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creosote
definition from
Oxford Dictionary of English - 

creosote /ˈkriːəsəʊt  /
▸ noun (also creosote oil) [mass noun] a dark brown oil containing various phenols and other organic compounds, distilled from coal tar and used as a wood preservative.
a colourless, pungent, oily liquid, containing creosol and other compounds, distilled from wood tar and used as an antiseptic.
▸ verb [with object] treat (wood) with creosote:
(as adjective creosoted) a creosoted wooden fence.
– ORIGIN mid 19th century : coined in German from Greek kreas 'flesh' + sōtēr 'preserver', with reference to its antiseptic properties.


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wali
definition from
Oxford Dictionary of English - 

wali /ˈwɑːliː  /
▸ noun the governor of a province in an Arab country.
– ORIGIN from Arabic (al-)wālī.


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physiologist
definition from
Oxford Dictionary of English - 

physiologist /ˌfɪzɪˈɒlədʒɪst  /
▸ noun an expert in or student of the branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts:
these three kinds of muscular motion are well known to physiologists.


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indiscrete
definition from
Oxford Dictionary of English - 

indiscrete /ɪndɪˈskriːt  /
▸ adjective rare not divided into distinct parts.
– ORIGIN early 17th century (in the sense 'not separate or distinguishable'; originally as indiscreet): from Latin indiscretus, from in- 'not' + discretus 'separate' (see discreet). Compare with indiscreet.


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smorgasbord
definition from
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smorgasbord /ˈsmɔːɡəsbɔːd  /
▸ noun a range of open sandwiches and delicacies served as hors d'oeuvres or a buffet.
a wide range of something; a variety:
the album is a smorgasbord of different musical styles.
– ORIGIN Swedish, from smörgås '(slice of) bread and butter' (from smör 'butter' + gås 'goose, lump of butter') + bord 'table'.


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Solon reveals $1-trillion methane gas deposits in Liguasan Marsh
Solon reveals $1-trillion methane gas deposits in Liguasan Marsh

Published May 30, 2018, 10:00 PM
By Ali G. Macabalang

Cotabato City – Maguindanao Rep. Zajid "Dong" Mangudadatu has revealed the presence of vast natural gas deposits worth more $1 trillion in the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh, even as he called for prompt development of such assets to propel growth in Mindanao, in particular, and the country, in general.

Mangudadatu released last week a video footage, showing him standing beside a large pipe installed at Buluan Lake that continuously produced flame emanating from running water coming from the marsh, which, he claimed, was evidence of the presence of methane gas.

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HON. BERNADETTE "BH" HERRERA-DY                        
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Women & Gender Equality

452 TESTED POSITIVE FOR ADVANCED STAGES OF HIV-AIDS, MOSTLY LGBT AND WOMEN, IN JAN TO MAR 2018 

DOH must ascertain reasons for late discovery of patients at advanced stages of infection. 

As Chair of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, the spread of HIV-AIDS is among my top concerns because of its impact on women and the LGBT community. 

National government, civic society, and LGUs clearly must do much better at informing Filipinos of the availability of HIV-AIDS testing nationwide because 452 found to be in the advanced stages of the disease from January to March this year is too much. That's 452 families and more extended families and friends affected. 

This year, 73 have died of HIV-AIDS. 

Late discovery of HIV-AIDS infection would be due to the stigma attached to the illness, but if the infection had been found early, the lives of those infected could be lengthened by years because of the advanced in treatment technologies. 

DOH and LGUs must spread down to the barangays and workplaces their information on access, availability, and affordability of HIV-AIDS testing and treatments. A national media campaign must be undertaken and it must be aggressive. 

Late discovery or reporting might also be due to treatment or confinement for the symptoms of HIV-AIDS. On this, we need better cooperation from doctors and hospitals because if the patients or their doctors do not disclose or put on record the real illness, more people could be at risk when HIV-AIDS safety protocols are not followed.

Public health and safety have to be weighed alongside the right to privacy of the patients. Under-reporting can be dangerous. DOH must make sure this is not happening in any of the hospitals or clinics nationwide. (END)

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REP. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Member, Overseas Workers Affairs, Health, and 10 other Committees

SHARING OF NEEDLES IN CENTRAL VISAYAS IS NEW HIV-AIDS TRANSMISSION THREAT

49 DRUG-INJECTION USERS TESTED POSITIVE FOR HIV

Sharing of needles has emerged as a new high-risk behavior in the faster spread of HIV-AIDS among Filipinos, particularly in Central Visayas, the latest available (March 2018) Department of Health data show.

Since last January, there were 49 injecting drugs users who got infected with HIV. Counting from January 2013 to March 2018, sharing of needles gave 1,580 people HIV. 

The DOH said "almost all (99 percent) reported with injecting drug use were from Region 7." 

With these information, it is now imperative and urgent for LGU officials in Central Visayas to team up with the DOH to stem rising tide of HIV spread via sharing of needles.

As a Member of the House Committee on Health, I call on the LGUs and DOH to make this a new priority.

The menace of illegal drugs has surely interfaced with the HIV-AIDS epidemic. These two epidemics are now twins in the Central Visayas.

The good news in the latest HIV-AIDS data is the integrity of our nation's blood supply and the enforcement of safety measures in our medical facilities. DOH reported zero HIV cases from blood/blood products and from needle stick injury. 

I urge registered nurses and licensed health professionals to continue with the safety practices to keep themselves from getting infected with HIV accidentally through needle stick injury. (END)

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Press Release
KOMBINASYON NG MGA SOLUSYON SA PAGTAAS NG PRESYO NG MGA BILIHIN, LANGIS

Pagtatayo ng fuel reserves, pagpapalakas at pagpanatag sa peso-dollar rate, supplemental budget, at pag-amyenda sa TRAIN law ang ilan sa mga panukala ng tatlong mambabatas sa Kamara para maibsan ang epekto ng mataas na presyo ng langis at mga bilihin. 

Pag-iimbak ng mga produktong petrolyong binili sa mababang halaga ang pinakamabisang proteksyon ng bansa kontra sa pagtaas ng presyo ng crude oil sa pandaigdigang merkado, ani KABAYAN Party-list Rep. Ciriaco Calalang. 

"Maaring itayo ang mga depot o imbakan ng gasolina, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, at LPG sa ilang strategic locations sa Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao. Maraming bilyong-pisong investment ang kailangan para diyan na kayang gawin ng foreign investors. Habang itinatayo iyan, makipagkasundo muna tayo sa South Korea at Japan dahil sila ay mayroon nang fuel reserves na maaring makibahagi tayo," paliwanag ni Rep. Calalang. 

Sa ideya ni Calalang, ilalabas ng pambansang fuel reserves ang imbentaryo nito kapag malaki ang pagtaas ng mga presyo sa gasolinahan.

"Depensa rin ang fuel reserves na ito sa panahon ng matinding kalamidad tulad ng lindol at super typhoon na kayang maputol ang normal na supply ng produktong petrolyo. Tutugunan ng fuel reserves ang anuman matinding kakulangan sa domestic supply," ani Atty. Calalang. 

Para naman kay Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao, kailangan palakasin ng bansa ang halaga ng piso kontra dolyar dahil ang mataas na palitan ng piso at dollar ay isang dahilan ng pagmahal ng imported oil.

"Makahanap sana ng mga paraan ang mga economic managers, Bangko Sentral, mga bangko, at malalaking korporasyon na ibalik sa P49 o P50 to US$1.00 ang palitan, at panatilihin doon. Bukas naman ako sa ideya na dagdagan natin ang ayuda ng gobyerno sa mga pamilyang apektado masyado ng pagtaas ng mga bilihin," ani Siao.

Dagdag na paraan para pabagalin ang inflation, ayon kay Siao na isa ring negosyante, ang pagkumbinsi sa mga Pilipino na mag-invest ng kanilang pera at bumuo ng savings para sa mga medical emergencies at retirement.

"We can also remove excess money from the market—thereby easing inflation pressures—by convincing Filipino families and businesses to invest and to save and to do that now. Let us give them more reason to invest in treasury bills, treasury bonds, private corporate bonds, real estate, condominiums, and other investment assets. Let us give them more reason to save their money in banks," ani Rep. Siao.

Pabor naman si 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero na palakasin ang safety nets ng gobyerno para sa mga mahihirap. "Maaari nating amyendahan ang TRAIN Law para dagdagan pa ang tulong ng gobyerno sa publiko," aniya. 

Pati mga pamilyang ang kita ay P30,000 kada buwan pababa baka marapat na rin tulungan kahit hindi sila dukha dahil malakas rin ang tama ng inflation sa maraming middle class families, dagdag ni Rep. Siao.  (WAKAS)

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REP. FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone District of Iligan City
Vice Chair, Committee on Tourism
Member, Appropriations, Economic Affairs, and 8 other committees                                                                   
Facebook: /congressmansiao Twitter: @freddiesiao 0917-729-2437                                                                 
HIV-INFECTION AMONG OFWs RISES FURTHER;
230 OFWs TEST POSITIVE JAN TO MAR THIS YEAR

Last January 78. Last February 72. Last March 80. So for the first three months or first quarter of 2018, 230 OFWs have tested positive for HIV. 

If the monthly average of 76 for 2018 so far will persist, the country might have 912 OFWs testing positive for HIV and that will surpass the 811 cases recorded for the whole year of 2017. 

I am therefore recommending to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and the top officials of POEA and OWWA to equip our departing OFWs with effective anti-HIV-AIDS safety modules to make them very aware of how they can avoid getting infected.

The labor attaches and welfare officers overseas must also be trained and equipped to respond to OFWs in HIV-AIDS situations.

Specific protocols must be in place to address cases wherein they get infected as result of sexual abuse and because of the need to fill the loneliness in another country. 

DAVAO REGION IS THE NEW HIV-AIDS HOTSPOT,

LGUs THERE MUST ACT NOW TO CONTAIN THE EPIDEMIC

139 HIV-positive this year in Region 11; 2,459 since Jan 2013 

As a Mindanaoan, another matter I am deeply concerned about is the spread of HIV-AIDS in Mindanao.

The most recent DOH data indicate that the Davao Region is now among the top 5 regions where HIV-AIDS is rampant. This year, 139 tested positive from January to March. Since January 2013, 2,459 people were found to have HIV-AIDS in Region 11.

Over here in Region X, the region DOH data for 2017 show that 294 were found to have HIV-AIDS and 34 of them were already showing symptoms of AIDS while 260 were not yet manifesting signs or were asymptomatic. Of that 294, 108 were in the 15 to 24 age group while 138 were aged 25 to 34. 

Fortunately, there were no kids younger than 15 among the 294, but there were 8 who were 50 years and older. 

We need the new HIV-AIDS program as embodied in the two pending consolidated bills in Congress. 

Dapat bigyang prayoridad ng mga LGU sa Mindanao ang kampanya laban sa HIV-AIDS. Huwag nawang ipagwalang-bahala ito dahil mabilis itong kumalat at damay ang maraming pamilya.

Asikasuhin sana ng mga barangay chairman, kagawad, mga mayor, vice mayor at konsehal ang HIV-AIDS epidemic. Makipag-ugnayan sila sa DOH, regional hospital, at HIV testing centers sa Region 11.

It is also imperative that reproductive health and anti-HIV-AIDS programs be implemented at the barangays and at workplaces. 

People also need to know where they can get testing for HIV when they are engaged in unsafe sex or sharing needles as injecting drug users. They must be tested before the symptoms appear so as to improve their chances of having a longer life because of treatment.  (END)

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Press Release: HIV-AIDS EPIDEMIC:

HIRAMAN NG INFECTED NEEDLES, UNDER-REPORTING, AT PAGLAGANAP SA DAVAO REGION 

Hiraman ng mga siringilyang kontaminado ng HIV sa Central Visayas, posibleng hindi tapat na paglalahad ng tunay na sakit ng ilang pasyente, ang dumaraming kaso ng HIV sa Davao at sa mga OFW ang nakikitang matitinding problema na nagdudulot ng paglala ng HIV-AIDS epidemic, ayon sa tatlong kongresista. 

"Batay sa kumpirmadong datos mismo DOH, ang paghihiraman ng pang-injection ay malaking problema lalo na sa Central Visayas. Ngayong taon mula Enero, 49 injecting drug users na ang nag-positibo sa HIV at mula naman Enero 2013, umabot na sa 1,580 tao ang positibo sa HIV dahil gumamit sila ng kontaminadong needles," ani KABAYAN Party-list Rep. Ron Salo, kasapi ng House Committee on Health. 

Napansin naman ni Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy na 454 katao ang nadiskubreng merong HIV pero nasa advanced stages na sila at mayroon nang sintomas ng AIDS. 

Natukoy ni Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao na patuloy na dumarami ang mga OFW na nagpopositibo sa HIV at pangamba niya'y posibleng malampasan pa ngayong 2018 ang dami ng OFW na HIV-positive noong 2017. Pansin rin niya na dumarami ang HIV-positive sa Davao Region at nasa top 5 pa nga.

Advanced stages

Maaari pa sanang mas mapahaba ang buhay ng 454 na nasa advanced stages na ng HIV-AIDS kung maagang nalaman na sila ay infected.

"Huli na nang makumpirmang meron na silang AIDS. Matagal na silang infected at sa panahon na iyon malamang marami na silang nahawahan kung hindi sila sumusunod sa monogamy, celibacy, at iba pang HIV protection practices tulad ng safe sex methods," ani Rep. Herrera-Dy. 

Ayon kay Rep. Herrera-Dy, na pinuno ng House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, posibleng nagpatingin na sila dati sa doktor o na-confine sa ospital, pero nagpagamot sila para sa mga sakit na dumapo sa kanila dahil nawala na nga ang kanilang immune system defense dahil lumalala na ang HIV-AIDS nila. 

"Maaring alam nila ang kanilang sakit o iba ngunit kaugnay na karamdaman ang kanilang inireport o inilahad sa doktor o ospital. Mayroon pa rin kasing stigma o matinding kahihiyan na nakakabit sa HIV-AIDS. Ngunit dahil dito, hindi natin tuloy nalalaman ang totoong dami ng mga mayroong HIV-AIDS at hindi sila nalalapatan ng tamang panglunas," paliwanag ni Rep. Herrera-Dy.

OFWs na HIV-positive

"Last January 78. Last February 72. Last March 80. So for the first three months or first quarter of 2018, 230 OFWs have tested positive for HIV. If the monthly average of 76 for 2018 so far will persist, the country might have 912 OFWs testing positive for HIV and that will surpass the 811 cases recorded for the whole year of 2017," ani Rep. Siao. 

Ibayong implementasyon ng anti-HIV-AIDS program at services ang udyok ni Siao sa DOH, lalo na sa Davao at iba pang bahagi ng Mindanao.

"This year, 139 tested positive from January to March. Since January 2013, 2,459 people were found to have HIV-AIDS in Region 11," sabi ni Siao batay sa mga datos ukol sa Davao region.

Kooperasyon sa pagitan ng LGUs at national government ang dapat para hindi lumalala ang HIV-AIDS sa Davao at buong Mindanao, panawagan ni Rep. Siao.

Illegal Drugs + HIV sa Central Visayas 

Sa tingin ng kinatawan ng KABAYAN naging "kambal na panganib" ang illegal drugs at HIV-AIDS sa rehiyon, kaya naman matinding kooperasyon ng LGU rin ang nakikitang akmang tugon kontra HIV-AIDS sa Central Visayas. 

"Matagal nang laganap ang illegal drugs, pati na ang mga mamahaling droga na ginagamitan ng injections, sa Central Visayas. Pangulong Duterte, PDEA, at DOH na ang mga nagpatotoo riyan. Kaso mas lumalala ang problema dahil sa sharing of infected needles," punto ni Rep. Salo.

Silver lining

Hindi lahat bad news sa mga datos ng DOH sa HIV-AIDS. 

Napansin ni Rep. Ron Salo, na napanatiling safe at secure ang blood supply ng bansa at ang mga health professionals dahil sinasabi mismo ng mga datos na zero ang HIV infection from blood supply at needlestick injury. 

"Ipinagpapasalamat natin ito dahil naiiwasan ang paglala ng epidemya. Patunay ang zero na iyan na mabisa ang seguridad na ipinapatupad para sa HIV screening ng blood supply at safety protocols para sa mga health workers," ani Rep. Salo.  (WAKAS)

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Press Release
REP. MICHAEL "MIKEE" L. ROMERO, Ph.D.
1-PACMAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Twitter: @MikeeRomeroPhD

HIGHER INFLATION COULD BE UP THE ROAD AHEAD FOR PHL

To address emerging higher inflation, do we need supplemental budget and bills to amend specific provisions of the TRAIN Law, economist-solon asks Pres. Duterte's economic manager. 

Crude oil prices in the world market seem to be heading toward $100 again. We've all been there before and that lasted for about three years (2011 to 2013). While that develops, another rising trend line has emerged and this is the continuing depreciation of the peso against the dollar.

Table 1 – OPEC Basket Price Yearly

TABLE 2 – OPEC Basket Price Weekly
 
Sources: OPEC website - http://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/data_graphs/40.htm

Table 3 - Peso-Dollar exchange rate period averages (Jan 2016 to Apr 2018)
 
Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph/statistics/spei_new/tab13_php.htm

These two macroeconomic factors can complicate the country's inflation conditions later this year and in the first half of 2019.

Only last May 10, the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral "decided to increase the interest rate on the BSP's overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) facility by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent. The interest rates on the overnight lending and deposit facilities were likewise raised accordingly."

These slightly higher rates make money more expensive and has the effect of reducing the appetite of the economy for more money, thereby reducing inflation pressures.

The Monetary Board also said its own "latest forecasts have further shifted higher, indicating that inflation pressures could become more broad-based over the policy horizon."

If and when rising crude oil prices and peso depreciation influence what the Bangko Sentral said are "price pressures emanating from possible adjustments in transport fares, utility rates, and wages", it is possible that we could have inflation ranging from 4 percent to under 5 percent over the next 12 months.

Inflation last March and April was already at 4.3 percent and 4.5 percent respectively, according to the Bangko Sentral.

Considering these developments, we ask the economic managers of the executive branch to update Congress on its strategies and tactics for heading off inflation over the next 12 to 18 months. We also want to know from the DSWD, DOH, DepEd, CHED, and TESDA what their social safety nets are for the possible or probable higher-than-forecast inflation. 

We may have to enact a supplemental budget and bills to amend specific provisions of the TRAIN Law.

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Press Release
REP. CIRIACO "ACOY" S. CALALANG
KABAYAN Party-list
Member, Transportation, Good Government & Public Accountability,
Public Order & Safety, Justice, and 12 other committees
Mobile: 0917 729 2437 

Long-term solution to oil price hike woes:

ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL FUEL RESERVE TO SHIELD PHL FROM WORLD CRUDE OIL PRICE SURGES PROPOSED 

Our country needs a fuel reserve inventory similar in concept to the NFA rice inventory. 

The fuel reserve can be placed under the control of the Secretary of Energy or of the Energy Regulatory Commission. The reserve can be stocked with fuel bought when crude oil and fuel prices are low and the stocks can be released into the local market, either indirectly through the oil firms or directly to government-owned gas stations, when fuel prices rise. 

Gawin lang  mas maganda kaysa sa sistema ng NFA rice inventory ang mangyari sa DOE fuel reserve, para maging mabisa ang impact nito sa presyo ng gasolina, diesel, kerosene, at LPG sa merkado. Maraming henyo sa DOE at ERC. Tiwala akong kaya nilang balangkasin ang mga detalyeng magpapatupad ng fuel reserve ng bansa.

This, I  believe, is one viable long-term solution to the Philippines' vulnerability to increase in world oil prices because we are an oil-importing country. Managing the fuel prices by injecting fuel bought at lower costs can tame or temper fuel price hikes.

A national fuel reserve would entail billions worth of investments in the infrastructure needed to store the fuel in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

These investments will generate jobs. It can attract OFWs working in the oil fields of the Middle East to come back home to work at the fuel reserve and facilities. We just have to pay them at the same rates as in the Middle East.

