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THE HONORABLE

BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Chair, Committee on Public Information
MGA BAGONG NURSES HINIMOK MAGLINGKOD MUNA DITO SA BANSA

Bilang kasapi ng House Committee on Health, binati ni Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera-Dy ang mga bagong nars at hinihimok sila na maglingkod muna sa mga barangay kung saan sila lumaki o nanirahan bago maisipang mag-abroad.

"Give back and pay it forward," ani Herrera-Dy, na Chairman din ng House Committee on Public information. Pinunto ng BH Party-list congresswoman na 'di lang mga ospital ang nangangailangan ng mga nurse. Nangangailangan din ng mga nurses ang ang DSWD, mga lungsod, munisipalidad, at probinsiya.

"Ang military at police force kailangan din ng nurses; pati mga eskuwelahan at mga malalaking kumpanya," dagdag ni Herrera-Dy.

Bilang reaksyon sa napabalitang pangangailangan ng Germany para sa 350 nurses, pinaalalahanan ng congresswoman na maging mapanuri tuwing mayroong alok ng trabaho sa ibayong-dagat.

"Always verify and confirm the claims of the recruiters you meet," paalala ni Herrera-Dy. (WAKAS)

BACKGROUND

Germany has high demand for health care professionals because of its ageing population. According to the Department of Labor, Germany needs over 220,000 new nurses until the year 2020. Implementation of the Triple Win with Germany project began in July 2013. Germany also has “Triple Win” agreements with Serbia and with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Triple Win applicants have to pay POEA processing fees consisting of: POEA processing fee of US$ 100.00, OWWA contribution of US$ 25.00, PhilHealth Contribution of P1,200.00, and PAG-IBIG HDMF contribution of P100.00. There are no fees for placement, preparation, and integration assistance.

Triple Win application is open to nurses:

• who are citizens of the Republic of the Philippines

• whose primary place of residence is the Republic of the Philippines

• who can provide certificates of their completed nurse’s training (four years of professional education; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

• who have an Active Philippine Nursing License

• who have a minimum of two years of professional experience as a nurse in hospitals, rehabilitation centers and care institutions.

• who preferably have prior knowledge of the German language (technical vocabulary and everyday language â€" ideally Level B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Proof of applicants’ professional qualifications is required. Members of other professional groups, such as nursing assistants, midwives or physiotherapists, are not eligible.

The prerequisite for working in Germany is Level B1 of the Europe Framework of Reference for Languages. Depending on prior knowledge the project finances relevant courses to achieve this language level.

Last June and July, 400 applicants were slated for Triple Win face-to-face interviews in Cebu (95 interviewees) and in Ortigas, Pasig City (305 applicants), according to the POEA.

As of last September 4, 2016 selected applicants numbered 584, the POEA said. Of the 584 nurses, 170 were deployed and 307 more were either undergoing training or awaiting training. From November 29 to December 2, 2016 some 27 nurses had Triple Win employer’s interview schedules, according to the POEA.

REFERENCES:

https://www.facebook.com/gmanews/videos/10155997263121977/
http://www.poea.gov.ph/twp/files/Triple%20Win%20Philipinen.pdf
http://www.poea.gov.ph/twp/files/cebu%20recruitment.pdf
http://www.poea.gov.ph/twp/files/ortigas%20recruitment.pdf
http://www.poea.gov.ph/twp/files/twp_rec_exam_passers.pdf 

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

2018 BUDGET & TRAIN WILL SOW HOPE, PUSH AGAINST FEAR AND THE DARK SIDE WHERE THE CRITICS DWELL

Right now, many of the critics of the 17th Congress and of the Duterte administration are worried and some of them are even scared. Their jobs as trolls will be much harder to do.

They know the 2018 national budget and TRAIN tax reform package signed today and the multitude of economic benefits the Filipino people will gain starting next year will further boost the popularity of President Duterte and the majority in the 17th Congress.

No amount of black propaganda they will hurl can negate the comfort millions of Filipinos will feel every day of their lives from now on.

The critics will keep sowing fear while we will sow hope and better lives for more Filipinos than ever before. Success will be very difficult to upstage.

The critics will keep trying. They will keep failing. Their resistance is futile. It would be better for them to come out of the dark side and step into the light. (END)

THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information

PAGSASABATAS NG MAGNA CARTA OF PATIENT RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS PINAMAMADALI

Sa gitna ng kontrobersya hinggil sa Dengvaxia vaccine, pinamamadali ni Bagong Henerasyon Congresswoman Bernadette Herrera-Dy ang pagsasabatas ng Magna Carta of Patient Rights and Obligations o House Bill 1038.

“Pinatingkad ng Dengvaxia issue ang kahalagahan ng mga karapatan ng mga pasyente. Kaugnay nito, hinihiling ko sa Malacanang na i-certify as urgent ang nagiisang Magna Carta of Patient Rights and Obligations,” diin ni Herrera-Dy na kasapi din ng House Committee on Health.

Nakalatag sa HB 1038 ang mga karapatang ng pasyente, tulad ng:

1)   Right to Informed Consent;
2)   Right to Choose a Physician/ Health Institution;
3)   Right to be Informed of His Rights and Obligations as a Patient;
4)   Right to Dignity;
5)   Right to Privacy and Confidentiality;
6)   Right to Refuse Participation in Medical Research;
7)   Right to Medical Records; at
   Right to Correspondence and to Receive Visitors.

Sa HB 1038, mayroon ding katapat na mga obligasyon ang mga pasyente tulad ng:

1)   Report Unexpected Health Changes;
2)   Understand the Purpose and Cost of Treatment;
3)   Accept the Consequences of Own Informed Consent;
4)   Settle Financial Obligations;
5)   Respect a Physician’s Refusal to Treat Him; at
6)   Report Infractions and Exhaust Grievance Mechanism.

“Bawat ospital, clinic, at paanakan ay meron dapat polyetos o karatula na nakasaad sa Filipino, Ingles, at rehiyunal wika ang mga karapatan at obligasyon ng pasyente,” sabi ni Herrera-Dy.

“Ipinapaliwanag dapat ng doktor o nars o iba pang health professional ang mga karapatang ito,” dagdag ni Herrera-Dy.

