforts for communities affected by Typhoon Pablo, which swept through several parts of Visayas and Mindanao earlier this month. Budget Secretary Florencio B. Abad confirmed that the decision to cancel the yearly Christmas party was made in the wake of a survey among DBM officials and employees,...
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13Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 13 -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) urged government agencies to provide continuous, high-quality service amid the conduct of Christmas office parties and other year-end activities. “Christmas is the season of gift-giving, and the best gift we can give to the Filipino public is the promise of excellent and honest public service, not only this holiday season but onwards,” said CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III in a statement. The CSC chief said that government offic...
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13Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 13 -- The Philippines and the United States (US) today arrived at a set of work plans that chart the course for stronger and closer cooperation between the two countries, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. "Today's understandings reflect the depth of our relationship and the great potential for even greater cooperation," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Erlinda F. Basilio said after the dialogue. Undersecretary Basilio was the Philippine co-chair of the meeting togeth...
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13Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 13 -- A group of 258 Filipinos from Syria was repatriated today through the combined efforts of the Philippine Embassies in Damascus and Beirut and their attached agencies, the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, the Rapid Response Team in Syria (RRT-Syria) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario in a statement hailed the arrival of the latest bat...
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13Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 13 -- Five companies received recognition from President Benigno S. Aquino III during the 15th Philippine Quality Award conferment ceremonies that held at Rizal Hall, Malacanang Palace. The following firms coming from various sectors were recognized for their performance excellence and as leaders and role models for businesses in the country: Don Bosco Technical College and Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas Inc., Optodev, Inc., and Thomson Reuters Corp. Pte. Ltd P...
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13Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 13 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced that the nominations to the annual search for outstanding public service officials and employees may now be submitted to the CSC provincial/field and regional offices nationwide. Deadline for submission of nominations will be on March 29, 2013. The awards to be given out are the highest and most coveted recognition given by the government to individuals or group of individuals who have excelled or shown outmost dedicat...
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13Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 13 -- The Department of Education announced on Wednesday that they are accepting cash donations to help buy food, clothing and school supplies for over 50,000 student victims of Typhoon Pablo. In the latest report of DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, eight regions have reported damages in school buildings scattered around 445 schools. Initial reports from the field revealed that 355 classrooms were partially damaged while over 800 are totally damaged. ...
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13Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 13 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) will help victims of typhoon Pablo (international name: Bopha) in Mindanao in rebuilding their lives through skills training, assessment and certification, and job search assistance. Secretary Joel Villanueva, Tesda Director General, has instructed field officers and workers of the agency to gather the local group of Specialistas and trainees in the affected areas to assist the victims to enable them to rec...
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12Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 12 -- In a bid to end discussions questioning its economic viability and appease the close to 3,000 families from Casiguran, Aurora calling for its repeal, President Benigno S. Aquino III agreed to have the Apeco (Aurora Pacific Ecozone and Freeport Authority) Law reviewed by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). In a dialogue held at the San Jose Seminary gym at the Ateneo De Manila campus in Quezon City on Tuesday, the President invited some 120 farmers, fis...
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12Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 12 -- Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad yesterday said the early approval of the 2013 National Budget will ensure that the expectation-breaking economic growth registered this year will be sustained next year. He said that the early enactment of next year’s P2.006-trillion Empowerment Budget will ensure the immediate mobilization of vital infrastructure projects and the early delivery of much needed education, health, and social protection services next year. ...
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12Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 12 --The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today confirmed the distribution of the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI), which will be released to employees of national government departments and agencies no earlier than Dec. 14. “Our efforts to reform the bureaucracy will be successful only if we can make the most of the talents of our public servants. The PEI is one of the ways through which we hope to motivate our government workers so they are better-positioned t...
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11Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 11 -- Another batch of 16 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo arrived home last December 6, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. The OFWs travelled by air from Aleppo to Beirut, Lebanon then on to Doha, Qatar before arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal I. The Philippine Honorary Consul in the city, Mr. Wassim Nanaa facilitated the repatriation of the OFWs and advanced the payment for their residency and e...
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11Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 11 (PIA) -- The government has set the stage for the crafting of a national agenda on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with the hosting of a multi-sectoral human rights summit in Malacanang on Tuesday. The 2nd National Summit on International Humanitarian Law was organized by the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC), chaired by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., to further strengthen the country’s policies in upholding and protecting human rights, particular...
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11Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 11 (PIA) -- Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz has ordered the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to locate families of OFWs affected by the typhoon and assist them until such time their lives return to normal. Baldoz issued the directive at the sidelines of the awarding ceremonies of the 2012 Model OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA) held yesterday at the Sofitel in Pasay City, a statement from the labor department said. "The regional welf...
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11Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 11-- The Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are taking the government’s recycling campaign involving public school students to a national scale. The two departments have partnered with the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) for the implementation of the National Ecosavers Program (NEP) in more than 1,500 municipalities all over the country, a statement from the DENR said. Launched in Metro Manila ...
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10Dec2012MANILA, Dec 10 (PIA) -- There's nothing stopping good practices and improved systems, especially in the agriculture sector. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala is confident that the agriculture sector would post a positive growth for the last quarter of the year and that the damage brought about by typhoon Pablo will not cause any shortage in food supply. This was revealed by the agriculture chief during a radio interview over the weekend where he emphasized that the recent calamity will n...
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10Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 10 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P933.8 million for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project that will allow night landing operations in 14 airports across the country. This is part of the Aquino administration’s goal of ramping up the country’s swiftly expanding airline and tourism industries. The funds, which were released to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), are chargeable against the agency’s lump-sum appropriati...
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10Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 10 -- A total of 7,500.00 AED or roughly P80,000 was raised by the Filipino Community in Dubai and Northern Emirates (FilCom DNE) in a “Brunch for a Cause” held last December 7 at Chelsea Plaza Hotel to help the victims of Typhoon Pablo, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Consul General Frank R. Cimafranca thanked all the kababayans who participated in the fund raising and extolled their kindness in extending help to those in need especially as Christmas approache...
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10Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 10 (PIA) -- Twenty fishermen have been rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Mati, Davao Oriental in the wake of Typhoon Pablo (international name: Bopha). In a report, Transportation and Communications Secretary Jun Abaya also said five bodies were recovered and 310 remain unaccounted for. Two PCG vessels were deployed to conduct search and rescue as well as relief operations in the province of Davao Oriental. The first vessel, a 5-meter PCG vessel BRP-Davao del Nort...
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09Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 9 -- The Department of Agriculture is utilizing the value-chain marketing approach to provide more opportunities for smallholder farmers. DA undersecretary Joel S. Rudinas said the concept of value-chain approach would help push for the promotion of farmers’ produce into the higher level of the market. “The value-chain approach will be a vehicle of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRPD),” Rudinas said in a statement. DA is now preparing PRDP, a six-year nat...
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09Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 9 -- Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Gregory L. Domingo advised Philippine exporters to focus on product quality and design to be more competitive in the world market. “This is what will distinguish us in the foreign markets. We have to continually come up with new products or products that excite. That is why we call it products with passion,” Domingo said during the recent National Export Congress. Domingo was referring to DTI’s new trade promotion logo with...
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08Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 8 (PIA) -- Typhoon Pablo maintains its strength as it travels up north of Philippines and is now threatening the Ilocos provinces and La Union area. As of 7 p.m. tonight, the eye of typhoon was located at 170 kilometers (km) West of Vigan, Ilocos Sur with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kilometers per hour (kph) and is moving East Northeast at 17 kph. It is expected to be 50 km North of Aparri, Cagayan by tomorrow afternoon; 320 km...
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08Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 8 -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje called on local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce the “no man’s land” rule in permanent danger zones identified by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to mitigate the effects of flashfloods and landslides. Paje in a statement said the massive devastation following the onslaught of Typhoon “Pablo” should prompt LGUs to review and carefully study the geohazard maps prepa...
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08Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 8 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said today that it welcomes the increased air connectivity between the Philippines and Malaysia, in light of the inaugural flight of Cebu Pacific Airlines’ Kuala Lumpur-Cebu route today at the Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT). “This new route will allow more Malaysians and Filipinos to travel to and discover more of each other’s countries. For Malaysians, this will create additional opportunities to see and enjoy othe...
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09Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 9 --A nationwide run will be mounted on January 13, 2013 for the benefit of thousands of Filipino schoolchildren nationwide, who have yet to have classrooms where they could effectively listen to their teachers and learn lessons. “Run for 10” will be staged for the benefit of TEN Moves!, the social mobilization campaign of Bayanihang Pampaaralan that seeks to raise funds for the construction of 10,000 classrooms nationwide by encouraging individuals to donate P10 everyday...
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09Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 9 -- The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is now ready to implement electronic payment system for the export and import of sugar and sugar-based products to facilitate trade through the Philippine National Single Window (PNSW). SRA is among the first two government agencies piloted to implement the e-payment under the PNSW system together with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). This will facilitate paperless transaction in speed, with a full package of ePa...
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09Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 9 -- Government and private sector economists will gather on December 11, 2012 at the SRA Social Hall in North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City for a round-table discussion on critical policies and issues related to rice price stabilization and food subsidy, a statement from the National Food Authority (NFA) said. The forum, hosted by the NFA, shall focus on two policy papers, namely, the Rice Price Stabilization Program (including food subsidy policy) and Enhancing Agricultural ...
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08Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 8 -- Federal authorities are expected to soon request access to three injured Filipino workers as part of efforts to determine what really happened in the November 16 oil platform fire in the Gulf of Mexico that left three other Filipino workers dead, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said Friday. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC said it has been informed that the Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement (BSEE) of the Department of the Interior has made initial...
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08Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 8 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III declared on Saturday a state of national calamity due to the damage brought about by Typhoon Pablo. In Proclamation 522 signed on December 7, Aquino cited the devastating rains, floods and flashfloods and landslides caused by Typhoon “Pablo” (international name: Bopha) which have brought death, destruction, and incalculable damage to the lives and properties of Filipinos in Provinces of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao ...
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08Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 8 -- Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz ordered on Thursday the release of an initial P5.5-million funding for emergency employment and livelihood of workers who were displaced by typhoon Pablo in Caraga Region and Compostela Valley. She particularly cited the town of New Bataan, where workers of Freshmax Corporation, a Korean-owned plantation company, have been heavily displaced when its banana plantation was totally wiped out by flash floods, a st...
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08Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 8 -- The Social Security System (SSS) has lengthened its Call Center operations from 16 hours to 24 hours every weekday to give members more access to over-the-phone updates about their contributions, benefits, loans and other SSS transactions. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement said that with longer call center hours, members regardless of their time of work can contact the SSS about their claim status, membership data, list of requ...
