Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 5 PRs ( April 5-6 , 2013), Dispatch for April 8 , 2013 (Monday), 11 Photonews , 5 Weather Watch, 3 Regl.Watch , 9 OFWV Watch , 15 Online News

Weather Watch shared a link.

3 hours ago

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued at: 5:00 AM 08 April 2013 SYNOPSIS: Diffused tail-end of the cold front affecting Northern Luzon

FORECAST: Isabela province and CARAGA region will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms. Moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the Northeast to east will prevail over Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas.

Over METRO MANILA: Maximum Temperature: 4:00 PM Yesterday --- 35.2 C Minimum Temperature: 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 23.5 C Maximum Relative Humidity: 5:00 AM Yesterday --- 97 % Minimum Relative Humidity : 4:00 PM Yesterday --- 50 % High Tide Today : 9:27 PM ........ 0.58 meter Low Tide Tomorrow : 2:42 AM ..... 0.27 meter High Tide Today : 9:12 PM ........ 0.75 meter Low Tide Tomorrow : 3:37 AM ..... 0.16 meter Sunrise Today : 5:46 AM Sunset Today : 6:09 PM Moonset Today : 4:22 PM Moonrise Tomorrow : 4:40 AM Illumination Tomorrow : 2 % For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

Weather Watch
17 hours ago

ANC: The country should brace for hotter days ahead as, according to weather bureau PAGASA, it sees no
weather disturbance within the Philippine Area of Responsibility in the next few days.PAGASAs Aldczar Aurelio said this means sunny conditions may prevail affecting temperature.

Weather Watch
20 hours ago

DZMM: Ayon sa Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), climate change ang dahilan kung bakit nalilipat sa tao ang
sakit ng mga hayop. Ito ay bunsod umano ng mainit na panahon kung saan mas lumalakas ang strain ng isang virus kaya nagkakaroon ito ng kakayanan na makalipat sa tao gaya ng avian flu at ebola virus. Ayon kay WCS

president and CEO Steven Sanderson, nakasasalalay sa eco system ng mundo ang kalagayan ng mga hayop kaya anumang pagbabago ay makakaapekto sa kanilang kalusugan.

Weather Watch
21 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Aldzar Aurelio on DZMM

RE: Weather update at 12noon - Mainit sa buong bansa. No LPA monitored. -Bahagyang maulap ngayong hapon. -Isolated thunderstorm at pag-ulan ang mararanasan sa ilang bahagi ng bansa. -Sa Metro Manila makakaranas ng 35 degree Celisius na temperatura. -35.4 highest recorded sa Metro Manila at 38.2 sa Tuguegarao.

Weather Watch
23 hours ago

GMA: Light rain may fall over parts of Northern Luzon Sunday due to the tail-end of a cold front, but the rest of
the country may continue to expect hot weather with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, state weather forecasters said. PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said Metro Manila and most of the country can expect these isolated rain in the afternoon or evening.

Weather Watch

April 8 , 2013

4 hours ago

CAVITE : Sunny LAGUNA : Sunny BATANGAS : Fair weather

RIZAL QUEZON

: Sunny : Sunny

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isinagawa ang groundbreaking ng Lipa City Sports Coliseum and Convention Center
sa lungsod ng Lipa. Isa ito sa malalaking proyekto ng lokal na pamahalaan at inaasahang mapapakinabangan ng mga Lipeno sa darating na panahon.

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

PIA4A/Calamba: In his speech mentioned the additiinal budget for the department of DSWD, DOH and
others without increasing taxes except SinTax.

PIA Regional Watch

Friday

PIA4A/Calamba: Pres Aquno mentioned the Ternate-Nasugbu road the he inspected yesterday that will
boost tourism in the areas and make travel shorter.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

8 minutes ago

DZRH: Bago tumulak kahapon sa Paris, France para katawanin si PNoy sa isang exhibit ay hinikayat ni VP Binay
ang mga OFWs sa Saudi Arabia na samantalahin na ng mga ito ang moratorium na iginawad ng hari ng Saudi para kumpletuhin ang kanilang mga dokumento para makaiwas sa aresto. Aniya, malugod siya sa tatlong buwang grace period na ipinagkaloob ng pamahalan ng Saudi para sa mga OFW na sabit sa crackdown ng paghihigpit sa mga foreign workers sa naturang bansa. Aniya, pagpapakita ng kagandahang loob ng hari ng Saudi ang three-month reprieve na inilabas nito.

PIA OFW Watch

45 minutes ago

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez on ANC:

Re: Repatriation program -In Libya we have repatriated more than 10,000 Filipinos. -A total of 3,792 have been repatriated in Syria. There are still about 3,000 OFWs there. -We are committed to shoulder all the expenses of Filipinos under mandatory repatriation.

PIA OFW Watch

48 minutes ago

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez on ANC:

-Our Consul General in our Embassy in SoKor said they are prepared for contingency plan. -The general assessment in SoKor is normal and calm. No one is going to SoKor embassy asking to be repatriated. - There are about 700,000 Chinese nationals, 116,000 Vietnamese, 137,000 US nationals, 60,000 Japanese and PHL has about 40,000 Filipinos there. Nobody is leaving. -The contingency plan is based on intelligence report. We will not move until we have that solid intelligence report. -There are no movements of troops. All our international partners told us that there is no imminent threat so far. - Our people in Embassy are coordinating very well with our Filipino community leader para paigtingin ang contingency plan just in case na lumala ang tensyon. Yung ating mga kababayan on South Korea will have to come in Busan and Gimhae area para from there they can be repatriated to the PHL. -Wala pong problema sa passport kasi anytime yung ating Embahada can release travel documents. - Our Embassy was in touch with foreign embassy in SoKor. They said they are prepared to retaliate (if NoKor attacks), they can protect their people as well as the international community there. -There is no travel ban. Its business as usual there, situation is normal.

PIA OFW Watch

about an hour ago

Jocelyn Montero, Filipino resident in SoKor on ANC:

-Sa ngayon okay pa naman dito. Noong unang linggo medyo nagkagulo pero yung iba okay na, at parang normal lang dito. Parang hindi takot. -Siyempre naman (takot ako) kasi dayuhan ako dito. -Ang plano ng asawa (na Koreano) ko halimbawang matuloy ito, ang sabi ko uuwi muna kami ng mga anak ko sa Pilipinas. - Kung anuman ang mangyar,i handa naman po kaming lahat. - Marami po dito (na mga Pinoy) hindi hawak ang kanilang passport

PIA OFW Watch

2 hours ago

DZBB: Iminungkahi ni Sen. Estrada ang pagrepaso sa reintegration program ng OWWA at ng DoLE para sa mga
OFW. Sa gitna ito ng pangambang pagpapauwi sa libu-libong OFW mula sa ibat ibang bansang may sigalot. Diin ng senador, dahil sa remittance ng mga OFW ang katatagan ng ekonomiya ng bansa sa gitna ng global financial crisis kaya nararapat lamang na tulungan ng gobyerno ang mga ito kapag natanggal sa trabaho. Ang reintergration program ng DoLE at OWWA ay pantulong para sa mga OFW na makapag negosyo sakaling makauwi dito sa bansa.

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Nakauwi na sa bansa kahapon ang 28 OFWs mula sa Syria. Sa ngayon ay umaabot na sa 3,700 OFWs
ang sa Syria sa gitna ng kaguluhan doon.

PIA OFW Watch

3 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Kasado na sa April 13 ang simula ng overseas absentee voting para sa mga OFW. Ang pagboto ay
sisimulan sa Hong Kong, Saudi at UAE.

PIA OFW Watch

22 hours ago

GMA via Twitter: 28 Filipinos from Syria will arrive in Manila today, April 7, bringing the total number of
repatriates to 3,792.

PIA OFW Watch

21 hours ago

DZMM: Sinabi ni OWWA chief Carmelita Dimzon na darating mamayang hatinggabi ang 26 OFW mula sa Syria
sakay ng magkahiwalay na flight sa NAIA. Nagdesisyon na ang mga OFW na umuwi sa bansa dahil sa naiipit sila sa bombahan na nagaganap doon. Nasa 3,792 na ang OFWs na dumating sa bansa mula ng itaas sa level 4 ang alerto sa Syria. Bibigyan naman ng livelihood program ang mga darating na OFW matapos mawalan sila ng trabaho sa Syria.

A. QUEZON
1.

B. CAVITE
1. Caviteos assured of various infra projects
By Ruel B. Francisco Friday 5th of April 2013

TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

DASMARIAS CITY, Cavite, April 5 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III said infrastructure projects will soon be completed to further expand the tourism potentials and investment opportunities in the province. The President made the assurance yesterday in his speech before thousands of Caviteos during his meeting with the local leaders and the community at the football field of Dasmarias National High School in Barangay Burol, Area B. The audience met with applause the President's announcement that the Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension will start operations in 2015. The expected operation of LRT line 1 will boost the economy of the province and will cut the travel time from Baclaran to Bacoor by an average of 15 minutes or less. Once completed, the line will serve 250,000 passengers per day, the Public Works and Highways department said. The project extends the rail line 12 kilometers from existing Baclaran terminal to Barangay Niog in Bacoor and it is to be structured along the lines of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) which is one of the priority projects of the national government. In the middle of his speech, the President mentioned the Bangkal-General Mariano Alvarez Bridge in Dasmarias City, the Governors Drive in Trece Martires City and the people of Bacoor City is excited for the completion of Daang Hari-SLEX link road that will connect the city to the South Luzon Expressway. This infrastructure project will benefit the rapid growing urbanization in the cities of Bacoor, Imus and Dasmarias. It will also address the worsening traffic situation in areas such as Zapote-Alabang (cities of Muntinlupa and Las Pias) road and other exits and entry points in the province. Likewise, the President was assured by the Department of Public Works and Highways officials led by Secretary Rogelio Singson that by July 1 of this year the Ternate-Nasugbu road project will open to the public. This will shorten the travel time from 4 hours to about three hours and will spur the tourism potentials (resorts) of Cavite and Batangas as well. The President first inspected the so called tourism road and walked through the tunnel before he went to the Dasmarias City. He also mentioned that the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) approved last January of this year the amount of Php35 Billion for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway. Once completed, the 47-kilomenter highway will serve as an alternative route for the motorists who regularly traverse the congested Aguinaldo Highway and the travel time for those coming from Manila all the way to Dasmarias City which usually takes three hours shall be reduced to 1 hours.