Kasalukuyang nakasalang sa House Committee on Health ang HB 1038. (WAKAS)

REFERENCE: http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB01038.pdf

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

MORE FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC COMFORT FOR PINOYS IN 2018 WITH P3.7T BUDGET, TRAIN TAX REFORM

With the 2018 national budget and the TRAIN tax reforms, Congress and the Duterte administration will prove its commitment to the Filipino people and prove the critics wrong in resounding fashion.

Waves after waves of glowing economic news and reality will sweep all across the nation in the months and years ahead. Filipino families will start to really feel the more comfortable lives envisioned for them.

Filipinos will feel the reality of financial and economic comfort millions of Filipinos will feel next year, starting with more cash in their hands, pockets, and wallets because of the simplified and updated personal income tax.

Free college education will also kick in next year for the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who pass the entrance exams of state universities and colleges.

More personal disposable income means millions of happier employees in both the government and private sector. Happier employees are more productive employees who will serve the public better.

The 2018 national budget and TRAIN will not only spread good vibes. They will spread multiplier effects the likes of which Filipinos have not felt and seen in decades.

A more comfortable life is what the Duterte administration and 17th Congress promised to Filipinos. We are delivering on that promise. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information

START SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, HOUSE PUBLIC INFO CHAIR URGES PIOs

As Chairman of the House Committee on Public Information, I call upon all the public information officers throughout government to make sure Filipinos everywhere will know how the P3.7 trillion 2018 national budget and the TRAIN Tax reforms will make their lives more directional and predictable into the future and enable them to reach for their aspirations.

Critics  will continue to be  critics of President Duterte and of the 17th Congress  and will keep bashing , but it will be extremely difficult for them to dispute the fact that Filipinos will immediately feel the predictable direction of having more revenues for government  because of tax reforms, a better future because of free college education, and more food on the table because of more jobs from the higher spending on infrastructure, education, health, and massive improvements on  basic services.

With the 2018 budget and TRAIN, President Duterte will not just be a rock star in Asia and at the same time elevate the status of our country further amongst the area with high economic and financial growth, simultaneous with being an investment haven for Investors.

The critics will be working overtime to try to pull down the President and the 17th Congress. Some of them will even time their attacks when the approval and popularity surveys are done. The public information machinery of Congress must be ready for the haters and bashers.

The PIOs must translate all the positive economic news into layman language and into the many different languages Filipinos speak all over the country. PIOs must communicate in ways more Filipinos can appreciate and understand.

The economic offensive against poverty and hardships must also come with a communication campaign spreading the good news of economic progress.

We are sure that there will be NO price shocks in the future as a result of the TRAIN. There might just be affordable uptick in basic prices for the short term but for the long term can be equated by higher inclusive growth for the Filipinos. A middle uptick for prices of non-essential goods but this may lead to correction of inflation, a higher price uptick for luxury goods but the people affected are projected to be well enough to afford them. (END)

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Ex-Bohol Gov. Rene Relampagos: dagdag-bawas victim?
By BINGO P. DEJARESCO III
Published on September 9, 2007 by the Bohol Chronicle

MANILA. Former Gov. Rene Relampagos, who ran for congressman in the third district during the last elections alleged aberrations of elections results in the towns of Loay and Sierra Bullones may have altered the final result of the third congressional race.

This was the statement issued by Relampagos after documents showed of the alleged aberrations of the May 14 elections in the 3rd district in which newcomer Rep. Adam Jala, son of former Rep. Eladio Jala, was declared by the Commission on Elections as winner.

Jala garnered 65,081 votes against 62,106 votes of Relampagos.

The former governor who few weeks after the elections insinuated to bid goodbye to politics resurrected the alleged election anomaly after documents gathered revealed some irregularities which were not taken into consideration by the local election board.

Comelec Supervisor Atty. Veronico Petalcorin could not be reached for comments who was out of town when contacted last Friday. Text messages from the Chronicle failed to get reply from the Comelec official.

It maybe recalled that the young Jala has repeatedly denied fraud committed in the congressional race while saying that he left it to the Comelec to decide on some complaints raised by Relampagos shortly before he was proclaimed as the duly elected 3rd dist congressman last May.

Direct, testimonial and circumstantial data gathered by the Chronicle Research, however, seem to show that in the two towns of Sierra Bullones and Loay, Relampagos may have been a victim of the infamous "Dagdag-Bawas" method of electoral fraud.

DAGDAG:  SIERRA BULLONES
It was noted that an unusually high percentage of the Board of Election Officers (BOE) like the Chairman, Poll Clerk and the Third Member were changed in the 3rd District compared to the two other districts. 
In Sierra Bullones alone, 51% of the Board of Election Officers were changed immediately prior to the elections with (28%) of the Chairmen, (33%) of the Poll Clerks and (75%) of the Third Member changed. In Sierra Bullones Mayor Simplicio Maestrado's barrio (Abacahan) - in 2 of the 6 precincts - the entire BOE was changed; in the remaining 4 precincts - 2 of the 3 Election Officers were changed.

Changes in the BOE are supposed to be advised to candidates so that the reasons for the changes and the qualifications of the replacements do not violate the rules of the Omnibus Election Code. These changes were reportedly not reported to the Relampagos camp.

There are fears that not just in Sierra Bullones but in other towns as well, the new BOE members may suffer disqualification for lack of qualifications.

The Election Officer of the town Fe Julita Lao, originally stationed in Corella, was re-assigned to Sierra Bullones allegedly upon request of the Mayor. (This was the second time she was re-assigned to the town of Sierra Bullones during the election period. The first one was in 2004 where there were reports that voting in some remote barrios lasted until 10 o'clock in the evening.)

(Then gubernatorial candidate Rene Relampagos did not raise a howl of protest over alleged irregularities in the 2004 polls.)

Lao, however, clarified that it is the Provincial Election Officers (Petalcorin in 2007 and Odtohan in 2004) who did the reshuffling of town election heads often during the election period. She admitted she was the 2004 and 2007 Sierra Bullones town Election Officer -citing that she did not accept the assignment in Dimiao earlier in 2007 - because she was "not familiar" with the territory.