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08Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 8 -- Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad on Friday said the early approval of the 2013 National Budget will ensure that the expectation-breaking economic growth registered this year will be sustained next year. He said that the early enactment of next year’s P2.006-trillion Empowerment Budget will ensure the immediate mobilization of vital infrastructure projects and the early delivery of much needed education, health, and social protection services next year. ...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 7 (PIA) -- A magnitude 7.3 teleseismic earthquake occurred off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan (37.7 north, 144.6 east) at 4:18 p.m. (Philippine Time) with depth of 33 km. Based on the tsunami bulletin released by the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs), there is no destructive Pacific-wide threat that exist based on the historical and tsunami data. However, earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along the coast located...
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07Dec2012NEW BATAAN, Compostela Valley, Dec. 7 (PIA) -- President Aquino flew to New Bataan, Compostela Valley today, Friday, to inspect and see if the rescue and relief operations were proceeding smoothly. In a short speech, Aquino said, “The government will not stop to serve you and we will make sure that we will help you especially in calamities like this,” he added. The President distributed relief goods and P10,000 financial assistance to the victims. “The number one priority in this si...
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07Dec2012MANILA, Dec 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations (Resherr) today at the Traders Hotel in Manila. Renewable energy stakeholders and government officials attended the event. The Resherr will take effect tomorrow. Ariel D. Fronda, head of the DOE's Geothermal Energy Management Division, said the Resherr is a policy guideline in the operations of renewable energy projects that will ensure safety and protecti...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 7 (PIA) -- “There are many people who like to do good, but do not know how.” This was the statement of Chief Executive Officer of the Habitat for Humanity housing organization in the Philippines, Charlie S. Ayco, one of the key speakers in a forum on strengthening Filipinos’ volunteerism in contributing towards nation-building. Ayco explained in the forum held at the House of Representatives (HOR) last December 5, that the main essence of nation-building through voluntee...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 7 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced today that they are now accepting applications for the Career Service Professional and Sub-Professional written examinations set on April 14, 2013. All CSC Regional and Field offices nationwide were directed to accept applications until February 28, 2013. CSC, however, warned that the application period maybe closed before February 28 once these regional and field offices reached its respective quota. Application require...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 7 -- Canada announced today it is providing Cad$ 250,000 (P10 million) as its response to help those affected by typhoon Pablo (Bopha) in the Philippines, a statement from the Canadian Embassy here said. ''Canada is deeply concerned about the devastation caused by Typhoon Bopha and its impact on the people of the Philippines,'' Minister for International Cooperation Julian Fantino said. The Government of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 7 -- Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala is confident that the Philippines will soon capitalize on the growing demand for rubber as the country’s production is expected to grow by 3.7% in the next ten years. As such rubber price will increase and rubber demand will surge with the rise in the global motor vehicle production. “We need to take advantage of the present opportunity in rubber and note that the Asia-Pacific is expected to continue to have the lion’s shar...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 7 (PIA) -- Typhoon Pablo maintained its strength as it moved away from the country. As of 5 a.m. today, the eye of the typhoon was located 410 km West of Coron, Palawan with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center with gustiness of up to 150 kph moving slowly North Northwest. It is estimated to be 600 km west of Metro Manila by Friday evening and 610 km west of Iba, Zambales or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). According to National Disaster R...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 7 -- The National Food Authority has already released a total of 2,813 bags of rice of 50 kilograms each to the local government units (LGUs) and relief agencies in Regions 7,8,10,11 and 15 for distribution to typhoon “Pablo” victims. Some 900 bags were released through the local government of Region 7; 53 bags went to Region 8; 85 bags to Region 10 and 145 bags to Region 11. In Region 15, a total of 900 bags were released through the Department of Social Welfare and D...
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07Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 7 -- National Food Authority Officer-in-Charge Ludovico Jarina has assured typhoon-affected areas in the Visayas and Mindanao that the agency has enough rice stocks to meet the requirements of local residents. Jarina instructed all NFA officials in the typhoon-affected areas of regions 8 (Southern Leyte), 10 (Camiguin) and 11 (General Santos City, Davao and Compostela Valley) to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) in their respective areas for the smooth and immedia...
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06Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 6 -- The Philippine Press Institute (PPI) and Philippines Communication Society (PCS) will hold a joint conference dubbed "Making Sense of Journalism Today" on December 7 at St. Mary's College, Quezon City. This is PPI’s final salvo for 2012 on a series of seminar-workshops on scholastic press as part of its outreach program. The previous workshops were held in Davao, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro. PCS, a group of communication scholars and media practitioners, believes that ...
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06Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 6 -- The international spotlight shined again on the Philippines during two recently held major international meetings on migration and development, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Philippine representatives to these meetings, led by Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, reported that the Philippines’ unwavering work for the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were given due cr...
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06Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 6 -- The Department of Education and the Embassy of France to the Philippines, in association with Alliance Francaise in Manille, renew their partnership by signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to continue the instruction of French as a second foreign language and as an elective offering to some high schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region VII. Based on the success of the previous agreement, DepEd and French Embassy to the Philippines have decided to furthe...
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06Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 6 (PIA) -- The death toll from typhoon “Pablo” has risen to 327, even as government agencies continue to conduct search and rescue operations in areas hit by the worst typhoon this year. The National Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC) said only 68 cadavers have been identified so far. The agency gets its official data from the Department of Health, which follows a standard protocol for identifying casualties such as DNA testing before issuing a final report. Da...
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06Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 6 -- The Department of Education has come out with the implementing guidelines on the grant of 3-step salary increase for teachers of Science and/or Mathematics in public schools to further improve their teaching of these major subjects. The Department of Budget and Management has earlier issued a circular pursuant to a Joint Resolution No. 4 of the Senate and House of Representatives which states that teachers with specialization in Science and/or Mathematics shall be given ...
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06Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 6 -- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said the Philippines remains committed to promoting ecotourism as a means to further economic growth without sacrificing the environment. Paje said the country is one with its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in strengthening the region’s capacity for the development of ecotourism and biodiversity conservation. “The Philippines under the Aquino administration is committed to ...
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06Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 6 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is calling on government agencies to establish their respective volunteer programs in order to promote volunteerism among government employees. The Commission issued Memorandum Circular 23 mandating the establishment of volunteer programs in national government agencies and local government units to provide opportunity for state employees to actualize their personal motivation and desire to help others especially the underserve...
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06Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 6 (PIA) -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has placed the damages from typhoon Pablo at P178,340,500. This amount includes damages worth P172.6 million in infrastructure and P2,520,500 in agriculture. Total damage to properties was estimated at P3,22 million. In its report this morning, the NDRRMC said there were 4,704 damaged houses in Regions 4B, 10, 11 & Caraga. A total of 2,634 houses were partially damaged, while 2,069 were totally da...
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06Dec2012MANILA, Dec 6 (PIA) -- National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council Executive Director Benito Ramos today asked the public to donate goods for victims of typhoon "Pablo" (international code name: Bopha). Executive Director Benito Ramos said food, clothes, tents, pillows, bottled water, mosquito nets, and blankets are just some of the immediately needed materials of victims and survivors. "I am asking kind-hearted souls for donations," Ramos said. "Those who are willing to donate can...
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05Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 5 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development said that as of 8 a.m. today P3.29 million worth of relief assistance was provided to families affected by typhoon “Pablo.” Secretary Dinky Soliman said the amount came from the combined resources of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with P1,250,000.00, Local Government Units (LGUs) with P2,044,199.68 and NGOs/other GOs (P2,600.00). The DSWD also reported that 359 evacuation centers remain open...
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05Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 5 -- The U.S. Embassy today expressed its sympathies to the victims of Typhoon Pablo which battered southern Mindanao Tuesday. Chargé d’affaires Brian L. Goldbeck in a statement said, “On behalf of the United States government, we extend our deepest condolences for the devastation and loss of life caused by Typhoon Pablo in the southern Philippines.” He further said they “applaud the efforts of local communities, local authorities and the NDRRMC to evacuate citizens, pre...
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05Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 5 -- The Government of Canada today offered its sympathies to Filipinos affected by Typhoon Bopha (known locally as Pablo). “On behalf of all Canadians, we offer our deepest condolences and sympathies to those who have lost loved ones or have been otherwise affected by Typhoon Bopha," Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy said. He added that officials at the Embassy of Canada in Manila are closely following the path of Typho...
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05Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 5 -- Members of the Social Security System (SSS) can look forward to higher salary loan amounts and more flexible terms under the agency’s revised lending guidelines that took effect on December 1 this year. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. in a statement said the new guidelines, which were approved by SSS’ governing board called the Social Security Commission (SSC) last April 18, 2012, aim to align the SSS salary loan program with prevailing...
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05Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 5 -- The Philippine Embassy in Muscat, in collaboration with the Filipino Community Social Club (FILCOSOC), the umbrella organization of all Filipino community groups in Oman, presented the 1st Paskong Pinoy in the Sultanate of Oman last November 30. The event dubbed “1st Paskong Pinoy sa Muscat: A Christmas Chorale Concert” showcased the Filipino tradition of songs and music in celebrating Christmas, Pilipinas-style. Five Filipino chorale groups in colorful Christmas outfit...
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05Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 5 -- The Department of Education Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) continues to receive field reports on the extent of damages in public schools affected by Typhoon Pablo which left a wide swath of destruction in Visayas and Mindanao. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement said that as of 6 pm of December 4, the total number of schools division affected reached 56, where some 12 schools reported damaged properties. The schools are in Biliran, Cag...
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05Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 5 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) delivered an early Christmas gift of sort to farmer-beneficiaries and local residents of Barangay Tag-osip in Buruanga, Aklan Wednesday when it gave the go-signal for the construction of a 6.5-kilometer concrete farm-to-market road that would help reduce fare cost by four folds. DAR Secretary Gil de los Reyes said the road construction, courtesy of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), seeks to boost the morale of farme...
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05Dec2012MANILA, Dec.5 (PIA) -- It was a somber atmosphere when DILG Secretary Mar Roxas went to Davao City to look into the casualties and devastation wrought by the latest typhoon to slam in the area. In particular, the secretary was looking into reports of soldiers allegedly victims of typhoon Pablo in New Bataan in Compostella Valley . Pablo slammed into the mining province of Compostella Valley last Tuesday that resulted in a flash flood with 49 fatalities in the town of New Bataan while 33 mor...
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05Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 5 (PIA) – The head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council (NDRRMC) said the public should rely only official casualty figures released by the Department of Health (DOH). Explaining the disparity in casualty data released by private media outfits and the NDRRMC, Undersecretary Benito Ramos, NDRRMC executive director, said the agency only uses official reports coming from the DOH. Ramos said the DOH follows a standard protocol for identifying casualtie...
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05Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 5 -- Citizens may now access the government’s central helpline, dubbed Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB), by sending a text message to 090-888-16565. Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Francisco T. Duque III said opening additional channels or means for reaching the CCB will make it easier and more convenient for the public to complain about inefficiency, discourtesy, and fixing in government services. “Through the Contact Center ng Bayan, we aim to engage citizens to b...