"Dagdag good news pa po, inaprubahan na rin ng NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) nito lamang Enero ang mahigit 35 billion piso para sa CaviteLaguna Expressway. Oras na makumpleto ang 47 kilometrong highway, magkakaroon ng alternatibong ruta ang mga motorista na dating nagsisiksikan sa Aguinaldo Highway at ang biyahe Manila papunta Dasma na madalas abutin ng 3 oras ay mahigit 1 oras na lang raw," he said. Right after his speech, President Aquino candidly spoke with Caviteos, shook hands with them and gave away yellow baller wrist bands. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite)

2.

PCSO donates medicines to Cavite town

By Ruel B. Francisco Saturday 6th of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite, April 6 (PIA) --The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) donated P660,000 worth of medicines to the municipality recently for distribution to the town's 33 barangays. Each barangay will received P220,000 worth of medicines. In a simple turn-over held at the mayors office, Mayor Luis Jon-Jon Ferrer IV and Municipal Councilor Kerby Salazar, Chairman of Committee on Health and Sanitation thanked PSCO Director Maria Aleta Tolentino for donating medicines to the people of General Trias which are a big help for the local government especially for the indigent families who needs medical assistance. The two officials were hoping that the PCSO will continue to support other health programs/projects of the local government in the near future. Health programs are always the top priority of the local government trusting that with good health and productive citizens are a good foundation for a better and a more improved community. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite/General Trias PIO)

3. Carmona opens Gintong Butil 2013 nomination

By Ruel B. Francisco Saturday 6th of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, April 6 (PIA) --The municipal government once again opens its door for this years annual nomination of Gintong Butil Awards for bonafide residents

of Carmona. The annual event aimed to recognize young Carmonians who excel in academics, national licensure examinations, arts and sports and other fields from school 2012-2013, thereby encouraging others to follow their example. According to their Public Information Office, other qualification for the nomination is for a resident to have at least six years of residency in Carmona, duly certified by their respective Barangay Captain. The nomination will close on May 31, 2013. Last year, 78 young achievers received certificates, plaques and cash gift from the local government and from Cavite 5th District Congressman Roy Loyola. Congressman Loyola started this achievers award when was still the mayor of the town. The annual undertaking started in 1999 with the objective of presenting role models and promoting excellence among the citizens. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite/Carmona Information Office)

C. LAGUNA
1. PCAARRD strengthens ties between FFTC and Los Baos science Community
By Alan C. Ortillano Friday 5th of April 2013 LOS BANOS, Laguna, April 5 (PIA) --The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) has facilitated the visit of the new Food and Fertilizer Technology Center (FFTC) Director Dr. Yu-Tsai Huang in various agricultural science and technology partner-organizations in Los Baos, Laguna. Among the partner-institutions visited were the University of the Philippines Los Baos (UPLB), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and the Bureau of Plant Industry Los Baos National Crop Research and Development Center (BPI-LBNCRDC). Dr. Huang began his courtesy visit at UPLB, where Research and Extension Vice Chancellor Maria Victoria Espaldon, together with College of Agriculture Dean Domingo Angeles, discussed potential collaborations especially on the impacts of climate change on agriculture, banana ecosystem, technology incubation for young entrepreneurs, biofertilizers and pharmaceuticals. At IRRI, Dr. Huang had an extensive discussion with Dr. Achim Dobermann, Deputy

Director General for Research. Afterwards, Dr. Huang was warmly accommodated by SEARCA, led by Director Gil Saguiguit. They had a discussion on the possible collaborative activities on food safety under SEARCAs food security program. Dr. Bessie Burgos, Manager of the Project Development and Management Department, gave a presentation on the current mandates, programs and activities of SEARCA. At the end of the day, Dr. Herminigilda Gabertan, OIC Chief of the BPI-LBNCRDC, toured Dr. Huang at the on-going citrus project being funded by FFTC. Earlier, during a brief lunch at PCAARRD, Dr. Danilo Cardenas, Deputy Director for Agriculture and Natural Resources at PCAARRD, led the Directorate and staff in welcoming Dr. Huang. In addition, Dr. Lilian G. Bondoc, Assistant Director of the Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division (PCMD) of PCAARRD, gave a presentation on the past and potential collaborations of PCAARRD with FFTC. Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup, of the Department of Agriculture (DA), joined the PCAARRD-hosted lunch where he conveyed that FFTCs activities are in line with DAs strategic programs especially on livestock, food safety, and organic agriculture. (Rachelle Acda, S&T Media Service/CPG/ACO/PIA4A)

D. BATANGAS
Tagalog news: Kampanya kontra dengue, inilunsad sa lalawigan ng Batangas
1.
By Mamerta P. De Castro Friday 5th of April 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Abril 5 (PIA) -- Inilunsad ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan at tanggapan ng provincial health office ang kampanya kontra dengue sa Brgy. Balagtas sa lungsod na ito. Ang programa na may temang Stop, Look and Listen! Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue, Pagtibayin! ay pinangunahan ni Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Enrique Tayag at mga opisyal ng lokal na pamahalaan. Layunin nitong muling buhayin ang kinagawiang 4-o'clock habit na isang istratehiya upang puksain ang mga lamok na nagdadala ng sakit na dengue. Sinabi ni Tayag, na sa kanilang tala hanggang Marso 2013 ay may kabuuang 23,615 dengue cases sa buong bansa kung saan may 104 na ang naitalang namatay dito. Sa rehiyon naman ng Calabarzon, ang lalawigan ng Batangas ay isa sa pinakamataas ang

kaso dahilan kung kaya dito isinagawa ang paglulunsad ng programa. Magkakaroon din ng nationwide launching ng programang ito sa Hunyo 15 sa buong bansa at inaasahang sa panahong ito ay malaki na ang magiging pagbaba sa bilang ng mga kaso ng dengue sa lalawigan. Sinabi naman ni Dra. Rozvilinda Ozaeta na noong 2012 may kabuuang 7,000 kaso ng dengue sa lalawigan ng Batangas kung saan may naitalang 13 pagkamatay. Ang mga bayan ng Rosario at Sto. Tomas ang may pinakamalaking kaso ng dengue sa lalawigan. Dagdag pa ni Ozaeta,ang probinsya ang kaunahang lalawigan na naglunsad ng 4-o'clock habit kung kaya't nanawagan ito sa mga mamamayang nakibahagi sa paglulunsad na simulan ang paglilinis at pagsasaayos ng kapaligiran lalo na sa mga tahanan upang mapuksa ang mga lamok na carrier ng dengue virus. Pinuri naman ni Dr. Tayag ang PHO sa maayos na surveillance monitoring nito ukol sa naturang sakit. Ayon naman kay Vice Governor Mark Leviste,may mga ordinansang naipasa ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan upang maisulong ang mga ganitong programa tulad ng province wide clean up drive. Aniya, ang kalusugan ay isa sa mga prayoridad ng pamahalaang panlalawigan kung kaya't dapat itong bigyang pansin upang mas lalong mapangalagaan ang publiko. (PIA Batangas)

E. RIZAL
1.

07 APRIL 2013.

World Health Organization-Philippines to honor President Aquinos achievements in public health during World Health Day 2013 in Manila Monday
World Health Organization-Philippines to honor President Aquinos achievements in public health during World Health Day 2013 in Manila Monday President Benigno S. Aquino IIIs achievements in attaining and improving the health of all Filipinos will take center stage during the commemoration of World Health Day 2013 at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila on Monday. In a statement, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Dr Shin Young-soo said it is fitting to celebrate World Health Day by recognizing President Aquino's exemplary leadership in public health." Among his most significant accomplishments have been raising taxes on tobacco and alcohol, and giving vulnerable Filipinos access to health insurance and reproductive health care. He truly embodies the principle from which WHO derives so much of its direction and inspiration: that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental right," Shin said. The theme of World Health Day 2013 is high blood pressure, also known as hypertension which has been the leading source of many heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases. High blood pressure is among the leading causes of preventable death. The ultimate goal of World Health Day 2013 is to reduce heart attacks and strokes. Specific objectives of the campaign are to: raise awareness of the causes and consequences of high blood pressure; encourage adults to check their blood pressure and to follow the advice of health-care professionals; encourage self-care to prevent high blood pressure; make blood pressure measurement affordable to all; and encourage national and local authorities to create enabling environments for healthy behaviors. World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 (April 8 in Manila) to mark the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. Aside from Dr Shin, joining the President for the occasion will be Health Secretary Enrique Ona. PND (rck) TOP