Further, she said it was her predecessor Mario Lozano who made the changes in the composition of the BOE. Lozano told the Chronicle he could not remember if he was responsible for all the changes in the BOE. He reported back to Sierra Bullones in June - right after the May 2007 elections. Lao went to another assignment.

“MAGUINDANAO OF BOHOL"
Sierra Bullones is reputed to be the "Maguindanao of Bohol" where no clean and free elections are held in some sitios except in the Poblacion area where candidates Jala and Relampagos had a close fight.
Notoriously known to deliver "command votes" are the 10 infamous barangays: Cahayag, Casilay, San Isidro, Abacahan, Nan-od, Cantaub, Danicorp, Magsaysay and Dusita. There are widespread reports that during election day itself, voters were "detoured" to a high-ranking town official (not the Mayor) for further "instructions."

A town representative of a PPCRV commented: "Walay pili-ay sa amo-a, sa Poblacion lang." Indeed prior to elections, the HNU Survey showed that a high 90% of those surveyed in Sierra Bullones were reluctant to voice as to "who their preference will be on election day."

INDECENT DELAY
The town canvass took an unusually long process - Sierra Bullones becoming the second to the last town to canvass at the Provincial Board of Canvassers. The unofficial results also kept changing for Jala while that of Relampagos allegedly remained the same. In fact, the final Jala votes are not identical as shown below:
Certificate of Votes     -  6,306
Election Returns          -  6,371
Certificate of Canvass -  6,378

Also, despite repeated requests, Relampagos said, he was given a copy of the Sierra Bullones results only after the Provincial Canvass had already ended. He said the copy he got was hardly readable and had to be reconstructed in order to make sense.

Observers noted that the town mayor and former Congressman Eladio Jala were often seen at the canvassing area conversing with Election Officer Lao.

There are allegations, likewise, that Sierra Bullones town mayor Maestrado and former Congressman Jala are partners in a printing corporation based in Manila - thus their close affiliation.
Efforts to contact Mayor Maestrado proved futile as he was reportedly in an official trip to Cebu City while his secretary accompanied Bureau of Mines personnel in a mountain area in town.

BAWAS: TOWN OF LOAY
A "manifest error" cited by the Relampagos camp at the Provincial Canvassing was merely "noted" by the election officers. The illustration found elsewhere in this article clearly shows a discrepancy in the figures for Relampagos and Jala as indicated in the Certificate of Votes and the Certificate of Canvass.
Interesting to note is that both reports contain the thumbprints and signatures of the same election officers but showing different figures. The Certificate of Votes is also handwritten while the Certificate of Canvass is neatly typewritten and released immediately after the town canvass.
Some people are suspecting that the. typewritten version was prepared well before the actual counting of votes.

As a result, ex-Governor Relampagos lost 965 votes (from 4,083 votes to 3,118 votes) while Rep. Adam Jala gained an additional 481 votes (from 1,777 votes to 2,258 votes). This translates into a huge "swing" vote of 1,446 votes in favor of Rep. Jala.

Relampagos believes that even not counting the other irregularities in the other towns, the aberrations in the two towns of Sierra Bullones and Loay alone would have altered, as they did, the result of the 3rd district congressional elections.

VOTE BUYING AND COERCION
Other forms of irregularities in the other towns included vote-buying and intimidation. Reports from Lila town showed some voters were forced to carry two sample ballots with a carbon paper.

The first sample ballot was for "co de go" to ensure proper guidance and the other would carry the proof (carbon-copied) that the voters delivered as they were paid for or threatened against.

The gentle persuasion side was reportedly P300 for the congressman and all the way up to P800 for the gubernatorial and senatorial candidates.

LEGACY OF ELECTORAL CHANGE
Candidate Relampagos who seems to have all but lost interest in the way politics is being conducted in this country, is not filing a protest due to the futility and vast expenses involved and with no clear resolution assured.

Rene Relampagos, is making these disclosures public, he said, to ensure that electoral shenanigans are not committed in the future especially with enough vigilance of a better informed citizenry.

He charged that Provincial Election Officer Petalcorin continuously and deliberately refused to sign and issue the TSN of the proceedings of the canvass and thus prevent him from filing for the annulment of Jala's proclamation. By just "noting" and not "acting" on the protests (supposedly within 48 hours) of the questioned COCs - this deprived the ex-Governor of "his due process."

Provincial EO Petalcorin could be held criminally and administratively liable for this violation, according to his lawyers.

Petalcorin, who was once a "Youth for Aumentado" leader in the past, could not be reached for comment as the Chronicle was told he was out of town by the Comelec Provincial Office.

LASTING ELECTORAL REFORMS
The lessons picked up in the Chronicle Research are that intimidated "command votes", arbitrary changes of election officers without due notice to all parties, vote-buying and coercion, undue influence of the powers-that-be on election officials and the "magic" mechanism in the tally of votes resulting in "dagdag-bawas" - are aberrations that should be exterminated like termites in the next electoral process.
Those are essential in making authentic democracy work through clean suffrage. It is a requisite "first step" in making the "voice of the people" truly the "voice of God."

For Comments: email to bingo_dejaresco@yahoo.com.ph Or bohol-rd@mozcom.com

Monitoring of oil drilling must be pursued - Alcala

FORMER environment secretary Angel C. Alcala emphasized that monitoring of the activities relative to the plan offshore drilling of oil deposits along Tañon and Bohol Straits must be pursued by stakeholders.
Department of Energy and NorAsia Energy Ltd, an Australian company had already conducted the seismic survey to find oil deposits along Bohol-Cebu channel a couple of months back.

The said survey has generated a howl of protests by people’s organizations especially the fishermen and non-government organizations for lack of transparency and environmental reasons. The project has taken toll to fishermen and tourist operators alike.

Alcala, chairman of PATH Foundation Philippines Incorporated (PFPI), a non-government organization espousing the integration approach of population and coastal resource management led discussants of the PFPI-sponsored National Dissemination Forum Integrated Population and Coastal Resource Management Initiative held at MetroCenter last week.

This developed as the Justice and Peace Center (JPC) of the Divinity School, Silliman University, Dumaguete City joined the growing protests over the oil exploration and eventual offshore mining along the Visayan Sea that includes Bohol Strait.

