Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 3 PRs ( April 10 , 2013), Dispatch for April 11 , 2013 (Thursday),
8 Photonews , 17 Weather Watch, 6 Regl.Watch , 2 OFWV Watch , 1 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News
Weather Watch
2 hours ago

NDRRMC OPCEN: (11APR2013-04) EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION No. 3 issued at 6:35AM.

DATE/TIME: 11 Apr 2013-4:20AM. LOCATION: 20.80 deg. N, 121.99 deg. E - 040 kms. N, 4 deg. E of Basco
(Batanes). DEPTH OF FOCUS(Km): 025, ORIGIN: Tectonic. MAGNITUDE: Ms 6.1. REPORTED INTENSITIES: Intensity V -
Basco, Itbayat, Mahatao, Ivana (Batanes). Intensity IV - Sabtang and Uyugan (Batanes). EXPECTING DAMAGE - NO and
AFTERSHOCKS - YES.

Weather Watch
about an hour ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Alvin Pura on DZMM:

-Patuloy tayong magkakaroon ng maalinsangang panahon.
-Generally fair weather tayo sa Metro Manila.
-Bahagyang maulap lang tayo na may maliit na tyansang pag-ulan at mga thunderstorm lalo na sa hapon o gabi.
-Sa area ng Cagayan Valley, mayroon po tayong tail-end ng cold front na siyang nakakaapekto sa extreme Northern
Luzon na magdadala ng kaulapan at light rains.
-Ang range po ng temperature natin para sa araw na ito sa Metro Manila ay nasa 24-35 degrees Celsius.

Weather Watch
3 hours ago

NDRRMC OPCEN: (11APR2013-03) EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION No. 2 issued at 6:30AM.

DATE/TIME: 11 Apr 2013-4:20AM. LOCATION: 20.80 deg. N, 121.99 deg. E - 015 kms. N, 87 deg. E of Itbayat
(Batanes). DEPTH OF FOCUS(Km): 025, ORIGIN: Tectonic. MAGNITUDE: Ms 6.1. REPORTED INTENSITIES: Intensity V -
Basco, Batanes, Itbayat. Intensity IV - Sablang, Uyugan. EXPECTING DAMAGE - NO and AFTERSHOCKS - YES.

Weather Watch
3 hours ago

(11APR2013-01) 24-HR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST issued at 5AM, today. SYNOPSIS: Diffused
tail-end of a cold front affecting extreme Northern Luzon. FORECAST: Cagayan Valley will experience cloudy skies with
light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with
isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over
Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming
from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas.>> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch
3 hours ago

GMA-7: Niyanig ng magnitude 6.1 na lindol ang Batanes kaninang 4:20 ng madaling araw. Ayon kay PHIVOLCS Dir.
Renato Solidum, naitala ito sa 50km northeast ng Basco, Batanes at umabot sa Intensity 5 ang naramdaman. May lalim
aniya na 36km ang lindol at tectonic ang pinagmulan. Wala namang nakikitang posibilidad ng tsunami o anumang
pagtaas ng tubig-dagat sa nasabing lugar.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

ANC: The FDA warns the public about the allergic reactions that may cause by henna tattoos which is being popular
during summer. Experts advised to test the ink first in your skin for 30 minutes before having a henna tattoo to see
whether there is an allergic reaction.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

GMA-7 resident meteorologist Nathaniel Cruz on 24 Oras:

- Kahit papainit na nang papainit ay hindi pa rin ito maituturing na heatwave, ayon sa PAGASA.
- Masasabi lamang na may heatwave kung mahigit isang linggo nang mataas ang temperatura sa isang lugar.
- Halimbawa, sa PAGASA Science Garden sa Metro Manila, noong Lunes ang pinakamainit na temperatura ay 34.1°C,
bumaba ito ng 33.4°C kahapon at ngayong araw ay umakyat ito sa 35.3°C. Kung mapapansin niyo po, taas-baba ang
temperatura kaya hindi pa ito maituturing na isang heat wave.
- Samantala, ayon sa PAGASA, umiiral pa rin ang easterlies sa Mindanao at Visayas at diffused tail-end of a cold front
naman sa Hilagang Luzon.
- Sa datos ng Weather Central, may pag-ulan sa Palawan at Hilagang Luzon.
- Sa Metro Manila ay mababa pa rin ang tsansang umulan at ang ating init factor ay 36°C pagsapit ng 2:00 ng hapon at
30°C pagsapit ng 8:00 ng gabi.
- Maayos na panahon naman ang sasalubong sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas bukas pero posibleng umambon sa
Tagbilaran at Dumaguete.
- Gayundin sa Mindanao ay mayroong mga pag-ulang dulot ng easterlies tulad sa Zamboanga Sibugay na halos araw-
araw na umuulan kahit tag-init.
- Ang mga pag-ulang ito ay dulot ng local thunderstorms na dala naman ng easterlies.
Weather Watch
13 hours ago

(10APR2013-08) General Flood Advisory #02 (Final) for ARMM (Autonomous Region of
Muslim Mindanao) issued at 6pm.

PRESENT WEATHER: Mindanao will be partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

FORECAST RAINFALL: Isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

WATERCOURSES NO LONGER TO BE AFFECTED: Rivers and its tributaries in MAGUINDANAO, LANAO DEL SUR and
BASILAN.

This is the final General Flood Advisory, unless significant rainfall occurs.>> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

(10APR2013-07) General Flood Advisory #02 (Final) for Region X (NORTHERN MINDANAO)
issued at 6pm.

PRESENT WEATHER: Mindanao will be partly cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

FORECAST RAINFALL: Isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

WATERWAYS NO LONGER TO BE AFFECTED: Rivers and its tributaries MISAMIS ORIENTAL, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL,
LANAO DEL NORTE and BUKIDNON.

This is the final General Flood Advisory, unless significant rainfall occurs.>> NDRRMC OPCEN

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong on DZMM:

Re: Heatwave possibility
- Hindi natin maiaalis ang possibility na mangyari ang heatwave.
- Bagaman wala tayong El Niño ay hindi naman puwedeng hindi ito (heatwave) mangyayari.
- Wala pa tayong nare-record na insidente ng heatwave. Nasa normal pa ang ating temperatura.
Weather Watch
13 hours ago

GMA: Todo pagtitiis ang iniinda ngayon ng mga taong nagtatrabaho sa ilalim ng init ng araw dahil na nararanasang
matinding init. Isa rito si Bonjing Espasol na isang railroad crossing operator. Ayon sa kanya, hindi naman siya maaring
sumilong dahil buhay ang nakataya sa kanyang trabaho. Ang isang kartero naman ay todo balot na lang ng damit at
mahahabang manggas upang huwag mangitim ang balat sa tindi ng init at sikat ng araw. Ayon pa sa mga nagtatrabaho
sa initan, idinaraan na lamang nila sa pag-inom ng maraming tubig ang nararanasang init upang huwag ma-heatstroke.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

GMA: Patay si JO2 Fernando Rivas ng Quezon City Jail dahil sa heatstroke. Nakahandusay na raw si Rivas nang makita
ito ng kanyang mga kasama habang naka-duty. Bagama’t hindi matiyak kung sa heatstroke nga namatay ang biktima,
ipinalalagay na ganito nga ang naganap dahil may sakit din ito sa puso. Samantala, dahil din sa matinding init, kanya-
kanyang diskarte na rin ang mga preso sa QCPD-Station 10 para hindi mainitan.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Inaasahan na ang pagdami ng kaso ng mga sakit sa balat ngayong tag-init kabilang na ang bungang araw at
pigsa na karaniwang mga bata ang biktima. Kaugnay nito ay pinayuhan ng DoH ang mga magkakasakit ng bungang araw
na huwag kakamutin ang balat at sa halip ay magpahid ng prickly heat powder o pulbos na may healing effect sa
bungang araw. Nagpaalala rin ang Kagawaran sa mga maliligo sa pool na laging magbanlaw pagkatapos maligo para
hindi mahawa sa anumang bacteria na magdudulot ng sakit sa balat.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

GMA: Dahil sa init ng panahon, bumaba na ang level ng tubig sa Magat Dam. Nitong Sabado lamang ay naitala ng
PAGASA sa Isabela ang 39.6°C. Sa ngayon ay nasa 174 meters ang water level sa nasabing dam. Sa kabila nito ay tiwala
naman ang mga namamahala sa dam na hindi sasadsad sa critical level ang tubig nito.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago

PAGASA: The Lyrids meteor shower has been observed for more than 2,600 years. Chinese records show that "stars
fell like rain" during the meteor shower of 687 B.C.

However, in recent times, the Lyrids have generally been weak. The shower typically generates a dozen meteors per
hour under optimal conditions with a brief maximum that lasts for less than a day. Unfortunately, a bright Gibbous
Moon will drown out fainter meteors during the predawn viewing.

The shower’s peak this year will be in progress on the evening of April 22 onward. Although not numerous, Lyrids are
bright and fast meteors. The photo shows the position of the radiant of the meteor shower at the constellation Lyra, the
Lyre, on April 22 at around 11:30pm.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago

ANC: The Extreme Northern Luzon is expected to have cloudy weather with light to moderate rain showers and
thunderstorms due to a diffused tail-end of a cold front. Metro Manila recorded a temperature of 34°C around 3:00 this
afternoon and is expected to be warm tonight with no rains. Samar and Leyte will have mostly cloudy skies while the
rest of Visayas will have dry condition. Cloudy skies with light showers are expected in the eastern and southern part of
Mindanao.

Weather Watch
18 hours ago

DOH Asec. Eric Tayag on DZBB:

Re: Heat-related diseases
- Gusto lang naming maging malinaw dahil 'yang heatstroke, ang ibig sabihin niyan, 'yung core body temperature ay
40°C, kung less than 40° ay nasa punto pa lang ng heat stress or heat exhaustion.
- Ang nangyayari niyan sa heat exhaustion, lahat ng nararamdaman ng nakakaranas nito ay dahil sa dehydration,
maaring magkaroon ng panghihina, maaaring himatayin o nahihilo lang.
- 'Pag heatstroke ito, emergency, maaaring mamatay po. Mataas 'yung core body temperature na 40 pataas, mabilis ang
pintig ng puso, pwede ring kombulsyunin habang pinapa-cool down kaya ingat lang po. Pwedeng magdeliryo o kaya
mawalan ng malay o comatose at tuluy-tuloy na 'yan.
- (Para maiwasan ang heatstroke) 'Yung pag-inom ho ng tubig, walo o higit pang baso ng tubig araw-araw at pumunta sa
malamig na lugar makakatulong ng maigi.
- 'Yun naman kasi (swimming in Manila Bay) kaya ibinabawal kasi magkakasakit sila sa maruming tubig. Nabilad na kayo
sa araw, made-dehydrate pa tapos ay magtatae pa kayo.
- Huwag nating kakamutin 'yung mata natin, lalo na at hindi malinis ang kamay, tapos hindi pa tayo naghugas, 'yan ang
isang mabisang paraan para kumalat ang sore eyes.
- Kung tayo ay napuwing, iwasan nating kalikutin ang mata. Ihilamos niyo agad para maalis ang duming 'yun.
- Bago kayo gumamit kayo ng eye drops kumonsulta muna kayo.
 Weather Watch

April 11 , 2013 4 hours ago

CAVITE : Sunny
LAGUNA : Sunny
BATANGAS : Fair weather
RIZAL : Sunny
QUEZON : Partly Cloudy

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

16 hours ago

PIA 4-A/CAVITE: Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla recently appointed former Trece Martires City mayor Melencio De
Sagun as the new Provincial Jail Warden replacing Bobby Montehermoso. The appointment of De Sagun is a positive
sign on the part provincial government to rehabilitate the current condition of the provincial jail and secure the safety,
health and condition of the inmates.
PIA Regional Watch
17 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: Lucena City Mayor Roderick Alcala increased the honorarium of prosecutors in the city courts.
This is a gesture of gratitude for a well job done by the prosecutors in court procedures.

PIA Regional Watch

17 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: According to DOST-Rizal, 78% of the province's Board of Election Inspectors passed the BEI
certification test held in cooperation with the local DepEd and COMELEC. 2602 out of Rizal's 3329 inspectors are capable
of effectively and properly operating PCOS machines. Certification tests were held at Las Brisas Hotel and Gems Hotel,
Antipolo City from March 8 to 28 with BEIs from the province's 1 city and 13 municipalities.

PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial government of Quezon will hold 'provincial jobs fair 2013' at Quezon National High
School, Lucena City on April 16 from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Jobs opening includes business/office logistics and field work
personnel, accountants, school faculty, telecommunications, medical, hotel, restaurant and fast food and many more.
All applicants should bring comprehensive requirements.

PIA Regional Watch

23 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsagawa din ng Operation Baklas sa bayan ng Calatagan at Balayan ngayong araw.Ang
hakbang na ito ay bilang pagtalima sa kautusan ng Comelec na paglalagay ng tamang size ng tarpaulin na may sukat na
2x3ft at pag-iwas ng paglalagay nito sa mga puno at poste ng kuryente.

PIA Regional Watch

23 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagsasagawa ang Comelec at PNP ng Operation Baklas sa lungsod ng Batangas ngayong
araw.Ito ay upang maipatupad ang kautusan ng Comelec kaugnay ng tamang paglalagay at sukat ng mga tarpaulins ng
kandidato.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago

DZMM: Hindi pinoproblema ng DFA ang pondo sa paglilikas ng mga Pinoy sa South Korea. Sinabi ni DFA spokesperson
Raul Hernandez na may sapat na pondo ang pamahalaan para sa repatriation ng mga Pinoy sakaling magsimula na ang
giyera sa Korean peninsula. Bukod dito ay handa na rin ang pamahalaan na ilikas ang mga Pinoy sa Guam na isa ring
teritoryo ng Amerika na matunog na aatakihin din ng North Korea dahil sa pagiging kaalyado ng South Korea.

PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago

DZMM: Binigyan ng tatlong buwang na palugit ng hari ng Saudi Arabia ang mga iligal na Pinoy roon para ayusin ang
kanilang residency. Sa pamamagitan nito ay inaasahan na aasikasuhin din ng mga employer ang residence requirements
ng kanilang mga empleyadong Pinoy. Ayon naman kay DoLE Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz, bagaman wala pa silang nababalitaan
na inarestong Pinoy sa naturang bansa dahil sa problema sa residency ay inaasahan na nila na pagkatapos ng tatlong
buwan ay mas maghihigpit ang mga awtoridad doon at huhulihin ang sinumang dayuhan na walang residency.
 A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE
Local gov't, private partner launch anti-TB campaign

By Ruel B. Francisco
Wednesday 10th of April 2013
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GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite, April108 (PIA) - In support of the World Tuberculosis Day celebration
last March 25, the local government and volunteers joined hands in combating, preventing
even eradicating curable tuberculosis disease.

The local government and the Culion Foundation, Incorporated (CFI) will conduct an
information campaign to inform people that tuberculosis (TB) is curable and any symptoms
must be consulted to the doctor or to the nearest health center for proper medical attention.
The main component of the said agreement is the Anti-TB Control Program for the
municipality.

The decrease in the number of incidences of TB in the entire municipality is due to the active
and collective efforts made by the Rural Health Unit (RHU) and the Directly Observed
Treatment Short course (TB-DOTS) Centers which prompted CFI to acknowledge General Trias
RHU for its contribution and their effective Anti-TB program.

On the other hand, the CFI was acknowledged and given a plaque of appreciation by the local
government for their all-out support to the latter’s campaign of healthy and TB Free
municipality.
During the regular Monday Flag-raising ceremony, Ms. Melinda D. Buñag, CFI Project Team
Leader discussed with the local government officials led by Municipal Councilor Kerby Salazar,
Chairman of Committee on Health and Sanitation about the details of the TB program
campaign in the municipality.

Councilor Salazar and Municipal Administrator Hernando Granados also led the oath- taking of
community based volunteers who will be their counterparts in the information dissemination
campaign against tuberculosis.

According to Department of Health, tuberculosis is the six leading causes of death in the
Philippines. It is estimated that 107 Filipinos died every day because of this disease. In
accordance with the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP), every local government should
have a corresponding program to eradicate tuberculosis in their area.(PIO/CPG/RBF/PIA4A)

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL
1.Tagalog news: Qualified senior citizens ng Antipolo tumanggap ng
quarterly pension

By Gideon Gapayao
Wednesday 10th of April 2013
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LUNSOD NG ANTIPOLO, Rizal, Abril 10 -- Tinanggap ng mga nakatatandang mamamayan sa

lungsod ng Antipolo ang kanilang quarterly pension mula sa Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) sa pakikipagtulungan ng City Social Welfare and Development Office,
Office of Senior Citizens Affair (OSCA) at Antipolo Federation of Senior Citizens, Inc. (AFSCI).

Binati din ni Antipolo City Mayor Nilo Leyble ang mga Senior Citizens na may edad 77 at pataas
na kabilang sa mahihirap na mamamayan sa lungsod ng Antipolo. Binigyan ng lokal na
pamahalaan ng pag-asa at pasasalamat ang mga nakatatanda.

Mahigit kumulang sa 100 senior citizens ang tumanggap ng P500 bawat isa. Pinangasiwaan ng
CSWD ang evaluation sa mga kuwalipikadong matatanda na kung saan dapat kabilang sila sa
mga mahihirap at walang ibang inaasahang mapagkakakitaan. (Antipolo PIO)

2. Taglog news: Operation libreng tuli handog ng Antipolo CHO

By Gideon Gapayao
Wednesday 10th of April 2013
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LUNSOD NG ANTIPOLO, Rizal, Abril 10 -- Isinagawa kamakailan ng Antipolo City Health Office
(CHO) ang “Operation Libreng Tuli” para sa mga mahihirap na kabataan sa lungsod ng
Antipolo.

Ginaganap ng CHO ang programang tuwing bakasyon taon-taon para sa mga kabataang lalaki
mula siyam hanggang 15 taon.

Ayon kay Dr. Antonio Reillo Jr., City Health Officer, malaking tulong ito sa mga kabataang taga
Antipolo, lalo na sa mga mahihirap na mamamayan na nais magpatuli nang ligtas at maayos.

“Panahon na naman ng bakasyon, at ito ang pagkakataon na magkaroon tayo ng operation

libreng tuli. Ipagkakaloob natin dito ang libreng anestisya at pagtutuli para sa mga kabataan na
maaari nang tuliin. Malaking bagay ito sa kanila at iwas impeksyon pa dahil dito sa health
center natin isasagawa,” sabi ni Dr.Reillo.

Mahigit kumulang sa 50 kabataang lalaki ang sumalang sa libreng pagpapatuli. Pawang nasa
edad 11 hanggang 14 na taon. Nagpapasalamat naman ang mga magulang ng mga batang
natuli sa pagkakataon na ibinigay sa kanilang mga anak. (Antipolo PIO)
10 APRIL 2013.
President Aquino cites action plan to effectively curb smuggling
Aquino vows swift legal action to recent Tubbataha Reef grounding
Aquino leads ceremonial groundbreaking of Roxas City Airport Development Project
Aquino: Roxas Airport rehabilitation to bring regional development

President Aquino cites action plan to effectively curb smuggling

President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday that the government had already come out with an action
plan to effectively curb smuggling in the country.

In an interview in Roxas City, Capiz where he led the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roxas City Airport
Development Project, the Chief Executive said the newly-crafted measure would solve the problem on
smuggling.

"Pero batid ni Commissioner (Ruffy) Biazon na meron tayong mabigat na plano sa Customs... hindi pa lang
napagkasunduan ‗yung timing kung kailan gagawin itong aksyon," the President said.

The President assured the public that his administration remains committed to improve the services of the
Bureau of Customs (BOC) by enhancing the anti-smuggling efforts.

Once the action plan is implemented, the President noted that the various smuggling activities in the country will
be solved.

"Maraming makakakita na ito‘y isang talagang malawakang solusyon sa problema ng smuggling sa bayan," he
added.

The President said the action plan is also aimed at cleansing the BOC of scalawags and misfits.

He also cited the many initiatives being undertaken by the agency under the helm of Biazon.

"Marami ring kasong mga na-file na, tumatakbo sa proseso, pero hintayin lang po ninyo ‗yung matagal nang
pina-planong solusyon para matiyak na lahat ng nasa Customs ay masisigurado nating hindi tiwali," he said.

At present, the BOC is enhancing its efforts in revenue collection by curbing smuggling activities and to provide
quality service to stakeholders with professionalism and integrity, facilitate trade in a secured manner and adapt
measures compliant to international best practices and standards. PND (js)
TOP

Aquino vows swift legal action to recent Tubbataha Reef grounding

The government will ensure that the country‘s laws are enforced.

Thus, said President Benigno S. Aquino III in reaction to the recent grounding incident in Tubbataha Reef
involving a Chinese fishing vessel during an interview at the Roxas City Airport on Wednesday.

The President said the government will execute Republic Act 10067 that states anyone entering the protected
zone is considered a poacher.

―May kaukulang mga penalties, may imprisonment, may fine—and our job as the executive department is to
execute this law,‖ the President said on Wednesday.

―I think ang batas nagsasaad na ‗yung mismong mga nahuli ang dapat managot dito. It‘s a fishing vessel so it
will be the owners of the fishing vessel, among others, who will be charged,‖ he said when asked if the
Philippine government will press the Chinese government to take responsibility for the Tubbataha reef incident.

The President also said the government is planning to add more lighted buoys in the area and to expand the so-
called buffer zone to protect it from intruders.

―Palalakihin ‗yung dapat ‗huwag kayong mag-transit near this area‘ to forestall any possibility na magkaroon na
naman ng grounding incident,‖ he said.

The Chief Executive underscored the richness of the biodiversity in the Tubbataha Reef, its marine ecosystem
that is obviously an attraction to divers and tourists in general.

―It is really in the national interest to preserve this to the fullest extent possible as it‘s really quite —one of the
wonders or natural wonders of the world,‖ the President said.

The President also said he is awaiting a Coast Guard investigation that will shed light on the latest grounding
incident and recommend whether to add to the number of rangers guarding the area or upgrade their
equipments.

On Monday night, a Chinese fishing vessel ran aground in the Tubbataha Reef, several days after a US
minesweeper was successfully removed from the popular marine sanctuary.

The USS Guardian, a US minesweeper, ran aground in Tubbataha Reef on January 17. The vessel was
removed on March 30 by dismantling and by lifting it piece by piece by a crane to prevent more damage to the
reefs. PND (as)
TOP

Aquino leads ceremonial groundbreaking of Roxas City Airport Development Project

President Benigno S. Aquino III led on Wednesday the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roxas City Airport
Development Project that aims to boost tourism and stimulate economic development in Roxas City and other
nearby towns in Capiz.

The groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of two major upgrades to the Roxas Airport: the expansion and
improvement of the passenger terminal building (PTB) and the extension of the runway.

The two projects, with a combined approved budget for contract (ABC) of P48.1-million, were advertised for
bidding on October 19, 2012 and were awarded to contractor MAC Builders on December 28, 2012, according
to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

The PTB expansion project will increase the existing 875-sqm terminal‘s size by 626 sqm, bringing up the total
floor area to 1,511 sqm and bumping up its design capacity from 153,000 passengers/year to 291,000
passengers/year.

In 2012, the total number of passengers using the Roxas Airport hit 217,552, clearly exceeding its current
capacity. The expansion project will relieve the congestion and lay the groundwork for future improvements.

The runway extension, on the other hand, will lengthen the runway from 1,890 m. to 2,010 m. The additional 120
m. will improve the safety of the Airbus A320 aircraft operating in the airport.

The two projects are part of a P215-million upgrade budgeted by the DOTC and the Civil Aviation Authority of
the Philippines (CAAP) for Roxas Airport.

The other projects that are part of the upgrade include the installation of night landing facilities with a budget
amounting to P91.5 million, runway asphalt overlay (P24.24 million), acquisition of new fire truck (P33.5 million),
and site acquisition (P18 million).
These remaining projects are all in various stages of procurement.

The DOTC said the project aims to shore up the government‘s goal to have at least 10 million tourists before
President Aquino steps down in 2016, and in recognition of Roxas City as the country‘s "seafood capital" where
an increasing number of local and foreign tourists are expected to visit. PND (js)
TOP

Aquino: Roxas Airport rehabilitation to bring regional development

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the groundbreaking Wednesday of the Roxas Airport Development Project in
Roxas City underscoring the importance of the project for the development of the tourism and trade in the
region.

In his message during the event, the President said the government allocated P215 million for the repair and
rehabilitation of the airport.

Among the program of works include asphalt overlaying and runway extension, installation of night-landing
facilities, fire truck acquisition and rehabilitation of the airport‘s passenger terminal building.

Once the project is completed, the President said the facility could accommodate 797 passengers a day, a
dramatic increase from today‘s 419 passengers per day.

―Malinaw po ang layon natin: ang higit pang patatagin ang turismo ng Capiz; ang bigyang lakas ang iba‘t ibang
negosyo‘t industriya; at ang itulak ang inyong probinsya sa landas ng pag-asenso‘t kaunlaran,‖ the President
said.

―Sa pagdagsa ng mas maraming bisita sa Capiz, dumadagsa rin ang mas maraming pagkakataon para sa mga
Capizeño na itimon ang kanilang buhay at para makiambag sa pagpapalago ng ating ekonomiya.‖

The President also said the government allotted P7.69 billion for the repair and rehabilitation of airports in the
country this year.

These developments will be enhanced by the lifting of the Significant Safety Concerns warning by the
International Civil Aviation Organization issued previously to the Philippines, the chief executive said.

To ensure that every flight is safe, the country is using the Civil Aviation Safety Oversight Reporting and
Tracking System as database of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Airlines are also now mandated to undergo Minimum Required Annual Inspection in addition to CAAP‘s
Certificate Management Department. This will ensure that all local carriers flying overseas follow safety
regulations.

With the passage of the Common Carriers Tax Act, the President said the removal of the 3 percent tax on
airlines and shipping will encourage more tourists to come to the Philippines, thus bringing more development to
industries tied with the tourism sector.

The efficient use of P17 million for the rehabilitation of airports, ports, roads and tourism promotion are all
geared towards opening the country to more tourists and foreign investors, according to the chief executive.

The President also reported that with the intense competition among local airlines the country would need
additional 119 aircrafts to fill the need for more planes connecting major foreign cities and the Philippines.

―Walang ibang hangarin ang kasalukuyang administrasyon kundi ang pagbuksan ng pinto ang mundo para
dumagsa ang mga negosyo, turismo, at, pinakaimportante po, kabuhayan na pakikinabangan ng mga Pilipino,‖
he said.

―Kung dati, nasanay tayo sa siklo ng pagsadsad at pagkakadapa, ngayon, bumabangon na tayo at
naghahandang umalpas. Ngayon, humaharap na tayo sa isang maaliwalas na bukas. Huwag na po tayong
hihinto pa; tayo na po at iarangkada sa kaunlaran ang ating bansa,‖ the President added. PND (as)
TOP
10 ABRIL 2013
Nakahanda na ang action plan ng gobyerno para masugpo ang smuggling sa aduwana, ayon sa Pangulo
Mabilis na aksiyong legal, ipinangako ni Aquino tungkol sa bagong pagsadsad sa Tubbataha Reef
Pinangunahan ni Aquino ang ceremonial groundbreaking ng Roxas City Airport Development Project
Aquino: Kaunlaran ng rehiyon ang ibubunga ng Roxas Airport rehabilitation

Nakahanda na ang action plan ng gobyerno para masugpo ang smuggling sa aduwana, ayon sa Pangulo

Nakahanda na ang action plan ng pamahalaan upang mabisang sugpuin ang pagpupuslit sa bansa, ayon sa
Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.

Sa panayam sa Lungsod ng Roxas sa Kapis kung saan nanguna siya sa groundbreaking ceremony ng Roxas City
Airport Development Project, sinabi ng Pangulo na ang bagong balangkas na hakbang ang susugpo sa problema
sa pagpupuslit o smuggling sa aduwana.

―Pero batid ni Komisyoner Ruffy Biazon na mayroon tayong mabigat na plano sa Customs… hindi pa lamang
napagkasunduan ang timing kung kailan gagawin ang aksiyon,‖ dagdag ng Pangulo.

Tiniyak ng Pangulo sa madla na ang administrasyon niya ay patuloy sa puspusang pagsisikap na mapabuti ang
serbisyo ng Kawanihan ng Aduwana laban sa smuggling o pagpupuslit.

Kapag naipatupad na ang panukalag hakbang, sinabi ng Pangulo na ang iba-ibang paraan ng pagpupuslit sa
bansa ay malulunasan na.

―Maraming makakakita na ito ay isang talagang malawakang solusyon sa problema ng smuggling sa bansa,‖ wika
pa ng Pangulo.

Ayon sa Pangulo, ang panukalang hakbang ay naglalayong malinis ang Kawanihan ng Aduwana para maalis ang
mga tiwali at hindi karapat-dapat maglingkod.

Pinuri ng Pangulo ang mga ginawa ng ahensiya sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Biazon.

―Marami ring kasong naiharap ang BOC. Tumatakbo na ang proseso, pero hintayin lamang po ninyo ang matagal
nang pinaplanong solusyon para matiyak na lahat ng nasa Aduwana ay matatapat at hindi tiwali,‖ wika ng
Pangulo.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang Aduwana ay puspusan ang pagsisikap na mapalaki ang koleksiyong buwis sa pamamagitan
ng pagsugpo sa smuggling at mabigyan ng mataas na uring serbisyo ang mga stakeholders na may
propesyonalismo at dangal, mapabilis ang kalakalan sa isang ligtas na paraan at ang gagawing mga hakbang ay
naaayon sa pandaigdig na mga patakaran at pamantayan. PND
TOP

Mabilis na aksiyong legal, ipinangako ni Aquino tungkol sa bagong pagsadsad sa Tubbataha Reef

Titiyakin ng pamahalaan na maipatutupad ang mga batas ng bansa.

Ito ang sinabi ng Pangulong Benigno S,. Aquino III kaugnay ng pagsadsad sa Tubbataha Reef kamakailan ng
isang bapor pangisdang Tsino nang kapanayamin siya sa Paliparan ng Lungsod ng Roxas Miyerkoles.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na ipatutupad ng pamahalaan ang Batas ng Republika Blg. 10067 na nagsasaad na sino mang
pumasok sa protected areas ay ituturing na poacher.

―May kaukulang mga parusa tulad ng pagkabilanggo, may multa at ang tungkulin natin sa kagawarang
tagapagpaganap ay magpatupad ng batas,‖ dugtong pa ng Pangulo.

―Palagay ko, ang batas ay nagsasaad na iyon mismong mga nahuli ang dapat managot dito. Iyon ay isang bapor-
pangisda kaya ang mga may-ari ng nasabing bapor pangisda ay kabilang sa pananagutin,‖ dugtong pa ng
Pangulo.

Idinagdag pa ng Pangulo na balak ng pamahalaan na dagdagan pa ang lighted bouys sa nasabing pook at
lalawakan din ang tinatawag na buffer zone upang hindi ito karaka-rakang mapasok ng sino man.
―Palalakihin ang ―huwag kayong dumaan sa malapit sa pook na ito‖ upang maiwasang maulit pa ang grounding
incident sa pook na ito,‖ wika ng Pangulo.

Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Aquino na napakahalagang likas na kayamanan ang Tubbataha Reef, gayundin ang
marine ecosystem dito na tunay na nakaaakit sa mga divers at lalo na sa mga turistang maging lokal o mga
banyaga man.

―Ito ay tunay na pambansang yamang dapat pangalagaang mabuti sapagka‘t isa itong katangi-tangi at kahanga-
hangang likas na yaman ng daigdig,‖ sabi pa ng Pangulo.

Ayon sa Pangulo, hinihintay niya ang resulta ng pagsisiyasat ng Coast Guard upang maliwanagan ang mga
pangyayari kaugnay ng pinakahuling pagsadsad ng dayuhang bapor doon at kung imumungkahi nila na dagdagan
pa ang mga nagbabantay sa pook na naturan o kailangan pang ayusin ang mga kagamitan nila.

Lunes ng maghahating-gabi (Abril 8) nang sumadsad ang bapor-pangisdang Tsino sa Tubbataha Reef ilang araw
pagkaraang matagumpay na matanggal sa nasabing pook ang isang US minesweeper.

Sumadsad ang USS Guardian, isang US minesweeper sa Tubbataha Reef noong Enero 17. Noon lamang Marso
30 natanggal na ganap ang naturang bapor na pinagpira-piraso at saka unti-unting iniahon sa pamamagitan ng
crane para hindi na maragdagan ang pinsalang nagawa nito sa naturang likas na yaman ng Pilipinas. PND
TOP

Pinangunahan ni Aquino ang ceremonial groundbreaking ng Roxas City Airport Development Project

Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Miyerkoles ang ceremonial groundbrea-king ng Roxas City
Airport Development Project na naglalayong mapasigla pang lalo sng turismo at mapabilis ang kaunlarang
pangkabuhayan ng Lungsod ng Roxas at mga kalapit-bayan sa lalawigan ng Capiz.

Ang groundbreaking ceremonies ang naghudyat ng pagsisimula ng dalawang major upgrades ng Paliparan ng
Roxas na pagpapalawak at pag-aayos ng passenger terminal building at pagpapaluwang ng runway.

Ang dalawang proyekto ay may kabuuang guguling P48.1 milyon na ipinaanunsiyo na ang pagsusubasta noong
Oktubre 19, 2012 at ang nagwagi ay ang kontratistang MAC Builders noong Disyembre 28, 2012, ayon sa
Kagawaran ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon.

Sa proyektong ito ay daragdagan ng 525 metrong parisukat ang dating 875 metrong parisukat kaya ito ay
magiging kabuuang 1,511 metrong parisukat upang umabot sa 291,000 pasahero ang kayanin nito buhat sa
dating 153,000 pasahero lamang.

Noong 2012, ng kabuuang bilang ng pasaherong gumamit sa Paliparan ng Roxas ay umabot na sa 217,552 na
malinaw na lampas sa kasalukuyang kapasidad nito. Ang pagpapalawak nito ay magiging daan para mabawasan
ang pagsisiksikan ng mga pasahero at upang maging handa sa ano mang plano pang pag-aayos ng terminal
building sa hinaharap.

Sa kabilang dako, ang luluwangang runway naman ay gagawing 2,010 metro buhat sa kasalukuyang 1,900 metro.
Ang karagdagang 120 metro ay makatutulong upang lalong matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga eroplanong Airbus
A320 na ginagamit sa paliparang ito.

Ang dalawang proyekto ay bahagi ng P215 milyong inilaang budget ng Kagawaran ng Trasportasyon at
Komunikasyon at ng Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) para sa Paliparang Roxas.

Ang iba pang proyektog bahagi ng pag-aayos na ito ay ang paglalagay ng mga pasilidad ukol sa paglapag ng
eroplano kung gabi na gugugulan ng P91.5 milyon, pag-aaspalto ng runway (P24.24 milyon), pagbili ng bagong
trak ng bumbero (P33.5 milyon) at site acquisition (P18 milyon).

Hangarin ng proyektong ito, ayon sa DOTC, na makatulong sa pakay ng pamahalaan na magkaroon ng 10

milyong turista man lamang sa bansa bago bumaba sa tungkulin ang Pangulong Aquino sa 2016 at pagkilala sa
Lungsod ng Roxas bilang ―seafood capital‖ ng bansa kung saan parami nang parami ang mga lokal at dayuhang
turista ang inaasahang dumalaw. PND (js/zaf)
TOP

Aquino: Kaunlaran ng rehiyon ang ibubunga ng Roxas Airport rehabilitation

Napakahalaga ng Roxas Airport Development Project sapagka‘t magiging dahilan ito ng kaunlaran ng turismo at
kalakalan hindi lamang sa Lungsod ng Roxas, kundi sa buong rehiyon, ayon sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III
sa talumpati kaugnay ng groundbreaking ceremonies dito Miyerkoles.

Sinabi ng Pangulo na naglaan ang pamahalaan ng P215 milyon para makumpuni at maayos ang runway,
paglalagay ng mga pasilidad para sa pagbaba ng eroplano kung gabi, trak ng pamatay-sunog at rehabilitasyon ng
gusali ng passenger terminal.

Ayon sa Pangulo, kapag naayos ang paliparang ito, sa loob ng isang araw ay maaaring maka-pagbaba ng 787
pasahero buhat sa kasalukuyang 419 pasahero isang araw.

―Malinaw po ang layun natin: ang higit pang patatagin ang turismo ng Capiz, ang bigyang lakas ang iba‘t ibang
negosyo at industriya, at itulak ang inyong probinsiya sa landas ng pagasenso at kaunlaran,‖ dagdag pa ng
Pangulo.

―Sa pagdagsa ng mas maraming bisita sa Capiz, dumaragsa rin ang mas maraming pagkakataon para sa mga
taga-Capiz na itimon ang kanilang buhay at para makapag-ambag sa pagpapalago ng ating ekonomya,‖ sabi pa
ng Pangulo.

Inihayag ng Pangulo na kabuuang P7.89 bilyon ang inilaan ng pamayalaan para sa pagkukumpuni at
rehabilitasyon ng mga paliparan sa buong bansa sa taong ito.

Ang mga pangyayaring ito ay magiging daan para bumilis ang pag-aalis ng babala ng Significant Safety Concerns
na ipinataw ng International Civil Aviation Organization sa Pilipinas, dugtong ng Pangulo.

Para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng bawa‘t paglipad ng eroplano, ginagamit ng bansa ang Civil Aviation Safety
Oversight Reporting and Tracking System bilang ―database‖ ng Civil Aviation Authority ng Pilipinas (CAAP).

May sagutin ang mga kompanya ng eroplano na sumailalim sa Minimum Required Annual Inspection bukod pa sa
Certificate Manaqement Department ng CAAP. Sa pamamagitan nito, ang mga eroplanong nagbibiyahe sa
ibayong dagat ay natitiyak na sumusunod sa mga tuntuning pangkaligtasan.

Binanggit din ng Pangulo na natanggal na ang 3 porsiyentong buwis sa eroplano at bapor nang mapagtibay ang
Common Carriers Tax Act upang mahimok na higit na maraming turista pa ang magsadya sa Pilipinas at nang
mapabilis ang pag-unlad ng mga industriyang kaugnay ng sektor ng turismo.

Ang pag-aayos ng mga paliparan at mga lansangan ay naglalayon ding buksan ang bansa sa higit na maraming
turista at mga imbestor na dayuhan, ayon sa Punong Tagapagpaganap.

Iniulat din ng Pangulo na ang ibayong kompetisyon ng mga lokal na kompanya ng eroplano sa bansa ay
mangangailangan ng dagdag na 119 eroplano para tugunan ang pagbibiyahe sa malalaking lungsod sa ibang
bansa at sa Pilipinas man.

―Walang ibang hangarin ang kasalukuyang administrasyon kundi ang pagbuksan ng pinto ang mundo para
dumagsa ang mga negosyo, turismo at ang pinakaimportante po, kabuhayan na pakikinabangan ng mga Pilipino,‖
sabi ng Pangulo.

―Kung dati, nasanay tayo sa siklo ng pagsadsad at pagkakadapa, ngayon, bumabangon na tayo at naghahandang
umalpas. Ngayon, humaharap na tayo sa isang maaliwalas na bukas. Huwag na po tayong hihinto pa; tayo na po
at iarangkada sa kaunlaran ang ating bansa,‖ pag-bibigay-diin pa ng Pangulo. PND
TOP

ONLINE NEWS
10 APRIL 2013
1. BSP rediscount rates for April 2013
2. In CARAGA, three new CBAs signed in a single week
3. KSA suspends crackdown; gives 3-month grace period for illegal workers and their
employers to comply with the kingdom’s labor rules
4. DSWD, NEDA to submit substitute bill for Manga Carta of the Poor
5. Manggahan Festival kicks off at Robinsons-Iloilo
 6. GPH aims for peace agreement based on solid foundation
7. PNP probes three cops in Tarlac melee
8. Phl set for greater global, regional integration, says NEDA socioeconomic report
9. Vice-President Binay opens Philippine Grand Exhibition in Paris
10. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas conducts financial learning campaign in Brunei Darussalam
11. DA allots P500M to promote hybrid rice
12. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino must deepen its assistance to its beneficiaries
13. 1st Quarter 2013 industrial peace situation remains peaceful and stable
14. Mindanao CSOs call for ceasefire between gov't, reds
15. Gov’t maps out action plan as more Pinoys return from Sabah

BSP rediscount rates for April 2013

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

The BSP announced today the rediscount rates applicable on loan availments by banking institutions for
April 2013.

For loans under the Peso Rediscount Facility, the BSP Peso Rediscount Rate is set at 3.50 percent p.a.
for all maturities effective 29 October 2012, in line with the Monetary Board policy decision to reduce
policy rates during its 25 October 2012 meeting. The Peso Rediscount Rate is based on the applicable
BSP overnight reverse repurchase rate per Circular No. 679 dated 01 February 2010.

Meanwhile, for loans under the Exporters Dollar and Yen Rediscount Facility (EDYRF), the rates for the
month of April are as follows:

Dollar 0.20370 percent p.a.

Yen 0.12429 percent p.a.

The EDYRF rediscount rates are based on the respective London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as of
28 March 2013.

Under the Peso Rediscount Facility, total availments of commercial, thrift and rural banks amounted to
P10,987 million for the period 01 January to 31 March 2013, 22.3 percent higher than the P8,987 million
total in the same period last year. Of the availments for the month, 88.2 percent went to commercial
credits, 1.4 percent to agricultural and industrial credits, and 10.4 percent to other credits consisting of
CAPEX (5.1 percent), other services (5.1 percent) and permanent working capital (0.2 percent).

Under the EDYRF, aggregate dollar availments of seven commercial banks for the period 01 January to
31 March 2013 amounted to US$46.1 million and benefitted 20 exporters. This represents a 38.4 percent
increase in availments compared to the US$33.3 million grants for the same period last year.

On the other hand, there was no Yen-denominated availment under the EDYRF for the period 01 January
to 31 March 2013.
|TOP|

In CARAGA, three new CBAs signed in a single week

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

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced the signing of three
new collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in the Caraga region in March.

Citing a report of Reynaldo R. Ubaldo, executive director of the National Conciliation and Mediation
Board, Baldoz said:

―This signing of three CBAs in a single month is unprecedented. Actually, all three CBAs were signed
within a week, the second week of March 2013,‖ Baldoz said.

The first to sign a new CBA are the union and management of Prudential Brokerage Services, Inc. which
signed their CBA on 12 March 2013.

"This is the first CBA at the company. It will retroact to June 1, 2011 and shall be binding between the
parties until May 31, 2016. The economic provisions, however, will be up to May 31, 2013, meaning
anytime now, the parties might be negotiating again for the economic provisions for the fourth and fifth
years,‖ said Ubaldo in his report.

"This is a very welcome development considering what the parties went through to realize their dream of
signing their first ever CBA,‖ Ubaldo further said.

The Prudential union, Surigao Dockworkers Labor Union–NAFLU-KMU and company representatives
went through a bitter struggle on the path to their first CBA.
On September 19, 2012, the union filed a notice of strike against the company after CBA negotiations at
the plant level ended in a deadlock.
Fruitless negotiations before the NCMB regional branch forced the union to declare a strike on 7
November 2012. The strike, though, lasted only one day after the parties agreed during the conciliation
conference to go back to the negotiating table.

On 8 November 2012, the parties signed a memorandum of agreement ending the one-day strike. Both
undertook to continue negotiations for the unresolved issues.

On 13 February 2013, the parties finally put an end to their negotiations, declaring resolution of all issues
in their CBA negotiations. The estimated economic package of the new CBA amounted to P2.3 million
benefiting 113 employees.

―We really hope that with the signing of their CBA, the parties can now focus on other more important
concerns in their union-management relations,‖ Ubaldo said.

The CBA signing at Prudential set the tone for the signing of two more CBAs. On 15 March,
Agusan Plantations, Inc. and its union, the Pinagbuklod na Lakas ng Manggagawa sa Plantasyon ng
API–NAFLU–KMU signed an agreement covering the first three years of their five-year CBA with
estimated economic package amounting to P3.1 million benefiting 104 employees.

―Like Prudential Customs Brokerage, the parties at Agusan Plantations also had to endure protracted
negotiations before finally sealing an agreement,‖ Ubaldo disclosed further.

On 15 October 2012, the union filed a notice of strike with RCMB 13 because of CBA deadlock and unfair
labor practice.

Thereafter followed a series of conciliation meetings, which lasted until 4 January 2013, more than two
months after the union filed the notice of strike. On that date, the parties signed a memorandum of
agreement ending their long-drawn-out negotiations for their CBA and declaring themselves ready to sign
their new CBA. Their agreement covers the period January 2012 to 31 December 2014.

Also on 15 March 2013, the parties at Agumil Philippines, Inc. signed the agreement covering the last two
years of their CBA covering the period 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2012, with estimated economic
benefits of P680,000 for some 42 employees.

Secretary Badloz said these developments augur well for the future of industrial peace, not only in the
Caraga region, but also in the entire country.

―Although the parties had to go through difficult negotiations, it is heartwarming to note that their dogged
determination to craft an agreement that would govern their relations bore the fruit that they had all
wanted to see,‖ she said.

―With a CBA now in place in these companies, we hope that harmonious relations continue to prevail
between the concerned parties, so that they can work together towards greater productivity and improved
business viability and competitiveness,‖ Baldoz added.
|TOP|

KSA suspends crackdown; gives 3-month grace period for illegal workers and their employers to
comply with the kingdom’s labor rules
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

KSA suspends crackdown; gives 3-month grace period for illegal workers and their employers to comply
with the kingdom‘s labor rules No less than the King Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has
ordered the kingdom‘s Ministries of Interior and Labor to give undocumented workers in the country three
(3) months to correct their work and residency status.

Citing the report of the Labor Attache to Al-Khobar Adam Musa and Labor Attache to Jeddah Alejandro
Padaen, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said that the three (3) month
period should be used by the employers of the undocumented workers to legalize their stay by acquiring
Iqama and residency permit for them.

―This is a welcome development for those affected workers. The Post has not received any reports of
OFWs being arrested on these grounds, but some workers have expressed apprehension and were
presumed to have been psychologically affected,‖ the labor chief said.

It is expected that after the grace period, Saudi authorities will fully enforce its labor and visa
requirements, imposing steep fines and jail time on violating worker or employer, depending on the nature
of violations. Fine ranges from one thousand to fifty thousand Saudi Riyals (P11,002-P550,105). Padaen
reported that as of 07 April, there are 6,277 individuals composed of 5,712 irregular workers (3,850
females and 1,862 males) and 565 minors in the western region who indicated their desire to be
repatriated.

The main problem, however, are the undocumented mothers and children seeking repatriation who have
to pass stringent requirements imposed by the local authorities.

―Most of the parents do not possess a marriage contract, or have an expired Iqama, or have no Iqama at
all. Under Shariah Law, birth out of wedlock is punishable by imprisonment before deportation,‖ the report
stated. Baldoz, however, said that the POLO is coordinating with the proper Saudi authorities to assist
OFWs who will need assistance for their repatriation.

She also urged those who are supposed to go home already to immediately report to the Philippine
Embassy to facilitate their repatriation. Meanwhile, the labor chief instructed the Overseas Workers‘
Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to
strongly emphasize during the Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) and Pre-Departure
Orientation Seminar (PDOS) the prohibitions under labor laws in foreign countries, especially in the KSA.

―OFWs about to be deployed, or those who are planning to work abroad should be strongly aware of the
basic laws in other countries, such that holders of visitor‘s visa should not work without obtaining a work
permit; that owners of visa should leave the country before their visas expire; and that birth out of wedlock
is strictly forbidden especially in conservative countries such as the KSA,‖ Baldoz said. She also
reminded those who are about to be deployed, not only in the KSA, but to other countries as well, that
they should ensure that their papers are complete before leaving the country.

―They should meticulously check the completeness, authenticity, and accuracy of all their pertinent
documents so as to avoid jeopardizing their stay in their host country,‖ she explained. Based on the
January-June 2012 Report to the Congress on the Implementation of RA 8042 of the Philippine Overseas
Labor Office and the Overseas Workers‘ Welfare Administration, there are 20,000 undocumented workers
in Riyadh; 10,000 in Jeddah and in the Western Region; 300 in the Eastern Region; and 100 in Central
Region.
|TOP|

DSWD, NEDA to submit substitute bill for Manga Carta of the Poor
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

President Benigno S. Aquino III directed the Human Development and Social Development Clusters led
by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD), respectively, to come up with a substitute bill for endorsement to the next
Congress, according to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman.

―The DSWD and NEDA will closely work for the passage of a substitute bill for the Magna Carta of the
Poor. We hope to submit the substitute bill on the first or second day of Congress when it resumes in
July. The proposed measure will clearly define the progressive implementation of the Magna Carta, as
well as the fund sources,‖ Secretary Soliman explained.

Secretary Soliman further explained that the decision of President Aquino to veto the proposed Magna
Carta of the Poor is justified, saying that the President cannot give false hope to the poor because the
government does not have enough resources for the measure.

Secretary Soliman said that President Aquino found several unrealistic provisions of the proposed law,
which the government cannot meet because of resources constraints.

The proposed Magna Carta of the Poor seeks to guarantee the rights of the poor to food, employment
and livelihood, quality education, shelter, and other basic health services ―as a matter of right.‖

Secretary Soliman also dismissed insinuation that President Aquino does not care for the poor, citing that
30 percent of the national budget for 2013 has been allocated for the delivery of social services.

―The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, for instance, has at present 3.9 million household
beneficiaries. There are also about 5.2 million poor households benefiting from PhilHealth‖ Secretary
Soliman ended.
|TOP|

Manggahan Festival kicks off at Robinsons-Iloilo

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

Manggahan Festival kicks off at ―Manggahan sa Robinsons‖ fair, Robinsons mall, Iloilo City starting April
8-14, 2013. The fair is week-long promotional activity and advertising program participated by 13 Micro
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) featuring the best products and culture of the Province of
Guimaras. Opening of the fair is at 3:00PM on April 8.

Mangahan sa Robinson is a prelude activity to the "Mangahan Festival" slated on April 14 to 21, 2013 at
the Guimaras Provincial Capitol grounds. With the theme "Guimaras...Unfolding Opportunities,
Harnessing Resources", series of activities are lined up for the occasion aimed at developing the tourism
potentials of the province.

One of the grandest activities is a cultural show that reflects Guimarasnon's colorful way of life and culture
commemorating the provincehood anniversary of Guimaras.

Adding color to the Festival are the activities set at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, where everyday is
packed with fun-filled events like traditional "Guimaras mango-eat all-you-can", Mangoman Triathlon and
Fun Run, Agri-Trade Fair, food festival, and the search for the Mutya ng Guimaras.

Opening salvo and launching of the Guimaras Agri-Trade Fair is on April 15 at 9:00AM at the Guimaras
Capitol Grounds. The Trade Fair will be a venue for the MSMEs to promote their products and bring in
financial benefits. Products to be showcased include processed fruits & nuts, bags, baskets, pottery,
decorative boats, candles, paper crafts, mangoes and other fruits, vegetables & ornamental plants. There
are 75 MSMEs participating with PHP3M target sales.
|TOP|

GPH aims for peace agreement based on solid foundation

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

KUALA LUMPUR – Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Miriam Coronel-Ferrer said
that the Aquino administration wants an agreement based on a ―solid foundation that will withstand the
scrutiny of the skeptics, the misgivings of the unconvinced, the cynicism of the critical.‖

In her statement yesterday during the opening ceremony of the 37th Formal Exploratory Talks between
the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Coronel-Ferrer underscored that ―our President,
this government panel, our government, are not the type who will promise the moon, the sun, and the
stars, only to leave you later in the dark or to your own resources when the going gets even tougher.‖

Coronel-Ferrer maintained that the government aims to sign the remaining annexes confidently by taking
the time needed to thoroughly review them. This, she said, was the reason the 37th round of talks was
reset from its original March schedule.

―I can tell you that the Cabinet members have gone out of their way to shepherd this process. Many have
spent time with us seeking solutions, providing context, broadening understanding,‖ she said.

―Our agenda remains clear: we solve the remaining issues across the three annexes, seek the creative
compromises, and find the right language, ― Coronel-Ferrer added.

The peace panels are currently trying to hammer out the remaining annexes on Wealth-sharing, Power-
sharing and Normalization. The Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities was the first to be
signed in February.

Firm commitment to peace

MILF Panel Chair Mohagher Iqbal, in his statement said that ―the MILF is fully committed to finish the
process in order to establish real peace in Mindanao,‖ reiterating their trust on the sincerity and
commitment of President Aquino.

―Without appearing very simplistic, I think we are about to achieve this historic feat on signing the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement with the Aquino administration.‖ Iqbal said as he related his optimism
to settle the remaining issues on the annexes.

During the opening, the GPH introduced two new members of its delegation: new legal panel head Atty.
Anna Tarhata Basman who takes the place of recently appointed TC member Atty. Johaira Wahab and
new ceasefire chief Gen. Cesar Dionisio Sedillo who replaced former GPH -Coordinating Committee on
the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) chief Gen. Jose Gilberto Roa.
|TOP|

PNP probes three cops in Tarlac melee

Source: http://pnp.gov.ph

The Philippine National Police is taking swift and decisive action on an apparent case of police
misconduct by some personnel in Tarlac. A video footage of that March 4, 2013 incident has one viral on
the internet. PNP Spokesman, Chief Superintendent Generoso R Cerbo Jr. said an investigation has
been conducted by the

Paniqui Municipal Police Station to where the policemen seen on the video are assigned. ―It must be
understood that the video footage provided only limited information of what really happened on March 4,
2013 when PO3 Fernando Acosta, PO3 Ritchel Antonio and PO2 Gerardo Bermudez were effecting the
arrest of Jimmy Gregorio, a native of Mababanaba, Tarlac City.

According to Paniqui Municipal Police Station, Chief of Police, Superintendent Miguel Gusman, the three
policemen were responding to a call for police assistance regarding an unruly person under the influence
of liquor who was creating trouble. Gusman said Gregorio‘s assault on the police officers resulted in
injuries to PO3 Antonio which was duly certified by a physician through a medical certificate. The ensuing
events were apparently the reaction of the arresting police officers to subdue and restrain the suspect.
Gregorio has since been charged for direct assault and physical injuries filed before the Municipal Trial
Court of Paniqui, Tarlac docketed under Criminal Case number 19-2013.

At any rate, investigations will continue to determine possible lapses in procedural actions in effecting
arrests.
|TOP|

Phl set for greater global, regional integration, says NEDA socioeconomic report
Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph

MANILA—The Philippines is set to further strengthen relations and liberalize trade with neighboring
countries to allow local producers to take advantage of preferential tariffs and provide better access to
markets of partner economies, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

―We are closely looking at how we can do well in global and regional integration with partner economies,
especially at opening new markets and strengthening existing ones for our local producers,‖
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

Citing the latest Socioeconomic Report (SER): 2010-2012 recently released by NEDA, Balisacan noted
that the country‘s continued trade liberalization with member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) already resulted in the removal of tariffs on 98.7 percent of the lines under the ASEAN
Trade in Goods Agreement in 2010.

The Cabinet official added that the case is similar with trade in services.

―The Philippines has completed the eighth package of commitments under the ASEAN Framework
Agreement on Services. The agreement‘s text on the movement of persons across ASEAN borders was
signed at the ASEAN Summit in November 2012,‖ noted Balisacan.

He added that the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA), which envisions to transform
the region into an investment hub that would be able to compete with other emerging economies, already
entered into force in March 2012.

―Free trade agreements (FTAs) between ASEAN and giant economies like South Korea, Japan and India,
expanded market opportunities for local companies due to lower tariffs, better trade facilitation, among
others,‖ said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.

To further deepen economic integration in the ASEAN region, Balisacan said that the Philippines
continues to participate in discussions on the ASEAN Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP).

―The RCEP intends to enhance economic cooperation and integration with ASEAN Dialogue Partners
based on mutual interest, transparency and best practices. Apart from the RCEP, the country will
continue to implement measures to facilitate trade and encourage greater FTA utilization,‖ said Balisacan.

The SER reported that the Philippines continues to participate in ASEAN initiatives designed to facilitate
trade, including the ASEAN Single Window and the 2nd Pilot Project on ASEAN Self Certification Project,
among others.

In addition, the Philippines is involved in the feasibility study for the ASEAN Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) to
support initiatives to boost shipping, rail and air networks in the region, according to the SER.

The SER also stated that the Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA) consultation forums have
increased awareness of local producers, exporters, importers, among others, on the preferences provided
in the various FTAs.

As of September 2012, a total of 175 information campaigns have been conducted and attended by some
18,905 participants, mostly from the private sector and business support organizations from the food,
motor vehicles/parts, coconut, garments/wearables/homestyle, and services sectors.

The DBFTA forums provide data, guidance, and direction on how businesses can avail of preferential
tariffs, gain access to timely and relevant market information on partner economies, and procedures on
breaking into these markets or expanding their share. Inter-agency coordination in the formulation and
implementation of the country‘s policy towards enhancing relations with regional and inter-regional
organizations was also strengthened.

The Philippine Council for Regional Cooperation (PCRC), formerly known as the Philippine Council on
ASEAN and APEC Cooperation, is tasked with discussing all matters related to Philippines positions
under the ASEAN, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Asia-Europe Meeting, Forum for East Asia and
Latin America Cooperation and similar regional initiatives.

The SER is an assessment of the first two years of the Aquino administration in relation to the targets and
strategies set in the PDP 2011-2016.
|TOP|
Vice-President Binay opens Philippine Grand Exhibition in Paris
Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

10 April 2013 - Vice-President Jejomar Binay opened on April 08 the Philippines' first ever grand
exhibition at the Musee du Quai Branly in the heart of Paris, the world's cultural capital.

Entitled "Philippines:Archipel des échanges" (archipelago of exchanges), the grand exhibition is hosted by
the Branly Museum, one of Europe's premier museums dedicated to the arts and civilizations of Asia,
Africa, Oceania and the Americas.

More than 300 essential works in pre-colonial Filipino art selected from both public and private collections
in the Philippines, Europe and the United States (U.S.) are featured in this world-famous museum from
April 09 until July 14 this year.

In his remarks, the Vice-President thanked the French government for the opportunity‘ to showcase the
Philippines' pre-colonial art in the Branly Museum. "We are proud to share with France and the world our
collection of pre-colonial art including four of our priceless national treasures and more than 300 ancient
artifacts assembled from public and private collections, giving a glimpse of the Filipino soul in ancient
times and the diversity and richness of Philippine culture and tradition", remarked Vice-President Binay.

The Vice-President, who represented President Benigno S. Aquino III to the event, said that the
Philippines actively contributes to promoting peace and stability in the world.

Considered an emerging economic tiger in Southeast Asia, the country enjoys a stable economy, good
macro-economic fundamentals and increasing income levels, and was recently given an investment
grade credit rating by an international ratings firm.

In his remarks, French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault fondly recalled his visit to the Philippines in
October last year, saying that it was the first ever official visit of a French head of government. He
thanked the Philippine government for accepting France's invitation for the country to be featured at the
Branly Museum and said that it is a privileged occasion to show the French people the multiple facets and
the cultural wealth of the archipelago. He mentioned the exhibition as the Philippines' "grand fierte"(big
pride) to be able to share to the world the richness and diversity of its culture.

The Prime Minister further said the exhibition is an opportunity to strengthen relations between France
and the Philippines, underscoring cultural openness between partners as a necessary element in
solidifying bilateral relations.

In attendance were high-level officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, Agriculture and
the Bangko Sentral, the National Museum and Ayala Museum, and private lenders from the Philippines,
Europe and U.S. who loaned their collections for the exhibition.

Aside from the French Prime Minister and his wife Madame Brigitte Ayrault, the French Minister of Culture
Madame Aurelie Filippetti attended, along with other government officials, members of the diplomatic
corps, academicians, cultural experts and enthusiasts, and representatives of the private sector.

The Virlanie Children's Choir serenaded the guests during the grand opening at the Branly Museum.
Their performance at the event was personally requested by Madame Ayrault herself. The Prime
Minister's wife met the children during the official visit to the Philippines last year. Their trip to France was
organized by the Paris-based Virlanie Foundation.

A reception organized by the Department of Agriculture followed. Renowned Philippine chefs Margarita
Fores and Vicky Pacheco created menus in French-styled cuisine using Philippine native ingredients.
|TOP|

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas conducts financial learning campaign in Brunei Darussalam

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

10 April 2013 - ―It is never too late to save.‖ This was the underlying message conveyed by officials of the
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) who conducted a financial learning campaign (―Paghahanda sa
Kinabukasan‖) in the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam on April 05.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Gunigundo and BSP Managing Director Wilhelmina C Manalac, International
Sub-Sector, were the resource speakers who gave a presentation on the need to prepare a financial plan
for retirement and eventual re-integration into Philippine society for the overseas Filipino worker (OFW)
community in Brunei Darussalam.

In his welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Nestor Z. Ochoa stated that the session was
BSP's way of empowering Filipinos living and working abroad by promoting financial literacy and the
ability to understand money matters, which includes knowledge of managing credit, debt, and financial
products.
 Ambassador Ochoa expressed hope that the participants would gain some practical tips on investing their
hard-earn money. "At the end of today's session it is hoped that we will gain the ability to make some
financial decisions not to enable our families to live comfortably today but to ensure that we will be
financially secure in the future.‖

In her presentation, Director Manalac talked about how to invest hard-earned money, benefits of
remittances, importance of financial planning, investing money in treasury bills and, riskier, in stocks. She
added that "financial freedom is having the income to pay what you need. A financial plan is meeting life's
goals through proper management of financial resources. Time horizon is how long you will make the
investment. The younger you are, the higher your ability to take risk. The earlier you save, the better. The
only mistake is not to start saving at all," she said.

During the open forum session, Deputy Governor Gunigundo answered many of the questions raised by
the participants.

Based on the BSP website, more than US$4.9 million and US$5.6 million had been remitted in 2011 and
2012, respectively, by Filipinos working in Brunei. Meanwhile, in January of this year, a total of
US$843,000 (BND$1,045,094) was sent home, up 263.36 per cent from US$232,000 (BND$287,554)
sent in January 2012.
|TOP|

DA allots P500M to promote hybrid rice

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

The Department of Agriculture is allotting P500 million to encourage more farmers to plant hybrid rice
varieties, and contribute in attaining national rice sufficiency by the end of this year and beyond.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said P200 million (M) will be spent this year and another P300 M in
2014 to increase hybrid rice utilization and hectarage by eight to 10 percent (%) in 2014 from 3.5 % last
year.

He said the DA under its national rice program will continuously promote both private and public hybrids,
particularly those developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) through the establishment
of more technology-demonstrations farms in top rice-producing provinces by the DA Regional Field Units,
in partnership with private hybrid rice seed producers, farmers‘ groups and irrigators‘ associations (IAs),
and local government units (LGUs).

In addition, farmers wanting to plant hybrids can avail of production loans of up to P50,000 per hectare and
P41,000 per hectare, if they wish to plant inbreds, under the expanded P400-million ‗Sikat-Saka‘ credit
program implemented jointly by the DA and Land Bank of the Philippines, said Secretary Alcala during the
1st National Hybrid Rice Congress, April 4, 2013, at PhilRice, Muñoz City, Nueva Ecija.

He said the promotion of hybrid rice is an integral part of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP),
the Aquino government‘s banner food security program that aims to attain sufficiency in rice and major
staples like white corn, root crops and plantains.

―We are on track to achieving sufficiency in rice by end of 2013,‖ the DA chief said before 1,000
participants, composed of farmers, private seed producers, local government officials, foreign rice experts
and other rice industry stakeholders.

Under the FSSP, the DA aims to produce a record harvest of 20 million tons (MT), making the country
100% sufficient, which is 11% or two million tons more than last year‘s output of 18 million MT.

―We can take pride in the success of FSSP, but we know we need to exert more effort and cooperation,
particularly among farmers‘ groups, LGUs and the private sector,‖ Secretary Alcala said.

He said the choice of what rice varieties to plant, either hybrids or inbreds, still depends on the farmers
themselves, as they will have to consider the suitability of their farm, availability of irrigation, amount of
farm inputs and capital, and their level of technology.

To hasten the promotion of hybrids, he urged the private seed companies to make their seeds available at
the right time when farmers need them.

He also challenged them and the DA-PhilRice to help farmers attain the ―10-5‖ goal, that is, an average
harvest of 10 tons of palay per hectare and an average production cost of P5 per kilo.

This way, he said, Filipino rice farmers could compete with their counterparts in Southeast Asia, like
Thailand and Vietnam.

PhilRice director Eufemio Rasco, Jr. said the goal is attainable, as PhiRice-developed ‗mestizo‘ hybrids
could produce up to12 tons per hectare, under favorable conditions and proper farm management.

This year, the DA aims to expand the area planted to hybrids by 72% to 284,400 hectares, versus last
year‘s 164,787 hectares, said Assistant Secretary Dante Delima, during his presentation on the first day of
 the hybrid rice congress. Last year‘s hybrid rice hectarage represented 3.5% of the country‘s total
harvested area of 4,689,960 hectares, while the majority were planted to inbreds and home-saved seeds.

In 2014, the hybrid rice hectarage will be further expanded to 388,000 hectares, said Delima, who also
serves as the DA national rice program coordinator.

Delima urged private seed producers to actively participate in the ‗Sikat-Saka‘ credit program, and
encourage qualified farmers, particularly those belonging to irrigators‘ associations in top 20 rice producing
provinces, to plant hybrids.

Sikat-Saka was piloted last year in four major rice provinces of Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Iloilo and North
Cotabato. It will be expanded this year to include 16 other top rice producers, said Delima. These include
Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines
Sur, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Bukidnon, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and
Zamboanga del Sur.

During the three-day congress, farmers and other participants were privileged to hear the breakthroughs of
Professor Yuan Longping, considered as China‘s father of hybrid rice. He shared how he developed the
first hybrid rice varieties in the mid-1970s, which made China sufficient and a major rice producer.

The event was sponsored jointly by the DA national rice program, PhilRice, Philippine Center for
Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural
Technology (PhilSCAT), and seven private seed companies (Bayer, Bioseed, DevGen, DuPont Pioneer,
SeedWorks, SL Agritech, and Syngenta).
|TOP|

Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino must deepen its assistance to its beneficiaries

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

DSWD`s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program or 4Ps must provide longer assistance to its present
beneficiaries instead of increasing the number of its beneficiary families.

A recent study of PIDS Senior Research Fellow Celia Reyes and Supervising Research Specialist Aubrey
Tabuga recommends the extension of 4Ps assistance to current beneficiary families to ensure that their
children can finish high school. If this happens, they will have more employment opportunities when they
enter the labor market.

The Philippine conditional cash transfer program targets extremely poor families and provides PHP300 a
month for every child in each family. A maximum of three children can benefit under the program, or
PHP3,000 for a school year (i.e., 10 months) for meeting educational expenses. There is also a health
component that allots PHP6,000 annually for each family or PHP500 per month.

Targeted children are those aged up to 14 years old. The maximum period of assistance is five years. For
example, a poor family with a three-year-old child can only be assisted up until he or she turns eight. On
the other hand, one that has only a 12-year-old adolescent can only be assisted for two years.

The study notes that returns on educational investment vary in different levels of educational attainment.
High school graduates can earn as much as PHP246 a day, which is 40 percent higher than the PHP186
average daily wage of elementary graduates. The study therefore deems it favorable to extend the
coverage to up to 16-18 years of age to enable the 4Ps children to finish high school and to increase the
period of coverage from 5 to 10 years or even longer. Enabling the children to finish high school poses
more benefits. This would likely boost their wages when they enter the labor market and eventually
increase the chance of breaking intergenerational poverty as it will increase investments in human capital.

Extending the period of assistance would also be complementary to the recently adopted K+12 program
(kindergarten, six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior
High School). This would enable the 4Ps children to complete the 12 years of primary and secondary
schools by the time they reach 18 years old.
|TOP|

1st Quarter 2013 industrial peace situation remains peaceful and stable
Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

NCMB Executive Director Reynaldo R. Ubaldo has reported that the entire country was strike-free for the
first three months of 2013.

In his report to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, Director Ubaldo said that it was the second
year in a rowthat no strike occurred during the first quarter.

―We did this through the provision of timely, efficient, and effective conciliation-mediation services to
parties involved in potential or brewing labor disputes,‖ he said.

―Our time tested strategies of 24/7 conciliation and team/buddy conciliation have been effective in
 diffusing tensions between labor and management, preventing what could have been debilitating strikes
in many companies,‖ Ubaldo said further.

Team conciliation and 24/7 scheme in attending to conciliation-mediation cases are being implemented
by the NCMB to effectively manage labor disputes and minimize, if not prevent losses to the workers, to
the company, and to the economy.

Under the 24/7 scheme, conciliator-mediators are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure
quick response to clients‘ requests for assistance and to make sure that labor disputes are attended to,
with the purpose of bringing about early and amicable settlement.

Team, or buddy, conciliation is a scheme or strategy anchored on the principle ―Two heads are better
than one‖. It involves partnering of two to three conciliators whose combined efforts and expertise are
expected to facilitate settlement of critical and difficult cases.

―Threats of a strike also declined considerably, as notices of strike filed by unions continue to follow a
downward trend,‖ Director Ubaldodisclosed further.

He said that NCMB regional branches received 36 notices of strike during the quarter, 14% fewer than
the 42 cases docketed during the same period last year.

There is a slight increase in workers involved in new notices of strike, though, hinting that bigger
companies are the targets of fresh strike threats. Some 5,334 workers are involved in the 36 NS cases
received during the first quarter of 2013, 2% more than the 5,230 workers involved in the 42 cases
docketed in similar period in 2012.

Independent unions account for close to half – 17 cases or 47% – of the 36 new notices filed during the
quarter. Others were filed by affiliated unions and federations.

In 2012, all the three strikeswere declared by unions allied with NAFLU-KMU. Of the 33 notices of strike
pending as of 31 March 2013, ten cases were filed by unions allied with either KMU or NAFLU.

―We continue to exert efforts to maintain the current state of labor relations in the country, so disruptions
in the industrial front do not get in the way of the administration‘s efforts tosecure a better lifefor our
people, most especially the private sector workers who comprise a large segment of our
population,‖Ubaldosaid.

Secretary Baldoz commended NCMB for its efforts and said that " win- win" strategy through conciliation
and settlement is the best.

WILLIAM E. CALINA, labor communications officer, NCMB

|TOP|

Mindanao CSOs call for ceasefire between gov't, reds

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

Civil society organizations from Mindanao urged the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the
Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front (CPP/NPA/NDF) to
arrive at a ceasefire agreement as more and more communities have been suffering from the brunt of
armed clashes.

Jimid Mansayagan of Lumad Mindanaw stressed that the two parties should pursue a truce first.

―Bakit huli ang cessation of hostilities? Sana una iyan to spare us from the brunt of conflict na wala mi
kalabutan. (Why should the cessation of hostilities come in last? That should come first to spare us from
the brunt of the conflict, which we are not really part of),‖ he said during a recent public consultation on
the GPH-CPP/NPA/NDF peace process in Davao City.

Present at the forum were GPH peace panel chair Alexander Padilla; panel members Jurgette
Honculada, Lourdes Tizon and Ednar Dayanghirang; and Office of the Presidential Adviser on the
Peace Process Undersecretary Maria Cleofe Gettie Sandoval.

Lucy Rico of Pagtukusan-Agusan, one of the forum participants, expressed alarm over the killings of
indigenous peoples (IP) allegedly by the NPA.

―Sa ganitong situasyon na unti-unting nawawala ang mga leaders namin, hindi ko alam (kung) bukas o
sa abot ng panahon ay mawawala na rin ako dahil nagsasalita ako ng totoo (In this situation where we
are losing our leaders, I‘m not sure if tomorrow or some day I too will be gone, because I speak the
truth),‖ Rico said.

New ways to move forward

Given the impasse in the negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF, Honculada said it is crucial to find new
ways to move forward and ―start on the peace path anew.‖
Similarly, Dayanghirang remarked that ―this is a start of a new frontier in reaching peace.‖

On the other hand, Sandoval recognized that ―it is more difficult to attain peace than make war‖ but
venues of engagement such as public dialogues, prove the government‘s sincerity in pursuing peace.

Padilla said that in spite of the negativity of some stakeholders of the GPH-CPP/NPA/NDF peace
process, peace is is still possible with the support of all.

―Marami ngang nag-iisip na hindi naman mangyayari ang peace agreement with CPP/NPA/NDF, hindi
tulad ng sa MILF… Sa CPP/NPA/NDF, baka nga walang mangyari. Well, maybe, ganun nga ang
magiging sitwasyon, pero nasa pangaginip ko pa rin para sa ating bansa na darating at darating ang
panahong may tunay na kapayapaan, but we just really have to work for it (Many people think that a
peace agreement with the CPP/NPA/NDF may never happen, unlike with the MILF. With the
CPP/NPA/NDF, we might end up with nothing. Well, maybe, that‘s how it will turn out, but it is still part of
my dream that this country achieves genuine peace. We just really have to work for it).‖
|TOP|

Gov’t maps out action plan as more Pinoys return from Sabah
Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

In an effort to track and ensure that services are provided to families returning from Sabah, 50
representatives of government agencies in Region IX and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM) met recently in Lantaka Hotel, Zamboanga City to draft an action plan which will include all
contributions and possible programs from the different line agencies that could be implemented and provided
to the returnees.

Based on the April 5 report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Disaster Risk Reduction
and Response Operations Office (DSWD-DRRRO), some 5,349 persons have returned from Sabah.

―The need to converge and pool our resources as well as synchronize our activities is a demand that we need
to address,‖ DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Hashim-Taradji, who presided over the meeting, stated.

One action plan is to issue a Family Access Card to displaced persons from Sabah upon disembarkation to
any point in Mindanao. The Provincial Social Welfare Officers (PSWOs) of the three provinces of ARMM –
Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan, will provide color-coded cards to displaced families to entitle them to services
being provided by the national and local governments and to prevent duplication in the availment of the
services.

Undersecretary Taradji explained that the access cards will systematize provision of relief, transportation, and
shelter assistance and cash-for-work to the displaced families.

She added that the DSWD will also deploy twelve social workers to Sabah today, April 8 to reinforce the
efforts of staff currently assisting the affected Filipinos.

Undersecretary Taradji also disclosed that the DSWD will deploy a four-man team to Tawi-Tawi and Sulu on
April 9-13 to undertake needs assessment and contingency planning for the continued arrival of displaced
Filipinos from Sabah.

To date, a total of P10.4 million worth of humanitarian aid was provided to the affected families through the
combined resources of DSWD (P10.4 million) and NGOs (P4,100). The aid includes relief packs, hygiene kits
and transportation assistance.

One-Stop Processing Center continues

The One-Stop Processing Center (OSPC) in Taganak, Tawi-Tawi is another mechanism set-up by the
government to facilitate long-term interventions. The process flow involves two phases – Phase I which
DSWD is tasked to handle and Phase II where the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) comes in.

Phase I includes the arrival of displaced families to the Philippines, where they are immediately attended to
as well as interviewed and assessed for appropriate intervention. Phase II highlights the provision of needed
assistance to the displaced families which covers three options such as the processing of papers for return to
employers in Malaysia, the reintegration process for wage employment, and the provision of livelihood
assistance (self-employment).

The OSPC mechanism was implemented in 1997 when the Federal Government of Malaysia strictly enforced
its Immigration Act. Thousands of Filipinos were deported due to expired work papers, lack of documents and
illegal residency status.
|TOP|
Last Updated: 10 APRIL 2013
Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy
Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III endorses the Liberal Party candidates for the May 13, 2013 midterm
election from Capiz Province, headed by Capiz 2nd District congressional candidate Mary Andaya, during
the meeting with local leaders and the community at the Mambusao Public Plaza in Capiz on Wednesday
(April 10, 2013). The Liberal Party was founded on January 19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President
of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III endorses the Liberal Party candidates for the May 13, 2013 midterm
election from Capiz Province, headed by reelectionist Capiz Governor Victor Tanco and Vice Gubernatorial
candidate Nonoy Contreras, during the meeting with local leaders and the community at the Mambusao
Public Plaza in Capiz on Wednesday (April 10). The Liberal Party was founded on January 19, 1946 by
Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang
Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III attends the meeting with local leaders and the community at the
Mambusao Public Plaza in Capiz on Wednesday (April 10). The Liberal Party (LP) was founded on January
19, 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. Also in photo are LP Capiz
2nd District congressional candidate Mary Andaya, LP president and Transportation and Communications
Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, reelectionist LP
Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, LP Mambusao mayoralty candidate Sharon Martinez-Martelino and LP vice
gubernatorial candidate Nonoy Contreras. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the meeting with local leaders and the
community at the Mambusao Public Plaza in Capiz on Wednesday (April 10). 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 Poe-Llamanzares, 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 Piñas Representative Cynthia Villar. (Photo by Gil
Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III answers questions during the media briefing following the ceremonial
groundbreaking of the Roxas City Airport Development Project at the Roxas City Airport in Capiz on
Wednesday (April 10). The project aims to shore up the government’s goal to have at least 10 million
tourists in 2016, and in recognition of Roxas City as the country’s “seafood capital” where an increasing
number of local and foreign tourists are expected to visit. (Photo by: Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo
Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roxas City
Airport Development Project at the Roxas City Airport in Capiz on Wednesday (April 10). The project aims
to shore up the government’s goal to have at least 10 million tourists in 2016, and in recognition of Roxas
City as the country’s “seafood capital” where an increasing number of local and foreign tourists are
expected to visit. (Photo by Rolando Mailo / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roxas City Airport
Development Project at the Roxas City Airport in Capiz on Wednesday (April 10). The project aims to shore
up the government’s goal to have at least 10 million tourists in 2016, in recognition of Roxas City as the
country’s “seafood capital” where an increasing number of local and foreign tourists are expected to visit.
Also in photo are Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Interior and Local
Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general
William Hotchkiss and Capiz 1st District Representative Antonio del Rosario. (Photo by Gil Nartea /
Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Roxas City Airport
Development Project at the Roxas City Airport in Roxas City, Capiz on Wednesday (April 10). The project
aims to shore up the government’s goal to have at least 10 million tourists in 2016, and in recognition of
Roxas City as the country’s “seafood capital” where an increasing number of local and foreign tourists are
expected to visit. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)