06 APRIL 2013.

Palace reports Korean Peninsula situation remains normal; no need for raising alert level Palace says government remains committed to fighting smuggling, other crimes Palace says conditional cash transfer program shouldnt be politicized
Palace reports Korean Peninsula situation remains normal; no need for raising alert level Malacanang said the situation in the Korean Peninsula remains normal and theres no reason for the Philippine government to raise its alert level to ensure the safety of Filipinos in South Korea. Our post in South Korea has reported today that the situation remains normal; wala namang pagbabago, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday. And we have also spoken to the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs], and because the situation remains normal, we see no reason why the alert level should be raised today. The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its embassy in South Korea is doing day-to-day assessment on the

Korean Peninsula situation. The government said it is ready to carry its contingency measures in case the situation in the region deteriorates. On Friday, while visiting Sta. Cruz, Laguna, President Benigno S. Aquino III made an assurance that the government has an intact emergency response plan in case war breaks out in the Korean Peninsula. Filipino community organizations in South Korea are working hand-in-hand with the Philippine Embassy to ensure readiness if there is a need for evacuations. At the same time, the President said the Philippine government is also talking with other countries for temporary sheltering arrangements in case of any emergency evacuation. Also, the President said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is flying today to South Korea to check on the governments preparations there. The President said there are around 50,000 Filipinos living or working in South Korea, adding however that the governments major concern are those located near the demilitarized zone, who will be vulnerable in case of war. He said around 15,000 Filipinos stay closest to the demilitarized zone than Seoul, South Koreas capital. In case violence erupts, the President said the government is capable of moving Filipinos out of South Korea. C-130 cargo planes from the Philippine Air Force and a naval ship from the Philippine Navy are on standby to ferry or airlift Filipinos who will be affected by the conflict. PND (as) TOP Palace says government remains committed to fighting smuggling, other crimes The government hasnt changed its resolve in going after smugglers, tax evaders and other criminals by building strong cases to make sure wrongdoers go to jail, a Palace official said on Saturday. Responding to the call of a lawmaker to intensify the fight against smuggling, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government has never wavered in putting an end to smuggling and prosecuting those who are behind it. Sen. Francis Pangilinan called on the government to double its efforts in going after smugglers, especially those in government who connive with criminals. First, yung efforts naman natin sa smuggling talagang patuloy na pinaiigting. On the second point na dapat maikulong the work of the Executive is in the filing of the cases and in the prosecution, Valte said in a radio interview on Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. Ito naman ang laging sinasabi ng Pangulong Aquino na kailangang merong katiyakan na merong mapaparusahan at tayo naman sa Ehekutibo ay ito ang ating laging itinutulak, she added. The government is filing not only smuggling cases, but also tax evasion cases as well as other various offenses, Valte said. The President also made an instruction to build strong cases against criminals to make sure that they are punished, she added. Ang utos ng Pangulo ay dapat talagang matibay ang pundas yon ng ebidensya ng mga kasong pina-file natin, she said. Asked to comment on calls asking the President to designate Sen. Panfilo Lacson at the Bureau of Customs and make him an oil smuggling czar, Valte asked the public to wait for the Presidents decis ion. Also, Valte said the proposal of former Sen. Jamby Madrigal asking for a separate government agency that will exclusively tackle oil smuggling must be thoroughly studied. That has to be studied because normally, the position of the President on that is we have to take a look at the existing institutions that do perform these tasks kasi ayaw ng Pangulo na masyadong maraming agencies, she said. Oil smuggling has become a major issue following the report of an oil company saying the government has been losing huge in foregone revenues due to oil smuggling in the country. PND (as) TOP Palace says conditional cash transfer program shouldnt be politicized Malacanang asked the public to report to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) politicians using the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for political purposes as the campaign for local candidates start. Some local government units have been complaining about reports saying politicians campaigning for public office

are using the program to attract voters. Paalala lang natin: kung binabanggit na sinusuportahan nila yung programa o kayay itinutulak nilang mas maging maganda yung programa, hindi naman yun paggamit, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview Saturday over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan. Pero yung binabanggit natin yung pag sinabi nila na kaya kitang isama diyan o ipatatanggal kita, yon yung dapat nating i-report sa DWSD, she added. No politician can decide whether to include or exclude a beneficiary under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Valte explained. Only the DSWD can delist a beneficiary of the program if he or she fails to comply with program guidelines, Valte noted. DSWD lang din ang pupuwedeng magdagdag sa inyo sa programa dahil hindi naman iyan pilian, she said. Beneficiaries could be included in the program once they are identified under the National Household Targeting System of the DSWD, the Palace official said. Ang pagtanggal naman, ang dahilan niyan ay kung hindi kayo nagko -comply doon sa inyong mga obligasyon sa ilalim ng programa, she said. Among the conditions under the program includes sending schoolchildren regularly to schools, requiring pregnant mothers to undergo regular medical check-ups at health centers and requiring beneficiaries to attend family development sessions. PND (as) TOP

05 APRIL 2013.

President Aquino declares April 25 as a special non-working day in Isabela, Basilan in celebration of its 12th Foundation Day Aquino leads launching of Laguna Lake flood control project in Sta. Cruz Govt has effective contingency plan for a Korean Peninsula crisis, says Aquino Aquino says, government implementing measures to improve Laguna Lake communities
President Aquino declares April 25 as a special non-working day in Isabela, Basilan in celebration of its 12th Foundation Day President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared April 25, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of Isabela in the province of Basilan in celebration of its 12th Foundation Day. The Chief Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 562 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on March 13, to give the people of Isabela the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion. On March 5, 2001, the municipality of Isabela in Basilan became a component city by virtue of Republic Act

No. 9023. Then on April 25, 2001, residents ratified the cityhood of Isabela during a plebiscite. PND (js) TOP Aquino leads launching of Laguna Lake flood control project in Sta. Cruz STA. CRUZ, Laguna) 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-million flood control project in Sta. Cruz is the first to be implemented and other four projects in several other locations along the Laguna Lake rim will also soon start. The government is prioritizing the Sta. Cruz flood control project following the visit of the President in the area after the onslaught of habagat in Laguna, Acosta said. Sta. Cruz was heavily affected by the flooding and had the largest number of hectarage affected as well as families devastated by flood waters, he added. Acosta said they expect the Sta. Cruz flood control project to be completed by November or December this year. They also target to complete the entire flood control system along the lake by April next year, he added. The Sta. Cruz flood control project launched by the President involves the construction of river control structures with reinforced concrete river walls on steel sheet piles. The DPWH will also excavate earthen embankments to widen the river and increase its flood conveyance capacity, according to a project briefer. It is designed to restore damaged river walls, extend length of slope protection and balance the habitat and recreational function of the area. The project design includes rock grade stabilization, rock bank protection and the use of bio-engineering techniques. The government is implementing the flood control project based on the memorandum of agreement between the LLDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The LLDA and the DPWH have P780 million to complete the project that will rehabilitate and construct river control structures in Sta. Cruz, Mabitac, Sta. Maria, Binan, and San Pedro. The P780-million fund is part of the P5 billion allocation approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board chaired by the President. The government allocated P5 billion for the Metro Manila Flood Management Master Plan that establishes the roadmap for a sustainable and effective flood control management of the DPWH in cooperation with the LLDA and local government units (LGUs). PND (as) TOP Govt has effective contingency plan for a Korean Peninsula crisis, says Aquino STA.CRUZ, Laguna) President Benigno S. Aquino III made an assurance on Friday that the government has an intact emergency response plan in case war breaks out in the Korean Peninsula as tension continues to rise in the region. In an interview with the media during an event here, the President said hes confident that Filipino community organizations in South Korea are working hand-in-hand with the Philippine Embassy in that country to organize Filipinos if there is a need for an evacuation. Maganda ang ugnayan ng ating embahada at ng mga Filipino community groups doon. Iba-ibang mga grupo ang naghanda ng mga evacuation plans kung sakaling kakailanganin, the President said. At the same time, the President said the Philippine government is also talking with other countries for temporary sheltering arrangements in case of any emergency evacuation. The President said Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario is flying to South Korea tomorrow to check on the governments preparations for a possible emergency situation. The Department of Foreign Affairs as well as the intelligence services was also instructed to assess whether or not the threat is real and how bad it is, the President said. But the President added that he hasnt received any information about any eminent threat in South Korea that

will require evacuation of Filipinos. The President recalled that during the shelling of a South Korean island two years ago, there were about 50,000 Filipinos living or working in South Korea. About 15,000 stay closest to the demilitarized zone than Seoul, making them a top priority for the government in case of an emergency. The government said there are nine Filipinos working in North Korea as United Nations staff. Under the governments contingency plan, Filipinos will be brought to the southern portion of the country, in Busan, and then they will be ferried or airlifted from there, the President said. The government also has better capability now than before in evacuating people because it has three operational C-130 cargo planes. It also has a Navy ship that could ferry people from South Korea. One C-130 can carry about 100 people per flight for a four-hour flight, the President explained. A Philippine Navy ship can carry a thousand but travel time could take around ten days. Tension has been high in the Korea Peninsula amid threats of North Korea to launch nuclear attacks against the US and its ally, South Korea. On Thursday, the US announced it is deploying an anti-missile defense system in Guam to shield its territory against a possible North Korean missile attack. PND (as) TOP Aquino says, government implementing measures to improve Laguna Lake communities STA. CRUZ, Laguna) The government has been carrying out several short-term and long-term measures to uplift the living conditions of communities living along the Laguna Lake, particularly the fisherfolks, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday. In an interview after meeting local leaders and the community here, the President said among these measures include the demolition of 30,000 hectares of illegal or abandoned fish pens that contribute to the siltation of the lake. There is also an ongoing cash-for-work program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to capture and eliminate knife fish in the lake. Its an immediate government program for the people living along the Laguna Lake, he said. The long-term plan is the National Greening Program, he said. Under the program the government aims to plant 1.5 billion trees near the lake to reduce the sediments flowing into the body of water. There is also a P5-billion Flood Control Program to protect communities located along the lake, the President said. In his visit here, he launched the P180-million flood control project in Sta. Cruz that will shield communities from floodwaters during the rainy seasons. The government is allocating P780 million for the flood control projects in five areas along the Laguna Lake, the President said. There are also jobs made available for informal settlers who dump wastes into the lake, he said noting over a hundred thousand families are considered informal settlers. Nagda-dump, ginagawang basurahan ang lawa. So maski anong dredging ang gagawin, kung hindi aayusin ang bumubuhos mula sa upstream at yung nilalagay ng tao, useless. Ulit lang tayo nang ulit, he noted. PND (as) TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 05 ABRIL 2013 Pinangunahan ni Aquino ang paglulunsad ng Laguna Lake flood control project Ginagawa ng gobyerno ang mga kailangang hakbang upang maiangat ang kalagayan sa buhay ng mga nakatira sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Laguna Pinangunahan ni Aquino ang paglulunsad ng Laguna Lake flood control project