In its letter-request addressed to Vice-Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, national president of the League of Vice-Governor’s of the Philippines (LVGP), JPC coordinator Engr. Trelly A. Marigza urged the league to pass a Resolution to investigate the impact of offshore mining in Visayan Sea and for an “end to these destructive activities.” JPC’s letter dated September 18, 2007 was received by LVGP through its secretary-general Jose Baldado, vice-governor of Negros Oriental during the LVGP seminar workshop in Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City the other week.

Alcala, who talked on Why Link Population and Coastal Conservation, was quoted in said letter as saying that, “Which are more important for the people in the long run, biologically replenishing (and sustainable) marine and coastal resources or limited, exhaustible, non-replenishing oil resources, if any?”

The inventory of marine or fish stock in certain marine protected areas in Bohol is useful in monitoring and eventually evaluation whether stocks are diminishing or not when or after the start of the oil drilling, he said in an exclusive interview.

And this could be used as evidence to file charges against the company or any agency directly involved in the oil mine operations.

JPC, quoting Constitutional provision Article II, section 6 that says “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthy ecology in accord with rhythm and harmony of nature.”

It also call on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Energy (DoE) to protect the natural resources from entry of destructive development aggression instead of being liberal in giving environmental clearance certificate ECC) and certificates of non-coverage (CNC).
Herrera welcomed the request but said they have yet to tackle the issue of oil exploration and subsequent mining operations.

He said the issue may not be decided by the league as a whole but it will be considered soon by the vice-governors of region 7 composed of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Former DENR Sec. Heherson Alvarez described it this way: “What does it gain a nation to short-sighted and merely think of money when an irreparable damage to the environment will cost human lives, health, and livelihood capacity of our farmers and fisherfolk endangering the food security of our people,” said the letter.

JPC cited a case in point that like in the past multi-national corporations paid their taxes not where the extractables are taken but to where their offices are located like in Makati City. These companies, after the area is drained of resources, would just left to destroy the endangered area and the people will be holding the empty bag.

JPC pointed out that it is not against development but development must be obtained in responsible manner and ensure sustainability of resources and the future of the country’s children.

“We stand opposed to destructive forms of development and progress that regards the short-term influx of investment and employment. We stand opposed to a development and progress that disregards and neglects the long-term negative impact of such development on both the environment and humanity.”

JPC wanted the government to find for an alternative for “black gold,” such as bio-fuel and ethanol production, that are renewable, sustainable and could reduce the dependency on oil but can accelerate the economic development.

It was learned that Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) placed Tañon Strait in top 10 major fishing grounds in the country, producing quality fish stocks such marlin and tuna. The area is also known for dolphins that attract tourists. It is an important source of food of millions living nearby and home of 60 marine sanctuaries and 80 others along Bohol-Cebu Strait. (RVO)

Cusi: Energy Safety First Amidst Tropical Depression Urduja

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) has called on the energy department and its partner agencies to heighten contingency measures and closely monitor Tropical Depression (TD) Urduja (international name: Kai-tak) and another brewing storm outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

“We do not want our kababayans to suffer power interruptions or brownouts, especially during the holidays, but energy safety should be first. With our coordination, we will ensure that the impact of these calamities to energy facilities are minimal and in any case of destruction, restoration will be immediate,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi pointed out.

According to the 8 a.m. bulletin of weather bureau PAGASA, TD Urduja has maximum winds of up to 55 kilometers/hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph and within the vicinity of Dumaran, Palawan.

The DOE is coordinating with the National Power Corporation and privately-owned power generation companies, National Electrification Administration (NEA) and other distribution utilities, the National Transmission Company and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to alert emergency, response and restoration teams for easy mobilization of assets to counter any adverse effect of the storm.

The Energy Development Corporation reporter that the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant was severely affected by typhoon Urduja. The previous power of 463MW (including Tongonan) was reduced to a generation of 215MW. Restoration efforts are underway despite the problems on access since most of its sites are still unreachable due to the multiple landslides.

Based on the consolidated status report as of 10:00 a.m. 18 December, the following electric cooperatives are affected by TD Urduja:

1. Marinduque Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MARELCO) has already restored the town of Sta. Cruz, but Torijos is still undergoing assessment and restoration;

2.  Masbate Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MASELCO) has no power in the town of Esperanza and some laterals in the distribution system. The DMCI power plant, however, has been energized at 9:00 a.m. today following its shutdown as a pre-cautionary measure.

3.  Northern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NORSAMELCO) has power except for flooded areas and few lateral lines;

4.  Samar 1 and 2 Electric Cooperatives (SAMELCO 1 and 2) are under normal operations but with some isolated power interruptions, especially in SAMELCO 2 area;

5.  Sorsogon 1 and 2 Electric Cooperatives (SORECO 1 and 2) have power;

6.  Ticao Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TISELCO) is already restored;

7. Biliran Electric Cooperative (BILECO) is experiencing total blackout and targets restoration by December 21 in the seven (7) towns affected, including Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, Almeria and Naval. Damage assessment is still ongoing and initial reports said the affected areas were unpassable due to damage on major bridges and landslides in the coverage area;

8. Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ESAMELCO) is currently experiencing total blackout, but will have power soon once the recently restored Paranas-Taft-Borongan-Quinapondan 69kilovolt transmission line has completed re-energization with the EC;

9.  Leyte II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO II) has a power outage in the town of Babatngon due to the tripping of Babatngon Apitong 69kV Line, while damage assessment is ongoing;

10.       LEYECO V has eleven (11) towns with no power, namely, Calubian, Ormoc (26 brgys), Merida (, Isabel (4), Palompon (28), Villaba (28), Tabango (10), Leyte (23), Kananga (5), Matag'ob (7), and San Isidro (1);

11.       Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SOLECO) has five towns with no power, namely, Hinunangan, Anawahan, Hinundayan, Saint Bernard and San Juan. These towns were affected by the tripping of Nasaug-San Isidro-San Miguel-St. Bernard 69kV line, but the transmission was already energized last December 16;

12.       Tablas Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TIELCO) has power only in Odiongan City, and awaiting completion of assessment following its manual tripping for safety purposes.

