Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for September 17 , 2013 Tuesday , 4 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 7 Weather Watch,
OFW Watch, 11 Regl. Watch 1 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News , 6 Photonews

1. Weather Watch
about an hour ago WEATHER-ADVISORY: 24HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST Issued @:5am, 17Sept2013 Synopsis: At 4AM today, the center of TD "ODETTE" was est. based on all available data at 830 km East of Tuguegarao City 17.9N,130.7E with max sustnd winds of 55 kph. It is forecast to move West at 7 kph. SW Monsoon affcting Central and Southern LUZ and VIS.FRCAST:Metro Manila and the rest of LUZ and VIS will have cloudy skies with light to mod rainshowers and thnderstrms. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isoltd rainshowers or thnderstrms.Mod to strong winds blowing from the SW to South will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will

be mod to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to mod coming from the SW to south with slight to mod seas. OCD5/PAGASA

2. Weather Watch
2 hours ago DZMM: Bahagyang lumakas ang bagyong Odette habang kumikilos sa karagatan ng Pilipinas. Huling namataan ang bagyo sa layong 830km silangan ng Tuguegarrao, Cagayan, taglay ang lakas ng hangin na 55kph malapit sa gitna at kumikilos pakanluran hilagang kanluran sa bilis na 7kph.

3. Weather Watch
4 hours ago PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST Issued at: 5:00AM 17 September 2013 SYNOPSIS: At 4:00 am today, the center of Tropical Depression Odette was estimated based on all available data at 830 km East of Tuguegarao City (17.9N,130.7E) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph. It is forecast to move West at 7 kph. Southwest monsoon affecting southern Luzon and Visayas. FORECAST: Metro Manila, and the rest of Luzon and Visayas will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest to south with slight to moderate seas. Over METRO MANILA Maximum Temperature : 1:50 PM Yesterday --- 28.7C Minimum Temperature : 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 24.3C Maximum Relative Humidity : 6:00 AM Yesterday --- 100 % Minimum Relative Humidity : 2:00 PM Yesterday --- 80 % High Tide Today : 7:39 AM ..... 1.17 Meter Low Tide Today : 3:40 PM .. 0.09 Meter High Tide Today : 9:50 PM ..... 1.56 Meter Sunrise Today : 5:45 AM Sunset Today : 5:56 PM Moonrise Today : 4:07 PM Moonset Tomorrow : 4:17 AM Illumination Today : 92 %

5Like Share

4. Weather Watch
13 hours ago GMA-7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras -Isang maulang linggo ang inaasahan natin ngayong naging bagyo na kasi ang LPA na mino-monitor ng PAGASA diyan sa may silangan ng Luzon. -Pinangalanan itong tropical depression na si Odette na huling namataan 930 kms sa may silangan ng Casiguran, Aurora. -Taglay nito ang lakas ng hangin na umaabot sa 45 kph at kumikilos pa kanluran, hilagang kanluran sa bilis na 7 kph. -Dahil sa hanging habagat na pinalalakas ng bagyong Odette, asahan na ang malakas na pag-ulan sa may Central at Southern Luzon kasama na ang buong Visayas. -Sa parehong datos ng PAGASA at Weather Central, posibleng lumakas pa ang bagyong Odette sa susunod na mga araw. -Kahit na mababa ang tsansa nitong mag landfall sa extreme Northern Luzon ay palalakasin nito ang hanging habagat kaya asahan na natin ang maulang linggo partikular sa Luzon. -Sa five days forecast ng Weather Central sa Metro Manila, makikita na magiging maulan sa susunod na limang araw kaya ngayon pa lang ay dapat handa na tayo. -Ang ibang bahagi ng Luzon ay magiging makulimlim at maulan rin lalong lalo na sa Hilagang bahagi kabilang na ang Baguio at Dagupan. -Makakaranas din ng epekto ng habagat ang malaking bahagi ng Visayas at makulimlim na may mga paguulan rin ang mararanasan sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao. For more information and queries, log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph or please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877.

5. Weather Watch
14 hours ago ABS-CBN: Tuluyan nang naging tropical depression ang binabantayang LPA kung saan tinawag na itong bagyong Odette. Huling namataan ang nasabing bagyo sa layong 930 km silangan ng Casiguran, Aurora na may lakas ng hangin na 45 kph at kumikilos ng pa-West Northwest sa bilis na 7 kph. Kung tatama man ng kalupaan ang bagyong Odette ay posible nitong tumbukin ang Batanes area o ilang bahagi ng Extreme Northern Luzon. Inaasahan namang mananatili sa PAR ang nasabing bagyo hanggang Huwebes kung saan hahatakin o paiigtingin nito ang hanging Habagat. Samantala, asahan naman ang maulang panahon sa buong Luzon bukas kung saan mas malakas na ulan ang inaasahan sa western section nito kasama na ang Metro Manila. Magiging maulap at maulan naman ang panahon sa buong Visayas habang asahan sa Mindanao ang maulap na panahon na may mahihinang pag-ulan. . For more information and queries, log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph or please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877

6. Weather Watch
15 hours ago DZRH: Sinira ng pinaniwalaang ipu-ipo ang may 10 bahay sa Caloocan City. Nangyari ang pagtama ng napakalakas na hangin habang umuulan ng malakas sa Road 4, Extention Street, Maypajo, Caloocan City dakong 2:00 ng hapon. Nawasak ang mga dingding at tinangay ang mga bubong ng mga bahay dahilan para maapektuhan ang may 10 ring pamilya sa naturang area.

7. Weather Watch
16 hours ago LPA east of Casiguran now Tropical Depression 'Odette'

Weather Watch

September 17 , 2013 ( Tuesday )

as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE LAGUNA BATANGAS RIZAL QUEZON

: : : : :

Cloudy and Drizzling Cloudy Cloudy with Scattered rainshowers Partly Cloudy with Scattered rainshowers Mostly Cloudy

PIA

Regional Watch

1. PIA Regional Watch

2 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Municipal Goverment of Los Banos celebrates the town's398th Founding Anniversary with a theme "Isang Malinis na Kapaligiran, Disiplinadong Mamamayan, .Matatag na Pinuno para sa Progresibong Bayan" at the Old Municipal Hall in Brgy. Mayondon,this municipality.

2. PIA Regional Watch

2 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isang jobs fair ang isinasagawa sa Provincial auditurium ngayong araw kung saan may 14 na lokal at 4 na international companies ang nakilahok.Layon nitong makapagbigay ng akmang trabaho sa mga Batangueno.

3. PIA Regional Watch

2 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Municipal Government of Los Banos leads today, September 17, 2013, the celebration of the town's 398th Founding Anniversary at the Old Municipal Hall in Brgy. Mayondon, this municipality.