STA . CRUZ, Laguna) Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Biyernes ang paglulunsad ng Laguna Lake flood control and river protection project upang iligtas ang mga barangay sa rumaragasang baha kung panahon ng tag-ulan. Ipinaalam sa Pangulo ni Kalihim Neric Acosta ng Presidential Adviser for Environment Protection at tagapamahalang pangkalahatan ng Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) ang mga bagay na may kinalaman sa proyektong pagsupil sa baha. Ayon kay Acosta, P180-milyon ang halaga ng flood control project sa bayang ito ang unang gagawin at ang apat pang ibang proyekto sa ibang bahagi ng baybayin ng look ng Laguna ay pasisimulan din sa lalong madaling panahon. Ipinaliwanag ni Acosta na uunahin ang Sta. Cruz flood control project sa tagubilin ng Pangulo matapos siyang dumalaw sa nasabing pook nang manalanta ang habagat sa Laguna na nagpabaha nang malalim at puminsala nang malaki sa ekta-ektaryang lupain sa bayang ito at maraming pamilya ang naging biktima. Sinabi ni Acosta na inaasahan nilang matatapos ang Sta. Cruz flood control project sa Nobyembre o Disyembre ng taong kasalukuyan. Pakay rin nilang tapusin ang buong flood control system sa palibot ng look sa darating na Abril. Ang naturang proyektong pipigil ng baha na inilunsad ng Pangulo ay kinabibilangan ng paglalagay ng kongkretong river walls sa steel sheet piles na magsisilbing pansagka sa pag-apaw ng ilog. Huhukayin ng Kagawaran ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan ang pampang upang lumuwang at lumalim ang ilog nang maragdagan ang flood conveyance capacity. Aayusin din ang mga sirang dike ng ilog at durugtungan ang slope protection nito upang mapangalagaan ang baybayin ng ilog. Ang desenyo ng proyekto ay nakatuon sa pagpapatibay ng mga gilid ng ilog at paggamit ng bioengineering techniques. Gagawin ng pamahalaan ang flood control project salig sa memorandum of agreement ng LLDA at ng Kagawaran ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan. Aabot sa P780 milyon ang pondo ng LLDA at DPWH para matapos ang proyektong ito na pagkukumpuni at paglalagay ng mga istraktura ng river control sa mga bayan ng Sta. Cruz, Mabitac, Sta. Maria, Binan at San Pedro. Ang P780 milyon ay bahagi ng P5 bilyong alokasyong pinagtibay ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board na pinamumunuan ng Pangulo. Naglaan ang pamahalaan na P5 bilyon para sa Metro Manila Flood Management Master Plan na nagtakda ng roadmap ng DPWH ukol sa matibay at mabisang pagsugpo sa baha sa pakikipagtulungan ng LLDA at ng mga lokal na pamahalaan (LGUs). PND TOP Ginagawa ng gobyerno ang mga kailangang hakbang upang maiangat ang kalagayan sa buhay ng mga nakatira sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Laguna STA. CRUZ, Laguna) Ginagawa na ng pamahalaan ang maraming madalian at pangmatagalang mga hakbang upang maiangat ang pamumuhay ng mga taong nakatira sa palibot ng Lawa ng Laguna, lalo na ang mga mangingisa. Binigyang diin ito ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa interbyu matapos makipagpulong sa mga lokal na lider at sa taong bayan dito. Sinabi ng Pangulo na kabilang sa mga hakbang na ito ang demolisyon ng may 300,000 ektaryang illegal o pinabayaan nang mga fish pens na nagiging dahilan ng pagbabaw ng lawa dahil sa banlik.

Ayon sa Pangulo na mayroong cash-for-work na kasalukuyang programa ng Kagawaran ng Kaunlarang Panlipunan para hulihin at ubusin ang knife fish sa lawa. Ito ay programa ng pamahalaan para sa mga taong namumuhay sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Laguna, ayon pa sa Pangulo. Ang ukol sa pangmatagalang plano ay ang National Greening Program na sabi ng Pangulo ay naglalayong matamnan ng 1.5 bilyong punungkahoy ang lupain sa palibot ng lawa. Sa pagdalaw rito ng Pangulo, inilunsad din niya ang P180 milyong flood control project sa bayang ito upang hindi na bahain ang mga kabahayan sa may lawa kung tag-ulan. Naglaan ang pamahalaan ng P780 milyon para sa mga proyektong flood control sa limang pook sa baybayin ng Lawa ng Laguna, dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Sinabi ng Pangulo na may hanapbuhay rin para sa mga naninirahan sa paligid ng lawa na umaabot sa mahigit na isang daang libong pamilya na itinuturing nga na mga informal settlers at walang tigil sa pagtatapon ng isang tambak na basura sa lawa. Nagtatapon sila, ginagawang basurahan ang lawa kaya kahit anong paghuhukay ang gawin, mawawalan din ng katuturan at sayang lamang ang pagod kung hindi titigilan ang pagtatambak ng basura sa dakong itaas ng lawa, ulit lang tayo ng ulit. paliwanag pa ng Pangulo. PND TOP

04 ABRIL 2013 Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Abril 23 na special non-working day sa Plaridel, Bulacan upang gunitain ang labanan sa Quingua Posibleng krisis sa Korean Peninsula, handang harapin ng gobyerno -- Palasyo Tiniyak ni Aquino na tatapusin ang mga proyektong imprastraktura sa termino niya para paunlarin ang turismo at kalakalan sa Cavite Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Abril 23 na special non-working day sa Plaridel, Bulacan upang gunitain ang labanan sa Quingua Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Abril 23, natapat sa araw ng Martes, bilang special non-working day sa bayan ng Plaridel sa Bulacan upang gunitain ang Labanan sa Quingua. Ginawa ng Pangulo ang deklarasyon sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 558 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Marso 7 upang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Plaridel na gunitain ng angkop ang yugtong ito ng kasaysayan ng Digmaang Piipino-Amerikano noong 1899. Naganap ang madugong Labanan sa Quingua noong Abril 23, 1899 sa nasabing bayan na ngayon ay kilala na bilang Plaridel upang parangalan si Marcelo H. del Pilar. Sa lansangang nag-uugnay sa Malolos at Plaridel naganap ang sagupaang ito nang tambangan ng mga kawal-Pilipino sa pamumuno ni Heneral Gregorio del Pilar ang pangkat ng mga sundalong Amerikano na pinamumunuan ni Major Franklin Bell na humahabol sa patakas noon buhat sa Malolos na si Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo na Pangulo ng Pilipinas. Ang sagupaang ito ay isa sa malaking tagumpay ng mga Pilipino sa panahon ng Digmaang Pilipino-Amerikano. Sang-ayon sa kasaysayan, maraming kawal-Amerikano, kabilang ang isang may ranggong koronel ang nasawi sa Labanan sa Quingua. PND TOP Posibleng krisis sa Korean Peninsula, handang harapin ng gobyerno -- Palasyo

Nakahanda ang pamahalaan sa ano mang posibleng problema na maaaring likhain ng krisis sa Korean Peninsula,