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04Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 4 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III directed various concerned government agencies to strengthen the disaster mitigation and prevention strategies in order to prevent loss of lives and damage to properties as typhoon “Pablo” remains in the Philippine area of responsibility, a Palace official said on Tuesday. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday that the Chief Executive is closely monitoring the situa...
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04Dec2012MANILA, Dec 4 (PIA) -- Typhoon “Pablo" (international code name Bopha) that made landfall early Tuesday morning in Mindanao is one of the strongest typhoons to visit the Philippines, judging from the wide swath of regions affected by Pablo. And yet, there were no casualty nor injury reported as of this posting. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) based its statement on reports coming from Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental where Pablo made...
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04Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 4 (PIA) -- Typhoon Pablo with the international name “Bopha” made landfall at 4:45 a.m. in Banganga, Davao Oriental. According to Philippine Red Cross twitter account, 114 persons have been evacuated from Barangay Central and Sainz since 5 a.m. The province is experiencing moderate rains with strong winds and there is no power supply in Mati area. At least 8,312 families were given preemptive evacuation to 69 evacuation centers in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Iliga...
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04Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 4 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario welcomed Vietnamese Vice Foreign Minister and incoming ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh on December 3 to discuss future directions of the ten-country regional bloc. During their meeting, Secretary del Rosario expressed confidence that Vice Minister Minh, with his extensive professional experience as Viet Nam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York and Geneva, is capable to meet the challenging ta...
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04Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 4 (PIA) – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has issued a warning to residents in the Visayas as Typhoon ‘Pablo’ (international code name “Bopha”) changed direction. In an early afternoon briefing, NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said Pablo was spotted 70 km south of Tagbilaran City (in Bohol province in the Visayas) as it moved Northwest from Cagayan de Oro province in Mindanao. Ramos said the typhoon will hit Cebu, Negros and...
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03Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 3 -- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje today ordered all his key field officials, including the regional directors of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), to link up with local disaster management councils and issue geohazard advisories in areas that are expected to be affected by typhoon “Pablo” (BOPHA). Paje’s order was issued in response to the advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical ...
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03Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 3 (PIA) -- President Aquino urged the public to monitor weather bulletins and follow advisories issued by government agencies to reduce the possible disastrous effects of the coming super typhoon “Pablo.” The President said Pablo will bring intense rainfall and is considered the strongest typhoon that will hit the country this year. It is expected to make landfall tomorrow, Tuesday, between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. He said residents should heed evacuation orders even if the lo...
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03Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 3 (PIA) -- As of 6 p.m. Sunday, Typhoon "Pablo" with international name “Bopha” has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility, located at 900 km South East of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur. At 12 midnight today, the eye of the typhoon was located at 770 km Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and gustiness of up to 220 kph. It is moving West Northwest at 26 kph. Pablo is expected to be at 235 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur to...
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04Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 4 -- The Philippines was the Grand Slam Champion of the World Supremacy Battlegrounds (WSB 2012), a competition among international hip-hop dance groups held at the Sydney Olympic Park last December 1. Four Philippine teams bested competitors from Australia, the Bahamas, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, and the United States, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The winning Philippine teams at the International Open Division of WSB ...
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04Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 4 -- The government gives two more years for the poverty-alleviation program devoted to Mindanao. This as the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Board, chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III approved recently the two-year extension of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Mindanao Rural Development Program Phase-2 (MRDP2). The extension approval is among the approved P113.92 billion worth of investments for nine new transportation and infrastructure projec...
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03Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 3 -- The Philippine team took home a bronze medal and four medallions of excellence in its re-entry in the recently-concluded ASEAN Skills Competition in Indonesia. The 16 delegates, who competed in 10 trade areas, during the week-long event earlier trained in various qualifications under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). “This is a feat for our skilled Filipino workers considering that we are like making a debut to the competition after year...
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03Dec2012LUNGSOD NG QUEZON, Dis 3 (PIA) -- Inabisuhan ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) ang mga local government units (LGU) na agarang magpasya para sa pre-emptive evacuation sa mga residente ng mga lugar na dadaanan ng bagyong Pablo. Gayon din pinatutukoy sa mga LGU ang mga katubigan tulad ng ilog at lawa na maaaring umapaw at magdulot ng mga flashflood upang maagapan ang mga posibleng mangyari sa kasagsagan ng bagyong Pablo at maiwasan ang mga naranasan sa Cagayan d...
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03Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 3 (PIA) – The country’s disaster reduction council has urged local governments to conduct preemptive evacuation as flash flood and landslide are expected when the slow-moving super typhoon “Pablo” makes landfall early morning tomorrow. Residents in landslide and flood prone areas should be on alert and follow evacuation instructions to avoid a repeat of the disaster brought about by tropical storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City last year, Edgardo Ollet, National Di...
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03Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) advised residents in affected areas of typhoon Pablo to be prepared for a heavy down pour this afternoon. Although Pablo has slightly weakened as it moves west north westward, its estimated rainfall amount is expected to be from 20 mm to 30 mm per hour (categorized as heavy to intense) within the 600 km diameter of the typhoon. As of 9 a.m. the eye of the typhoon was located ...
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03Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 3 -- The Mindanao Business Networking Forum conducted by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on November 29 has generated significant interest among Malaysian businessmen and is expected to lead to sizeable investments in the region. Around 150 participants attended the forum at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, including MinDA Chairman Luwalhati Antonino, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Vice Chairperson Hadja Bainon Karo...
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03Dec2012QUEZON CITY, Dec. 3 --The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted a seminar on international commercial terms 2010 (Incoterms 2010) and trade documentation procedures for exporters in Davao City. “Through this seminar, we intend to provide a comprehensive discussion on Incoterms 2012 and up-to-date information to local businessmen on their transactions on returned shipments, abandonment, bonded warehousing,” Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) Director Senen M. Perlada said i...
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03Dec2012MANILA, Dec. 03 -- Eva Dominguez knew her husband Renato, one of three Filipino offshore oil workers seriously burned in the November 16 Gulf of Mexico fire, has made it out of the critical list when the 52-year-old pipefitter asked her for a kiss the other day. “When Rey gestured that he wanted a kiss, I knew the worst was over,” said Eva, a 49-year-old accountant and mother of three from Bataan. “I thank God for hearing the prayers of my family and the Filipino people.” It was ...
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03Dec2012BATANGAS CITY, Dec. 3 -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) is set to stage the 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake, Tsunami Drill that will be held in the municipalities of Lian and Talisay, Batangas, and Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro today, December 3. The quarterly earthquake drill aims to increase public awareness on disaster preparedness as well as assess the capabilities of government agencies and the local governments units (LGUs) in responding...
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02Dec2012MANILA, Dec 2 (PIA) -- The country is in for long, wet week as typhoon “Bopha (international name)” has been located 1,380 kilometers east of Southern Mindanao, reported Pagasa (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration), Sunday. Overcast skies precede Bopha which is expected to make landfall on Tuesday or Wednesday with estimated amount of rainfall of 13 – 20 mm/hr. Bopha has maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and gustiness of up to 210 kph. Those from...
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30Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 30 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III led today’s celebration of Andres Bonifacio’s 149th birth anniversary held at the Dambana ng Pinaglabanan in San Juan City. The celebration, which had the theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at Kabayanihan,” also featured the unveiling of the Bonifacio@150 logo which signals the start of the one-year celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Bonifacio. In his message, Aquino urged Filipinos to do their share and not to allow the exper...
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30Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 30 --The number 10 is extra special this year. Not only is it the 10th year of the search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO), but 10 more organizations will also be named this year’s TAYO awardees, according to a statement from the National Youth Commission. Twenty groups from the areas of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the National Capital Region will vie for a spot in the top 10 during the TAYO National Finals Week on December 2 to 6, 2012. “We are once ...
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30Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 30 -- Eighteen business companies which included four multinational firms join the roster of most environmentally responsible corporations operating in the country for their exemplary performance under the Philippine Environmental Partnership Program (PEPP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The companies were awarded the Official Seal of Approval, which is valid for one year, by the DENR in recognition of their efforts for incorporating green pol...
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30Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 30 -- The death toll in the November 16 explosion and fire that hit an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico has climbed to three after authorities positively identified the body recovered on Monday, November 26 (Tuesday in Manila) as that of a missing Filipino worker. In a Department of Foreign Affairs statement, Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose L. Cuisia said Jerome Malagapo became the third fatality in the accident that also claimed the lives of two other Filip...
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30Nov2012PASIG CITY, Nov. 30 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Oriental Mindoro recently adopted the Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) for its Provincial Government through its approval of ordinance No. 024-2012. The OIP is the province’s blueprint for developing a stronger organization structure and creating a vibrant and professional workforce being one of the priorities of the Governor Alfonso V. Umali’s administration. It is also embodied in the province’s Executive-Legislative A...
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29Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 29 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) today reported that government spending from January to October this year increased by 14.5 percent to P1.37 trillion, as compared to the P1.20-trillion level in the same period of last year. “The sustained strength in government spending augurs well for the continuing expansion in the economy, after we broke expectations with a 7.1-percent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the seasonally slow third quarter,” Budget S...
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29Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 29 -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has lifted the ban on sailing, flying and fishing off the Eastern Seaboard of Regions 5, 8 and CARAGA following South Korea’s postponement of its satellite launch scheduled at 3pm today, November 29. In a press briefing past 3pm, NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said the reason given by South Korea for the postponement was “a technical glitch on propulsion.” The alert status on these areas...
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29Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) has reiterated that independent Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) should not have their own deceased organ transplant patient waiting list. In a letter addressed to the heads of OPOs dated September 12 of this year, Atty. Nicolas B. Lutero III, assistant secretary of the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services under DOH said organ allocation is the function solely of the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PhilNOS). OPOs are al...
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29Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 29 (PIA) -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has declared “no flying, sailing and fishing zones” off the eastern seaboard in Region 5, 8, and Caraga in connection with South Korea’s satellite launch today, November 29. In a press briefing at 2 p.m., NDRRMC Executive Director Usec. Benito Ramos announced that South Korea has not declared any cancellation or delay on the scheduled launch, which is expected between 3-6 p.m. (Philippine Standa...
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29Nov2012TAGUIG CITY, Nov. 29 (PIA) -- Government is using art - traditional and new media - to communicate the "bayanihan" concept for peace. Bayanihan is the act of realizing peace through multi-sector involvement, approaches, and participation of stakeholders. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in partnership with various government agencies like the Philippine Communications and Operations Office (PCOO), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Optical Media Board (...
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28Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 28 -- Beating expectations, the domestic economy accelerated for the third consecutive quarter to 7.1 percent this year from the 3.2 percent last year, the National Statistical Coordination Board said today. The beyond expectation third quarter growth was driven by the services sector with the robust performances of transport, storage & communication, financial intermediation, and real estate, renting & business activities supported by the five consecutive quarters of sustain...