4. PIA Regional Watch

3 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isinasagawa ngayon ang career orientation program at anti drug abuse campaign na magkatuwang na itinaguyod ng PNP at tanggapan ni 4th district Cong.Wheng Africa sa may anim na pampublikong sekondaryang paaralan sa bayan ng Taysan.Layon nitong maituro sa mga mag-aaral ang tamang pagpili ng kurso gayundin ang pag-iwas sa ipinagbabawal na droga.

5. PIA Regional Watch

September 14 via mobile PIA IVA/QUEZON: The provincial gender and development (PGAD) office will conduct 'monitoring and evaluation' seminar on gender and development (GAD) programs to be held on Sept. 17-18 at Queen Margaret Hotel, Lucena City. The seminar will encourage the municipal mayors to mainstream GAD programs in the barangays.

6. PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will speed up the construction of eco-tourism road to meet the target date of completion on 2015. According to DPWH-Quezon 2nd District Engr. Cely Flancia, if the eco-tourism road completed, this will lessen the traffic congestion in Sariaya, Quezon and will boost the economy in the said area. The eco-tourism road will connect Sariaya Town and Lucena City.

7. PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: Police Senior Supt. Edwin Tapay Erni, PNP IVA deputy regional director for administration led the turn-over of office of the new Quezon PNP provincial director held today at Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City. Police Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos was replaced by Police Senior Supt. Ronaldo Ilagan as new PNP provincial director. Carlos said that on his eight-month stint as provincial director, he increased the low morale of police officers in the delivery of service to the public.

8. PIA Regional Watch

23 hours ago near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: The Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) warns the public against threats and intimidations of New People's Army (NPA) geared towards winning seats in the upcoming barangay elections through their political bets. SOLCOM commander Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo, AFP said the military troops have been monitoring NPA liaisons now working with political candidates supported by the rebel groups on alert status in their areas of responsibilities.

9. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isa sa isinusulong sa lungsod ng Lipa ang tamang paghihiwalay ng basurang nabubulok at di nabubulok upang mas maipatupad ang pagkakaroon ng malinis at maayos na kapaligiran.

10. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Land Transportation Office based in San Pablo City is now fully computerized and joins 149 other LTO district offices operating nationwide under a computerized environment. Under the system, the public are now assured of genuine documents.

11. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday near Quezon City PIA-4A/QUEZON: TESDA Quezon provincial office in partnership with DOLE-Quezon and public employment service office of Quezon will be holding jobs fair at SM city Lucena event center on September 19. This is intended for Tekbok graduates and other jobseekers in the province.

A. QUEZON

1. Tagalog news: 500 wheel chairs, ipinamahagi sa mga nangangailangan

BY: RUEL M. ORINDAY Friday 13th of September 2013

LUNGSOD NG LUCENA, Quezon, Set. 13 (PIA) -- Ang Rotary Club mula sa Estados Unidos at Canlubang, Laguna ay namahagi kamakailan ng 500 wheel chairs sa mga taong nangangailangan sa lungsod at karatig bayan. Sinabi ni William Bill Bidden ng RC 7670 ng North Carolina at team leader ng wheel chair distribution na dumating sila sa Pilipinas, partikular sa Lucena at lalawigan ng Quezon, ito ay upang ipakita umano kung paano manilbihan ang mga Rotarian sa mga taong nangangailangan. Idinagdag din nito na siya ay napamahal na sa mga Pilipino kayat sa Pilipinas niya nais magdala ng paninilbihan. Sinabi naman ni Immediate Past President ng Rotary Club ng Cabuyao circle na si Liezel Castro Ampatuan na pangalawang beses na nilang isinagawa ang ganitong programa at ninais ng kanilang grupo na sa Quezon naman dalhin ang programang ito dahil sa tingin nila ay marami rin ang nangangailangan ng ganitong kagamitan. Ang mga wheel chair na nagkakahalaga ng may $500 bawat isa ay isa-isang ipinamahagi ng Rotary Club Lucena South kasama nina Mayor Roderick DonDon Alcala at dating Congressman Irvin Alcala sa mga mapapalad na mamamayan ng lungsod at mga karatig bayan nito gaya ng Tayabas, Pagbilao at Sariaya. Lubos naman ang ginawang pasasalamat ng lahat ng mga taong nabiyayaan ng libreng na wheel chair.(RMO, PIA-Quezon/ PIO Lucena)

B. CAVITE 1. Several disability groups complete livelihood skills training

BY: RUEL B. FRANCISCO Monday 16th of September 2013 CARMONA, Cavite, Sept. 16 (PIA) --Known for its best practices when it comes to Person

with Disability, the local government through Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in cooperation with the National Council on Disability Affairs Office recently completed the three-day livelihood seminar on paper-based technology for several disability groups. Held at the PDAO in Carmona Elementary School in Barangay 8 last August 22 to 24, the seminar on "Business Model Plan and Development Training and Upgrading Appropriate Paper-Based Technology" was attended and participated by the members of the People with Disability Organization in Carmona, Cavite, Kilusan Kabalikat ng may Kapansanan para sa Kinabukasan (4K) and the PDAO Entrepreneurial Program. During the seminar, NCDA Technical Cooperation Division, Chief Dandy Victa and Assistant Chief Nelia De Jesus shared and demonstrated the techniques in ensuring the quality of their products such as chairs and tables made out of cardboard boxes and strategies in enriching the business. Paper-based technology is an inexpensive way to produce designed furniture or other items for use and creativity. Recycled materials like waste paper, thin card and ridged cardboard boxes are needed including flour for paste and varnish to seal the completed items. Products made of these materials should use indoor. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite/Carmona MIO)

C. LAGUNA 1. Laguna joins 24th Philippine Travel Mart exhibit Monday 16th of September 2013
STA. CRUZ, Laguna, Sept. 16 (PIA) --The Provincial Government of Laguna through Laguna Tourism, Culture, Arts and Trade Office (LTCATO) joined the 24th Philippine Travel Mart of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) exhibit held September 6 8 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The event, co-presented by the Department of Tourism, is the biggest and longestrunning travel and trade exhibition in the country exclusively dedicated to the promotion and marketing of domestic and inbound tourism. This year's theme is "Travel More. Live More. It's more fun in the Philippines". Laguna showcased its tourist attractions and destinations and products in a Travel Fair Booth under the Provincial Category. The exhibit was designed by LTCATO headed by Delto Abarquez, Jr. This year's event was joined by more than 200 local exhibitors countrywide ranging from

national government agencies, local government units, travel agencies, resorts, hotels, casinos, and airlines. Featured activities aside from the booth exhibition also included cultural dance competitions, quiz bee, singing contest, and Filipino costume design competition. In the Patimpalak ng Kasuotang Filipino (costume design contest), model Maureen Enriquez of Luisiana ranked third with her Laguna Costume made from Pandan . ( Edward C. Aquino/PIA-Laguna with reports from Mary Greyz C. Caballes/Analee P. Verge)