ito ang tiniyak ng Malacanang. Sinabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong-balitaan Huwebes sa Malacanang na sa palagay niya, batay sa mga huling pagtaya, wala pa namang sandatang nuclear ang Hilagang Korea. Gayunman, nakahanda ang pamahalaang Pilpino sa ano mang krisis sakaling humantong sa labanan ang tensiyon sa rehiyon. Ginagawa namin ang mga hakbang sakaling lumubha ang kalagayan, sabi pa ni Lacierda nang tanungin ng mga reporter sa kahandaan ng bansa kapag naglunsad ng mga sandatang nuclear ang Hilagang Korea dahil malapit ang Pilipinas sa bansang nasabi. Kaalinsabay nito, idinagdag ni Lacierda na ang Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas ay patuloy sa pakikipagugnayan sa mga Pilipino sa Hilagang Korea. Ang masasabi ko lamang ngayon ay naghahanda tayo. Mayroon nang mga panukalang pangkagi pitan. Kung natatandaan natin, bago pa lamang ang administrasyon, nagkaroon na ng isyu sa Korean Peninsula. Inaayos na ng DFA ang dating plano, patuloy ni Lacierda. Tinukoy na ng pamahalaan ang mga pook na pupuntahan ng mga Pilipino na nasa bansang nasabi, sakaling lumubha ang kalagayan, pahayag pa ni Lacierda. Pinawi rin ni Lacierda ang pangamba ng madla tungkol sa pagpasok ng mga bapor ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas na baka makainis sa Hilagang Korea dahil ang mga bapor na ito ay narito para lamang sa kanilang re-supply at reprovision. Narito lamang sila para mamahinga at para bumili ng mga kailangan nila. Iyon lamang ang dahilan kaya dumaraong dito ang mga bapor-Amerikano, sabi pa ni Lacierda. Binigyang diin ni Lacierda na ang pangunahing pinagtutuunan ng pansin ng pamahalaan ay ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino sa Korean Peninsula at hindi ang pagdaong ng mga bapor ng Amerika sa bansa. Inihayag ng Hilagang Korea kamakailan na handa ang militar nito na maglunsad ng sandatang nuclear laban sa Estados Unidos. Sinagot naman ito ng Amerika na sila ay nagtatalaga nang mga anti-missile defense sa Guam upang sagkaan ang pagsalakay ng Nokor. PND TOP Tiniyak ni Aquino na tatapusin ang mga proyektong imprastraktura sa termino niya para paunlarin ang turismo at kalakalan sa Cavite LUNGSOD NG DASMARINAS, Cavite) Tatapusing lahat ang mga proyektong imprastraktura, kabilang ang Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension at iba pang lansangan sa termino ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III upang mapaunlad na lalo ang kalakalan at turismo sa Cavite. Binigyang diin ito ng Pangulo sa pulong nila ng mga lokal na lider at mamamayan na idinaos sa Football Field ng Pambansang Mataas na Paaralan ng Dasmarinas sa Barangay Burol dito Huwebes kung saan tiniyak niyang inaasahang masisimulan na ang biyahe ng LRT Line Cavite Extension sa 2015. Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang bagong linyang ito ng LRT1 ay magdaragdag ng 250,000 pasahero ng tren araw-araw. Pakay ng proyektong ito na mabigyan nang higit na mabilis na sasakyan ang mga naninirahan sa mataong mga pamayanan sa timog ng Maynila, gayundin ang mga sentrong industriyal, kalakalan at mga pamantasan sa ibaibang distrito ng Metro Manila. Idinugtong ng Pangulo na nakahanda na ang mga proyektong imprastraktura para mapabilis na lalo ang pag-unlad ng Cavite. Dagdag pa pong magandang balita. Pinagtibay na rin ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) noong Enero ang mahigit na P35 bilyon para sa Cavite-Laguna Expressway. Oras na makompleto ang 47 kilometrong pambansang lansangang ito, magkakaroon ng alternatibong ruta ang mga motorista na dating naggigitgitan sa Aguinaldo Highway at ang biyahe mula sa Maynila papunta rito (Dasmarinas) na dating inaabot ng tatlong oras ay magiging isa at kalahating oras na lamang daw, sabi ng Pangulo. Tahasang sinabi ng Pangulo na ang pamahalaan ay patuloy na magsisikap na mapatatag ang kalagayan ng pananalapi ng bansa, ibayong paggugol para sa mga imprastraktura at pagpapasigla sa sektor ng kalakalan at turismo. Pinasalamatan ng Pangulo ang mga taga-Cavite na nakikiisa sa panata ng administrasyon niya na taluntunin ang tuwid at tamang daan sa pagsisikap maging masagana ang Pilipinas. Uulitin ko lamang po. Maraming salamat po sa pagkakataong paglingkuran kayo nang tapat. Maraming salamat po sa pagiging lakas ng pamahalaan para maitulak ang bansa tungo sa malawakang pag-unlad. Wala pong alinlangang ang mga tagumpay sa tuwid na landas ay bunga ng iniambag na sipag, tapang at malasakit ng mg Cavitenyo, sabi pa ng Pangulo. Tiniyak din ng Pangulo sa sambayanan na patuloy ang pamahalaan sa pagsusulong ng pamumuhunan para sa lokal na negosyante at dayuhang mamumuhunan para mapabilis ang industriya ng negosyo at makalikha ng trabaho para sa mga mamamayan ng Cavite at ng iba pang mga lalawigan.

Inulit din ng Pangulo ang pangako ng administrasyon niya na pag-ibayuhin ang pagsisikap upang ang mga biyaya ng pagsulong ng bansa ay maging laganap at pantay-pantay. PND TOP

ONLINE NEWS
06 APRIL 2013 1. Balikatan 2013 further boosts robust PHL-US security relations - annual military exercise deeply rooted in shared values, Sacrifices 2. Inflation decelerated in March 2013 3. Brand new vehicles covered by number coding 4. NSCB Conducts Training Workshop on the System of Environmental Economic Accounting for Kingdom of Bhutan Statisticians 5. NSCB Renews Clearance of the Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey 6. Trader of office supplies charged with tax evasion 7. 9 April is Araw ng Kagitingan; DOLE issues pay rules 8. To maintain industrial peace, DOLE moves fast, averts strike at largest industrial paper manufacturing company 9. DFA-OAVS, COMELEC,The Filipino Channel Expand Overseas Voting Information Campaign 10. Philippines Hosts ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights 11. Filipino I.T. Professional from Auckland Brings Honor to Filipino Community 12. End-March 2013 GIR Rises to US$84.1 Billion 13. DA Chief meets Father of hybrid rice 14. DAR Farmers Receive Grant from DOLE 15. SK Orientation-Workshop on HIV, AIDS held

Balikatan 2013 further boosts robust PHL-US security relations - annual military exercise deeply rooted in shared values, Sacrifices Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 5 April 2013 Balikatan 2013 and other joint military activities further strengthens the longstanding security relations of the Philippines and the United States (US), according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario. The Balikatan exercises are powerful and living symbols of the long standing security relationship between the Philippines and the United States. These exercises breath life and meaning to our obligations as treaty partners, said Secretary del Rosario in his keynote speech during the Balikatan 2013 opening at Camp Aguinaldo today. Balikatan supports the development of Philippine defense capabilities as well as the interoperability of Philippine and US military forces. Balikatan 2013 will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR). The Foreign Affairs chief added, The joint exercises we hold every year with the United States are rooted in our common history and in our shared values. These are roots that run deep. The Balikatan exercises comes as the Philippines commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on April 9. In four days we will commemorate the uncommon courage of Filipino and American sol diers who fought side by side in Bataan and Corregidor. In four days we will honor their heroism and sacrifice -- their willingness to lay down their lives for democracy, freedom and liberty, noted Secretary del Rosario. Secretary del Rosario commented that these shared values sustain Philippines-US security relations. This relationship remains robust and vigorous -- forged by our shared sacrifices in the Pacific War, by our standing boldly together in the dark days of the Cold War, and in facing todays current and pressing

challenges, he said. High-level exchanges on Security Cooperation The Philippines top diplomat noted that in the past three months the Philippines and the US have had key high level exchanges and discussions centered on security relations. US congressional delegations led by the chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Veterans Committee were in Manila. Defense Deputy Secretary Ashton Carter was also here. This week, I met with both Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Washington. In all these discussions, both sides reiterated their firm commitments as strategic partners and treaty allies, Secretary del Rosario said. He added that these key officials have pledged to work with the Philippines to build its capacity to defend itself. PHL investing in defense at record levels Secretary del Rosario emphasized that the Philippines, on its own, is pouring money to boost its defense capabilities. The Philippines is investing in its own defense at levels never seen before, he said. Last December, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed the new AFP Modernization Act (RA10349), allocating PhP75 billion for its first five years of implementation. The Aquino Administration has spent over Php28 billion for the AFP modernization program, in contrast with the Php33 billion spent for modernization in the fifteen years before President Aquinos term. Secretary del Rosario acknowledged that the Philippines can increase the value of its defense spending through joint training and other agreed activities with its allies. Joint training with the United States results in savings on training expertise and training equipment and other resources -- savings that can be used instead to purchase more much needed equipment and materiel, Secretary del Rosario said. END |TOP| Inflation decelerated in March 2013 Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph MANILACheaper housing, water, electricity and power coupled with slower increase in food prices in March 2013 moderated headline inflation to 3.2 percent last month, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Average inflation rate for the first three months of 2013 remained at 3.2 percent, well within the Development Budget Coordination Committees inflation target of 3.0 to 5.0 percent for 2013, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. The growth in consumer prices in March was lower compared to the previous month, although this was higher against the 2.6 percent inflation recorded in March 2012. Lower prices of food (except vegetable), electricity and petrol pulled headline inflation down in March, while uptick in the prices of non-food items, particularly alcohol and tobacco, partially moderated the decrease, said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director General. Ample supply of rice, corn, meat, fish, milk and fruits slowed down the increase in food prices that only went up by 2.8 percent in March 2013, slower than the 3.0-percent increase in the previous month. Similarly, the price index of non-alcoholic beverages moderated from 3.7 percent in the previous month to 3.6 percent in March 2013. Among food items, only the index for vegetables posted a year-on- year uptick of 3.2 percent during the period from 1.4 percent in the preceding month following the Lenten season. Prices of non-food items, particularly electricity and petrol as well as operation of personal transport equipment, declined in March 2013. This is attributed to the reduction in Manila Electric Companys (MERALCO) generation charge last month and the cheaper retail prices of domestic petroleum products. Meanwhile, prices of alcoholic beverages went up by 10.9 percent while that of tobacco accelerated by 52.3 percent as a result of the new sin tax law effective 01 January 2013. The price indices of these commodities are expected to remain high until the end of 2013. Other non-food items that posted higher increments in March include footwear, recreational and cultural services, newspapers, books and stationery, catering services, and other personal effects. Meanwhile, headline inflation in the National Capital Region (NCR) eased to 1.9 percent in March 2013, slower compared to 2.3 percent in February 2013 and 2.7 percent in March 2012. This is slower than the inflation rate in Areas Outside NCR (AONCR) that likewise fell to 3.6 percent in March 2013. Balisacan stressed that the March 2013 headline inflation of the Philippines remains lower than that of Indonesia (5.9%) but higher compared to Thailand (2.69%).