Kailangan na lang timplahin ng Department of Energy at ng ERC kung gaano karami ang fuel reserve supply na dapat naka-standby. Sila ang mas nakakaalam ng tamang timpla. Ang range malamang niyan ay mula 5 percent to 20 percent ng monthly fuel consumption needs ng ating bansa. 

Maaring isama ng NEDA sa long-term plans nila ang investment na kailangan para isama ang fuel reserve depots at government gas stations sa Build Build Build infrastructure programa ng pamahalaan. (END)

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REP. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

Member, Higher and Technical Education and 10 other committees

100 PERCENT TAX EXEMPTION FOR HONORARIA, TRAVEL ALLOWANCE AND BENEFITS FOR ELECTION SERVICE RENDERED 

[Education solon files House Bill 7732 "Election Service Compensation and Benefits Tax Exemption Act"]

I propose a measure seeking to grant one hundred percent (100%) tax exemption applicable to the honoraria, travel allowance, cash proceeds from the death benefit, and cash value or cash-equivalent value of medical assistance due to persons who render election service in accordance with Republic Act 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act.

Persons, mostly teachers of the Department of Education, who render election service as provided in RA 10756 sacrifice their lives, time, and energies to ensure that the sovereign will of the electorate, as expressed in our democratic elections, is cast, protected, and carried out. The 100 percent tax-exemption this bill seeks to grant pales in comparison to that sacrifice.

Urgent passage of this measure is earnestly sought. It is also hoped this bill becomes law in time to make it applicable starting with taxable year 2018. (END)

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Press Release: OFW REMITTANCES MULA KUWAIT INAASAHANG LALAKI

Dalawang Assistant Majority Leaders at isang Committee Vice Chair ng Kamara ang naglabas na kani-kaniyang pahayag ukol sa tuluyang pag-alis ng OFW deployment ban papuntang Kuwait at sa estado ng OFW remittances. 

Ayon kay Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, $32 million ang ibinaba ng OFW cash remittance galing Kuwait mula buwan ng Enero, Pebrero, at Marso batay sa mga detalyadong datos ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, pero sigurado aniyang makakabawi na ang OFW sector matapos ipag-utos ni Pangulong Duterte na alisin ang total ban. 

"Tataas ang remittances mula Kuwait dahil sa pag-alis ng ban. Dadami rin ang mga remittance sa mga buwan ng Abril, Mayo, at Hunyo para sa gastusin sa graduation at enrollment ng mga pinag-aaral ng mga OFW," aniya. 

Ipinunto ng Bagong Henerasyon Party-list congresswoman na ang $32 million na ibinaba ng remittances mula Kuwait ay maliit na bahagi lamang ng naiulat na halos 10 percent na pagbagsak ng OFW padala mula sa iba't ibang bansa sa mundo.

"Maliit ang $32 million cash remittances na iyan kumpara sa $288 million na kabuuang ibinaba ng total personal remittances mula sa lahat ng bansa, hindi lamang mula Kuwait.  Kapag ikinumpara pa iyang $32 million sa $7 billion total cash remittances, 1/218 ang fraction niyan," ayon kay Herrera-Dy. 

Sa tantiya naman ni Assistant Majority Leader Ron Salo ng KABAYAN Party-list na posibleng umabot sa $600 million hanggang $800 million ang total OFW cash remittances mula Kuwait para sa buong taon ng 2018 dahil "tataas ang mga datos mula Hunyo hanggang Disyembre." 

"Dadagsa sa Kuwait ang mga hindi agad nakaalis dahil sa ban. Mahaba na ngayon ang enrollment season sa mga paaralan dahil ang iba ay sa Agosto pa magsisimula ang mga klase. Sa Nobyembre at Disyembre naman, pamasko ang sanhi ng pagtaas ng remittances," ani Salo.

Para naman kay Leyte 2ND District Rep. Henry Ong, Vice Chair ng House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, marapat na kumilos ang Bangko Sentral, mga bangko, at remittance companies upang makamit ng Pilipinas ang United Nations target na 3 percent lamang na remittance cost o iyong halagang ibinabawas sa perang padala. 

"Ang mga aspetong dapat tutukan para mapababa ang remittance fee na ibinabawas sa padala ay transparency, speed of transfer, margins on the exchange rates, systems security, at ang availability of remittance outlets near the residences of OFW dependents," dagdag ni Ong.  (WAKAS) 

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HON. BERNADETTE "BH" HERRERA-DY                        
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Women & Gender Equality
Member, Social Services, Foreign Affairs, and 10 other Committees

REACTION TO TOTAL LIFTING OF OFW DEPLOYMENT BAN TO KUWAIT BY PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE 

[PCCI-like business chamber suggested to unite the manpower recruitment sector; "ethical recruitment" among recruitment agencies pushed] 

We in Congress applaud the decision of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to totally lift the OFW deployment ban to Kuwait, as reported in the news media. https://goo.gl/pfjgrS

We have yet to be updated by DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello, III on the details, but I would surmise from information made public so far and also by reading between the lines, that DOLE, POEA, and OWWA may have worked double time or even triple time to address our concerns on implementing mechanisms of the MOU.

Secretary Bello himself disclosed that OWWA Deputy Administrator Arnell Ignacio stayed behind in Kuwait to attend to various details, including the repatriation of more OFWs.

Our understanding is that DA Ignacio has been able to establish strong rapport and credibility with OFWs in Kuwait, the Kuwaiti government, and the overseas recruitment sector.

It is also our understanding from our own sources that DA Ignacio had been working on details of the MOU over these past several months.

However, one important issue external to the MOU is the over-diversity in the overseas recruitment industry sector. There are apparently too many associations and there is no single unifying body or voice representing all of them.

We join OWWA Deputy Administrator Arnell Ignacio and advocates of ethical recruitment in the industry in calling for unity. One way to achieve this is to form a business chamber similar to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

The Philippine Association of Service Exporters, Inc. or PASEI covers only the skilled workers sector. There is apparently no single group for household service workers. These two sectors should not be separate. They should be one and they should seek membership in the PCCI and ECOP so they can be effective advocates for OFWs. (END)

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In photo with Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (second from left) are AURELCO General Manager Noel DV. Vedad, DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos and Energy Resource Development Assistant Director Ismael U. Ocampo. The meeting happened last Tuesday (15 May) as a sideline to the Presidential Ceremonial Send-off for the All-Filipino Marine Scientific Research (MSR) and Laying of an Ocean Buoy and Symbolic Marker at the Philippine Rise held in Casiguran, Aurora.

(Casiguran, Aurora). As President Rodrigo Duterte asserted the Philippine sovereignty here, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi fits in Aurora's energization last Tuesday during the commemoration of the First Anniversary of the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise. 

Cusi used the occasion to meet with Aurora Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AURELCO) General Manager Noel DV. Vedad to discuss the island- and micro-grid designs, as well as the planned sub-transmission facilities in their franchise area for the possible connection expansion with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) in the Municipality of San Luis, which is located south of Aurora's capital, Baler.

Cusi and Vedad discussed about these plans to increase the reliability of electricity services in AURELCO's franchise area, as part of the electric coop's "redundancy" measures. 

"Aurora is a thriving province and we have to further equip them with effective energy systems to increase not just the stability of their power supply, but also their capability to be energy resilient, especially that it's vulnerable to natural disasters brought by typhoons," Cusi explained. 

AURELCO is closely coordinating with the DOE's Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Energy Regulatory Commission to put up a 69kV sub-transmission facility traversing Maria Aurora and Casiguran. This also includes a 5 megavolt ampere substation as endorsed by DOE to NEA, which forms part of the electric cooperative's Distribution Development Plan. 

When completed, these projects will provide stable and reliable services to the towns of Dinalungan, Casiguran, Dilasag in Aurora Province and Dinapigue in Isabela or the so-called "DICADIDI areas".

The DICADIDI areas are currently being served by the National Power Corporation's Small Power Utilities Group, which is isolated from the Luzon Grid. 

The DOE noted that sub-transmission projects are badly needed to improve electricity services in the AURELCO franchise area including also the facilitation of the graduation of AURELCO from its missionary electrification (or subsidy) status.

The DOE Chief concluded, "We are seeing stronger grid connectivity and functioning island- and micro-grids as a way forward to improve Aurora's current power situation."

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Para sa mga incumbent at mananalo pa lang na opisyal ng gobyerno: 

MAGPA-DRUG TEST MUNA BAGO TUMANGGAP NG PONDO 

May mga paraan pa rin para mabawasan ang mga adik na halal na opisyal, ayon sa dalawang mambabatas na naghayag ng mga suhestiyon para sa Department of Interior and Local Government. 

Random voluntary drug testing nationwide ang panukala ni Rep. Ron Salo (KABAYAN Party-List) habang mandatory drug testing naman para sa opisyal bago sila bigyan ng kanilang unang sueldo, IRA budget, sasakyan, o gamit sa opisina ang panukala ni 1-CARE Party-list Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta. 

"Mabuting ehemplo dapat ang mga halal na opisyal, kasama na ang mga mahahalal ngayon sa botohang pambarangay at SK," ani Rep. Salo, "Ang batayan nito ay ang Republic Act 9165 Section 36(d)." 

Para kay Rep. Uybarreta, dapat magpa-drug test muna ang sinumang opisyal bago siya pagkatiwalaan ng anumang pondo o kagamitan ng gobyerno.

"Patunayan muna nilang hindi sila gumagamit ng ipinagbabawal na droga bago sila pagkatiwalaan ng pondo ng gobyerno, sasakyan, o computer," diin ni Rep. Uybarreta. 

Kumbinsido rin sina Rep. Uybarreta at Rep. Salo na hindi dapat urine samples lamang ang gamitin sa anumang drug testing para sa mga public officials. 

Pabor sila sa nauna nang panukala ni Rep. Michael Romero (1-PACMAN Party-List) na hair samples ang gamitin kasi mahirap dayain ito.

"Mahirap dayain ang hair sample drug testing. Kahit magpakalbo sila, marami pa naman ibang parte ng katawan na puedeng kunan ng hair sample, tulad ng kilay, pilik-mata, bigote, at balbas. Medyo kaduda-duda na kung todo ahit o wax off sila ng lahat ng kanilang buhok," ani Rep. Salo. (WAKAS)

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Press Release:
Rep. Aris Aumentado says visit to Israel "informative"
By JUNE S. BLANCO

REP. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) says his study visit to Israel to familiarize himself with drip and other alternative and modern forms of irrigation was "informative".

The solon is expected to be home tomorrow – in time to vote during the barangay elections.

He says he will meet agriculture and irrigation officials shortly to relay the lessons he learned from his visit, and to brainstorm on how to replicate the Israeli technology for the use of farmers especially those in his district.

Aumentado said he was most impressed with his visit to the Volcani Center in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv where he and fellow Philippine delegates met with Associate Director for International Relations Dr. Shamuel Assouline, Ph.D.

He said they discussed the plan of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to send scholars for Masters in Science (MS) and Doctor in Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs to do their theses and dissertation writings in The Volcani Center. The Center is the Agricultural Research Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture of Israel.

Meanwhile, Aumentado said, after 18 years, he again met his friend and schoolmate in the University of San Carlos (USC) – Randy Arquiza – who is now the First Secretary and Consul General of Israel at the welcome dinner tendered for the Agritech 2018 participants hosted by Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel of Israel.

The solon considers this as another channel for technology transfer – on top of incoming Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz who earlier invited him and his fellow delegates to a lunch meeting at the latter's official residence in Manila.

The solon said the ambassador had asked how his can country be help the Filipino farmers. He said the ambassador expressed interest in visiting Bohol and see what assistance in terms of agricultural technology inputs they can give to the farmers.

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DOE to Implement Stringent Oil Price Monitoring 

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) is set to issue a policy for the stringent monitoring of the prices of petroleum products as part of its initiative to protect the interest of the consumers.

Targeted to be issued by the end of June this year, the new policy enables the unbundling of the base prices of petroleum products – gasoline, automotive and industrial diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, bunker fuel oil and household and automotive liquefied petroleum gas. 

"Identification of the costing for the major components of these petroleum products that may affect the pump prices would provide a higher level of transparency for our consumers, particularly the motorists," Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi explained.

In preparation for the issuance of the new policy, the DOE, through the Oil Industry Management Bureau, is currently conducting consultations with industry stakeholders. 

Initial consultations with various companies were held last May 2 at DOE's headquarters in BGC, Taguig City. 

The DOE has scheduled the conduct of two more focused-group discussions within the month to finalize the new policy. 

Under the new policy, the DOE will require the oil companies to provide a weekly notice of the price adjustments (decrease, increase or no adjustment) alongside with the computation of their products' components based on the elements involved in the international price movement, the biofuels cost and the capital/operational cost recovery.

"The weekly oil pricing updates will also be announced publicly by the oil companies to guide the consumers in making informed decisions in the management of their fuel oil requirements," Cusi added.

Likewise, the DOE policy will require the oil companies/bulk suppliers and retail outlets to submit baseline data every end of the year for the unbundling of their base price and to comply as well with the mandatory price display board. 

The new policy is pursuant to DOE's mandate under Republic Act No. 8479, or the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, to monitor both international and domestic price movements of petroleum products.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Roll Out of Crucial Energy Projects to Move Faster Now - Cusi 

(Taguig City). Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced today that important energy projects will now move faster following the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Executive Order No. 30 (IRR of EO30) 

Signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in June last year, EO 30 created the Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) to streamline the regulatory procedures affecting energy projects of national importance.

"With the IRR in place, the stakeholders can now expect the prompt delivery of basic energy services to our people with the realization of vital energy infrastructures, while providing additional economic investments for us to truly compete globally," Cusi explained.

Cusi said the IRR marks the end of slow-moving energy projects that are impeding the economic development in the country because they are hampered to a large extent by the rigid regulatory processes. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued the IRR on 25 April 2018 through Department Circular No. DC2018-04-0013 to put into operation EO 30.

It was published in newspapers of general circulation on May 4, 2018 and is taking effect immediately.

Under the IRR, the processing of permits and licenses shall be within a maximum period of 30 days for projects declared as Energy Projects of National Significance (EPNS).

The IRR outlines the scope of EPNS and the general framework for the processing of the EPNS applications.

The 30-day deadline starts from the submission of the complete documentary requirements to the relevant agencies involved in the permitting process.

It likewise highlights the application of the principle of presumption of prior approvals. This means that a holder of the "EPNS Certificate" is presumed to have already complied with the requirements and permits from other government permitting agencies.

The IRR is consistent with the mandate of the EICC to establish a simplified approval process and harmonize the relevant rules and regulations of all government agencies involved in obtaining permits and regulatory approvals to expedite the development and implementation not only of EPNS but  other energy projects as well.

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Enderun Colleges Wins Great American Taste Culinary Competition Using U.S. Ingredients

Top Left: Student chefs from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde prepare an appetizer using U.S. turkey.  Top Right: A culinary student from Lyceum of the Philippines University uses U.S. almonds to make mousse.  Bottom: Enderun Colleges won the competition with dishes using U.S. beef, turkey, potatoes, cheese, raisins, and nuts.

Manila, May 8, 2018 — Enderun Colleges beat out two other culinary schools to win the first-ever Great American Taste Culinary Competition, hosted by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Lyceum of the Philippines University on Saturday, May 5, 2018.

The team from Enderun Colleges competed against teams from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University.  Each team of three culinary students and one coach prepared an appetizer, main dish, and dessert featuring U.S. ingredients: U.S. beef, turkey, potatoes, cheese, raisins, and nuts.

U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim recognized the participating students as "tomorrow's top chefs" and praised the culinary competition as "an example of the strong cultural collaboration between our two countries and our shared passion for food."  Ambassdor Kim also highlighted the availabilty, quality, and wholesomeness of the featured U.S. food ingredients.

Using the high-quality U.S. ingredients, the Enderun Colleges team prepared three dishes: Evolution of Pho with U.S. beef carpaccio and dumpling, Turkey Jambonette and Terrine with U.S. potato puree and U.S. turkey, and Modern Pecan Tart with U.S. pecan praline and U.S. raisin and almond ice cream.  Judges were impressed by the taste, preparation, and presentation of the dishes.

U.S. Embassy Agricultural Counselor Ralph Bean said, "Every dish in this competition was exceptional, and it was very difficult to choose between them.  The students' creativity really came through.  Not only was every item beautifully executed, but they all exhibited an originality that reflected the unique culinary personality of the chef that created them."

In addition to highlighting the culinary skills of up-and-coming Filipino chefs, the Great American Taste Culinary Competition showcased the availability, variety, and potential uses of U.S. food ingredients.  The Philippines is the largest U.S. food and beverage export market in Southeast Asia, with sales reaching almost $1 billion in 2017.

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Pinoy invention: PORTASOL multipurpose Speed Drying Solar Tray

Enterprising Filipino farmers now enjoy tremendous benefits from the multi-purpose Portable Speed Drying Solar Trays (SDST)  in drying their rice harvests. 

Engineered and invented by noted Filipino inventor Fransco "Popoy" Pagayon, president of the Filipino Inventors Society, the PORTASOL SDST solidly responds to the government's National Post-harvest and Food Security programs.

The PORTASOL facility is a plain but cost-efficient and effective grains drying facility that answer the Ftlipino farmers' perennial problems in palay drying, even as many of them still use the highways in drying their palay  which poses risks not only to motorists but themselves as well.

Pagayon said among the PORTASOL SDST's outstanding features and unprecedented advantages include the following:

-- It uses either either natural (solar) or artificially induced heat (charcoal and/or
   rice hall sinders) and employs inherent substrate heat conduction and retention factors
  for fasterand cost-efficient drying.

-- Its is higly cost-efficient and effective and assures hygienic grains and virtual 100%   
   grains recovery.

-- Being portable, it is usable anywhere, even on rocky or soggy grounds and uneven
   terrain. It requires no paved roads or surfaces and does not need permanent
   occupancy  or land property acquisition.

-- It ensures ease, speed and convenience in moving grains.

-- It is stackable for space-saving multi-level vertical grains storage for mtltiplied pre-
    mill granary storage.

-- It allows storage ventilation or aerating by providing necessary breathing spaces
    between multi-tiers of stored grains to avoid fungal mold, rot and mildew spoilage,     
    and prevents infestation.

-- It ensures rise in production output and grains quality.

-- It is practical, convertible and multi-purpose and can be used for drying corn, beans, vegetables, fruits, fish, and others, aside from palay.

Pagayon said the PORTASOL SDST has undergone successfully impressive field tests in the presence of officials of the Department of Agriculture and its Bureau of Post-harvest Research and Extension (BPRE, now PHilMech); Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice); and local and foreign agricultural technologists.

One of the field tests, conducted during the Post Harvest Loss Prevention Week and Dilver Anniversary of BPRE in the Science City of Munoz in Nueva Ecija, was attended by GrainPro, Inc. vice president Tom de Bruin, a specialist in organic storage systems, added Pagayon who also invented the PROBaton truncheon now used by policemen and barangay tanods. FOR INQUIRIES  0917-8498730, 09228498730, 4758208 

Likhang Pinoy: PORTASOL multi-purpose Speed drying Solar Trays

Maraming magsasakang Pilipino ang masayang nakikinaang na ngayon mula sa PORTASOL multi-purpose Speed Drying Solar Trays (SDST) na gamit sa  pabibilad at pagtutuyo ng kanilang aning palay.

Likha ni Francisco "Popoy" Pagayon, isang kilalang Filipino inventor at pangulo ng Filipino Inventors Society, ang PORTASOL SDST ay mabisang ambag sa mga programa ng pamahalaan sa National Post-harvest at Food Security.

Ang PORTASOL SDST ay simple ngunit matitpid at mabisang pasilidad na tugon sa matagal ng mga suliranin ng mga magsasakang Pilipino sa pagtutyo ng palay nila. Karaniwan ay ginagamit nila ang mga sementadong karsada na nagdudulot ng matinding peligto hindi lamang sa mga motorist kundi sa kanila na rin.

Ayon kay Pagayon, ang ilan lamang sa mga mahahalagang kapakinabangan mula sa PORTASOL SDST ay ang mga sumusunod:

•Gumagamit ito ng natural na init ng araw (solar) o init  mula sa uling o ipa ng palay para sa pagtutuyo ng palay.

•Sadyang matipid at mabisa ito, bukod sa tiyak na malinis, ligtas at halos 100% na walang nawawala sa mga butil na tinutuyo nito.