D. BATANGAS

1. Tagalog news: P1.5M nakalap sa 'Walk for a Cause' ng Alay Lakad

BY: MAMERTA P. DE CASTRO Monday 16th of September 2013

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Set. 16 (PIA) -- Nakakalap ng mahigit P1.5M ang Alay Lakad Foundation Inc. (ALFI) Batangas Chapter sa isinagawang Walk for A Cause kamakailan. Ang programa na nasa ika-41 beses nang isinasagawa ay may temang "Pusong Ala-eh Lakad Natin ito, Nagbubuklod, Nagtataguyod ng Kabataang Batangueo". Layunin nitong makalikom ng pondo na magagamit para sa pagpapaunlad ng buhay ng mga kabataan lalo na ang mga out-of school youth (OSY). Sinabi ni ALFI Batangas president Llanda Bolilia, patuloy ang pakikiisa ng iba't ibang sangay ng pamahalaang lokal at nasyonal, mga pribadong organisasyon, pribadong mamamayan at iba pa sa mga proyekto ng samahan sapagkat maraming mga kabataan ang nakikinabang dito. Para sa taong 2013-2014, may 48 scholar ang kasalukuyang sinusuportahan ng ALFI kung saan 23 ay nasa sekondarya at 25 ay nasa kolehiyo. Bunsod nito, may kabuuang P557,500 ang educational assistance na ipinagkaloob sa mga scholars na ito simula Hunyo hanggang Disyembre ng taon. Sa mensahe naman ni Governor Vilma Santos Recto, sinabi nito na dapat magpatuloy ang pagkakaisa ng mga Batangueo upang makagawa ng malaking tulong sa mga nangangailangan. Ang taunang Alay lakad na isinasagawa at sinusuportahan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ay isang malaking pakinabang para sa lahat ng mga kabataang Batangueno. Nanumpa naman sa harap ng gobernador ang mga opisyal ng ALFI na pinangunahan ng

presidente nito na si Llanda Bolilia. Samantala, nakamit ng Department of Education ang tatlong special awards kabilang ang best uniform, biggest delegation at biggest contributor. (CPG/MPDC-PIA4A Batangas)

2. Taglog news: 50 katao nagtapos sa ilalim ng Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal

BY: MAMERTA P. DE CASTRO Monday 16th of September 2013 LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Set. 16 (PIA) -- May 50 katao ang nagtapos sa pagsasanay sa structural welding, scaffolding, food and beverage servicing at consumer electronics servicing sa ilalim ng Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) noong Setyembre 11, 2013 sa lungsod na ito. Ang SKIL ay magkakatuwang na itinaguyod ng Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI),Technical Education Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Lyceum of the Phils. University-Batangas, Keppel Philippines Marine Inc. at Jolibee Foods Corp. Sa mensahe ni Edgardo Veron Cruz, executive director ng PSFI, sinabi nito na dapat ay pahalagahan ang pag-aaral ito man ay isang kursong bokasyunal sapagkat ito ang magbibigay ng tagumpay sa isang tao. Aniya, hindi dapat maliitin ang kursong technicalvocational sapagkat karamihan sa mga ito ay nagdudulot ng mas madaling pagkuha ng trabaho kaysa sa mga nagtapos ng apat na taong kurso. Ayon naman kay Cirilo Baylosis, HRD at admin manager ng Keppel Phils. Marine Inc., sumasailalim sa 15 araw na pagsasanay sa Keppel Batangas upgrading and training center ang lahat ng kukuha ng scaffolding. Kapag natapos na nila ito ay sasailalim sila sa 800-man hours apprenticeship sa Kepple shipyard. Sinabi pa ni Baylosis na karamihan sa mga sinanay nila ay kinukuha na din ng kumpanya para magtrabaho dito lalo na at madaming tao ang kelangan nila upang mas maging maganda ang kanilang mga ginagawang barko. Ang mga kumukuha naman ng structural welding ay sumasailalim sa 45 na pagsasanay at 1200 manhours na apprenticeship upang mas lalong mapalawig sa kanilang kaalaman. Marami namang mga out-of school youth ang nabibiyayaan ng food and beverage servicing kung saan itinuturo ang tamang kaalaman sa fastfood servicing. Sumasailalim sa anim na buwang pagsasanay katuwang ang Lyceum of the Phils. University-Batangas ang mga OSY at dito itinuturo ang paghahanda ng mga pagkain,commercial cooking at tamang pagbebenta nito. Kapag natapos ito ay sasailalim sila sa pagsusulit sa Tesda upang mabigyan ng F and B and commercial cooking NCII Accreditation. Katuwang din dito ang Jolibee Foods Corp. kung saan nagsasanay dito sa loob ng walong buwan ang mga benepisaryo. Ang consumer electronics servicing naman ay isinasagawa ng Tesda kung saan sumasailalim sa tatlong buwang pagsasanay at pagkatapos ay kinakailangang kumuha ng Tesda NC II Accreditation. Sumasailalim din ang mga benepisaryo sa 10 buwang on the-job-training sa

mga kumpanyang tulad ng Panasonic. Kaalinsabay ng pagtatapos ng 50 benepisaryo ay ang muling paglagda ng mga nabanggit na kumpanya upang ipagpatuloy ang programang ito na malaki na ang naitutulong sa mga mamamayang Batangueo. (CPG/MPDC-PIA Batangas)

E. RIZAL

13 SEPTEMBER 2013.

President Aquino declares September 18 as special non-working day in Zamboanga Del Sur in celebration of its 61st Foundation Day Palace says claim that President Aquino spent several hours with Janet Napoles on the day of her surrender is fiction
President Aquino declares September 18 as special non-working day in Zamboanga Del Sur in celebration of its 61st Foundation Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared September 18, which falls on a Wednesday, as a special (nonworking) day in the province of Zamboanga del Sur in celebration of its 61st Foundation Day. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 642 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on August 22 to give the people of Zamboanga del Sur the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. Zamboanga province, which encompassed the entire peninsula in the southwestern Mindanao, was divided into Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur by virtue of Republic Act No. 711 in 1952. Zamboanga del Sur became the 52nd province in the Philippines and Pagadian City was named its capital. A third province in the Western Mindanao peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay, was created in 2001. PND (js) TOP Palace says claim that President Aquino spent several hours with Janet Napoles on the day of her surrender is fiction Malacanang denied the claim of a former senator that President Benigno S. Aquino III spent several hours in closed-door conversations with Janet Lim Napoles on August 28 - the day of her surrender.