Meanwhile, NGCP is undergoing assessment of the Sta. Barbara 50 megavolt ampere Transformer 2 located in Iloilo, but the facility doesn't have an effect on the operation of the grid.

As regards the petroleum products, Sec. Cusi already directed the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) to look into the complaints of overpricing in Biliran and urged oil companies to ensure the availability of fuels in the typhoon-stricken areas, especially those communities that depend on gasoline and diesel for their daily activities.

As reported by the industry players, one (1) Caltex station located in Ormoc is closed due to flooding and one (1) Shell station is unable to receive fuel deliveries due to damaged bridge and road network, but their other fuel stations are operating normally. Petron Corp. and Phoenix Petroleum also reported normal operations based on initial assessment. The DOE-OIMB is already assessing other areas regarding petroleum concerns.

Furthermore, Cusi has reminded the public to practice E-Safety by immediately reporting to the nearest authority/ies any incidents affecting the power and oil supply facilities and by doing these emergency measures:

• Charge flashlights and mobile phones

• Be informed on the latest news updates

• Switch-off circuit breaker and other electrical systems to avoid

electrocution, among other electrical mishaps.

“We will keep reminding consumers as well as industry participants over and over again, so that we could instill in them these safety practices for their own good in terms of emergency situations like typhoons,” Cusi said.

The DOE asked the public to contact its Consumer Welfare Office (Landline - ‎‎429 2900 local 329) for other consumer concerns.

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DOE Prepares Implementation of Kerosene and Household LPG Price Freeze in Biliran

(Taguig City). Upon a declaration of a State of Calamity in Biliran, the Department of Energy (DOE) is ready to implement kerosene and household LPG price freeze. This is the direction of Energy Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi as the DOE is already closely monitoring the prices of petroleum products in the the typhoon-stricken province to protect consumers from undue price increases.

The DOE, through the Oil Industry Management Bureau, closely coordinates with oil industry players in the implementation of the Republic Act (RA) 10623, which imposes a "price freeze" on household LPG and kerosene products being sold in the areas affected by the calamity.

“With the declaration of a State of Calamity in Biliran and if it will be extended to nearby provinces, the DOE will oversee and impose a price freeze on basic energy commodities for 15 days, particularly for kerosene and household LPG," informed Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.

Sec. Cusi also emphasized that “Oil companies are also obliged to update the DOE of their operational status in their depots and gasoline stations within the areas.”

“This will ensure that oil supply is stable and will also reduce opportunities of unscrupulous traders of taking advantage the oil situation,” he added.

The DOE calls on the public to remain vigilant and report such incidents to Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office at tel. no. ‎4792900 loc. 329.

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By Judith Uy-Sumatra, on February 6th, 2017

The Provincial Development Council (PDC) Executive Committee (ExeCom) in its January 30th meeting favorably endorsed to the Regional Development Council the USAID feasibility study (FS) on Bohol Water and Sanitation Project (BWSP).

Engr. Noel Ortigas of the Engineering Development Corporation of the Philippines (EDCoP) presented the report on the BWSP FS to the ExeCom. EDCoP is officially contracted by the United States Agency for International Development or USAID for its Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) Project with grants for a feasibility study of bulk water and sanitation project.

Governor Edgar Chatto informed the body that the provincial government will be deploying its resources to achieve a sustainable, efficient and cheap water supply.

Through the USAID-funded COMPETE Project, the Asia Foundation is providing technical assistance in the procurement of consulting services for the feasibility study of the Bohol Water and Sanitation Project.

The PDC in its December 2016 Full Council meeting approved and adopted the bulk water supply project for a public-private partnership implementation.

According to Engr. Noel Ortigas, the BWSP phase 1 will include the towns of Cortes, Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Panglao and Baclayon, which are within an eco-cultural tourism route that expects an increased demand on water supply in the coming years.

Phase 2 of the bulk water supply project will cover Trinidad, Talibon, Bien Unido, Ubay, Carlos P. Garcia, Dagohoy, San Miguel and other adjacent municipalities.

Once completed, the BWSP is expected to provide enough and continous water supply to the whole province of Bohol.

Gov. Chatto said that the timelines for the completion of the BWSP have been slated in 2019. (with a repor from Mike Ligalig)

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The big dish solar concentrator at the Australian National University in Canberra, on 25 February 2011. The Australian government plans to set a fixed carbon price from 2012 on an interim basis until a full emissions trading scheme can be introduced in 3-5 years. Australia is the world's biggest exporter of coal and is one of the highest per-capita carbon emitters in the world due to a reliance on coal for 80 percent of it's electricity generation. The 500 m² solar dish is the largest paraboloidal dish solar concentrator in the world. It concentrates the sun's radiation over 2000 times and can drive high-temperature processes such as steam for power generation. EPA/ALAN PORRITT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Greenpeace activists unfold a Greenpeace banner at the Neurath plant in Grevenbroich, Germany, Monday, 05 December 2005. About 30 activists climbed on top of a cooling tower of the Neurath plant and unfolded a banner featuring the inscription 'CO 2 kills', according to a Greenpeace spokeswoman. They called upon the German federal government to increase its commitment to climate friendly energy. EPA/Federico Gambarini

Thai workers check palms at a bio-diesel production factory in Ao Luek district, Krabi province, 814 kilometers from Bangkok, Southern Thailand, 09 June 2007. More than 60 per cent of Thailand's vehicles use diesel, because of the popularity of the one-ton pickup truck, but according to the Energy Minister, Piyasvasti Amranand, Thailand will enforce the mandatory use of bio-diesel at 10,000 petrol stations nationwide on 01 April 2008. As part of Thailand‘s efforts to reduce oil imports and assist in cutting carbon emissions and global warming, the kingdom plans to replace 20 per cent of its vehicle fuel consumption with renewable energy sources such as ethanol and palm oil within the next five
years. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK

Employees work on rotor blades at a plant of windmill producer Vestas in Lauchhammer, Germany, 07 November 2011. EPA/PATRICK PLEUL

2017 AP YEAR END PHOTOS - Hanida Begum, a Rohingya Muslim woman who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, kisses her infant son, Abdul Masood, who died when the boat they were traveling in capsized just before reaching the shore of the Bay of Bengal, in Shah Porir Dwip, Bangladesh, on Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Goodbye, Summer

Southern Tailors Fabric Imaging has just launched a new "Markets We Serve" section on its website. The fabric imaging experts proudly serve diverse markets and this new section will guide customers through the company's product lines in each of its niche markets.