|TOP| Brand new vehicles covered by number coding Source: http://www.mmda.gov.ph The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) today reminded motorists that it has expanded the coverage of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP) or the number coding scheme to include brand new vehicles without license plates but with conduction stickers. Chairman Francis Tolentino signed Memorandum Circular Number 06 Series of 2013 which contains the guidelines in the implementation of the UVVRP for new vehicles without license plates. The Circular will be effective 15 days after its publication. "In view of the temporary unavailability of license plates from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and for the purpose of the implementation of the UVVRP, the last numerical digit of the conduction stickers shall determine the day the vehicle is covered by the number coding," Tolentino said. In accordance with the Circular, dealers and owners of brand new vehicles must not detach the conduction sticker from the vehicle. They are likewise required to prominently display the conduction sticker numbers on the spaces allotted for regular license plates in front and at the rear of the vehicle for the efficient implementation of the UVVRP. This shall be immediately replaced with the regular LTO plates once issued. "This improvisation is only for the purpose of UVVRP implementation. The regulation shall not supplant any law, rules and regulations concerning vehicle registration. Upon the installation of LTO-issued license plates, the vehicle shall be covered by the UVVRP using the last numerical digit of the license plate as basis," Tolentino pointed out. A fine of three hundred pesos shall be imposed on violators. |TOP| NSCB Conducts Training Workshop on the System of Environmental Economic Accounting for Kingdom of Bhutan Statisticians Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph Twenty officials from the National Statistics Bureau (NSB) of the Kingdom of Bhutan are now in the Philippines for a five-day Training Workshop on the System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA) being conducted by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) from 1-5 April 2013 at the NSCB Operations Room in Makati City. During the Training Workshop, the Bhutanese statisticians were briefed on the overview of the System of National Accounts (SNA), Measurement of GDP and Satellite Accounts, SEEA Framework and economic activities related to the environment, and the Framework on the Development of Environment Statistics (FDES). The Bhutanese delegation was headed by Deputy Chief Statistical Officer Mr. Jamyang Dorji and composed of: 1)Mr. Sangay Dorji; 2) Mr. Dorji Phuntsho; 3) Mrs. Pem Zangmo; 4) Mr. Tenzin; 5) Mrs. Sonam Choden; 6) Mr. Dorji Chedup; 7) Mr. Karma Thinley; 8) Mr. Pema Jampel; 9) Mr. Tshewang Rinzin; 10) Mr. Gem Tshering; 11) Mr. Sonam Tshering; 12) Mr. Phuntsho Chhoegyal; 13) Mr. Kishore Chhetri; 14) Mr. Bikash Chhetri; 15) Mr. Sonam Wangchuk; 16) Mr. Dorji Wangdi;17) Mr. Tandin;18) Mr. Tashi Dorji; and, 19) Mr. Yonten Jamtsho. In the spirit of international cooperation, they were warmly welcomed by NSCB Secretary General Jose Ramon G. Albert during a welcome program for them attended by NSCB officials and staff including Assistant Secretary General Lina V. Castro, Director Raymundo J. Talento, Director Jessamyn O. Encarnacion, Director Regina S. Reyes, Ms. Vivian R. Ilarina, Ms. Ma. Fe Talento, Mr. Edward Lopez Dee, and Ms. Cynthia S. Regalado, among others. The Bhutanese delegation also had a Technical Visit to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) where they were briefed on the DENRs Environment and Natural Resources Information System (ENRIS) and on the generation of environment and natural resources data at the national and subnational levels. The provision of technical assistance such as study visits/training workshops on relevant indicator systems and good practices of the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) to foreign delegations is a continuing commitment of the NSCB as part of its international statistical cooperation program. In the past, the NSCB had provided trainings and workshops to statistical offices of Viet Nam, Sri Lanka, Uganda, and Cambodia in the areas of national accounts, statistical information centers, and gender statistics, among others. Through these programs, the NSCB not only shares its expertise but also networks with other foreign statistical offices in pursuit of enhancing mutual learning and statistical capacity building that involves institutional and organizational development among countries in Asia. |TOP| NSCB Renews Clearance of the Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph Republic Act No. 9485, also known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, mandates all government agencies

to set up their respective service standards, called the Citizens Charter. These standards are to be posted at the main entrance or at the most conspicuous space of their offices. The Act also provides that all offices and agencies providing frontline services shall be subjected to a Report Card Survey. In compliance to this, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), developed the Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey (ARTA RCS) in 2010 and has been conducting the annual ARTA RCS since then. The survey is intended to obtain feedback on how the agencies follow the provisions in their Citizens Charter, obtain information or estimates of hidden costs incurred by clients in accessing frontline services, and rate agency performance in relation to frontline service delivery and fulfilment of provisions of the ARTA, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and Administrative Order No. 241. Results of the 2012 ARTA RCS showed that more than half or 51.59 % of the 599 agencies surveyed received a Good rating in the Report Card Survey with 50 agencies or 8.35 % marked Excellent,namely: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Clark Satellite Office Department of Health (DOH) in Ozamis City Land Registration Authority (LRA) in Daet, Camarines Norte Eleven Revenue District Offices (RDO) of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Thirteen branches of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Two branches of the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) Six regional offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Thirteen branches of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Two regional offices of the Social Security System (SSS). These offices will be conferred a Citizens Satisfaction Seal of Excellence Award by the CSC for demonstrating excellent public service as rated through the RCS. An awarding ceremony will be held by the CSC Regional Offices in their respective regions to grant merit to offices that met the criteria for excellence. In February 2013, the CSC has started distributing the 2013 ARTA RCS questionnaires to cover 846 government offices all over the country, with 30 respondents each. Total budget allocated for the survey is Php 6,556,500. The results of the survey are scheduled to be released in December 2013. The 2013 ARTA RCS has been granted clearance through the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism formulated by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) through Memorandum Circular Nos. 04-88 and 04-95 to ensure sound design for data collection, minimize the burden placed upon respondents, effect economy in statistical data collection, eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection, achieve better coordination of government statistical activities, and inform the private sector and the public in general that a government survey operation has passed clearance and enjoin their cooperation in the conduct of the said survey. All government agencies are thus enjoined to respond to the 2013 ARTA RCS. |TOP| Trader of office supplies charged with tax evasion Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) today filed a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice against KRISTIAN P. SORIANO (SORIANO) for willfulattempt to evade or defeat tax, deliberate failure to supply correct and accurate information in his Income Tax Return (ITR) and Value Added Tax (VAT) Returns for taxable year 2010 and Perjury, in violation of Sections 254, 255 and Section 267 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended (Tax Code). SORIANO is a sole proprietor engaged in the trading of various office supplies under the name and business style NATRIKS ENTERPRISE with business address at No. 1039 Pat Antonio Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila. Charged with SORIANO was his Certified Public Accountant CRISANTO M. LAGUARDIA, JR. (LAGUARDIA) who certified the formers 2010 Financial Statements in violation of Section 257 of the Tax Code. Records of investigation showed that SORIANO was issued Letter of Authority No. 211-2013-00000021 for the examination of his books of accounts and other accounting records for all internal revenue taxes covering taxable year 2010. The case originally stemmed from Letter Notice No.032-TRS-1000-000058 reflecting an underdeclaration of sales by SORIANO. Said underdeclaration was validated after confirmation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) that they paid SORIANO P133.66 million in 2010. The income payment to SORIANO by the PNP was certified by the Commission on Audit (COA). Compared to the declaration of SORIANO in his 2010 ITR of P935,382.77, investigators ascertained that the former underdeclared his sales for the same year by P125.16 million or by 13,381%. Under Sec. 248 (B) of the Tax Code, an under-declaration of taxable income by more than 30% is considered substantial underdeclaration and constitutes a prima facie case of fraud tantamount to tax evasion. Consequently, SORIANO was sued for a total tax liability amounting to P101.90 million for deficiency taxes covering taxable year 2010, inclusive of surcharges and interests, broken down into P71.29 million for Income Tax and P30.61 million for VAT.