•Dahil sa ito'y naililipat-lipat, maipupwesto ito sa mabato o basang lupa o hindi patag na paglalagyan. Hindi nito kailangan ang sementadong karsada at permanenteng pupuwestuhan a kaya bumili ng lupaing gagamitin.

•Tinitiyak nito ang madali, mabilis at maginhawang paglipat-lipat ng palay, bukod sa maginhawa itong mapagpapatung-patong para matipid sa espasyo.

•Magdudulot din ito storage ventilation o libreng pagikot ng hangin sa pamamagitan ng pagtatalaga ng espasyo sa nakasalansang tray o lagayan ng butil para maiwasan ang pagkabulok sahail sa "fungal mold, rot and mildew spoilage," at peste.

•Makakatulong ito sa pagpapataas ng produksiyon at kalidad ng butil, at bukod sa palay, magagamit din sa pagtutuyo ng mais, mga prutas, gulay, isda at ibang buto gaya mongo.

Ayon kay Pagayon, sumailalim na ang PORTASOL SDST sa marami at matagumpay na mga 'field tests' na sinaksihan ng mga opisyal ng Department of Agriculture at ng Bureau of Post-harvest Research and Extension (BPRE, na PHilMech na ngayon); Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice); at mga local at dayuhang mga 'agricultural technologists.'

Ang isa sa mga naturang 'field tests,' ay nataon sa Post Harvest Loss Prevention Week at Silver Anniversary ng BPRE na ginanap sa Science City of Munoz,  Nueva Ecija, na sinaksihan ni GrainPro, Inc. vice president Tom de Bruin, isang  espesyalista sa 'organic storage systems,' dagdag ni Pagayon na siya ring lumikha sa PROBaton truncheon na gamit na ngayon ng mga pulis at barangay tanod. Tumawag sa 09178498730, 09228498730 o 4758208

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REP. CIRIACO "ACOY" S. CALALANG
KABAYAN Party-list
Member, Transportation, Good Government & Public Accountability,
Public Order & Safety, Justice, and 12 other committees 

SOLON ASKS PRESIDENT DUTERTE TO TRANSFER FUNCTIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VICTIMS CLAIMS BOARD

I make an urgent appeal to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to transfer the functions of the Human Rights Victims Claims Board to the Department of Justice or to the Department of Social Welfare and Development or Office of the Executive Secretary or Office of the President.

Photo credit: https://goo.gl/b3u8dq

The life of the Board ends on May 12, 2018 which is tomorrow Saturday.

But there is a quick way out of this problem: an Executive Order or Administrative Order or Memorandum Order.

Invoking his power of control and supervision to ensure that laws are faithfully executed, the President can transfer the functions of any government office, including that of the HRVCB, to any agency via executive order or administrative order or memorandum order.

There are several options. The agencies I have mentioned can carry out the functions of the HRVCB, which is administratively attached to the Commission on Human Rights.

The claimants have been identified and processing of the claims funds transfers is ongoing. The presidential directive is needed to make sure those claims continue to be processed and reach their intended beneficiaries. (END)

REFERENCES: http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1987/07/25/executive-order-no-292-book-iiititle-ichapter-2-ordinance-power/

http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/ra_16/RA10766.pdf

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REP. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Member, Higher and Technical Education and 10 other committees

SOON-TO-BE MIDDLE INCOME PHILIPPINES CAN BE THE NEW EDUCATION DESTINATION OF THE WORLD

Noting that the Philippines is poised to become a middle income country soon, it is well-endowed to be positioned as an education destination for Africans, the Pacific Island nations, and the Spanish-speaking people in South America, as well as for those countries with which bilateral education ties are quite mature.

Education attaches would have to be at the frontlines overseas to push the Philippines as a major education destination. The bill that can serve as the enabling law for the deployment of education attaches is House Bill 4027 which I authored and filed.

I recently met some of our country's top diplomats in Paris, Rome, and the Vatican for exploratory discussion on the education attaché possibilities in Europe.

[Photos from Left to Right: 1. With Ambassador Domingo Nolasco and Consul Candy Bauzon at the Philippine Embassy in Rome. 2. With Charge d' Affaires Charles Manangan in Philippine Embassy in Vatican City. 3. With Philippine Ambassador to France and Representative to UNESCO Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, Consul-General Aileen Mendoza-Rau, and Consul Hans at the Philippine Embassy in Paris, France]

A needs assessment would be prudent for the three major government education agencies to undertake to determine which countries and international capitals to prioritize. That evaluation would most likely factor in:

1. population concentrations of Overseas Filipinos;

2. existing international bilateral and multilateral agreements and linkages of Philippine schools; and

3. countries that send many tourists and foreign students to the Philippines.

The education agencies should also craft an international education marketing strategic framework and action plan that puts emphasis on the range of strengths of Philippine schools in particular disciplines. The strategy and plan can reference the various credible global education rankings to determine which academic fields in which the Philippines has the advantage.

That strategy and plan ought to also consider the education and professionalization needs of OFWs, including those whose children born overseas may want to continue their studies in the Philippines when their OFW parent or parents return to the homeland.

Considering cost factors, the DepEd, CHED, and TESDA may recommend lists of countries for a phased implementation of deployment of education attaches.  A first priority list of perhaps 20 countries and then other lists of 20 down the priority rankings.

The education agencies can also involve the PRC and DOST in the formulation of the international education marketing strategic framework and action plan. (END)

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OWWA DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR ARNELL IGNACIO NOW IN KUWAIT TO FOLLOW-THROUGH ON PHL-KUWAIT MOU

Some Filipinos residing and working in Kuwait welcomed OWWA deputy administrator Arnell Ignacio upon his arrival in the emirate on Friday.

Ignacio is in Kuwait to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding which he helped craft in his capacity as OWWA deputy administrator appointed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

OFWs in Kuwait warmly welcomes OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio (credit: https://web.facebook.com/edith.fider )

It will be recalled that Ignacio had been shuttling between Kuwait and Manila over the past several months to work out details of the MOU and to attend to cases of OFWs in Kuwait, including that of Joanna Demafelis.

Ignacio was an OFW entertainer throughout much of his career and performed before overseas Filipino communities, including those in the Middle East. In the process, he has developed rapport with Filipino expats, agencies, and officials in those countries where he worked. (END)

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REP. HENRY C. ONG
2nd District of Leyte
Vice Chair, Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries
Member, ICT, Trade & Industry, and 9 other committees
 
BETTER TO HAVE JUST ONE PHL BOND MARKET WITH SME WINDOW

It is good for the country's bond market that the Land Bank was unsuccessful in its attempt to get majority control of the holding firm that runs the Philippine Dealing System.

If the intention of the government is to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), then that would be achieved with a window or board for SME bonds, not with two separate systems.

The Philippine bond market is not yet big enough for two trading systems.

Aside from that, the market and its players would be averse to too much government influence in the market. Conflict of interest would also be an issue. These are the two underlying reasons for the failure of Land Bank to take over the Philippine Dealing System.

If the government's bonds and the SME bonds are viable and sound investments, buyers will line up for them in an open market setting. (END)

REFERENCE:
https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/04/29/govt-may-put-up-own-bond-trading-system/

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REP. CIRIACO "ACOY" S. CALALANG
KABAYAN Party-list
Member, Transportation, Good Government & Public Accountability,
Public Order & Safety, Justice, and 12 other committees
Mobile: 0917 729 2437

(REAX TO IMMINENT SIGNING OF PHL-KUWAIT MOU)

I have been following closely the news reports about the Philippines' mission sent to Kuwait to mend labor relations between the two countries. 

I thank Labor Secretary Silvestre Belo for including former Labor Secretary Marianito Roque in the talks. I appreciate the involvement the former secretary. I had suggested his participation knowing how highly respected he is in Kuwait and the rest of the Middle East during my live TV guesting in CNN Philippines' On the Record last May 3, 2018. (https://goo.gl/HpT2su )

Good news has been coming from Kuwait. There are reports that all the remaining undocumented OFWs will be repatriated. I am assuming the OWWA is already making preparations for this to ensure that the repatriation of done smoothly and properly.

We are glad the talks about the draft MOU have proceeded well. According to news reports the signing could happen on Friday.

It is my hope that people who had no part in the talks and only wish to hog the limelight for photo opportunity purposes will stay away from the negotiations and signing ceremonies in Kuwait.

At this juncture, it would not be in the higher and best interest of OFWs and of the Philippines for Filipino politicians to go to Kuwait for the signing ceremonies.

Let us give credit to whom credit is due. The mission now there in Kuwait and the hardworking people who helped draft the MOU here in the Philippines deserve our congratulations and commendation for the time, effort, dedication, and love of country they put into the MOU and the talks. (END)

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From left, Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Emmanuel B. Salamat, commander, Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command; Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines; Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Philippine Secretary of National Defense; Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr., chief of staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general, III Marine Expeditionary Force shake hands while standing shoulder-to-shoulder during the Exercise Balikatan opening ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Markus Castaneda)

Manila, May 7, 2018 — U.S. Ambassador Sung Y. Kim, Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana, and representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and U.S. military officially opened Balikatan 34 today at Camp Aguinaldo.  The 34th iteration of Balikatan, scheduled from May 7 to 18, will take place at multiple locations in Luzon.

Balikatan 34 incorporates valuable training events designed to enhance the capabilities of both Philippine and U.S. armed forces.  The training focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and mutual defense operations in order to improve response effectiveness.

Philippine and U.S. forces began community engagement activities for Balikatan 34 on April 19, working side by side to renovate five schools in Luzon and conduct community medical engagements by training local residents on basic medical related skills.

For this year's exercise, AFP and U.S. forces will improve their counterterrorism capabilities in order to work towards the eradication of global terror networks.  During Balikatan 34, U.S. and Philippine forces will conduct operational and counterterrorism training exercises including a joint combined live fire exercise and an amphibious raid.  Additionally, the forces will train on Military Operations in Urban Terrain, focusing on lessons learned from Marawi.

The United States and Philippines will work with regional partner nations throughout Balikatan 34.  Multinational forces from the U.S., Philippines, Australia, and Japan will participate in all major training events.

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REP. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Member, Higher and Technical Education and 10 other committees

[Note: Below is a reaction to the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) self-rated poverty survey results showing that the number of Filipinos who consider themselves poor fell to a record low of 42 percent in the first quarter of 2018.]

URBAN AGRICULTURE, VERTICAL FARMS ARE SOLUTIONS TO HUNGER ESPECIALLY IN METROS OF MANILA, CEBU, DAVAO

The urban poor could be hit hard by the lack of NFA rice, especially the urban poor in Manila, Cebu, and Davao.

To help address hunger and poverty, I have proposed the Integrated Urban Agriculture and Vertical Farming Act of 2018 through House Bill 7526.

Urban dwellers can grow substitutes to rice using less land and less space than rice farms. Corn and root crops can be cultivated in urban farms. Gardens of public schools can grow these crops and meet the carbohydrate needs of their urban poor students.

Rice farming requires lots of land but integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming do not. Integrated urban agriculture is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing of agricultural products from animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry and horticulture in or around a metropolitan village, town and city. In vertical farming food from plants is cultivated using indoor agriculture methods of growing produce in vertically stacked layers using geoponics, hydroponics, and aeroponics.

HB 7526 proposes the institutionalization of integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming in the country in order to ensure food security, to promote livelihood, and to regenerate ecosystem functions in metropolitan areas through integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming.

Consider also that urban agriculture, according to the UNDP, "has the potential of providing much higher nutritional improvement, hunger reduction, income-generation, enterprise development, and environmental improvement to the city."

Key implementors of urban agriculture and vertical farming would be the schools and local governments. 

LGUs can put open spaces and idle lands to good use with vertical farming and urban agriculture, while campus gardens can do more than just have ornamentals and herbs.

LGUs can also encourage or give incentives to home owners associations, neighborhood associations and community and/or people's organizations to participate in urban farming activities within their areas.

Idle and/or abandoned government lots and buildings owned by either national and local governments or available land resources in state universities and colleges can be conducive for growing crops, raising livestock and producing food using said methods, provided that these are compliant and subject to safety standards such that of DOST and other pertinent agencies.

For universities, colleges and training centers, both public and private, integrated urban agriculture and vertical farming can be required as an advanced elective course for students pursuing Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics, and other agriculture-related courses.  (END)

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REP. HERRERA-DY CALLS FOR OFW SECTOR UNITY,

REP. ROMERO  WANTS 'COOLER HEADS TO PREVAIL' ON KUWAIT DEBACLE 

Herrera-Dy pushes for bill on OFW Department while Romero says diplomatic channels with Kuwait should be kept open 

If President Duterte exercises his prerogative, he could order a ban on the deployment of OFWs to Saudi Arabia the same way he did in response to deaths of Pinoy DH expats in Kuwait, the  chairperson of the House committee on women and gender equality said on Sunday.

"I am deeply saddened by the reported death of an as-of-yet-unidentified Filipina domestic helper in Madinah, Saudi Arabia," Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon Party-List) said.

She asked the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Fund secretariat to swiftly work with the OWWA to immediately include the qualified dependents of the deceased among the beneficiaries of the said scholarship fund. 

The congresswoman, who is also a member of the House committee on foreign relations, asked for the convening of a congressional hearing in aid of legislation to receive recommendations from experts, the associations of Philippine OFW recruitment agencies, migrant workers' welfare groups, and government agencies responsible for OFWs.

She noted that there are three pending bills calling for the creation of a separate department for OFWs.

"Given this latest development in Saudi Arabia, the diplomatic debacle of our country with Kuwait, and the hundreds of pending cases of abuse and criminal cases involving overseas Filipinos, Congress must expedite action."

Herrera-Dy is hopeful a consolidated House bill on an OFW Department can be hammered out over the next several weeks while the Senate could also work on the similar bills pending in their chamber. 

"It is probable that the new department can be created within this year. It is now clear as day the OFW concerns must be separated from the many concerns of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The overlaps of the DFA with the DOLE should not be allowed to fester any longer. The creation of an OFW Department is certainly the solution." 

She call on the OFW welfare community to send to Congress their proposed solutions to address their hardships overseas.

Meanwhile, Rep. Michael Romero (1-PACMAN Party-List) has urged the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Labor and Employment "to let cooler heads prevail and keep diplomatic channels open with Kuwait." 

"Replacing our ambassador to Kuwait with a new one is what the Philippines and Kuwait would need soon to refresh diplomatic ties. The most recent developments are but humps on the road. Sending a new ambassador there would be what is needed under the emerging circumstances and for the long-term," House assistant majority leader Romero said.

Romero opined that the Philippines needs an ambassador to Kuwait "the Kuwaitis will know has the full trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte. That envoy must be intimately familiar with the diplomatic terrain in Kuwait, a highly skilled negotiator and a field operations specialist."

"We also need a team captain for the Philippines' embassies in the Middle East. That team captain would ensure coordination and consistency of our country's foreign policies vis-a-vis the Middle East. The team captain for the Middle East would be the senior diplomat and to whom the Philippine embassies, consulates, and labor attaches would report for coordination and communication," Romero said.

He also suggested the selection of "a relatively young envoy to Kuwait who is wise beyond his years. An ambassador's job does require physical stamina and a compassionate heart, especially in a hardship post like Kuwait."  (END)

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REP. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

Member, Higher and Technical Education and 10 other committees

EDUCATION SOLON ASKS DEPED TO EXTEND ANEW SHS VOUCHER DEADLINE, UPGRADE NET ACCESS TO LEARNER INFORMATION SYSTEM

I take this opportunity to clarify that although online applications for senior high school vouchers are accepted until this coming Friday, April 27, manual applications for SHS vouchers by students who passed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test, and the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) are open until June 15, according to the DepEd.

Aware I also am that the online window was reopened last April 2 to allow more Grade 10 completers the option to enroll in private schools, state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local universities and colleges (LUCs) including technical and vocational schools offering senior high.

However, some senior high schools had the graduation rites only last week and some may still be doing their rites this week.

I therefore ask the DepEd to EXTEND THE ONLINE APPLICATION FOR SENIOR HIGH VOUCHERS TO MAY 31, 2018. (The deadline for manual application for SHS vouchers by ALS and PEPT passers stays at June 15, 2018.) This extension will give students especially those in the provinces, where internet signal is even slower than it is in Metro Manila and where some schools are quite remote, the time to prepare their documentation requirements.

I also take this opportunity to inform DepEd that its DepEd Order No. 60, s. 2017, or "Guidelines on the Application for the Senior High School Voucher Program for School Year 2018-2019" is unavailable or cannot be downloaded right now from the internet.

May I further suggest that DepEd upgrade its hardware and processing capacity at the central office so online SHS applications are processed faster and that teachers can access the Learner Information System (LIS) faster as well.

Thousands of teachers have been complaining of delays in accessing the LIS of DepEd. Some in the media have even noticed that because of the slow access, a lot of people—presumably teachers—spend more time waiting on the LIS than the clientele of other popular websites. (END)

References: https://goo.gl/f2sKPG and https://goo.gl/gV2BQH

REP. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Professor of Law, De La Salle University
Masters in International Law, University College London, United Kingdom
Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines
Member, Justice, Constitutional Amendments, and 12 other Committees

NEW LAWYERS TO GUARD AND DEFEND THE PRINCIPLES ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION

Adherence to the rule of law and the principles of freedom, justice and democracy is the timeless mission of lawyers. To fight for the oppressed, to empower the powerless, and to be a voice for the voiceless, are your personal mission.

This is the essence of what I impart to you as a lawyer, a professor, and as a Member of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

Our country has had several constitutions, which were all anchored upon these principles of freedom, justice and democracy, which you learned and were inculcated to you in law school.

These principles will endure. I trust that you, as the new generation of lawyers, will be our Constitution's, as well as our legal principles', guardians and defenders.

The Filipino people and the bar will entrust to you this mission.

I am confident that you are ready and will proudly take on this mission.

Make the Filipinos and the bar proud of you! (END)

Elizabeth Olsen of Avenger Movie

U.S., Philippine Governments and WFP Celebrate Accomplishments of Disaster Resilience Project

(L-R)  Office of the Cabinet Secretary Assistant Secretary Evelyn Cruzada; Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Hope Hervilla; World Food Programme Country Director Stephen Gluning; United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance(USAID/OFDA) Regional Advisor Joe Curry; Office of Civil Defense Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad; Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero; and Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jose Luis Montales attended the completion ceremony for USAID's Disaster Preparedness and Response project.

Manila, April 26, 2018 — The United States and Philippine governments, together with the World Food Programme (WFP), celebrated a completion ceremony on April 25 for the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) seven-year, Php1 billion Disaster Preparedness and Response project.

The project began in 2011 to support the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction law.  USAID/OFDA and WFP partnered with cities and municipalities throughout the Philippines to improve natural disaster preparedness and response capabilities.  The project trained over 112,000 Filipinos in emergency response, constructed buildings to house emergency response operations, and supplied crucial equipment like radios and rescue boats.  USAID and WFP also installed early warning systems and conducted disaster mitigation activities, such as planting mangroves to prevent flooding and coastal erosion.

"We greatly value our friendship and partnership with the people of the Philippines," said USAID/OFDA Regional Adviser, Joseph Curry.  "We will continue to cooperate with the Philippine government to deliver life-saving humanitarian and disaster risk reduction assistance."

USAID/OFDA and WFP implemented the project with 78 local governments, 15 academic institutions, and 21 local non-government organizations in the provinces of Batangas, Benguet, Cagayan, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Iloilo, Laguna, Maguindanao, Misamis Oriental, and Sorsogon.  Participating communities now allocate portions of their local budgets to disaster mitigation efforts.

"We are proud of our partners' many achievements," said WFP Representative and Country Director Stephen Gluning.  "Our joint work with USAID/OFDA and the Philippine government is helping vulnerable communities to better withstand shocks and consequences of disasters, and move toward greater resilience."

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, experiencing about 20 typhoons annually.  Between 2011 and 2016, typhoons in the country caused over Php900 billion in damages.

Since 1990, USAID has responded to 50 disasters in the Philippines.  Since 2013, the U.S. government has provided over Php9.6 billion for humanitarian and disaster risk reduction assistance in the Philippines, boosting the country's capacity to respond to and prepare for natural disasters.