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Southern Tailors Fabric Imaging can create fabric props to suit the needs of any business. Through Dye Sublimation and expert finishing, they produce a variety of products such as Backdrops, Retractable Banners, Table Draping, Runners, Soft Signage, Portable Displays, Podium Banners, and specialty fabric imaging for tradeshows, meetings and conferences, and general displays.

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But there is no need to worry if you can't find your industry niche in the new "Markets We Serve" section. Southern Tailors excels at accommodating the needs of their clients and they are never afraid to take on a challenge. Their creativity shines when they are catering to special events. More importantly, because of in-house capabilities, they can ensure that your specifications are being met.

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WASHINGTON (AP) â€" President Donald Trump frequently casts his first year in office as a string of successes and campaign promises fulfilled. But less than a quarter of Americans think Trump has made good on the pledges he made to voters while running for president, according to a new poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Among Republicans, just half say Trump has kept his promises, which included vows to overhaul his predecessor’s health care law, withdraw the United States from a nuclear accord with Iran and invest millions in new projects to fix the nation’s aging infrastructure. None of those steps have been taken.

SAN DIEGO (AP) â€" The U.S. government on Friday announced a seventh straight monthly increase in people being arrested or denied entry along the Mexican border, erasing much of the early gains of President Donald Trump’s push to tighten the border.

Denials of entry for people at official crossings and border arrests reached 39,006 in November, up 12 percent from 34,855 in October and more than double the 15,766 who were stopped or arrested in April. But November’s figure was still down 38 percent from 63,361 for November of 2016, shortly before Trump took office.

Border arrests don’t capture how many people got away from agents but are widely used to understand trends in how many attempt to enter the country illegally.

Trump touted the dramatic decline in arrests during the early months of his presidency as evidence that his administration was making the border more secure. Reasons for the drop and recent rise are unclear but Trump’s pledge to build a wall with Mexico may have initially discouraged people from trying and now be having less impact.

Administration officials said last week that they were concerned about an increase in families and unaccompanied children showing up at the U.S. border with Mexico. Customs and Border Protection asked for changes to a 2008 law that gave new protections to children entering the country who are not from Canada or Mexico and prevents them from quickly being sent home.

Tyler Houlton, a Homeland Security Department spokesman, said illegal immigration has declined over the last year.

The uptick since April “underscores that Congress must act immediately to close immigration loopholes, fund the border wall, terminate outdated visa programs and provide the necessary tools for DHS officials to carry out their mission,” he said.

November’s count was far below the number of people who were stopped trying to enter the U.S. during the Obama administration’s final months and the summer of 2014, when large numbers of families and children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras crossed through southern Texas. Still, it was higher than five months in 2014 and in 2015 and four months in 2013.

Border Patrol arrests of people traveling as families totaled 7,018 in November, up 45 percent from 4,839 in October. Arrests of unaccompanied children reached 4,000, up 26 percent from 3,168 a month earlier.

QUANTICO, Va. (AP) â€" Taking aim at the credibility of the FBI, President Donald Trump unleashed a blistering attack on the bureau’s leadership even as he praised state and local police officers as a bulwark against rising violence and crime.

Trump denounced the bureau for its handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, calling it “really disgraceful” and continuing his questioning of his country’s intelligence and law enforcement institutions as no president before.

“It’s a shame what’s happened with the FBI,” the president said. “We’re going to rebuild the FBI, it’ll be bigger and better than ever, but it is very sad when you look at those documents, and how they’ve done that is really, really disgraceful, and you have a lot of very angry people that are seeing it.”

The president’s broadside appeared to reflect his anger over revelations that senior FBI officials exchanged anti-Trump and pro-Hillary Clinton text messages while working on last year’s Clinton probe and during special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into whether Trump associates colluded with Russian officials in the 2016 election.

Trump laced into the bureau as he was departing for its training academy in Virginia, where he lavished praise on graduates of a weeks-long FBI National Academy program for law enforcement leaders from around the country. - Associated Press

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NFA Bacolod monitors rice outlets
by GA Arceño
Bacolod City (29 July 2005) -- The National Food Authority (NFA) has fielded monitoring teams to ensure availability of NFA rice at P18.00/kg in the market and see to it that supply and prices of commercial rice remain stable.

Provincial Manager Gil B. Ibarra said this activity is part of the food agency's continuing efforts to put order and instill discipline in the grains industry especially during the lean months.

As a result of the monitoring activities conducted by the NFA Enforcement and Investigation Team headed by Mr. Porferio O. Lesidan, Jr., 28 grains businessmen in the province were apprhended for violations committed such as rebagging of rice, no NFA license, non-renewal of license and non-display of signboard.

Ibarra said penalties imposed for these violations are payment of not less than P1,000.00 and a maximumof P4,000.00 or an indefinite suspension of NFA accreditation.

Ibarra said the NFA will continue to intensify its monitoring activities to protect consumers from unscrupulous businessmen against price manipulation and other malpractices.

Meanwhile, NFA rice sales have picked up this month because of good quality. Vietnam Rice Average daily sales is 4,800 bags. Todate, 250,784 bags have already been disposed of and sold in 92 accredited Bigasan ni Gloria sa Palengke (BGP) and individual rice outlets. (NFA-PIA)

First milk processing plant in Iloilo breaks ground
Tigbauan, Iloilo (29 July 2005) -- The first ever Milk Processing Plant in the province of Iloilo had its ground breaking in ceremonies held at the Tigbauan National High School Grounds, July 29.

The proposed site is part of the eight hectares lot occupied by the high school, lent by the Sayco Family, for use as long as the processing plant needs it.

Tigbauan National High School Principal Mrs. Lira T. Casenas said that more or less 300 pre-school 3rd degree malnourished children including those in the Grade I will benefit from it.

Mrs. Lira added that with the construction of the plant, processing of fresh milk will be a lot easier. The temporary processing plant is housed in a classroom in Bgy. Cordova, Tigbauan through a cooperative.

