MikeLigalig.com

5 February 2018
MEDIA RELEASE
New DOE Policy to Establish WESM's Independent Market Operator

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a policy that would guide the establishment of an Independent Market Operator (IMO) of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). The WESM serves as a venue to trade electricity as a commodity.

Under Department Circular No. DC2018-01-0002 otherwise known as Adopting Policies for the Effective and Efficient Transition to the IMO for the WESM, the DOE and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will ensure fair competition and the promotion of public interest as envisioned in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA).

"WESM is an added option for the electricity sources of our consumers, especially addressing the stability and efficiency of power supply," Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

Cusi added that the WESM and IMO would be consistent with the wisdom of EPIRA to ensure quality, reliable, secure, affordable and reasonable prices and electricity supply through a transparent, free and competitive power market.

The policy on IMO outlines the mandates of the DOE and the ERC over the operator; its guiding principles; its composition, including the Board of at least five (5) members; its functions; and WESM's new governing and governance structure and the conditions for transition.

In particular, the issuance will provide guidelines on the procedures for:

·        Establishing the merit order dispatch instructions for each time period;
·        Determining the market-clearing price for each time period;
·        Administering the market, including criteria for admission to and termination from the market which includes security or performance bond requirements, voting rights of the participants, surveillance and assurance of compliance of the participants with the rules and the formation of the wholesale electricity spot market governing body;

·        Prescribing guidelines for the market operation in system emergencies; and
·        Amending the rules.

The Circular on IMO was published on 4 February (Sunday) in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, which will take effect immediately after its publication.

"This policy on IMO will ensure full public accountability to safeguard, foremost, our energy consumers," Cusi emphasized.

HON. MICHAEL "MIKEE" L. ROMERO, Ph. D.
1-PACMAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Vice Chair, Youth & Sports Development and 2 other Committees

REP. MIKEE ROMERO ASKS PRESIDENT DUTERTE TO TASK THE DA, FISHERIES AUTHORITY TO CREATE STATE FIRM FOR PHILIPPINE RISE

Benham rise was renamed Philippine Rise via E.O. 25 of President Duterte on May 16, 2017

First, I take this opportunity to point out that some officials, news reports and social media posts have been using the name Benham Rise in recent weeks. On May 16, 2017 President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Executive Order No. 25 changing the name of the Benham Rise to the Philippine Rise.

I hope the public and the media will get used to using instead the name Philippine Rise to refer to that extended continental shelf of our country that is also within our exclusive economic zone, in the same way that name West Philippine Sea is being used.

To directly address the issue on the exploration and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) gains from the Philippine Rise, I, as Member of the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources, recommend to President Duterte the creation of a corporate subsidiary of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA). Perhaps the state firm could be named Philippine Rise Exploration and Development Corporation. This state firm can serve as the corporate vehicle for international joint ventures and science grants.

The state firm could be created the same way that the Overseas Filipinos Bank was established by the Land Bank of the Philippines. All that is needed is a new executive order by President Duterte to set in motion all that are needed.

The new executive order can also create a special task force on the Philippine Rise to be jointly led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture. I hope the task force will include private sector representatives and experts from industry and civil society who are active in marine sciences, aquatic and marine industries, and international law.  (END)

REFERENCES:
http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06297.pdf
http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/first_17/CR00509.pdf
http://pfda.gov.ph/
http://pfda.gov.ph/transparency-seal/pfda-charter

February 4, 2018
Refer to: Honey Rose Mercado
(+63 917 840 1277)

Statement of Atty. Vic Rodriguez, spokesman of former Senator Bongbong Marcos

To clear the issue conclusively on the ballot images, undervotes and overvotes, we would like to challenge Mrs. Leni Robredo to sign a joint motion withdrawing all our outstanding motions so we could go straight to the recount. 

We have been instructed by Senator Marcos to draft the joint motion and Senator Marcos is ready to sign it anytime. We are fervently hoping that Mrs. Robredo will do the same.

In so doing, we could hasten the process and go straight to the ballots. The ballots are the best evidence and we should just proceed with the recount.

Senator Marcos believes that an issue as fundamental as the conduct of an elections should not be be kept hanging for years on end. Unfortunately, in the vice presidential race, it has been almost two years and we have yet to see a single ballot.

Senator Marcos is not only doing this for himself but for the rest of the Filipino people who deserve to know the truth.

Let us open the ballots now and settle this issue once and for all.

OFFICE OF FERDINAND "BONGBONG" R. MARCOS, JR.
G/F Sunset View Towers
2230 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
Philippines
Telephone:  +63 (02) 821-4591
Facsimile:  (+63.2) 821-4589

info@bongbongmarcos.com
http://www.bongbongmarcos.com

THE HONORABLE SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
MEDIA ADVISORY:

UNA ANG EDUKASYON SOLON TO DELIVER PRIVILEGE SPEECH ON FEB 5, 2018 ABOUT THE STATE OF CHED

1-Ang Edukasyon Representative Salvador B. Belaro, Jr. is scheduled to deliver a PRIVILEGE SPEECH to discuss educational concerns that require immediate attention of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) following the resignation of Dr. Patricia Licuanan as Chair and Karol Mark Yee as Executive Director.

The speech will be delivered during the regular session of the House of Representatives at the House Session Hall, Batasan Hills, Quezon City. The session will start at 4PM.

The privilege speech follows the filing on Monday of a proposed resolution calling for an investigation, in aid of legislation, into possible merging of Department of Education, CHED, and Technical Skills and Development Authority into one agency.

The merging could be made attuned to the need for synchronization of the country's educational policies in view of the implementation of the K to 12 program, the Free College Education Law, and the ASEAN Integration, among others.

In this regard, special mention on the possible provisions of the law to be amended is Sec. 5 of RA 7722 which confers upon the Commissioners of the CHED a fixed term when all their counterparts at the DepEd and TESDA serve at the pleasure of the President. (END)

A Demon Named Larry Nassar

THE HONORABLE HENRY C. ONG
2nd District of Leyte
Vice Chair, Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries

PICKUP TRUCKS MAS BEBENTA SA PAMILYANG PINOY DAHIL SA ZERO EXCISE TAX

Hindi papapigil ang maraming pamilyang Pilipino na makamit ang ambisyon nilang magmay-ari ng sariling sasakyan, ayon kay Leyte Representative Henry Ong, lalo na ngayong malakas ang merkado para sa mga bagong kotse at zero ang excise tax sa mga pickup truck at electric vehicles.

"Purchasing a motor vehicle for family use or for small business has become a necessity for many Filipinos," pansin ni Ong.

Ayon sa long term development plan ng Duterte administration na tinaguriang Ambisyon Nation 2040, ang pagmamay-ari ng sariling kotse ay isa sa mga pangarap ng maraming pamilyang Pilipino.

Malakas ang car sales noong 2017 dahil double-digit percent increase ang naranasan ng mga motor vehicle importers at dealers.

"According to the Association of Vehicle Importers, their 2017 sales was at 106,268 units in 2017, which is an increase of 14 percent compared to 3,192 units sold in 2016," ani Ong.

Naiulat naman ng Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) na ang sales nila sa 2017 ay 425,673 units, na mas mataas nang 18.4 percent kumpara sa 2016 sales.

"Makatutulong sa mga pamilyang Pilipino na pag-aralan nila ang BIR Revenue Regulations tungkol sa new excise tax rates sa automobiles," payo ni Ong.

Ipinatutupad ng bagong BIR regulations ang TRAIN Law provisions sa excise taxes at ad valorem taxes sa mga automobile.

"As a family man, businessman, and as Member of the House Committee on Transportation, I advise families now thinking of purchasing new motor vehicles, to take advantage of the TRAIN Law exemption for electric vehicles and pickup trucks and the 50 percent on applicable excise tax rates for hybrid vehicles," suhestiyon ni Rep. Ong.

"Congress deliberately lowered the excise tax rates to zero on electric vehicles and pickup trucks and lowered to 50% the excise tax rates on hybrid vehicles to help Filipino families with small businesses and to encourage citizens to care for the environment. Pickup trucks are especially versatile because they can double as family vehicles and utility units," ayon sa mambabatas.

REFERENCES: http://www.philstar.com/business/2018/01/26/1781334/auto-sales-race-past-2017-target and  https://goo.gl/DMVkWX

2 FEBRUARY 2018
MEDIA RELEASE

DOE Saves Billions for Consumers with Tighter Watch on TRAIN Oil Excise Taxes

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) saved consumers billions of pesos with its efforts to ensure that the imposition of the new excise tax rates on petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law in the industry would be fairly and responsibly implemented by all the participants.

The DOE estimates that its actions saved consumers around P2.64 billion for liquid petroleum fuels, and P58.4 million from liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

Long before the onset of the TRAIN law's implementation, the DOE, through its Oil Industry Management Bureau, acted to safeguard consumers' welfare. These included meeting the industry stakeholders for guidelines, providing advisories to the public, conducting random inspections, data gathering and reviewing the inventory, examining the paper trail, as well as issuing show-cause orders to retail outlets that raised prices before January 15, the projected average period for exhaustion of old inventory.

"We implemented a lot of initiatives for the smooth implementation of TRAIN Law, because we did not want consumers to be compromised. The goal is to protect everyone, especially the consumers," Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

The DOE directed oil companies to: 1) submit duly notarized inventory report as of 31 December 2017, on per depot and per product basis for effective monitoring; 2) impose the excise tax under TRAIN only after the 31 December 2017 stocks of finished products are fully exhausted; 3) submit the daily summary of withdrawal starting 1 January 2018 until the depletion of the declared inventory as of 31 December 2017, supported by the Official Registry Book (ORB); and 4) advise their retailers to post in a conspicuous area, for transparency, notice of new excise tax implementation under the TRAIN in a signage measuring 1 meter by 1 meter in size.

The DOE responded to initial reports of early implementation of the TRAIN Law by some liquid fuel retail outlets (gas stations). Thus, a number of outlets were issued show-cause orders directing them to explain in writing why they had already imposed the new excise tax rates.

To validate whether the implementation of the TRAIN Law was proper, the DOE closely examined the supply chain, starting with the scrutiny of the dates of the source depot run-out vis-à-vis the implementation dates of price increases due to TRAIN; the latter being validated from the delivery invoices submitted. The delivery dates of the excised products were then compared to the implementation dates of the price increase in the outlet or gas station involved.

Despite the big number of retail outlets nationwide for validation, the requirements of the DOE Secretary were complied with, along with the order of the Senate, through Committee on Energy Chair Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, to reconcile and validate all the submissions. Based on these actions, the DOE has taken all the necessary steps to ensure that the TRAIN Law was properly implemented by the industry.

To help mitigate the impact of the imposition of the new excise tax rates on the commuting public, the DOE also held talks with several oil companies to provide, renew, and/or to expand their discount mechanisms to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

In the following weeks, the DOE will be executing Memorandums of Agreement with several oil companies to formalize such Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs to alleviate the plight of the PUV drivers.

Based on the three factors — (1) the mitigating mechanisms of the TRAIN Law; (2) the CSR programs to be extended by the oil companies; and (3) based on the correlation of historical data of petroleum prices and fare rates between 2014 and 2016 (where the increase in oil prices did not have a significant impact on the prices of rice and transport fares), the DOE believes that there would be a minimal impact on the public transportation sector.

Nevertheless, the DOE reiterated its commitment to ensure protection of the Filipino consumers against any disadvantageous trading of energy.
--
Reference:
Usec. Wimpy Fuentebella

DOE Spokesperson
09189467993

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

DOE MEDIA AFFAIRS GROUP
Department of Energy
Energy Center, Rizal Drive
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
4792900 loc. 269
website: www.doe.gov.ph
Twitter: @DOE_PH
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doe.gov.ph

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Telephonic Press Briefing with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Ambassador Tina Kaidanow

Manila, February 2, 2018 — Please join us on Monday, February 5, 2018 for a telephonic press briefing with Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.  The briefing will be on U.S. participation in the Singapore Air Show and the U.S. role promoting robust defense and commerce partnerships and regional security throughout Asia.

DETAILS:

Speakers:  Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs

Date:  Monday, February 5, 2018

Time:  09:30 Manila time | 20:30 EST (Sunday, February 4)

Language:                   English

Ground rules:             On the record

Dial-in Info:                To be provided once you RSVP

RSVP:                            RSVP to AsiaPacMedia@state.gov and Mary Beth Polley (PolleyME@state.gov ) by 5 pm Manila time February 4.  Please include your name and outlet and indicate if you will dial in or request that we dial out to you (provide the phone number to be used).

LOGISTICS:

•         Journalists that RSVP will be notified of any changes to the schedule.

•         Callers should dial-in to the conference call 10 minutes early.

•         When an individual journalist dials-in, the operator will collect the caller's name, press affiliation, and location.

•         The moderator will facilitate the Q and A among the connected callers and Ambassador Kaidanow. Journalists on the conference call will be instructed to press the "*" and "1" buttons on their phones in order to enter the question queue.  NOTE:  You can press "*1" at any time during the call to join the question queue, even before the moderator begins the Q and A portion.We ask that journalists limit themselves to one question.   Journalists can also submit questions in English to PolleyME@state.gov prior to or during the call.

BIO:

Ambassador Tina Kaidanow is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs and has served as Senior Bureau Official since February 22, 2016.  As Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ambassador Kaidanow is the Department of State's principal liaison with the Department of Defense and manages several critical components of U.S. foreign policy, including the maintenance of the State Department's global security relationships, the provision of more than $6 billion in international security assistance, bilateral transfers and the licensing of commercial sales of U.S.-origin defense equipment, the negotiation of international security agreements, and the implementation of the Export Control Reform Initiative.

Prior to joining the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Ambassador Kaidanow served since February 2014 as Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism, where she forged partnerships with foreign governments, multilateral organizations, and non-state actors to advance the counterterrorism objectives and national security of the United States. Previously, Ambassador Kaidanow served as Deputy Ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul from September 2012 to October 2013. Ambassador Kaidanow became the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs in July 2011, having served earlier as the bureau's Deputy Assistant Secretary responsible for issues related to Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Caucasus (August 2009 - June 2011).

From 2006-2009, Ambassador Kaidanow was the Chief of Mission and later the first U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo. She served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2003-2006. Prior to that, she was the Special Assistant for European Affairs to Deputy Secretaries of State Strobe Talbott and Richard Armitage.

A career member of the U.S. diplomatic service, Ambassador Kaidanow served as Special Assistant to U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill in Skopje from 1998-1999, with specific responsibilities focused on the crisis in Kosovo, and had earlier assignments in Sarajevo (1997-1998) and Belgrade (1995-1997). She has also held the position of Director for Southeast European Affairs at the National Security Council.

Ambassador Kaidanow earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Philosophy degree in Political Science from Columbia University in New York, as well as a certificate in Russian studies from the Harriman Institute.

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"Guess shares slump after model Kate Upton tweets about exec" - http://www.reuters.com/article/us-guess-stocks/guess-shares-slump-after-model-kate-upton-tweets-about-exec-idUSKBN1FL6BK

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Clockwise from top left: Following the outbreak of the Marawi siege, U.S. exchange alumni launched the #MealsforMarawi campaign, which fed more than 3,000 internally displaced people (IDP) in Iligan City. (Photo by: Jasmine Dimakuta); After helping with relief operations, the U.S. alumni chapter in Marawi City provided art therapy for IDP children. (Photo by Lanao del Sur Provincial Crisis Management Committee); Other alumni groups are providing long-term interventions like EmpoWomen, a women's leadership and livelihood development program for mothers of displaced families through business coaching and access to microfinance (Photo by Omayyah Macabato).

Manila, February 1, 2018 — As part of its continuing response to the Marawi crisis, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines has launched the Php18.5 million #ForMindanao campaign supporting 37 projects throughout Mindanao led by Philippine alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchanges, many of whom have already played a crucial role in responding to humanitarian needs in Marawi and surrounding areas.  These projects will address educational enrichment, economic development, and the psycho-social effects of conflict, among other pressing needs in the region.  The year-long #ForMindanao campaign will impact an estimated 13,500 people, focusing especially on out-of-school youth, university students, madrasa students, and women in Mindanao.

Since 1948, the U.S. government has sponsored people-to-people exchanges that have built the leadership and professional capacities of more than 8,000 Filipinos from across the nation.  Upon their return, many U.S. exchange alumni collaborate with their fellow alumni and with the U.S. Embassy to strengthen the bilateral relations between the United States and the Philippines.  Their immediate response to the Marawi crisis and their engagement in the U.S. Embassy's #ForMindanao campaign  exemplifies the commitment of U.S. exchange alumni to work together to advance the prosperity of all Filipinos.

Within hours of the outbreak of fighting in Marawi, U.S. exchange alumni were on the frontlines of the humanitarian response. Individual exchange alumni and U.S. exchange alumni chapters throughout the country contributed nearly PhP 2.2 million in food, hygiene kits and clothing that assisted more than 20,000 people impacted by the crisis. U.S. exchange alumni from universities around the country launched the #MealsforMarawi campaign, raising Php85,000 to conduct Ramadan iftars that fed more than 3,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), while the U.S. alumni chapter in Davao, in partnership with the Rotary Club, delivered food, clothing, and basic medicine to nursing mothers in IDP camps.

U.S. exchange alumni complemented their humanitarian efforts with psycho-social activities to support more than 7,500 IDPs affected by the crisis.  The Lanao del Sur Provincial Government awarded the U.S. alumni chapter in Marawi City for the success of their #MaraWe art therapy program that helped 817 IDP children in the city.

The U.S. Embassy's #ForMindanao campaign builds upon these earlier programs by providing U.S. exchange alumni with ongoing opportunities to contribute to the recovery to the Marawi Crisis and the overall development of Mindanao.  In November 2017, the U.S. Embassy awarded more than Php9.7 million to support 17 community-based projects led by U.S. exchange alumni, including agro-enterprise development; a roving toy library for IDP children; and Project YACAP (Youth Amplifying, Co-creating, and Advocating Peace), a youth-led peace advocacy initiative. 

"Project YACAP was inspired by our experiences as volunteers in the evacuation centers and by our friends who have been affected by the siege.  The project will bring youth into the conversation on peace and security in Mindanao," according to project leader Lynrose Genon, an alumna of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program, a month-long high school student exchange in the United States.

In the next phase of the #ForMindanao campaign, public school and madrasa teachers, as well as women's cooperative leaders who have participated in U.S.-government training programs, can apply for fifteen Php100,000 #ForMindanao grants to help their schools and communities respond to local needs.  Additionally, the U.S. Embassy will support four alumni-led projects of Php1 million each, addressing the root causes of conflict and violent extremism.  The grant competition is administered by Naawan HELPS, a U.S. exchange alumni-led civil society organization based in northern Mindanao.