Independent CPA LAGUARDIA for his part was charged for issuing an unqualified opinion in his certification of the 2010 Financial Statements of SORIANO despite the latters aforementioned underdeclaration in his reported sales/income. The case against KRISTIAN P. SORIANO and his CPA CRISANTO M. LAGUARDIA, JR. is the 160th filed under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program of the BIR under the leadership of Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares. It is likewise a RATE case of Revenue Region No. 6, Manila. |TOP| 9 April is Araw ng Kagitingan; DOLE issues pay rules Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said that Tuesday, 9 April 2013 and is known as Araw ng Kagitingan is a regular holiday nationwide. This is by virtue of the declaration by President Benigno S. Aquino III under Proclamation No. 459, Series of 2012, Declaring the Regular Holidays, Special (Non-Working) Days, and Special Holiday (For All Schools) For the Year 2013, Baldoz explained. President Aquino III issued Proclamation No. 459 on 16 August 2012 consistent with the laws of the Philippines governing the observance of holidays, specifically, Republic Act (RA) No. 9492, dated 24 July 2007, which amended Section 26, Chapter 7, Book I of Executive Order (EO) No. 292, also known as the Administrative Code of 1987, by declaring certain days, specific or movable, as special or regular holidays. Araw ng Kagitingan, also known as Bataan and Corregidor Day, was first observed when the late President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino promulgated Executive Order No. 203 of 1987 to honor and remember the gallantry and valor of the Filipinos during World War II. Baldoz, thus, firmly urged the countrys private sector employers to observe the proper pay rules and core labor standards applicable on this regular holiday. "I call on the countrys employers in the private sector to voluntary comply with core labor standards to ensure the social protection of our workers during this regular holiday," she said. Based on existing implementing guidelines, the pay rules to be observed during the regular holiday on 9 April 2013 are as follows: If an employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100 percent of his/her salary for that day. The COLA is included in the computation of holiday pay. Sample computation: [(Daily rate + COLA) x 100%]; If an employee worked, he/she shall be paid 200 percent of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours. The COLA is also included in the computation of holiday pay. Sample computation: [(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%]. If an employee worked in excess of eight hours (over time work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day. Sample computation: [Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked]; If an employee worked during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her daily rate of 200 percent. Sample computation: [(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%]+ (30% [Daily rate x 200%)]; and If an employee worked in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day. Sample computation: (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked). Any inquiries about this release? Please call the nearest DOLE Regional Office (for Metro Manila, DOLE National Capital Region Office at tel. no. 400-6011, or the Bureau of Working Condition at 527 3000 local 301 to 308. You may also call the DOLE Hotline at 527-8000. |TOP| To maintain industrial peace, DOLE moves fast, averts strike at largest industrial paper manufacturing company Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph Escalating adjudication efforts to maintain industrial peace in the regions, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has averted what could have been debilitating strike at the United Pulp and Paper Company Inc. in Calumpit Bulacan. The efficacy of the DOLEs labor adjudication and arbitration has again preserved more jobs and maintained a stable and just climate of industrial relations beneficial to both workers and employers in the regions, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis -Baldoz said. The fast resolution of the labor case resulted to an economic package amounting to P13.9 million which benefitted 220 workers.

United Pulp and Paper Company Inc.is located at km. 48 Mc Arthur Highway, Bo. Iba Este, Calumpit Bulacan. The biggest industrial paper manufacturing company employs more than 400 workers. In his report to Baldoz, National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) executive director Reynaldo Ubaldo said the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Board (RCMB III) had settled the case involving the United Pulp Paper Co, Inc. Employees Union, which sought RCMB IIIs assistance after filing a notice of strike due to Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) deadlock on 7 March 2013. The union is an affiliate of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) representative for collective bargaining purposes of its 220 rank-and-file level employees of the company. The amicable settlement of the dispute was realized through a series of conciliation-mediation conferences presided by conciliator-mediator Nelson N. Valerio, to which both parties acceded with the support and supervision of the RCMB. On 21 March, the parties agreed to a settlement which includes provisions such as wage increase of P1,475 shall be granted on the 4th and 5th year of service; performance based incentive; long service award of P1,500 for those workers who have rendered 15th and 20th, 30th, and 35th years in the service; bereavement amounting to P17,500; scholarship stipend of P1,100; annual medical allowance and hospitalization of P13,000 each; workers education fund of P20,000 per year; PAG-IBIG monthly premium of P150; and availment of calamity loans. The parties also agreed that earlier CBA negotiations embodied in various minutes of the meeting at the plant level shall be integrated in the last two years of their existing CBA covering the year 2013 to 2014. Baldoz lauded the prompt action of NCMBs corps of conciliator-mediators in settling the dispute through peaceful means. A good number of resolved cases of labour disputes only proves that amicable settlement is indeed the best way to solved labour controversy, understanding the rights of both management and workers is a key towards a better, efficient and more productive workforce, Baldoz said. |TOP| DFA-OAVS, COMELEC,The Filipino Channel Expand Overseas Voting Information Campaign Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 5 April 2013 - ABS-CBNs The Filipino Channel (TFC), the Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat (DFA-OAVS), and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) launched two new public service announcements (PSAs) on March 25, which were aired on TFC via cable television, satellite, video-on-demand, internet and mobile platforms in the United States, Japan, Canada, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. The latest PSAs carry the campaign slogan of Saan man kayo sa mundo ... nasa boto nyo ang kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino, which supports and coincides with the DFA -OAVS and COMELECs existing and present information campaign drive carrying the s logan of YOUR VOTE is our future (BOTO NYO kinabukasan namin ) which has been in wide circulation since the start of the overseas absentee voting (OAV) registration period last year. The two PSAs featured DFA-OAVS Chairman and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose S. Brillantes, COMELEC Chairman Sixto S. Brillantes Jr. along with young superstar Kim Chiu and variety show ASAP mainstay and enterprising actor Robi Domingo. One of the PSAs was produced along with Pinoy True Stories hosts and respected reporters Maan Macapagal, Atom Araullo and multi-awarded anchor Ted Failon. They join last years endorsers Boy Abunda, Pokwang, Eric Santos, Randy Santiago and Piolo Pascual in conveying the message Your vote is our (every Filipinos) future. All Philippine Embassies, Consulates, Mission and Manila Economic and Cultural Offices (MECOs) have been enthusiastically disseminating information on overseas voting as early as January through various mediums like circulars, announcements, among others. Foreign Service representatives also promote overseas voting and its importance as well as everyones significant participation during community gatherings, events, picnics, sports activities and similar activities. Each and every Foreign Service Establishment has its own innovative way of spreading and promoting overseas voting through FAQs, flyers, print ads and most important of all, the internet, particularly through websites and social media sites. By the first week of April, DFA-OAVS, COMELEC and TFC will go one step further in improving overseas voting awareness by disseminating printed information materials such as posters, flyers, bookmarks and other similar items for all our embassies, consulates, mission and MECOs, which will definitely enhance the information campaign to promote the upcoming electoral exercise abroad. Standees of ABS-CBNs kapamilya stars were also produced to be placed in strategic locations for the same purpose. DFA-OAVS in partnersip with the COMELEC will continue to innovate and improve its strategies to further promote overseas voting designed to increase participation in the coming electoral exercise. Overseas voting for qualified Filipinos will commence on 13 April 2013 and end on 13 May 2013(7:00 p.m. Philippine time). |TOP|

Philippines Hosts ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 4 April 2013 - The Philippines is hosting the first ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights on April 04 to 05 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 event aimed to raise greater awareness and appreciation of human rights, as well as to promote camaraderie among the students and youth of ASEAN. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) collaborated with the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) and the Ateneo Society of International Law (ASIL) in organizing the event sponsored by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the human rights body of ASEAN. Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo, Philippine Representative to the AICHR, opened the event, stating that It is truly an honor for the Philippines to host the ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights. She emphasized that human rights and the participation of the youth play important roles in shaping a people -centered and responsive ASEAN Community. National Youth Commission Chairperson Leon G. Flores III also delivered his remarks. A panel discussion on the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) was held today, April 04, with H.E. Dato Sri Dr. Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, Malaysian Representative to the AICHR, and H.E. Phoukhong Sisoulath, Lao Representative to the AICHR, sharing their insights on the development of the AHRD with the student participants, while Ateneo Human Rights Center Executive Director Atty. Ray Paolo Santiago presented AHDRs main provisions. Members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of government agencies involved in human rights, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, the academe and students from Philippine universities attended the panel discussion. The youth debaters later participated in a workshop on moot court competition focusing on fictional human rights case studies involving practical application of the AHRD and other international human rights instruments. We hope that the ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights organized by the Philippi nes and the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights can serve as a model for human rights education in the region and become a yearly event, said Ambassador Manalo. She added, All of us are part of the same human family and respect human dignity. In this spirit, ASEANs evolving human rights discourse and outreach to the youth should be welcomed and supported. Student participants from the ASEAN countries expressed appreciation for the Philippines hosting of the ASEAN Youth Debate on Human Rights. END |TOP| Filipino I.T. Professional from Auckland Brings Honor to Filipino Community Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 5 April 2013 - Ms. Jayvee Lagunda, an information technology (I.T.) professional working in Auckland brought pride and honor to the Filipino community in New Zealand when she won the title of Global Pinoy Singing Idol 2013. She competed with six regional finalists from San Francisco and Virginia, USA, Australia and Korea in Manila on January 25. She brought home a US$2,500 grand prize. The Filipino Channel (TFC) recently launched the very first Global Talent Search in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Guam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Middle East and the United States. TFC gathers all Filipinos from all over the world and brings out the best Filipino talents. Jayvee Lagunda, won the NZ (New Zealand) TFCKat Title and was chosen to represent the NZ Filipino Community in the TFCKat Grand Finals which was held in Melbourne Australia in October 2012. She competed in the grand finals with other winners from the Australian cities of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Darwin. Jayvee made it as second runner up and made her way to the DZMM World Caravan Global Pinoy Singing Idol which was held in Manila last January 25. On behalf of the Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez conveyed heartiest congratulations to Jayvee who continues to shine and bring out the best of t he Filipino in the performing arts, demonstrating to everyone that the Philippines is home to world class talents. We will be praying for her continued success. Jayvee is now preparing herself for the tough Voice of the Philippines competition. According to her, her sister coaches her techniques and other important aspects for her performance and continues to pray hard for her success. She gave a beautiful rendition of the Philippine national anthem during the meeting of President Benigno S. Aquino III with the Filipino community in Auckland during his State Visit to New Zealand on October 22 to 23, 2012. Jayvee is very artistic, likes to swim, plays sports, loves to sing and enjoys shopping and