The milking cows were imported from Switzerland more than a year ago, and distributed to dairy farmer-beneficiaries.

National Dairy Authority (NDA) Administrator Salvacion Bulatao said that despite their slow entrance in introducing milk processing in Iloilo province, she was pleased to note that the initial 9 cows distributed has increased to 216 animals tended by 65 dairy farmers.

The actual beginning of Iloilo Milk Processing started in a residence in Bgy. Amurang, Leon, Iloilo, on borrowed facilities. The Iloilo Provincial Government gave financial assistance to the project, until a simple processing plant was set up in Tigbauan in February 2004,

The Iloilo Federation of Cooperatives (IFEDCO), through their Chairperson, Mr. Profetiso Cambronero, said that the plant is serving the needs of about 1,460 malnourished children in Iloilo and Guimaras, and has provided sources of income for the dairy farmers themselves.

Cambronero said that the ground breaking for the putting up of the Milk Processing Plant is a big leap towards the development of the dairy industry in the province. He thanked Iloilo Governor Neil Tupas for the 2 million pesos assistance in the construction of the building and initial facilities. He also acknowledged the training assistance of the National Dairy authority, as he pledged in behalf of the members of the cooperatives, to keep working hard for a malnourished-free community.

The Memorandum of Agreement which was signed during the ceremony for the ground breaking, includes provisions that the 2 million assistance for the construction of the building is a loan payable in 25 years without interest. Further the Department of Public highways will provide engineering assistance and the Cooperative Development division will help install organizational and financial structure.

The ground breaking was attended by local government officials led by Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Provincial Agriculturist Inocencio Parian, Tigbauan OIC Mayor Agaton Tumabotabo, the Provincial Health Office led by Dr. Patricia Trabado and the Provincial Planning and Development Office, with Mr. Mario Nillos. (PIA-6)

Comelec holds pre-ARMM elections press confab in Zamboanga

Zamboanga City (29 July 2005) -- In preparation for the August 8 ARMM Elections, a press conference was conducted by the Commission on Election (COMELEC) - Manila yesterday at the Garden Orchid Hotel.

The press conference was presided by Atty. Pio S. Joson, COMELEC Executive Director. Also present were Atty. Ferdinand Rafanan, Regional Election Director (NCR), Atty. Renato Magbutay, ARMM Regional Election Director, Atty. Bartolome Sinocruz and Dir. James Jimenez of the Education and Information Department.

The discussion was focused on the Voters' Education campaign targeting participants from the barangay level, the budget for the BEIs where they would receive P2,000.00 for their service. Atty. Rafanan said that the payment will be made directly to BEIs instead through the regional government. This is to avoid past experiences where payments were long delayed.

Dir. Joson also tackled the issue on the Multi-Registrants. He said that this is a perennial problem of the Commission but they have already identified some 10,000 multi-registrants in ARMM and are already in their watch list. He made sure that these voters could only vote once during the election. He COMELEC officials from other regions will be assigned to handle the election to relieve political pressure from local provincial election officials and to make sure that the electoral exercise is in order.

According to Dir. Joson, there will be no counting at the precinct level. Everything will be centralized to avoid problems in canvassing. He also said that the counting would be manual and not automated.

COMELEC Chair Benjamin Abalos, through a letter, invited the Chairmen of the Central Election Commission of Taipei and the Executive Board of Association of Asian Election Authorities to observe the conduct of the ARMM elections. Dir. Jimenez also mentioned that observers from US, UK, Canada and New Zealand were also invited. (PIA)

PNP declares Antique jueteng-free
by EA Abasquez

San Jose, Antique (29 July 2005) -- "Antique is a Jueteng-free province", emphasized P/Supt. Ronilo V. Quebrar, PNP Provincial Director when he guested at PIA Forum, a weekly program of the Philippine Information Agency at station DYKA. He likewise stressed that the province of Antique remains peaceful.

Quebrar explained, the PNP celebrates the Police Community Relations (PCR) month this July with the theme "Pag-ibayuhin: Magalang, Mahusay at Matapat Na Kapulisan, Lingkod Ng Bayan".

In observance of the event, he pointed out that various activities were undertaken, among which were school visits, conduct of lectures and symposiums designed to bring the government services closer to the people, thereby enhancing the participation of the community in the fight against criminality.

Quebrar underscored the need for a collaborative undertaking among stakeholders, the people in the community and the police in the anti-criminality campaign.

To drive home his point, the Provincial Director cited the latest robbery incident in the capital town of San Jose when the policemen were able to apprehend the suspects in just a short period with the support of the people.

Further, an innovative approach described as "Police Ko Textmate Ko" project was launched recently in the municipality of Laua-an as one of the strategies adopted to boost the drive against criminality.

The "Police Ko Textmate Ko" project is viewed to enhance the people's access to the law enforcement agencies in seeking assistance when the need arises.

Mayor Aser Baladjay of Laua-an and Chief of Police Jovencio Urbien have demonstrated their sincerity to curb criminality.

The said project will also be replicated in other municipalities in the province. (PIA)

Japan Red Cross youth donate to EV students

Tacloban City (29 July 2005) -- Japanese students who are members of the Chiba Prefecture Red Cross are now in Region VIII to interact with the local students who are beneficiaries of the International Project Program and the Water and Sanitation Project of Chiba Red Cross.

Mr. Makoto Okuda, the team leader said that the recipient of the international friendship project is the MacArthur National High School. The project includes donations of school supplies and friendship albums. On the other hand, the recipient of the water and sanitation project three schools in Catbalogan, Samar.

While in Region VIII, the Japanese students will visit old battlefields in Leyte. They will also visit and interact with the pupilse of Mercedes Elementary School, Jiabong

Elementary School, Maulong ElementarySchool, Catbalogan Elementary School, San Andres Elementary School, all in Western Samar.

On July 31, they will come back to Tacloban and will undergo RCY Kabarangay Program Trainings and Junior First Aiders' Program.

The trip is aimed at firming international relationship and understanding among the youth while working together to attain the same goal. The objective is to train and inculcate in the youth the spirit of volunteerism in pursuit of peace and unity in the world. (PIA-8)

Leyte validates tourism attractions
Tacloban City (29 July 2005) -- Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla directed the Provincial Tourism and Investment Promotions Center to assess and evaluate the viability of tourism attractions as a prerequisite in the formulation of tour packages for local and international marketing and promotions.