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28Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 28 -- The Philippines will no longer stamp its visas on the Chinese e-passport, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today. In a statement, the DFA said this move is part of the country’s “protest against the inclusion of the 9-dash line map in the Chinese e-passport which covers an area that is part of the Philippine territory and maritime domain.” Instead, the Philippines will stamp it on a separate visa application form. DFA said this action is being undertaken...
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28Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 28 --The government’s disaster management agency has again advised the public to take safety precautions as South Korea announced plans to launch its Science and Technology Satellite (STSAT-2) tomorrow, November 29. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Benito Ramos said government will ban fishing, and traveling by sea and air in “exclusive zones.” These zones are areas where the debris from the rocket is likely to fall. These are...
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28Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 28 -- Delinquent housing loan borrowers of the government-run National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) only have until December 28 to avail themselves of the agency’s penalty condonation program. NHMFC President Felixberto U. Bustos, Jr. said in a statement, that the program gives borrowers with arrears, a chance to either update or restructure their accounts and eliminate the penalties on their loans thereon. He said there will be no further extension of the ...
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28Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 28 -- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje is seeking public support to help turn Metro Manila into a “healthy metropolis” by bringing down the air pollution levels to acceptable standards. “We need the cooperation of the public and the civil society. We want to reach acceptable air quality levels so that we can really sell Metro Manila as a tourist destination, as you know, as a healthy metropolis,” Paje said in a statement. Paje earlier repo...
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28Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 28 --- The Philippine Consulate General in Osaka successfully conducted its 2nd Seminar on Japan’s New Residency Management System in Nagoya City last November 18. The seminar was held in cooperation with the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau and Philippine Society in Japan (PSJ), a Filipino community organization based in the city. The seminar was attended by members of Nagoya’s Filipino community and those from neighboring prefectures in the Chubu region. Some members of Jap...
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28Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 28 -- As current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Paris (ACP), Philippine Ambassador to France Cristina G. Ortega led ASEAN Ambassadors in their call on French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius last November 21 at the French Foreign Ministry, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. This was the first meeting of the ASEAN Ambassadors with the new Foreign Minister since he assumed his position last May, upon the election of President François Hollande. The ASEAN Ambassadors e...
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28Nov2012TAGUIG CITY, Nov. 28 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and a Christian relief organization has partnered to making the dream of a batch of poor but deserving scholars to gain the skills on automotive technical training a reality. Tesda and World Vision, a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization, recently signed a memorandum of agreement to work together to teach the scholars knowledge in automotive repair and make them full-fledged mechanics el...
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28Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 27 -- The symbolic lighting and releasing of sky lanterns signalled the start of this year’s 18-Day Campaign to end Violence against Women (VAW) held at the Quirino Grandstand November 26. “As the lanterns fly to the heavens, send along your prayers and wishes. May we all be inspired by the lantern -lit sky to make a VAW-free society happen,” Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Chairperson Remedios Ignacio-Rikken said. Rikken encouraged the crowd to continuously lear...
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27Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 27 -- Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad today countered reports on “bloated” salaries for the Administration’s Cabinet Secretaries, adding that the figures touted as their annual pay included items outside their take-home wages. Abad’s statement comes in the heels of news stories alleging that Cabinet Secretaries received overblown salaries and perks in 2011, based on a September 2012 report by the Commission on Audit (COA). “In the COA report, the fina...
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27Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 27 --Enrolment of youth in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for technical vocational education and training (TVET) will be intensified until the end of the year as part of the region’s education goals, a TESDA statement said. About 4,500 more beneficiaries are being targeted to be absorbed for November and December in the TVET programs that are being implemented with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). The target scholars will ...
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27Nov2012JAKARTA, Nov. 27 -- The ASEAN Secretariat had the rare honour of hosting the Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Norway. Reflecting the warm and substantial ties between Norway and ASEAN, HRH Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and HRH Princess Mette-Maritwere accompanied by the Norwegian Minister for Trade and Industry; Minister for Environment; the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs; the Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Coastal Affairs; and the Deputy Minister for Oil and Energy visited Asean Secret...
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27Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 27 -- Like motorcycle helmets, Christmas lights must also have the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark to be certain of the product's performance and safety, the Department of Trade and Industry said. “Similarly with motorcycle helmets and other critical products that it regulates, the DTI alerts the general public to always check the ICC mark prior to their purchase of Christmas lights, ” DTI-Consumer Welfare and Business Regulation Group (CWBRG) Undersecretary Zena...
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27Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 27 -- In celebration of the 5th Firefighters Celebration of Litomerice, the Association for Restoration and Preservation of Historical Firefighting Traditions of the Czech Republic, presented the Awards for Cooperation and Support to several personalities and institutions, including the Philippine Embassy in Prague at the Royal Castle last November 16. Ambassador Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia received the award together with other awardees such as Jan Baxant, Bishop of Litoměřice; M...
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26Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 26 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered the creation of special teams to investigate human rights abuses by state and non-state forces and ensure a focused probe and speedy resolution of all unsolved and new cases, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Monday. Ochoa said the special teams would form part of the inter-agency committee (IAC), which the President established under Administrative Order (AO) No. 35 he signed on November 22, that will exclusively ha...
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26Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 26 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs’ ASEAN Affairs (DFA-ASEAN) reported that the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) issued for public circulation 50-peso commemorative bills bearing the ASEAN logo. The limited-edition bills, numbering only 10 million pieces, commemorate this year’s 45th founding anniversary of ASEAN, which is composed of 10 Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. In 1967,...
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26Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 26 -- The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reported that as a follow-up to the successful signing of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Embassy, in cooperation with the Putrajaya Chamber of Commerce, will be conducting the Mindanao Business Networking Forum on November 29 at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel. “Even since the signing of the Framework Agreement, t...
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26Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 26 -- The Philippines may realize its rice self-sufficiency target, sooner than expected, as two giant institutions mandated to secure the supply of the country’s major staple come together once more in an effort to sustain rice self-sufficiency and food security in the Philippines. Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Director General Robert Zeigler are set to sign an agreement on December 3, 2012 to for...
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26Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 26 -- The Philippines, through its government fisheries arm, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) of the Department of Agriculture, takes the chairmanship of this year’s 27th Session of the Governing Council of the Intergovernmental Organization for Marketing Information and Technical Advisory Services for Fishery Products in the Asian and Pacific Region. Officially known as INFOFISH, this intergovernmental organization is the leading source of marketing support...
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24Nov2012MAKATI CITY, Nov 24 -- The guidelines for safety in renewable energy sector in the country has been set with the ceremonial signing of the Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations (Resherr) by Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. “I would like to thank the RE developers and stakeholders as well for actively participating in crafting the guidelines, especially during our public consultations,” Petilla said, also congratulating the Renewable Ene...
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23Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 23 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs advises Filipinos to defer travelling to Gaza and the Southern Israel due to the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In an advisory issued today, DFA said the public will be informed of further development. (DFA) ...
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23Nov2012PASIG CITY, Nov. 23 -- Teachers and school administrators from the Department of Education -- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will now have a regular venue to house their training specifically to upgrade their teaching and school management skills as DepEd Region 12 transfers to the former ownership of the Regional Education Learning Center (RELC) in Cotabato City. This is contained in an agreement signed recently between DepEd Regional Director Rosa Gutierrez and DepEd ARMM Secret...
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22Nov2012GENEVA, Nov. 22 --The Philippines participated in the 24th Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer held at the International Conference Center in Geneva (CICG) on November 12 to 16, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances which cause ozone depletion, is believed to be the most successful multilateral envi...
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22Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 22 -- Health Secretary Enrique Ona, on behalf of the Philippine Government, and United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Executive Secretary Sven Alkalaj today signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further modernize the country’s health sector. The MOU formalizes the partnership between the country and the UN agency to maximize the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) strategy, recognized worldwide as an answer to a cash-strapped government’s plan fo...
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22Nov2012PASIG CITY, Nov. 22 -- The benefits of the peace agreement between the government and the Moro International Liberation Front have started to materialize with the Australian grant of Aus$85 million aimed at solidifying the gains of peace through investments in education. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said the Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao (BEAM) bankrolled by Australia is a giant leap towards a steady and continuous improvement in the quality of basic education in the A...
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22Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 22 -- The Board of Investments (BOI) approved recently a P259M ship repair facility of Philippine company Nautilus Shipyard Repair Inc. The facility will be located at the Navotas Fishery Port Complex in Navotas City. The facility, which will start its operations in June 2013, will have capacity of 96 vessels every year. When operational, it will use standard marine travel lift equipment designed for vessels up to 45 feet wide and with capacity of 600 tons. It will also have minimu...
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21Nov2012PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Nov. 21 -- Leaders, delegates, journalists, thousands of them descended in Phnom Penh and congregated at the Peace Palace over the past week. Under the scrutiny of the local, regional and global media, leaders from ASEAN Member States – supported by their Ministers and Senior Officials, met their counterparts from Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and many other powers in the Cambodian capital. Top on the agenda is the uncertain global economic out...
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21Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 21 -- Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona today hailed the passage of the Senate Bill 3299 as amended (An Act Restructuring the Excise Tax on Alcohol and Tobacco), otherwise known as the Sin Tax Bill yesterday with 15 senators voting for it and only 2 voting against. “The passage of this bill is a victory in our campaign to protect our people, especially the young and the poor, from the ill effects of smoking and excessive drinking. At the same time, the additional revenues wil...
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21Nov2012BRUSSELS, Nov. 21 -- The Department of Agriculture, through the Office of the Agricultural Attaché in Brussels, spearheaded the staging of a Philippine food promotional event — Hapag Yaman: Top Chefs Working with the Best of Philippine Products — held October 22, 2012, at the Tour & Taxis - Entrepot Royal in Brussels, Belgium. ‘Hapag Yaman’ is part of the DA’s European Food Circuit Tour which presents Philippine agricultural products, in cooperation with the private sector, to the m...
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21Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 21 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday called on all parties to respect the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelves of all coastal states, irrespective of their size or naval power. This is in conformity and in accordance with the established rules of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Department of Foreign Affairs said. Speaking at the 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, President Aquino emphasized that “this is also i...
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21Nov2012MANILA, Nov 21 (PIA) -- The Federation of Free Workers, in cooperation with the Office of Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino, has conducted a “workshop on blogging about children” to help anti-child labor and child rights advocates develop and enhance their writing skills for social media. The workshop, scheduled November 20 to 21, aims to help the participants to maximize Internet-based advocacy and campaign tools, and to help popularize the child labor information portal ...
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20Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 20 -- Three of the four Filipinos who were seriously burned in the explosion and fire that struck the offshore oil platform they were working on in the Gulf of Mexico remain in guarded condition, four days after the incident left one Filipino dead and another still missing, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today. Philippine Ambassador to the United States (US) Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. in a statement made the disclosure after he was briefed by officials of the Baton Rouge General ...
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20Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 20 -- The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the K to 12 Bill, Monday with 190 representatives voting in favor and eight against. The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2012, or House Bill 6643 will then be reconciled with the Senate version for amendments and improvements until it becomes a law. Education Secretary Armin Luistro in a statement said that DepEd is thankful for the support of the lawmakers in spearheading legislation that will open ...