About USAID:

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency for international development and disaster assistance.  In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to build a more stable, prosperous, and well-governed nation.   For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
April 22, 2018

CCC: Climate Vulnerable Forum, Vulnerable Twenty in Day 4 of WB-IMF Spring Meetings

In Day 4 of the Spring Meetings hosted by the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C., members of the Philippine Delegation discussed with the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Troika Leadership the way forward in advancing the global alliance's work program for vulnerable countries leading to the upcoming 24th Conference of Parties (COP24) to be held in Poland in December of this year.

The CVF Troika Leadership is composed of the Philippines, being the former chair of the CVF for 19 months since January 2015; Ethiopia, as current chair until August 2018, represented in the meeting by Environment Minister Gemedo Dalle; and Marshall Islands, as incoming chair, represented by Environment Minister David Paul.

Climate Change Commissioner Rachel Herrera represented the Philippines, together with Senator Loren Legarda and Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran.

"We highly value our participation in the CVF because we share with the countries that comprise the CVF the same goals and aspirations for greater and more ambitious global climate action," Herrera said.

Description: https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif

"As led by the Philippines in 2015, the CVF, during the Paris Agreement negotiations, was victorious in further bringing down the climate goal to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The CVF had eventually become a strong moral force in climate talks, as they continue to champion and voice out the rights of highly vulnerable countries," Herrera added.

Aside from sustaining the global advocacy and action on climate change, the CVF Troika
Leadership and the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) discussed further unlocking vulnerable countries' direct access to climate finance mechanisms.

Herrera noted that the V20 consists of Finance Ministers from member states of the CVF, which aims, primarily, "to act collectively and decisively to promote the mobilization of public and private climate finance from wide ranging sources."

"We cannot truly say that we are successful in our climate advocacy until there is actual climate financing and technical assistance in order for our climate vulnerable countries to be resilient against climate impacts," Herrera said.

"The CVF and V20 are two important channels for us to communicate and inspire the rest of the world to address climate change in a systematic and urgent manner. We need to sustain this voice in future climate talks in order to secure a better future for the world and humanity," Herrera concluded.

The CVF-V20 meeting is the last participation of the CCC in the WB-IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
CVF01

Climate Change Commissioner Rachel Herrera representing the Philippines, as former chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), with Minister David Paul (third from right) of Marshall Islands (incoming chair) and Environment Minister Gemedo Dalle (third from left) of Ethiopia (outgoing chair) at the meeting of the CVF Troika Leadership, which discussed the global alliance's work program on sustaining global advocacy and action on climate change, as well as further unlocking vulnerable countries' direct access to climate finance mechanisms.

CVF02

Climate Change Commissioner Rachel Herrera at the meeting of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Troika Leadership. Herrera said that during the Chairmanship of the Philippines, the CVF, during the Paris Agreement negotiations, was victorious in further bringing down the climate goal to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which made the CVF a strong moral force in climate talks.

CVF03

Senator Loren Legarda at the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and Vulnerable 20 (V20) Troika meeting with Ms. Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Director General of the Global Issues-Sector Policies and Programmes of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Mr. Karsten Sach, Director General of the European and International Climate Policy of the Federal Ministry for Environment of Germany—the principal supporter of the secretariat of the CVF and V20 since 2015.

Legarda, UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience and UNFCCC National Adaptation Plan Champion, emphasized the important leadership role of the CVF in pushing for greater sense of urgency in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

For B2B marketers, the struggle is real. Presenting our products in a fun and sexy way sometimes doesn't come as easily as it does to B2C products and services. Those Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram tactics look fun, but they often don't make sense for B2B companies in the Philippines.

Are you struggling with how to market, sale or get exposure for your business? Are your marketing and social media efforts falling flat? Is it a challenge to manage time to effectively market your business? Learn real MARKETING and SALES TACTICS, from real EXPERTS, that deliver real RESULTS – all in one place on May 11 in Manila.

The B2B Marketing Forum is all about arming B2B brands and marketers with the right tools and educating you through real-life case studies, resulting in actionable takeaways.

Confirmed topic and speaker include:

- Digital Marketing for the C-Suite: Effectively Targeting Decision Makers Online by Bernadine Recrio, Microsoft 365 Capabilities Lead, Kation Technologies Inc.

- Event Sponsorship and Celebrity Marketing Today by Andy Punzalan, B2B & Sponsorship Executive

- What are the most important marketing strategies that today's B2B marketers should invest in? by Maryann Farrugia, Founder and CEO, Axiem Corporation

- Intentional Word-Of-Mouth by Elbert Or, Co-Founder, Chief Visual Consultant, Pushpin Visual Solutions

- How To Sell Strategy With Just 4 Steps by Catherine Seow, Founder, Tide Creatives

- and many more to be confirmed soon...

If you are interested to speak/share, please email us at speak@entrepnr.com

Share this event on Facebook and Twitter.

We hope you can make it!

Entrepnr Team

REP. HENRY C. ONG
2nd District of Leyte
Vice Chair, Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries
Member, ICT, Trade & Industry, and 9 other committees 

PHL NEEDS MORE MOBILE APPS FOR P3 LOANS 

I commend the DTI for partnering with FINTQnologies Corp. (FINTQ) through Lendr so Filipinos can avail of the loans of the Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) program.
                        
The mobile app for P3 will be introduced or piloted out in the field soon in Tacloban, Oriental Mindoro, and Sarangani, according to the DTI. 

We need more of this kind of way to give our countrymen easy access P3 loans. The tie-up with FINTQ on Lendr is a good start. Area and clientele coverage though has to improve fast. 

Vendors on the streets and public markets, sellers of newspapers and cigarettes, and construction workers are among the people who need P3 loans. 

Public school teachers and students could also be offered P3 loans because their families need all the financial support they can get. (END)

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CCC joins call to end plastic pollution, marks PH first anniversary of being party to the Paris Agreement

In celebration of Earth Day 2018 and the first anniversary of the Paris Agreement taking effect in the Philippines, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) joined calls to end plastic pollution.

The Philippines became the 138th state party to the Paris Climate Accord on April 22, 2017—thirty days after the Philippine Mission to the United Nations deposited the country's Instrument of Accession on March 23, 2017.

"Joining the global call to end plastic pollution, which is the theme for this year's Earth Day Celebration, shows our commitment to the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global temperature to 1.5-degrees Celsius," CCC Vice Chairperson and Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman said. "Plastics do not only affect biodiversity, ecosystem services, food security, and human health, they also exacerbate climate change," he added.

According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, the drilling of oil and processing into plastic releases harmful gas emissions into the environment including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ozone, benzene, and methane, a greenhouse gas that causes a greater warming effect than carbon dioxide.

The US Environment Protection Agency estimates as much as one ounce of carbon dioxide emitted for each ounce of polyethylene (PET) produced. PET is the type of plastic most commonly used for beverage bottles.

"Ending plastic pollution is climate action. This is why the Climate Change Commission supports the proposed Plastic Bags Regulation Act, which is currently pending at the Senate," De Guzman said.

The proposed measure, which was filed by Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, aims to strictly regulate the production, importation, sale and use of plastic bags.

Under the bill, a point-of-sale store will be prohibited from providing the consumer with plastic bags for the purpose of carrying or transporting items or products purchased. Only plastic bags that are used to contain fresh fish, meat and poultry products, and primary plastic packaging used to pre-pack food items and in the manufacturing of finished products for sale in the general market are excluded from the prohibitions under the bill.

"The true test of our country's commitment to the Paris Agreement will be in the implementation of the necessary measures that will help us achieve the global climate goal," De Guzman noted. "Enacting the Plastic Bags Regulation Act will be a testament to the Philippines' resolve to protect the environment while mitigating the effects of climate change," he added.

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CCC: Gender, Blue Economy, Carbon Pricing, and DRR in Day 2 of WB-IMF Spring Meetings

On the second day of the Spring Meetings hosted by the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Wasington, D.C., the Climate Change Commission (CCC) participated in a series of meetings that focused on gender, "blue economy," carbon pricing, and disaster risk management.

Climate Change Commission Rachel Herrera represented the CCC in the meetings, together with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno serving as Head of Delegation and Senator Loren Legarda as Alternate Head of the Philippine Delegation, as well as other members of the Philippine Delegation.

"Our meetings for today focused on topics and issues that the Commission is very much concerned about. Climate change factors in all of these discussions, and therefore we could lead the conversation and learn from the experiences of other countries," Herrera said.

The day started with the IMF Gender Coffee Chat: "Advocating for Women Empowerment: Voices from the Field," with Senator Loren Legarda, as a panelist, discussing Philippine efforts to close the gender gap through landmark laws, such as the Magna Carta for Women, Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, Domestic Workers Act, Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Community Livelihood and Skills Training Act.

Herrera expressed that there is greater burden on women because of societal and cultural responsibilities and that there is unequal involvement in decision-making processes that hampers women participation in climate-related planning and implementation. She also mentioned that while women are more vulnerable than men in the context of climate change, women also do play a critical role in spurring and sustaining climate action.

This was followed by another high-level event, "Towards a Blue Economy: Concrete Actions for Addressing the Ocean Health," which explored challenges and actions being done by countries to protect and rehabilitate marine ecosystems.

Legarda cited the dumping of plastic trash and sea level rise brought about by climate change as the main challenges facing our ocean health, which she hoped could be addressed by stricter enforcement of existing laws and programs, such as the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program (SCREMP), Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, and related international treaties.

At the Third High Level Assembly (HLA) 2018 – Advancing Climate Action Through Carbon Pricing: Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions organized by the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC), the Philippine Delegation was able to learn about carbon pricing policies based on policy recommendations made by Atty. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who also emphasized the need to communicate the opportunities carbon pricing provides, which she estimated could increase a country's GDP by one to 2%.

During the Technical Dialogue with the Philippines Delegation on Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change, Legarda shared how she had endeavored to transform our national budget into a climate budget for three years in a row, in her capacity as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. She noted that the next goal for the country is to transform our budget into a resilient budget.  

"The meetings today certainly give us a lot of material and learning for our work back home. The discussion on carbon pricing, particularly, is relatively new to us and would definitely be helpful as we begin to craft our own. All this will help us fine-tune climate policies and programs for the Commission and the people it serves," Herrera concluded.

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CCC Joins PHL Delegation to the 2018 Spring Meetings of World Bank and IMF

From April 18 to 21, 2018, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) is part of the Philippine Delegation to the 2018 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington, D.C.

The CCC is represented by Commissioner Rachel Herrera, alongside other Philippine Delegation members Undersecretary Gil Beltran from the Department of Finance (DOF), Undersecretaries Adoracion Navarro and Rolando Tungpalan from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno serving as Head of Delegation and Senator Loren Legarda as Alternate Head of the Philippine Delegation.

Herrera said that the WBG-IMF Spring Meetings provide a platform where government officials, bankers, private sector executives, academics, and other stakeholders discuss a wide range of issues related to poverty reduction, international economic development, and finance.

"The Spring Meetings, as well as the seminars, briefings, and conferences at the sidelines, give the Government of the Philippines the opportunity to learn from other countries, while sharing our own efforts and initiatives in various fields of cooperation. This also allows us to strengthen, especially our climate advocacy and agenda, by communicating to the international community the urgency to transition to clean and renewable sources of energy in order to limit global warming," Herrera said.

For the first day, Herrera participated in the Second Annual High-Level Strategy Session (HLSS2) on Sustainable, Healthy Cities, and Sustainable Energy Solutions organized by AirQualityAsia (AQA) and the US-Asia Institute, where Sen. Legarda presented the Parliamentary Leadership on Carbon Reduction Policies – Implementing the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Clean Air.

In a luncheon meeting hosted by former US Ambassador to the Philippines John Negroponte and Executive Director Hank Hendrickson of the US-Philippines Society, Commissioner Herrera, Senator Legarda, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, and Director Kristine Sheree Mangunay-Infante shared their thoughts on how US-PH relations could be further enhanced in various fields of international cooperation.

This was soon followed by a roundtable discussion with the US Chamber of Commerce organized by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Herrera also participated in a series of meetings, first with Mr. Paul Shmotolokha, Vice President for International Sales of Alpha Technologies, to know more about their work and partnerships with Philippine companies in promoting clean energy; and with US Senator Cory Scott Gardner, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, to discuss US-PHL partnership in the areas of security, defense, and rehabilitation, as well as the development of renewable energy sources in the Philippines.


  "Our events for the first day bring new light to the value of clean and renewable sources of energy in improving air quality and reducing carbon in the atmosphere. I hope that we could sustain this positive energy and collaborative spirit among nations in the coming days," Herrera added.

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Social Protection, Climate Adaptation, Climate Finance, US-PH Socio-Economic Ties, and Climate Resilience in Day 3 of WB-IMF Spring Meetings

The third day of the Spring Meetings hosted by the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C. focused on social protection, climate adaptation, climate finance, US-PH socio-economic relations, and climate resilience.

Commissioner Rachel Herrera represents the Climate Change Commission (CCC) as part of the Philippine Delegation to the Spring Meetings, together with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno serving as Head of Delegation and Senator Loren Legarda as Alternate Head of the Philippine Delegation, as well as other delegation members from the Department of Finance (DOF) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). 

"The topics for our third day of the Spring Meetings have become more specific, but we see that climate change remains to be a central concern in the discussions. As climate change is a cross-cutting development issue, discussions on sustainability and inclusiveness must also be in the context of addressing climate change," Herrera said.

The first event was the World Bank's Technical Dialogue with the Philippine Delegation: Social Protection and Community-Driven Development (CDD), which discussed the bank's long-running engagement with the country's social welfare programs, such as the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps), Listahanan, and the Kapitbisig Laban Sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

According to the World Bank, the 4Ps, in particular, accounted for 25% in poverty reduction in the Philippines, despite the government allocating only .7% of its GDP to the program. This prompted Legarda to explore with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the feasibility of increasing the budget's program to the ideal allocation of 1% of GDP. 

Herrera also expressed that CDD programs, such as the KALAHI-CIDSS, should continue training and honing volunteers in the areas of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

This event was followed by a meeting with Dr. Patrick Verkooijen, World Bank's Special Representative for Climate Change, to discuss the proposed Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA), which is supported by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim and former United Nations Secretaries General Ban Ki-Moon and Kofi Annan, as well as climate leaders Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and Feike Sijbesma, Global Climate Leader for the World Bank Group and Co-Chair of the High Level Assembly of the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition. 

Herrera said that the GCA will further advance international negotiations on climate adaptation and resilience, and hopefully, spur and sustain talks on the issue of loss and damage. 

Climate finance was one topic highlighted at the Roundtable with World Resources Institute (WRI), where Legarda provided a background on the history of the People Survival Fund (PSF), the country's first climate finance mechanism dedicated to supporting local climate adaptation projects, and also expressed the urgent need for direct access of institutions to other climate finance mechanisms.   

The WRI mentioned that the Vulnerable Twenty (V20), the sister initiative of the global alliance Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), could be the vehicle for the Philippines in voicing out the need for financial and technical assistance from developed countries for vulnerable countries to pursue climate mitigation within their respective countries. 

At the Banyan Tree Leadership Forum: Roundtable Discussion with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), co-sponsored by the US-Philippines Society, Legarda emphasized that the US and Philippines have a long history of cooperation in the fields of trade, security, human rights, national defense, infrastructure, and other investments. 

Legarda said that the Philippines is endeavoring to attract more investments in innovative and inclusive industries, such as alternative vehicles and climate-change related projects—an aggressive push that the Duterte administration also wants to see in the agriculture sector with the adoption of globally-competitive agribusiness practices and spurring structural change in agriculture. 

Commissioner Herrera also participated in the dialogue "The Future of Resilience: Banking on Cities," which tackled key issues faced by major global cities in building climate resilience. She supported the notion that governments must build resilience of cities much earlier as two thirds of all people are projected to live in cities by 2050, which would make our cities become more concentrated, and thereby making their exposure to disaster and climate risks also higher. 

"As we participate and learn from the knowledge and experiences from other countries, we also get to assess our own initiatives and commit to improve on them. While we have made significant strides in our work for climate adaptation and mitigation, we certainly need to strive harder to amplify our call for climate justice," Herrera concluded.

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REP. HARLIN NEIL J. ABAYON, III
AANGAT TAYO Party-list
Assistant Minority Leader

Member, Public Information, National Defense & Security, Transportation,
Appropriations, and 15 other committees

SOLON CALLS FOR AUDIT OF CAR REGISTRATION TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING 'BRAND NEW' VEHICLE LISTED IN ANOTHER PERSON'S NAME

The ongoing government investigation on the reported discovery of a supposedly brand new car registered in the name of a person other than its buyer should not be limited to that specific unit only.

(http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/13/18/kotse-na-nabiling-brand-new-rehistrado-na-sa-ibang-tao )

So unusual this case is that it merits not just an investigation, but an audit of the car dealer's transactions.

An audit of the dealer is called for because enough doubt now affects the integrity of the vehicle registration system. The presumption of regularity no longer applies because a highly irregular set of circumstances has come to light. Included in that set of circumstances is the alleged delay in the issuance of the car's documents.

Possible further discovery of other red flags could indicate a systemic problem.

As Member of the House Committee on Transportation, I am filing an inquiry in aid of legislation to get to the bottom of this car registration mystery, assure the motoring public that the vehicle registration system is secured and working as it should, and hold accountable those responsible for the incident and possible other similar incidents. (END)

Press Release
Aris to visit Israel



By JUNE S. BLANCO





BOHOL stands to get more of its arable land in the 2nd District irrigated.

This after Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado is set to visit Israel that has succeeded in turning some of its desert lands into farms through unconventional irrigation methods.

The Philippines may have river systems that can be harnessed to irrigate erstwhile rain-fed rice fields. But, Aumentado pointed out, there are still lands that have remained idle to date because these are far from the irrigation canals, or have higher elevation than the canals – or both.

As such, the solon vowed to look into Israel's agricultural technology in the hopes of expanding the irrigated lands in the province, initially in his district. He estimates the irrigation-hungry lands in Bohol at still 30 hectares.

With this technology, Aumentado expressed confidence that the income of the farmers will definitely increase.

The solon had grabbed the opportunity when the Israeli government invited him and other congressmen to attend the 2018 AgriTech exposition to be held in that country. Historically, the exposition attracts delegates from all over the world.

To help arrange his itinerary to include site visits to demonstration farms, Aumentado is set to meet tomorrow with the Israeli ambassador in the latter's Philippine residence.

Because the coffee meeting will be at his residence, the solon said he expects the meet up to be less formal and therefore more productive, he said.

Fool's Gold

April 20, 2018

An Amazing Fact: Gold coinage is composed of 90 parts gold to 10 parts
silver. But counterfeit gold, or "fools gold," is made of iron pyrite,
which is a mineral composed of iron sulfide. The mineral is brass
yellow or opaque and has a metallic luster. The resemblance of pyrite
to gold caused many prospectors to mistake it for gold. However, it is
easily distinguished by its unusual brittleness.

________________________________

Iron pyrite was used in ancient Rome to create sparks when struck with
steel. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was used as a source of
ignition in firearms. The name "pyrite" comes from the Greek word
"pur," which means "fire." Some pyrite has a brass color and has been
nicknamed "brass," "brazzle," or "Brazil."

Zephaniah, an Old Testament prophet, warned the people of Judah in the
days of Josiah that the great day of the Lord would come upon them.
They said, "The Lord will not do good, Nor will He do evil"
(Zephaniah1:12). But the prophet answered, "Neither their silver nor
their gold Shall be able to deliver them In the day of the Lord's
wrath; But the whole land shall be devoured By the fire of His
jealousy" (v. 18).

The prophet's message was not intended to lead them to despair but to
wake them up and call them to repentance. They carried around with
them a belief that "nothing is going to happen, don't worry, this too
shall pass." Like fool's gold in their pockets, they assumed they were
secure in their false riches. But the destruction of Jerusalem came
like the flood and swept everyone away.

Today we also can be fooled in spiritual truth. Millions of people are
toting around heavy bags bulging with fool's gold. They rejoice that
they have discovered that which will make them rich, but though it
sparkles on the outside it will be discovered useless at the bank of
heaven. Make sure you have the real thing!