"The claim of Marcos-era Public Information Minister and former Senator Francisco S. Tatad that the President spent several hours in closed-door conversations with Janet Lim Napo les on Wednesday, August 28, 2013, is pure fiction," the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS) said in a statement released on Monday. Contrary to the claim of the former senator, the OPS said the Chief Executive attended the 8th East Asia Conference on Competition Law and Policy at Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City at 10 a.m. and the 27th Apolinario Mabini Awarding Ceremony at the Malacanang Palace's Heroes Hall at 1:30 p.m. "The storyline pushed by Tatad is an obvious fabrication. The President was at two high-profile events at 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. with hundreds of attendees. At both events the President also delivered speeches, the videos of which are now collectively embedded on the Presidents Day page for August 28, 2013," the OPS sa id in response to the senator's Manila Standard Today First Things First column dated Sept. 16. The former senator claimed that Napoles arrived at Malacaang Palace at 10:27 a.m., accompanied by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. He said Napoles remained in a room for the next six hours, meeting behind closed doors with the President, Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas, and Lacierda. Other cabinet members who supposedly joined the meeting were Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Secretary of Budget and Management Florencio Abad, and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa. "Secretary Abad denies having gone to the Palace at all on that day. He was at his office from 12:15 p.m. until having to leave for a 3:00 p.m. meeting in Quezon City and from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. was at the DILG to meet with some organizers and attendees of the One Million People March," the OPS statement said. "This administration believes in truthful and transparent reportage, which the former Marcos-appointee may not be accustomed to," the OPS said. The OPS also released anew the Presidents official working schedule for August 28. After attending the 8th East Asia Conference on Competition Law and Policy and the 27th Apolinario Mabini Awarding Ceremony, the President had a meeting with Ochoa and the officials of the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Finance at the Malacanang Palace's Study Conference Room at 3 p.m. before heading to a meeting with the Secretary of Transportation and Communications (SOTC), among others also at the Study Conference Room. PND (js) TOP

13 SEPTEMBER 2013. 16 SEPTYEMBRE 2013 Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Setyembre 18 sa Zamboanga Del Sur dahil sa ika-61 anibersaryo ng lalawigan

Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Setyembre 18 sa Zamboanga Del Sur dahil sa ika-61 anibersaryo ng lalawigan

Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Setyembre 18 na natapat sa araw ng Miyerkoles, bilang pista opisyal para sa lalawigan ng Zamboanga del Sur dahil sa ika-61 Taon ng Pagkatatag ng lalawigan. Inilagda ng Pangulong Aquino ang deklarasyon sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 642 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Agosto 22 upang bigyan nang lubos na pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Zamboanga del Sur na makapagdiwang at lahukan ang mga seremonya at programang nakatakdang idaos kaugnay ng anibersaryo ng pagkatatag ng lalawigan. Ang lalawigan ng Zamboanga na binubuo ng buong tangway o peninsula sa timog kanlurang Mindanao ay hinati bilang Zamboanga del Norte at Zamboanga del Sur sa pamamagitan ng Batas ng Republika Blg. 711 noong 1982. Ang Zamboanga del Sur ang naging ika-52 lalawigan ng Pilipinas. Lungsod ng Pagadian naman ang ginawang ulung-bayan nito. Pangatlong lalawigan sa Tangway ng Kanlurang Mindanao ang Zamboanga Sibugay na nilikha

noong 2011. PND (js/zaf) TOP

ONLINE NEWS
16 SEPTEMBER 2013
13th National PESO Congress in Palo, Leyte to take up role of PESOs in promoting decent work Baldoz Jordan issues new rules in facilitating departure of domestic workers from the Kingdom CALABARZON scholarship applicants all set for September 22 qualifying exam Building improvement in OWWA RWO II aimed at better service to OFWs Money for OFW e-link project wisely spentCacdac Foreign Portfolio Investments decline in August Personal Remittances continue to rise, July inflows exceed US$2 billion for the fourth consecutive month Ilocos Norte ready for Business Process Management Industry BOC orders all personnel back to mother unit Govt flies 209 trapped Hajj pilgrims out of Zamboanga City Q & A on the status of the Peace Process between the GPH and MNLF Secretary Del Rosario visits UAE, seeks investments and greater protection for Filipino workers ASEAN and China launch official consultations on Code of Conduct in South China Sea; Phl calls for deliberate and rules-based process in moving forward 14. DOST irons out cooperation to boost export strength of PH metals & engg sector 15. Honest Immigration Officer returns Parayno's $US1,000 16. Ivatan farmers receive farm machineries 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 1. 13th National PESO Congress in Palo, Leyte to take up role of PESOs in promoting decent workBaldoz Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced that the 13th National PESO Congress, to be held in Palo, Leyte on 24-27 September will train the limelight on the important role of Public Employment Service Offices in promoting decent work. I am pleased to note that the PESOPhil, Inc., which is a principal partner of the DOLE in employment facilitation, has decided on the theme, PESO, Kabalikat at Gabay sa Disente at Matatag na Paghahanap -buhay for the 13th National PESO Congress. This means PESO recognizes the reality that they do have a very important role in promoting and advancing the goal of decent work, said Baldoz. PESOPhil Inc., headed by its national president, Elizabeth Alonzo, is spearheading the annual conduct of the PESO Congress, in coordination with DOLEs Bureau of Local Employment. The PESO Congress will assemble all PESO Managers nationwide to discuss, assess, and share the systems and practices on matters of employment facilitation. More than 700 PESO managers representing the majority of the PESOs will attend the Congress. To date, there are already 1,887 PESOs. Of the said number, 919 PESOs are in Luzon, 497 are in Visayas, and 471 are in Mindanao. Of the 1,887 PESOs, 204 have been institutionalized. About 115 institutionalized PESOs are in Luzon, 56 are in Visayas, and 33 are in Mindanao. Baldoz said the conduct of the PESO Congress is in line with efforts of the government to strengthen public-private

sector partnerships in the pursuit of President Benigno S. Aquino III's overarching goal to nurture and develop the country's human resources, push back joblessness in the grassroots, and strengthen labor and employment facilitation in the country. She said the event is a venue for PESO managers to learn, exchange ideas, and showcase best practices on employment facilitation. The awarding of the Best PESO in the provincial, highly urbanized city, and component city categories is an annual feature of the PESO Congress. The DOLE supports the conduct of the 13th PESO Congress. It is part of the Departments effort to capacitate frontline implementers and PESO managers on employment facilitation services at the grassroots level. The PESO is the DOLEs partner in expanding access to job opportunities and maximizing employment facilitation, said Baldoz, adding that the four-day event is anchored on the state policy of providing full and equal of employment opportunities for all. Aside from Secretary Baldoz who will deliver a welcome address, other invited personalities to the Congress are Senators Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Juan Edgardo M. Angara, and Paolo Benigno Bam Aquino IV; Mayors Remedios Petilla of Palo, Leyte; Gov. Domingo Leopoldo Petilla of Province of Leyte; and Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez of Tacloban City. During the Congress plenary sessions, Director General Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will discuss TESDAs role as PESO partner in the skills development program; Deputy Director Emmanuel Esguerra of the National Economic Development Authority will talk on investment projects for job generation; and Undersecretary Mateo G. Montano will discuss the topic PESO as partner in poverty alleviation program. Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will discuss the benefits and programs for overseas Filipino workers, while Director Catherine Legados-Parado of the DOLEs Bureau of Working Conditions DOLE-BWSC) will discuss the Batas Kasambahay. Baldoz said that the PESOs task of providing counseling and referral to workers, fresh graduates and jobseekers will be crucial in addressing job and skills mismatch, including the provision of livelihood assistance to needy workers, which is a key item in the Presidents 22-point labor and employment agenda. |TOP| 2. Jordan issues new rules in facilitating departure of domestic workers from the Kingdom Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced that the Jordan government has directed all foreign domestic workers who are about to exit the country to visit the Kingdoms Residency and Boarders Department five working days prior the date of his or her departure. Baldoz made the announcement was made after she received an official communication from Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Jesus Yabes of the Department of Foreign Affairs requesting the DOLEs and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administrations (POEA) assistance in disseminating the said directive issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The move was initiated in order to legalize the domestic workers status and ensure that Jordans judicial authorities have not issued any travel ban against him or her, Baldoz explained. Based on an unofficial translation from the Philippine Embassy in Amman, the directive, issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of the Residency and Foreign Affairs Law No. 24, Year 1973 and its amendments, applies to foreign domestic workers who completed their contract and ready to depart but were unable to exit the Kingdom due to the presence of a publication at the security authorities consequent to their absence from the work place and/or to their having existing accumulated penalties. A published labor-related case of a foreign domestic worker about to leave Jordan will be reviewed by the Systemic Civil Court, while security or criminal cases will be handled by the Public Security Directorate of the Ministry of Interior. If the domestic worker does not have any case publication, the Minister of Interior will decide whether he or she is cleared for departure after an endorsement from the Public Security Directorate. The decision will be announced two days after the receipt of such endorsement. Foreign embassies that shelter domestic workers who are unable to exit Jordan because of an existing publication must coordinate with the Public Security Directorate-Residency and Boarders Department for the review of the said publication five days before the domestic workers date of departure. Similarly, embassies sheltering domestic workers subject for deportation, but do not have his or her passport, should also coordinate with the said office before he or she is issued alternate travel documents. This is to give time for the Public Security Directorate to retrieve such document from his or her employer, or recruitment agency, in collaboration with the Human Trafficking Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department. In case that the passport was not found, it is only then that the concerned embassy can issue an alternative travel document, in accordance with relevant Jordanian legislation. Together with the travel documents and reports of birth, foreign embassies should request the Minister of Interior, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to coordinate with the Department of Civil Status for the issuance of birth certificates for children of domestic workers leaving the country. |TOP| 3. CALABARZON scholarship applicants all set for September 22 qualifying exam Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph

Calamba City The RWO IV-A applicants for the Education and Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP) are all braced up for the September 22, 2013 qualifying exam to be administered by the Department of Science and Technology Science Education Institute (DOST- SEI). For the school year 2014-2015, RWO IV-A received a total of 610 EDSP applications while 15 OFW dependents lodged their applications for CMWSP. There are designated testing venues for nationwide examination. For CALABARZON, the applicants residing in Cavite will take the exam at Silang Central School in Silang, Cavite. Batangas applicants will proceed to Gov. Feliciano Leviste Memorial High School in Lemery, Batangas. Laguna and Rizal applicants will go through the test at the University of the Philippines-Los Banos. And, applicants from Quezon will head to Southern Luzon State University in Lucban, Quezon. The regional office has already released test permits as well as sample reviewer to aid the prospective scholars in preparing for the qualifying test. Every year, around 5000 examinees take the EDSP with only the top 100 awarded of the scholarship grant worth Php60, 000 per year. RWO IV-A has consistently produced the most number of successful examinees. For the present school year, the region has twenty EDSP scholars and nine CMWSP. |TOP| 4. Building improvement in OWWA RWO II aimed at better service to OFWs Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph More enhancements are being done in the OWWA RWO II office building since its transfer in July last year inside the Regional Government Center (RGC) in Tuguegarao City. The OWWA building, architecturally designed for ease of transaction between OWWA personnel and OFW clients, was the latest addition to the growing number of government agencies housed inside the RGC compound. Among the new features installed are the grills surrounding the office to shield the large glass panels of the office. RWO II officials opted for glass panel to provide adequate illumination that will help save electricity cost. Concrete fence comprising 37 spans (front and rear only) is also being done consistent with the guidelines set by the RDC 2. The guideline allows for an unobstructed view of individual agency buildings located within the 60-hectare RGC. Last years inauguration of the building was graced by Department of Labor and Employment Under Secretary Danilo P. Cruz, OWWA Deputy Administrator Josefino I. Torres, Acting Regional Development Council 2 (RDC2) Vice-Chair & NEDA OIC Regional Director Mary Anne E.R. Darauay, DOLE RCC members, and a spate of stakeholders, institutional partners and friends from media. |TOP| 5. Foreign Portfolio Investments decline in August Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph Registered portfolio investments for the month of August fell by 60.4 percent to US$999 million from the US$2.5 billion figure in July. Inflows for both PSE-listed securities (US$863 million) and Peso GS (US$136 million) were lower compared to July figures due to: 1) shortened trading weeks brought about by holidays and heavy flooding; 2) hesitancy to invest during the ghost month of August (believed to be unlucky for business); and 3) the possi ble scaling down of the US Federal Reserves (US Fed) quantitative easing (QE) program. Year -on-year, registered investments were likewise lower by 20.4 percent due to heavy sell-offs triggered by news on the US Feds QE program. Outflows for the month declined to US$1.4 billion from US$1.6 billion in July but were higher compared to the figure a year ago (US$868 million). Investments in August were mainly in PSE-listed securities and Peso GS. For PSE-listed securities, the main beneficiaries were: holding firms (US$381 million), property companies (US$127 million), banks (US$121 million), food, beverage and tobacco firms (US$68 million), and telecommunication companies (US$49 million). The United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Luxembourg and Hong Kong were the top five (5) investor countries for the month, with combined share of 76.4 percent. The United States continued to be the main beneficiary of outflows from investments, receiving US$1.1 billion (or 77.6 percent of total). Registration of inward foreign investments with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is voluntary. It entitles the investor or his representative to buy foreign exchange from authorized agent banks and/or their subsidiary/affiliate

foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment. |TOP| 6. Personal Remittances continue to rise, July inflows exceed US$2 billion for the fourth consecutive month Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) for the period January-July 2013 amounted to US$13.9 billion, higher by 6.4 percent compared to the same period a year ago, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. announced today.1 The sustained expansion in remittance flows during the period was driven largely by the 5.2 percent growth in transfers from land-based OF workers with work contracts of one year or more, whose remittances comprised about three-fourths (75.2 percent) of the total. In July, OFs personal remittances rose by 7.4 percent year-on-year to reach US$2.1 billion. This is the fourth consecutive month in 2013 that personal remittances exceeded the US$2 billion mark. Meanwhile, cash remittances from OFs coursed through banks for the first seven months of 2013 reached US$12.6 billion, 5.8 percent higher than the level registered in the comparable period last year. Remittances from both seabased (US$3 billion) and land-based workers (US$9.6 billion) expanded by 7.8 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively. The major sources of cash remittances were the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Canada, and Japan. The steady deployment of OF workers remained the key driver of the growth in remittance flows. Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed that in January-July 2013, approved job orders totaled 495,304, of which about 37 percent were processed job orders mainly for services, production, professional, technical, and related workers. The job orders were mainly intended for the manpower requirements in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Taiwan, Qatar, and Hong Kong. Moreover, efforts of bank and nonbank remittance service providers to expand their international and domestic market coverage and to introduce innovations in their remittance products continue to provide support to the sustained flow of remittances into the country. -----------------1 As defined in Balance of Payments Manual, 6th Edition (BPM6), personal remittances represent the sum of net compensation of employees (i.e., gross earnings of overseas Filipino (OF) workers with work contracts of less than one year, including all sea-based workers, less taxes, social contributions, and transportation and travel expenditures in their host countries), personal transfers (i.e., all current transfers in cash or in kind by OF workers with work contracts of one year or more as well as other household-to-household transfers between Filipinos who have migrated abroad and their families in the Philippines), and capital transfers between households (i.e., the provision of resources of capital purposes, such as for construction of residential houses, between resident and non-resident households without anything of economic value being supplied in return). |TOP| 7. Ilocos Norte ready for Business Process Management Industry Source: http://icto.dost.gov.ph Laoag - Ilocos Norte Next Wave City Ilocos Norte is all set as an Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) destination, awarded as best in infrastructure in the 2012 Next Wave Cities Report. Metro Laoag has all of the elements needed to be a premier Next Wave City (NWC) or an alternative IT-BPM destination to Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Governor Imee Marcos was particular in highlighting the quality of talent available in the Ilocos Norte, While the northern part of the country has a relatively smaller population compared to other provinces, here we dont talk quantity but prefer to talk about quality. The real product of Ilocos Norte is its people, with its spirit of intrepidness and entrepreneurship, one that lends itself to ICT and the exciting new world of digital media. Our abundance of talent in Ilocos Norte can help drive the IT-BPM industry and the services industry to new heights Governor Marcos said. Speaking to local ICT stakeholders, and college students at the Laoag leg of the NWC ICT Road Show, Governor Marcos further added that: Next to talent, our infrastructure is a source of pride for us Ilocanos, we have quality roads, an International Airport and container port as well quality telecommunications connectivity. Contact center provider Expert Global Solutions (EGS) is the first major IT-BPM provider to set up shop in Laoag, citing the availability of quality talent and supportive local government as the major factors contributing to their decision to set up a contact center in the province. Ms. Emmy Lou V. Delin, NWC Program Manager of the DOST-ICT Office is confident that Metro Laoag can easily support more than 15,000 full time employees in the IT-BPM industry by 2016. The abundance of quality educational institutions in Ilocos Norte assures the constant supply of talent, that IT-BPM locators are now seriously looking at expansion in the province, Ilocanos no longer need to leave home to find lucrative careers. Ms. Delfin said.

Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos addresses an audience of more than 400 Ilocano ICT stakeholders and Students at the Laoag Leg of the 2013 Next Wave Cities Road Show. Laoag City was awarded best in Infrastructure in the 2012 Next Wave Cities Report by the IBAP and DOST ICTO. |TOP| 8. BOC orders all personnel back to mother unit Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph As part of continuing efforts to reform the Bureau of Customs, Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon directed all personnel of the Bureau, regardless of rank, position, designation and current assignment, are ordered to return to their mother units. Their current designations or assignments are likewise revoked. With the approval of Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon signed Customs Personnel Order (CPO) No. B-134-2013, mandating all BOC employees to return to their permanent plantilla positions and original units as indicated in their appointment papers. The order further ordered the personnel movement in tranches, to ensure proper turn-over of duties and responsibilities. The first batch of employees affected by the CPO, covering all Supervising Customs Operating Officers (SVCOO) and Customs Operations Officers III (COO III), are relieved of their assignments effective September 13, 2013; the second batch covers all Chief Customs Operations Officers and Customs Operations Officers V (COO V) and revokes their designations by September 15, 2013; while all other officials and employees are relieved of their designations by September 17, 2013. All officials and employees who are affected by the CPO have ten (10) days to report to their permanent units. By September 27, 2013, all employees of the BOC should be back at their respective permanent positions. Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares, Chairperson of the DOF Revenue Cluster, explained that the purpose of the Customs Personnel Order is for the DOF and BOCto take stock of the existing human resource of the Bureau of Customs and assess how best to move forward with the much-needed reforms at the agency. The move was made at the suggestion of Comm. Biazon and with the endorsement of the Revenue Cluster of the Department of Finance. It is integral that we have a clear picture of the plantilla at the Bureau of Customs to streamline operations, eliminate redundant functions and prevent crossing of jurisdictional boundaries, said Comm. Henares. The Department of Finance and the Revenue Agencies are committed to carrying-out sustainable reforms at the Bureau of Customs to institutionalize integrity in the agency and its personnel, rebuild credibility, curb smuggling in all forms and plug the loopholes that create lost revenues for the government. |TOP| 9. Govt flies 209 trapped Hajj pilgrims out of Zamboanga City Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph Manila, Philippines Despite sporadic firefight between security forces and the armed group of Nur Misuari, the government on Thursday managed to fly 209 Hajj pilgrims safely out of Zamboanga City through the international airport which has been closed from commercial traffic for five days now. Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said the 209 pilgrims were part of group of more than 1,000 Filipino Muslims who had been prevented from going to Manila en route to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, due to the outbreak of hostilities in Zamboanga City. The first batch of 100 pilgrims motored on a police-secured convoy from the office of the National Commission on Muslim Affairs (NCMF) to the Zamboanga City International Airport past noon Thursday. The 100 pilgrims flew to Cebu City on board a military C-130 cargo plane around 3:45 p.m. before they proceeded to Manila on board a Cebu Pacific flight. Another batch of 109 pilgrims were also flown out of Zamboanga City at 5:30 p.m. through C-130 plane bound for Cebu City. Both groups are scheduled to fly to Mecca from Manila on Monday to attend the Hajj, the largest gathering of people in the world every year. The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious duty that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so at least once in his or her lifetime. A Muslim who fulfils this condition is called a mustati. Of the trapped pilgrims, 200 came from Zamboanga City, 300 from Sulu, 300 from Tawi-tawi, and 200 from Basilan. The pilgrims had earlier bought plane tickets from Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines for Zamboanga City-to-Manila flights. Ginagawa natin lahat ng paraan para makalabas ng Zamboanga City ang lahat ng Hajj pilgrims nating kababayan.

Matagal nilang pinag-ipunan ang biyaheng ito para sundin ang mahalagang tungkulin na naaayon sa kanilang paniniwala, Roxas said. NCMF Commissioner Mirkarl Allian said he had decided to seek the help of Roxas, who is currently in Zamboanga City, after his fellow Muslims complained that they had no other way to reach Manila en route to Mecca. Due to the hostilities in Zamboanga City, our brothers who had earlier bought plane tickets for Manila cannot leave the region en route to Mecca, Allian explained. Allian said the trapped pilgrims had been advised to register at the NCMF office in Zamboanga City so that the office could schedule their trip to Cebu en route to Manila from September 14 to 16. Roxas said military officials assured him that they would exert best efforts to accommodate all the trapped pilgrims in scheduled C-130 flights leaving Zamboanga City twice a day. Salamat kay Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, kahit abala sila sa pagpapanumbalik ng katahimikan sa Zamboanga City, laging nakahanda ang ating militar na tulungan ang mga kapatid nating Muslim na nasa gipit na kalagayan, Roxas added. |TOP| 10. Q & A on the status of the Peace Process between the GPH and MNLF Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph Updated q and a Gph-mnlf Peace Process by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process - See more at: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/mnlf/news/updated-q-gph-mnlf-peace-process#sthash.Kk5o1uNy.dpuf Updated q and a Gph-mnlf Peace Process by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process - See more at: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/mnlf/news/updated-q-gph-mnlf-peace-process#sthash.Kk5o1uNy.dpuf Updated q and a Gph-mnlf Peace Process by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process - See more at: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/mnlf/news/updated-q-gph-mnlf-peace-process#sthash.Kk5o1uNy.dpuf Updated q and a Gph-mnlf Peace Process by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process - See more at: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/mnlf/news/updated-q-gph-mnlf-peace-process#sthash.Kk5o1uNy.dpuf Updated q and a Gph-mnlf Peace Process by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process - See more at: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/mnlf/news/updated-q-gph-mnlf-peace-process#sthash.Kk5o1uNy.dpuf Updated Q and A GPH-MNLF Peace Process by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process |TOP| 11. Secretary Del Rosario visits UAE, seeks investments and greater protection for Filipino workers Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph 16 September 2013 - Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario visited the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) on September 10 to affirm the excellent ties between the Philippines and the U.A.E. and seek ways to boost the trade and economic relationship of the two countries. He was received by his counterpart, U.A.E. Foreign Minister, H.H. Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two discussed the current state of Philippines-U.A.E. relations, agreed to maintain high-level visits, and exchanged views on various issues of regional importance. Secretary del Rosario noted that the addition of flights between the Philippines and the U.A.E. and the entry of Philippine carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific would significantly impact on trade and strengthen people-to-people links. Secretary del Rosario also expressed hope that cooperation between the countries' free trade zones could be pursued in the near future. The Foreign Secretary took the opportunity to express the Philippine Governments appreciation for the initiatives that the U.A.E. Government has undertaken to improve the conditions of overseas Filipinos in the U.A.E., such as the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, the pending law proposed to accord better protection to domestic workers in the Emirates, and efforts to reach an agreement on a standardized contract for them. After the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Political Consultations between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines (DFA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. The agreement will pave the way for the commencement of regular consultations between the two countries' respective foreign affairs establishments where vital issues of mutual concern can be discussed. The two sides also agreed to work towards the conclusion of two more agreements. The first is a MOU Creating a Joint Committee for Cooperation, which shall facilitate general programs for and coordination between the Philippines and the U.A.E. in the economic, commercial, cultural, judicial, security, and other fields of interest of both countries. The second is a Visa Waiver Agreement for Holders of Diplomatic and Official/Special Passports to promote exchange of visits by diplomats and other government officials. While in the U.A.E., Secretary del Rosario met with H.H. Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, a Senior Member

of the Royal Family and an important Emirati investor and businessman. Secretary del Rosario invited Sheikh Suroor to look into the possibility of investing in the Philippines' infrastructure and tourism and hospitality sectors. The official visit precedes Secretary Del Rosario's participation in the Third High-Level Public-Private Counter Piracy Conference, which was held in Dubai, U.A.E. from September 11 to 12. He was invited by the UAE Government to deliver a statement at the Conference. Secretary Del Rosario was accompanied by Mme. Gretchen Del Rosario, who, as part of her advocacy on women and childrens rights, visited the Ewaa Shelter for Women and Children. The Ewaa, which means to shelter," provides safe and temporary shelter to women and children victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse. It is a charity project of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the founder and first President of the U.A.E. the late H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Secretary del Rosario was also accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to the U.A.E. Grace Relucio-Princesa, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs Petronila P. Garcia, DFA Director Mary Jennifer Dingal, and Protocol Officer Francis Berme. |TOP| 12. ASEAN and China launch official consultations on Code of Conduct in South China Sea; Phl calls for deliberate and rules-based process in moving forward Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph 16 September 2013 - The Philippines attended the 6th Senior Officials Meeting and 9th Joint Working Group on Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea in Suzhou, China on September 14 and 15. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia, Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Teresita V. Barsana, and Assistant Secretary Henry Bensurto, Jr. of the West Philippine Sea Center comprised the Philippine delegation. At the meeting, ASEAN Member States and China held their first official consultation on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. Senior Officials agreed on the process and modality of moving forward. They agreed to continue official consultations on the COC on a regular basis, and make regular reports to Foreign Ministers. They tasked a Joint Working Group (JWG) to hold in-depth discussions on all aspects of the COC, including consideration of expert services that would support the work of official consultations. They also agreed that Senior Officials and the JWG shall hold more frequent meetings on the COC. During the meeting, the Philippines expressed its position that the COC should be legally-binding and be developed through a deliberate process of intergovernmental negotiations. The Philippines also called for respect for principles of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, particularly the non-use of force or coercion. The Philippines shared its views on the work of the Joint Working Group on the COC. Undersecretary Garcia pointed out that the international community was looking at ASEAN and China to make progress on the COC. He emphasized that to maintain momentum, official talks between ASEAN and China on the COC should be held regularly; talks should be substantive and robust, taking up all issues; and talks should aim to establish rules and norms of behavior that would contribute to enhancement of peace and stability in the South China Sea and thus, the region. The Meeting also considered a workplan for the Implementation of the DOC for 2014, which included cooperative projects on implementation of the DOC. The Philippines looked forward to actively participating in subsequent official consultations on the COC in the ASEANChina Joint Working Group and Senior Officials Meeting. |TOP| 13. DOST irons out cooperation to boost export strength of PH metals & engg sector Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph The Department of Science and Technology recently formalized cooperation with several partners to lead a coaching program that will help push the export potential and capability of the countrys metals and engineering sector.

Partnering with DOST and its lead agency in metals and engineering (M&E) research, the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), are the Philippine Export Confederation (Philexport) National, Philexport Cebu, and the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI). The cooperation was formalized in the signing of MOU and MOA held 09 Sept at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Signatories of the the MOU and MOA were Sec. Mario Montejo and Asst. Secretary Roberto Dizon representing DOST, Sergio Ortiz Luis representing Philexport National, Dr. Venus Genson representing Philexport Cebu, and Ambassador Ank Willems, deputy head of mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Philippines, representing CBI. The two-fold cooperation as spelled out in the Memorandum of Understanding and Memorandum of Agreement among said institutions involved assistance to local M&E sector to be able to tap the European and other regional markets in the context of CBIs Metalworking Asia Philippines program. It also involved the implementation of a business support organization development (BSOD) program to strengthen relevant organizations for sustainable export development activities. The BSOD program consists of several institutional support modules tailored to the specific needs of selected organizations, countries, and sectors. The firms to undergo the coaching program will be geared to join Asian trades first before embarking into European market, according to Ortiz Luis. The MOA and MOU likewise laid down DOSTs role as the provider of technical assistance and counterpart funds, MIRDC as the program manager and oversight body, and Philexport National as the champion of the program. Meanwhile, Philexport Cebu will lead the conduct of audits, and CBI will provide technical assistance, consultancies, and access to European trade fairs and exhibits. The coaching program will also use CBI modules. Bullish economy is a welcome sign We are taking advantage of (the countrys) bullish environment to push the agenda of the M&E sector, explained Ortiz Luis, referring to the positive and raving economic reviews on the Philippines which posted a seven percent growth for the last four quarters. With a forecast of 7.5 percent expansion that matches China, the Philippines is now recognized as the fastest growing economy in Asia. According to Ortiz Luis, such performance will generate renewed economic interest in the country, fastracking infrastructure and reviving the manufacturing sector. We have high hopes for MakiBayan initiated by DOST. Through this program, we hope to have access to technologies vital to the M&E sector, said Ortiz Luis. MakiBayan refers to DOSTs program called Makina at Teknolohiya para sa Bayan for the metalworks, machinery, and electronics industries, including the academe, to share technologies, expertise, skills, manpower, and facilities among the partners. Cooperation to prop up metals industry Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said that this cooperation aims to support the principal stakeholders of the metals industry. DOST will come up with science-based solutions to improve the competitiveness of the countrys M&E industry, said Sec. Montejo. (The cooperation) is a milestone for the DOST, a bold step that I am optimistic about, he said. The M&E industry has a very wide scope that includes DOSTs priority concerns such as disaster management, climate change, traffic, malnutrition, advanced transport systems, advanced manufacturing, and others. Sec. Montejo enthuses that this cooperative will result in a much-vibrant M&E sector with improved export potential and capability. This is a proof that technologies developed by Filipinos are definitely world -class, he said. Ortiz Luis was equally enthusiastic about the DOSTs testing facility called ADMATEL, short for Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, and the upcoming P300 million establishment for the electronics sector, also to be built in the DOST compound in Bicutan, Taguig City. Said facilities are designed to meet the manufacturing needs of the M&E, electronics, and microelectronics industries, among others, so that they will no longer send their machines abroad for testing. This saves every company thousands of dollars for testing and shipping costs. Meanwhile, Netherlands Ambassador Willems looks forward to the end of 2017 when the project is expected to increase export turnover by four million euros and companies will sustain additional gr owth of five million euros. |TOP| 14. Honest Immigration Officer returns Parayno's $US1,000 Source: http://immigration.gov.ph A female immigration officer assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was commended for returning $US1,000 to former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) chief Guillermo Parayno Jr. Bureau of Immigration (BI) Officer-in-Charge Siegfred Mison said Gianne Kryzl Wahayna will receive a letter of commendation on Monday when BI employees hold their flag ceremony.

The incident happened last Sept. 11 at the NAIA terminal 2 immigration departure area as Parayno was about to leave via a Philippine Airline flight for Washington via Toronto. Wahayna reported that minutes after she processed Parayno at her counter, she noticed that the latter had left the cover of his passport containing his electronic ticket and money. She said immediately looked for the passenger and even asked the airline to page the latter. When she saw Parayno and handed him his money, the ex-BIR chief was so thankful. Ginagawa ko lang po yung dapat na ginagawa ng isang honest public servant, Wahayna stated when asked to comment on her good deed |TOP| 15. Ivatan farmers receive farm machineries Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over 57 modern farm machineries to Ivatan agrarian reform beneficiaries in Basco, Batanes. DAR Regional Director Marjorie Ayson-Alzate said the farm machines would help encourage Ivatan farmers of San Joaquin and San Antonio agrarian reform community (ARCs) to work doubly hard and increase their production. With these mechanized farm implements, farmers can now till their land faster and more efficiently, and ensure greater yield and income, said Alzate. The provision of farm equipment, which includes hand tractors, threshers, reapers, flatbed dryers and cultivators, is being implemented under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS). The ARCCESS is an alternative rural development approach where support services provided by DAR are delivered to selected agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations. There is no need for them to rent farm equipment as these are now available for a toke n fee for the maintenance of these machines, said Alzate. Alzate explained that the machines were given as equipment grant, which will be operated by the farm organization as business assets where user fees would be collected and utilized for the operation and maintenance of the farm equipment. There are currently two ARCCESS areas in Batanes: one in Itbayat which focuses on goat production and another in Basco which engages on vegetable production. Alzate said that ARCCESS would also teach farmers agri-business technologies to help them establish farm enterprises and gain access to credit and better markets. |TOP|

Last Updated:

14 SEPTEMBER 2013

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President Benigno S. Aquino III checks the condition of displaced families housed at the evacuation center in Don Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in Zamboanga City on Saturday (September 14). The Internally Displaced Persons are affected by the standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front and government forces. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III talks to the men in uniform at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters on Friday (September 13). President Aquino flew to Zamboanga City to personally assess the situation on the Zamboanga City standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government forces. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III personally checked the condition of wounded soldiers at the Camp Navarro Hospital in Western Mindanao Command headquarters on Friday (September 13). President Aquino flew to Zamboanga City to assess the situation on the Zamboanga City standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government forces. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes supplies to government forces at the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) headquarters on Friday (September 13). President Aquino flew to Zamboanga City to personally assess the situation on the Zamboanga City standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government forces. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III personally checked the condition of wounded soldiers at the Camp Navarro Hospital in Western Mindanao Command headquarters on Friday (September 13). President Aquino flew to Zamboanga City to assess the situation on the Zamboanga City standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government forces. In photo are Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau) President Benigno S. Aquino III personally checked the condition of wounded soldiers at the Camp Navarro Hospital in Western Mindanao Command headquarters on Friday (September 13). President Aquino flew to Zamboanga City to assess the situation on the Zamboanga City standoff between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government forces. In photo are Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacaang Photo Bureau)

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