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20Nov2012MANILA, Nov 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) has launched the national framework and strategic plan for the National Health Laboratory Network (NHLN) to optimize the function of government and private laboratories as major and integral part of health care delivery system. DOH Undersecretary David J. Lozada Jr. said the establishment of the national framework shall pave way for the institutionalization of Quality Management System for a systematized and standardized networking (i.e.,...
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19Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 19 -- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ordered yesterday, November 18, the deployment of rapid response teams (RRT) to Cairo, Egypt and Tel Aviv, Israel to ensure the safety of Filipinos in the Gaza Strip and Israel. The two teams, which will depart for their respective areas of assignment today, are tasked to assist in the possible evacuation of Filipinos caught in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and southern Israel. “The Government, through the Department o...
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20Nov2012PHNOM PENH, Nov. 20 -- The world’s biggest consumer market received another boost in the arm, after the Economic Ministers of ASEAN and China signed two Protocols to amend the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Co-operation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the People’s Republic of China, and the Trade in Goods Agreement under the said Framework Agreement. The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN-China Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, ...
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19Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 19 -- The Department of Budget and Management today said the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) system is different from the 13th month pay, year-end cash bonus, and Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) for government employees, citing the unique, merit-based nature of the performance-based perks. “The PBB is actually distinct from an employee’s year-end cash bonus, 13th month pay, and PEI. The purpose of the PBB is to ensure that our public servants receive due recogniti...
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20Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 20 --The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced a total release of P2.0 billion for the Aquino administration’s education initiatives under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Commission of Higher Education (CHED). “The P2.0-billion release is quite timely, considering that the second semester of the academic year has already begun for most schools. At around this period, students need to fulfill their tuition commitments for the rest of t...
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20Nov2012MANILA, 20 November -- The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. has not given up hope on a Filipino contract worker who remains missing more than three days after an explosion and fire in the oil production platform he was working on in the Gulf of Mexico which left one other Filipino dead and four others seriously injured. “We know that it has been more than 48 hours but we Filipinos always believe in miracles and we continue to pray that our other kababayan will be found alive,” a state...
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20Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 20 -- The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi advised jobseekers to go through proper channels and secure a work permit if they want to work in Vietnam. Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam, Jerril Santos in statement said they have encountered a number of cases where Filipinos who enter Vietnam as tourists have ended up in severe working and living conditions. “I advise Filipinos wishing to work in Vietnam to carefully check the background of the employer, review the terms of their em...
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19Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 19 -- Members of the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Committee will meet in Surabaya, Indonesia on November 21 to review the performance of the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) and discuss appropriate activities to ensure better management of these protected areas. The AHPs are home to very rare and endangered species and all have outstanding wilderness and important environmental, historical and cultural values. The parks provide habitats for some of the world’s most enigmatic spe...
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18Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 18 -- The government has earmarked around P11 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s attendance to the 21st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which will be held in the Kingdom of Cambodia from November 18 to 20, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Saturday. The Chief Executive left Saturday night for Phnom Penh to participate in the regional conference, accompanied by a 53-member delegation that includes Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finan...
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19Nov2012TAGUIG CITY, Nov. 19 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) announced that it is extending the period of competency assessment and certification of skilled workers until December 15 to accommodate more applicants. The National Technical Vocational Education and Training Competency Assessment and Certification (NATCAC) program aims to enable skilled workers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to go through the competency assessment and become TESDA certified. S...
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19Nov2012PASIG CITY, Nov. 19 -- The Department of Education has released additional guidelines in the hiring of kindergarten teachers aimed at coming up with a standard in their selection and deployment in public schools nationwide. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement said that based on DepEd Order 81, s. 2012 kindergarten teacher-applicants must be a holder of any of the following degrees: Bachelor in Early Childhood Education (ECE), Bachelor of Science Preschool Education, Bachelor of...
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19Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 19 -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday said the country’s official unemployment rate has declined under the Aquino Administration contrary to a recent SWS survey showing an increase in the unemployment rate in the country. “One important thing that needs to be emphasized is the fact that the Aquino III administration has arrested and reversed the steep ascent of unemployment rates from the double figures in the period”, a statement from DOLE sa...
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18Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 18 -- The Department of Education is launching a logo- making contest as part of its promotion of the Voice of Asia Speech Competition which aims to showcase the Filipino students’ skills in impromptu speaking in English. DepEd, The Manila Times, and The Manila Times College, in cooperation with the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), Emilio Aguinaldo College, and various corporate sponsors, will hold the 1st Voice of Asia Speech Competition...
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17Nov2012GERMANY, Nov. 17 -- Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad met with officials of the German Federal Ministry of Defence (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung), led by General Hans-Werner Wiermann, on October 29 to discuss the state of bilateral defense cooperation, a Department of Foreign Affairs statement said. Ambassador Natividad personally thanked General Wiermann for the Ministry’s offer of training scholarships for Philippine military officers. The Ministry allocated slo...
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17Nov2012PHNOM PENH, Nov. 17 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said today that maritime security and cooperation remains a major concern of the region and the international community. Secretary del Rosario underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the ASEAN region, emphasizing that “the seas surrounding our region interconnect the countries of the Asia-Pacific and beyond,” a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. “Any disruption of the sea...
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17Nov2012PHNOM PENH, Nov. 17 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario said today that the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration should conform with universal standards of human rights. Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh, Secretary del Rosario in a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the Philippines had taken a strong position on the concerns raised by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights that the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration is deficient in...
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16Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 16 -- The Department of Agriculture has set aside an initial P40 million to further prop up the country's mango industry, particularly to fund initiatives under a five-year development plan of the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc. (PMIFI). Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in a statement said of the initial amount, P10M will be used to provide production inputs and rehabilitate mango farms affected by typhoons during the last two years, and P30M to bankroll othe...
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15Nov2012MANILA, Nov 15 --The Department of Trade and Industry-Region 3 has intensified the monitoring of Christmas lights and decorations in Central Luzon starting November this year. “Since Christmas lights and decorations are in high demand this time of the year, we have intensified the monitoring of stores that sell these products,” said DTI-3 Director, Blesila Lantayona. Lantayona added that strict monitoring is being done in all the seven provinces in the region although the focus is in Ang...
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15Nov2012MANILA, Nov 15 --The Department of Trade and Industry-Region 3 has intensified the monitoring of Christmas lights and decorations in Central Luzon starting November this year. “Since Christmas lights and decorations are in high demand this time of the year, we have intensified the monitoring of stores that sell these products,” said DTI-3 Director, Blesila Lantayona. Lantayona added that strict monitoring is being done in all the seven provinces in the region although the focus is in Ang...
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15Nov2012MANILA, Nov 16 -- The Department of Trade and Industry-Region 3 opens Likha ng Central Luzon 2012 on November 21 and will run till the 25th of November at the SM Megatrade hall 2 to showcase the best products from seven provinces: Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Zambales, Aurora, and Nueva Ecija. Around 150 micro, small, medium, and entrepreneurs (MSMEs) from the region will put on sale products made from indigenous raw materials and environment-friendly technologies ranging from fresh ...
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15Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 15 -- The Department of Education advises the public especially its teaching and non-teaching personnel not to fall prey to high-yielding investment proposals that are most likely nothing but scams. Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro in a statement said that there are certain lending institutions or organizations that solicit investments from the public purportedly for a substantial return on investment. “Offers such as faster return on investment and a higher than norma...
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15Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 15 -- Ushering in a new wave of cultural awareness of things Philippine, Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines, once again proved itself as a wellspring of national pride through “A Celebration of Dance with the Bayanihan” at the Cardinal Carter Theatre in Toronto on November 7. Calling the Bayanihan the country’s ambassadors of culture and dance, Philippine Consul General to Toronto Junever Mahilum-West likened the promotion of Philippine culture to a vir...
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15Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 15 (PIA) -- Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and former Chief Justice Reynato Puno will be guest speakers during the 65th anniversary celebration of the Church of the Risen Lord (CRL) at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman this month. Puno's talk will be on November 17 while Sereno's will deliver her lecture on November 25. The two magistrates will expound on the CRL anniversary theme “Building a Legacy on God’s Faithfulness, Christ’s Righ...
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15Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 15 -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and a private manpower recently gave an intensive training and workshop on plastic welding to select scholars, taking advantage of the burgeoning local and international market. The slot was provided to 18 construction trainers from various provinces in the north and Metro Manila for a three-day training-workshop, from November 12 to 14, on the best practices and new technology in plumbing, focusing on plas...
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15Nov2012MAKATI CITY, Nov 15 - An official of the Department of Energy (DOE) said private sector participation and partnership are vital in the development of renewable energy sources in the country. Mario C. Marasigan, director of DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau, said the exploration and development of renewable energy in the country is anchored on the policy agenda, “Energy Access for More,” which is a priority of the government to mainstream access to reliable energy services and fuel, and...
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15Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 15 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) in cooperation with the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) recently conducted an information session to provide updates on trade facilitation to improve the “bottom line” of exporters and make them competitive in the world market. “If we (government and other agencies) are able make ourselves irrelevant, ...
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15Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 15 -- The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto warned the public against a scam circulating by e-mail which offers Philippine nurses non-existent jobs in Toronto-based hospitals. The Department of Foreign Affairs in a statement said a report from the Consulate General revealed that the e-mail contained offers for work with Shouldice and other hospitals in Toronto. It invites nurses to “coaching interviews” conducted by staff of the said hospitals in Makati in preparation f...
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15Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 15 -- The Department of Education gave recognition to 127 schools nationwide whose efforts in mobilizing the community to get involved in this year’s Brigada Eskwela is exemplary. This year some 4.5 million volunteers participated in this year’s Brigada Eskwela with P1.4 billion worth of repair and construction materials generated through the annual maintenance program. The awardees were chosen based on the scope of the repair and maintenance work the schools have comp...
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14Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 14 (PIA) -- A magnitude 5.8 earthquake rocked Cauayan, Negros Occidental Wednesday afternoon. The quake, which hit the province at 1:21 p.m., is tectonic in origin or is caused by movement of plates, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in an update. Sigma town in Capiz and Alimodian in Iloilo also experienced an intensity 4 quake while the towns of Binalbagan, Hinobaan and Hinigaran in Negros Occidental felt an intensity 5 earthquake. Aft...
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14Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 14 -- President Aquino will leave for Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 17 to attend the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits from November 18 to 20. The summit’s theme is “ASEAN: One Community, One Destiny,” in preparation for an ASEAN community by 2015. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will formally open the event on November 18 with the official launchings of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (AIPR) and the Regi...
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14Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 15 -- The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva called on States to ratify international instruments against human trafficking and other conventions to protect the rights of migrant and domestic workers during the recent 14th session of the Human Rights Council’s Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) held in Geneva from October 22 to November 5. At the UPR Session, the Philippines consistently encouraged States under review to ...