KEY BIBLE TEXTS
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8

REP. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

KABAYAN PARTY-LIST SUPPORTS SAP BONG GO AND ICONIC ARTIST FREDDIE AGUILAR IN THEIR SENATE BIDS

KABAYAN Party-list will back Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Tesoro Go and Ferdinand Pascual "Ka Freddie" Aguilar should they decide to run and file their candidacies for senator.

We support them because they have empathy and rapport with ordinary Filipinos. They are exemplars because of their success in their chosen fields.

Bong Go's expertise is on local government and government service having been the reliable executive assistant and personal aide of then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte since 1998.

Ka Freddie Aguilar is a "national treasure" and a freedom advocate. He is known for his rendition of "Bayan Ko" which became one of the anthems during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. His song "Anak" is one of the best-selling Philippine music records of all time. It became an international hit and was translated into at least 26 languages.

They are a good fit with the advocacies and constituencies of KABAYAN Party-list. We need advocates like them in the Senate who have grassroots bases and advocacies that fit with the KABAYAN agenda.

KABAYAN Party-list looks forward to working with them on our legislative priorities including our pending bills.

REP. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

Member, Rural Development, Health, and 10 other Committees

APPEAL TO DOH, DILG, CSC TO PROTECT BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

Some incumbent and aspiring barangay officials are using the BHWs' security or lack thereof as a strategy option in the ongoing barangay elections campaign 

Barangay health workers have become a pervasive, effective, and critical force multiplier of the DOH and DSWD in the delivery of crucial basic health services at the community level, especially in rural areas.

Other than few hundreds of pesos as honorarium or allowance, these army of volunteers are not receiving anything from the government in exchange of their services. They are in that posts not for anything but for love of their country and their fellowmen, and for their desire to improve the health conditions of our people. Some, if not most of them, are rendering their services for free for long years, or even decades, now. Most of them are already senior citizens even when they started in this volunteer work in the prime of their years. 

Yet, the 'security of tenure' of our nationwide army of barangay health workers is now in jeopardy as some incumbent and aspiring barangay officials are using the BHWs' security or lack thereof as a strategy option in the ongoing barangay elections campaign.

As I have been touching base with the constituencies of KABAYAN Party-List at ground level during this summer break of the session of Congress, it has come to my attention that some barangay health workers are being used as pawns in the political campaign. 

Some barangay health workers are being threatened with ejection from their posts. Some are being forced to throw their support behind candidates. 

This is unfortunate inasmuch as the barangay election is supposed to be non-partisan. More so with the BHWs, who should be apolitical. Besides, illnesses do not distinguish political colors, neither the health and condition of our people.

I am asking the DOH, DILG and the Civil Service Commission to intervene and speak out against partisan political activity. Partisan in the barangay and SK elections means not just involving political parties but express and implied support to particular candidates.

I also ask the DBM, DILG, CSC, DOH, and DSWD to support House Bill 4277 which I filed so that our barangay health workers will have civil service eligibility, incentives, benefits, security of tenure, regular allowances, and other social protections against economic hardships and political interference.

Public health and social services are clearly top priorities of the national government. I trust that our fellow public servants in the executive branch and here in Congress will support the passage of House Bill 4277.

Getting HB 4277 will take some time to enact into law. I have high hopes that it will be considered and passed in the Third Session of the current 17th Congress. While that happens, I ask the DOH, DILG and CSC to respect the hard work our barangay health workers have invested in their communities by protecting them against removal by barangay officials. Perhaps, an executive order by the President can make this happen, and we appeal to the DILG, DOH and CSC to fully support such measure. 

I am confident that former CSC chairman, now Health Secretary Francisco Duque, will help in fully protecting our barangay health workers.  (END)

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MEDIA ADVISORY 
E-Power Mo Baguio City 

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) continues its series of impactful Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns empowering energy consumers and stakeholders all over the country.

After its soft launch during the National Information Convention last February in Davao City, E-Power Mo takes up to the North in the summer capital of the Philippines – Baguio City on 24 April 2018, Tuesday at the Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza with the theme: "Communicating Efficiency Across the Energy Sector." 

The E-Power Mo Conference will be attended by various energy stakeholders including: energy companies from power, renewable energy, coal, petroleum, natural gas, alternative vehicles and energy efficiency industries, partners from the national government agencies, energy associations, among others. 

Registration will start at 8:00a.m., the E-Power Mo conference is open to all media on the following events: 

*Preliminaries (Invocation-Open Forum, Diamond Grand Ballroom, 9:00 a.m.-10:30:00 a.m.) 

*Lunch/Press Conference (Jasper room, 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.) 

*Concluding Ceremonies (Coffee Break- Plenary Session Diamond Grand Ballroom, 3:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.) 

Kindly click this link to register: http://bit.ly/EPowerBaguio

Attached is the Program for your reference. 

Thank you.

For details please contact:

Usec. Wimpy Fuentebella
Spokesperson
09189467993

Pamsy Tioseco
Head - Public/Media Affairs Office 
09178343449
doe.media@doe.gov.ph
www.doe.gov.ph

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DOST-FPRDI testing labs support the forest-based and related industries

The country's furniture, pulp and paper, and plywood industries have found a partner in their bid to make it in the world market - the FTL or FPRDI Testing Laboratories of the Department of Science and Technology's Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI)

Certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) thru the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB), the three laboratories (one each for furniture, pulp and paper, and plywood) conducted 1,394 tests for 515 customers last year, and earned an income of about Php 4.07 million.

According to the FTLs' Quality Manager Ms. Adela S. Torres, "Having their products tested by an ISO-certified lab ensures our clients that they get consistently valid results, and gives them the credibility they need to access new markets overseas, maintain their presence in old markets, and meet the demands of certain government agencies."

Customers who had their products assessed by an ISO-certified lab no longer need to have them re-tested since the standards used by these facilities are globally recognized. This saves time and money for exporters.

"One of the the FTLs' long-time clients is the government's Department of Budget and Management's Procurement Service (DBM-PS)," relates Torres. " The Service requires all its suppliers to submit samples of their paper products to DOST-FPRDI. Only those companies that pass the tests will qualify for public bidding. This centralized and direct purchase by the PS saves the government about 30% in the cost of its paper supplies."

For furniture products, on the other hand, only firms which meet the FTL's evaluation can take part in the public bidding process of the Department of Education.

The FTLs are ran under the DOST's OneLab project, a platform which gives broader and more efficient public access to all of the Department's testing services.

DOST-FPRDI also offers wood identification, chemical, physical and mechanical, and bio-energy testing services for forest-based and related products and is currently working for the eventual ISO-accreditation of these. (Rizalina K. Araral, April 2, 2018)

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4TH PHILIPPINE UKULELE FESTIVAL IS ON THIS WEEKEND AT CENTRIS WALK IN QC 

Are you staycationing in Metro Manila this coming weekend? You may want to spend that time  basking in the sound waves of ukuleles playing happy music. Enjoy two days of ukulele performances, workshops, raffles and other activites at the 4th Philippine Ukulele Festival at Centris Walk, Edsa corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City on April 21 and 22.

This event is brought to you by ukulele specialty store Happy Music, Ukulele Underground Philippines, The New Susing's Guitar, Ferangeli Guitar Handcrafter, OB Guitars, Metro Musicians Academy, Clifton Guitars, Turtulele and Human Nature, with media partner, 105.1 Crossover.

Easy to learn is the ukulele. With just three chords, the beginner can play a musical piece. A stress reliever the petite instrument is because of high pitch evoking happy vibes.  The ukulele is more durable than a guitar because of its nylon strongs. 

Though small in size, the ukulele can be high in stature because it is a serious and adaptable musical instrument. There are four kinds of ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. Children often have a liking for the soprano and concert ukuleles. Some teenagers like the tenor, while artists with advanced playing skills choose the baritone.
 
4TH PHILIPPINE UKULELE FESTIVAL NGAYON WEEKEND NA

Naghahanap ka ba ng matinong paglilibangan ngayong weekend ng April 21 at 22 dahil staycationing ka sa Metro Manila? Kung masayang tugztugan ang hanap mo, magtungo lang sa Centris sa Quezon City kung saan mula 10am hanggang 10pm, tuloy-tuloy na musikahan sa 4th Philippine Ukulele Festival.

Meron din workshops doon para sa mga gustong matutong mag-ukulele. Madaling tugtugin ang ukulele ayon sa organizer nitong Happy Music, isang specialty store, at mga kaibigan nila sa Ukulele Underground Philippines. Sa three chords pa lang ay makakabuo na ng piyesa.

Stress reliever pa dahil happy vibes ang dala ng mataas na pitch ng ukulele. Mas durable kaysa gitara ang ukulele dahil nylon ang strings nito, hindi tulad ng mga metallic strands ng gitara. Maliit man sa paningin ang ukulele, hindi ito laruan, kungdi seryoso at totoong musical instrument. May apat na uri ng ukulele: soprano, concert, tenor, at baritone. Bagay sa mga bata ang soprano at concert. Madalas pang-teenager ukulele na tenor. Bihira naman ang pumipili ng baritone dahil ito ang pang-advanced skills level. 

Ang 4th Philippine Ukulele Festival ay summer handog ng Happy Music, Ukulele Underground Philippines, The New Susing's Guitar, Ferangeli Guitar Handcrafter, OB Guitars, Metro Musicians Academy, Clifton Guitars, Turtulele and Human Nature, kasama ang media partner, 105.1 Crossover.

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NEWS RELEASE

CEBUANO UKULELE SHOP CONDUCTS SUMMER CAMP IN LAPU-LAPU CITY, CO-SPONSORS FESTIVAL IN QUEZON CITY 

A Cebuano co-sponsor of the 4th Philippine Ukulele Festival slated for April 21-22 at the Centris Walk in Quezon City, also has a ukulele summer camp from April 16 to 21 at the Uke Hub Cafe in Lapu-Lapu City, Metro Cebu. 

"Participants will also get the chance to perform at Uke Hub Kafe and at the Kadaugan sa Mactan Food Festival 2018," The New Susing's Guitar said in a post on its official Facebook page.

The Mactan Food Festival is underway and ends on April 27. 

Summer camp participants get free use of ukulele for the lessons and a free ukulele guidebook. The sessions run for six days and last two hours each from 9am to 11am. The Facebook post said participation fee is P2,500 per learner.

UKULELE FESTIVAL IN QC

After a two-year hiatus of sorts, the Philippine Ukulele Festival returns for its fourth salvo of weekend jamming with music lovers of all ages and from varied walks of life. 

The ukulele revelry will happen on April 21 - 22 at the Centris Walk beside where EDSA MRT passengers get on and off the light rail terminal at Quezon Avenue in Quezon City. 

Festival organizer, Happy Music, a retail store operation specializing in ukuleles, and members of the Ukulele Underground Philippines (UUP) community did not actually stop playing their hearts out after the first three successful PUFs in 2013, 2014, and 2015. 

Post-PUF3, they chose to sow and cultivate in key locales outside Metro Manila and spread the love for the petite package of musical delight through social media.

Grow they did. From fledglings of enthusiasts here and there, UUP now has over 8,000 followers on Facebook. On its Facebook page, HappymusicPH has earned "likes" from over 58,000 people.

Retreat from the music scene they did not. They have participated in the Pasinaya arts festival of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Why, at the CCP just last month, 200 ukulele artists joined the Pasinaya.

Since 2015, they have had jamming and beginners' tutorial sessions in public parks, schools, and picnic grounds. The result: ukuleles now compete for store space in music stores nationwide for scores of people choose the diminutive instrument as their new beloved. 

The potential for the growth of the ukulele community in the country is vast. Millennials, post-millennials, and even the Gen-Xers have developed a strong liking for the ukulele because it is easy to learn, fun to play, portable, and light.

Music is taught in elementary schools and high schools nationwide. That's their baseline right there. Another factor is that the ukulele has become a first choice of instrument for Filipino kids inspired by the skill, fame, and success of ukulele playing artists like Hawaii's Jake Shimabukuro, South Korea's Sungha Jung as well as local players led by Happy Music in-house artist Pao Gumba.

On April 21 and 22, PUF4 will showcase the fruits of their labors these past three years. Ukulele artists from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will converge at the Centris to fill the air with happy music that lifts the soul, puts smiles on faces, and warms hearts. (END)

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REP. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

Member, Overseas Workers Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and 10 other Committees

SOLON TO DFA, DOLE: IS OFW WELFARE PACT WITH KUWAIT A TREATY? DOES KUWAIT'S PARLIAMENT HAVE A SAY IN ITS EFFECTIVITY?

DOLE Undersecretary Jing Paras said this morning in an interview on ABS-CBN's morning news magazine program, Umagang Kay Ganda, that on the side of the Kuwaiti government, the draft pact on OFWs' welfare has to get approval of Kuwait's parliament.

Photo credit: https://goo.gl/AErfBq

If that is the case, then the pact is, for all intents and purposes to the Kuwaitis, a treaty. It is not merely an executive agreement. Therefore, on our side, our Senate has to have its say and ratification is a must for it to take full effect.

Although both treaties and executive agreements have the same force and effect under international law, there is value when it is a treaty as it has the imprimatur of the legislative branch. As such, the elected representatives of the people get consulted on its effectivity. 

Both the DFA and DOLE must definitively clarify this matter so that Congress will be advised on how to proceed.

The President can still sign the pact when he visits Kuwait, but after that the document may have to be submitted to the Senate for ratification.

Here at the House, although we do not have constitutional treaty ratification power, we can still hold public hearings about the pact with Kuwait so that our constituents are informed and assured of its effectiveness and relevance to OFW welfare. 

This pact with Kuwait is crucial. It can serve as a template for future agreements with other countries where the kafala system is still in force and widely practiced. (END)

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Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement Groundbreaking Ceremony 

Clockwise from top: Philippine Air Force commanding general Lt. Gen. Galileo Kintanatar, Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla pose following the sealing and burial of a time capsule at the site of the future Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief warehouse at Cesar Basa Air Base.  Secretary Lorenzana and Ambassador Kim lower a time capsule at the site of the future Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief warehouse at Cesar Basa Air Base.  Ambassador Kim places the blueprints for the future Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief warehouse into a time capsule at Cesar Basa Air Base as Secretary Lorenzana looks on.

Manila, April 17, 2018 — U.S. Ambassador Sung Y. Kim and Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorezana participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the first major project under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) at Cesar Basa Air Base, Pampanga, on April 17. 

The groundbreaking marked the beginning of construction on a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief warehouse which will be used to preposition equipment and supplies critical to the U.S. and Philippines' ability to respond quickly and effectively to humanitarian crises in the region. 

EDCA is a mutually beneficial agreement that will help build capacity for U.S. forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines through interoperability, capability development, and modernization. 

The United States is working closely with the Philippine government on future EDCA projects at five locations: Cesar Basa Air Base, Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation, Lumbia Air Base, Antonio Bautista Air Base, and Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base.

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REP. CIRIACO "ACOY" S. CALALANG
KABAYAN Party-list

Member, Transportation, Justice, Health, Public Order & Safety,

Good Government & Public Accountability, and 12 other committees

LTFRB NEED NOT WAIT FOR COMMUTERS TO COMPLAIN: LTFRB CAN DO PROBE MOTU PROPIO

LTFRB is already aware of the riding public's complaints. LTFRB has power to investigate on its own, motu propio. 

They know of the complaints that Grab drivers are choosing passengers and seeking higher rates. 

With these complaints, Grab has been behaving like a monopoly now.

LTFRB must compel Grab to self-regulate and enforce discipline.

Grab must, even without LTFRB intervening, weed out its rogue drivers.

This chaotic situation cannot, must not be allowed to let commuter rights be trampled upon. (END)

Reference:
INQUIRER http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/982843/as-uber-exits-grab-hit-by-complaints-about-high-rates

 

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U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Launches Training Course on Cultural Heritage Conservation 

Iloilo City, April 16, 2018 — For the first time, the United States Embassy in the Philippines is funding a cultural heritage conservation training program.  The Php1.245 million course will focus on best practices in protecting and preserving irreplaceable cultural sites and objects.

The University of Santo Tomas Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET) will facilitate the four-day training course in Iloilo City from April 17 to 20.  The 27 participants are responsible for the conservation of built heritage sites in their localities around the Philippines.  Participants include representatives from local and provincial governments, heritage councils, academic institutions, civic organizations, and dioceses. 

Counselor for Public Affairs Carolyn Glassman explained, "The United States continues to strongly support efforts to restore, protect and conserve the Philippines' rich and diverse cultural heritage through a variety of projects and programs.  This important training course demonstrates the U.S. government's commitment to safeguard the Philippines' invaluable cultural heritage for future generations."

International experts on cultural heritage preservation will lead sessions designed to train participants on best practices of conservation management planning, including historical research, legal frameworks, architectural and materials documentation, conditions and hazard assessments, and conservation policy-setting.  The course includes a full day of field work, when participants will develop short conservation plans for built heritage structures in Iloilo City.

Iloilo City, sometimes referred to as the "City of Mansions," is an ideal venue for the training because of its numerous clusters of well-preserved heritage structures including churches, ancestral houses, and public and commercial buildings.  These structures represent some of the finest Spanish and American colonial architecture in the country, serving as valuable case studies for course participants. 

Through its Cultural Heritage Studies Program, CCCPET has been at the forefront of cultural heritage conservation in the Philippines.  It has successfully implemented various programs and projects in the areas of research, cultural mapping, conservation and restoration works, and heritage education and development to include conservation management planning.

The U.S. Embassy has supported cultural heritage preservation in the Philippines by providing numerous grants over the years to restore built heritage structures and document intangible heritage all over the country.  Projects include conservation of the San Sebastian Basilica in Manila, restoration of the La Immaculada Concepcion Church in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, documentation of the Tabon Cave Complex in Palawan, documentation of the Mangyan Baybayin Syllabic Script in Mindoro Oriental, conservation of ethnographic collections at the Baguio Museum, and documentation of oral traditions in Ifugao, among others.

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The Uber app will not be available in the Philippines starting April 16, 2018 (Monday).

You have the option to download the Grab app and register in order to book rides starting that date.
Download now: https://grb.to/download

For more information on this transition, please visit: https://www.grab.com/ph/comingtogether/

Thank you.

Regards,
Uber

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Hapit madisgrasya ang Houston Rockets sa Timberwolves sa Game 1.

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Warriors vs Spurs na Balskie. Daog game 1 ang Warriors

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TACLOBAN CITY -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office here is stepping up the promotion of homestay program in the bid to lure more tourists to destinations without hotels.

Rina Apostol, DOT regional accreditation officer said on Thursday they recognize homestay as a regular accommodation facility under the ASEAN Homestay Program.

At least five homeowners must agree to offer their homes for a homestay program. The homeowners must presently reside at the house where the tourist will stay, according to Apostol.

Each house must have at least four bedrooms, an uninterrupted water system, clean and orderly, and a peaceful community.

"There is supposedly a family inside that house because the ASEAN Homestay program is also a community immersion program. This allows the guest to be familiar with local cultures and the everyday life of the community," Apostol said. "Homestay is owned and operated by the local communities so that the economic benefits go directly to them."

Apostol said that for homeowners who want to join the homestay program, they can avail of the training provided by their agency, which covers costing, packaging, and culinary training.

Presently, there are no standard rates yet for homestay accommodation, but this can be addressed by local governments through a homestay ordinance. "Having a law or ordinance in a locality will help us in the DOT to encourage homeowners to join the program," said Apostol.

Creating an ordinance on the homestay program is being pushed by Eastern Samar Acting Governor Marcelo Picardal to local government units in Eastern Samar, especially in the capital city of Borongan and towns with active tourism activities such as Guiuan.

"There should be a policy to evaluate homes and communities qualified for homestay program," Picardal said. "The policy is expected to protect not only the homeowners but tourists as well."

Based on the ASEAN Homestay Standard, homeowners providing the services must be free from criminal record, in good health condition, and must be a registered homestay provider.

The house should be in good, stable and safe condition and guests are provided with bedroom separate from each other and with a separate bathroom. The house must also have electricity and adequate and clean water supply 24 hours a day.