These alumni-led projects are just one part of the U.S. government's response to the Marawi crisis.  To date, the U.S. government has announced over Php1 billion for recovery and rehabilitation of Marawi and surrounding areas through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  The U.S. government also funds extensive counter-terrorism, law enforcement, development, health, and countering violent extremism programs across Mindanao.

For more information about the #ForMindanao campaign, visit formindanao.com or www.facebook.com/formindanao.

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

HOUSE PANEL ON WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY RESUMES WORK UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP OF REP. HERRERA-DY

The House Committee on Women and Gender Equality began deliberations this week, under the leadership of its new chairperson, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, on House Bill 6595 or the proposed Civil Partnership Act, which seeks to formally recognize and grant to couples of any gender conjugal partnership, property, and family relations rights.

"This bill addresses the clamor of the LGBT community for the equal protection of our laws. This is a gender-inclusive law Congress is working on that enables parties in civil partnerships to inherit from each other, name each other as insurance and social security beneficiaries, and allows them to adopt children," Rep. Herrera-Dy said.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu, Deputy Speaker Frederick Abueg, Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia, Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin, Deputy Speaker Eric Singson, Rep. Geraldine Roman, Rep. Len Alonte-Naguiat, Rep. Victoria Isabel Noel, and Rep. Sandra Eriguel jointly filed HB 6595 last October 2017. 

Herrera-Dy said the bill enjoys a good base of support in the House. She also thanked the House leadership for recognizing her efforts in advancing human rights, as has been evident in the progress of the SOGIE bill, HB 4982, which was already sent to the Senate.

"I am hoping the senators will prioritize their SOGIE version, SB 1271, so that the LGBT community will gain from its anti-discrimination protections at the soonest possible time," Bagong Henerasyon Party-list congresswoman said.

There are at least 80 bills pending with the House committee on women and gender equality, including measures on maternity leaves, violence against women, sexual harassment, and HB 5156 which seeks to amend the Family Code of the Philippines. (END)

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Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians 3:4-8

What do you think it means to serve the Lord? We know this is something commanded in the Bible, but at times we're just not sure what to do. Often, we don't think we are adequate for the task. Or perhaps we're so busy with all our other duties and responsibilities that finding the time or energy to serve God seems impossible.

Instead of looking at ministry through the lens of obstacles blocking our path, let's see what God says about it. True service is not something we do for the Lord, but something He does through us. This pattern was set for us by Jesus Christ Himself, who said, "The Father abiding in Me does His works" (John 14:10). The apostles' lives also show this is what God had in mind. When Jesus gave them the command to be His witnesses, He said to wait until they were "clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49)

By regarding service as God's work through us, we can have confidence—not in ourselves and our abilities, but in God, who makes us adequate for whatever He gives us to do. This perspective also keeps us from taking any credit for what we accomplish. Without the Lord's directive and the Spirit's empowerment, our service is worthless in God's eyes, no matter how productive it looks from a human standpoint.

What makes an effective servant of Christ is not natural abilities, creativity, or human initiative, but total dependence on Him for both direction and adequacy. God uses those who are weak, humble, submissive, and obedient so that He alone gets the glory.

 Leviticus 8-10

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HONORABLE ROGER "OGING" MERCADO
Southern Leyte, Lone District
Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Deputy Majority Leader
Twitter: @OgingMercado

REP. MERCADO, ISINUSULONG ANG DALAWANG BILL UKOL SA AGHAM

"Matapos nating mamangha sa ganda super blue blood moon Miyerkules ng gabi nawa'y mag-alab ang interes ng publiko sa siyensiya para magamit ito sa ikauunlad ng bansa."

Yan ang pahayag ni Rep. Roger Mercado ng distrito ng Southern Leyte Huwebes ng umaga. 

"Nagkataong nakasalang ngayon sa House Committee on Basic Education and Culture ang House Bill 2516 na naglalayong itatag sa Maasin ang Southern Leyte Science High School kung saan payayabungin ang interes ng mga kabataan ng lalawigan sa agham at teknolohiya," aniya.

Bukod sa HB 2516, sinusuportahan din ni Mercado ang HB 4275 na layuning itayo ang Philippine Space Agency. Sina Rep. John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto and Rep. Edward Maceda ng Lungsod ng Maynila ang may-akda ng HB 4275.

"180 kilometers ang layo mula sa Maasin ng pinakamalapit na science high school na nasa Tacloban pa. Kapag may sariling science high school na ang Southern Leyte, mas magkakaroon ng pagkakataon ang aming mga kabataan na malinang ang kanilang kakayahan sa agham at teknolohiya," dagdag ni Mercado.

Ayon pa sa mambabatas, mahalaga para sa mga mangingisda ang astronomy dahil nakakatulong ito para dumami ang kanilang huling isda at makapaglayag sa dagat gamit lamang ang posisyon ng mga butuin.

"Mas mauunawaan din ng mga Pilipino kung paano gawi ng Mayon Volcano tuwing nagbubuga ito ng abo. Geology, Volcanology, Seismology, Physics, Chemistry, at Biochemistry ang mga larangan ng agham na magmumulat sa publiko ukol sa kalikasan ng Mayon at iba pang mga bulkan," ani Mercado. 

Kapag mayroon nang Philippine Space Agency, "madaragdagan pa ang ating mga man-made satellites para sa natural resource mapping, exploration ng Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) at West Philippine Sea, at mapapahusay ang monitoring ng ating mga kagubatan, integrated protected areas, at remote islands. (WAKAS)

REFERENCES: https://goo.gl/4TAQ4E  https://goo.gl/Rgg8Q7 https://goo.gl/UNrzAz

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Telephonic Press Briefing Ahead of World Cancer Day with Dr. Edward Trimble, Director, Center for Global Health National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health

Manila, February 1, 2018 — Please join us on Thursday, February 1, 2018 for a telephonic press briefing with Director of the Center for Global Health at the U.S. National Cancer Institute Dr. Edward Trimble ahead of World Cancer Day (WCD) February 4.

WCD is a global initiative to increase awareness about the constantly evolving tools to confront the global scourge of cancer. Established in 2000 by the Union for International Cancer Control, World Cancer Day aims to mobilize individuals, organizations, and governments to take action.

Dr. Trimble was appointed the first director of NCI's new Center for Global Health (CGH) in September, 2011. The NCI CGH is responsible for coordinating NCI's research relevant to global health and global cancer research, developing a strategic plan for research and implementation relevant to global cancer control, and strengthening collaboration with external stakeholders.

Dr. Trimble also contributed to this report on the state of national cancer control plans in Asia.  According to the report, half of the global incident rates for cancer are in Asia.

DETAILS:

Speaker: Dr. Edward Trimble, Director, Center for Global Health National Cancer Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health

Date:                          Thursday, February 1
Time:                         20:30 Manila | 07:30 EST
Language:                English
Ground rules:          On the record
Dial-in Info:               To be provided once you RSVP

RSVP: RSVP to AsiaPacMedia@state.gov   and Mary Beth Polley (PolleyME@state.gov ).  Please include your name and    outlet and indicate if you will dial in or request that we dial out to you (provide the phone number to be used).

LOGISTICS:

• Journalists that RSVP will be notified of any changes to the schedule.

• Callers should dial-in to the conference call 10 minutes early. 

• When an individual journalist dials-in, the operator will collect the caller's name, press affiliation, and location. 

•   The moderator will facilitate the Q and A among the connected callers and Dr. Trimble. Journalists on the conference call will be instructed to press the "*" and "1" buttons on their phones in order to enter the question queue.  NOTE:  You can press "*1" at any time during the call to join the question queue, even before the moderator begins the Q and A portion.  We ask that journalists limit themselves to one question.   Journalists can also submit questions in English to PolleyME@state.gov prior to or during the call.  

BIO:

Edward L. Trimble was appointed the first director of NCI's new Center for Global Health (CGH) in September, 2011. The NCI CGH is responsible for coordinating NCI's research relevant to global health and global cancer research, developing a strategic plan for research and implementation relevant to global cancer control, and strengthening collaboration with external stakeholders.

Before his appointment to the NCI CGH, Dr. Trimble was Head of Gynecologic Cancer Therapeutics in NCI's Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis from 1991 to 2011. In that role, he spearheaded the development of national and international cancer research strategy for the treatment of cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. He led the planning committees for NIH Consensus Conferences on ovarian and cervical cancers. In addition, he drafted and coordinated NCI Clinical Announcements regarding chemoradiation for cervical cancer in 1999 and intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer in 2008. He graduated from Harvard College and the Johns Hopkins University of School of Medicine, then trained in obstetrics/gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medicine Center, public health at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and gynecologic oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

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Pangangan Island in Calape, Bohol, Philippines

Art of War Part 1 - Audio MP3 Listen on a Livestream

Bulakenyos honor Ka Blas on 91st birthday
By Manny Balbin January 31, 2018, 6:57 pm

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Bulakenyos will commemorate on Saturday the 91st birth anniversary of former senator and Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Blas Ople, known here as "Ka Blas" and considered as one of the most outstanding sons of the province.

Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando will lead the celebration with the theme, "Gat Blas F. Ople: Dakilang Lingkod Bayan, Inspirasyon ng Mamamayan," in front of the provincial capitol in this city.

Alvarado said the provincial government of Bulacan through the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO) had prepared a short program to recall Ka Blas' selfless, dedicated and sincere service to the country.

The governor encouraged all Bulakenyos to participate in the event which was declared special non-working holiday in the province by the virtue of Proclamation No. 399.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar will serve as special guest in the celebration of the birth anniversary of Ka Blas, who is regarded as an illustrious son of Bulacan.

Expected to grace the event are Ople's children headed by board member Felix V. Ople of the First District of Bulacan, other members of the family, local officials, provincial government employees, teachers, senior citizens and students.

Bulakenyos consider Ople as their inspiration because of his outstanding leadership and public service not just in Bulacan but also in the whole country.

He authored the Labor Code of the Philippines and launched an Overseas Employment Program that helped seven million Filipinos land jobs abroad. Because of this, he was recognized as the "Father of Overseas Employment".

Ople also created the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Philippine Labor Attache corps to carry out the overseas employment program.

Moreover, he established the National Manpower and Youth Council, which is now the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Ople was likewise a journalist and politician who held several high-ranking positions in the executive and legislative branches of the Philippine government including Senate President from 1999 to 2000, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 2002 until his death on Dec. 14, 2003.

He was born on February 3, 1927 in Hagonoy, Bulacan to Felix Antonio Ople and Segundina Fajardo. (PNA)

THE HONORABLE HENRY C. ONG
2nd District of Leyte
Vice Chair, Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries

BUSINESSMAN-SOLON URGES FILIPINO FAMILIES TO CONSIDER PICKUP TRUCKS AS THEIR MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE

Purchasing a motor vehicle for family use or for small business has become a necessity for many Filipinos. Car ownership also happens to be one of the aspirations of many Filipino families as noted by AMBISYON NATION 2040, the long-term Philippine Development Plan of the Duterte administration.

Car sales were especially high in 2017. There was a double-digit percent increase in car importation and sales compared to 2016.

According to the Association of Vehicle Importers, their 2017 sales was at 106,268 units in 2017, which is an increase of 14 percent compared to 3,192 units sold in 2016.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) has said its sales last year totaled 425,673 units, which is 18.4 percent higher than its 2016 sales.

Recognizing this and to help Filipino families and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, I share with the general public, particularly those who are thinking of purchasing a car very soon, to study the BIR's recently-issued Revenue Regulations on the new excise tax rates for automobiles  (https://goo.gl/DMVkWX )

The new BIR regulations implement the TRAIN Law provisions on motor vehicles' excise taxes. The new rules also have a schedule of ad valorem taxes on automobiles.

As a family man, businessman, and as Member of the House Committee on Transportation, I advise families now thinking of purchasing new motor vehicles, to take advantage of the TRAIN Law exemption for electric vehicles and pickup trucks and the 50 percent on applicable excise tax rates for hybrid vehicles.

Congress deliberately lowered the excise tax rates to zero on electric vehicles and pickup trucks and lowered to 50% the excise tax rates on hybrid vehicles to help Filipino families with small businesses and to encourage citizens to care for the environment. Pickup trucks are especially versatile because they can double as family vehicles and utility units.

REFERENCE: http://www.philstar.com/business/2018/01/26/1781334/auto-sales-race-past-2017-target

January 31, 2018
Refer to: Honey Rose Mercado
(+63 917 840 1277)
Statement of Atty. Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of former Senator Bongbong Marcos

Mrs. Leni Robredo is still at a loss on how to counter the damning evidence presented by former Sen. Bongbong Marcos that she has now, thru counsel, accused the former Senator of tampering the evidence.

Her accusation though is tantamount to dishonoring the PET because it is the source of the soft copies of all the ballot images we presented. I call on Mrs. Robredo not to disrespect the Tribunal with a desperate claim.

Instead of viciously attacking the Tribunal, it would be best for Robredo and her counsel to instead provide a credible and direct answer on our expose showing clearly how the election system was manipulated and robbed the Filipino people of their true will and mandate.

OFFICE OF FERDINAND "BONGBONG" R. MARCOS, JR.
G/F Sunset View Towers
2230 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
Philippines
Telephone:  +63 (02) 821-4591
Facsimile:  (+63.2) 821-4589

info@bongbongmarcos.com
http://www.bongbongmarcos.com

CONFIDENTIALITY & PRIVILEGE:
This email message and its attachments are intended solely for the review of the intended recipient(s).   Since it may contain confidential and privileged information, the unauthorized review, use, disclosure and/or distribution of the same is strictly prohibited.  If you are not the intended recipient of this email, please contact the sender and/or the office of Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. immediately.

January 30, 2018
71st PAL Interclub fires off in Bacolod on March 1
BACOLOD – Marapara and Binitin, old layouts here that vary very much in character but offer the same stern tests of golf, will host the 71st edition of the PAL Senior's and Men's Regular Interclub championships starting March 1.

Now known as the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club and the Bacolod Golf and Country Club, respectively, these two courses will take centerstage as Luisita and Manila Southwoods shoot to extend their respective reigns in the Senior's and Men's divisions of the country's unofficial team golf championship.

And unlike in the past, the Men's championship will see a Sunday ending this year as tournament organizers have decided to give the field three official practice rounds leading to the opening skirmishes on March 8.

Jaime J. Bautista, the indefatigable president of the country's flag carrier, is expected to hit the ceremonial drive and signal the start of Senior play on Feb. 26, Monday, at Marapara.

Canlubang is again listed as the chief threat to Luisita even if the multi-titled Tommy Manotoc is again expected to miss play owing to some family commitments in the United States.
The Senior field will also have three days to sample both courses, though early reports have it that the Luisitans have already come over to test both layouts and not leave anything to chance.

Southwoods will come into the event as the heavy favorite, more so because Japanese teenager Yuto Katsuragawa has confirmed that he will return to play for the Carmona-based squad.

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE ROGER "OGING" MERCADO
Southern Leyte, Lone District
Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Deputy Majority Leader
Mobile: 0917-865-2286 Twitter: @OgingMercado

Super Moon, Blue Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse all happening tonight: January 31, 2018

REP. ROGER MERCADO PUSHES FOR SCIENCE BILLS

Allow me to seize the opportunity presented by the January 31 "Super Blue Blood Moon" phenomenon, lunar eclipse, and the ongoing eruption of Mayon Volcano to advance Congress' advocacy for science education.

I happen to have a bill, House Bill 2516, which seeks the establishment of a science high school in Maasin, Southern Leyte. I am also keen in co-authoring HB 4275 for the creation of a Philippine Space Agency. HB 4275 was filed by Manila's Rep. John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto and Rep. Edward Maceda.

Unknown to millions of Filipinos who were born and raised in urban areas, fishermen take advantage of scientific phenomena caused by moonlight and the effects of the moon's movements.

Photo credit: NASA https://goo.gl/kdXJGD

I am of the belief that fisher folk communities should also be taught about astronomy and how it can help them catch more fish and navigate the seas.

Now that Mayon Volcano is erupting, we are reminded that Filipinos ought to learn more about geology, volcanology, seismology, physics, chemistry, and biochemistry—the sciences involved in knowing how volcanoes behave.

From Maasin, the nearest science high school is a far 180 kilometers away in Tacloban City. I seek a better life for my constituents and science education is one way to bring Southern Leyte households out of poverty and help the province apply the sciences in the fishing, ecotourism, and farming livelihoods.

The Southern Leyte Science High School would have profound positive impact on my constituents and their future generations.

For the whole country, a Philippine Space Agency would help us have more man-made satellites useful for natural resource mapping, exploration of the Benham Rise and the South China Sea, and monitoring of our forests, integrated protected areas, and remote islands. (END)

REFERENCES: https://goo.gl/4TAQ4E  https://goo.gl/Rgg8Q7 https://goo.gl/UNrzAz

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Cusi Holds Energy Coordination Meeting on Mayon Volcano Eruption in Albay
 
(Legazpi City). Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi held a coordination meeting on 29 January (Monday) in the Province of Albay with the members of the energy family (Generation, Transmission and Distribution Sectors), officials of the local government units of Albay headed by Governor Al Francis Bichara, Representatives Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe from AKO Bicol Party List.

In his opening remarks, Cusi emphasized the significance of implementing the recently issued energy resiliency policy in which energy stakeholders are tasked to submit their compliance plan reflecting the energy resiliency measures they opt to undertake.

"Your experience in resiliency must be seen in this current situation with Mayon (Volcano)," Cusi said.

The generation sector was represented by AP Renewables, Inc., Philippine Geothermal Production Company Inc. and Energy Development Corp., which owns and operates Tiwi and BacMan geothermal plants in the Province of Albay, respectively. The companies reported that the output of the two geothermal plants remain the same and that they are already implementing their resiliency plans that include the protection of their employees.

The transmission sector, represented by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP), reported that the facilities are under normal operations. The NGCP is particularly looking into the protection of NH transmission facilities that connects the Luzon and the Visayas. It also conducted preventive maintenance procedures that included the cleaning up of the lines which in a manner that did not result in any power interruption.

For the distribution sector, the National Electrification Administration and Albay Electric Cooperative Inc., with its concessionaire, Albay Power and Energy Corporation, stated that the distribution services are generally under normal conditions with the exception of a few barangays in the danger zone. They also stated that they are closely coordinating with the NGCP in the distribution operations.