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14Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov.14 -- The Department of Education has found an ally in Jesuit Basic Education Commission (JBEC) in its fight against bullying in schools. JBEC, in cooperation with Solar Entertainment has brought the acclaimed documentary “Bully” to the Philippines an Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro has graced its premiere last night, November 13, 6:30 p.m., at Robinson’s Galleria Cinema 4. “It is important for us to stand up against bullying in schools. Enough is enough,” sai...
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14Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 14 -- The Department of Trade and Industry, in cooperation with Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and Philippine Society for Quality (PSQ) will confer the Philippine Quality Challenge (PQC) to five organizations for implementing processes and systems aligned with the Philippine Quality Award Framework, DTI said. These five firms include: University of the Philippines-National Engineering Center from public sector, and EMS Components Assembly Inc, Danilyn’s Enterpr...
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14Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 14 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will leave for Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 17 to join other ASEAN Leaders and Leaders of ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners in the 21st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits from November 18 to 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs said today. The Summit’s theme is “ASEAN: One Community, One Destiny” in preparation for an ASEAN community by 2015. In a statement, DFA said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will formally open the Summit on Novemb...
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14Nov2012MANILA, No. 14 -- The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi will facilitate the repatriation of three Filipino fishermen who were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel on October 20, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The three fishermen, identified as Frankley Serna, Mamerto de los Reyes and Epifanio Agting of Balayan, Batangas were aboard their individual fishing boats off the coast of the western part of Palawan Province on October 18 when bad weather prevented them from returning to their mothe...
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14Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 14 -- Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo commended civil society organizations (CSOs) in Quezon province for actively sustaining peace gains by encouraging communities to participate in peace and development initiatives through the Bondoc-Local Economic Development (LED) project. In a statement, Montalbo lauded the Social Action Center (SAC)-Gumaca, a church-based group; Quezon Advocates on Agrarian Reform and Rural D...
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14Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 13 (PIA) -- A ceremonial signing for the Renewable Energy Safety, Health and Environment Rules and Regulations (RESHERR) by the Department of Energy (DOE) will be held on November 22, Thursday, in Makati City. In a statement, the event, which will start at 6 p.m., will be attended by DOE Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. The RESHERR contains a formulated set of rules and regulations on occupational safety, health, and environment that will be implemented in the renewable ene...
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14Nov2012PASIG CITY, Nov 14 (PIA) -- The Asian Productivity Organization and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) conducted a three day certificate course on Benchmarking for performance Excellence in the Public Sector. The three-day course aims to promote of a culture of organizational excellence in the public sector by adapting the Philippine Quality Awards (PQA) Business Excellence Framework. Participants from several government agencies will be trained to identify and implement best pra...
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13Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 13 -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Center Director Kishore Rao presented a recognition of the Best Practice in World Heritage Management Award to Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Medina during the closing event of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention held on November 8 in Kyoto, Japan. Also present during the awarding were UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM) Secretary General Virginia Mir...
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13Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 13 --Winners for the competition to create a logo and catchphrase that describes the friendly relations between ASEAN and Japan has been announced. The Asean Secretariat in statement said the winner of the logo competition is You Ratanaksamrith, a 20-year-old Cambodian student. Her winning design features the 10 yellow stripes that represent the ASEAN Nations, while the red circle represents Japan. While these two objects represent the sun rising on the horizon, the outer curve ...
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13Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 13 (PIA) -- The government’s disaster management agency has again advised the public to take safety precautions as South Korea announced plans to launch its Science and Technology Satellite (STSAT-2) on November 15, 2012. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Benito Ramos said government will ban fishing, and travel by sea and air in “exclusive zones.” These zones are areas where the debris from the rocket is likely to fall. These are...
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13Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 13 -- Eleven Filipinos, including three minors and their mother, are to be repatriated from Syria today, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. According to a report from the Philippine Embassy in Damascus, the minors and their mother escaped heavy fighting between Syrian government and rebel forces in the southwestern governorate of Daraa. The repatriates are due to arrive at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 tomorrow, November 14, at 4 p.m. on board Em...
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13Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 13 -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently sent a business mission to Ankara, Turkey to put forward the Philippines as a business destination, spur economic bilateral relations and seek business opportunities between the two countries. “The Philippines is strategically located in the fastest growing region and flanked by two great trade routes – the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea – the Philippines is considered an ideal base for business,” DTI Underse...
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13Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 13 (PIA) -- Tobacco products kill nearly six million people worldwide each year. In the Philippines, 10 Filipinos die every hour because of smoking. This is according to a study conducted by the World Health Organization in July 2011, which also says out of the six million, five million are users and ex-users and more than 600,000 are non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. The Department of Health says the country has 17.3 million tobacco consumers, making it the ...
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12Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 12 -- Filipino high school students will be given a chance to shine internationally in an impromptu speaking contest in English that also aims to develop the public- speaking skills of local students. The First Voice of Asia Speech Contest will start its selection of contestants from November 15 to 23, 2012 at the school level and will culminate in the international finals on March 20, 2013, the Department of Education said in a statement. The contest is being launched by the...
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12Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 12 -- Despite the challenging global economic situation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) placed forward the Philippine trade and investment initiatives in the recent China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), the DTI said in a statement. “The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry and the Board of Investments concentrate on the institutional connectivity, which involves linking various international and regional agreements and protocols to facilitate international transacti...
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12Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 12 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P1.0 billion to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the nationwide implementation of the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP). The release, chargeable against the 2012 General Appropriations Act is in accordance with a five-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the DA, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and Land Bank of the Philippines. “We are please...
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12Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 12 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead tomorrow the commemoration of the 27th Anniversary celebration of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) that will be held at the agency’s headquarters at the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Joining officials and employees of PhilRice, the President will also formally launch 2013 as the National Year of Rice with the unveiling of the official logo as one of the event’s highlights, a statement by the Presidentia...
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10Nov2012MANILA, Nov 10 (PIA) -- Does Congress need to pass an enabling law for the Consitutional ban on political dynasties to take effect? This was one of the contentious issues discussed in a forum aired over PTV-4 yesterday. While the 1987 Philippine Constitution expressly bans “political dynasties,” Congress need to pass an enabling law for this provision to take effect, former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr. said. The Philippine News Agency quoted Guingona as saying that, “The Constitu...
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10Nov2012TAGUIG CITY, Nov. 10 -- Skills specialists who will represent the Philippines in the ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC) were given an official send-off to the contest on Friday. Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General, families and friends of the delegates, and other officials of the agency gathered at the TESDA Women’s Center in Taguig City to show their support for the 16 competitors and their respective coaches. “Give it your best, and make your families and country proud,”...
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09Nov2012SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 9 -- The Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Silicon Valley, the commercial section of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the representative office of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry in the US Pacific Northwest, today announced the inception of the US-Philippines Business Support and Information Technology Delivery Council. This is a consortium with Terranex LLC, Rendition Digital, Exist Global, Ionics, Orange & Bronze, Ayannah...
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09Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 9 (PNA) -- With the unprecedented number of candidates having the same family names running for various elective local and national government positions in the coming May 13, 2013 mid-term polls, Filipino voters are once again faced with the issue on political dynasties -- a problem that is fuelling heated debates throughout the political landscape. To help people understand better what lies behind this issue, a panel composed of politicians, candidates, legal and political experts...
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09Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 9 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today announces that the Authentication Division, currently located at the DFA main building in Pasay City, will be relocating to the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) Building along Macapagal Avenue, Parañaque City on Tuesday, November 13. In connection with the transfer of the Authentication Division to its new location, the public is advised that the processing of documents would be temporarily unavailable for the whole day of Nove...
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09Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 9 -- The Department of Health (DOH) today rewarded the efforts of five local government units (LGUs) to maintain their smoke-free status for three consecutive years by elevating them to its Red Orchid Hall of Fame and supporting their activities through grants. “As we look forward to the approval of the new, substitute sin tax bill filed by Senator Franklin Drilon, we are heartened that our local chief executives are showing that if there is political will, a smoke-free envi...
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09Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 9 -- The government has lifted its ‘no sailing, no fishing and no flying’ policy over certain areas in the country as the Republic of South Korea defers the launching of its satellite scheduled for today, November 9. In an emergency meeting with concerned government agencies and members of the media, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Benito Ramos said their office received communication from the Department of Foreign Affairs regardi...
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09Nov2012VIENTIANE, Nov. 9 -- The Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, H.E. Mr. Espen Barth Eide, on the sidelines of the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM 9) this week in Vientiane, the Lao PDR, a statement from the Asean Secretariat said. Minister Eide explored ways and means to intensify the country’s collaboration with ASEAN through possible existing frameworks. On behalf of its Government, Minister Eide informed Dr Surin that No...
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08Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 8 -- Metro Manila’s public school students will now be able to exchange their recyclables for school supplies or even cash, with the launching today of the National Ecosavers Program (NEP) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education, and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro, and MMDA Chair Francisco Tolentino launched the program with Senator Loren Legarda, L...
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08Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 8 -- Another batch of 49 Filipinos will arrive in Manila tomorrow, November 9 as part of the government’s on-going efforts to bring our countrymen caught in the violence in Syria back home, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The repatriates will arrive at 4 p.m. on aboard Emirates flight EK 332. This will bring the total number of repatriates to 2,930. The batch’s airfare was shouldered by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). As of November 06, 192 F...
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08Nov2012Manila, Nov. 8 --The U.S. Embassy has launched a new project with the Philippine Supreme Court that aims to enhance confidence in the country’s judicial system through more efficient and timely settlement of court cases. United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator Eric Postel and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno led the launch of the Judicial Strengthening for Court Effectiveness (JUSTICE) Project. “This new project is in line with the U.S.-Philipp...
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08Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 8 -- The Social Security System (SSS) said it has not violated any policy on lending nor overcharged its member-borrowers contrary to reports that came out in media recently. SSS Assistant Vice President for Lending and Asset Management Ma. Luz C. Generoso in a statement said emphasized that the computation, which the SSS uses to calculate the interests on loans is based on a policy that was approved by the Social Security Commission (SSC) in 2000. “In compliance with the S...
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08Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 8 (PIA) -- The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) formalized a partnership in peace and human rights promotion during a ceremonial signing of a terms of reference (TOR) Thursday. The interagency partnership, otherwise called Complaint Monitoring Working Group (CMWG), was formed to improve and focus on the processing of the human rights viola...
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08Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 8 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of P1.95 billion to the Department of National Defense – Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (DND – PVAO) to fund 226,365 pension requirements from October to December this year. “President Aquino recognizes the needs of our veterans, who played a large role in defending national security in the course of our history. This fund release, which will cover their pension requirements until the end of the...
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08Nov2012CEBU CITY, Nov. 8 -- The University of San Jose-Recoletos School of Law and Recoletos de Cebu Law Alumni Association Inc. invite all graduates of the USJ-R Law to a Grand Alumni Homecoming this coming Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 6 pm at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu North Reclamation Area, Cebu City. From its inception in the early 50’s, USJR School of Law has produced bar topnotchers and close to 2,000 graduates -- many of whom have become law practitioners in government and private sector...