The person involved in food preparation should practice proper hygiene and be in proper cooking attire, using fresh foods and ingredients, and food must be properly stored. Also considered are solid waste management, sanitation, and landscape in the community.

The homeowner or the community must have people who are trained in first-aid and emergency rescue, especially in areas that offer eco-adventure activities. (PNA)

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COTABATO CITY -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is sending 400 delegates to this year's Palarong Pambansa starting April 15 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, an education official today said.

Lawyer Rasol Mitmug Jr., regional secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd-ARMM), said his office is supporting sports program as another way for students to strive to become better individuals.

"The student-athletes from ARMM are expected to persevere so they can win medals," Mitmug said in a statement.

This year, ARMM is participating in 21 sports events namely arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, futsal, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, lawn tennis, wrestling, wushu, billiards, archery, pencak silat, taekwondo, baseball, boxing, football and swimming.

Last year's lone medalist, Taekwondo black belt Ricco Jame Teraytay, 17, will lead the 2018 ARMM delegation. Teraytay is hoping ARMM athletes will bag more gold medals in various sports discipline as the regional government had strengthened its support to sports.

"We now have the regional government's support and this will encourage us to do better, win more medals to give honor to ARMM," Teraytay said.

Mitmug added that aside from financial and material support from the regional government, the provincial governments from five areas of ARMM are also helping.

Mitmug said DepEd is pursuing the "club system" program that will identify the expertise of each school as well as the "after school program" where athletes are trained further instead of doing unnecessary extra-curricular activities during vacation.

The DepEd secretary said more interventions are in the pipeline to prepare ARMM athletes in regional and national sports competition.

Amid conflicts in ARMM, athletes are determined to regularly practice and hone their skills to become more competitive.

"They experienced defeats in the past Palaro and that gave them the lesson to strive more, hoping one day, medals will keep pouring for them," Mitmug said.

Eighteen regions are competing in the annual sports event organized by DepEd and participated by students from elementary and secondary levels from private and public schools. (PNA)

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TACLOBAN CITY -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has been releasing the PHP53.23 million incentives to coconut farmers in Eastern Visayas for planting banana after the 2013 super typhoon Yolanda.

As of March, the PCA regional office has already distributed PHP22.81 million checks to 6,821 coconut farmers who planted 912,650 suckers within the first two years after the destructive typhoon. The PCA started the distribution in January.

"We have been going around provinces to inform coconut farmers that incentives for banana intercropping is now ready for release," said PCA Regional Manager Joel Pilapil.

The official clarified that the incentive is intended for 15,646 coconut farmers who planted 2.12 million banana suckers from 2014 to 2015.

"It takes time to release the money since we have to abide to some auditing rules. Even if it comes late, we see the happy faces of farmers receiving checks," Pilapil.

The PCA prioritized the provision of cash to farmers who planted banana considering that it is very suitable to plant the crop under coconut trees, high demand in the market, and it is ready for harvest in less than a year.

"While waiting for the full recovery of coconut, we introduced banana intercropping for farmers to have alternative income. This is the first time that PCA provided cash reward to farmers engaged in intercropping," Pilapil added.

Of the PHP53.23 million budget, PHP39.06 million was set aside for Leyte province, PHP1.41 million for Biliran, PHP250,000 for Southern Leyte, PHP5 million for Samar, and PHP7.5 million for Eastern Samar.

The PCA is targeting to finish the distribution of incentives within the first semester of the year.

About 33.90 million coconut trees in Eastern Visayas were destroyed by the monster storm in 2013.

Of the total, 13.90 million were categorized as totally damaged, 9.04 million severely damaged, 5.69 million slightly damaged, and 5.28 million moderately damaged. (PNA)

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An Amazing Fact: As far back as the 15th century, the Venetian Republic hired and paid local mountaineers to accompany mapmakers
through the Dolimites mountain range in an effort to trace the Austrian-Venetian border. Later, in 1865, Austria officially authorized the discipline of Alpine Guide. These first explorers were often accompanied by local mountaingoat hunters, traditionally the true experts of the steep and dangerous mountain routes, and together can be considered the forefathers of the modern mountain guide.
________________________________

Mountain guides are trained and experienced mountaineers. They are professionals with a passion for the mountains. These experts have
skills in climbing, hiking, and skiing. They have practical knowledge about rocks, avalanches, weather, navigation, snow, and health. Their
main goal is your safety when climbing.

Certification for most guides is through the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations. It requires a vigorous examination of three main areas: rock climbing, alpine climbing, and mountaineering skiing. It can take up to seven years to complete certification
requirements. Other qualities that mountain guides can provide clients include a good knowledge of the route, weather, and snow and glacier conditions. They are prepared for emergencies and have equipment and
knowledge to care for you and evacuate you from danger. Some have access to limited-use locations for hikers who want to explore new
places.

On our journey to heaven, we will meet great difficulties. We are assured of trials and have been warned of an enemy who wants to pull
us off course, attack us, or simply confuse our sense of direction.

But we can be thankful for a promise made by Jesus to His disciples before returning to heaven. "However, when He, the Spirit of truth,
has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come" (John 16:13). We can have peace knowing that God has sent each of us a personal guide in Jesus.

KEY BIBLE TEXTS
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort
me. - Psalms 23:4

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Dear Google Analytics Administrator,

Over the past year we've shared how we are preparing to meet the requirements of the GDPR, the new data protection law coming into force on May 25, 2018. Today we are sharing more about important product changes that may impact your Google Analytics data, and other updates in preparation for the GDPR. This e-mail requires your attention and action even if your users are not based in the European Economic Area (EEA).

Product Updates
Today we introduced granular data retention controls that allow you to manage how long your user and event data is held on our servers. Starting May 25, 2018, user and event data will be retained according to these settings; Google Analytics will automatically delete user and event data that is older than the retention period you select. Note that these settings will not affect reports based on aggregated data.
Action: Please review these data retention settings and modify as needed.
Before May 25, we will also introduce a new user deletion tool that allows you to manage the deletion of all data associated with an individual user (e.g. site visitor) from your Google Analytics and/or Analytics 360 properties. This new automated tool will work based on any of the common identifiers sent to Analytics Client ID (i.e. standard Google Analytics first party cookie), User ID (if enabled), or App Instance ID (if using Google Analytics for Firebase). Details will be available on our Developers site shortly.
As always, we remain committed to providing ways to safeguard your data. Google Analytics and Analytics 360 will continue to offer a number of other features and policies around data collection, use, and retention to assist you in safeguarding your data. For example, features for customizable cookie settings, privacy controls, data sharing settings, data deletion on account termination, and IP anonymization may prove useful as you evaluate the impact of the GDPR for your company's unique situation and Analytics implementation.

Contract And User Consent Related Updates
Contract changes
Google has been rolling out updates to our contractual terms for many products since last August, reflecting Google's status as either data processor or data controller under the new law (see full classification of our Ads products). The new GDPR terms will supplement your current contract with Google and will come into force on May 25, 2018.
In both Google Analytics and Analytics 360, Google operates as a processor of personal data that is handled in the service.
For Google Analytics clients based outside the EEA and all Analytics 360 customers, updated data processing terms are available for your review/acceptance in your accounts (Admin ➝ Account Settings).

For Google Analytics clients based in the EEA, updated data processing terms have already been included in your terms.
If you don't contract with Google for your use of our measurement products, you should seek advice from the parties with whom you contract.
Updated EU User Consent Policy
Per our advertising features policy, both Google Analytics and Analytics 360 customers using advertising features must comply with Google's EU User Consent Policy. Google's EU User Consent Policy is being updated to reflect new legal requirements of the GDPR. It sets out your responsibilities for making disclosures to, and obtaining consent from, end users of your sites and apps in the EEA.

Action: Even if you are not based in the EEA, please consider together with your legal department or advisors, whether your business will be in scope of the GDPR when using Google Analytics and Analytics 360 and review/accept the updated data processing terms as well as define your path for compliance with the EU User Consent Policy.

Find Out More
You can refer to privacy.google.com/businesses to learn more about Google's data privacy policies and approach, as well as view our data processing terms.
We will continue to share further information on our plans in the coming weeks and will update relevant developer and help center documentation where necessary.
Thanks,
The Google Analytics Team

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Bohol cops ask for P9M to create SRU
by Rey Anthony Chiu

Tagbilaran City (30 December 2005) -- GOING hi-tech in anticipation of another tourist filled year, Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) through PSupt. Arturo Evangelista is asking some P9M from the Provincial Government to make a Special Reaction Unit (SRU) and create a local counter-terrorism quick response team and assure guests to their security while basking in Bohol.

In an action plan submitted to Capitol, Psupt. Evangelista said the P9M would finance the creation of the SRU. SRU is a composite team of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, Explosives and Ordnance Divisions (EOD), and trained dogs enlisted under a local K9 unit.

During his assumption into power as provincial police chief from retired acting Provincial Police Chief Elpidio Ybañez, October 5, Col. Evangelista also took responsibility of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado's provincial agenda.

The governor's mandate, a tall order for the new but personally chosen chief cop, asks for the new director to spoil the proliferation of illegal drugs, terrorism, organized crime groups, illegal fishing and illegal gambling, all within the next 6 months.

Days after he sat, a Globe communications tower was torched in another daring show or terrorism that seeks to compromise local peace and order.

Following the communications tower raid and torching of another facility some 30 kilometers away, BPPO called for a command conference October 26.

Different security agencies and security officers of malls, supermarkets, resorts and restaurants, critical infrastructure and vital installations attended the conference. The gab tried to assess and evaluate as well as upgrade existing security programs and contingency plans.

Current security provisions at the beaches were beefed up after Police Director General Arturo Lomibao two weeks ago turned over a world-class Community Police Action Center (COMPACT) in Bolod in Panglao.

In an interview, Gen. Lomibao said the Panglao COMPACT is just one of the three police modern police stations Philippine National Police is giving to Bohol as a tool to put up security measures in this booming tourism province.

Along with the Panglao police station is another equally strategic post in Batuan, Bohol, some three kilometers from the famous Chocolate Hills Complex.

Also benefiting from the PNP is Catigbian, who also happened to have the same security aid.

The security tools are just some of the measures government authorities are putting in place while the Senate is currently debating on the passage of the anti-terrorism bill, which is hoped to revolutionize counter-terrorism action in the country. (PIA)

Rebels found getting into abortion
Tagbilaran City (30 December 2005) -- TWO communist terrorists who were identified as Homer and Kaila aborted their child because the party doesn't know about their relationship, thus reports Army Major Leandro Ayop, during the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) at the Bohol Plaza Resort last week.

Major Ayop spoke for Brigadier General Juanito Gomez, commanding general of the Army 302nd Brigade based in Carmen Bohol.

The information was taken, according to Ayop, from the document examination (docex) gathered after the military got hold of a sack full of documents in a raid late November 13 in Bayawahan Sevilla, Bohol.

Aside from voluminous documents, rifles and assorted magazines and bandoliers, the raid on a hide-out, which was leaked by a former rebel fighter who wanted to join the mainstream, also yielded birth control pills.

Other similar mop-up operations of rebel camps abandoned or over-ran by the government forces have also yielded condoms and anti-pregnancy pills, telling yet another tale of how the rebels see relationships detrimental to the organization.

In addition, unconfirmed reports also bare of cases of sexual abuse committed by members of the Communist Party of the Philippines New People's Army (CPP-NPA) who endure lonely nights away from families while pursuing the protracted war in the country sides.

Military intelligence said a certain "Ka Dexter" has been found guilty of raping comrade guerillas and still roams scot-free. Sources said he could have enjoyed the special treatment being one of the older members of the organization when it started recruiting in 1995 here in Bohol.

The recent docex confirmed earlier reports that the rebels have resorted to anti-life solutions to problems on unwanted pregnancies in the organization.

Even then, 302nd Brigade authorities said its current internal security operations now shift to convincing members of the communist movement to return to the folds of the law by way of face to face dialogs, radio programs and distribution of reading materials. This as the government prioritizes on local peace efforts while dealing with insurgency, said Maj. Ayop.

Believing still that the military action is not a perceived solution in Bohol, military elements have coordinated with the local government units in the conduct of civil-military operations putting the communication lines between groups open.

The move is seen as a palliative solution to the pending anti-terror bill in the Senate and finally hammering a peace accord.

This even with the recent calls of the NPAs to form an alliance with government detractors and anti President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo forces in efforts to topple the administration and derail the local peace efforts. (PIA)

Greet the new year with paper horns, pots and pans - DOH
Iloilo City (30 December 2005) -- For reasons of economics and safety, the Department of Health is recommending the use of alternative noisemakers instead of the traditional firecrackers.

To reduce firecrackers and fireworks related injuries and death, DOH launched its own formula to counter the incident. "FOURmula Kontra Paputok" was laid out by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to heighten awareness of the public on the four ways of preventing firecrackers and fireworks related injuries and deaths during the holidays. The campaign asks the public and the local government units to find alternative means of merry making other than the use of firecrackers.

"FOURmula Kontra Paputok" advocates safe ways of making noise. It has four basic pointers that address the most common ways people injure themselves during the festivities of the holidays: 1. It is better to use pots, pans and paper horns; 2. never pick up the firecrackers that fail to explode; 3. immediately wash wounds with soap and water and go to the nearest hospital for treatment and 4. never fire guns to greet the New Year.

"People use firecrackers as noisemakers for luck, but it is definitely not lucky if you lose a limb or get hurt this season," the health chief emphasized. Further, he added that this year's campaign would focus on males aged 10-19 years and those below 10 years, which are the most affected groups.

It is better and less costly to use palangganas, torotots, pots and pans than the traditional and injury-causing firecrackers according to the Health Secretary.

Based on statistics last year, Western Visayas has 30 firecrackers and fireworks related cases third to Ilocos Region which is second with 36 cases and topped by the National Capital Region with 393 cases. Of those injured, 56% directly handled firework, 29% were onlookers, and 15% were passersby.

Last year, 50 different sentinel sites nationwide also reported 585 injuries from 21 December 2004 to 1 January 2005. These injuries were 15% lower compared to the same period in the previous year. Of the total number of injuries, 548 were due to fireworks, 33 were stray bullet cases while 4 cases of watusi ingestion.

On the use of liquor, majority (76%) of those injured was not under the influence of liquor, while only about 20% were intoxicated. Most (70%) injuries occurred on the street, 27% were sustained at home, while the rest were not indicated where injuries were sustained.

"A surefire formula for a joyous and peaceful revelry is to welcome the New Year with prayer and to practice safe alternative ways of merry making without the use of the injury-causing firecrackers," Duque concluded. (PIA/EAD)

Maayo ra pud, Balskie, aron dili magsangka ang Warriors ug OKC sa First Round sa Playoffs.

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija -- Investors who poured huge amount to New G, a crypto currency stocks led by now detained Arnel Ordonio, continued to flock to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) here to file complaint on Tuesday.

Already, over 200 alleged victims have filed complaints against Ordonio's group since last week.

One of the complainants was Phoebe Alban, 23, a resident of Sta. Rosa town of this province, who represented her husband who supposedly poured in PHP7 million into the controversial bitcoin stocks.

The NBI would not issue statement as of press time.

Alban said her husband, a government employee, loaned a huge amount to make an initial investment of more than PHP300,000 in September 2017.

She said each investment slot equivalent to PHP160,000 shall have a corresponding pay-out of PHP40,000 for every 16 days until the capital amount is returned after three months.

Alban said her husband's initial investment grew from PHP300,000 to P4 million.

An additional investment of PHP3 million came from her husband's friends for a total investment of PHP7 million.

Alban said everything was well with all the amounts due them, delivered on that first round although they knew some less fortunate investors whose payment were unclaimed after New G, Ordonio's group, was reportedly banned from using the web coin.ph sometime in December.

In January, however, New G again asked them to invest as it allegedly has created a new payment scheme to ensure the return of investments, Alban said.

"He received payment in the old slot. Then, in January, there was a new slot where my husband was paid three times. In February, my husband poured it all which he was supposed to get payment on the 15th of the said month. However, it was declared that payment was halted and was promised to receive payment on March 25, 26 and 27. That was the time all went to nothing," she added. (PNA)

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Nominations for DOST's Bantog Awards still on until April 30, 2018
By Mark Francis S. España, DOST-STII  

The Department of Science and Technology- Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) announces that nomination of media personalities to the Bantog: The Science for the People Media Awards is still on. The Institute shall receive nominations until April 30, 2018.

The Bantog Awards is given in recognition of the important role of media practitioners (print, radio, TV and online), in government and private practice, who made significant contributions to the promotion of science and technology information.

The awards has four categories. The Institutional Media Award is given to an institution or organization that served as a vital link between the science and technology (S&T) sectors and its clients through informative advocacy. Meanwhile, the Outstanding S&T Journalist Award is given to an individual media practitioner who has been an ardent advocate of science and technology whether in print, broadcast, or online. Further, the Outstanding Regional Media Practitioner Award is given to an enthusiastic regional media personality who has shown strong support in promoting science and technology information. Finally, the Outstanding Information Officer Award is given to exemplary information officers in DOST working in the area of communication production and dissemination.

Nominees should be Filipinos or Filipino-owned media companies which have broadcast and published S&T information in January 2017-March 2018. Nominees for individual practitioners from print, broadcast, and online media shall be judged according to substance, form, style, relevance of works, and additional requirements by the board of judges. Meanwhile, nominees for institutional awards shall be judged according to innovativeness, relevance, and commitment to S&T reportage. The DOST Information Officer Award shall be based on his/her accomplishments in print, broadcast, online media, and public relations.

All Bantog Awardees shall receive trophies while the individual category winners shall receive additional cash prizes. The Outstanding S&T Journalists for online, print, radio and TV will all take home P100,000; P50,000; and P25,000 for the first, second and third prizes respectively. The sole winner of Outstanding Regional Media Practitioner will receive P50,000 and the Outstanding DOST Information Officers will get P30,000; P20,000; and P10,000.

For queries and further information on Bantog, please contact STII Public Affairs Unit at doststiipr@gmail.com  or call(02) 837-2071 local 2146 or mobile no. 09493039998 and look for Ms. Ma. Lilibeth P. Padilla.
--

For your information and dissemination please.
Thank you.

Ma. Lilibeth P. Padilla
Public Affairs Unit, Communication Resources and Production Division
Science and Technology Information Institute
Department of Science and Technology (DOST-STII)
Telephone no: 837-2192 / 837-2071 (loc 2142)
Mobile no: 0949-303-9998 / 0927-432-2774 / 0932-623-6673

Get Connected: https://www.facebook.com/dost.stii/
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PRESS RELEASE
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino
Watson Bldg., 1610 J.P. Laurel St.
Malacañang Complex, Manila
Tel.: 736-2519

4 April 2018

Ricky Lee is honored with 2018 Gawad Dangal ni Balagtas 

The country's leading author of screenplays that were destined to become movie hits, an indefatigable teacher of scriptwriting, and a bestselling novelist using popular Filipino language, was honored on Balagtas Day, the 230th birth anniversary, in Oryon, Bataan, and the start of the National Literature month.

                Ricardo "Ricky" Lee received the Gawad Dangal ni Balagtas, the highest recognition  for a writer, from the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) for lifetime achievement. He joins a prestigious roster of Dangal ni Balagtas awardees that includes Lamberto Antonio (2013), Teodoro "Teo" Antonio (2014), Rogelio Mangahas (2015), Jose "Pete" Lacaba (2016), Ruth Elynia Mabanglo (2017), at Lualhati Bautista (2017).

                KWF Chairman and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, and Mayor Antonio Raymundo Jr. of Orion, Bataan handed out the Balagtas Trophy and a cash gift of P_______  to the honoree.

                Ricky Lee has been a much awarded author of screenplays for such blockbusters as well as critical successes as Salome, Moral, Brutal, Karnal, Jaguar, Muro Ami, Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara, Jose Rizal, Flor Contemplacion, Himala, and many others out of some 150 screenplays written since 1973. He has worked with two National Artists for Film, Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, and the Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

He has also written screenplays for television as creative manager at ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. Since 1982, Lee has been generously conducting scriptwriting workshops for free at his home, where he challenges the writers to explore the limits of their skills or imagination by giving them assignments on the streets of Manila and elsewhere.