Additionally, due to ash fall, Rep. Christopher Co raised the need to address the distribution poles that obstruct the road expansion and rehabilitation projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Sec. Cusi stated that there is a joint issuance signed by the DOE and DPWH. It already addressed the funding issue where the infrastructure project covers the transfer of the distribution poles. It prevents another "pass on" item to consumers.

During the open forum, Gov. Al Francis Bichara thanked the Secretary for coming and meeting the energy stakeholders in Albay.

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U.S.-Philippine Cooperation Leads to Drug Seizure and Arrests

Manila, January 30, 2018 — The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines commends the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on the seizure of approximately six kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and the arrest of two Philippine citizens suspected to be involved in the importation of the methamphetamine. 

On January 24 U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) provided PDEA and the Bureau of Customs information two parcels containing crystal methamphetamine destined for the Philippines.  With the shipping and locator information, PDEA intercepted the parcels and seized approximately six kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with an estimated value of Php34 million. 

On January 25, 2018, PDEA conducted a controlled delivery in Cavite and arrested two Philippine citizens for violating Philippine Republic Act 9165, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

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NEWS RELEASE

BBM CAMP BARES SHOCKING EVIDENCE OF ELECTION FRAUD

DURING THE MAY 2016 ELECTIONS

The camp of former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. today bared "solid and incontrovertible" evidence of massive fraud that transpired during the May 2016 national and local elections.

In a press conference held at Max's Restaurant in Manila, Marcos' camp furnished members of the media who were present with photocopies of several "shocking" and "highly questionable" ballot images from Camarines Sur and Negros Oriental, which formed part of the pilot provinces in his election protest currently pending before the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Election Tribunal (PET).

"They keep on delaying giving us the copies. It has been three months since the ballot images were printed and it was only recently that the (Presidential Electoral Tribunal) PET allowed us to get the soft copies. Now we know why. This is shocking and highly questionable. This is precisely the reason why because they knew we would uncover how they had manipulated the voting and trampled upon the true will of the people on their choice for vice president," Marcos said.

He stated that they have discovered numerous evidence of poll fraud on the printed ballot images after they secured some of the soft copies of the ballot images from the PET from some of the clustered precincts in several towns in their two pilot areas, namely Camarines Sur and Negros Oriental.

Comelec has yet to start the decryption of the SD cards from Iloilo.

Marcos questioned the presence of square shapes in the ballot images instead of the oval shapes which voters shaded for their choice of candidates. "When we voted, we had the oval shapes. How come in the ballot images, the ovals are gone and instead we have the squares. What does this mean?," Marcos said.

He added, "(w)e could see based on the election results summary that the squares indicated the candidates that were voted upon. But this is a new feature that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Smartmatic added in the system and I had been told they did not inform the candidates of the presence of this feature in the images."

He also pointed out that in the previous elections, the ballot images would contain the oval shapes because the images were supposed to be just mirror images of the actual ballots. "How come in the 2016 elections, there are squares? The ovals are now missing. Comelec should explain this," Marcos said.

He also showed copies of ballot images from Camarines Sur and Negros Oriental that showed that votes for him were not counted and considered undervotes.[1]

He also said that in some of the ballot images, even though two or more candidates were shaded in the vice presidential race, the votes still went for his opponent, former Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo instead of being considered "overvotes".[2]

"Marami kaming nadiskubre na kapag ako ang ibinoto, hindi binilang at ginagawa lamang na undervotes. Kaya pala mataas ang undervotes sa vice presidency which is more than 3 million. Pero kapag iyong kalaban ko, kahit dapat hindi bilangin sa kanya, sa kanya pa din ang boto," he pointed out.

Atty. Vic Rodriguez, spokesperson of Marcos, stated that after their technical & legal team discovered the "shocking & disturbing" discrepancies in the hundreds upon hundreds of decrypted ballot images in Camarines Sur and Negros Oriental, which they were able to review in the last 7 days, they could not help but wonder if the current automated election system is as "squeaky clean" as Comelec / Smartmatic claims it to be.

Rodriguez added they have opted to secure the soft copies of the ballot images since it was the less expensive option than paying once again for the photocopies of the images.

Last week Marcos slammed the resolution of the PET to withhold the original copies of the decrypted ballot images and other documents from Marcos after requiring him to pay for the costs of the decryption and the printing of the ballot images.

In a Resolution dated 10 January 2018, which was received by Marcos' lawyers on 17 January 2018, the Tribunal said it would keep the original copies of the ballot images despite previously requiring Marcos to pay for the copies and all costs for the decryption. In the same resolution, the PET said although Marcos was allowed to get the "photocopies or soft copies of the decrypted ballot images", he should pay once more for the "incidental costs" for securing the same.

Marcos pointed out that the recent resolution is a confirmation of the bias by the case's ponente, Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa, in his handling of Marcos' election protest.

He said with the newly-discovered evidence, it has now become clear why the Caguioa had tried to deprive Marcos of the documents after they had required him to pay and why he gave his opponent, former Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, advance copies of the documents for free.

"We will show more proof as we go through the rest of the printed ballot images. They bastardized our democracy and the sense of honesty and integrity of the Filipino people. Their depravity is unprecedented," Marcos said.

Marcos said, "From day one, my position has always been clear.  I always said that this election protest is not about me.  It is about the integrity of our election system.  And although I knew deep down inside that there was something fishy about the "correct" counting of votes, I must admit that I wasn't prepared for what my technical & legal team reported to me after just 1 week of reviewing the decrypted ballot images. #####

[1] (Ballot No. 17360036-516) Salvacion, Tigaon, Camarines Sur; (Ballot No. 46170002-287) Poblacion, San Jose, Negros Oriental; (Ballot No. 46170009-380) Jilocon, San Jose, Negros Oriental.

[2] (Ballot No. 17360036-334) Salvacion, Tigaon, Camarines Sur; (Ballot No. 17160060-130) San Nicolas, Iriga City, Camarines Sur; (Ballot No. 46120001-218),  North Poblacion, Jimalalud, Negros Oriental

OFFICE OF FERDINAND "BONGBONG" R. MARCOS, JR.
G/F Sunset View Towers
2230 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City
Philippines
Telephone:  +63 (02) 821-4591
Facsimile:  (+63.2) 821-4589

info@bongbongmarcos.com
http://www.bongbongmarcos.com

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TWO SOLONS ENDORSE POPOY DE VERA FOR CHED CHAIRMAN

Two Congressmen have endorsed CHED Commissioner Prospero "Popoy" de Vera for appointment for a full-term as CHED Chairman. Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte designated De Vera as officer-in-charge of the higher education agency after Dr. Patricia Licuanan resigned as chairperson.

"With just about six months left in the unexpired term of Dr. Patricia Licuanan, appointing a new CHED chairman at this time would have been impractical," said Iligan City Representative  Frederick W. Siao, who added that de Vera is "a team player, and would be the right individual to steer the CHED through the transition and beyond."

As CHED Commissioner, de Vera has a term until September 2020.

"To fill the vacancy that would be created when De Vera becomes CHED Chairman, I am endorsing, from the Iligan Institute of Technology of the Mindanao State University, Dr. Mark Anthony Torres, who is a biologist, specializing in evolutionary biology and genetics," Siao said.

(Photo: Dr. Mark Anthony Torres, pride of Iligan City https://goo.gl/1fSEVN

The Iligan City solon noted that Dr. Torres "is also a peace advocate and does research on the peace negotiations, the MILF, the MNLF and indigenous peoples of Mindanao" and the youngest to receive the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher award.

KABAYAN Party-List Rep. Ron Salo said Dr. De Vera "is the right man to lead the CHED at this time."

For the vacancy that would be created if Dr. De Vera is promoted to chairman, Salo endorsed Br. Ellakim P. Sosmeña, SC, who is President of the Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao Del Sur and is Auditor of the Davao Association of Catholic Schools.

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Telephonic Press Briefing with James A. Walsh,

Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

Manila, January 29, 2018 — Please join us on Tuesday, January 30 2018 for a telephonic press briefing with James A. Walsh, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).  The briefing will be on drug trends in the Asia-Pacific and the nexus with the U.S. opioid crisis as well as U.S. engagement with countries across the region to combat drugs. 

INL currently manages programs in 10 countries across Asia with a portfolio of $248 million to fight drugs and international crime as well as support law enforcement and rule of law in the Asia-Pacific region.  Country-specific information on INL issues can be found here.

DETAILS:
Speaker:  James A. Walsh, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

Date:                             Tuesday, January 30 2018
Time:                            20:00 Manila | 07:00 EST
Language:                   English
Ground rules:             On the record
Dial-in Info:                To be provided once you RSVP

RSVP: RSVP to Mary Beth Polley (PolleyME@state.gov) and Cassidy Walsh (WalshKC@state.gov) by noon January 29.  Please include your name and outlet and indicate if you will dial in or request that we dial out to you (provide the phone number to be used).

LOGISTICS:

• Journalists that RSVP will be notified of any changes to the schedule.

• Callers should dial-in to the conference call 10 minutes early. 

• When an individual journalist dials-in, the operator will collect the caller's name, press affiliation, and location.

• The moderator will facilitate the Q and A among the connected callers and Deputy Assistant Secretary Walsh. Journalists on the conference call will be instructed to press the "*" and "1" buttons on their phones in order to enter the question queue.  NOTE:  You can press "*1" at any time during the call to join the question queue, even before the moderator begins the Q and A portion.  We ask that journalists limit themselves to one question.   Journalists can also submit questions in English to PolleyME@state.gov prior to or during the call.

BIO:
James A. Walsh has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) since January 2015. In his capacity as Senior Bureau Official since December 2017, he is responsible for State Department programs and policies combating drugs and organized crime around the world, as well as support for law enforcement and rule of law. INL currently manages a portfolio of more than $4 billion in more than 90 countries.  From 2015 to 2017, he directed State Department law enforcement and rule of law assistance activities in Europe and Asia (excluding Pakistan and Afghanistan) and oversaw the Department's Air Wing and INL's resources.

He previously served as the Executive Director/Controller for the bureau where he led several efforts to strengthen criminal justice assistance programs including the development of an inter-agency Criminal Justice Sector Rating Tool. Prior to joining the Department, Mr. Walsh worked in the private sector for five years supporting Fortune 500 companies. He also served nearly eight years in the U.S. Army where he had several overseas deployments leading aviation units.  James Walsh was born and raised in Northern Indiana. He is a career member of the Senior Executive Service, has a bachelor's degree from West Point, and a master's degree in business administration from Bowie State University. Mr. Walsh received the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award in 2017.

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

Member, Appropriations, Economic Affairs, and 8 other committees                                                                   

Co-Author of NDRRM bill asks:

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO $500M WB DISASTER LOAN?

More than two years have passed since the Aquino administration and World Bank disclosed in 2015 that the WB opened a $500 million loan or credit line to the Philippines for disaster risk management.

The Philippines has been hit by several devastating floods, earthquakes, a drought or dry spell in Mindanao, and now there is the eruption of Mayon Volcano during which the provincial government of Albay has called for help of the national government because their calamity funds have been depleted.

What is the status of this World Bank $500 million loan? When will the Filipino people gain from this credit line and how will the government pay for it?

I am co-author of HB 1648, which seeks to create a NDRRM Authority and is one of ten bills pending in the House.

Only last November 17, NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia asked Congress "to conclude the review of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management or DRRM Act of 2010 to make our institutions more effective in ensuring that communities in the country are more resilient to natural and man-made shocks." https://goo.gl/9n3XKz

I again ask Secretaries Pernia and Diokno to convince President Duterte to certify the DRRM bills as urgent, so that both chambers of Congress will expedite those bills and get them passed before the end of the current second regular session in May 2018.

I also ask them to include more funding in the 2019 budget for disaster risk reduction and management, particularly for 4th, 5th, and 6th class municipalities—the most vulnerable and weakest in terms of DRRM.

A DRRM capacity building program for these high risks LGUs and developed by both the DBM and NDRRMC would be the appropriate solution and prevention.

For my part, I, as the Representative of the Lone Congressional District of Iligan City, my concern is that the DRRM programs of Iligan dovetail with those of nearby Cagayan de Oro City and Marawi City because disasters that strike any one of the cities affect the others.

It is for this reason that I will reach out to my colleagues and neighbors in CDO and Marawi to work out a framework and a bill for a metropolitan or inter-city approach to DRRM.

I will also support and convince other congressman to support the additional DRRM funding for the poorest municipalities which the DBM will propose and to get the DRRM Law amendments passed. (END)

REFERENCES:

http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/245751505975856571/Philippines-Second-Disaster-Risk-Management-Development-Policy-Loan-with-a-CAT-DDO-P155656-Implementation-Status-Results-Report-Sequence-04

http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/245751505975856571/pdf/ISR-Disclosable-P155656-09-21-2017-1505975848638.pdf

http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2015/12/22/philippines-new-initiative-to-boost-resilience-against-natural-disasters

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-worldbank/philippines-gets-500-million-world-bank-credit-line-to-reduce-disaster-risk-idUSKBN0U60CX20151223

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29 January 2018
MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT          :        Department of Energy (DOE) – Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing

WHEN          :       30 January 2018 (TUESDAY) 2:00 PM - onwards

WHERE       :      Public Affairs Office, PNOC Bldg. 5, Energy Center, Taguig City                        

WHO          :        Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, DOE

                            President Susan Locsin, GSP

The DOE and the GSP will formalize an educational partnership by signing an MOU that will train Girl Scouts on E-Safety Mo energy conservation as part of its E-Power Mo EnerKids Program.

Under the partnership, the DOE will conduct lectures on basic electricity concepts and energy consumption of various appliances to batches of Girl Scouts nationwide. DOE's E-Power Mo Lecturers will also conduct hands-on experiments for Girl Scouts in the provinces.

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Batuan, Bohol Municipal Hall Building #LGU

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MIKEE ROMERO EARNS MVP AWARD AT ALL ASIA CUP 2018
[PHL team takes Runner-up, Thais take title]

National polo team captain Michael "Mikee" L. Romero earned All Asia Cup 2018 MVP honors Saturday evening in Bangkok while the Philippine national team gave a runner-up finish in their first finals appearance of Asia's coveted polo tournament.

The Thais, led by the brothers Top and Tal Srivadhanprabha, won the title, 8 1/2 to 6, against Romero, Anthony Garcia, Adrian Garcia, and Ricardo Garcia.

The Filipinos booked their first finals berth last Wednesday, January 23, after defeating Brunei in the semifinals, 11 to 7. In the Group B eliminations, the Filipinos overcame Indonesia, 12 to 9, and China, 9 to 5.

The Thais swept aside Brunei, 5 to 2, and Mongolia, 7 to 4, in Group A before beating Indonesia, 9 to 3, in the semifinals.

Organizers and competing teams joined in the tribute honoring Mikee Romero's son, Miguel, who passed away recently at the age of 22. He was a member of the Philippine polo team.

Romero held up his son's jersey in an emotional trot before the awarding ceremonies of the finals at the VS Sports Club. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE ROGER "OGING" MERCADO
Southern Leyte, Lone District
Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Deputy Majority Leader

REP. ROGER MERCADO ASKS SENATE TO PRIORITIZE SOUTHERN LEYTE TOURISM ZONE BILL

The House of Representatives has declared the entire province of Southern Leyte a tourism zone through House Bill 6932. The bill passed third and final reading at the chamber on January 22, 2018 and goes to the Senate for further legislative action.

"Southern Leyte is blessed with many tourism destinations because of its awesomely beautiful caves, falls, forests, beaches, islands, adventure parks, and churches. The province is heaven on earth for adventurers, explorers, fun seekers, contemplatives, swimmers, and divers," Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado said.

Mercado, who had served as Southern Leyte governor, said the tourism zone status conferred by HB 6932 is needed because that would authorize the Department of Tourism and the TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority) to get involved in upgrading the provinces facilities and capacity to attend to tourists.
 
(Tangkaan Beach in Padre Burgos in Southern Leyte; photos are from https://goo.gl/hzqXTb and https://goo.gl/6VASmh )

Mercado said these are just some of the many tourism spots all over Southern Leyte:
 
Ginsuhotan Cave in Maasin
Demoloc Caves in Malitbog

Cambaro Caves
Sagbok River
Mahayhay Falls
Luman Falls in Sogod
Banahaw Cold Spring
Danao Forest Park in Maasin
Napantao Marine Sanctuary
Magsuhot Park in Sogod
Zipline and Aerial Adventure Parks
Limasawa Island
Santo Nino Church in Malitbog
Monte Cueva Shrine in Maasin

Maasin Cathedral
Tahusan Beach
Silago Beach
Agas-Agas Beach
Cagnituan Beach
Bituon Beach on Limasawa Island
San Pablo Island in Hinunangan
San Pedro Island
Panoan Island
Maamo Beach
Santa Sofia Beach in Padre Burgos
Tangkaan Beach in Padre Burgos
Puting Buhangin Island in Padre Burgos

It is my hope the Senate will act favorably on HB 6932 for the over 422 thousand residents of Southern Leyte. (END) https://goo.gl/RKi2mh

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

PARTY-LIST SOLON SEEKS URGENT ACTION ON FOREST LIMITS BILLS

Amid current public debate on charter change, one neglected issue is that 31 years after the 1987 Constitution took effect, Congress has not yet complied with the charter mandate to "as soon as possible, determine by law the specific limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground."

Section 4 of Article XII of the 1987 Constitution further provides: "Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and may not be increased nor diminished, except by law."

I am hoping President Duterte will certify the forest limits bills of the House and Senate as urgent so they can have a ratified bill approved by May 2018 and ready for his signature by then.

There are four bills on forest limits pending in the House now and one of them is House Bill 5945, which I authored and filed. In the Senate, there are three pending bills on forest limits.

Congress must fulfill this specific mandate now to arrest the deterioration of our country's forest cover (http://forestry.denr.gov.ph/index.php/statistics/forest-cover ).

The delineation of our forests is among the legislative priorities identified in the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022.

According to the 2016 Philippine Forestry Statistics of the DENR, the country has 15.8 million hectares of forestland, but this figure has not moved since 2006, so this figure may need to be looked into and updated.

The demarcation and delineation of forest lands will be tedious, time-consuming work, but it must be done to conserve, protect, and develop the forest resources of the country in order to attain ecological balance, preserve valuable ecosystems, prevent environmental degradation, and promote sustainable development for the present and future generations of Filipinos. (END)

BACKGROUND:

HB00143 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DELINEATION OF THE SPECIFIC FOREST LIMITS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Principal Author/s: ACOSTA-ALBA, MARIA LOURDES
Main Referral: NATURAL RESOURCES
Status: Pending with the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES since 2016-07-26

HB00678 AN ACT FIXING THE LIMITS OF FOREST LANDS WITHIN FIVE (5) KILOMETERS FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE ASPIRAS HIGHWAY (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MARCOS HIGHWAY) FROM AGOO, LA UNION TO BAGUIO CITY, REPEALING FOR THE PURPOSE PROCLAMATION NO. 1754

Principal Author/s: ERIGUEL, SANDRA Y., M.D.
Main Referral: NATURAL RESOURCES
Status: Approved by the Committee on Appropriations on 2017-02-06

HB03486 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DELINEATION OF THE SPECIFIC FOREST LIMITS OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Principal Author/s: ESCUDERO, EVELINA G.
Main Referral: NATURAL RESOURCES
Status: Pending with the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES since 2016-09-13

HB05945 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEMARCATION AND DELINEATION OF FOREST LAND LIMITS, APPROPRIATING THE NECESSARY FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Principal Author/s: BELARO, SALVADOR JR. B.

Main Referral: NATURAL RESOURCES
Status: Pending with the Committee on NATURAL RESOURCES since 2017-07-25
SBN-861: Forest Lands Limits Act of 2016
An Act Providing for the Delineation of the Specific Forest Limits of the Public Domain and for Other Purposes Filed on July 21, 2016 by Recto, Ralph G.

SBN-741: Final Forest Limits Act

An Act Providing for the Delineation of the Specific Forest Limits of the Public Domain and for Other Purposes Filed on July 21, 2016 by Escudero, Francis "Chiz" G.

SBN-35: Final Forest Limits Act

An Act Providing for the Delineation of the Specific Forest Limits of the Public Domain and for Other Purposes Filed on June 30, 2016 by Legarda, Loren B.

REFERENCE: http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/

Related Article: https://www.mairanutrition.com/weight-loss/health-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar/

Are You Being Made Perfect?

Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Heb 5:8-9

There is a positive aspect to suffering. We all endure suffering to some degree, but the good news is that through it we can become like Jesus. Are you willing to pay whatever price is necessary in order to become like Christ? There are some things that God can build into your life only through suffering. Even Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was complete only after He had endured the suffering His Father had set before Him. Once He had suffered, He was the complete, mature, and perfect Savior through whom an entire world could find salvation.

If you become bitter over your hardships, you close some parts of your life from God. If you do this, you will never be complete. Some places in your soul can be reached only by suffering. The Spirit of God has important things to teach you, but you can only learn these lessons in the midst of your trials. King Saul was made king without ever enduring hardship, but he never developed the character or maturity to handle God's assignment. David spent years in suffering and heartache. When he finally ascended the throne, he was a man after God's own heart.

Don't resent the suffering God allows in your life. Don't make all your decisions and invest everything you have into avoiding hardship. God did not spare His own Son.

MEDIA Release

Millions of Girl Scouts to Get Trained on Energy

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) will train some 2.2 million Girl Scouts in the country on E-Safety Mo energy conservation as part of its E-Power Mo EnerKids Program.

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) National President Susan Locsin will formalize the educational partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 30 January 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the agency's Public Affairs Office, PNOC Building 5, Energy Center, Taguig City.

Under the partnership, the DOE will conduct lectures on basic electricity concepts and energy consumption of various appliances to batches of Girl Scouts nationwide. DOE's E-Power Mo Lecturers will also conduct hands-on experiments for Girl Scouts in the provinces.

Cusi said the DOE hopes to engage the Girl Scouts especially in the elementary level to be active in its EnerKids Program, where students are taught to practice E-Safety Mo energy-saving measures at home as "Energy Cost-Busters."

The DOE-GSP MOU intends also to encourage Girl Scouts to pursue energy-related careers by stimulating their interests and passion despite the challenges in gender stereotyping.

Cusi has always envisioned the involvement of the youth in programs that put theories into action to build their confidence in facing the technological hurdles of the digitalized economy.

On 8 February 2017, GSP officials visited the Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services (ERTLS) that provides first-hand knowledge on the testing services being offered by the DOE and the facilities that are covered in the educational tour of students.

During the visit, the GSP officials expressed interest in the information and education campaigns of the DOE, including the E-Power Mo Career Talk, and sent some of their Senior Girl Scouts to join E-Power Mo events held in various public secondary schools.

The MOU provides for the DOE and GSP to organize and conduct educational and training programs geared towards encouraging young girls to take up courses on science, technology and energy; implement other activities that would promote energy conservation and formulate guidelines defining the specific activities, roles and responsibilities of the DOE and the GSP in the implementation of the E-Power Mo Programs.

Marine Conservation Camp for Mindanao Youth in Cebu

Cordova, Cebu, January 26, 2018 —From January 23 to 31, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Sea and Earth Advocates (SEA) Camp in Cebu will bring together 25 young marine conservationists from Mindanao to learn how to lead sustainable development initiatives in their home communities.  This week-long workshop on environmental conservation and youth leadership will also explore sustainable ecotourism and conflict resolution. 

"The U.S. Embassy is proud to continue to sponsor the YSEALI SEA Camp initiative.  Over the last four years, these ten YSEALI SEA Camps have been tremendously successful at motivating young leaders to transform their environmental passion into conservation action," said Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Ryan Bradeen.  "Through this special Mindanao SEA Camp, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines hopes to help these young leaders develop innovative ways to bring their communities together to address sustainable development challenges."

The YSEALI SEA Camp program, launched in 2014, offers young conservation leaders the environmental knowledge, the project management skills, and the confidence to take action on environmental issues in their home communities across the Philippines.  As SEA Camper Marian Llanes of Cagayan de Oro said, "There is so much the youth can do to protect the environment.  I want to raise awareness to help in the preservation and protection of the rich Mindanao land and waters."

During the workshop, SEA Campers will implement conservation projects in Cebu to help tackle local environmental concerns.  In Seayasat (a play on the Filipino word siyasat, meaning "to review"), participants will assess business establishments' compliance with environmental regulations.  In the Junior Seatizens project, participants will teach conservation principles to children through educational games.  Through Waste Watchers, SEA Campers will lead an awareness campaign advocating for local businesses to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics.

YSEALI SEA Camps are organized by Save Philippine Seas (http://www.savephilippineseas.org/), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.  "I am especially thrilled to have the SEA Camp in Cebu, where I was born and where I learned to love the sea," said Anna Oposa, founder of Save Philippine Seas.

Since 2014, ten YSEALI SEA Camps have been held in Cebu, Batangas, Negros Oriental, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga City, Coron, Boracay, Manila, and Subic, engaging nearly 200 youth from the Philippines and Southeast Asia.  The next SEA Camp will take place in Bohol in March 2018 for young leaders from Southeast Asia.

For more information about YSEALI SEA Camp, contact: Anna R. Oposa Project Director, SEA Camp and Executive Director, Save Philippine Seas +63917 851 0209, anna@savephilippineseas.org
www.savephilippineseas.org

2Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.

2And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

3Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

4This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,

5before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground;

6but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

8The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.

9And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

10Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.

11The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.

12And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there.

13The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush.

14The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.

15Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;

17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

18And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

19Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

20So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.

22Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

23And Adam said: "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."

24Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

25And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.

4And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

5God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

6Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."

7Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.

8And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.

9Then God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

10And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

11Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so.

12And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

13So the evening and the morning were the third day.

14Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;

15and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so.

16Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.

17God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth,

18and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

19So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

20Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens."

21So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

22And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth."

23So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

24Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so.

25And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

26Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

28Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

29And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

30Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so.

31Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

FILIPINO POLO TEAM IN FINALS OF ALL ASIA CUP 2018

The Philippine National Polo Team is in the finals of the All Asia Cup for the first time. They face the Thai contingent, who won the 2017 South East Asian Games silver, Saturday evening, January 27, on the field of the VR Sports Club in Bangkok.

The Filipinos secured the first finals berth on Wednesday, January 23, after defeating Brunei in the semifinals, 11 to 7.  In the Group B eliminations, the Filipinos trounced Indonesia, 12 to 9, and China, 9 to 5.

Representative Michael "Mikee" Romero of the 1-PACMAN Party-list is team captain and with him are Anthony Garcia, Adrian Garcia, and Ricardo Garcia.

The Thais swept aside Brunei, 5 to 2, and Mongolia, 7 to 4, in Group A before beating Indonesia, 9 to 3, in the semifinals. Leading the Thais are the brothers Top and Tal Srivadhanprabha.

On Thursday, Mongolia and China meet to settle who gets fifth place, while on Friday Brunei and Indonesia battle for third place in the subsidiary final match. (END)

REFERENCES:
http://www.thailandpolo.or.th/tournament-all-cup
http://www.thailandpolo.or.th/tpa-tournament-schedule
http://www.thailandpolo.or.th/all-asia-cup-2018-fixtures
http://www.thailandpolo.or.th/about

HON. MICHAEL "MIKEE" L. ROMERO, Ph. D.
1-PACMAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Vice Chair, Youth & Sports Development and 2 other Committees 

PARTY-LISTS REMAIN RELEVANT IN A FEDERAL PHILIPPINES – REP. MIKEE ROMERO

As Representative of the 1-PACMAN Party-list and the Vice-President for 1st Termers of the Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc., I have formally requested the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments to create a subcommittee for the specific purpose of crafting a section on party-list representation and roles in the Federal, State, Provincial and City/Municipal levels of government.

The Salient Features primer from Sub-Committee 1 of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments has only one paragraph about party-lists and it is specific on party-list representation in the Federal Assembly.

However, given the goal of establishing federalism all over the country, it is our humble and considered view that there should be party-list representation and participation in law-making and governance at the federal, state, provincial, city and municipal levels. We firmly believe this necessitates possibly a section or separate sections consisting of three to five paragraphs total in the draft federal charter.

We seek to develop a consensus position of the party-list representatives hopefully in a few weeks. I am already creating a technical working group under the auspices of my office to prepare the needed research, analyses, and working documents. (END)

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MoodClue is the new must-have item for tweens and teens. Developed by a former UVA cheerleader, it is an empowering, positive messaging tool for girls that gets them off their phones and back to using their creativity.

First corporate credit card at 11
Lauren Wilmot, 24, is the CEO of a new company called MoodClue. "I always knew I would start a business because I've been working almost all my life. When I was kid, my mom quit her job at CitiGroup and started a company. For the next 10½ years, until she sold it, I spent my summers and school vacations working at the business doing everything from sweeping floors to talking to customers to writing procedure manuals. I had my first corporate credit card when I was 11 so I could ride my bike to the post office to buy stamps to send out brochures. When I started this business, I asked my mom to work with me as I know we make a good team."

Patent Pending
"MoodClue is a writable/erasable quote-shaped hangtag with matching carabiner for backpacks, gym bags, purses or briefcases. The MoodClue hangtag can be written on and erased repeatedly without ghosting nor deteriorating. It's a brand new, patent-pending, type of writing surface, perfect for liquid chalk markers or any other erasable marker."

Positive Empowering Messaging Tool For Girls
"I made it quote shaped so that the users would know that their words/drawings/voices are "quotable" and important. I encourage girls to use it to write positive inclusive messaging. This is not a product for mean girls. The hangtag comes in 6 bold colors and each hangtag comes with 6 neon markers. We believe that girls who use this product will develop into amazingly fierce, positive adults who aren't afraid to speak up and speak out. We are helping girls find their voice and publicly express themselves in a positive way."

Gets Kids off Their Phones
"As an added benefit, when we tested the product with our target market, we found that kids put down and ignored their phones. Something about our bright neon markers seems to encourage imagination. We were amazed at the creativity shown. One group even starting playing tic-tac-toe and hangman," added Wilmot.

Lunch Box Notes
"While we were running focus groups of kids for this new product, the parents started playing with it too. They started writing notes on the hangtags for their kids. Notes like - 'take the late 4:00 bus today' or 'bring gym clothes home tonight'. The parents were commenting that they could put the hangtag inside a lunch box or on a backpack in order to remind their kids of something or just as an expression of love. We hadn't even thought of the parents using it!" said Lauren Wilmot.

Cheerleading experience shapes company
Wilmot, who graduated from UVA in 2015, was awarded a $2,000 college scholarship from the local Chamber of Commerce for her business essay. "I cheered in high school and all 4 years at UVA. Cheerleading at UVA is very demanding because it is a 2 season sport and the ACC schedules are very rigorous. I learned a lot of time management skills. The whole idea for my company was rooted in my cheerleading experience. I wanted to provide kids, especially girls, with a positive way to express themselves to the world."

Made Kickstarter Goal in 9 Hours
MoodClue launched a one-month Kickstarter campaign on 1/11/18 and reached their fundraising goal in a little over 9 hours. "Though we reached our financial goal, the real impetus behind the campaign was to build a following for our product. We urge people to continue to support us and to continue to spread the word during the next month. We want to reach a really broad audience. The product has already been manufactured so there is no risk to supporting us," added Wilmot.

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HON. BERNADETTE "BH" HERRERA-DY                        
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information

Press Release: ANTI-HAZING BILL AUTHOR ASKS PRESIDENT DUTERTE TO CERTIFY SENATE AND HOUSE VERSIONS AS URGENT

Now that the House and the Senate have their respective consolidated bills on new anti-hazing legislation, we are very hopeful of its passage at the soonest possible time.

If it is the goal of both chambers of Congress to have a new law within February at the earliest or before Congress goes into recess for the summer break, now would be a very good time to expedite the process.

I am asking President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to certify House Bill 6573 and Senate Bill 1662 as urgent.

The Senate came out with SB 1662 on yesterday, January 23, the same day they also released their committee report on the investigation into the hazing death of Horacio "Atio" Castillo, III.

I reiterate my call to the DILG, in anticipation of the passage of the new Anti-Hazing Law, to prepare the implementing mechanisms for the strict monitoring and enforcement of the current and imminent new law at the LGU level, especially in the barangays.

Out-of-school youth and students in junior high school and senior high school are especially prone to invites from frats and gangs.

Barangay and school principals must work together and apply their child protection policies effectively and pro-actively. They must be on the alert against frats and gangs that get involved in illegal drugs or resort to hold-ups of taxis and jeepneys as initiation rites for neophytes.

Neighborhood frats and gangs can also be used by organized crime engaged in human trafficking, illegal drugs, and prostitution of children and teenagers.

Crime syndicates are well aware of the minimum age of criminal responsibility stated in the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. The link between neighborhood frats and gangs and juvenile crime is a clear and present danger to our communities. 

Effective implementation of the imminent Anti-Hazing Law will be another way for government to reduce crime near our schools, on the streets and close to our homes. (END)

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Mine firms willing to face SP inquiry
By Ric V. Obedencio

GARCIA-HERNANDEZ, Bohol – Officials of the Philippine Mining Service Corp (PMSC) and Bohol Limestone Corp (BLC) said they welcome the planned inquiry inaidof legislation to be conducted by SangguniangPanlalawigan over limestone operations here which allegedly contradicts with eco-tourism thrusts of the province.

This came following the SP's approval of the measure to conduct an inquiry as a result of the privilege speech of neophyte 3rd district provincial Board Member Kristine Alexie Tutor, questioning the company's operations.

Engr. PaulEspina, PMSC resident manager, said in exclusive interview that this limestone mining is a large scale one allowed tooperate under certain existing national laws.

Espina, meanwhile, said that the company has overshot its target of 2.7 million tons of limestone to 3 million in 2017. It is eyeing 3.5 million of processed limestone next year.Hence, it has to expand its operations within its area of jurisdiction allowed by law to meet the requirement.

It will recalled that Tutor, tourism committee chairperson, tagged the limestone mining in this town is in conflict with the province's goal of eco-cultural tourism thrusts.

In her privilege speech late this year, she said, "With Bohol as an eco-tourism destination, this scenario (referring to imestone mining) is inconsistent with our vision in the province."

She arrived at this conclusion following she flew over the mountains where the mining operated by Bohol Mine Corp located here.

"That 15-minute trip aborad Air Juan from Tagbilaran City to barangay Panas (Candijay town), we were able to to see the scenic places of the coastal towns, However, there is one thing that caught our attention. The outcome of the mining of Garcia-hernandez. It was an alarming site to see it from the top," she lamented.

She then raised to following concerns before her colleagues in the SangguniangPanlalawigan: "With this large scale mining operation of Bohol limestone corporation, how long will they operate? To what extent are their mining claims? Is this a lifetime contract until all out mountains are bared?

Ëvery operation has its restrictions and limitations, maybe it's time to revisit them and let the public know what is the rehabilitation plan. I have heard the qualms of the people that have died down in silence and I have seen it personally which pushed me to this piece, she added.

Her concern was referred to the Committee of the Whole instead of appropriately to environment committee chaired by BM AgapitoAvenido.

As of this writing, no meeting to tackle this issue was conducted yet by said committee. (rvo)

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Nangimbargo ug Panty sa GRO Kulatado
Unsay kahay reaction ni Hubag ug Balong ani?

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Subject: 7%

Written by a 90 year old.

This is something we should all read at least once a week!

Make sure you read to the end!

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.
 
28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time.. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come....

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will,
forward this with the title '7%.'

I'm in the 7%.

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Larry Nassar has been sentenced to 25-40 years in prison.

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE ROGER "OGING" MERCADO
Southern Leyte, Lone District
Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Deputy Majority Leader
‎0917-865-2286

REP. ROGER MERCADO REACTS TO BUSINESS GROUPS' INPUTS ON CHARTER CHANGE

BACKGROUND: FINEX, Makati Business Club, and Management Assoc of the Phils (MAP: (1) that amendments to the constitution should be focused only on certain economic provisions; (2) that it would be more democratic for the two chambers of the Congress to vote separately; and (3) that a duly elected Con-con is the appropriate body to amend the Constitution.

We appreciate the inputs and concerns of FINEX, MBC, and MAP on the current, very public, and open debate on constitutional change.

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments has Sub Committee 4 on the Review of Articles XI, XII, XIII, XIV and XV of the 1987 Constitution. Their work covers the economic provisions and has been well-informed by the public consultations done in 2016 and 2017, including inputs from the business community.

However, the suggestion that this attempt at charter change be limited to the economic provisions is unwise, partly because, as the business sector knows, governance issues are also at the core of the medium term and long term development goals. To neglect governance is to just partly solve decades-old problems.

It is also unwise because it would be wasted opportunity to overlook governance issues at this time when the combined political capital of President Duterte and of Congress is enough to deliver on the commitment to give Filipinos a government that is closer to them and away from Imperial Manila.

We wish to assure the business community that seeming disagreements between the House and Senate are simply part of the dynamics of the same democracy that produces the free market environment wherein businesses thrive.

The two chambers of Congress are working on solutions. As I have said before, reason and pragmatism are serving as guideposts. (END)

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STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE ROGER "OGING" MERCADO
Southern Leyte, Lone District
Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Deputy Majority Leader
‎0917-865-2286

U.S. MODEL OF JUDICIAL REVIEW IS NOT THE ONLY MODEL PHL CAN FOLLOW

Lamentable but understandable are the various over-reactions and jumping to conclusions about the proposed revision of the provision on judicial review.

We hope the critics will also consider the fact that the American model of judicial review is not the only working model in the free world. We can learn from the examples or models of democracies in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and South America. Just because we have become so accustomed to the US model, does not mean it is the only model worth following.

The Philippines' laws have in recent years been influenced by jurisprudence in other countries, by international treaties, and global dispute settlement systems.  Our Supreme Court has had decisions, resolutions, and opinions citing European jurisprudence. Our SC has even developed the Writ of Kalikasan.

The judicial review question is imbued with crucial economic development and separation of powers concerns. One valid issue is that courts and their restraining orders must not encroach upon the power of the executive to deliver critical public services. Time and again, judicial overreach has violated the power of the executive to implement. The law must not be used as an excuse by sore losers in public biddings wherein winners won fair and square. The better approach would be to reform the government procurement process and its legal infrastructure with proper safeguards.

We agree with President Duterte that the lowest bidder system has been more detrimental than developmental. Note also that the Commission on Audit (COA) has been applying the value for money concept in its audits. We can level this up as we should because it is what would best serve public interest.

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, in the spirit of openness and seeking to spur balanced public debate on the various issues, made public the salient features updates on the work of the subcommittees.

What would have been more worrisome to democracy advocates is if Congress simply did charter change behind closed doors, which we have not and will not do.  (END)

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By Michael O. Ligalig
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol - Police officials in Bohol and in Central Visayas have welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte's plan of reinstalling the Philippine National Police (PNP) in their lead role in the drug war.

Senior Supt. Felipe R. Natividad, Bohol police director, said that as soon as the President and Camp Crame will give them a go-signal they will intensify again their anti-drug drive in Bohol.

"Actually in Bohol we did not stop on our efforts against the illegal drugs. We just changed the operational direction from Bohol PNP to PDEA Bohol, and we are supporting the PDEA," Natividad told media.

Agent Nicolas Gomez, PDEA-Bohol chief, said they welcome Duterte's decision.

"It has been the desire of PDEA that PNP will return in the fight against illegal drugs," Gomez said.

He also told Manila Times: "PDEA has repeatedly admitted that it is undermanned, underbudget and under equipped, hence, the need for other law enforcement agencies particularly the PNP."

In a rejoinder, Senior Supt. Jonathan Cabal, intelligence division chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7), in a text message that they both welcome and respect the wisdom of the President "in bringing back the anti-illegal drugs campaign to the PNP."

"The PRO7 under the leadership of General Jose Mario Espino will not balk at the challenge," Cabal said, adding, "we will work closely with the community and other law enforcement agencies to further enhance our police operations taking into account the respect for human rights."

"PRO7 shares the vision of the President in eradicating this social malaise towards a better community, a stronger country," said Cabal.

Sidelined for over a month in the campaign against the prohibited substance, police have been placed in the backburner on government efforts of eliminating the country's drug problem, after the President had bowed to critics and put instead of the PDEA in the war's frontline. 

But the change of anti-drug policy has been blamed on the resurgence of crimes, prompting PNP Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa to re-assess the situation. He has repeatedly said the police will take the role again as soon as issues on operational procedures would have been cleared legally.

BOHOL INITIATED DRUG WAR IN 2013

Long before Duterte became president of the country, the Bohol Police Provincial Office, then led by Senior Supt. Dennis Palo Agustin who is now the Deputy Regional Director for Operations of PRO7, had initiated a bloody crusade against the war on illegal drugs from 2013 to 2016.

Illegal drugs have been blamed on the spike of heinous crimes here.

Hundreds of hardcore drug lords and pushers were eighter killed during legitimate police operations here or arrested during Agustin's leadership.

Per instruction by Governor Edgar M. Chatto who had vowed to make Bohol drug-free, Col. Agustin and his men had neutralized more than a thousand drug traders operating here for years.

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Rep. Aris' surgical mission beneficiaries "pampered"
By JUNE S. BLANCO

HUNDREDS of patients with cleft lips, cleft palates and teeth problems can now freely smile without worry of being made fun of, teased or bullied, due to their facial deformities.

This after Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) invited anew the medical-surgical team of the Faces of Tomorrow (FOT) headed by its director, Dr. Brian Rubinstein, who will perform the corrective surgeries on these patients at the Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services or the Bohol Cooperative Hospital in Dampas District, this city.

Aumentado said the team members come from different states in America while the Abounding in Love Foundation is the non-profit organization that connects Filipino children to cleft lip and palate surgeries.

Abounding also provides ongoing medical, educational and spiritual support after surgery. All donations it gets go directly to help these disadvantaged children.

The surgeries will start on Monday, Feb. 12. But listing is now on-going until Sunday, Feb. 11.

As in the previous missions, patients will received not only the free surgeries, but, especially for those coming in from other provinces, they will also receive fare refunds and fare for the trip back, free board and lodging – and even toys for the children.

They had heard about Aumentado's surgical medical through the news and public service announcements over the radio.

Patients staying over for post-surgery checkups or waiting for their turn at the operating table will be provided with free board and lodging.

Those coming in from the towns will get subsistence allowance for their meals. Those from towns out of radio coverage got alerted on the free surgical-dental mission from streamers, newspapers and social media.

FOT-Philippines coordinator Charina Torregosa-Asunto said they are now about finished with the paperwork and leg work for the permits and other requirements.

Abounding in Love Foundation will pay for the rooms, the materials, use of the surgical rooms, among others. This way, the patients and their watchers will just present themselves for screening and undergo surgery.

Many of the patients' parents are expected again to be teary-eyed – most will even cry tears of joy – in appreciation for the surgery, the after-care and the gift of a brighter tomorrow that their children will receive.

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE ROGER "OGING" MERCADO
Southern Leyte, Lone District
Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Deputy Majority Leader
‎0917-865-2286

Press Release
A FEDERAL CHARTER CAN PREVENT REPEAT OF DICTATORSHIP

A dictatorship ended in 1986. We are not going to let that part of our history repeat itself.  We are going through all this trouble to produce a charter that is much better than the 1987 Constitution   because we want to prove to future generations of Filipinos and to the world that it was this 17th Congress and the Duterte presidency that had the political will to build upon the successes and strengths of Philippine democracy.

A federal constitution will precisely give even more safeguards against dictatorship because of the dispersal or sharing of executive power, by dismantling the vestiges of Imperial Manila.

There are many concerns about federalism being abused by political dynasties. To address these concerns, we then ask the various sectors to seize the opportunity of this very public debate on charter change to present their proposals on how to convince non-traditional candidates to venture into politics and public service. Let us then give voters more options. Let us give new breeds of public servants the opportunities to enter politics.

It is not enough that critics oppose. It is much better for critics to propose solutions, present alternatives, raise options. We are here to listen and take a look at various ideas on how to make the federal constitution being drafted a much better charter than the 1987 Constitution.

DOE: No Power Disruption Despite ERC Constraints

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) agreed to allow power generation companies with expired Certificates of Compliance (COCs) or with pending COC applications with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to operate and trade in the WESM.

The decision is in line with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi's assurance that he will not allow any disruption in the country's power supply as a result of the delay in the processing of applications before ERC, including COC applications, due to the suspension of its four Commissioners.

"The move aims to protect electricity consumers by preventing disruptions in WESM transactions while the ERC issue is being sorted out," Cusi said after approving the resolution on the agreement with the Board of Directors of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), the operator of the WESM, last Thursday.

"The paramount consideration is the overall protection of public interest and the security of the supply of power. This is needed for the Philippines to meet its economic targets. This should take precedence over administrative issuances especially when an administrative body is unable to act," Cusi emphasized.

Cusi also directed PEMC and the DOE to work closely with the ERC to ensure the continuing operations of existing plants and to allow power generation from new plants that will be completed.

Under the DOE-PEMC resolution, power generation companies with expired COCs can continue trading upon proof of submission of their application for the renewal of their COC with ERC.

"New plants will also be permitted to trade or submit offers to the WESM upon proof of completion of testing and commissioning and other requirements for the issuance of a COC."

Cusi explained, "The COC is a requirement for the registration and continuing participation of generation companies in the WESM. About 26 generation companies with a total of 3,314.60 MW generator capacities have expired or have expiring COCs in 2018."

"Additional new capacities of at least 720 MWs are also expected to go on commercial operations within the next few months. If not allowed to participate in the WESM, the available electricity supply in the market will be curtailed, which can result in higher market clearing prices," the Energy Chief explained.

"As the summer months draw near, the use of electricity is anticipated to increase. The DOE is monitoring the situation to ensure the sufficiency of supply to meet the rising demand," Cusi concluded.

Aduna nay rason nga motagay si Hubag ug Bugsay

KAUTUSAN NG LTFRB NA NAGTATAKDA NG TNVS COMMON SUPPLY BASE LIMIT, PINAREREBISA

Malulugi ang TNCs at maraming TNVS drivers ang mawawalan ng trabaho kapag ipinatupad ang LTFRB Memo 2018-003

Hinimok ni KABAYAN Party-list Representative Atty. Ciriaco Calalang ang Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) na rebisahin ang kapapalabas pa lang nitong Memorandum Circular 2018-003 na nagtatakdang limitahan sa 45,000 lang ang bumibiyaheng Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) sa Metro-Manila.

"Tataas ang pamasahe sa Transport Network Companies (TNCs) gaya ng Uber at Grab at libu-libong mga TNVS ang mawawalan ng kita dahil sa bagong direktiba ng LTFRB. The common supply base decision has the effect of being anti-entrepreneur, when the country needs more entrepreneurs," giit ni Calalang.

Paliwanag ni Calalang: "Natural lamang na kapag sobrang kaunti ng 'supply' ng TNVS sa lansangan, tataas ang presyo; kapag sobrang dami naman, babagsak ang presyo na ikahihina ng kita ng mga TNVS drivers. Mali itong limitasyon na 45,000 TNVS units na itinatakda ng LTFRB."

Suhestiyon ni Calalang na sa halip na magtakda ng limitasyon na, dapat ang i-set ng LTFRB ay ang minimum na dami ng mga TNVS na bumibyahe sa lansangan para matiyak na laging may TNVS na masasakyan ang publiko.

Dapat rin umanong patuloy na bantayan ang price surge sa mga TNVS, dagdag ni Calalang.

"Ang tumpak na papel ng LTFRB ay protektahan ang commuters sa sobrang taas na pamasahe. This would serve TNCs and TNVS notice that they cannot manipulate supply for price gouging purposes," ani Calalang.

Inirekomenda rin ni Calalang na bago mag-June 2018 ay:

1. magbukas ng mga bagong Public Utility Jeepney routes;
2. magtakda ng mas maiigsing PUJ routes; at
3. gawing permanente ang mga ruta para sa point-to-point passenger Public Utility Buses (PUBs).

"Pabor sa PUJ operators at drivers ang mga hakbang na ito. New PUJ routes and shorter PUJ routes will make for more profitable operations for the jeepneys while also reducing vehicle volume along major roads," dagdag ni Calalang.

"More P2P buses will address jeepney supply shortages because of the PUV modernization program," aniya.

By Cindy Ferrer
ILOILO CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources here (DENR-6) is urging the public in Western Visayas to observe "National Zero Waste Month" this January.

DENR-6 regional director Jim O. Sampulna encouraged every individual in this region to be "waste conscience" in order to help achieve "trash-free environment."

"There is a need for us to practice waste segregation at the source -- at the households, where the bulk of wastes are collected," he said.

Sampulna specifically reminded the public to practice the three Rs: Reduce using materials that can harm the planet, re-use the plastics and other reusable materials, and recycle the trash.
"Filipinos have a creative mind, especially Ilonggos, I know you can do incredible things out of the trash", he said.

He also urged the Iloilo City government to put in place a stricter policy in waste collection, so as to unload the sanitary landfill (SLF) in Barangay Calajuan in Mandurriao district.

Biodegradable waste, especially kitchen waste, can be composted.

Sampulna said there is still a need for the people in this region to be educated on the importance and benefits of waste management.

He said they are currently conducting massive information and education campaign (IEC) about ecological solid waste management particularly those from households and various establishments in the region.

Proclamation No. 760 declares every month of January as the "Zero-Waste Month".

It is an advocacy that promotes the designing and managing of products and processes to avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials. It is also defined as a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary to guide people in having a resourceful lifestyle, in which discarded materials can be re-designed as resources for others to use.
Sampulna further urged the public to be waste conscious not only for this month but for the rest of the year. (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 16, 2018 (PIA) -- Mayon Volcano is now under alert level 3 as it exhibited increased tendency towards hazardous eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

"Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano, which means that it is currently in a relatively high level of unrest and that magma is at the crater, and that a hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days," declared PHIVOLCS in its latest bulletin on Mayon Volcano.

Mayon on relatively high unrest

PHIVOLCS Albay resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta confirmed that a lava flow was already creeping downslope from Mayon volcano's crater with its direction following the existing volcanic gullies at the south western direction.

Based on seismic record as of yesterday afternoon, two lava collapse events occurred at Mayon Volcano that produced rockfall and small-volume pyroclastic density currents.

"In addition, Mayon's seismic monitoring network recorded two (2) volcanic earthquakes and one-hundred forty-one (141) rockfall events during the past 24 hours," Laguerta said.

Evacuation ongoing

With the raising of the alert status, Laguerta noted the extension of the danger zone from the 6KM permanent danger zone (PDZ) to the 7-kilometer extended danger zone (EDZ) radius of the volcano.

Meanwhile, the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that some 2,785 families or 10,966 persons have evacuated from the danger zones particularly in the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Malilipot and Ligao.

In Camalig, some 1,008 families or 4,158 persons were evacuated from barangays Anoling, Salugan, Quirangay, Tumpa, Sua and upper Cabangan to Camalig National Central School, Cabangan Elementary School, and Anoling Elementary School.

In Guinobatan, the affected 774 families or 2,655 individuals from barangays Maninila, Tandarora, Mabalod, Sitio Basiao and Sitio Hacienda were staying in the elementary school of Guinobatan East and Binogsacan and Muladbucad multi-purpose center.

Some 634 families or 2, 482 individuals from barangays Canaway, Calbayog and San Roque in Malilipot and Baligang in Ligao were likewise moved to safer areas.

Be vigilant

PHIVOLCS has strongly advised the public to desist from entering the PDZ and the 7-km EDZ on the southern flanks due to the danger of rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows.

Increased vigilance against pyroclastic density currents, lahars and sediment-laden stream flows along channels draining the edifice was also advised.

Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft, the PHIVOLCS said.

Based on the seasonal wind pattern, ash fall events may most likely occur on the southwest side of the volcano.(SAA/MAL-PIA5/Photo by Eli Casim Photography)

KABAYAN REP. CALALANG TO LTFRB:
SETTING TNVS SUPPLY BASE WILL RAISE TNC FARE RATES, LEAVE THOUSANDS OF TNVS DRIVERS JOBLESS

LTFRB prime role is to ensure public safety, define boundaries for acceptable business behavior
LTFRB, please rethink your Memorandum Circular 2018-003.

The riding public will be on the losing end of your move to set a common supply base for the number of TNVS units on the road because with fewer units available, TNC fares charged will go up. Worse, thousands of TNVS drivers will be deprived of their livelihood. The common supply base decision has the effect of being anti-entrepreneur, when the country needs more entrepreneurs.

A more prudent move, which I recommend to the LTFRB, would be to set a minimum number of units TNCs should have plying the roads.  This way, a balance is struck. The LTFRB does not make the business decisions for the TNCs, but public interest is served by ensuring there are enough TNVS on the road. This would serve TNCs and TNVS notice that they cannot manipulate supply for price gouging purposes.

It should not be the business of the LTFRB to make or unreasonably impinge upon daily business decisions of TNCs like Uber and Grab. Consumer protection and public are what LTFRB must focus its decisions on.

I also take this opportunity to ask the LTFRB to, before June 2018:

1. open new PUJ routes;
2. create shorter PUJ routes; and
3. establish permanent routes for point-to-point passenger PUBs.

New PUJ routes and shorter PUJ routes will make for more profitable operations for the jeepneys while also reducing vehicle volume along major roads. More P2P buses will address jeepney supply shortages because of the PUV modernization program. (END)

POLICE FILES:
What: Arrested Person for Viol. Of RA 10586 and Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Damage to Property
Who: 
Arrested Person: Fritz John Algusar Polison, 37 years old, married, jobless and resident of    Panayagan Sur, Tubigon, Bohol
Victim: Portia Arguelo Bernardo, 25 years old, married, businesswoman and resident of 51 Nieto St.,    Prenza, Marilao, Bulacan but temporarily residing at Guadalupe, Carmen, Bohol.
Where: Beside Plaza Rizal, Guadalupe Road, Poblacion Sur, Carmen, Bohol
When: 5:30 pm, January 17, 2018
Why:  Involved in vehicular accident while driving under the influence of liquor.
How:  Investigation conducted by this station disclosed that both parties were travelling in the same direction from Brgy. Guadalupe, Carmen, Bohol going to the National Highway, Poblacion, Sur, Carmen, Bohol but upon arrival of he said place, time and dated, due to miscalculation of distance by Party B's driver, suddenly bump his driven tricycle to the rear portion of Party A's vehicle causing damage to the latter's rear door to undetermined amount.

Remarks: Party B's driver is more liable of the incident for he failed to execute a safe distance while driving thus collided with Party A's rear door.

Action Taken: Party B's vehicle is now in custody of this station for proper disposition while Party B's driver undergone Alcoholic Breath Analyser test that turned to be    positive is now temporarily detained by this station waiting for the filing of appropriate cases against him.

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DOE Secretary Cusi Pushes Energy Resiliency

(Taguig City)--As part of President Duterte's directive to develop a resilient energy sector, the Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi yesterday signed the Energy Resiliency Policy entitled "Adoption of Energy Resiliency in the Planning and Programming of the Energy Sector to Mitigate Potential Impacts of Disasters".

Secretary Cusi said the Energy Resiliency Policy will aid industry partners to plan and address potential impacts of disasters since the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to disasters.

The Energy Resiliency Policy revolves around four principles: (1) strengthen existing infrastructure facilities; (2) implement the Build Back Better principle in terms of reconstruction and rehabilitation; (3) improve existing operational, maintenance and practices to ensure continuous operations and energy supply; and (4) develop resiliency standards that will be used as basis in the future construction of energy facilities.

"These principles are geared towards mainstreaming disaster risk reduction to ensure energy resiliency as a priority to protect the people," Cusi said.

One of the key features of the policy is the institutionalization of the Resiliency Compliance Plan, which provides engineering and non-engineering measures to ensure infrastructure and human resource disaster preparedness.

"Through this policy, we enjoin all the energy stakeholders to put upfront disaster risk reduction programs into their respective planning and investments," Cusi pointed out.

To oversee the implementation of the policy, the DOE is strengthening the Inter-agency Task Force on Securing Energy Facilities through the creation of the Task Force on Energy Resiliency.

The Task Force is composed of representatives from the National Electrification Administration (NEA), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), National Power Corporation (NPC), National Transmission Corporation (TransCo), Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM). The Task Force will continue its partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police and the other agencies under the Department of National Defense.

The Energy Resiliency Policy is anchored on President Duterte's directive to improve the resiliency of the country.

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New standards for drinking water safety launched by DOH
By Chrisha Ane Magtubo
18 Jan 2018, 10:00 AM  

The Department of Health, in cooperation with partner agencies, has launched a handbook that contain new guidelines aimed at curbing the number of gastroenteritis cases, which cost the government Php 2 billion annually.

The Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water of 2017 (PNSDW), is the result of a DOH directive (Administrative Order No. 2017-0010) seeking to update the existing standards of drinking water. Its objective is to address a number of new health issues and concerns that have emerged since the last update a decade ago.

Contained in the handbook are experiences of water service providers, the new scope and definition from the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) about water supply indicators, need for water quality standards during emergency, and newly-crafted guidelines by the World Health Organization (2011) on the safety of drinking water.

"Defining the standards and procedures to determine the safety of drinking water, a basic necessity in life, is certainly crucial. Thus, the DOH is proud to present this document which outlines the National Standards for Drinking Water of 2017," said Secretary of Health Francisco Duque III, in a statement.

"Truly, I must say that water is life so we have to protect, conserve and put so much importance in it in the course of our everyday living," he added.

Preventing waterborne diseases
During the launching of the handbook, Dr Leda Hernandez, Director of DOH's Infectious Disease Office, said with the new standards, there is "another opportunity for us to work together to ensure the water that come to our homes that we use to drink and cook - is safe."

She added that considering the times, as well as new knowledge and technology, "we cannot afford to put our citizens at risk of waterborne and other water-related illnesses."

Any deviation to the standards will result in serious consequences for the public, she underscored.

According to WHO, waterborne illnesses related to unsafe water and sanitation include cholera and diarrhoeal disease. In the Philippines, diarrhoeal disease can be classified as common.

"Last year, a portion PhilHealth claims went to acute gastroenteritis - it is actually Php 2 billion," said DOH Director for Disease Prevention and Control Bureau Dr Mario S. Baquilod.

Acute gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, often result in vomiting and diarrhoea. It is very common among children.

"The updating of the [guidelines] is timely as we pursue [one of the targets] in the SDG, particularly target 6, which aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030," Dr Baquilod also noted.

The manual of Operations for the programme will be available soon.

New framework for drinking water
According to the handbook, "drinking water must be clear and does not have objectionable taste, odor and color. It must be pleasant to drink and free from all harmful organisms, chemical substances and radionuclides in amounts which could constitute a hazard to the health of the consumer."

Drinking water will be tested for their microbiological, physical, chemical and radiologic properties.

Periodic water examination shall be done for all existing water sources while newly-constructed water sources will have initial examination.

Further, all water samples for regulatory purposes shall be examined only in a DOH-accredited laboratory, while examination of water samples for radiologic quality shall be done by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.

The new standards shall also be applied to all food establishments, residential, commercial, industrial and institutional buildings that use/supply/serve drinking water; water testing laboratories; health and sanitation authorities; the general public and all others who are involved in determining the safety of public's drinking water, according to the DOH.

Emergency parameters
One issue the new handbook expressly wants implented is the setting of emergency parameters for safe drinking water during such times.

In times of emergency, temporary water supply will be distributed by the local government units (LGUs). Likewise, residual chlorine will be monitored for seven days. Further, water must be disinfected as a minimum treatment (boiling and chlorination), and mobile treatment plants can be used as an alternative water source.

Fines
Non-compliance with the new guidelines will be punishable according to the Sec. 103 of the Sanitation Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 856) which states that any person who will violate, disobey, refuse, omit or neglect shall be guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction will pay a fine of Php 1,000 or face imprisonment of six months.

WHO and UNICEF provided technical and financial assistance to complete the updated standards. Other international partners include USAID, UN Development Programme, The World Bank, GIZ (Germany), and Japan International Cooperation Agency among others. The handbook took two years to complete. MIMS 

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Arima Genomics, Inc., a biotechnology company aiming to accelerate the understanding of genome sequence and structure, announced today that its Arima-HiC sample preparation platform has been selected by the Genome10K (G10K) consortium to generate chromosomal-level phased, reference-quality genomes as part of the consortium's effort to understand the true nature of diversity and species evolution.

After a thorough evaluation of multiple providers of HiC library preparation products and services, the G10K Council and its Chair Erich Jarvis, Rockefeller University Professor and HHMI Investigator, agreed to contract with Arima Genomics HiC services. "Arima's selection was based on their HiC data quality, the cost-effective nature of Arima's services, and the team's spirit of open collaboration and transparency", said Olivier Fedrigo, Director of Vertebrate Genomics Laboratory at the Rockefeller University. "We were consistently impressed by the quality and usefulness of the data Arima generated."

Under the agreement, samples will be shipped to the company's lab in San Diego for Arima-HiC library preparation that will be subsequently sequenced using Illumina short-read sequencing. Arima Genomics will return the Arima-HiC datasets to the G10K consortium, where they will be used in conjunction with datasets from Pacific Biosciences, 10X Genomics, and BioNano Genomics to construct reference quality genome assemblies for over 260 species representing all vertebrate orders (Vertebrate Genomes Project). The VGP has been working with other technology providers for potential use in future phases. The VGP is also being used as a model for the developing Earth BioGenome Project, an effort to sequence all 1.5 million eukaryotic species during the next 10 years, led by G10K Council member Harris Lewin among others.

The G10K Project was established in 2009 by David Haussler of the UC Santa Cruz Genome Institute, Oliver Ryder of the San Diego Institute for Conservation Research, and Stephen J. O'Brien, Director of the Theodosius Dobzhansky Center for Genome Bioinformatics, at Saint Petersburg State University, Russia. With a mission to understand the evolution of animal life through changes in DNA, the project aims to sequence the genome of at least one individual from each vertebrate genus, comprising of approximately 10,000 genomes.

Arima Genomics plans to commercialize its Arima-HiC library preparation kit in 2018. The decision followed a successful Beta Testing program last year where each of the 15 Beta Testing sites was able to consistently generate high quality and high complexity HiC libraries across a variety of sample types and species. These signal-enriched Arima-HiC libraries led to accurate genome assembly and chromatin conformation results at reduced sequencing depth. "The Arima-HiC kit is a rapid 6-hour protocol that is easy to use, allowing us to generate libraries in challenging samples.", said David Jiang, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Corporate Development at Novogene Corporation. "Using this kit, we were able to consistently generate high quality HiC sequencing data and analyze it via open source tools for the purposes of assembling genomes de novo and functional studies."

As part of the continued plan to bring the Arima-HiC kit to market, Arima Genomics today announced an Early Access Program for the Arima-HiC kit. Users who register for the program will be able to benefit from Arima's HiC platform as early as February 1st 2018. "Our mission is to enable labs around the world to access affordable and easy-to-use technologies that will accelerate the understanding of genome sequence and structure, driving scientific discoveries across multiple areas, from species evolution to human disease," said Siddarth Selvaraj, CEO of Arima Genomics. "With the selection of Arima's HiC platform by the Genome 10K consortium and customer validated results from our Beta Testing program, we are confident that our Arima-HiC library preparation kit is a significant step towards this mission."

About Arima Genomics

Arima Genomics, Inc. is a biotechnology company that aims to accelerate the understanding of genome sequence and structure. To register for the Early Access Program and to learn more, please contact eap(at)arimagenomics(dot)com and visit http://www.arimagenomics.com.

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Press Release: Matapos mag-resign si Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chair Patricia Licuanan, tatlong kasapi ng Kamara ang naglatag ng mga panukala para solusyunan ang mga problema ng higher education system sa bansa. 

Sa House Bill 6972, nais ni Assistant Majority Leader Bernadette Herrera-Dy ng Bagong Henerasyon Party-list na malimitahan lang sa iisang terminong limang (5) taon ang haba ang mga hihirangin na CHED Chairman at Commissioners. 

Mungkahi naman ni 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Michael "Mikee" L. Romero na hindi dapat lumampas sa 60 taon ang edad ng sinumang uupo sa liderato ng CHED at dapat ay mayroong sertipikasyon mula sa lisensiyadong doktor na "fit to work" ang ma-aappoint kung maging batas ang inihain niyang HB 6975. 

Sang-ayon si 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-List Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr na panahon na para baguhin ang Republic Act 7722, ang batas na lumikha sa CHED dahil 24 taon na ang lumipas mula nang ito ay maging batas. "Hinog na ang RA 7722 para sa "updating and upgrading" upang makagawa ang CHED ng "systemic solutions such as strong regional university systems, enabling CHED for a federalized environment, an enhanced open university and alternative learning superstructure, and enactment of the Philippine Qualifications Framework."

"I hope the PQF becomes as law by March, April or May this year during the graduation season," giit ni Belaro. 

Dagdag pa ni Belaro na kailangan ng bansa ng education bonds "to fund the education equivalent of Build Build Build" dahil maraming SUC ay kailangan ng bagong pasilidad at serbisyo. "Many private schools are also in crises because of the exodus of teachers to public schools and because of lack of funds to upgrade their facilities."

Ayon naman kay Rep. Herrera-Dy, kailangan ang HB 6972. "I want to further insulate the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) from partisan political pressures that come with the reappointment process yet give the CHED Chairman and Commissioners ample time to effect substantial impact on higher education development in the country."

Tutol siya sa reappointment ng CHED officials. "Reappointment can become a motivation to grant political favors or give in to political demands from various sectors. This bill removes that motivation, so that the CHED officials can focus on work, on their mission at CHED."

Para naman kay Rep. Romero, "leading the highest policy-making government agency for higher education can be taxing on personal health and also requires wisdom that comes with age."

"The fit for work certification and age ceiling of 60 years are reasonable qualifications necessary for the physical and intellectual demands of the highest posts at the CHED. A good balance this bill seeks in the interest of public service," aniya. (WAKAS)

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"We will be glad and rejoice in thee."

Song of Solomon 1:4

We will be glad and rejoice in thee. We will not open the gates of the year to the dolorous notes of the sackbut, but to the sweet strains of the harp of joy, and the high sounding cymbals of gladness. "O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise unto the rock of our salvation." We, the called and faithful and chosen, we will drive away our griefs, and set up our banners of confidence in the name of God. Let others lament over their troubles, we who have the sweetening tree to cast into Marah's bitter pool, with joy will magnify the Lord. Eternal Spirit, our effectual Comforter, we who are the temples in which thou dwellest, will never cease from adoring and blessing the name of Jesus. We will, we are resolved about it, Jesus must have the crown of our heart's delight; we will not dishonour our Bridegroom by mourning in his presence. We are ordained to be the minstrels of the skies, let us rehearse our everlasting anthem before we sing it in the halls of the New Jerusalem. We will be glad and rejoice: two words with one sense, double joy, blessedness upon blessedness. Need there be any limit to our rejoicing in the Lord even now? Do not men of grace find their Lord to be camphire and spikenard, calamus and cinnamon even now, and what better fragrance have they in heaven itself? We will be glad and rejoice in Thee . That last word is the meat in the dish, the kernel of the nut, the soul of the text. What heavens are laid up in Jesus! What rivers of infinite bliss have their source, aye, and every drop of their fulness in him! Since, O sweet Lord Jesus, thou art the present portion of thy people, favour us this year with such a sense of thy preciousness, that from its first to its last day we may be glad and rejoice in thee. Let January open with joy in the Lord, and December close with gladness in Jesus.

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RANKING HOUSE MEMBERS PRESENT SOLUTIONS TO CHED WOES

Three ranking House members have proposed solutions meant to address current and emerging problems at the Commission on Higher Education.

Licuanan had resigned and when she leaves CHED, the agency will have two vacancies: CHED Chairman and one Commissioner. CHED has only three Commissioners now - Dr. Prospero "Popoy" de Vera, Dr. Ronald L. Adamat, and Dr. Lilian A. De Las Llagas. Republic Act 7722 provides for four Commissioners.

Assistant Majority Leader Bernadette Herrera-Dy filed House Bill 6972 entitled "CHED Term Limit Act of 2018" in light of recent controversy involving the incumbency of outgoing CHED Chair Patricia Licuanan, who was appointed by the previous administration and was supposed to serve until July 2018.

Assistant Majority Leader and 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Michael "Mikee" L. Romero filed House Bill 6975 with the short title of "The CHED Chairman and Commissioners Age and Health Qualifications Upon Appointment Act". HB 6975 requires an age ceiling of sixty (60) years old and a fit for work certification from a licensed medical doctor for the posts of Chairman and Commissioners of the CHED.

Assistant Majority Leader and 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr said the 24-year-old CHED law (RA7722) is ripe for updating and upgrading. He has proposed systemic solutions such as strong regional university systems, enabling CHED for a federalized environment, an enhanced open university and alternative learning superstructure, and enactment of the Philippine Qualifications Framework.

"I hope the PQF becomes as law by March, April or May this year during the graduation season," Belaro said.

He also said the country needs Education Bonds "to fund the education equivalent of Build Build Build. Many of our SUCs are in dire need of new facilities and better services. Many private schools are also in crises because of the exodus of teachers to public schools and because of lack of funds to upgrade their facilities."

Herrera-Dy said she wants "to further insulate the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) from partisan political pressures that come with the reappointment process yet give the CHED Chairman and Commissioners ample time to effect substantial impact on higher education development in the country."

HB 6972 "draws lessons from current and previous experiences of the CHED involving the reappointment of the CHED Chairman and Commissioners. Reappointment can become a motivation to grant political favors or give in to political demands from various sectors. This bill removes that motivation, so that the CHED officials can focus on work, on their mission at CHED."

For Rep. Romero, "leading the highest policy-making government agency for higher education can be taxing on personal health and also requires wisdom that comes with age."

"The fit for work certification and age ceiling of 60 years are reasonable qualifications necessary for the physical and intellectual demands of the highest posts at the CHED. A good balance this bill seeks in the interest of public service," Romero added. (END)

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MEDIA RELEASE
Embargo, Friday, 19th January and 8AM (Philippines)

Facebook dominates as the main market place for illegal live reptile trade in the Philippines

Manila, Philippines, 19th January 2018 — A new TRAFFIC study reveals a flourishing trade in reptiles on Facebook in the Philippines with rapidly growing membership in groups offering everything from Critically Endangered crocodiles to rare tortoises. 

In just three months, researchers recorded 2,245 unique live reptile advertisements representing 115 taxa and a minimum of 5,082 individual animals posted in 90 Facebook groups. 
 
The cumulative membership in the groups at the beginning of the survey in June 2016 stood at 359,328, but quickly increased by 11% by the end of August that year.

"In only selected groups and in under a hundred days, we found thousands of individual reptiles in trade. This magnitude of commerce in live wild animals online is just mind boggling," said Serene Chng, Programme Officer for TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia.

"This small snapshot reinforces how social media has taken over as the new epicentre of wildlife trade."

Over half the species documented in the study are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and all species are protected under the Philippine Wildlife Act. 

Based on current Philippine wildlife law and regulations, researchers found that at least 80% of documented online traders in this study could be deemed involved, knowingly or otherwise, in illegal trading activities.

Native species, including the endemic and Critically Endangered Philippine Crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis and Philippine Forest Turtle Siebenrockiella leytensis, were offered for sale. Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) reported that it has never issued permits to collect reptiles for commercial use, making the trade in these animals illegal.

The study found several CITES Appendix I-listed non-native species offered for sale including Radiated Tortoise Astrochelys radiata, Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis, Black Spotted Turtle Geochlemys hamiltonii and Dumeril's Boa Acrantophis dumerili. According to both the CITES trade database and BMB records, there were no records of legal imports for these species.

A further eight CITES Appendix II species seen for sale online had no importation records since 1981, meaning they were very likely acquired and being traded illegally. The availability of internationally protected endangered species on Facebook groups in the Philippines illustrates the challenges of enforcing international agreements and national law.  

Facebook is the platform of choice for illegal traders in the Philippines because of its popularity and insufficient internal monitoring enforcement. The study highlighted how buyers and sellers used internet-based services to ensure privacy and connectivity. Most deals were closed via Facebook messenger, away from any prying eyes, making it difficult for effective monitoring of illicit online activity. At least one case a trader was documented using a ride-sharing service to deliver wildlife to a buyer. 

The study recommends enhanced monitoring, enforcement, collaboration, and advocacy to mitigate the burgeoning illegal reptile trade in the country. It also recommends that Facebook continue working with TRAFFIC to develop training materials around endangered species content.

In 2017, based in part on findings from this study, the BMB in collaboration with national authorities including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted numerous arrests of suspected illegal traders in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pangasinan, and Cebu. In addition, packages with illegal wildlife destined for China, Sweden, and the US were intercepted by Philippine Customs.  

Note: Photographs and captions at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/292xlcicp0bcr6b/AADYWB3bfm8TT9NsUjNEI24-a?dl=0
 
For further information, contact:

Elizabeth John, Senior Communications Officer for TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia Tel: 03-7880 3940 Email: elizabeth.john@traffic.org
 
About TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC is a strategic alliance of IUCN and WWF. www.traffic.org

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WHAT           :        Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) & Renewable Energy Market (REM) Rules Public Consultation 

WHEN           :       18 January 2018 (THURSDAY) 12:00 NN – 5:00 PM 

WHERE         :       The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City 

WHO             :       Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella

                              Director Mylene C. Capongcol, OIC-Renewable Energy      Management Bureau (REMB)

                             Mr. Antonio M. de Guzman, OIC – Mindanao Field Office


The National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) endorsed to the DOE Secretary various RE policy mechanisms. 

To get the widest possible inputs from the stakeholders, a public consultation nationwide is needed before the issuance of corresponding Department Circulars. 

The Department of Energy (DOE), upon recommendation by the NREB, hereby issues, adopts and promulgates the rules and regulations on the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP). 

The purpose of thr GEOP is to empower end-users to choose Renewable Energy in meeting their energy requirements. 

Meanwhile, the Renewable Energy Market (REM) Rules is tasked to issue, keep and verify Renewable Energy (RE) Certificates corresponding to energy generated from eligible RE facilities.

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Press Release
SOLON WANTS YOUTHFUL, HEALTHY OFFICIALS LEADING CHED
 
Rep. Michael "Mikee" L. Romero files today House Bill 6975 entitled "The CHED Chairman and Commissioners Age and Health Qualifications Upon Appointment Act".

House Bill 6975 seeks to set age and health qualifications for the posts of Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission on Higher Education.

Sixty (60) years old is the age ceiling while a fit for work certification from a licensed medical doctor are the additional qualifications added to Section 4 of Republic Act 7722, also known as the Higher Education Act of 1994.

Leading the highest policy-making government agency for higher education can be taxing on personal health and also requires wisdom that comes with age. The fit for work certification and age ceiling of 60 years are   reasonable qualifications necessary for the physical and intellectual demands of the highest posts at the CHED.

A good balance this bill seeks in the interest of public service. (END)

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Vital tire sealant for motosists now in market
 
A modern preventive and puncture-repair tire sealant technology is now in the market. In tandam with the portable air pumps that have long been available, the tire-puncture sealant is decidedly vital for safe and efficient overland travel of motorists. 

The Japan-made product which uses the modern Fibro-Seal technology and goes by the name Safe Ride Tire Sealant, instantly and repeatedly repairs tire tread area punctures of up to ¼-inch in diameter. It can save motorists time, efforts and costs spent on vulcanizing.

The sealant is applicable to tires of bicycles, motorcycles, sedan cars, vans and trucks. It can immediately resolve flat tire problems while on travel. Its dosage application varies depending on the tire size. It can also be used as a preventive measure for off-road vehicles.

The product claims it can effectively seal multiple tire punctures repeatedly for up to one-and-a-half years. This makes it most vital for transport outfils like taxi, bus and trucking firms which can save them much on money, time and efficiency costs from it. 

The water soluble and non-hazardous Safe Ride Tire Sealant is non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flamable and non-aerosol.  FOR Inquiries 09178498730/ 4758208 ###


Mahalagang remedyo sa flat tire, nandito na

Isang makabagong teknolohiya at mabisang 'sealant' para sa 'flat tire' o sumingaw na gulong ng mga sasakyan ang nasa merkado na ngayon. Katambal ng 'portable tire air punp' na matagal nang meron, napakahalaga  ng produktong ito para sa ligtas at maginhawang biyahe ng mga motorista.

Ang produktong gawa sa Japan na gumagamit ng makabagong Fibro-Seal technology, at may pangalangSafe Ride Tire Sealant, ay madalian at paulit-ulit na nasasarhan ang mga butas sa gulong ng mga sasakyan na hanggang ¼-pulgada ang laki. Malaking katipiran ito sa oras at gastos sa pagpapakumpuni ng nabutas na gulong.

Ang 'sealant' ay magagamit sa mga gulong ng bisekleta, motorsiklo, kotse, van at trak. Madaliang nareremedyuhan nito ang problem ng nasirang gulong habang nasa biyahe. Depende sa laki ng gulong ang dami ng gamit nito. Nagsisilbe rin itong pampatibay lalo sa gulong ng mga 'off-road vehicles."

Mabisa rin ang naturang produkto sa paulit-ulit na pagsara sa mga butas ng gulong hanggang isa't kalahating taon, kaya lubhang mahalaga ito sa mga kumpanya ng taxi, bus, at cargo truck dahil malaking katipiran sa oras at gastos ang dulot nito.

Sadyang ligtas ang Safe Ride Tire Sealant na tinutunaw sa tubig dahil ito ay hindi nakakalason, hindi nakakapaso at hindi lumiliyab. Tumawag sa 09178498730 / 45758208

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Sec.  Alfonso Cusi Statement on ERC Commissioners Suspension

(Taguig City). The following statement has been issued by the Department of Energy last 23 December 2017 on the Suspension of 4 ERC Commissioners.

"The law requires us to abide by the year-long suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman against the four (4) ERC Commissioners.  We have already requested for the designation of acting commissioners so that ERC can continue its functions.

We wish to assure all stakeholders that the suspension will not cause any debilitating effect to the power supply and services in the Philippines.

The suspension may cause further delays in power projects which require approval from a collegial commission.  However, we will see to it that this will not have any significant impact in the short and medium term. The execution of the Power Development Plan covering the medium and long-term up to 2040 will continue unhindered.

The DOE has been pushing for reserve capacities for possible contingencies. This will ensure an uninterrupted supply at all times for power security and reliability.

Thus, we are certain that we can overcome this recent challenge to the energy sector."

For concerns please contact DOE HOTLINE: ‎8402167.

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CALAPE, Bohol, January 15, 2018 (PIA) — A Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) facility here in Bohol has the capacity to give 25,000 bangus fingerlings to fishermen's  and people's organizations (POs) who aim to go into fish cage or fish pen bangus culture as a first time incentive.

In another bid to upscale the local bangus production with pelagic fishes going to warmer waters in this cold climate and thus drastically reducing local fish catch and pulling prices up, BFAR aqua-technologists are offering the viability of fish cultures.

Aqua-technologists Ma. Rocile Angela Josol and Jonaren Lafuente, stationed at the BFAR's Central Visayas Multi-Species Nursery, Demonstration and Training Center (CVMSNDC) here at Bentig Calape, said they have enough technology that could drastically increase fish production and bring it down to the communities.

The regional center for the nursery of bangus, siganid, pompano, grouper and abalone clams, CVMSNDTC, now under their center chief Gamelba Dumadag, produces fingerlings for the region's requirements for top grade commercial fish for government and private fish culture across the region.

The facility also offers technical services to groups through technology transfers and demonstrations on technologies suitable for the fish, prawn or abalone cultures that fishermen's organizations are trying to adopt, explained Josol at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA.

The facility, however, does not prioritize their services to private groups considering that their mandate is to assure supply of fish needed for communities and poverty alleviation. 

But for fishermen's groups and people's organizations near water and egging for fish cultures, CVMSNDTC has an irresistible package: up to 25,000 bangus fingerlings for requests coursed through the regional director.

All they need to do is go to the provincial fisheries office at the BFAR near the NIA compound in Dao and the office would send technicians to see and inspect if the area is suitable for culture, according to the aqua-technologists.

There are specific depth requirements and there are specific measurements for the number of fish in the culture pen or cage.

There are also programs for tilapia in rice paddies which the Department of Agriculture calls "palay-isdaan," where tilapia is grown on rice paddies.

While they do not hatch the bangus, CVMSNDTC gets its bangus fry form the BFAR Central Bangus Hatchery in Lawis, Panggangan Island Calape.

There, the fry are brought to the nursery where they are allowed to at least an inch so it can be sold to fish ponds and fish culture adopters all over the region, or dispersed to communities who intend to adopt fish cultures in ponds, pens or cage, Josol added.

But for first time fish pen and cage adopters, they can avail of the incentive package, the release depending also on the size of the pond, cage or fish pen, Lafuente said.

The facility in Bentig also caters to organizations eyeing the culture of first class fish like siganid (kitong), pompano, grouper (pugapo), prawn and even abalone.

Governor Edgar Chatto has relentlessly called for Boholanos to make use of the opportunity to go into backyard fisheries amidst what people believe as a severely low supply of fish over a huge demand.

This year opened with fish prices zooming out to 250 to 400 a kilo, and has not since gone down.

BFAR Regional Director Allan Poquita in Ubay said the agency is tasked more on securing the supply of fish.

BFAR has been largely blamed for failing to control the rising prices of fish to exorbitant levels, a fact that BFAR has no technical control of.

"BFAR is a technical agency, and our mandate is to make sure there is sufficient supply of fish, thus we are working with fisherfolks," Poquita said.  (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)   

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Zebra seen from above

School of Fish

MEDIA ADVISORY:

ILIGAN CITY LONE DISTRICT REP. FREDERICK SIAO TO DELIVER PRIVILEGE SPEECH ON JAN. 15, 2018

Iligan City Lone District Representative Frederick W. Siao is scheduled to deliver a PRIVILEGE SPEECH to hold the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) accountable for the extreme delay in the release of allowances to thousands of college faculty scholars who availed of the K to 12 Transition Program graduate education scholarships.

The speech will be delivered during the regular session of the House of Representatives at the House Session Hall, Batasan Hills, Quezon City. The session will start at 4PM.

The privilege speech follows the filing on Monday morning of January 15, 2018 of a proposed resolution calling for an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the delayed allowances for the K to 12 Transition Program beneficiaries, who are now mired in debts and poverty (see attached draft resolution).

Some of the faculty scholars who have not received their allowances will be in the audience gallery to hear Rep. Siao deliver his privilege speech.

The faculty scholars have informed Rep. Siao that they are willing and available to be interviewed by the news media after he delivers his speech. (END)

For more information, contact:

Rep. Frederick Siao – 0917-719-0000
Chester Lobramonte, Media Officer – 0917-729-2437

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By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

Malacañang on Saturday welcomed the country's climb in the latest Henley and Partners Passport Index, which ranks all of the world's passports according to the number of countries their holders can travel to visa-free.

The Philippines rose three notches higher to 72nd place in 2018 from 75th last year, according to Henley and Partners, a global residence and citizenship planning firm.

The survey said the Philippine passport now enjoys visa-free access to a total of 63 countries.

The world's most powerful passport at present is Germany for its visa-free privilege to 177 countries, followed by Singapore, which topped the Southeast Asian region, with a visa-free passport to 176 countries.

The Philippines, which shared rank as 72nd with Indonesia, placed sixth among Southeast Asian nations. Malaysia placed second to Singapore for having free entry to 166 states.

Among 11 Southeast Asian countries, Brunei ranked third for its visa-free treatment to 153 countries.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the government is exerting efforts to make sure the Philippines gets higher rankings in the future.

"We are assuring everyone that our people and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will continue to look towards securing visa-free access for Filipinos to more countries," Roque said.

Meanwhile, in line with the reported backlogs on passport appointments by the DFA, the spokesperson stressed that the government is also doing its part to improve the process of passport applications.

He said the DFA is set to implement several improvements in the agency's passport system to make it more convenient for the public.

These include the streamlining of the passport application process, an improved and more user-friendly Online Appointment System, additional passport appointment slots and consular offices outside Metro Manila, the setting up of an e-Payment system, availability of lanes for Overseas Filipino Workers, and the reduction of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) backlog from 33,000 to zero.

Roque said the DFA also plans to deploy Passporting on Wheels (POW) vehicles starting January 2018 to decongest the consular offices in Manila.

The agency would likewise continue to deploy weekly Mobile Passporting Services in key locations nationwide, he added. (PNA)

THE HONORABLE RON P. SALO KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

PRC, PRBS, CHED, SUCs ASKED TO MAKE CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE
KABAYAN solon urges professional organizations to be more proactive in assisting members fulfill CPD requirements

In response to the growing dissatisfaction of PRC-registered and licensed professionals with how Republic Act 10912 (Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016) is being implemented by the PRC, I am urging the Professional Regulation Commission and all the various professional regulation boards to amend their "operational guidelines" for the CPD Law.

I appeal to the PRC and the Professional Regulatory Boards to make CPE (Continuing Professional Education) courses affordable by:
1)  instituting a reward system that will encourage professional organizations to be more proactive in helping their members fulfill the CPD requirement;
2)  regulate fees and rates of CPE training; and
3)  expanding the role and participation of state universities and colleges in the delivery of CPD programs or training.

The professional organizations should be more proactive in assisting their members fulfill the requirements set by RA 10912. PRC should reward those organizations that go for extra miles to make continuing education accessible and affordable for fellow professionals.

It is lamentable that the PRC and PRB IRRs for the CPD Law seem to have spawned a legion of private CPD providers that have become a new industry and have made CPD upgrading an expensive and elusive goal for many licensed professionals.

The SUCs are well-suited to provide CPD upgrading and updating for our professionals all over the country. They can be better implementors of the CPD Law than many of the private CPD providers.

I urge the Commission on Higher Education to, through the exercise of its power via the chairmanship of the SUC governing boards, to implement deeper and pro-active involvement of the SUCs in the delivery of CPD programs.

Lastly, I take this opportunity to congratulate the 13,025 passers of the criminology and the 762 soon-to-be new dentists who passed the dentistry licensure examinations.  (END)

REFERENCES
http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2016/07jul/20160721-RA-10912-BSA.pdf 
http://www.prc.gov.ph/issuances/default.aspx
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/919181/professionals-sign-petition-questioning-requirements-for-license-renewal
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/944924/nurses-slam-new-law-on-license-renewal
https://www.rappler.com/nation/177402-cost-continuing-development-professional-licenses-cost

THE HONORABLE RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

MAS MALAWAK, MALALIM NA PAPEL NG SUCs SOLUSYON SA MAGASTOS NA CPD TRAINING – REP. SALO

Bilang tugon sa reklamo ng mga propesyunal na registered at lisensyado ng Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) ukol sa mabigat sa bulsang continuing professional development (CPD) nananawagan si KABAYAN Party-list Rep. Ron Salo na baguhin ng PRC ang mga operational guidelines nito sa pagpapatupad ng Republic Act 10912 o ang CPD law.

Ayon sa CPD law, isa sa requirement ang pagdalo sa sa Continuing Professional Education (CPE) seminars para sa renewal ng lisensiya.

Para kay Salo, dapat i-regulate pang mabuti ng PRC ang iba't ibang rates para sa CPE seminars, workshops, conferences, at training.

Nais din niyang na "palawakin at palalimin pa ng PRC ang papel ng state universities and colleges sa pagbibigay ng CPE sa mga lisensyadong propesyunal."

Umapela rin si Salo sa mga organisadong grupo ng mga propesyunal na bigyang ayuda at suportahan ang kanilang mga kasapi sa pagdalo sa mga CPE seminars.

Hinimok niya ang PRC na bumuo ng mekanismong magbibigay gantimpala sa mga professional organizations na magiging aktibo sa pagtulong sa mga kasapi nitong makasunod sa tagubilin ng CPD law.

"Mas mainam ang SUCs bilang CPE provider dahil bukod sa marami sa kanila ay mahusay ang track record sa PRC board exams, naroon na sila sa iba't ibang panig ng ating bansa —hindi kalayuan sa mga mamamayan kaya hindi na kailangan dumayo pa sa Metro-Manila o Metro-Cebu para lamang mag-review," ani Salo.

Hinihimok din niya na kumbinsihin ng CHED, bilang chairman ng SUC governing boards, na palakasin ang mga CPD programs sa SUCs. (WAKAS)

http://www.ched.gov.ph/central/page/state-universities-and-colleges-sucs-profile-as-of-june-8-2017 

STATEMENT FROM THE SB CORPORATION PRESIDENT & CEO MA. LUNA CACANANDO
17th & 18th Floors, 139 Corporate Center, Valero St., Makati City 1227 (632) 751-1888, (632) 8941677 sbcorporation@sbgfc.org.ph

SMALL BUSINESS CORP TO INCREASE VISIBILITY IN PUBLIC MARKETS AND LGU OFFICES

More people need to know that it is the SB Corporation of the DTI that implements the Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P-3) program. To address this, we will raise our visibility in population centers, particularly in public markets, city halls, municipal halls, and provincial capitols.

Under the P-3 Program, a micro-enterprise can borrow between P5,000 up to P100,000 depending on its business need and repayment capacity.  Interest rate and service fees, all in, do not exceed 2.5% monthly which is a huge relief from the 20% monthly rate under the 5/6 system.  Documentation is simplified and processing time is reasonable, which makes P-3 a worthy competitor to 5/6 lenders.

The P-3 Program is now in full swing.  To date, with the support of DTI regional and provincial offices, SBCorp has accredited a total of 94 micro finance institutions (MFI) plus another 45 MFIs in the pipeline.  Except for a handful of provinces yet to be served, the P-3 Program is now rolled out throughout the entire country from north to south.

SB Corp is focusing on rolling out the P-3 program as fast and as effective as it can so that the Filipino people get value for money out of the P-3 budget.

Among the goals is to increase absorptive capacity. We have tasked our personnel to improve our work systems and implement the SB Corp. agreement with the Commission on Audit on their most recent set of audit observations. More account officers will be deployed to areas where SB Corp needs to minimize past due rates.

The Small Business Corporation thanks 1-PACMAN Party-list Representative Michael Romero for his trust and confidence in SB Corp and its continuing relevance in the Philippine economy, especially to the poor and middle class who are the ones creating new enterprises nationwide and consequently generating employment for more Filipinos.

House Bill 5540, authored by Rep. Romero, is meant to boost the capitalization of Small Business Corp.  and will significantly improve its ability to serve the poor and middle class who put up and sustain the tens of thousands of sari-sari stores, micro-enterprises, and other small businesses all over the country.

We also welcome his proposal to the DBM to hike to P3 billion the budget for implementation of the P-3 program. With the additional budget, the P-3 will produce even more new entrepreneurs and many new jobs. In 2018, the national government will add P1.0 billion to the current P1 billion P-3 fund in order to support more micro enterprises in growing their small business. (END)

lunhaw nga dahon sa saging

CEBUANO
[Nahisulat dinhi kaniadto nga si Andrew Dalby sa ika-111 nga panid sa
iyang Dictionary of Languages nga giulohan og The Definitive Reference
to more than 400 Languages nag-ingon...tig.bantay]

CEBUANO

usa sa mga austronesian nga pinulongan sa tunga-tungang pundok sa
pilipinas, ang cebuano maoy labing nailhang pinulongan sa mga
pinulongang binisaya.

kini ang mga pinulongan sa visayas, mga pundok sa bungtoron nga mga
pulo, nga gi-ulang sa kadagatan, diin sa amihanang bahin niini
nahimutang ang pulo sa luzon ug sa habagatang bahin niini ang pulo sa
mindanao. sa namuyo dinhi, bisayaq ang tawag nila sa ilang kaugalingon
ug sagad tiningob nilang gitawag ang ilang mga pinulongan nga
binisayaq, o 'visayan'.

alang sa mga muslim sa silangan, ang bisayaq nagkahulogan kinig
'ulipon' tungod sa nagpaluyong kasaysayan nga ang mga sultanado sa
malay nga kapuloan kaniadto makanunayon mang nanakmit ug nanagit
niining mga dapita. apan alang sa mga lumulopyo karon, kini nga pulong
nagtimaag 'taga-ato, lumad, dinhi natawo' nga nagtangag og kainit ug
garbo sa 'ato-ni' o 'inato ni'. sa cebuano ang liwat sa manok nga
makaplagan dinhi gitawag og manuk bisayaq; sa aklan ang kaugalingon
nilang liwat sa humay yano rang ginganlag bisayaq.

ang cebuano, nga maoy pinulongan sa pulo sa cebu, gitawag usab og
sebuano (pinasahi nga pagtitik) ug sugbuhanon.

bisaya ang tawag sa mga nagsultig binisaya mga mananagat ug
magpapatigayon nga nagtabok-tabok sa mga pulo sa pilipinas ingon man
sa mga malay nga kapuloan sugod pa niadtong panahon nga wala pa
mangabot ang mga espanyol sa ika-16 nga siglo.

ang cebuano, hiligaynon, tausug ug uban pa, isip sakyanan sa patigayon
ug budaya, nasambog sa mga pinulongan sa mga tawong nanimuyo sa
baybayon ug sa suok nga mga dapit sa Mindanao, Palawan, Borneo,
Mindoro, Luzon ug uban pang mga gagmayng pulo nga ilang maagi-an sa
ilang paglawig.

misangpot kini sa pagkaumol sa binisayang literatura sa pama-ba nga
masubay diha sa mga awit sa urukay ug ambahan sa nagsultig hanunuo sa
mindoro karon.

ang cebuanong literatura sa panulat mibutho tungod sa lamdaman sa
espanyol. Ang Lagda sa pagca maligdon sa tauong Bisaya, usa ka
kristiyanong tamdanan sa panglihok-lihok nga napatik niadtong 1734,
mao ang usa ka mohon sa cebuanong prosa. gani ang inadlaw-adlawng
pinulongan nasambogan sa alimyon sa espanyol, bisan gani ang timbaya
nga kumusta, mao man ang como esta sa espanyol, 'unsa nay kahimtang
nimo?' Sumala sa ihap ni John U. Wolff, katunga sa katunga sa mga
pulong nga cebuano nagagikan sa espanyol.

hagbay ra kaayong nakagamot ang mga binisayang pinulongan sa
kabisay-an, ug mikuyanap pa gayod kini lagpas sa iyang kanhing mga
daluna. pananglit ang cebuano sa amihanang mindanao nagabutyag sa mga
napailawmang mga kanhing pinulongan sa nagkalainlaing tagsa-tagsa ka
mga dapit nga hinayhinayng misagop sa halangdon nga pinulongang
cebuano. mao usab ang nahitabo sa mga gagmayng bisayang pinulongan
sama sa purohanon sa camotes nga gitaliwad-an sa cebu ug leyte,
mihinayhinay kining nahiklin sa pag-abot sa harianon nga cebuano.

nanuhoptuhop ang cebuano sa ubang dapit sa kabisay-an isip sangpotanan
sa hataas nga panahon sa pagsambog, ug ang gidaghanon sa gihulam nga
pulong arang daghana, maong mahinongdanon kaayo ang kalamboan karon sa
pagtuon ug pagtino sa mga naunang tinubdang pagtakod-takod sa mga
karaang mga pinulongan sa habagatang pilipinas.

pinasikad kini sa sinulat ni David Zorc, The Bisayan dialects of the
Philippines: subgrouping and reconstruction (Canberra: Australian
National University, 1977) ug ubang mga tinubdan.

Gikotlu gikan sa: http://pinulonganbisaya.blogspot.com

DOE Donates 200 E-Trikes to Marawi

Press Release - E-TRIKES for MARAWI: Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi driving an energy efficient Electric Tricycle,  one of the 200 E-Trikes donated by the  DOE to Marawi through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding today Friday at the Energy Center in BGC, Taguig City.


(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) donated 200 units of energy efficient electric tricycles to the local government units (LGUs) of Marawi as part of its efforts to help rebuild the city.

The donation was made through Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the turnover of the E-Trikes.

The MOU between Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and TFBM Chairperson and HUDCC Secretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario was signed today, Friday, January 12 at the DOE Headquarters witnessed by local government unit (LGU) of Marawi and other DOE officials.

The vehicles are expected to help those affected by the siege for their livelihood and daily movement from point to point.

The E-Trikes donation comes as Marawi City is undergoing rebuilding after the end of a five-month take-over by terrorists that resulted to more than P17 billion in property damage and opportunities lost.

"Under President Rodrigo R. Duterte's directive to rebuild, the DOE is among the many government agencies working very hard with Task Force Bangon Marawi for this tremendous cause," said Cusi.

According to Cusi, the rehabilitation for Marawi aims to develop sustainable and equitable resettlement areas for the affected population of the siege.

Cusi said, "More than having an energy-efficient mode of transportation, the DOE E-Trikes for Marawi will provide livelihood to its beneficiaries and jumpstart economic activities in the area."

The DOE E-Trikes are alternative transportations that are safe, comfortable with relatively reduced noise and environment-friendly compared to other common tricycles.

Local commuters can use the E-Trikes for their daily trips to and from relocation sites, schools, health centers, markets, places of worship and other destinations.

The E-Trikes can be charged at home through common electrical outlets.

The DOE, with the help of the stakeholders in Marawi/Mindanao, is also expediting the establishment of charging stations to maintain and increase durability of these energy efficient vehicles.

Cusi assured that "the DOE will continue to uphold its mandate in providing secure, reliable and sustainable energy to spur sustained growth with inclusivity."

The signing ceremony was attended by the DOE family and representatives from the TFBM, National Economic Development Authority, LGU of Marawi led by City Mayor Majul Gandamra, Officials of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), Asian Development Bank, and members of the media.

The DOE is the implementing agency of the Market Transformation through the Introduction of Energy-Efficient Electric Vehicles Project otherwise known as the Electric Vehicle Project and is in the process of deploying the same.

TFBM, which was established under Administrative Order (AO) No. 3 issued by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on June 28, 2017, is a group of different government agencies tasked to facilitate the rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction of Marawi City.

The mandate of the Task Force is to develop and implement a comprehensive rehabilitation and recovery program based on a post-conflict needs assessment.

OTHER PHOTOS:

EFFICIENT RIDERS: Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (center) together with (L-R) HUDCC representative Atty. Christian Villasis, HUDCC Undersecretary and Secretary General Falconi V. Millar, Secretary Eduardo D. Del Rosario and City Mayor of Marawi Majul Gandamra in an E-Trike during its test drive at the DOE Headquarters in Taguig. The DOE and Task Force Bangon Marawi today signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the donation of 200 energy efficient E-Trikes to the local government unit of Marawi as part of its rehabilitation efforts.

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Loboc River overflowed and this is the result.

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2018 Trash Found on New Year
Basura sa Dao Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran, Bohol

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First photo: Bool, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Second and rest of photos: Eskaya Resort in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Sweets: Served by 10:31 Cafe and Catering
For archival purposes

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Eskaya Resort in Panglao, Bohol

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January 2, 2018, as a result of Typhoon Agaton
Flooding in Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

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Rice Bowl Republic, 4th floor of Alturas Mall, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

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Presscon with Governor Edgar Chatto held at CPG House conference room.

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Drug-free Sticker Posting in Dauis, Bohol
Led by Dauis Mayor Miriam Tocmo-Sumaylo

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

Pag gusto, may paraan

SALARY HIKE PARA SA MGA GURO, POSIBLE NGAYONG TAON

Mga posibleng pagkuhahan ng pondo, inisa-isa ng isang mambabatas

Kahit naikamada na ang national budget para sa kasalukuyang taon, pwede pa ring mangyari ang inaasam ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na malakihang pagtaas sa sweldo ng mga guro.

Bukas ang isipan namin sa Kongreso na pag-aralan ang iba't ibang paraan ng mapagkukunan ng pondo. Narito ang ilang posibilidad:

1)  Maglabas ng isang Executive Order na ina-amyendahan ang bagong salary schedule na nakasaad sa E.O. 201, series of 2016;

2)  Maglaan ng supplemental budget na P50 billion hanggang P100 billion;

3)  Kuhanin ang pondo mula sa Gender and Development (GAD) fund ng bawat ahensiya; at

4)  Kuhanin ang pondo sa mula Travel fund ng CHED, DepEd, at iba pang ahensiya.                                                   
Ipinapatupad na ngayon ang third tranche ng pagtaas ng sweldo dahil sa pagbabago ng ng salary schedule ng mga empleyado sa gobyerno. Sa 2019 naman ang ikaapat na bugso (4th tranche).

Pwede naman gawing dalawa o tatlong installment ang pag-doble sa sahod ng mga guro, depende sa availability ng pondo mula sa iba't ibang sources.

Kapag gusto may paraan. Hanapan natin ng paraan tulad ng paghanap natin ng paraan para maipatupad ang pagtaas sa sweldo ng mga sundalo at pulis.

Naresolba na natin ang problema sa access sa edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng pagsasabatas ng Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Free College Education Law).

Panahon naman ngayon para pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagpapabuti sa quality ng edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay umento sa sahod ng mga guro na magbibigay daan para makahikayat tayo ng mga matatalinong kabataan at propesyunal para pasukin ang propesyon ng pagtuturo.

Para naman sa pagpapatayo muli ng mga classroom at school buildings na nawasak dahil sa bagyo, lindol, landslide, armadong bakbakan, at iba pang kalamidad, nariyan naman ang credit line na $500 million ng World Bank para sa Pilipinas. (WAKAS)

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KGG. RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
 
DEPENDENTS NA MAY KAPANSANAN, SALO PA RIN SA TRAIN LAW – REP. SALO

Sa ilalim ng income tax law na applicable pa rin sa pag-file ng 2017 income tax returns (sa April 16, 2018 deadline), apat lang na qualified dependents ang pinapayagan, kasama na po diyan ang mga Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Pero sa ilalim ng bagong TRAIN law, sa halip na P100,000 lamang para sa 4 na dependents, exemption na katumbas para sa 10 dependents (P250,000 divided by P25,000 = 10) ang ibinibigay!

Ayon sa RA 9442 (MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES), itinuturing na qualified dependents para sa income tax additional exemption ang PWDs:

"SEC. 33. Incentives. – Those caring for and living with a person with disability shall be granted the following incentives:

(a) Persons with disability shall be treated as dependents under the Section 35 (A) of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended and as such, individual taxpayers caring for them shall be accorded the privileges granted by the code insofar as having dependents under the same section are concerned;"

Ayon sa RA 9504 (TAX EXEMPTION OF MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS AND INCREASING PERSONAL/ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS / CHANGE IN Optional Standard Deduction), hanggang apat lamang na qualified dependents ang maaari ma-claim ng isang income tax payer: https://goo.gl/7H3aSW https://goo.gl/iyH91R   

"SEC. 35. Allowance of Personal Exemption for Individual Taxpayer.

"(A) In General. — For purposes of determining the tax provided in Section 24(A) of this Title, there shall be allowed a basic personal exemption amounting to Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) for each individual taxpayer.

"In the case of married individuals where only one of the spouses is deriving gross income, only such spouse shall be allowed the personal exemption.

"(B) Additional Exemption for Dependents. — There shall be allowed an additional exemption of Twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000) for each dependent not exceeding four (4).

"The additional exemption for dependents shall be claimed by only one of the spouses in the case of married individuals.

"In the case of legally separated spouses, additional exemptions may be claimed only by the spouse who has custody of the child or children: Provided, That the total amount of additional exemptions that may be claimed by both shall not exceed the maximum additional exemptions herein allowed.

"For purposes of this Subsection, a 'dependent' means a legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted child chiefly dependent upon and living with the taxpayer if such dependent is not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, unmarried and not gainfully employed or if such dependent, regardless of age, is incapable of self-support because of mental or physical defect."

"Inclusive" at makatwiran po ang pagkakakamada ng Kongreso sa income tax exemptions sa TRAIN. Dahil sa TRAIN, makakaramdam ng ginhawa mga kabilang sa uring mahihirap at middle-class maging ang mga may kapansanan at kanilang pamilya. (WAKAS)

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Press Release - 3 KONGRESISTA, UMEFFORT MAG-EXPLAIN SA MGA "HARSH" at "NEGA" SA TRAIN LAW

Tatlong kongresista ang sumalungat sa mga kumakalat na "disinformation" ukol sa epekto ng tax exemptions at mga buwis sa ilalim ng Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

"Sa ilalim ng income tax law na applicable pa rin sa pag-file ng 2017 income tax returns (sa April 16, 2018 deadline), apat lang na qualified dependents ang pinapayagan, kasama na po diyan ang mga Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)," ani KABAYAN Party-List Rep. Ron Salo.

"Pero sa ilalim ng bagong TRAIN law, sa halip na P100,000 lamang para sa 4 na dependents, exemption na katumbas para sa 10 dependents (P250,000 divided by P25,000 = 10) ang ibinibigay!" diin ni Salo.

Ayon sa RA 9442 (MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES), itinuturing na qualified dependents para sa income tax additional exemption ang PWDs, habang ayon sa RA 9504 (TAX EXEMPTION OF MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS AND INCREASING PERSONAL/ADDITIONAL EXEMPTIONS / CHANGE IN Optional Standard Deduction), hanggang apat lamang na qualified dependents ang maaari ma-claim ng isang income tax payer. https://goo.gl/7H3aSW https://goo.gl/iyH91R

"Inclusive at makatwiran po ang pagkakakamada ng Kongreso sa income tax exemptions sa TRAIN. Dahil sa TRAIN, makakaramdam ng ginhawa mga kabilang sa uring mahihirap at middle-class maging ang mga may kapansanan at kanilang pamilya," sinabi rin ni Salo.

Sabi sa mga "disinformation," kesyo lugi raw ang mga income taxpayer ngayon sa TRAIN dahil nawala na ang exemptions para sa mga married, sa single, at sa qualified dependent children. https://goo.gl/EHPhVf

"Hindi po tama iyan. Pinalitan pa nga ang lumang exemption system ng sistemang mas pabor sa taxpayer na total exemption na P250,000," ani 1-PACMAN Party-list Representative Michael Romero, isang ekonomista.

Paglililinaw pa ni Romero na "ang bawat income tax payer na lagpas sa P250,000 ang income, iyong unang P250,000 na income nila ay tax-free. Magbabayad lang sila ng tax para sa income na lampas o sobra sa P250,000. Nasa Section 5 po iyan ng TRAIN sa page 6 ng batas." https://goo.gl/wSXK5d

"Wait here's more: Hindi lang iyan ang pabor sa taxpayer dahil bukod sa P250,000 total exemptions, ang gross benefits, kasama na 13th month pay, na hindi lalampas sa P90,000 ay exempted rin sa income tax sa TRAIN Law," ani Romero na kasapi din ng House Committee on Public Information.

Si Leyte 2nd District Congressman Henry Ong, na kasapi ng House Committee on Economic Affairs, may hiling naman sa Bureau of Internal Revenue:

"Kailangan ng taumbayan mula sa BIR ang tamang estimates ng epekto ng iba't ibang TRAIN provisions ukol sa minimum wage earners, sa mga mas mababa pa sa minimum wage, sa iba't ibang antas ng middle class strata, pati na upper middle class at mayayaman. Pangontra yan sa mga nananakot sa publiko ukol sa epekto ng TRAIN," diin ni Ong.

Dagdag ni Ong na January 11 at January 12 ang public consultations ng BIR para sa implementing rules and regulations ng TRAIN na gaganapin sa BIR National Training Center auditorium sa Diliman, Quezon City.

Sa January 11 ang talakayan ng draft guidelines sa income tax at sweetened beverages, habang sa January 12 naman ang mga patakaran para sa value-added tax at excise tax sa invasive cosmetic procedures. (WAKAS)

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A roadside store in Anda, Bohol
circa 2015

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A public school in Bohol

Loboc River in Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

pariah
definition from

pariah /pəˈrʌɪə  /
▸ noun
1 an outcast:
they were treated as social pariahs.
2 historical a member of an indigenous people of southern India originally functioning as ceremonial drummers but later having a low caste.
– ORIGIN early 17th century: from Tamil paṛaiyar, plural of paṛaiyan '(hereditary) drummer', from paṛai'a drum'.


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By John O'Donohue

Every human person is inevitably involved with two worlds: the world they carry within them and the world that is out there. All thinking, all writing, all action, all creation and all destruction is about that bridge between the two worlds. All thought is about putting a face on experience... One of the most exciting and energetic forms of thought is the question. I always think that the question is like a lantern. It illuminates new landscapes and new areas as it moves. Therefore, the question always assumes that there are many different dimensions to a thought that you are either blind to or that are not available to you. So a question is really one of the forms in which wonder expresses itself. One of the reasons that we wonder is because we are limited, and that limitation is one of the great gateways to wonder.

All thinking that is imbued with wonder is graceful and gracious thinking... And thought, if it's not open to wonder, can be limiting, destructive and very, very dangerous.

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HON. BERNADETTE "BH" HERRERA-DY                        
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information
 

ANTI-HAZING BILL AUTHOR URGES DILG OIC AÑO AND USEC DIÑO TO GO AFTER VIOLENT STREET GANGS AND FRATS

I congratulate both Eduardo Año and Martin Diño on their appointments to the leadership of the DILG and I take this opportunity to ask them to, in anticipation of the passage of the new Anti-Hazing Law, to prepare the implementing mechanisms for the strict monitoring and enforcement of the current and imminent new law at the LGU level, especially in the barangays.

If they choose to, they could actually implement administrative measures using their current powers. TV news and viral videos of street gangs rampaging on city streets have been recent cause for alarm aside from the hazing in fraternities involving college students. https://goo.gl/U9peLa  

Out-of-school youth and students in junior high school and senior high school are especially prone to invites from frats and gangs.

Barangay and school principals must work together and apply their child protection policies effectively and pro-actively. They must be on the alert against frats and gangs that get involved in illegal drugs or resort to hold-ups of taxis and jeepneys as initiation rites for neophytes.

Neighborhood frats and gangs can also be used by organized crime engaged in human trafficking, illegal drugs, and prostitution of children and teenagers.

Crime syndicates are well aware of the minimum age of criminal responsibility stated in the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. The link between neighborhood frats and gangs and juvenile crime is a clear and present danger to our communities.

Effective implementation of the imminent Anti-Hazing Law will be another way for government to reduce crime in our, schools, streets and near our homes. (END)

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