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07Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 7 -- The Philippine government welcomed the successful holding of the elections in the United States that led to the re-election of President Barack Obama. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino extended congratulations to Obama by means of a letter sent to the White House. “The American people, in giving a new mandate to Mr Obama, have trusted him to stay the course, move forward, and to continue harnessing the voices and ideas of the American people,...
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07Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 6 -- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees today hailed the Philippines for being the first country in the Asia Pacific to establish a procedure to protect both refugees and stateless people. In a statement, it noted the recent publication of the Philippines Department of Justice of a circular that enhanced its current system of determining refugee status and put in place a procedure to know whether a person is stateless. The new procedure which takes effect today and...
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07Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 7 -- Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that he will travel to the Philippines on November 10, 2012. The visit will take place immediately following the Prime Minister’s six-day visit in India from November 3-9. He will be accompanied by Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, and Senator Tobias Enverga, a statement from the Canadian Embassy said. “Canada’s relations wit...
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06Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 6 -- The Social Security System (SSS) has recovered P1.984 billion in back payments from overdue short-term loans during its six-month amnesty program which ended last September, a top official said. SSS Assistant Vice President for Lending and Asset Management Ma. Luz. C. Generoso said 150,415 members availed of the amnesty, which condoned the penalties of delinquent salary, calamity, emergency, stock investment and other short-term loans. “The amnesty program followed a d...
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06Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 6 -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg assured President Benigno S. Aquino III of Norway’s continued assistance to the peace processes during their meeting on November 5 at the sidelines of the 9th ASEM Leaders’ Summit in Vientiane, Laos. Prime Minister Stoltenberg congratulated President Aquino on the recent signing of the Framework Agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and assured him of Norway’s continued assistance to the peace processes, a stat...
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06Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 6 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III conducted bilateral talks last November 05 with Swiss President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf at the sidelines of ASEM9 in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). The two leaders agreed to convene the Philippines-Switzerland Joint Economic Commission (JEC) – a consultation mechanism to facilitate bilateral discussions on trade and investment cooperation. They also discussed Switzerland’s proposal for a free trade agreement with the E...
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06Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 6 -- The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations of Seton Hall University (SHU) have agreed to pursue cooperation that will help strengthen their respective institutions. FSI and SHU signed a memorandum of understanding last October 24 to formalize their cooperation agreement in a ceremony held at the SHU campus in New Jersey, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs s...
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06Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 06 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III met with European Council President Herman van Rompuy and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso in a historic trilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). The three leaders exchanged views on a number of bilateral issues as well as developments on the West Philippine Sea issue. President Van Rompuy conveyed the EU’s support for a rules-based and peacefu...
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06Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 6 -- A new list of 158 classified caves has been released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), bringing to 234 the total number of caves whose natural wealth and other resources found therein shall be subject of protection, conservation and management of the government. “Caves are natural, non-renewable resources that are of tremendous value to man, whether scientific, economic, cultural, historical or aesthetic. Yet they are also in constant threa...
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06Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 5 -- Vice President Jejomar C. Binay embarked on a historic five-day visit to the Holy Land from October 23 to 28. The Israeli government was pleased to note that Vice President Binay was so far the highest Philippine official to have visited Israel in more than a decade. His visit gave a significant impetus and boost to Philippine relations with Israel. He brought with him a promise of closer cooperation on mutually beneficial areas, such as in the transfer of technology, peopl...
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06Nov2012PASIG CITY, Nov. 6 -- Seven public schools in Iloilo are expected to undergo much needed repairs of their school facilities, thanks to the checkmyschool.org (CMS), a website that provides information about the condition, services and facilities in public schools as well as on how the government and the private sector can address them. A partnership between the Department of Education and the Ateneo School of Government, checkmyschool.org allows the public to use gathered information to fill u...
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05Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 5 --The government has set aside around P8.9 million for President Benigno S. Aquino III’s participation to the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9) which will be held in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) from November 5 to 6, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Sunday. The Chief Executive left Sunday afternoon for Vientiane to attend the ASEM 9 and pursue stronger political and economic ties with other leaders from Asia and Europe. This is his first ASEM meeting...
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05Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov 5 (PIA) -- The Global Peace Festival Foundation (GPFF) Philippines will hold the Fourth International Professors and Educators Conference (IPEC) to discuss best practices in peace initiatives and formulate resolutions to broaden peace culture. The non-government movement, in partnership with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and other civil organizations, will gather around 300 international and 700 local ed...
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05Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 5 -- United Nations Special Rapporteur Joy Ngozi Ezeilo will carry out her first country visit to the Philippines from November 5 to 9 to examine the situation of trafficked persons and the impact of anti-trafficking measures in the country, a statement from UNIC Manila said. “I hope to hear and learn views of trafficked persons and other stakeholders to ensure a human rights-based approach to combating trafficking in persons, as part of my mandate to promote the respect for the ...
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05Nov2012QUEZON CITY, Nov. 5 -- Uniquely Eastern Visayas products skillfully made by 70 micro small and medium enterprises, will take center stage in the Bahandi 2012 Regional Trade Fair, at the SM Megamall, on November 7-11, 2012. The event aims to raise awareness of Manila-based consumers about Region 8 products, and harness the potential MSMEs to explore huge market. “This event build newly developed micro enterprises’ ties with institutional buyers and exporters in Metro Manila, in the hope t...
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04Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 4 -- The Department of Trade and Industry in Central Luzon has intensified its campaign against selling substandard motorcycle helmets in several shops in the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. The crackdown against uncertified motorcycle helmets is in accordance with the RA 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2010, which requires motorcycle riders to wear standard protective helmets when traveling. DTI-3 found out that some of the moto...
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04Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 4 -- The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that the Filipino community in Laos is expected to roll out a grand welcome for President Benigno S. Aquino III as he arrives in Laos today to attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on November 5 and 6. Philippine Ambassador to Lao PDR Maria Lumen Isleta said that the Filipino community is "ready and excited" to welcome the President in Laos. "The Filipino community here actively partne...
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03Nov2012PASIG CITY, Nov. 3 -- The Department of Education announced today that the provincial government of Negros Oriental (Dumaguete) won the bid for the hosting of Palarong Pambansa 2013. In a letter addressed to Negros Oriental Governor Roel R. Degamo, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that the decision was reached after a tedious selection and deliberation process taking into consideration the presentations made last October 19 and the report provided by the technical committee composed of ...
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02Nov2012QUEZON CITY, November 2 (PIA) - The country's celebration of Undas 2012 is assessed as generally peaceful and orderly by the chief of Philippine National Police Nicanor Bartolome after conducting series of inspection in major bus terminals, airports, seaports, toll highways, and cemeteries in Metro Manila and after receiving reports of positive assessments from different PNP units around the country. In a statement, the PNP chief attributed such accomplishment to concerted efforts of governmen...
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02Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 2 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed Executive Order No. 98 to expand the investment areas and economic activities reserved to Philippine nationals under the 9th Regular Foreign Investment Negative list, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. announced on Friday. Ochoa said EO No. 98, signed by the President on October 29, 2012, replaces EO No. 858, which has been in effect since February 2010. The 9th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List enumerates the industri...
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01Nov2012MANILA, Nov. 1 -- In a bid to further enhance the business environment in the Philippines and hasten resolution of cases involving government projects, President Benigno S. Aquino III placed under the Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) the management and development of dispute resolution programs for the Executive Department. The President signed Executive Order No. 97 on Oct. 18, giving the OADR all the authority and functions previously being discharged by the Office of the Pre...
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01Nov2012MANILA, Nov 1 -- The export of Philippine products and services is seen to significantly contribute to the government’s goal of inclusive growth and the priorities of the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016. “For the Philippines to attain inclusive growth through trade, we have to sustain growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty,” Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) Director Senen M. Perlada said in his presentation on the impact of exports on employment during the Ninth Trade Promot...
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01Nov2012MANILA, Nov 1 -- The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) is eyeing the development of a package of postharvest technologies for lowland or “pinakbet” vegetables, which is a source of livelihood for thousands of farmers living at the plains. Lowland vegetables need a complete package of postharvest technologies or a complete supply chain system to reduce losses after harvest, which can reach as high as 25 percent for non-leafy types, and up to 45 percen...
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01Nov2012MANILA, Nov 1 -- A 29-member Philippine Business Mission, headed by Undersecretary for Trade and Investment Cristino L. Panlilio of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), visited Ankara and Istanbul from October 3 to 8. Both Philippine and Turkish agencies and organizations, particularly the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, together with the DTI, the Turkish Ministry of Economy (MoE), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), the Philippines-Turkey Business Council (PTBC...
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01Nov2012MANILA, Nov 1 -- Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory L. Domingo welcomed 40 industry associations representing Philippine key sectors including labor, civil society groups, and the academe during a review of the proposed framework for the manufacturing industry held at the Board of Investments (BOI). The roadmap process allows the industry to probe their issues and promotes interaction among industry players, Domingo said. “The roadmap project mutually benefits the industry and the governme...
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31Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 31 (PIA) -- Moody Investors Service’s upgrade of the country’s credit rating is expected to speed up spending and implementation of reforms, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said in a statement. The credit watcher raised Monday the Philippines’ foreign and local currency rating to Ba1 from Ba2 with a stable outlook. With the upgrade, the three major international credit rating agencies (Fitch, Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s) put the Philippines just o...
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31Oct2012MANILA, Oct 31 (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) has widened the field of eligible members for educational loans to help more workers and beneficiaries borrow enrollment funds for college, technical and vocational courses for the upcoming second semester that will start in November. Members with a basic monthly income of P15,000 or below now qualify for the Educational Assistance Loan Program or “Educ-Assist,” SSS Assistant Vice President for Lending and Asset Management Ma. Luz Gen...
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31Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 31 (PIA) -- The government is all set to ensure a safe, comfortable and peaceful observance of All Souls Day and All Saints Day through its different agencies and departments. In Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has deployed some 8,000 to 10,000 traffic and law enforcers to man its streets, particularly in identified areas of heavy traffic to ensure mobility of vehicles and pedestrians. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed road safety mar...
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31Oct2012MANILA, Oct 31 -- Car rally enthusiasts and the general public are encouraged to join the 27-day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-India Car Rally on November 25 to December 20. The event will be non-competitive and the organizers will shoulder the cost of airfare, fuel and basic board and lodging, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The rally aims to create public awareness about Asean-India relations, promote connectivity, demonstrate India's proximity with it...
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31Oct2012MANILA, Oct 31 -- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, led by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, presented a resolution proclaiming October 2012 as Filipino-American History Month in a presentation on October 30 during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration along Temple St. in downtown Los Angeles. Antonovich praised the Filipino-American community for its achievements, contributions and the 425 years of historical presence in the United States, th...
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31Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct. 31 (PIA) -- The Development Academy of the Philippines, through its International Relations, Innovation and Strategic Convergence Initiatives and Partnerships (IRISCIP), and the APO Liaison Office (APOLO) organized the 7th Regional Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Grantees Forum in Crowne Plaza Galleria, Quezon City on October 19, 2012. With the theme “Driving Innovation Towards Transformational Change and Competitiveness” the forum provided the participants the oppor...
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30Oct2012MANILA, Oct 30 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is supporting the “mocha” trend with a P192 million budget for coffee and the implementation of Cacao Agribusiness Zones Development (CAZD) to boost coffee and cocoa production. DA is partnering with Nestle Philippines in putting up a mother plant garden in Cagayan Valley as part of a coffee roadmap, a statement from the DA said. The nursery will produce 200,000 Robusta coffee seedlings per year through the Cagayan Valley Upland Resea...
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30Oct2012MANILA, Oct 30 -- Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana, United States of America (USA), has lauded the strong anti-corruption stance of the Aquino administration, during his call to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Lugar, the most senior Republican Senator in the US Congress, said he has always been interested in fostering deep ties between the Philippines and the US, a statement from the DFA said. “The Philippines is very special to me....
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30Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine government has extended sympathies and support to those affected by the Hurricane Sandy in the United States. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who are facing these difficult times, among them the Filipino-American community. The devastation caused by the storm continues to unfold, but we are confident that the resolve of the American people to overcome this catastrophe remains steadfast, strong, and unbending,...
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30Oct2012MANILA, Oct 30 -- A gathering of at least 500 banana industry stakeholders from all over Mindanao will be conducted on November 7 and 8 at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier in Davao. The stakeholders are composed of growers, farmers, cooperatives, suppliers of production inputs, traders, exporters, logistics players, industry associations, agrarian reform communities, research institutions, academe, other support groups and participants from government agencies and local government unit...
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30Oct2012MANILA, Oct 30 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has declared the coasts of Carmen, Agusan del Norte as a critical habitat for marine turtles. DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2012-08 has designated a 5,756-hectare (57.56 square kilometer) area spanning the five barangays of Vinapor, Gosoon, San Agustin, Cahayagan and Tagcatong as the “Carmen Critical Habitat” for marine turtles, a statement from DENR said. The order was in accordance with Republic Act 9147 ...
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30Oct2012GENEVA, Switzerland, Oct 30 -- Dr. June Caridad Pagaduan-Lopez was elected to the 25-member United Nations (UN) Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) at elections on October 25, during the Fourth Meeting of States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN Office in Geneva cast the Philippine vote in the election...
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30Oct2012JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct 30 -- The mission of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) was officially inaugurated in Jakarta. The opening of the mission and the appointment of a resident ROK Ambassador to Asean in Jakarta demonstrated the strong commitment of the ROK to its relations with Asean, Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said.. The establishment of the mission would contribute to the strengthening of cooperation and coordination between Asea...
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30Oct2012MANILA, Oct 30 -- Muslim-Filipinos in Malaysia organized themselves by establishing a community association called the Union of Muslim Filipinos in Malaysia (UMFM) during a meeting held on October 20 at the Philippine Embassy’s Vista Community Hall and had the induction of its first set of officers on October 28 in the same venue. Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya administered the oath to its president, Jamel Cayamuddin, and the rest of the UMFM’s officers, namely: Mohamm...
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30Oct2012MANILA, Oct 30 -- The month-long nationwide celebration of Consumer Welfare Month has allowed DTI-3 to empower consumers from Central Luzon through a number of information and education campaigns (IEC) designed to inform consumers of their rights. The month of October every year is celebrated as National Consumer Welfare Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 1098 dated September 1997. As tradition, various consumer oriented activities are undertaken by DTI and its public and private partners in ...
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30Oct2012MANILA, oCT 30 -- DTI-3 conducted a seminar on Motorcycle Helmet Law in order to educate the riding public and helmet retailers of Central Luzon on their specific duties and obligations under the said law. The Motorcycle Helmet Law known as the Republic Act 10054 was signed on March 2010 to secure the safety of motorcycle drivers and their passengers from the injurious effects of fatal or life threatening accidents and crashes. The seminar on Motorcycle Helmet Law was one of the consumer-orien...
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30Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct. 30 (PIA) -- Personnel from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) are starting to inspect bus terminals as part of “Oplan Ligtas Byahe: Undas 2012” initiated by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). In a statement, LTFRB and LTO men will see to it that buses in Araneta Center Cubao, EDSA-Kamuning, Pasay and Sampaloc, Manila, will provide safe, convenient and reliable service for the r...
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29Oct2012MANILA, Oct 29 -- The Commission on Elections has released an initial list of cleared names of senatorial candidates for the 2013 midterm national elections. Resolution No. 9450, signed by Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillante on October 12, cleared 27 out of the 84 individuals who have filed certificates of candidacies during the October 1 to 5 schedule set by the commission. Comelec has already approved the candidacies of the following: AKBAYAN 1. Hontiveros, Ana Theresia N. Ang Kapatiran 1. D...
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29Oct2012SYDNEY, Oct. 29 -- ASEAN is pleased that its oldest Dialogue Partner is committed to the region, as one of Australia’s best universities marks its Southeast Asia Institute, a statement from the Asean Secretariat said. Speaking at the launch of the institute at the Australian National University, ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr Surin Pitsuwan gave a condensed historical development of the grouping, and where it is heading. “ASEAN has developed step-by-step. We used to attract external manufact...
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29Oct2012MANILA, Oct 29 -- Philippine-based Tagalog is the fastest-growing language in Canada, Statistics Cana said in its 2011 Census of Population: Linguistic Characteristics of Canadians. More than 200 languages were reported in the 2011 Census of Population as a home language or mother tongue, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. “The home languages showing the strongest growth between 2006 and 2011 were primarily Asian,” and the “the population that reported speakin...
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29Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 29 (PIA) -- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) announces today its 15th year anniversary of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), otherwise known as R.A. 8371, on October 30, 2012 at GSIS Building, Pasay City. On this date, NCIP will honor stakeholders from government institutions, non-government organizations, civic society organizations, peoples organizations. and indigenous peoples organizations, whose painstaking and remarkable efforts were spent for ...
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29Oct2012MANILA, Oct 29 -- The Philippine Embassy in Damascus, over the weekend, reported that 43 Filipinos will arrive in Manila on October 30, Tuesday, at 4 p.m. aboard Emirates flight EK 332, the The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. Upon their arrival, the total number of repatriates from Syria will have reached 2,878. The batch’s airfare was shouldered by the International Organization for Migration. Thirty-five other Filipinos in the embassy’s halfway house are also c...
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29Oct2012MANILA, Oct 29 -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM9) in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic on November 5 and 6. The president’s attendance signals the Philippines’ renewed focus on Europe and reaffirms the importance of the region as an economic and political partner, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement. Europe is the country’s third largest trade partner after North America and Asia. In 2011, trade with Eur...
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28Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct. 28 -- The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) calls for the decriminalization of persons in prostitution and not its legalization. In a statement, PCW Executive Director Emmeline Verzosa said the PCW views prostitution as an exploitative system that commodifies and dehumanizes women, men and children who are being victimized within the system. “We are advocating for the decriminalization of prostituted persons so that they will no longer be arrested, treated and fined like...
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27Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 27 (PIA) -- The death toll due to tropical storm “Ofel” rose to 24, while 19 were injured and nine missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said. In its 6 a.m. update, NDRRMC said the 24 were from Southern Luzon, Bicol, Central and Eastern Visayas and Soccsksargen. NDRRMC also said 14,693 families, or 66,768 people were affected by Ofel and of these, 3,382 families or 15,243 people are staying in the 97 evacuation centers. Total damage...
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27Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct. 27 -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will soon be the recipient of additional drug-sniffing dogs from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to bolster the capabilities of the anti-drug agency’s K-9 unit. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G Cacdac, Jr. in a statement said twenty Belgian Mallinois puppies will be transferred to PDEA on January 2013 to be added to the PDEA’s existing fifteen working dogs under the Special Enforcement Service (SES) K-9 un...
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26Oct2012QUEZON CITY, October 26 (PIA) - The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) urged Filipinos to remain alert and updated despite the confirmed postponement of the South Korea satellite launch supposedly set today. NDRRMC executive director Undersecretary Benito Ramos said earlier that he got a message from Col. Ireneo Maningding, military attaché of the Philippines in Korea, that the launch schedule is postponed due to technical glitch. However, Benito stressed the need of...
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26Oct2012JAKARTA, Oct 26 -- The Fourth Initiative for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Integration Development Cooperation Forum (IDCF), scheduled on October 29 at the Asean Hall, will set the stage important discussions on how critical it is for Asean to address disparities and development gaps in and among member states to realize the ASEAN Community by 2015. The forum will provide information about progress on the implementation of Initiative for Asean Integration (IAI) Work Plans a...
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26Oct2012DAVAO CITY, Oct 26 -- The Diaspora for Good Governance (D4G2) and the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government (CCAGG) recognized public servants and citizens who go the extra mile in fostering transparency in the delivery of education services. The Community of Champions awards, given on October 3 at the Davao Eagle Ridge Resort, acknowledged the commitment and initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd) personnel and school community stakeholders in furthering transparency, accoun...
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26Oct2012MANILA, Oct 26 -- Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) President Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman said that the state university is home of the “Tunay na Iskolar ng Bayan.” PUP is where the sons and daughters of farmers, fisher folks, factory workers, jeepney and tricycle drivers, washerwomen, fish ball vendors, and other marginalized folk are empowered to acquire quality education and lead successful, productive lives, De Guzman said. “PUP will continue to commit itself to empower th...
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25Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 25 (PIA) -- The Mister Earth Philippines Foundation (MEPF) shall hold the Fifth National Search for Mister Earth Philippines 2012. The search is an environmental and cultural pageantry that will showcase the sharing and presentations of indigenous ethnic groups’ material and non-material arts and tradition. It is based on Presidential Proclamation 1906 declaring October as Indigenous Peoples Month. The winner for the Mister Earth pageant will be named as “Indigenous Peopl...
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25Oct2012MANILA, Oct 25 -- Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has met with the heads of different line and attached agencies of DOTC to ensure effective and efficient implementation of “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe Undas 2012” nationwide. Consistent to Abaya’s directive, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Juan C. Sta. Ana directed its port district and port managers nationwide to see to it that adequate facilities are provided in all its port ...
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25Oct2012PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Oct 25 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) has launched its regional website and booklet. The event, held at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phookethra Hotel, brought together ministers and government officials from Cambodia, ambassadors, and the diplomatic community in Phnom Penh, a statement from the Asean said. While launching the web portal, Om Yentieng, representative of Cambodia and chairperson of AICHR, ...
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25Oct2012QUEZON CITY, Oct 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that there is an increase in public approval for the K to 12 Basic Education