Ricky Lee has published Trip to Quiapo, a screenplay manual, and Brutal/Salome, the first book of screenplays in the Philippines. He launched his first novel, Para Kay B, in 2008, which was followed by Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata, both of which received much public acclaim.

Apart for writing for the screen, Lee has been a practicing journalist and has been a staff writer of Filipino Free Press in the 70s. Throughout that turbulent decade until the 90s, he wrote features and interviews for the Asia-Philippines Leader, Metro Magazine, Expressweek, Malaya, The National Midweek, Veritas, and Sunday Inquirer Magazine. 

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Dakilang Pamana ng Lahi (PAMANLAHI)

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF SUPPORT 

WE, concerned heritage preservation advocates in the Philippines and making it known to all and for the record, are one with and in full understanding and total support for the citizens of Baguio City and the Cordillera in struggling against any and all plans, acts and drive to mar, destroy and demean the historic Burnham Park and any of its parts whether lawful or justified except by the omniscient wisdom and hands of the Almighty. 

IT should not be beyond any right thinking individual or leaders who are collectively respectful of our history, protective of our heritage and a true Filipino patriot to deny all acts which will imperil, cause to lose and deny our generations to come of the great and lasting moments we enjoyed and made sacred in our time. 

ISANG pagtalikod sa sinumpaang katungkulan o mismong kataksilan ang magiging dulot ng anumang gayak o pagkilos laban sa ikatatanghal pa, ikauunlad pa ng ating makaysasayang mga palatandaan ng lahing Pilipino at maging pagkilala at tunay na pagpaparangal pa mga kabataan sa ating mga pamanlahi (heritage, legacy ). 

HINDI lamang ang Burnham Park at mga kanugnog na bahagi nito ang maaaring masira, malapastangan o tuluyan ng mabura sa kolektibong alaala kundi marami pang aaring isunod na parang mga bula na mawawala dahilan lamang sa kawalan ng paggalang, makitid na kaisipan at diwa o kaya'y sinadyang kamalian para sa ikayayaman kaya ng ilang mga lider na naturingang mga makabayan o maka-Pilipino.

WE join all organizations, movements and citizens in their individual and collective capacities to SAVE BURNHAM PARK.....at all cost....at all times.

MABUHAY ANG BAGUIO HERITAGE ADVOCATES! 

ILIGTAS ANG BURNHAM PARK!
Lino Atienza Chair & Secretary General
PAMANLAHI

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Press Release
REP. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Member, Good Government and Public Accountability and 11 other Committees 

RANDOM DRUG TESTING FOR CURRENT BARANGAY AND SK OFFICIALS IN PNP DRUG WATCHLIST

One way the DILG can weed out drug users among barangay and SK officials and personnel is by invoking RA 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) Section 36 (d) which authorizes random drug testing of current or incumbent officers and employees of public offices.

This is allowed by Republic Act 9165. The drug testing has to be random, not to cover everyone in public service. Section 36 (d) also covers officers and employees of private offices. It is silent on the self-employed.

I further propose that the DILG start with those barangay officials whose names appear in the PNP drug watchlist.

The random drug testing must be done as soon as possible as it is only a month before the barangay elections. It should be immediately done in collaboration with DOH which has the manpower resources. I also appeal that those found positive be subjected to disqualification proceedings observing due process provided by law.

The results of the random drug testing must be published before the elections so that the electorate will be duly informed. 

This part of RA 9165, Section 36 (d), was not voided by the Supreme Court in its decision on November 3, 2008. 

What the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional are Section 36 (f) and Section 36 (g). The other parts of Section 36 were not struck down. 

Here is the excerpted dispositive portion of the SC decision: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/november2008/157870.htm

WHEREFORE, the Court resolves to GRANT the petition in G.R. No. 161658 and declares Sec. 36(g) of RA 9165 and COMELEC Resolution No. 6486 as UNCONSTITUTIONAL; and to PARTIALLY GRANT the petition in G.R. Nos. 157870 and 158633 by declaring Sec. 36(c) and (d) of RA 9165 CONSTITUTIONAL, but declaring its Sec. 36(f) UNCONSTITUTIONAL. All concerned agencies are, accordingly, permanently enjoined from implementing Sec. 36(f) and (g) of RA 9165. No costs.

RA 9165 mandatory drug testing is allowed for and covers applicants for driver's license, as well as applicants for firearm license and permit to carry firearms.

For students in high school, college, and university random drug testing is what RA 9165 provides. (END)

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Press Release
P266 BILYONG PAUTANG PARA SA KOTSE'T MOTOR PERO PARA SA EDUKASYON P33.75 BILYON LANG

Hindi sapat ang tuition at iba pang school fees para mapondohan ang paglago ng edukasyon sa bansa, ayon kay Iligan City Congressman Frederick Siao. Mas malaki pa nga ang pautang ng mga bangko para makabili ng mga motorsiklo at kotse ang mga Pilipino.

"Kailangan ng abot-kayang pautang mula sa mga bangko para matulungan ang mga ang mga pribadong paaralan, lalo na sa mga probinsiya." 

Napansin ni Rep. Siao na tila hindi prayoridad ng mga bangko ang magpautang sa mga pribadong paaralan dahil mas mababa pa sa isang porsyento ng lahat ng kanilang loans napunta sa education sector.

"Halos pitong trilyong pisong ipinautang ng mga bangko noong 2017. Wala pang 0.6 percent niyan ang loans to education sector," ani Rep. Siao.

Indikasyon iyan ng mababang prayoridad ng banking sector sa edukasyon. 

"Last January, loans to educational institutions amounted to P32.8 billion. That same month, motor vehicle loans summed up to P262.8 billion. Preliminary figures for February 2018 show bank loans to education at P33.75 billion. Compare that to the car and motorcycle loans total of P266 billion."

Mungkahi ni Rep. Siao sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas at Development Bank of the Philippines na magbalangkas at magpatupad ng mga patakaran para dumami ang loans ng mga bangko sa mga eskuwelahan, lalo na mga kolehiyo at pamantasan.

"The Department of Finance can also help by sourcing foreign grants for public and private schools. For huge capital outlays, education bonds may be the proper solution. Private banks must also carry their just share of the burden to improve the quality of education in our country by giving more loans to elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and graduate schools," ani Rep. Siao.  (WAKAS)

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Press Release
PERMANENTENG BAKASYON, PARAMDAM KAY UP REGENT FAROLAN

Permanenteng bakasyon ang paramdam ni 1-CARE Party-list Rep. Carlos Uybarreta kay University of the Philippines Regent Frederick Mikhail Farolan matapos ang ngayo'y viral social media posts ni Farolan sa mga naiinip sa paglabas ng mga resulta ng UPCAT exams. 

"Service to the Filipino people "with utmost responsibility" is the standard of public service the Constitution requires of you, Regent Farolan. The honorable exit for you is to become a private citizen," ani Uybarreta bilang pagtatanggol sa mga kababayan niyang kabataang Bikolano na naghihintay ng UPCAT results. 

Tingin ni Rep. Uybarreta ay hindi na nakakayanan ni Regent Farolan ang tindi ng responsibilidad bilang lingkod bayan. 

"It seems like you need a respite from the strenuous requirements of public service," dagdag ni Uybarreta. (WAKAS)

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REP. CARLOS ROMAN UYBARRETA
1-CARE Party-list
Vice Chair, Committee on Energy
Member, Appropriations, Transportation, and 7 other Committees
Mobile: 0917-729-2437 

MODERNIZED JEEPNEYS, DAPAT NANG IPASADA NGAYONG SUMMER

Dapat nang payagan ng LTFRB ang pagpasada sa mga lansangan ng mga modernong bersyon ng public utility jeepneys kung sapat na ang bilang ng mga ito at natiyak na ang road-worthiness.

Yan ang udyok ni Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta sa LTFRB.

Si Uybarreta ay kasapi ng House Committee on Transportation at Vice Chair ng House Committee on Energy. 

"Ngayong summer vacation ang tamang tiyempo para ipasada ang mga bagong jeepney para maging pamilyar na dito ang mga commuters," ani Uybarreta, kinatawan ng 1-CARE Party-list. 

Idinagdag pa ng mambabatas na "habang isinasagawa ang break-in at test runs, maaari nang magsimulang mag-hire ang mga operator ng mga magagalang, at matitinong drivers."

"Hayaan nating mga commuters ang mamili. Sa mga modernong jeepney ba na ligtas, malinis, at may aircon pa sila sasakay o sa bulok at lumang jeep?" 

Tingin ni Uybarreta, kapag commuters ang pipili maiiwasan na ang iringan sa kalsada sa pagitan ng gobyerno at iilang transport operators na kontra sa PUV modernization. 

"Alam ng commuters kung alin sa mga pumapasadang sasakyan ang tama para sa kanila. Alam din nila kung saang terminal sila pipila at kung alin ang paparahin. Karapatan nila iyan bilang commuters," pananaw ni Uybarreta. (WAKAS)

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REP. FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone District of Iligan City
Vice Chair, Committee on Tourism

Member, Appropriations, Economic Affairs, and 8 other committees                                                                   
Facebook: /congressmansiao Twitter: @freddiesiao 0917-729-2437                                                             

LOANS OF BANKS TO EDUCATION SECTOR IN 2017 WAS LESS THAN 1% OF TOTAL LOAN PORTFOLIO

[Rep. Siao asks Bangko Sentral and DBP to open loan windows for schools, urges banks to make education a loan priority]

Latest available Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) figures show the country's banks and other financial institutions lent the education sector less than one percent of the total loans they approved and issued in 2017 and in the first two months of 2018. 

Last January, loans to educational institutions amounted to P32.8 billion. That same month, motor vehicle loans summed up to P262.8 billion.

Preliminary figures for February 2018 show bank loans to education at P33.75 billion. Compare that to the car loans total of P266 billion.

One reason Philippine education is lagging behind other countries, even here in Southeast Asia, is the limited financial support to our schools.

I believe the national government must find ways to make loans and grants accessible and affordable to schools.

The Bangko Sentral and the Development Bank of the Philippines ought to craft policies for and implement concessional loans to the education sector. An education sector loan facility or window might be appropriate. 

The Department of Finance can also help by sourcing foreign grants for public and private schools. For huge capital outlays, education bonds may be the proper solution.

Private banks must also carry their just share of the burden to improve the quality of education in our country by giving more loans to elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and graduate schools. (END)

REFERENCES:http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/tables/2018_03/news-03282018b1.htm  http://www.bsp.gov.ph/banking/pbs_excel/5.xls 

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REP. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Member, Good Government and Public Accountability and 11 other Committees

NEW PNP CHIEF, ASKED TO PROTECT SCHOOLS

The latest anti-theft and anti-robbery measures of the DepEd and the PNP for computers and other tech equipment distributed to schools are not enough. 

There have been many incidents of theft and robbery of public schools' computers and other equipment. Considering how frequent they happen, the PNP should be compiling the reports of their field offices so that the extent and depth of the problem can be ascertained and proper measures put in place.

I ask the incoming PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde to please protect our schools, students, and teachers against thieves, robbers, and other criminals. 

Madalas ang nakawan ng computers, CCTV equipment, at LCD projectors sa mga paaralan. Minsan naman, nahuhulihan ng mga baril ang ilang high school students. Marami nang insidente ng rape na ang biktima ay mga estudyante. Nariyan na rin ang mga estudyante nabibiktima ng tokhang, drug syndicates, hazing, at street gangs.

Arestuhin at kasuhan ang mga kriminal. I-report dapat ng PNP sa DepEd Central Office at sa Kongreso ang estado ng mga kasong kriminal na biktima, suspect, o sangkot ang mga paaralan, estudyante, at guro.

"Countermeasures to deter theft and pilferage of DepEd Computerization Program equipment include changing the color of DCP-issued devices to blue; the public warning that the said packages are government property; and that mere possession of such outside of public schools can be grounds for prosecution," the DepEd said in a news release.

Those measures are insufficient because thieves and robbers are creative and resourceful. The criminals would just chop-chop or cannibalize the school computers, CCTV equipment, and LCD projectors and sell the parts to interested buyers.

The thieves and robbers would just remove whatever markings and coverings the DepEd computers and equipment have.

DTI, Bangko Sentral, and the DILG must be informed of the modus operandi of the criminals so that they can properly and in timely fashion, inform computer shop owners, pawnshops, online trading portals, barangays, and police stations.

Schools, especially the public schools, are soft targets of thieves and robbers because of inadequate number of watchmen and security guards, poor perimeter security, and poorly lit surroundings.

Most rooms where the computers and equipment are kept can be easily broken into.

REFERENCES:

https://goo.gl/8UPYw4 , https://goo.gl/jDE4Uu , https://goo.gl/h4Gq7k , https://goo.gl/RcyGSL , https://goo.gl/ZhZPFK
https://goo.gl/BEWN35 , https://goo.gl/YfPqBV , https://goo.gl/6bDzMa , and https://goo.gl/doM2Jp

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REP. FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone District of Iligan City
Vice Chair, Committee on Tourism

Member, Appropriations, Economic Affairs, and 8 other committees                                                                   
Facebook: /congressmansiao Twitter: @freddiesiao 0917-729-2437                                                             

ILIGAN CITY IS POISED TO BECOME A TOURISM HUB OF MINDANAO

Maria Cristina Falls, Robinsons Go Hotel and mall to help make Iligan a tourism hub

In Iligan, we have the magnificent Maria Cristina waterfalls, as well as the falls of Limunsudan and Tinago. We have natural springs in Timoga-Buruun, and the forests of Mt. Agad-Agad and Rogongon and Digkilaan. Iligan City is also one of two gateways to Northern Mindanao. The other is Cagayan de Oro City.

Iligan already has ample hotels, resorts, wellness facilities and other components of the tourism sector. However, the city and the rest of Northern Mindanao need road networks and bridges to vastly improve access to the many tourism spots of the city and its neighboring communities.

It is for this reason that I have been pushing for House Bill 5720, which was approved at the House committee on tourism on March 23. This bill seeks to include Iligan City in the National Tourism Development Plan of the Department of Tourism, so the city can have its just share in the infrastructure development budget of the national government.

Among the record-high P617 billions worth of new projects the Board of Investments approved in 2017 is the P170 million-peso Go Hotel of Robinsons Land Corporation in Iligan City.

The Go Hotel in Iligan was approved for investment incentives by the BOI in July 2017.

The 100-room hotel is the third of the Robinsons Go Hotel chain in Mindanao. Robinsons Land Corporation said they chose to go to Iligan City because they it fits in with their mall project also in Iligan.

The first Go Hotel in Mindanao is in Butuan City, Agusan del Sur.

"RLC opened its second Go Hotels in the Mindanao region at Lanang, Davao City, a joint venture with Udenna Development Corporation. Go Hotels Lanang-Davao is the first franchise of gohotels.ph to open," the company said in their latest publicly-available annual report.

Mindanao Times has reported that RLC is "studying the possibility" of a fourth Go Hotel in Mindanao, particularly in General Santos City, where RLC also has a mall.

"As of fiscal year 2016, the Company had seven (7) new shopping malls and three (3) expansion projects in the planning and development stage for completion in the next 2 years. The Company's business plan for the Commercial Centers Division over the next five years, subject to market conditions, is to sustain its growth momentum via development of new shopping malls and expansion of existing ones," according to Robinsons Land Corp. (END)

REFERENCES: http://mindanaotimes.net/go-hotels-to-open-in-iligan/ https://business.mb.com.ph/2017/12/18/new-investment-pledges-hit-record-high-in-2017/

https://www.philstar.com/business/2017/12/18/1769624/investment-pledges-hit-record-p617-b-year https://www.philstar.com/business/2017/08/01/1723626/investments-surge-40-7-months

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=go-hotel-to-open-in-iligan-city-next-year&id=131282

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Press Release
AS HIV SPREAD CONTINUES, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNG AND OFWs, 'COMPASSIONATE', CARING APPROACH NEEDED 

"More and more of the new generation of Filipinos, aged 24 and younger, are getting infected with HIV-AIDS," Bagong Henerasyon Party-List Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy said on Sunday.

She is one of the principal authors of House Bill 6617, the House version of the proposed Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act.

"New figures just released by the DOH show that in January and February this year 549 young Filipinos tested positive for HIV, and 79 of them are aged 10 to 19. Total reported cases for these two months were 1,892 and 304 of them were already at the advanced stages of HIV-AIDS when they were tested," said Herrera-Dy, chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender equality.

The congresswoman said the enabling law for the government's updated program on HIV-AIDS is needed "as soon as possible."

"The House has approved its bill on the matter. It would really help if the Senate version makes progress. Perhaps the DOH can ask the Senate Committee on Health how the process can be expedited. Perhaps some senators have specific concerns the DOH can clarify," the congresswoman said.

She pointed out that "HIV-AIDS is clearly and squarely a public health issue."

"It requires a compassionate approach to HIV patients and to people at high risk of getting HIV because of sharing of needles and unsafe practices during transactional sex, male-to-male sex.

For his part, AANGAT TAYO Party-List Rep. Neil Abayon, a registered nurse, noted the continuing spread of HIV among OFWs - mostly through male-to-male sexual contact--and asked the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to approach the public health issue "with caring and concern".

Just-released data from the HIV-AIDS Registry show 140 OFWs tested positive for HIV infection last January and February.  For the whole year of 2017, 814 OFWs were HIV-positive. So that means the total so far from last year and this year stands at 954. The same data also point out that 5,537 OFWs got HIV from January 1984 to February 2018.Those 5,537 cases represent 11 percent of total HIV-AIDS cases of 52,280.

"OWWA needs more tools and projects to combat loneliness and promote safe sex practices among OFWs especially male OFWs," Abayon, Assistant Minority Leader said. (END)

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HON. BERNADETTE "BH" HERRERA-DY                        
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Women & Gender Equality

SENATE ASKED TO EXPEDITE PENDING

ANTI-HIV-AIDS BILL AS 549 MILLENNIALS TEST POSITIVE FOR HIV

More and more of the new generation of Filipinos, aged 24 and younger, are getting infected with HIV-AIDS.

New figures just released by the DOH show that in January and February this year 549 young Filipinos tested positive for HIV, and 79 of them are aged 10 to 19. Total reported cases for these two months were 1,892 and 304 of them were already at the advanced stages of HIV-AIDS when they were tested.

I am alarmed by these new data.

We need the new law on the government's program on HIV-AIDS as soon as possible. The House has approved its bill on the matter. It would really help if the Senate version makes progress. Perhaps the DOH can ask the Senate Committee on Health how the process can be expedited. Perhaps some senators have specific concerns the DOH can clarify.

We need a more aggressive implementation of the DOH's HIV-AIDS interventions and of the Reproductive Health Law.

We need these programs to connect with Filipinos families, especially the children, teenagers, and young adults. 

HIV-AIDS is clearly and squarely a public health issue. It requires a compassionate approach to HIV patients and to people at high risk of getting HIV because of sharing of needles and unsafe practices during transactional sex, male-to-male sex. (END)

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Alona Beach in Panglao, Bohol

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Gina Lopez visits Bohol

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REP. CARLOS ROMAN UYBARRETA
1-CARE Party-list
Vice Chair, Committee on Energy

Member, Suffrage & Electoral Reforms, Constitutional Amendments, and 7 other Committees

REP. UYBARRETA TO UP REGENT: BECOME PRIVATE CITIZEN FAROLAN

Many of my young kababayans in Bicol are among the over eighty thousand high school graduates who took the UPCAT Results and whom UP Regent Frederick Mikhail Farolan targeted in his now viral social media post.

Service to the Filipino people "with utmost responsibility" is the standard of public service the Constitution requires of you, Regent Farolan.

The honorable exit for you is to become a private citizen. It seems like you need a respite from the strenuous requirements of public service.   (END)

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Emptiness is a symptom that you are not living creatively. You either have no goal that is important enough to you, or you are not using your talents and efforts in a striving toward an important goal. - Maxwell Maltz

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Press Release
TWO SOLONS WEIGH IN ON DRUG TESTING ISSUE FOR LGU CANDIDATES

Only by amending the Local Government Code of 1991 can drug testing be required for candidates for elective posts at the Sangguniang Kabataan, barangay, city, municipal, and provincial levels, two ranking congressmen have said.

In response to the suggestion of the Liga ng mga Barangay that possibly a presidential executive order is enough to require drug testing of candidates, Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta (1-CARE Party-List) and Rep. Michael Romero (1-PACMAN Party-List) both said Republic Act 7160 would have to be amended to make drug testing a requirement for candidates for local elective posts.

"The qualifications for elected local government officials are provided in the Local Government Code of 1991...If the intent is to make sure our country does not have drug addicts and drug dependents as elected local officials or as executives of national government agencies, then that can be done by passing a law—either through Congress or by Initiative—but not through executive order," Rep. Carlos Roman Uybarreta said in a statement.

In a separate statement, Rep. Michael Romero said, "mandatory drug testing for President, Vice President, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Commissions requires amendment of the Constitution."

SLIM CHANCE

According to Uybarreta, the chances are slim for drug testing to become a requirement to run for barangay and SK posts.

"For the May 2019 local elections, there is still time to pass a law requiring candidates to pass a drug test, but for the barangay and SK elections this May, there is no more time. However, if the Senate and House can be convinced to postpone the barangay and SK elections, then there is time for to pass a new law on the drug testing requirement," Rep. Uybarreta said.

He adds that even if Congress is convinced to postpone the barangay and SK election now, there are "serious time constraints."

"Congress is on its summer break now. The barangay and SK elections are just weeks away. Congress would have to cut short its summer break or President Duterte would have to call a special session of Congress. There might not be enough time to postpone the barangay and SK elections," Uybarreta said.

For his part, sportsman Rep. Michael Romero said that like athletes who compete in national and international sports, "our elected politicians, candidates for elective positions, and civil servants must also be exemplars against illegal drugs and be drugs-free."

DRUG TESTING USING HAIR SAMPLES

"There is also the matter of what kind of drug testing is needed to achieve the purpose of weeding out drug dependents in public service. It is very easy to circumvent drug testing of urine samples. Difficult to cheat is drug testing using hair follicle samples," Romero said.

He said he is preparing a bill that would require "hair follicle-based testing for illegal drugs and other mind-altering chemicals to weed out drug dependents candidates for local government elective positions, as well as employees and applicants for regular, contractual, and casual positions in government."

Romero said he will also recommend to the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments that hair follicle drug testing be required for all elective and appointive positions mentioned in the Constitution.

"Cost of drug testing for employees and applicants for government service shall be borne by the government agencies concerned. Cost of drug testing for candidates and aspirants for elective local and national positions and for constitutional positions must be borne by the candidates and aspirants themselves," Romero added. (END)

References: Drug Testing Guide https://goo.gl/fjGgSh  ABS-CBN https://goo.gl/xZAeVo

REP. HARLIN NEIL J. ABAYON, III
AANGAT TAYO Party-list
Assistant Minority Leader

Member, Public Information, Foreign Affairs, Appropriations, and 16 other committees

140 OFWs ARE HIV-POSITIVE AS OF JAN & FEB THIS YEAR

OWWA must address continuing spread of HIV among OFWs, nurse-solon says
                     
OWWA must improve the anti-HIV-AIDS component of its welfare programs for OFWs.

Just-released data from the HIV-AIDS Registry show 140 OFWs tested positive for HIV infection last January and February.  For the whole year of 2017, 814 OFWs were HIV-positive. So that means the total so far from last year and this year stands at 954.

The same data also point out that 5,537 OFWs got HIV from January 1984 to February 2018.

Those 5,537 cases represent 11 percent of total HIV-AIDS cases of 52,280.

Eleven percent is a very significant figure and this is more than enough basis for the OWWA to give attention to this problem.

Most of the 5,537 patients (70 percent) got HIV through male-to-male sexual contact.

OWWA needs more tools and projects to combat loneliness and promote safe sex practices among OFWs especially male OFWs.

The approach of OWWA must be with caring and concern. (END)

REFERENCES:
http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/statistics/EB_HIV_December_AIDSreg2017.pdf
http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/statistics/EB_HIV_January_AIDSreg2018.pdf
http://www.doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/statistics/EB_HIV_February_AIDSreg2018.pdf

REP. CARLOS ROMAN UYBARRETA
1-CARE Party-list
Vice Chair, Committee on Energy
Member, Appropriations, Transportation, and 7 other Committees
Mobile: 0917-729-2437

LET THE RIDING PUBLIC DECIDE,

LTFRB SHOULD ALLOW NEW PUVs TO PLY ROUTES STARTING THIS SUMMER
                               
If the new, safer, cleaner, and modernized version of the public utility jeepneys are ready and deemed roadworthy, then the LTFRB and DOTr should let them ply the country's roads now.

This summer would be the timely for the break-in of new units and for the riding public to become familiar with them before the start of the next school year in June to August.

This summer can be the period for the new PUV companies and cooperatives to hire competent, diligent, and courteous drivers

The LTFRB should now start to issue new certificates of public convenience (CPC) and provisional authority to the new jeepneys.

Let the riding public choose between the old, dilapidated PUVs and the new units. Let the consumers decide what is best for them.

Allowing market forces to determine outcomes sooner rather than later is the non-combative way of resolving the situation. (END)

REP. SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Member, Higher and Technical Education and 10 other committees

PAGPROSESO NG LOAN DEDUCTIONS SA SAHOD NG DEPED TEACHERS, DAPAT IPAUBAYA SA LANDBANK

Dapat ipagkatiwala ng Department of Education sa Landbank of the Philippines ang pagproseso sa mga salary deductions kaugnay ng mga utang ng mga pampublikong guro.

Yan ang nakikitang solusyon ni Una Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro, Jr. sa malaking problema ng DepEd ukol sa loan ng mga guro sa kanilang mga pinagkakautangang mga pribadong bangko, loan associations, at iba pang nagpapautang.

Ani Belaro maaaring maisakatuparan ito sa bisa ng Memorandum of Agreement sa pagitan ng DepEd at Landbank.

"Hindi na dapat trabaho pa ng DepEd ang pag-asikaso sa mga salary deductions ng mga guro sa private lenders. Sa mga trabahong pang-DepEd dapat ginugugol ng mga DepEd administrative staff ang kanilang oras at lakas, at hindi sa pag-compute at pag-asikaso ng salary deductions," ani Belaro.

Sa tingin ni Belaro, mas may kakayahan, kapasidad, at karanasan ang Landbank sa mga programang may kinalaman salary deductions dahil depository bank ito ng gobyerno.

"Finance ang expertise ng Landbank. Kayang-kaya nitong gampanan ang trabahong 'yan," paniwala ni Belaro.

"Bagaman dagdag trabaho 'yan para sa Landbank, dagdag kita rin iyan para sa kanila dahil sa service charges; bukod pa sa magkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang Landbank na makatulong sa mga guro kaugnay ng pagsasaayos ng kanilang financial situation para maiwasan nilang mabaon sa utang," punto ng mambabatas.

Dagdag pa ni Belaro: "Win-win solution ito para sa DepEd at mga guro - makakabayad at patuloy na makakapag-loan ang mga guro, habang ang DepEd naman ay mas makakapag-focus sa mga mas importanteng bagay na may kinalaman sa kalidad ng pampublikong edukasyon sa buong Pilipinas." (WAKAS)

REP. MICHAEL "MIKEE" L. ROMERO, Ph.D.
1-PACMAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Twitter: @MikeeRomeroPhD

SPORTSMAN, PBA TEAM OWNER REP. MIKEE ROMERO IN FAVOR OF DRUG TESTING FOR ALL WHO WANT TO SERVE IN GOV'T

The Olympic movement has strict drug testing and anti-doping regulations. Philippine sports, including basketball, also has policies and regulations against the use of illegal drugs, including performance-enhancing and mind-altering drugs.

Like our drugs-free athletes, our elected politicians, candidates for elective positions, and civil servants must also be exemplars against illegal drugs and drugs-free.

Mandatory drug testing for all local government elective positions requires amendment of the Local Government Code. Mandatory drug testing for all civil servants, including regular employees, contractuals, and casuals requires amendment of different laws, including the Civil Service law (RA 807). For these positions, a bill passed by Congress or an Initiative Petition approved in a plebiscite would be enough to require drug testing.

However, mandatory drug testing for President, Vice President, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Commissions requires amendment of the Constitution.

There is also the matter of what kind of drug testing is needed to achieve the purpose of weeding out drug dependents in public service.

It is very easy to circumvent drug testing of urine samples. Difficult to cheat is drug testing using hair follicle samples.

I am therefore readying a bill requiring hair follicle-based testing for illegal drugs and other mind-altering chemicals to weed out drug dependents candidates for local government elective positions, as well as employees and applicants for regular, contractual, and casual positions in government.

I will also recommend to the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments that hair follicle drug testing be required for all elective and appointive positions mentioned in the Constitution.

Cost of drug testing for employees and applicants for government service shall be borne by the government agencies concerned.

Cost of drug testing for candidates and aspirants for elective local and national positions and for constitutional positions must be borne by the candidates and aspirants themselves. (END)

References: Drug Testing Guide https://goo.gl/fjGgSh ABS-CBN https://goo.gl/xZAeVo

NEW S&T SCHOLARS FROM ORIENTAL MINDORO TAKE PART ON THE "FILIPINO PATRIOT SCHOLARS" PROJECT & JLSS ORIENTATION AND CONTRACT SIGNING
by: Linel Anne S. Maje

Nine (9) new 2017 Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) qualifiers from Oriental Mindoro participated in the Orientation on the "Filipino Patriot Scholars Project" held on February 9, 2018 at Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology (MinSCAT) in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.
The orientation, spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology – MIMAROPA, through the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) – Oriental Mindoro, was conducted to introduce to the newly qualified S&T scholars the "Filipino Patriot Scholars Project" – a DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) initiative that aims to foster patriotism among the scholars and instill in them the value of leadership, excellence, social responsibility, and service to the Filipino people.

The project was formed in compliance with Article II Section 17 stating, "The state shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress and promote total human liberation and development."

The orientation was divided into two modules— "Humanizing the Scholars" and "I Have a Dream for Myself and for the Nation".

In "Humanizing the Scholars" module, the students are encouraged to explore their strengths, values, attitudes, and motivations in life to serve as springboard for understanding the concept of patriotism, state building, and nation building. On this module, scholars were asked to identify the use of one body part in solving societal problem.

"I Have a Dream for Myself and for the Nation" module, on the other hand, focused on the scholar's personal goals and dreams for the nation which they were able to express through the Scholar's Dream Wall. This module aims to help the scholars understand that having dreams open more opportunities to build a sustainable future.

After the orientation, a contract signing for the 2017 JLSS qualifiers was conducted to welcome the newest set of DOST scholars from Oriental Mindoro. The new scholars were also informed on the scholarship policies, privileges, and service obligation after graduation.

JLSS is an S&T scholarship program for third year college students enrolled in S&T Priority courses. One of its component is the "Fast-Tracked Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 2013" that aims to encourage more young minds to build a teaching career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Scholars under this program are entitled to two to three years scholarship benefits including tuition subsidy, book allowance, and other school fees.After the orientation, a contract signing for the 2017 JLSS qualifiers was conducted to welcome the newest set of DOST scholars from Oriental Mindoro. The new scholars were also informed on the scholarship policies, privileges, and service obligation after graduation.

For more information about the JLSS Scholarship Program and The Filipino Patriot Scholars Project you may contact DOST-MIMAROPA at (02) 837-2071 loc 2092 or 2093 or email us at mimaropa.dost4b@gmail.com or tap DOST-SEI at (02)839-0083 or seischolarships@gmail.com.

(DOST Region 4A, S&T Media Service)

For your information and dissemination please.

Thank you.

Ma. Lilibeth P. Padilla
Public Affairs Unit, Communication Resources and Production Division
Science and Technology Information Institute
Department of Science and Technology (DOST-STII)
Telephone no: 837-2192 / 837-2071 (loc 2142)
Mobile no: 0949-303-9998 / 0927-432-2774 / 0932-623-6673

Get Connected: https://www.facebook.com/dost.stii/
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DOST-developed technologies designed for socio-economic, environmental gains
By Geraldine Bulaon-Ducusin, DOST-STII

Most technologies developed by the Department of Science and Technology use local raw materials that went through innovations in terms of product or process improvements, making them distinct from their commercial counterparts.

"These government-developed technologies are designed to factor in the social, economic, and environmental benefits," revealed Nelia Florendo, chief of the Technical Services Division of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), when asked on the edge of their developed technologies over some of the commercial ones.

Another advantage of local technologies is their low cost compared with the commercial ones that are often imported. The technologies are made of locally-sourced raw materials which are readily available in the country.

DOST-ITDI also developed technologies that are responsive to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

"DOST-ITDI's competent research teams, some of whom obtained their degrees abroad, use modern facilities in technology development," Florendo added.

The Institute has been the Department's lead agency in developing technologies useful for both enterprises and at the environment.

In the recent DOST-ITDI series of technology offering forums, almost a hundred industries expressed interest to adopt and collaborate. Among the technologies presented in the forum series were food technologies, food processing technologies, health and wellness, green engineering, and advanced technology which are available for transfer or licensing to interested entrepreneurs.

"We need the help of the people from the industry so that every Juan and Juana will make use and benefit from the technologies we have developed," DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara appealed to participants who mostly came from the industry.

Guevara recounted that some clients wanted to avail of the DOST-developed technology, but were not yet ready to take them on.

To assist these businesses to jump from "we're not yet ready" to "ready" mode and improve their  facilities and production processes are DOST's regional offices and facilities, said Usec. Guevara.

In the last five years, more businesses and local government units in Zamboanga, Butuan, Negros, Batangas, Camarines, Quezon, Ilocos, and even in Metro Manila area (Paranaque and Navotas), among others, have used DOST-ITDI technologies, especially in their livelihood and environmental programs. Among the commonly availed technologies are the bioreactor, plastic densifier, wine kit, and food-related technologies.

Growing local companies such as Splash Foods Corporation, Sally's Authentic Bicol Express, House of Polvoron, Jennie's Pork Chicharon, Navarro Foods International, Inc., Carreon's Sweets & Pastries, Zambo Tropical Foods, Trappist Monastic Food Products, and host of others have also availed or worked in partnership with the DOST-ITDI.

The technology offering series of DOST-ITDI gave R&D teams and their public and industry stakeholders a venue to showcase and learn from each other. Their technology transfer team assessed and clustered its 27 technologies that demonstrated market potential.  Six technologies have shown to be popular among the private sector clients, namely ready-to-eat chicken arrozcaldo; nipa sap sugar; analgesic balm; drum-dried banana, macapuno and mango flakes; vacuum-fried banana, squash, carrots and jackfruit; and slimming cream.

In the last five years, DOST-ITDI completed 152 research and development projects in  chemicals and energy, environmental and biotechnology, foods, materials science, and packaging. Some of the technologies which have been adopted include the OL trap, vinegar acetator kit, bioreactor, styro-plastic densifier, gasifier combustor, wine kit, calamansi processing, ceramic water filter, and food processing equipment.

Aside from developing ready-to-transfer technologies, DOST-ITDI has been providing technical assistance to the Filipino industries for many years now, from product packaging to product development, such as packaging R&D, process improvement, cleaner production, plant layout, test and analysis, waste treatment, and many other technical services which have resulted in increased production volume and productivity.

For more information on DOST-ITDI services and technologies, click on http://www.itdi.dost.gov.ph/.

For your information and dissemination please.
Thank you.

Ma. Lilibeth P. Padilla
Public Affairs Unit, Communication Resources and Production Division
Science and Technology Information Institute
Department of Science and Technology (DOST-STII)
Telephone no: 837-2192 / 837-2071 (loc 2142)
Mobile no: 0949-303-9998 / 0927-432-2774 / 0932-623-6673

Get Connected: https://www.facebook.com/dost.stii/
                          https://twitter.com/dost_stii
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REP. CARLOS ROMAN UYBARRETA
1-CARE Party-list
Vice Chair, Committee on Energy
Member, Suffrage & Electoral Reforms, Constitutional Amendments,
and 7 other Committees Mobile: 0917-729-2437
1-CARE PARTY-LIST REP. CARLOS ROMAN UYBARRETA
OPINES ON LEGAL ISSUES ON DRUG TESTING FOR CANDIDATES

[Atty. Uybarreta sees mandatory drug testing as possible reason to postpone barangay and SK polls, but there may not be enough time to postpone the polls]

It has been suggested that a presidential executive order is enough to require drug testing of candidates for elected public officials at the local government and national level.

No, a presidential executive order cannot amend any law nor constitutional provisions which set the qualifications for elected officials. An executive order can only amend another executive order (except those issued when the president exercised legislative power). An EO cannot amend any law or the Constitution.

The qualifications for elected local government officials are provided in the Local Government Code of 1991 or Republic Act 7160.

The Constitution provides the qualifications for all national elected officials and some appointed officials (the Supreme Court, Judicial and Bar Council, the COMELEC, COA, and CSC).

Various charters passed by Congress provide the qualifications for different appointed officials of national government agencies.

If the intent is to make sure our country does not have drug addicts and drug dependents as elected local officials or as executives of national government agencies, then that can be done by passing a law—either through Congress or by Initiative—but not through executive order.

If the goal is to not have drug addicts and drug dependents as elected officials at the national level, a constitutional amendment is needed for the elective posts mentioned in the Constitution.

For the May 2019 local elections, there is still time to pass a law requiring candidates to pass a drug test, but for the barangay and SK elections this May, there is no more time.

However, if the Senate and House can be convinced to postpone the barangay and SK elections , then there is time for to pass a new law on the drug testing requirement.

If the intent is to make sure that our barangay and SK officials are not users of illegal drugs and mind-altering drugs, that intent might be enough to convince the Senate and the House to postpone the barangay and SK elections—considering the reports and intelligence information about narcopolitics and drug dependence at the local government level.

However, there are serious time constraints. Congress is on its summer break now. The barangay and SK elections are just weeks away. Congress would have to cut short its summer break or President Duterte would have to call a special session of Congress. There might not be enough time to postpone the barangay and SK elections. (END)

DOST bats for first "smart farm" in PH

The Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) put up its stakes to fund the country's first "smart farm."

The "smart farm" is a facility for the Smart Plant Production in Controlled Environments (SPICE), a P128M program that will promote urban farming and high-tech plant conservation. It will be housed at the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute's Nursery of Indigenous and Endemic Plants in Quezon City.

Teaming up to develop the SPICE are the UP Diliman Institute of Biology and Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, and UP Los Baños Institute of Biology.

This program aims to lead the research and development for the design of a stand-alone urban farm system and establish protocols for micropropagation, cryopreservation, and nursery management of rare, endangered, and economically valuable native plant species.

"The core of this project is not only the development of new technology, but also, on a macro perspective, to ensure that we can protect our country's rich biodiversity," DOST Undersecretary for R&D Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara said.

Modern farming methods like vertical farming, micropropagation, cryopreservation, and hydroponics will be practiced to grow native plants in an environment wherein the climate, the lighting, and the irrigation system can be monitored, controlled, and changed real-time through the use of electronics, sensors, and automation.

"My idea of internationalization is exporting our own ideas, that foreign scientists will come to the country to study trees that are endemic here. SPICE is an innovation project," remarked UP Executive Vice President Dr. Teodoro Herbosa.

National Scientist and UP Professor Emeritus, Dr. Edgardo Gomez shared his experiences in biology and commended the team for initiating the project, saying that "This (SPICE) will be a world-class institute."

Aside from the technical features of the project, the facility is envisioned to include a "living laboratory" where visitors can see the various technologies employed and store where they can buy fresh vegetables grown on-site.

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balskie, i'm still fixing the problem on image posting diri sa tubagbohol.

(CNN) — For those who still hanker after the supersonic air travel offered by Concorde, some exciting news from NASA.

The US space agency has announced it's going ahead with plans to develop an aircraft that can break the sound barrier -- but quietly.

Which means that unlike it's sonic boom-producing predecessors, including Concorde, it could operate commercial routes over land.

NASA has awarded Lockheed Martin a $247.5 million contract to build the supersonic aircraft.

It wants the aerospace company to refine, build and test the experimental aircraft -- known as the X-plane or "Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator" -- and deliver it to NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center by the end of 2021.