travelling. Blessed with talent, courage and determination, success, is only one step ahead for Jayvee who continues to do the Philippines and the Filipino people proud. |TOP| End-March 2013 GIR Rises to US$84.1 Billion Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph Preliminary data showed that the countrys gross international r eserves (GIR) rose to US$84.1 billion as of end-March 2013, higher by US$0.5 billion than the end-February 2013 GIR of US$83.6 billion, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today. At this level, reserves remain adequate to cover 11.9 months worth of imports of goods and payments of services and income. It is also equivalent to 9.9 times the countrys short-term external debt based on original maturity and 6.3 times based on residual maturity. Inflows from the foreign exchange operations and investment income of the BSP, foreign currency deposits by the National Government (NG), as well as revaluation gains on the BSPs gold holdings, contributed to the increase in the end-March 2012 GIR level. These inflows were partly offset, however, by foreign exchange outflows such as payments for maturing foreign exchange obligations by the NG and foreign currency withdrawals by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM). Net international reserves (NIR), which refers to the difference between the BSPs GIR and total short-term liabilities, increased by US$0.5 billion to reach US$84.1 billion as of end-March 2013, compared to the endFebruary 2013 NIR of US$83.6 billion. ------------1 The final data on GIR are released to the public every 19th day of the month in the Statistics section of the BSPs website under the Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS). If the 19th day of the month falls on a weekend or is a non-working holiday, the release date shall be the working day nearest to the 19th. 2 Short-term debt based on residual maturity refers to outstanding external debt with original maturity of one year or less, plus principal payments on medium- and long-term loans of the public and private sectors falling due within the next 12 months. |TOP| DA Chief meets Father of hybrid rice Source: http://www.da.gov.ph Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (2nd from left) meets Professor Yuan Lon gping (middle), Chinas Father of hybrid rice, and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing (left), who called on him, April 1, 2013, at the DA national office in Quezon City. Professor Longpin shared with the DA chief how he developed hybrid rice that made China self-sufficient and a major producer. Currently the Director General of China Hybrid Rice R&D Center, Longpin is in the country to keynote the 1st National Hybrid Rice Congress, April 3-5, 2013, at the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute, in Muoz, Nueva Ecija. During the meeting, Secretary Alcala and Ambassador Ma also discussed the expansion of the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT) in Muoz, including the establishment of 100hectare production areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to field-test PhilSCAT-developed hybrid rice varieties and farm machinery. Also shown with them are SL Agritech Corp. chairman and CEO Henry Lim Bon Liong and former PhilRice director and current DA rice program consultant Dr. Santiago Obien. (Photo by Katrhrino Resurreccion, DA Information Service) |TOP| DAR Farmers Receive Grant from DOLE Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph DUMAGUETE CITYAgrarian reform beneficiaries belonging to the Barangay Liptong Small Coconut Farmers Association (Bliscofa) recently received a decorticating machine worth P760,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). With its farming assistance program, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) proposed to DOLE this processing machine for mass production of virgin coconut oil (VCO) that the farmers organization can venture into. Aside from its health benefits, the market for VCO is huge and is yet to be exploited. A ccording to the domestic and foreign markets, it is expected to grow at 30 percent annually, said Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Stephen Leonidas. Studies made show that VCO helps to control body weight. It also helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics. It is also an excellent moisture for dry skin. The coconut by-product processing project is composed of six machines for decorticating, pressing, unraveling, twining, spooling and waving coconut husks into coco coir. These coco coirs are produced into coco net logs which are used in textile production and coco nets which controls soil erosion. The DAR prepared and submitted the project proposal to DOLE for the decorticating machine. The skills

training which was conducted for the operators and workers before the launching of the project, was funded and assisted by DAR and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). This project aims to maximize the use of coconut to augment the coconut farmers and generate jobs for the local residents, said Leonidas. |TOP| SK Orientation-Workshop on HIV, AIDS held Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph Tuguegarao City - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Social Welfare and Development in Cagayan Valley region jointly held a two-day Orientation-Workshop on HIV and AIDS for the local youth leaders. The activity, which is one of a series of activities targeted for implementation this year by the Regional AIDS Assistance team (RAAT) composed of the DILG, DOH and DSWD, was held on February 27-28, 2013 at Hotel Kimikarlai here. In attendance were 72 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) City/Municipal Federation Presidents or their duty authorized representatives. They came from the mainland provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. In his message, DILG regional director Rolando L. Rafael said the activity was in accordance with Republic Act 8504, otherwise known as the Philippines AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998. The law, enacted during the Ramos Administration, provides for the promotion of public awareness about the dreaded Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) through massive information and education campaign. Rafael urged the participants to play the curial role as HIV and AIDS champions or advocates, As such, they are expected to help facilitate local response to prevent the spread of the disease by developing and implementing appropriate programs and projects to promote the welfare of the youth in their communities. The youth, according to health authorities and recent studies, are at high risk of contracting HIV due to their risky practices and behavior and low level of knowledge. Also vulnerable to the disease are men-havingsex-with-men (MSM), heterosexuals, commercial sex workers or the so-called people in prostitution (PIP) and injecting-drug users (IDUs) In their respective messages, both DOH RD Rio L. Magpantay and DSWD RD Violeta A. Cruz exhorted the participants to keep on learning and sharing with their peers vital information about control of HIV and AIDS and to continue joining the fight against the disease because it kills. A PLIV or person-living-with-HIV (name withheld) gave a testimony purposely to discourage the participants from engaging in risky practices so as not to acquire HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. The activity culminated with a workshop on the preparation of the SK Roadmap (Action Plan) for HIV and AIDS. This was facilitated by LGOO V Elsbeth T. Maralli, DILG Regional RAAT Focal Person. - Vincent G. Dela Rosa |TOP|

Last Updated:
Google

05 APRIL 2013

Please

President Benigno S. Aquino III attends the meeting with local leaders and the community at the Calamba City Hall Grounds in Calamba City, Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 05). The Liberal Party was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III speaks before local leaders and the community at the Calamba City Hall Grounds in Calamba City, Laguna on Friday (April 05). Team PNoy includes Aurora Lone District Representative Juan Edgardo Sonny Angara, former National Youth Commission chairperson Paolo Benigno Bam Aquino IV, former Akbayan Partylist Representative Ana Theresia Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Francis Chiz Escudero, former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Mary Grace PoeLlamanzares, Senator Loren Legarda, former Senators Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal and Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., Senators Aquilino Martin Koko Pimentel III and Antonio Trillanes IV, and former Las Pias Representative Cynthia Villar. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Lauro Montellano Jr. / Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Liberal Party supporters upon arrival for the meeting with local leaders and the community at the Sta. Cruz Town Plaza in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 05). The LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III answer questions during an ambush interview at the Town Plaza in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 5), with him are Team PNoy Senatorial Candidates Riza Hontiveros and Jamby Madrigal. The LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III acknowledges Liberal Party supporters upon arrival for the meeting with local leaders and the community at the Sta. Cruz Town Plaza in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 05). With him on stage are Team PNoy Senatorial Candidate Riza Hontiveros and Jamby Madrigal. The LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III endorses the Liberal Party candidates for the May 13, 2013 midterm election from Laguna Province, headed by Laguna 4th District Representative and LP Gubernatorial candidate Edgar San Luis during the meeting with local leaders and the community at the Sta. Cruz Town Plaza in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 05). LP was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the meeting with local leaders and the Community at the Sta. Cruz Town Plaza in Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 05, 2013). The President appeals to the people of Laguna to vote for LP candidates in the province headed by LP Governatorial candidate Edgar "Egay" San Luis. Team PNoy includes Aurora Lone District Representative Juan Edgardo Sonny Angara, former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Paolo Benigno Bam Aquino IV, former Akbayan Partylist Representative Ana Theresia Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Francis Chiz Escudero, former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Senator Loren Legarda, former Senators Maria Ana Consuelo Jamby Madrigal and Ramon Magsaysay, Jr., Senators Aquilino Martin Koko Pimentel III and Antonio Trillanes IV, and former Las Pias Representative Cynthia Villar. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes baller bands to the crowd after leading the Ceremonial Launching of the Department of Public Works and Highways Laguna Lake Development Authority (DPWH-LLDA) Flood Control and River Protection Convergence Project in Barangay Santisima Cruz, Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April

05). The Php180-million project will benefit 17,896 residents from Barangays Santisima Cruz, Sto. Angel Central and Norte and Poblacion 3. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III, assited by DPWH Region IV-A Director Engineer Huillio Belleza, leads the Ceremonial Launching of the Department of Public Works and Highways Laguna Lake Development Authority (DPWH-LLDA) Flood Control and River Protection Convergence Project in Barangay Santisima Cruz, Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 05). The Php180-million project will benefit 17,896 residents from Barangays Santisima Cruz, Sto. Angel Central and Norte and Poblacion 3. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III focuses on the project briefing on the Department of Public Works and Highways Laguna Lake Development Authority (DPWH-LLDA) Flood Control and River Protection Convergence Project by LLDA general manager and Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection Neric Acosta and DPWH Region IV-A Director Engineer Huillio Belleza during the Ceremonial Launching in Barangay Santisima Cruz, Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 05). The Php180million project will benefit 17,896 residents from Barangays Santisima Cruz, Sto. Angel Central and Norte and Poblacion 3. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Ryan Lim / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III, assited by Laguna Lake Development Authority general manager and Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection Neric Acosta and DPWH Region IV-A Director Engineer Huillio Belleza, leads the ceremonial launching of the Department of Public Works and Highways Laguna Lake Development Authority Flood Control and River Protection Convergence Project in Barangay Santisima Cruz, Sta. Cruz, Laguna on Friday (April 05). The Php180million project will benefit 17,896 residents from Barangays Santisima Cruz, Sto. Angel Central and Norte and Poblacion 3. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau)