Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for June 11 , 2013 Tuesday, 8 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 6 Photonews , 12 Weather Watch,
7 Regional Watch , 3 OFW Watch , 16 Online News

Weather Watch
18 hours ago ONSET OF THE RAINY SEASON The prevailing synoptic conditions over the country are now characterized by southwesterly to westerly wind flow, high humidity, presence of rain clouds and the daily occurrence of rain showers and thunderstorms. With this development, enhanced rainfall is expected over the country particularly over the western section which signifies the onset of the rainy season. However, breaks in rainfall maybe expected lasting for a few days or weeks.

-- PAGASA-DOST --

Weather Watch
10 minutes ago near Quezon City, Philippines PIA-NCR: Although tropical storm Dante made its way out of the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday night, parts of the country, especially the western sections of Luzon and the Visayas, are likely to experience rains on Tuesday due to weak southwest monsoon, according to Pagasa. On Monday, Pagasa declared the onset of the rainy season. The southwest monsoon is the prevailing weather system during this season. Metro Manila will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Weather Watch
2 hours ago ANC: TS Dante has already left PAR but rains will continue due to Southwest monsoon. Meantime, PAGASA is monitoring another LPA seen near Central Luzon which is expected to make landfall tomorrow.

Weather Watch
3 hours ago ABS-CBN: Naging maulan sa Metro Manila ngayong umaga na epekto naman ng Habagat na hinila at pinalakas ng bagyong Dante. Posible pa ring umulan sa Metro Manila mamamayang hapon o gabi. Apektado rin ng Habagat ang kanlurang bahagi ng Luzon at Visayas. May manaka-naka naman na pag-ulan na mararanasan ngayong araw sa MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, Bicol, Visayas, Bataan, Zambales at Pangasinan.

Weather Watch shared a link.

3 hours ago 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST Issued at: 5:00AM 11 June 2013 SYNOPSIS: Weak Southwest Monsoon affecting the western sections of Luzon and Visayas. FORECAST: MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Visayas and the provinces of Bataan, Zambales and Pangasinan will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to west will prevail over extreme northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest with slight to moderate seas.

Over METRO MANILA: Maximum Temperature : 1:00 PM Yesterday ------- 33.5 C

Minimum Temperature : 8:00 AM Yesterday ------- 24.0 C Maximum Relative Humidity: 8:00 AM Yesterday ----- 100 % Minimum Relative Humidity : 1:00 PM Yesterday ----- 60 % High Tide Tomorrow : 11:09 AM ... 1.19 meter Low Tide Today : 7:29 PM ... -0.03 meter Sunrise Today : 5:26 AM Sunset Today : 6:25 PM Moonrise Today : 7:23 AM Moonset Today : 8:25 PM llumination Today : 5 % For more information and queries, please call at telephone numbers 927-1335 and 927-2877 or log on to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.

Weather Watch
4 hours ago PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier on DZMM: -Nakalabas na ng PAR ang Bagyong Dante kagabi. Patungo na ito sa Okinawa, Japan. -Sa ngayon, ang nakakaapekto sa atin ay weak southwest monsoon at mas lalo itong nakakaapekto sa western section ng Luzon at Visayas. -Dahil dito ay makakaranas ng maulap na kalangitan na may mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkulog-pagkidlat ang MIMAROPA, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Visayas at mga lalawigan ng Bataan, Zambales at Pangasinan. -Bahagyang maulap na papawirin naman ang aasahan sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa. Hindi pa rin mawawala ang pulo-pulong pag-ulan sa hapon o gabi. -Wala namang nakataas na gale warning sa anumang bahagi ng bansa. -Ganap na po tayong nagdeklara ng panahon ng tag-ulan kahapon. Ngayung buwan ng June ay 2 bagyo po ang inaasahan nating papasok sa bansa.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

4 hours ago Thunderstorm Advisory No. 1 Issued at 5:30AM 11 June 2013 Thunderstorm is affecting portion of #MetroManila (#Makati, #Pasay, #Mandaluyong, #PaterosTaguig, #Pasig, #SanJuan and portion of #Manila) w/c may persist for an hour and expected to affect portion of #QuezonCity and nearby areas within an hour. All are advised to take precautionary measures against heavy rains, gusty winds, lightning strikes and possible flashfloods. Keep monitoring for updates.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago GMA: Lumalabas sa pag-aaral ng UP-National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) na ilang sanga ng West Valley Fault ang

umaabot hanggang sa Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Ayon sa UP-NIGS, hindi raw dapat gumamit ng centralized gas system sa BGC dahil sa posibleng fault line. Sinabi naman ng PHIVOLCS na wala silang nakitang sanga ng West Valley Fault sa BGC.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago DoST Sec. Mario Montejo on DZMM: - Naka-leave lang po si administrator Nathaniel Servando for six months. Ang OIC natin ngayon ay si Dr. Vic Malano. - Inaayos naman natin ang salary scheme ng mga taga-PAGASA pero siyempre, goberyerno tayo. - Maraming pagbabago ngayon sa PAGASA, nadagdagan ang ating forecasters, additional 30 at meteorologists. - Maging ang ating equipment. Yung Doppler natin ay nadagdagan, 11 na ngayon. - Mayroon din tayong inorder na tinatawag na mobile Doppler radar. Para mas specific ang forecast. - Mayroon din tayong donation mula sa IBM, para makagamit na tayo ng advance weather forecasting system. - Magiging operational ng October para makagamit na tayo ng advance weather software. - Dito ang ating weather forecast ay extended na ng seven days. It will be more accurate and specific ang areas. - Hinahabol natin na bawat LGU mayroong accurate weather forecast. - Nag-umpisa na po ang tag-ulan. Kinakailangan na natin ang paghahanda. - May mga tao tayong pupunta sa field, sa area kung saan magkakaroon ng bagyo para makipag-uganyan sa LGUs. - Kagabi, mino-monitor namin ang Marikina River dahil napakalakas ng ulan. Tumaas ang level nito. - In a month time, aside sa ating 7-day forecast, mayroon din silang seasonal outlook.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago GMA: Huling namataan ng PAGASA ang Bagyong Dante sa layong 1,295 km hilagang-silangan ng Basco, Batanes na may lakas ng hangin na 85kph malapit sa gitna at pagbugso na aabot sa 100kph. Inaasahang lalabas ng bansa ang sentro ng bagyo bukas ng umaga. Opisyal na ring idineklara ng PAGASA ang panahon ng tag-ulan. Samantala, asahan naman bukas ang pagulan sa MIMAROPA, kasama na ang CALABARZON. Malakas din ang tsansa ng pag-ulan sa Metro Manila bukas, mula madaling araw hanggang gabi. Magiging maulap din na may pag-ulan sa Visayas, lalo na sa kanlurang bahagi nito. Inaasahan din ang maulap na may pag-ulan na panahon sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago ABS-CBN: Kakasimula pa lamang ng tag-ulan pero nasa 500 na ang nagkaka-leptospirosis habang 37 na ang namatay. Dahil dito ay nagbabala ang DoH sa publiko laban sa nasabing sakit. Pinaiiwas nila ang mga ito na lumusong sa baha.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago ABS-CBN: Opisyal nang inanunsyo ng PAGASA ang rainy season kaninang 2:00 ng hapon. Malaking tungkulin daw ang ginampanan ng Bagyong Dante para maideklara ng ahensya ang panahon ng tag-ulan. Samantala, nasa loob pa rin ng bansa ang Bagyong Dante na huling namataan sa 1,295km northeast ng Basco, Batanes na may lakas ng hangin na 85kph malapit sa gitna at pagbugso na hanggang 100kph. Kumikilos ito pa-north northeast sa bilis na 17 kph. Binabantayan naman ng PAGASA ang isang kaulapan sa may West Philippine Sea na posibleng maging isa ring LPA.

Weather Watch

June 11 , 2013 (Tuesday)

as of 9:00 AM

CAVITE LAGUNA BATANGAS RIZAL QUEZON

: Partly Cloudy : Sunny : : Partly Cloudy : Mostly Cloudy

in Lucena City

PIA

Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

2 hours ago PIA-4A/RIZAL: Rizal province is currenly celebrating its 112th Founding Anniversary or Araw ng Lalawigan today, June 11. In line with this several activities such as a Job Fair to be held from 8am-3pm job at the Ynares Center; Medical and Dental Missions from 8am-2pm at 4 secondary provincial hospitals in Angono, Antipolo, Morong and Rodriguez; and a Thanksgiving Mass and program at 1pm are scheduled.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago PIA-4A/QUEZON: DOLE-Quezon provincial office recently conducted information campaign on R.A 10361 or 'Kasambahay

Law' in Lucena City. DOLE provincial officer Virgilio Magsino said this law aims to protect domestic workers in the province from underpayment and other kind of abuses by the employers.

PIA Regional Watch

19 hours ago PIA-4A/RIZAL: The Rizal Provincial Government announced the Anak ng Lahing Bayani (ALAB) ng Rizal awardees namely former governor Lope K. Santos (posthumous), music maestro Amando San Jose (posthumous), Jalajala mayor Elionor Pilias and artist Nemesio Miranda Jr. Each awardee was selected due to outstanding leadership skills, transformational leadership and burning spirit in their respective fields.

PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago PIA-4A/QUEZON: DOLE-Quezon provincial office is scheduled to give 618 pieces of school bags to siblings of child laborers in Calauag, Quezon on June 12. This is part of the program of DOLE which aims to fight child labor cases in the province.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago PIA-4A/LAGUNA: Pinagkalooban kamakailan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ang pangasiwaang lunsod ng San Pablo ng halagang P5,903,040.00 para matustusan ang supplemental feeding program ng lunsod na sisimulang gugulin pagsapit ng unang araw ng Hulyo, kasabay sa paggunita ng buong bansa bilang Buwan ng Nutrisyon.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago PIA-IVA/QUEZON: The Quezon provincial police office (QPPO) has intensified its campaign on anti-illegal fishing along Lamon Bay and Tayabas Bay areas. With the support of 'bantay dagat' group, they succesfully caught fishermen who used illegal way of fishing in the municipal waters of Alabat and Atimonan.

PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday PIA-4A/LAGUNA: Cabuyao City Mayor Isidro L. Hemedes,Jr. graced the inauguration and blessing of the newly-constructed Limcaoco Reading Center (also known as Monttainai Reading Center) last May 30, 2013. The project is the initiative of Office busters Japan (a non-profit organization providing office/school supplies and fixtures) through the Limcaoco Foundation, with the aim of encouraging the habit of reading in children at an early age.

PIA OFW Watch

17 hours ago PIA-6/ILOILO: OWWA-6 OIC Reynold Pigar said more than a thousand OFWs and their families participated in the activities organized by the agency to mark the Migrant Workers Day celebration here in Iloilo City, last June 7. Among the activities were the streaming of the new OWWA theme song, launching of the MOFYA search and raffles.

PIA OFW Watch

18 hours ago DZRH: Lubhang nabahala si AKBAYAN Rep. Walden Bello sa ulat na sex-for-flight ang mga OFW na nagka-problema sa kanilang trabaho at mga amo sa ibang bansa. Kasunod ito ng sumbong ng ilang OFWs na galling sa Middle East tungkol sa umano'y panliligaw sa kanila ng mga opisyal ng Philippine Overseas Labor Office, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration at embahada para ma-prioritize sa repatriation. Kaugnay nito, tiniyak na dadalhin ang isyu sa DFA. Kailangan aniyang maimbestigahan ito para malaman kung may katotohanan at agad na maaksyunan.

PIA OFW Watch

19 hours ago DZRH: Mamaya ay malalaman sa pag-uwi ni VP Binay buhat sa Germany sakay Emirates flight ang resulta ng pagkumbinsi niya sa German officials na huwag ihinto ang pagkuha ng mga Pinoy seafarer. Habang naroon, pinilit awatin ni Binay ang trade labor officials ng Germany tungkol sa planong itigil ang pagkuha ng mga Pilipino seaman dahil sa umano'y mahihina at kaduda-dudang mga paaralan.

A. QUEZON

1. Provincial gov't allots P16 million to corn farmers productivity enhancement program
By Ruel M. Orinday Monday 10th of June 2013 LUCENA CITY, Quezon, June 10 (PIA) -- The provincial government here has allotted P16 million for the implementation of the corn farmers productivity enhancement program (CFPEP) in six municipalities. Provincial agriculturist Roberto Gajo said the program is expected to benefit thousands of farmers in the towns of San Francisco, San Narciso, San Andres, Catanuan, Buenavista, and Mulanay. The program will provide farmers with capital or livelihood loan assistance, appropriate trainings, and technology on corn production, including planting and harvesting of corn. The provincial agriculture office will also assist the farmers through farm mechanization by providing tractors, dryers, and corn shellers for the use in corn production. Moreover, Gajo said, the provincial government will be in charge of the marketing of corn produced by the farmers. Corn production is part of the "Serbisyong Suarez sa Agrikulura" program of the provincial government which aims to uplift the living condition of the farmers in the province. (CPG/RMO/PIA4A-Quezon)

B. CAVITE
1. Bacoor city utility staff lauded for honesty
By Ruel B.Francisco Monday 10th of June 2013 CITY OF BACOOR, Cavite, June 10 (PIA) -- The city government commended one of their utility staff for returning money and other valuables of several clients at the Local Civil Registration (LCR) Office. Mayor Strike Revilla presented and awarded a certificate of commendation plus cash to Amante S. Eugenio during the city's flag raising ceremony last week (June 3). Eugenio found a wallet containing undetermined amount near the LCR office and turned-over the wallet to city administrator Atty. Doris Yumol. According to a staff member at LCR this is not the first time the 53-year Eugenio, who is a resident of Barangay Maliksi 1 and a father of nine, proved his honesty as he would always return valuables occasionally left by office staff.

Mr. Eugenio has been with the city government for 13 years, starting out as a garbage collector in 2000, before working as utility staff in 2007 up to the present. (PIO/CPG/RBF/PIA4A-Cavite)

2. 23 exhibitors join DTIs Diskwento caravan

Monday 10th of June 2013 TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, June 10 (PIA) -- Twenty-three suppliers of school needs and other Cavitebased products joined the Diskwento caravan of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cavite. The two-day event last May 23 and 24 generated a total sales of P203,835.15 with estimated 1,432 buyers. The Diskwento Caravan aims to bring discounted goods particularly basic and prime commodities to the consumers in the countryside which will provide them relief from rising fuel prices. It is also designed to alleviate the lives of the workers through non-wage benefit package. This was the result of the successful launching of the caravan in Metro Manila wherein, DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo ordered the nationwide implementation and expansion of the said project. The event turned out to be successful to all exhibitors and buyers and they are ready to take part in the next caravan to be announced by the DTI-Cavite and its partners. (DTI-Cavite/CPG/RBF/PIA4A-Cavite)

C. LAGUNA
1. Japanese initiative reading center, opens in Cabuyao City
By Alan C. Ortillano Monday 10th of June 2013 CABUYAO CITY, Laguna, June 10 (PIA) -- A reading center reminiscent of a Japanese day care center named The Limcaoco Reading Center, also known as Mottainai Reading Center was opened recently at the Cabuyao Central Elementary School, this city. The reading center is an initiative of Officebusters Japan, a non-profit organization that provides office/school supplies and fixtures with the aim of encouraging the habit of reading among children at an early age. It is located in a 30 sq. m building containing writing board, alphabet charts and shelves of various books, with a few small chairs and mostly mats where kids can plop down and read book of their choice. The center is open to all and free of charge. City Mayor Isidro L. Hemedez Jr, in his speech during the opening ceremony, recalls visiting the Limcaocos' home the first time years ago, fascinated at the shelves upon shelves of books occupying the living area.

He saw it fit, the Limcaocos are contributing to foster the love of reading, which raises literacy and eventually becomes the foundations of thriving trade and commerce development. He also commended the effort and volunteerism of Officebusters, thankful for providing education-based projects even without being asked. On the other hand, Katrina Limcaoco of Limcaoco Foundation echoes this sentiment, saying love of reading is one of the main thrusts of their Foundation, which she believes leads to better literacy and education. Officebusters Japan representative Kotaro Adachi of Office further stated, the project is one he personally oversaw, and while it is a very small step, he believed education makes a difference to children's lives and expressed gratitude for the people supporting the project. (ACO, PIA-Laguna with reports from HMH)

D. BATANGAS
1. Tagalog news: Lagpas 65,000 grade 1 estudyante sa Batangas, tumanggap ng libreng school supplies
By Mamerta P. De Castro Tuesday 11th of June 2013 LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Hunyo 11 (PIA) -- Kasabay ng pagbubukas ng klase para sa taong 2013, sinimulan na rin ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa pangunguna ng Provincial School Board ang pamamahagi ng mga libreng kagamitan pang-eskwela para sa mga magaaral sa unang baitang. Nakatakdang tumangap ang may 65,861 na mag-aaral sa grade 1 sa buong lalawigan ng libreng ayudang school supplies na kinapapalooban ng notepads, lapis, notebooks at krayola na magagamit nila sa pagsisismula ng kanilang pag-aaral. Sa ilalim ng direktiba ni Governor Vilma Santos Recto, prayoridad ng kanyang aministrasyon na bigyan tulong ang mga mag-aaral sa unang baitang sa mga pampublikong paaralan na karaniwang tumatanggap ng mga magaaral mula sa mahihirap na pamilya sa lalawigan. Layunin ng school supplies assistance for public schools ang magbigay motibasyon sa mga bata na mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng mga bagong kagamitan at ganun din upang bigyang kaluwagan ang kanilang mga magulang sa mga gastusin at bigyang pagpapahalaga ang edukasyon ng kanilang mga anak. Sa ilang panayam sa mga punong guro sa mga paaralan, maayos ang kalagayan ng mga mag-aaral sa mga silid aralan sapagkat umaabot lamang ng higit kumulang sa 1 is to 40 ratio o 40 estudyante para sa isang guro ang kasalukuyang bilang sa bawat silid. Sa ganitong student to teacher ratio, maaliwalas at epektibong naipaparating ng mga guro ang kanilang mga leksyon sa mga estudyante, daan upang mabilis na matuto ang mga ito. (CPG/Edwin V. Zabarte, PIO-BatangasPIA4A-Batangas)

2. Tagalog news: Job fair sa Rosario, dinagsa ng may 1,000 aplikante

By Mamerta P. De Castro Tuesday 11th of June 2013 ROSARIO, Batangas, Hunyo 11 (PIA) -- Humigit kumulang sa 1,000 katao na naghahanap ng trabaho ang dumagsa sa isinagawang job fair sa bayang ito noong ika-7 ng Hunyo, 2013. Ang naturang programa ay bahagi ng ika-326 taong pagkakatatag ng bayan ng Rosario kung saan iba't ibang mga aktibidad ang ginawa kung saan kabilang ang mega job fair. May 11 kumpanya kung saan pito ang lokal at apat na overseas ang nakibahagi at tumanggap ng mga aplikasyon ng mga jobseekers. Ang ilang kumpanya ay direktang nagbigay ng eksaminasyon at interbyu upang salain ang mga aplikante. Sinabi ni Edith Pascua, pinuno ng public employment service office (PESO) ang job fair na tulad nito ay palagiang bahagi ng foundation anniversary ng bayan bukod pa sa mga jobs fair na ginagawa ng kanilang tanggapan. Layunin nitong matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan hindi lamang sa bayan ng Rosario kundi maging ng mga kalapit bayan upang makahanap ng akmang trabaho lokal man o abroad. Aniya pa ang pagbibigay ng hanapbuhay o trabaho ay bahagi ng mga programa sa ilalim ng Mamamayan Muna Bago Ako (MBA) program at kaalinsabay din sa Philippine Development Plan ng administrasyong Aquino. Ilan pang mga job fair ang inaasahang isasagawa ng PESO Rosario bago matapos ang taon upang patuloy na makatulong sa mga mamamayan dito na makatagpo ng trabaho na mag-aangat sa antas ng kanilang pamumuhay. (CPG/MPDC-PIA4A Batangas)

3. Tagalog news: Lagpas 65,000 grade 1 estudyante sa Batangas, tumanggap ng libreng school supplies
By Mamerta P. De Castro Tuesday 11th of June 2013

LUNGSOD NG BATANGAS, Hunyo 11 (PIA) -- Kasabay ng pagbubukas ng klase para sa taong 2013, sinimulan na rin ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan sa pangunguna ng Provincial School Board ang pamamahagi ng mga libreng kagamitan pang-eskwela para sa mga magaaral sa unang baitang. Nakatakdang tumangap ang may 65,861 na mag-aaral sa grade 1 sa buong lalawigan ng libreng ayudang school supplies na kinapapalooban ng notepads, lapis, notebooks at krayola na magagamit nila sa pagsisismula ng kanilang pag-aaral. Sa ilalim ng direktiba ni Governor Vilma Santos Recto, prayoridad ng kanyang aministrasyon na bigyan tulong ang mga mag-aaral sa unang baitang sa mga pampublikong paaralan na karaniwang tumatanggap ng mga mag-aaral mula sa mahihirap na pamilya sa lalawigan. Layunin ng school supplies assistance for public schools ang magbigay motibasyon sa mga bata na mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng mga bagong kagamitan at ganun din upang bigyang kaluwagan ang kanilang mga magulang sa

mga gastusin at bigyang pagpapahalaga ang edukasyon ng kanilang mga anak. Sa ilang panayam sa mga punong guro sa mga paaralan, maayos ang kalagayan ng mga mag-aaral sa mga silid aralan sapagkat umaabot lamang ng higit kumulang sa 1 is to 40 ratio o 40 estudyante para sa isang guro ang kasalukuyang bilang sa bawat silid. Sa ganitong student to teacher ratio, maaliwalas at epektibong naipaparating ng mga guro ang kanilang mga leksyon sa mga estudyante, daan upang mabilis na matuto ang mga ito. (CPG/Edwin V. Zabarte, PIO-BatangasPIA4A-Batangas)

E. RIZAL
1. DTI spearheads turnover of bamboo processing facilities to Cardona coop
Monday 10th of June 2013 ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, June 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheaded the turnover of a twin ripsaw and a pole cutter to Cardona's Balibago Multi Purpose Cooperative (BMPC) in an effort to empower the local bamboo industry in the province. DTI 4A and DTI-Rizal with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Rizal, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Rizal, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) and Cottage Industry Training Center (CITC) formally turned over said shared service facilities on May 29 at Brgy. Balibago, Talim Island, Cardona, Rizal. The facilities will be used to process bamboo into blocks or tiles. DTI-4A Regional Director Marilou Quinco-Toledo stated during the turnover ceremony that they has indicated 34 products based on clustering, including bamboo, which can help the countryside experience inclusive growth. According to Toledo, Calabarzon has up to P70 million allotted for shared service facility funds for priority areas. CDA Provincial Cooperative Development Specialist Bienvenida Celestra added that since the recent difficulties experienced by the local fishery sector in Laguna Lake, government agencies have been looking for alternative ways to help locals earn money such as Cardonas promising bamboo industry. BMPC Chairman Generoso Francisco thanked the various agencies for their assistance in behalf of the cooperative while Cardona Mayor Bernardo P. San Juan Jr. extended thanks not only to the national government agencies but to President Noynoy Aquino as well. We should also be thankful to our president since he has a hand in these projects. Said Mayor San Juan. Prior to the turnover, members of the cooperative were provided skills training by CITCs Elvin Dimasuay and DTI-Rizal. Also present during the turnover ceremony were Cardona Vice Mayor Teodula Campo, DOLE-Rizal Senior Labor and Employment Officer Vicky Natauan, DTI Rizal Business Development Divison Chief Joe Ramos, DTI Regional and Provincial Staff, DOST Rizal staff, local officials and BMPC members. (CPG/GG/PIA4A-Rizal)

2. Jalajala coop trains in rennet and cheese making

By Gideon GApayao Monday 10th of June 2013 ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, June 10 (PIA) -- Members of the Llano Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative underwent a two-day rennet and cheese making seminar on June 5-6 at the Llano MPC Dairy Processing Plant, Brgy. Bayugo, Jalajala, Rizal. Among the topics discussed were general milk treatments, production of rennet (a kind of milk clotting enzyme commonly used in milk production) and other cheese variations.The Department of Science and TechnologyRizal Provincial Science and Technology Center invited resource persons Angelo Tapia and Ione Samago from UP Los Banos College of Agriculture-Animal and Dairy Sciences Cluster (UPLC-ADSC) . The resource persons lectured on the production of cream cheese, feta cheese and rennet on the first day and in gouda and mozzarella production on the following day. The training aims to improve the co-ops dairy production and range for the market to receive more of its products, according to DOST-Rizal Provincial Director Fernando Ablaza. Department of Trade and Industry-Rizal, which is also involved in the said training, hopes that the additional product lines created through the seminar will be showcased in the upcoming Araw ng Lalawigan Trade Fair to be held from June 7-16 in line with Rizal provinces 112th founding anniversary. Jalajalas Llano MPC is known for the production of various milk-based products such as yogurt, fresh milk and kesong puti (cottage cheese). (CPG/GG/PIA4A-Rizal)

10 JUNE 2013.

Prime Minister Gusmao ends official visit to the Philippines, flies back to Timor Leste President Aquino welcomes non-resident ambassadors to the Philippines President Aquino signs law declaring the province of Kalinga as Tourism Development Area Palace to launch online commemoration activities marking 150th Year Anniversary of Malacanang Palace President Aquino leads mass oath-taking of AFP officers in Malacaang
Prime Minister Gusmao ends official visit to the Philippines, flies back to Timor Leste

Timor Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao ended his Official Visit to the Philippines by flying back to Timor Leste Sunday night. Gusmao boarded a commercial Philippine Air Line flight PR537 bound for Bali, Indonesia at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at 8:55 p.m. He was accorded foyer honors by members of the Presidential Security Group and seen off by members of President

Benigno S. Aquino IIIs Cabinet led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosar io and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. Prior to his departure, Gusmao met with former President and Mayor-elect of the City of Manila Joseph Estrada and former Speaker of the House Jose De Venecia, Jr. who called on Gusmao at the Solaire Resorts and Casino in Pasay City. Gusmao, who arrived early morning of June 7 met with President Aquino who hosted a luncheon for the visiting Head of State in his honor. The two leaders had an expanded bilateral meeting and also witnessed the signing of agreements between the two countries on tie ups on foreign affairs, education, and infrastructure development. PND (rck) TOP President Aquino welcomes non-resident ambassadors to the Philippines

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed to the Philippines 12 new non-resident ambassadors from various countries who called on him to present their respective letters of credentials in Malacanang on Monday. The non-resident ambassadors who met with the President prior to beginning their tours of duties were: Their Excellencies Demiye Zuher Mohd Haddad of Jordan; Saul Aran Castellon of the Nicaragua; Carlo Victor Boungou of Gabon; Dr. Alba Florio Legnani of Uruguay; Marlene Villela De Talbott of Honduras; Nicolai Ruge of Denmark; Mohamane Elhadji Bania Tourne of Mali; Joven Jovanovic of Serbia; Youngor Sevelee Telemoda of Liberia; Brigadier Reuben Ngwenya of Malawi; Hussain Shibab of Maldives; and Matti Pullinen of Finland. In his short message delivered after personally receiving the letter of credential of each ambassador, the President warmly welcomed the envoys, saying their presence signified our shared commitment to further strengthening the relations between our countries. I welcome all of you to the Philippines, a country that is today experiencing a great revitalization, the President said. Your presence here today signifies our shared commitment to fostering even more peaceful and productive relations between our nations. Relations that we know will contribute to establishing a more secure and more stable international environment consequently redounding to the mutual growth and prosperity of our peoples, he added. The President invited each ambassador to take time from their busy schedules to explore and discover the warmth and beauty of the Philippines. And as we continue to explore ways to strengthen the foundations of positive engagement between our countries, it is my hope that you will also take the time to discover the bea uty and the warmth the Philippines has to offer, the President said. PND (rck) TOP President Aquino signs law declaring the province of Kalinga as Tourism Development Area

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed a law declaring the province of Kalinga in the Cordillera Region as a Tourism Development Area (TDA) in a bid to boost the country's tourism industry. The Chief Executive signed on May 17 Republic Act No. 10561 otherwise known as the An Act Declaring the Province of Kalinga in the Cordillera Region as a Tourism Development Area (TDA). The Act was finally passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on February 4 and February 5, 2013, respectively. President Aquino said it is the policy of the State to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable for local communities. Kalinga was declared as TDA because the province is "endowed with natural beauty, rivers, lake and mountain resources, and historical and cultural significance." Foreign and local tourists will enjoy their visit to the municipality of Tinglayan, with its natural formation of mountain ranges and the natural beauty of Palan-ah Falls and Hot Springs. The rainforest of Mt. Binaratan in the municipality of Tanudan is now considered a potential site for trekking. The visitors may enjoy the sighting of the subterranean rivers and caves in the municipality of Balbalan, the Aguinaldo Hill and mountain lakes in the municipality of Pinukpuk. The President also mentioned the potential site for white water rafting along the Chico River starting in Tinglayan down to Lubuagan, Pasil and Tabuk City, as well as its historical sites, same in Guina-ang Village in the municipality of Pasil, the Padharao Lake! the Elephant Hill and the man-made lagoon in the municipality of Rizal. The province shall be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and shall be subject to the

rules and regulations governing tourism zones. "The Tourism Development Plan of the Province of Kalinga shall be incorporated in the DOTs overall National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9593, o therwise known as the National Tourism Act of 2009 and be jointly implemented with the local government and the Provincial Tourism Council of Kalinga taking into consideration Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected A reas System Act of 1992 and its implementing rules and regulations," the President said. The DOT, in coordination with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and other concerned agencies of the government, shall delineate well defined geographic areas within the TDA and coordinate the integrated development of these areas for the optimum use of natural assets and attractions, as well as existing facilities. The President directed the establishment of the Kalinga Tourism Development Trust Fund for purposes of financing projects that will enhance tourism in the province of Kalinga. "The trust fund shall be administered by an administrator under the Provincial Tourism Council of Kalinga. Income shall be derived from fees from visitors/tourists, other resources from the province, proceeds from the registration and lease of multiple-use areas, including tourism concessions, fees, proceeds and contributions from industries and facilities directly benefiting the province," he said. The Kalinga Tourism Development Trust Fund may be augmented by grants and donations, endowment from various sources, domestic or foreign entities and individuals, for purposes related to their functions. "The Secretary of the DOT shall include in the Departments program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and/or internally generated funds of the DOT," he said. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. PND (js) TOP Palace to launch online commemoration activities marking 150th Year Anniversary of Malacanang Palace

Malacanang will launch on Tuesday an online commemorative effort marking the 150th Year Anniversary of Malacanang Palace, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Monday. Speaking to reporters in Malacanang, Lacierda read from a prepared statement by the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office outlining the various activities lined up for the occasion. Among these include: the posting of the timeline on the history of Malacaan Palace from both an institutional and architectural perspective, the posting of colorized archival photographs of Palace vistas and significant events such as the visit of Edward, Prince of Wales, and the uploading of an animated architectural evolution of the Palace. Lacierda said the online marker will be made available at the Presidential Museum and Library (PML) website. He called on the public to visit the website and join Filipino people in commemorating the sesquicentennial of Malacanang Palace. We enjoin the public to take part in this commemoration by visiting the PML website and its other social media sites (tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph & facebook.com/malacanang) or by booking a visit to experience firsthand the history and heritage of this great house which belongs to the Filipino people, L acierda said. PND (rck) TOP President Aquino leads mass oath-taking of AFP officers in Malacaang

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the mass oath-taking of the 49 newly-appointed generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a simple ceremony in Malacanang Palace on Monday. The Chief Executive was joined by Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and the AFP high-ranking officials when he inducted the AFP generals at the Heroes Hall in Malacanang Palace. Among those who took their oath before the President at the Heroes Hall include: General Emmanuel T. Bautista, AFP Chief of Staff; Vice Admiral Edgar Abogado, Philippine Military Academy Superintendent; Lt. Gen. Alan Luga, AFP Vice Chief of Staff; Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the Western Command; Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, commander of the Central Command; Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, commander of the South Luzon Command; Rear Admiral Jaime Bernardino, commander of the Naval Education and Training Command; Major Gen. Leo Cresente Ferrer, Senior Military Adviser for the Government of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Panel; Rear Admiral Philip Cacayan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, AFP; and Major Gen. Benito Antonio de Leon, commander of the Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army (PA). The President also inducted into office Maj. Gen. Danilo Servando, commander of the Army Support Command; Maj. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., commander of the 7th Infantry Division, PA; Maj. Gen. Nicanor Vivar, commander of the 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force (PAF); Rear Admiral Jesus Millan, Chief of Naval Staff, Philippine Navy; Rear Admiral Leopoldo Alano, commander of the Naval Sea Systems and Support Command; Maj. Gen. Richard

Siga-An, Air Force Inspector General, PAF; Maj. Gen. Crisologo Nayve; DCS for CEIS, J6, AFP; Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, commander of the 6ID, PA; Maj. Gen. John Bonafos, commander of Special Operations Command; Brigadier Gen Felix Castro, ADC, 9ID, Philippine Army. Also sworn in were Brig. Gen. Jet Velarmino, CS, PA; Maj. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, commander of the AFP Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command; Brig. Gen. Romeo Labador; commander of the 801st Infantry Brigade, PA; Commodore Nodolfo Tejada, commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon, PN; Brig Gen. William Turalde, commander of the ARC, PAF; Brig. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, ADC, 4ID, PA; Brig. Gen Conrado Parra Jr, Wing Commander of the 570th CTW, PAF; Brig. Gen. Luis Vinoya, chairman of the PA BAC2; Brig. Gen. Dante Costes, commander of CEISSA AFP; Brig. Gen. Bobby Calleja, commander of 203rd Infantry Division, PA. Brig. Gen. Eliseo Posadas, Chief of ODR, DND; Brig. Gen. Orlando de Leon, Commander of the 2MBDE, PMC; Commodore George Catameo, AJ9, AFP; Brig. Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar Jr., Wing Commander 15th Strick Wing, PAF; Brig. Gen Ademar Tomaro, Commander, 602nd, INF BDE, PA; Brig. Gen. Quirino Calonzo, commander of the AFPRESCOM; Commodore Antonio Habulan Jr. commander, NFEM, PN; Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of 302nd INF BDE, PA; Brig. Gen. Marian Aleido, TJAG, AFP; Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Bonilla, AIA, PIA Brig. Gen. Romeo Gan, ADC, 6ID, PA; Brig. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, ADC, LAD, PA; Commodore Joel dela Cruz, commander, SERVFOR, PF, PN; Commodore Franco Sebastian Pan, DC, SOLCOM, AFP; Commodore Ronald Joseph Mercado, Commander, ACF, PF, PN; Brig. Gen. John G. Estoesta, DC, 3AD, PAF, Brig. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, chief of AFPCC, Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Castillo, AFIA, PAF and Brig. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of 701st INF Brigade, PA. PND (js) TOP

10 HUNYO 2013 Umuwi na sa Timor Leste si Punong Ministro Gusmao pagkatapos ng Official Visit sa Pilipinas Nilagdaan ng Pangulong Aquino ang batas na nagdeklarang Tourism Development Area ang lalawigan ng Kalinga Tinanggap ng Pangulo ang 12 non-resident ambassadors sa Pilipinas Online commemoration activities para sa ika-150 Anibersaryo ng Malacanang, ilulunsad ng Palasyo Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Aquino sa Malacanang ang maramihang panunumpa ng mga pinuno ng AFP

Umuwi na sa Timor Leste si Punong Ministro Gusmao pagkatapos ng Official Visit sa Pilipinas

Umuwi na sa Timor Leste ang Punong Ministro Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao pagkaraan ng kanyang Official Visit sa Pilipinas Linggo ng gabi. Sumakay sa komersiyal na Philippine Air Lines flight PR537 na patungong Bali, Indonesya sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 ganap na ika-8:55 ng gabi si Gusmao. Inukulan siya ng foyer honors ng mga tauhan ng Presidential Security Group at inihatid ng mga kagawad ng Gabinete ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa pangunguna nina Kalihim Albert Del Rosario ng Ugnayang Panlabas at Kalihim Proceso Alcala ng Pagsasaka. Bago lumisan, naging panauhin ni Gusmao ang dating Pangulo at halal na Alkalde ng Maynila Joseph Estrada at naging Speaker Jose de Venecia. Jr. sa Solaire Resorts and Casino sa Lungsod ng Pasay. Dumating si Gusmao umagang-umaga ng Hunyo 7 at nakipagpulong sa Pangulong Aquino na naghandog ng tanghalian para sa panauhing Puno ng Pamahalaan.

Ang dalawang lider ay nagpulong at sumaksi sa paglagda ng mga kasunduan sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa tungkol sa ugnayang panlabas, edukasyon at kaunlaran ng imprastraktura. PND (rck/zaf) TOP Nilagdaan ng Pangulong Aquino ang batas na nagdeklarang Tourism Development Area ang lalawigan ng Kalinga Nilagdaan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang batas na nagdeklarang Tourism Development Area (TDA) ang lalawigan ng Kalinga sa Rehiyon ng Cordillera upang lalong mapasigla ang industriya ng turismo sa bansa. Mayo 17 nang lagdaan ng Pangulo ang Batas ng Republika Blg. 10561 o ang An Act Declaring the Province of Kalinga in the Cordillera Region as Tourism Development Area. Sinabi ng Pangulo na patakaran ng pamahalaan na isulong ang industriya ng turismo na magiging daan upang ipamalas sa madla ang magaganda, nagtatampok ng kalinangan at makatutulong sa mga lokal na pamayanan upang umunlad ang ekonomya. Dahil sa batas na ito, uunahin ng Kagawaran ng Turismo ang paglinang sa Kalinga alinsunod sa mga tuntunin ng idinideklarang tourism zones. Ang Kalinga ay nag-aangkin ng likas na kariktan, mga ilog, look at mga kabundukang may likas na yaman at makabuluhan sa kasaysayan at kalinangan. Magiging kaakit-akit sa mga turistang dayuhan o lokal man na dalawin ang Tinglayan na may kahanga-hangang ayos ng kabundukan, gayundin ang likas na kariktan ng Palanah Falls at Hot Springs at ang rainforest ng Bundok ng Mt. Binaratan sa bayan ng Tanudan. Maaari ring kagiliwan ng mga panauhin ang subterranean rivers at mga yungib sa bayan ng Balbalan, Aguinaldo Hill at ang mga lawa sa kabundukah ng bayan ng Pinukpuk. Binanggit din ng Pangulo ang Chico River na malinaw na malinaw ang tubig mula sa Tinglayan hanggang Lubuagan, Pasil at Lungsod ng Tabuk at ang makasaysayang ppok na Guina-ang Village sa bayan ng Pasil at Lawa ng Padharao, Elephant Hill at ang ginawang lagoon sa bayan ng Rizal. Ang DOT sa tulong ng Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority at iba pang sangay ng pamahalaan ang magsasagawa ng karampatang hakbang upang maisagawa ang pag-aayos sa mga pook na kaakit-akit sa paningin ng mga turista. Kaugnay nito, iniutos ng Pangulo ang pagtatatag ng Kalinga Tourism Development Trust Fund para matustusan ang mga proyektong kailangan para dalawin ng turista ang Kalinga. Magkakabisa ang Batas na ito labinlimang araw matapos malathala sa Official Gazette o sa isang pahayagan na malaganap ang sirkulasyon. PND (js/zaf) TOP Tinanggap ng Pangulo ang 12 non-resident ambassadors sa Pilipinas

Tinanggap ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang mga bagong non-resident ambassadors ng labindalawang bansa na nagharap sa kanya ng kasulatan ng pagtatalaga sa tungkulin Lunes. Kabilang sa mga non-resident ambassadors na nakipagpulong sa Pangulo sa Malacanang bago gampanan ang kanilang mga tungkulin ang Kanilang Kamahalan Demiye Zuher Mohd Haddad ng Jordan; Saul Aran Castellon ng Nicaragua; Carlo Victor Boungou ng Gabon; Dr. Alba Florio Legnani ng Uruguay; Marlene Villela De Talbott ng Honduras; Nicolel Ruge ng Denmark; Mohamane Elhadji Bania Tourne ng Mali; Joven Jovanic ng Serbia; Younger Sevelee Telemoda ng Liberia; Brigadier Reuben Ngwenya ng Malawi; Husseain Shibab ng Maldives at Matti Pullinen ng Finland. Sa kanyang maikling talumpati matapos tanggapin ang katibayan ng pagkatalaga sa bawat embahador, masiglang binati ng Pangulo ang mga kinatawan ng iba-ibang bansa. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ang pagtungo nila rito ay katibayan ng nagkakaisa nating mithiing lalo pang mapabuti ang ugnayan ng ating mga bansa. Maligayang pagdating sa Pilipinas, ang bansang kasalukuyang dumaraan ngayon sa isang puspusang pagbabagong sigla, sabi ng Pangulo. Ang pagtungo ninyo rito ay sagisag ng magkatuwang nating layuning isulong pang lalo ang higit na mapayapa at makabuluhang pagsasamahan ng mga bansa natin. Ang ugnayang ito ay alam nating makatutulong nang malaki sa pagtatatag ng isang higit na matibay at panatag na kapaligirang pandaigdig na ang magiging bunga ay pagsulong at kasaganaan ng ating mga mamamayan, wika pa ng Pangulong Aquino. Inanyayahan ng Pangulo ang bawat embahador na maglaan ng panahon upang tuklasin at madama ang katutubong buti sa pagtanggap ng panauhin at kagandahan ng Pilipinas, sa kabila ng kanilang pagiging abala sa maraming mga gawain bilang sugo ng mga bansa nila. At habang sinisikap nating lalo pang mapatatag ang pundasyon ng magandang pagsasa -mahan ng ating mga

bansa, inaasahan kong maglalaan kayo ng panahong tuklasin ang kariktan at kagandahang-loob ng Pilipinas, dagdag pa ng Pangulo. PND (rck/zaf) TOP Online commemoration activities para sa ika-150 Anibersaryo ng Malacanang, ilulunsad ng Palasyo

Maglulunsad ang Malacanang ng online commemorative kaugnay ng ika-150 Taong Anibersaryo ng Palasyo ng Malacanang, sang-ayon sa Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda Lunes. Sinabi ni Lacierda sa mga reporter sa Malacanang ang pahayag ng Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office tungkol sa iba-ibang nakatakdang gawin kaugnay ng naturang okasyon. Kabilang sa mga ito ay ang paglalagay ng kasaysayan ng Palasyo ng Malacanang buhat sa institutional and architectural perspective, pagpapakita ng mga colorized archival photographs ng makasaysayang mga pangyayaring tulad ng pagdalaw ni Edward, ang Prince of Wales at ang pagpapakita ng makasaysayang mga pangyayaring tulad ng pagdalaw ni Edward, ang Prince of Wales at ang pagpapakita ng animated architectural evolution ng Palasyo. Sang-ayon kay Lacierda, ang online marker ay makikita sa Presidential Museum and Library (PML) website. Nanawagan ang Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo sa madla na dalawin ang website at sa sambayanang Pilipino na makiisa sa pagdiriwang ng isa at kalahating dantaon ng Palasyo Malacanang. Nananawagan kami sa ating mga kababayan na makiisa sa pagdiriwang na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtingin sa PML website at sa iba pang social media sites (tumblr.malacanang,gov.ph at facebook,com/malacanang) o dili kaya ay pagpapatala upang personal na madama ang kasaysayan at kamanahan ng dakilang tahanang ito ng sambayanang Pilipino, dugtong pa ni Lacierda. PND (rck/zaf ) TOP Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Aquino sa Malacanang ang maramihang panunumpa ng mga pinuno ng AFP

Pinangunahan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang maramihang panunumpa ng 49 bagong talagang mga heneral at flag officers ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas sa simpleng seremonya sa Malacanang Lunes. Kaagapay ng Punong Tagapagpaganap si Kalihim Voltaire Gazmin ng Tanggulang Bansa at ang iba pang matataas na pinuno ng Sandatahang Lakas nang pasumpain niya ang mga heneral ng AFP sa Heroes Hall ng Palasyo ng Malacanang. Kabilang sa nanumpa sa harap ng Pangulo sina: General Emmanuel T. Bautista, AFP Chief of Staff; Vice Admiral Edgar Abogado, Philippine Military Academy Superintendent; Lt. Gen. Alan Luga, AFP Vice Chief of Staff; Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, commander of the Western Command; Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, commander of the Central Command; Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, commander of the South Luzon Command; Rear Admiral Jaime Bernardino, commander of the Naval Education and Training Command; Major Gen. Leo Cresente Ferrer, Senior Military Adviser for the Government of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front Peace Panel; Rear Admiral Philip Cacayan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, AFP; and Major Gen. Benito Antonio de Leon, commander of the Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army (PA). Kasama pa rin sa mga nanumpa sina Maj. Gen. Danilo Servando, commander ng Army Support Command; Maj. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., commander ng 7th Infantry Division, PA; Maj. Gen. Nicanor Vivar, commander ng 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force (PAF); Rear Admiral Jesus Millan, Chief of Naval Staff, Philippine Navy; Rear Admiral Leopoldo Alano, commander ng Naval Sea Systems at Support Command; Maj. Gen. Richard SigaAn, Air Force Inspector General, PAF; Maj. Gen. Crisologo Nayve; DCS for CEIS, J6, AFP; Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz, commander ng 6ID, PA; Maj. Gen. John Bonafos, commander ng Special Operations Command; Brigadier Gen Felix Castro, ADC, 9ID, Philippine Army. Kasama pa rin sina Brig. Gen. Jet Velarmino, CS, PA; Maj. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, commander ng AFP Headquarters at Headquarters Service Command; Brig. Gen. Romeo Labador; commander ng 801st Infantry Brigade, PA; Commodore Nodolfo Tejada, commander ng Naval Forces Northern Luzon, PN; Brig Gen. William Turalde, commander ng ARC, PAF; Brig. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, ADC, 4ID, PA; Brig. Gen Conrado Parra Jr, Wing Commander of the 570th CTW, PAF; Brig. Gen. Luis Vinoya, chairman ng PA BAC2; Brig. Gen. Dante Costes, commander ng CEISSA AFP; Brig. Gen. Bobby Calleja, commander ng 203rd Infantry Division, PA. Brig. Gen. Eliseo Posadas, Chief ng ODR, DND; Brig. Gen. Orlando de Leon, Commander ng 2MBDE, PMC; Commodore George Catameo, AJ9, AFP; Brig. Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar Jr., Wing Commander 15th Strick Wing, PAF; Brig. Gen Ademar Tomaro, Commander, 602nd, INF BDE, PA; Brig. Gen. Quirino Calonzo, commander of the AFPRESCOM; Commodore Antonio Habulan Jr. commander, NFEM, PN; Brig. Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of 302nd INF BDE, PA; Brig. Gen. Marian Aleido, TJAG, AFP; Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Bonilla, AIA, PIA Brig. Gen. Romeo Gan, ADC, 6ID, PA; Brig. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz, ADC, LAD, PA; Commodore Joel dela Cruz, commander, SERVFOR, PF, PN; Commodore Franco Sebastian Pan, DC, SOLCOM, AFP; Commodore Ronald Joseph Mercado, Commander, ACF, PF, PN; Brig. Gen. John G. Estoesta, DC, 3AD, PAF, Brig. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, chief of AFPCC, Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Castillo, AFIA, PAF and Brig. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero,

commander of 701st INF Brigade, PA. PND TOP

ONLINE NEWS
10 JUNE 2013
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Foreign Direct Investments post US$1.3 billion Net Inflows in first quarter of 2013 BSP Rediscount Rates for June 2013 CA: No grave abuse of discretion in RTC ruling PhP 300 M fake goods condemned by BOC DOLE, along with Metrobank Foundation, announced winners for TOWER awards Gas, not bomb, caused Two Serendra explosion DTI pushes for competitiveness through PHL Quality Award DTI schedules free entrepreneurship sessions for June DOST to showcase neo-ethnic wear at the Philippine Textiles Confab Loboc Childrens Choir conveys message of peace, friendship to Beijing Top UN Officials meet with National Council for UN Peace Operations President Aquino to attend final inspection of Laguindingan Airport tomorrow PRC notice to the public (updated) Ex-Pangasinan mayor convicted of malversation of public funds TESDA opens nominations for Kabalikat, Idol awards Phl an economic powerhouse, says German Foreign Minister; VP Binay calls for more investments, welcomes hiring of pinoy nurses

Foreign Direct Investments post US$1.3 billion Net Inflows in first quarter of 2013 Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

Foreign direct investments (FDI) continued to register net inflows amounting to US$1.3 billion in the first three months of 2013. This level was slightly lower by 8.5 percent than the US$1.4 billion recorded in the same quarter last year. The decline in cumulative FDI was due mainly to lower net equity capital investments in the first quarter of the year. 1,2 By FDI component, gross equity capital placements aggregated US$1.5 billion, higher by 49.4 percent than its year-ago level of US$1 billion. The bulk of these equity capital investmentswhich emanated largely from Mexico, Japan, Malaysia and the U.S.were channeled to manufacturing; water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities; financial and insurance activities; arts, entertainment and recreation; and real estate. These placements were partially offset by withdrawals of US$799 million, resulting in US$729 million net infusion of equity capital during the first quarter of the year. Reinvestment of earnings reached US$196 million in the first quarter of 2013, as foreign investors opted to hold their earnings in local corporations due to favorable domestic economic prospects. This was lower however by 26.3 percent relative to the year-ago level of US$266 million. Meanwhile, non-residents net placements in debt instruments issued by local affiliates (or intercompany borrowings between foreign direct investors and their subsidiaries/affiliates in the Philippines in the form of loans and debt securities) totaled US$378 million in January-March 2013. This level was higher by 71 percent than the US$221 million intercompany borrowings posted in the comparable period last year. Parent companies abroad continued to lend funds to their local subsidiaries/affiliates to sustain existing operations or expand their businesses in the country. In March 2013, FDI posted net outflows of US$78 million, a reversal of the US$179 million net inflows recorded in the same month last year. In particular, equity capital investments yielded net outflows of US$17 million due to the combined effects of lower equity capital placements and higher withdrawals. Likewise, investments in debt instruments registered net outflows of US$112 million largely on account of remittance of profits by local branches of foreign banks to their head offices abroad. These developments more than offset the net inflows recorded in the reinvestment of earnings account amounting to US$51 million.

------------1 BSP statistics on FDI covers actual investment inflows, which could be in the form of equity capital, reinvestment of earnings, and borrowings between affiliates. In contrast to investment data from other government sources, the BSPs FDI data include investments where ownership by the foreign enterprise is at least 10 percent. Meanwhile, FDI data of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) do not make use of the 10 percent threshold and include borrowings from foreign sources that are non-affiliates of the domestic company. Furthermore, the BSPs FDI data are presented in net terms (i.e., equit y capital placements less withdrawals), while the IPAs FDI do not account for equity withdrawals. 2 The BSP adopted the Balance of Payments, 6th edition (BPM6) compilation framework effective 22 March 2013 with the release of the full-year 2012 and revised 2011 BOP statistics. The major change in FDI compilation is the adoption of the asset and liability principle, where claims of non-resident direct investment enterprises from resident direct investors are presented as reverse investment under net incurrence of liabilities/non-residents investments in the Philippines (previously presented in the Balance of Payments Manual, 5th edition (BPM5) as negative entry under assets/residents investments abroad). Conversely, claims of resident direct investment en terprises from foreign direct investors are now presented as reverse investment under net acquisition of financial assets/residents investments abroad (previously presented as negative entry under liabilities/non-residents investments in the Philippines). |TOP| BSP Rediscount Rates for June 2013 Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

The BSP announced today the rediscount rates applicable on loan availments by banking institutions for June 2013. For loans under the Peso Rediscount Facility, the BSP Peso Rediscount Rate is 3.50 percent p.a. for all maturities. This has been in effect since 29 October 2012 in line with the Monetary Board (M.B.) policy decision to reduce policy rates at its 25 October 2012 meeting. The M.B. decided to maintain the same during its last policy meeting on 25 April 2013. 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 June are as follows: Dollar 0.19428 percent p.a. Yen 0.12014 percent p.a. The EDYRF rediscount rates are based on the respective London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as of 31 May 2013. Under the Peso Rediscount Facility, total availments of commercial, thrift and rural banks amounted to P14,624 million for the period 01 January to 31 May 2013, 11.9 percent lower than the P16,605 million total in the same period last year. Of the availments for the month, 86.6 percent went to commercial credits, 2.1 percent to agricultural and industrial credits, and 11.3 percent to other credits consisting of other services (6.6 percent), CAPEX (4.2 percent), permanent working capital (0.4 percent), and housing (0.1 percent). Under the EDYRF, aggregate dollar availments of seven commercial banks and a thrift bank for the period 01 January to 31 May 2013 amounted to US$61.5 million and benefitted 26 exporters. This represents a 6.8 percent decrease in availments compared to the US$66.0 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 May 2013. |TOP| CA: No grave abuse of discretion in RTC ruling Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

The Court of Appeals (CA) ruled that there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Regional Trial Court of Makati (RTC) Branch 146 when it denied for lack of jurisdiction the application for temporary restraining order (TRO)/injunction filed by Pacific Rehouse Corp., Forum Holdings Corp., East Asia Oil Company, Inc., Pacific Concorde Corp., and Mizpah Holdings, Inc. (Pacific Rehouse et al.) against the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) and the closed Export and Industry Bank (EIB) that aimed to stop the bidding for the rehabilitation of the shuttered bank.

PDIC President Valentin A. Araneta said that this affirmed the PDICs authority as Receiver of closed banks under the law. The same RTC also denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Pacific Rehouse et al., citing that the RTC has no authority to restrain or enjoin the PDIC as receiver of EIB, in accordance with Republic Act 3591, as amended or the PDIC Charter. The denial of the TRO/injunction application was elevated to the CA by petitioners Pacific Rehouse et al. The appellate courts Special Fifth Division, in its decision dated May 7, 2013, denied the petition of Pacific Rehouse et al. against RTC Branch 146, and ruled that the RTC order was correct. The petitioners earlier sued the stock brokerage subsidiary of EIB, E-Securities, and demanded the return of more than 32 million DMCI shares which the former sold without the petitioners consent. The courts had earlier ruled that EIB and E-Securities are two different entities. The bidding for the rehabilitation of EIB failed in October 2012 and again in March 2013 due to the failure of any qualified investor to bid. The Monetary Board on April 4, 2013 directed the PDIC to proceed with the liquidation of EIB after it was determined that the bank could no longer be rehabilitated. The PDIC, as Liquidator of EIB, is set to file a petition for assistance in the liquidation of EIB with the liquidation court. |TOP| PhP 300 M fake goods condemned by BOC Source: http://www.dof.gov.ph

Thousands of jobs and unsuspecting consumers may have been saved from the ill effects of piracy and smuggling by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) condemnation of PhP 300 million worth of seized smuggled fake high -end brands like Louis Vuitton, Channel, Gucci, La Coste, Breitling, Ballenciaga, Hermes among other famous brands. In the biggest condemnation of seized fake goods for the yearat the BOC today (June 10, 2013) , Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon said, the counterfeit goods were seized earlier by BOC-Intellectual Property Rights Division (IPRD) operatives under lawyer Zsae Carrie De Guzman, an operating unit of the BOC Intelligence Group (IG) under Deputy Commissioner Danilo Lim, after conducting a visitorial exercise on a warehouse at the ACLEM Building in Binondo, Manila, a location where there are many stores selling fake counterfeit goods. We hope this exercise today will sending a clear message to traders that the BOC will not allow smuggling to flourish, especially on items that will have tremendous impact on Philippine labor. Biazon said, adding that, M oreover, we will not allow the Philippines to be a dumping ground of counterfeit goods, if only to enhance the countrys competitiveness as an investor friendly nation. The BOC, on this aspect, will ensure that the interests of foreign investors like distributors of authentic high-end brands are protected. For his part Lim said, that the PhP 300 million seizures of fake goods were the result of a series of raids by BOCIPRD operatives over the last three weeks. The raids, according to Lim also coincided with the Interpols Operation Hurricane, the international polices drive against illicit goods and CIIS operatives under Director FernandinoTuazon. We assure the public, especially the local manufacturers and traders that the BOC will not waver in its ca mpaign against smuggling. We will not lie low on our guard and we will spare no one in the fight against smuggling. Lim said, adding that, We ask the help of the private sector and business community to provide us any information that could help eradicate smuggling. |TOP| DOLE, along with Metrobank Foundation, announced winners for TOWER awards Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), Rotary Club of Manila (RCM), People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), together with the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announce the five (5) winners of this years Search for The Outstanding Workers of the Republic (TOWER). The winners for the Manufacturing Category are Jaime C. Hufalar, Jr., Mechanical Technician from Holcim Philippines (La Union); Lorence M. Gatan, Noodle Maker from G & B Buko Products (Nueva Vizcaya); and Anacleto A. Bordarays, Machinist from MOOG Controls Corporation (Baguio City). On the other hand, the winners for the Services category are: Victor Y. Acotin, Baker from Baguio Country Club (Baguio City) and Belinda M. Polintan, Program Support Assistant for CQI of De Veras Medical Center (Isabela). This years awardees are models in their specific industries models of innovation, perseverance, and of having a vision for themselves and their companies, says MBFI President Aniceto M. Spbrepea. It is our hope that these

models continue to multiply within their companies and later on, with our society so that a culture of excellence shall spread among the countrys workforce, he adds. From almost 60 nominations received this year, the awardees have gone through a screening process which involved documents review and a panel interview by the final board of judges. Serving as the chairman of the final board of judges is PCOO Secretary Hon. Herminio B. Coloma with Prof. Maria Nieves R. Confesor, Former Secretary/Executive Director of Department of Labor and Employment / AIM Team Energy Center for Bridging Leadership; Atty. Miguel B. Varela, Chairman of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines; Atty. Jose Sonny G. Matula, National President of the Federation of Free Workers; and Lawrence Jeff Johnson, Country Director International Labour Organization Country Office for Philippines. Talking to the finalists is educational, informative, and inspiring. I emerged from this experience knowing more than I did before I came in. says PCOO Secretary Hon. Hermino B. Coloma. They really spur us to think more optimistically about the future of our country because each of them is like a precious gem that we are able to discover which should make us realize that our country is very rich with people like them, Hon. Coloma adds. This years winners will be awarded at the Manila Hotel on June 20 at 11 am. Each awardee will receive P 100,000 cash prize and a specially-designed trophy. Among the winners is Anacleto Bordarays whose innovations and projects as a machinist helped save the companys resources up to P 9M and still continues to train other co-workers in the company. Another winner is Belinda Polintan who is active in her advocacy for children with disabilities despite her work schedule. Search for TOWER was founded in 1975 by the Rotary Club of Manila to recognize the contribution of skilled workers to economic development. For 2013, the Rotary Club of Manila and the Metrobank Foundation partnered with the People Management Association of the Philippines in recognizing work excellence, productivity and innovation of blue collar workers. Established on January 8, 1979 by George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), the Metrobank Foundation is engaged in social development projects in the Philippines and other parts of Asia. As the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, the Foundation implements various programs in education, visual arts and healthcare. It also maintains an active and dynamic partnership with other organizations that likewise provide services for the disadvantaged. Among the Foundations flagship programs are the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE), Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), College Scholarship Program (CSP), Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and Countrys Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS). In 2012, it launched its newest recognition program that recognizes excellence in Philippine journalism, the Search for Journalists of the Year (JOY).It also supports programs aimed at educating the citizenry on public-interest issues through research and lectures given by the distinguished holders of the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Lecture established by the Foundation in partnership with reputable educational institutions. The Foundation is also the majority owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country. For any question about this press release, contact Mr. Nicanor L. Torres, Jr., Executive Director, Metrobank Foundation, in these numbers, 898-8855 and /or 818-5656 |TOP| Gas, not bomb, caused Two Serendra explosion Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph

Manila, Philippines The powerful blast that ripped through an apartment unit of Two Serendra Friday last week was not caused by a bomb but was consistent with a gas explosion, most likely LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said Friday/June 7, reporting the initial findings of an inter-agency task force investigating the incident. Roxas made the announcement in an hour-long briefing at which he said all we have to say is this is a gas explosion. As to what triggered it or where the leak could have possibly occurred in the posh commercial -residential complex of Ayala Land Corp. in Global City, Roxas said the task force has several theories but it has not yet established it. We are not going into speculation. Right now, what we have to say is this is a gas explosion. What we have determined is that flammable gas was already there. Kung bakit nangyari ito negligence, incompetence or fraud, Hindi pa namin sinasabi, Roxas said. In arriving at the conclusion that it was a gas explosion, Roxas who headed the task force, cited milestones in the investigation that was jointly conducted by the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Public Works, and the Department of Health.

Quoting from the report, Roxas said that investigators combed through the debris in the unit and the immediate area of the debris using nine bomb-sniffing dogs from different kennels. All nine K-9 sniffing dogs did not manifest the presence of any explosive material or residue, R oxas said. Investigators also found no bomb components like blasting caps, power supply, switch, wire, detonators and shrapnel, and discovered no crater despite the presence of fire, charring and singeing. Craters are indicative of explosions caused by bombs, Roxas said. He said the SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives) took 61 swabs inside the unit and 76 more from the three concrete slabs that were thrown out of the unit. All swabs yielded negative results for the presence of bomb residue. Gas explosion analysed Roxas said gas explosions have specific characteristics, such as minimal post-explosion residue, absence of blast cratering, instantaneously dissipated flame, minimal charring, powerful and widespread pressure wave, and an almost instantaneous explosion covering a large area. Analyzing the blast, chemists from the DOST were quoted in the report as saying explosions of the magnitude of Serendras can be caused by a number of factors such as lightning, gasoline and other chemical substance. Gasoline or kerosene would require a container; given the magnitude of the explosion, it would have to be a large container. There were no indications of such at the site. There was no reported lightning at the time. The explosion was most likely to have b een caused by combustion of chemical substances (gases), the report said. A hundred known chemical substances are flammable, among them argon, helium, methane, acetylene all of which were not found in abundant quantities in residences or condominiums. In the case of Two Serendra, they would have had to be brought in and stored under high pressure in cylinder tanks. No such cylinder tanks were found by the investigating agencies in their walk-throughs, Roxas said. At Two Serendra, the gas most readily available and does not require a specialized container is LPG, Roxas said, quoting from the report. Two Serendra uses a centralized pipe-in LPG system, he said. In view of all the foregoing, the blast was consistent with a gas explosion, most likely LPG, Roxas said. He said investigators are still working as to what triggered the explosion. San Juan and related parties The behavior of Angelito San Juan, tenant of Unit 501B where the blast occurred shortly before 8p.m. of May 31, was considered by the task force to be normal, as well as those of related parties, Roxas said. The DILG Secretary was referring to Marianne Cayton-Castillo, owner of the unit who lives in California, and her aunt, Herminia Ochoa, who was San Juans last visitor at the unit before the explosion occurred. San Juan suffered second degree burns on 72 percent of his body and remained under intensive care at the St. Lukes Medical Center in Global City. He has yet to issue a sworn statement to investigators. San Juan arrived Fr iday last week from California to attend a batch reunion, and was supposed to stay at Unit 501B for nine days. There was no power at the unit when he arrived there and when he returned at 2p.m. Roxas said San Juan was not a suspect. He said investigators interviewed 60 people and took 53 sworn statements from occupants and tenants, security personnel, renovation workers, meter readers, blast witnesses and the first responders, namely the Taguig police and Ayala security personnel. Ang buong puwersa po ng pamahalaan ay dinala po rito para malaman po natin kung anong nangyari. Nakita po ninyo na masinop at exhaustive ang trabaho ng mga imbestigador, Roxas said. |TOP| DTI pushes for competitiveness through PHL Quality Award Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is promoting business excellence among several industries through the countrys highest recognition for performance excellence, the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) program. PQA is an opportunity to benchmark practices against other companies excelling in their industry, DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo said during the recent PQA Forum, highlighting the PQAs important role to the industry. Secretary Domingo explained further the benefits of joining the PQA. PQA is about business excellence. Its about making your organization perform better, produce better profits, improve quality, deliver your organizations aims, and achieve success, taking into consideration your corporate, social, and environmental r esponsibilities, he said. The PQA is a national award program institutionalized through the RA 9103 (PQA Act) which serves as a global competitiveness template that aims to encourage and engage public and private organizations and other stakeholders to strive for and attain performance excellence. Patterned after the Malcolm Baldrige, US' only recognition body for excellence, PQA recognizes achievements of public and private firms in their journey towards performance excellence. Secretary Domingo added that the PQA is a useful tool in aligning organizational processes and integrating systems that result to more customers and better bottom lines. Secretary Domingo, who is also the PQA Committee Chairman and Award Manager, noted the few number of recipients of the highest level of PQA, due to PQAs adherence to strict standards in recognizing companies, comparing it to getting a summa cum laude in school. Its a good sign. What we want are very strict standards, so that when somebody gets it, it really means something, he said. In the 2012 cycle of PQA, no organization got the highest and the second level award, while one company, San Miguel Yamamura Asia Inc., received the third level, while the fourth level went to four firms: Don Bosco Technical College, Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas Inc, Optodev, Inc., and Thomson Reuters Corp., Inc. LtdPhilippine Branch. Since its creation, the PQA awarded its highest level of recognition, the Philippine Quality Award for Performance Excellence, to only one firm: Unilab Laboratories, Inc. in 2008. Five companies got the next level of recognition, which is the Recognition for Mastery in Quality Management, making them a role model for other Philippine companies. Meanwhile, a local government unit (LGU) and 15 companies received the third level, which is the Recognition for Proficiency in Quality Management for achieving significant progress in building sound processes; and eight government agencies and 21 private firms were recognized for Commitment to Quality Management for demonstrating serious commitment to total quality management. |TOP| DTI schedules free entrepreneurship sessions for June Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Bureau of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED), lines up free entrepreneurship sessions for new and existing businesses this month. We are continuously holding entrepreneurship sessions to provide entrepreneurs with useful and up -to-date information on improving the operation of their businesses. These sessions are also open to would-be entrepreneurs, Bureau of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (BMSMED) Officer-in-Charge Jerry T. Clavesillas said. These sessions will be held at the BMSMED Training Room, 5/F Trade and Industry Building, 361 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue in Makati City from 1:30 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Topics for these sessions include Business Taxation for SMEs (June 11); Consumer Rights and Protection, and Overview on Product Standards, Policies, and Guidelines (June 14); Trends and Design for Furniture, and Putting your Business Online (June 18); Food Safety and How to Acquire a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Certificate (June 21); and Skills Training on Food Cart Business (June 25). In equipping them with information on the essentials of doing business and new trends in the market, we do not only help these entrepreneurs sustain their operation but also improve their competitiveness in the local and foreign markets, Clavesillas added. These sessions will be conducted by DTI through the BMSMED, Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP), Bureau of Product Standards (BPS), Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP), and in cooperation with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Shopinas.com, FDA, Ultima Entrepinoy, and consultant and entrepreneur Butch Salvador.

Interested participants may contact BMSMED at telephone numbers 897.1693, 751.5076, 890.4968 and 897.7596. |TOP| DOST to showcase neo-ethnic wear at the Philippine Textiles Confab Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph

Local technology in Philippine textiles takes the spotlight as the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) unveils the latest in textile innovation using indigenous or neo-ethnic materials at the 2013 Neo-Ethnic Philippine Textiles Conference on June 11, 2013 at the Heritage Hotel in Manila. The event, which aims to confront current issues relevant to local textile production such as sustainability and longevity, takes its cue from industry stakeholders and advocates of native fabrics who are giving the textile industry a second look, thereby giving it a much needed push to make a dent in the global market. Neo-ethnic textiles refer to clothing made of natural or indigenous materials that are used today and created using green scientific and technological approaches by spinners, dyers, weavers and artisans. These innovative approaches to fabrics creation, a DOST-PTRI intervention under the DOST-TECHNICOM funded project on neo-ethnic textiles, integrate traditional patterns, designs and motifs that preserve Filipino art and cultural heritage. As a result, regular or traditional fabrics are transformed into world-class products bearing neo-ethnic materials and designs that are unique and a cut above the rest. At the same time, this will create additional livelihood opportunities for ethnic groups and communities in the countryside where the raw materials come from, thereby sustaining the growth of the local textile industry. To be featured in the event are three conference sessions and a one-of-a-kind fashion show expected to ignite interest on our local fabrics and artistic designs among local and international buyers. The show, titled Neo -Ethnic Wear, will showcase wearable ensembles with an array of avant-garde designs executed by international fashion designer Anthony Cruz-Legarda and the Clothing, Textile and Interior Design Department of the College of Home Economics-University of the Philippines Diliman. Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, executive director of DOSTs Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) will be the keynote speaker for the event. For people looking for ideas on what will stand out from the crowd and what could be the next best thing in local textiles, the Neo-Ethnic Philippine Textiles Conference and Fashion Show will surely help. |TOP| Loboc Childrens Choir conveys message of peace, friendship to Beijing Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

10 June 2013 - In the midst of their differences on maritime domains, the Philippines and China sat together for almost two hours on June 08 to listen to the angelic voices of the highly-acclaimed Loboc Childrens Choir, as the choir sang songs of joy, peace and friendship, in a concert organized by the Philippine Embassy in China, in partnership with Liwayway China, makers of Oishi snack foods. The concert was staged to celebrate the 2012-2013 Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges, and to observe International Childrens Day. The concert also commemorated the 38th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China on June 09. In her opening remarks to welcome the VIP guests of the Embassy at Beijings National Center for the Performing Arts, Ambassador Erlinda Basilio said, Our children come to you from across the sea with their gift of song, to express their yearning for friendship. She exhorted both the Philippines and China to lay the foundations for a good future for the children, and quoted a Chinese proverb that said this generation plants trees so future generations can enjoy their shade. The choir capped their evening concert with a moving rendition of Florantes classic song, Handog, from which the concert drew its title, Handog para sa Kaibigan. After the concert, most of the Chinese children watching the concert rushed to have their pictures taken with the choir members. Towards midnight, after their post-concert dinner, the Choir serenaded, a cappella, Liwayway Corporations Chairman Mr. Carlos Chan, his wife Mrs. Priscilla Chan, Liwayway China President Mr. Larry Chan, and various Embassy officials, with a short and sweet Thank you song, to the general amazement and loud applause of Chinese late-night

diners in a Chinese restaurant in Beij ings first diplomatic district. |TOP| Top UN Officials meet with National Council for UN Peace Operations Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph

09 June 2013 -Two high-ranking United Nations (UN) officials arrived in the Philippines to meet and discuss the countrys participation in peacekeeping operations with representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, Military Adviser of the UN Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Colonel Sergio Filippi, Chief of Current Military Operations of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UN DPKO), were received on June 05 by DFA Assistant Secretary Jesus R. S. Domingo of the Office of United Nations and other International Organizations. General Gaye and Colonel Filippi were invited to speak at a meeting of the National Council for UN Peace Operations (NCUNPO), a body composed of the DFA, the Department of National Defense and the Department of Interior and Local Government, and tasked to oversee the countrys participation in peacekeeping efforts of the UN. Gen. Gaye commended the Philippines for its continued presence in several UN peacekeeping mission areas, despite the recent incidents that involved Filipino peacekeepers in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. I thank the Philippines for continuing to honor its commitment to peacekeeping. We always work towards improving relations between the UN DPKO and troop-contributing countries. We therefore count this opportunity to meet with the Philippines as an extremely important one. Gaye said. Assistant Secretary Domingo in turn thanked the UN DPKO for their efforts in securing the release of the Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights who were detained by armed groups first from May 06 to 09, and again from May 07 to 12. He also expressed hope that the good coordination between the DPKO and the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York would be further strengthened. |TOP| President Aquino to attend final inspection of Laguindingan Airport tomorrow Source: http://www.dotc.gov.ph Manila, Philippines With all preparations completed for its long-awaited opening later this week, a final inspection of the Laguindingan Airport will be conducted by government authorities tomorrow (11 June 2013), according to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC). In the event dubbed Final Inspection and Unveiling of Marker at Laguindingan Airport, the DOTC and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), led by Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya and CAAP Director General William H. Hotchkiss III, will perform a last check of the readiness of the new gateways facilities. President Benigno S. Aquino III will be the Guest of Honor at the event, which will mark the first newly-built airport to be opened during his term. The first day of flights will be on Saturday, 15 June 2013. We expect this final inspection to go smoothly, especially since the airport has been ready to operate since April this year, said DOTC spokesperson Migs Sagcal. Airport operations were originally scheduled to be transferred from Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City last 30 April, but this was postponed when carriers expressed difficulty in advising passengers of changes to their flight itineraries. From this Saturdays opening until its Instrument Landing System (ILS) is fully in place by May 2014, the new airport will operate using Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The consensus from CAAP, aviation experts, and affected airlines is that, even using VFR, Laguindingan is already safer than Lumbia right now. This is because geographically, it is in a better site under any weather condition, Sagcal explained. The construction of the P 7.85-Billion Laguindingan Airport was funded with Official Development Assistance (ODA) from South Korea through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank). It features a 2.1-kilometer runway and a 7,184-square meter passenger terminal building

with a capacity of 1.6 million passengers per year. |TOP| PRC notice to the public (updated) Source: http://www.prc.gov.ph

The Public is advised that PRC is Upgrading its IT Systems on June 10, 2013 (12:00 midnight), to bring to you a much improved and efficient service. In view of this highly technical concern, the PRC transactional systems may not, at times and without prior notice, be accessible. We ask for your kind understanding. Thank you for bearing with us. |TOP| Ex-Pangasinan mayor convicted of malversation of public funds Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph

THE Office of the Ombudsman scored another victory after the Sandiganbayan convicted a former mayor and a municipal treasurer in Tayug, Pangasinan of malversation charges for misappropriating public funds worth P787, 700 in 2001. In a 19-page Decision penned by Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada and concurred in by Associate Justices Efren De La Cruz and Rafael Lagos, the anti-graft courts First Division found former mayor Marius Ladio and OIC -municipal treasurer Virgilio Arquero guilty of Malversation of Public Funds (Article 217, Revised Penal Code) for misusing the amount of P787, 700 by means of vales/ IOUs/ chits. The Court meted Ladio and Arquero to suffer the indeterminate penalty of 10 years and one day of prision mayor as minimum, to 18 years, 8 months and one day of reclusion temporal as maximum, to pay a fine of Php787,700, with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency and the penalty of perpetual special disqualification to hold public office and other accessory penalties provided by law, to indemnify, jointly and severally, the municipal of Tayug, Pangasinan, the malversed amountwith legal interest from the f inality [of the decision] until the same is fully paid, and to pay the cost. At the trial, Ladio admitted that he actually took the amount (which was included in the Php3,678,247.34 shortage of accused Arquero) which he withdrew from the daily collections of the municipal treasurer through vales/ IOUs/ chits that he issued/ executed and included in the lists attached to the Commission on Audit (COA) Report. He, however, denied that he spent the said amount for his personal use. He said the money was utilized on the various projects of the municipality such as the re-graveling/ rehabilitation of barangay roads destroyed by typhoons, and delivery of various construction materials. In the decision, the Court held that the report presented by Ladio does not substantiate his claim that he disbursed or used his personal funds when he undertook the various municipal projects. It is to be noted that on cross-examination, [accused Ladio] admitted that because of the problems that he encountered during his term of office as municipal mayor to procure funds for the development of his municipality, he was able to procure from then President Estrada the amount of Php1M for the 100% concreting of the barangay roads of Barangay Evangelista. By this admission, it is clear that the funds used for the repair/ rehabilitation of the barangay roads of Barangay Evangelista road came from then President Estrada and not from his personal fund, the Decision stated. The Court added that without Arqueros cooperation/ acquiescence in the release of the public funds, the illegal disbursement could not have been made possible or committed by Ladio. |TOP| TESDA opens nominations for Kabalikat, Idol aw ards Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph

Individuals and organizations, who have made strides in promoting and strengthening technical vocational education and training (TVET) in the country, will get due recognition from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, announced that nominations are now open for the TESDA Idol and the Kabalikat Award for 2013. The Kabalikat Award gives due recognition to the agency's outstanding partners in the promotion and enhancement of TVET. It is conferred to outstanding institutions, private firms and companies, local government units and legislative partners because of their good practices and contribution in the promotion and development of Filipino skilled workers. The Idols ng TESDA will be conferred to graduates of various TVET courses, who are gainfully employed either as wage workers or are managing their own businesses and have contributed to the socio-economic improvements in their respective communities. A special award, TESDA Best! Batang TESDA will also be given to a graduate, who has attained skills excellence and success even at a young age. "These various awards recognize individuals, organizations or companies in our communities that have put a stake on technical vocational education, and made lives better for many," Villanueva said. Nominees for TESDA Idols must be 21 to 40 years old, graduate of any TVET course, and who are either selfemployed or wage-employed. "TESDA Idol nominees should be the epitome of hardworking individuals, who became successful in their own endeavor after finishing a TVET programs," Villanueva said. Success stories of these graduates, he said, are being used by the agency as advocacy materials in attracting the youth and the unemployed adults toward promising careers in the skilled occupations. For the Kabalikat Award, the following categories were established for nominations: Institutional Partner. This includes TESDAs partners from the private schools/training institutions, training centers, non-government organizations/institutions that employ good practices in the promotion and enhancement of TVET through the conduct of regular tracer study of graduates, meeting market-based performance standard, proper incentives, labor market research, and public-private partnership among others. Industry Partner. These TESDA partners may be an industry association or individual private and public establishment/firm/company that adhered to good practices in the promotion and enhancement of TVET. Local Government Unit Partner. This may be a municipality/city or provincial unit, and other related government offices which provided exemplary support and cooperation with TESDA in various TVET activities translated to programs/ projects related to workforce development such as training and assessment scholarships; donations; provision of technical assistance in the TESDA Provincial or Regional Technical Education and Skills Development Committees; skills competition; and standards/curriculum development, etc. Legislative Partner. This category includes the office of a congressman or senator which provided exemplary support to and cooperation with TESDA in various activities that lead to the improvement of TVET in the country. Submission of nominations and documentary requirements for the two awards is now on-going in the TESDA Provincial/District Offices. The winners will receive their award in August during the anniversary celebration of TESDA. |TOP| Phl an economic powerhouse, says German Foreign Minister; VP Binay calls for more investments, welcomes hiring of pinoy nurses Source: http://ovp.gov.ph

Germany considers the Philippines a "powerhouse" economy, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told Vice President Jejomar C. Binay Tuesday in Berlin during wide-ranging talks on bilateral issues covering trade, investment, and the hiring of Filipino nurses. Binay, for his part, encouraged Germany to invest more in the Philippines, citing positive economic indicators and renewed political stability following the May 13 elections. As part of his responsibility as Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Concerns, the Vice President stated that he looked forward to the early implementation of a labor agreement signed by Germany and the Philippines in March that should see the initial deployment of Filipino nurses to Germany in the latter half of 2013.

The Vice President also expressed Philippine interest to explore the possible mutual recognition of academic qualifications with Germany. We hope that the initial batch of 50 nurses will be deployed in 2013 and the next batch of 500 deployed by 2014, the Vice President told the foreign minister. The Vice President thanked Westerwelle for Germanys confidence in and high regard for Filipino nurses. For the Philippines, it means an opportunity for our nurses to secure beneficial employment. And for Germany, it addresses the shortage of nurses in the country, Binay said. The agreement, recently ratified by President Benigno S. Aquino III, is seen to be mutually beneficial protecting the Filipino workers rights and addressing the needs of Germanys aging population. The implementing rules and regulations of the agreement are being finalized now, Binay told Westerwelle. Moreover, the Vice President assured Westerwelle that the Philippines is serious in complying with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). The STCW Convention sets qualification standards for officers and personnel on seagoing merchant ships. The Philippines failed to meet European Union (EU) standards on maritime education, training and competency certificates, according to the results of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) audit conducted in April, but Binay said the government was taking concrete steps to address the issue. We are confident that the Philippines will pass the next EMSA audit in October this year as there is clear progress towards full compliance with the Convention, he said. The audit is in line with the Philippines comm itment to the STCW Convention. Failure to comply could lead to an EU ban on the hiring of Filipino seamen. For his part, Westerwelle praised the Philippine economy as a powerhouse in the region. The foreign minister recalled his recent official trip to Manila, where he called for expansion of bilateral cooperation across the board. He expressed satisfaction that his visit to the Dhle Institute in Manila, a maritime center which trains Filipino seafarers, had yielded in a concrete project, a roundtable discussion in Hamburg on directions for Philippine-German cooperation, including a possible maritime strategic alliance, where the Vice President will be the keynote speaker. Germany recognizes the Philippines as an important maritime nation and the central role played by Filipino seafarers in supporting maritime shipping and trade. Binay welcomed cooperation with German stakeholders in the maritime sector to enhance the capacity of maritime training centers in the Philippines. He stated that President Aquino had already issued an executive order which provides the framework to ensure that the Filipino seafarer remains globally-competitive. He also proposed the establishment of a joint committee that would serve as a forum for both countries to exchange views on matters related to the seafaring industry at the bilateral level. By just looking at the figures, US$244 million or 25% of all remittances by Filipino seafarers from Europe in 2012 were from Germany, Binay said. This is one good reason why we need maintain the high-level of skills and competence of our seafarers and, in doing so, also help keep the competitive edge of the German commercial shipping industry, he added. The Vice President also urged the German side to invest in the Philippin es human capital and urged cooperation in education, particularly the dual system of vocational training. He said that such cooperation is timely considering the K to 12 reform in the Philippine educational system. |TOP|

Last Updated:

10 JUNE 2013

Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

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President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes the non-resident Ambassador from Different countries during their Presentation of Credentials held at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Monday (June 10)in photo is Department Of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario . (Photo by: Lauro Montellano / Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Philippines His Excellency Nicolai Ruge during the Presentation of Credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Monday (June 10). (Photo by: Lauro Montellano/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the Philippines His Excellency Demiye Zuher Mohd Haddad during the Presentation of Credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Monday (June 10). (Photo by: Lauro Montellano/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Honduras to the Philippines Her Excellency Marlene Villela de Talbott during the Presentation of Credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Monday (June 10). (Photo by: Lauro Montellano/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Liberia to the Philippines Her Excellency Youngor Sevelee Telewoda during the Presentation of Credentials at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Monday (June 10). (Photo by: Lauro Montellano/ Malacaang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomes the non-resident Ambassadors from Different countries during their Presentation of Credentials held at the Rizal Hall of the Malacaan Palace on Monday (June 10) in photo is Department Of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario . (Photo by: Lauro Montellano / Rey Baniquet / Malacaang Photo Bureau).

Thank You and God Bless !!!!