The governor believes that it is very important to assess the destination first before it is included in a tour package to avoid disappointments and mix-ups. The validation will also include the readiness of the place and community preparedness in accepting the visitors.

In line with the directive, an interagency team has been formed to validate tourist destinations in the Province starting August two. The team is composed of representatives from various government agencies, tour operators and the private sector.

For the August 2 trip, the team will visit the Tabuk Marine Park and Bird Sanctuary in Palompon, the Cuatro Islas in Inopacan and the Seven Island Destination in Tabango, all in Leyte.

The local government units headed by the local chief executive are expected to welcome the team which will have an overnight stay in Inopacan and another overnight stay in Tabango.

Presently, the center is also in the process of coming up with the second and third editions of the Leyte Philippines Travel Guide, a tourist handbook of the province's tourism potentials. (PIA-8)

COLLABRO CONQUER BRITAIN - NOW FOR MANILA!
Following a sold-out tour of the UK, Collabro will make their live debut in the Philippines when they perform at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila on February 26, 2018. The show will be produced and promoted by Spicy Lemon..

Comprising singers Jamie Lambert, Michael Auger, Matt Pagan and Tom Redgrave, the British act won TV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ in 2014 before releasing their debut album 'Stars', which went to No.1 in the UK and registered double gold in sales. After a hugely successful sold-out UK Tour in 2017, the foursome will come together again with dates in the New Year, including that first ever show in the Philippines at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. Tickets are on sale now through http://www.spicylemon.rocks/ .

Media are invited to check out and share our exclusive promo video - https://youtu.be/N3-EZK6LBbU

Thanks and regards

Alan

Alan Ewens
Media Director
Pace Events FZ LLC

Phone: +9714 3671062
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Trinidad Gamboa-Roces vs Judge Ranhel A. Perez

Leyte civil society leaders meet on political and constitutional reforms

Tacloban City (30 July 2005) -- A Provincial Civil Society Leaders Conference on Political and Constitutional Reforms will be convened on July 30, 2005 at the SMED Center Conference Room in Tacloban City.

This conference is being initiated by the Leyte coalition of Development NGOs and POs (Leyte Code) in response to the current political situation.

The provincial consultation is primarily an educational exercise on the basic content and process of Constitutional Reform.

It is also an organization and coalition building exercise to catalyze a provincial based Citizen for Con Con Movement.

Moreover, it is an important part for the over-all campaign to generate the necessary social pressure for Congress to enact a bill on Constitutional convention as soon as possible.

Expected to attend are leaders of the various non-government organizations and peoples organization all over Leyte. (PIA-8)

Tagbilaran issues last warning for "swertres"
by Rey Anthony Chiu
Tagbilaran City (30 July 2005) -- Further strengthening its bid for a "swertres-free" Tagbilaran, city authorities through City Councilor George Olario issued the final warning to all ushers, coordinators and financiers of this illegal numbers game to stop their operations or be dealt in with the full sting of the law.

Speaking during an interview, Olario, Tagbilaran City's revered "Dirty Harry" and City Protective Services Chair issued the final warning to all tentacles in the operation amidst allegations that swertres has proliferated in the towns of Bohol and has covert operations in the city.

In fact, Guindulman Mayor Oriculo Granada admitted swertres operations in Bohol towns months back.

Swertres, an illegal numbers game has lately replaced "masiao" a numbers betting game.

Like masiao, "swertres" uses three number combinations, but unlike it, swertres uses the digits of a legally existing lotto games.

Reports from the towns of Bohol indicate that swertres has masiao operators packing or shifting to the new hip game.

Fearing a setback in its drive against illegal gambling, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim appointed Olario to sit as city illegal gambling czar. This was later confirmed by city police chief Ernesto Agas.

Olario bared that he has called all suspected operators and financiers to a meeting within the week and all of them agreed to stop its operations in the city.

Operators said they skipped Tagbilaran City, however, reports filtered to the police intelligence channels said some bettors are from Tagbilaran City.

This led the local authorities to map out plans to eradicate the bane of gambling which has the tendency to hook its bettors to further aggravating poverty. (PIA)

Bohol EcoGov equips environment workers thru IEC workshop
by Rey Anthony Chiu

Tagbilaran City (30 July 2005) -- Further equipping local government officials and environmentalists with the tool to work on the dire need for information dissemination on effects of the wanton disregard for the environment, Philippine Ecological Governance Project 2 (EcoGov) empowered Bohol communicators working for the information education communication advocacy.

EcoGov recently concluded a 2-day information education communication training workshop at the MetroCenter hotel yesterday with high hopes that environment advocacy in Bohol shift to higher planes.

Chit Bigornia, training facilitator said in an interview that a suitable customized information package should be addressed for every intended reaction, and the workshop is a tool equipping local advocates to craft the customized education tool.

More or less 40 participants of the training workshop include legislators, planning and development officers, municipal engineers, public information officers, environment officers and local leader-advocates from Metro Tagbilaran and EcoGov pilot sites in Bohol and Cebu.

Participants were also trained not just to craft information education and communication materials, but also to tap local and national media as partners in the advocacy. The topic on media partnership was discussed by Philippine Information Agency Area Management Officer Elma Teruel.

May Segura Ybanez, EcoGov 2 Visayas team leader during her concluding statements said she Bohol performance is topping EcoGov implementations further goading local leaders to continue with the local advocacies.

EcoGov emerged as a national governments response to the realization that environmental management is best done by local communities suning technical solutions and good governance.

EcoGov is a Philippine Government project with assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In Bohol, EcoGov is empowering local communities to come up with localized initiatives at implementing Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

EcoGov has been in Duero, Jagna, Talibon and is now into helping Metro Tagbilaran cluster to come up with an integrated solid waste management policy in tandem with local legislators.

With Bohol into an aggressive dream of eco-cultural tourism, local environmentalists said it should be able to balance its dreams with the environmental impacts, especially in waste management.

The effort is also another attempt to evade from a potential scourge as what happened to the heaping garbage problem contaminating the country's premier vacation destination in Boracay. (PIA)

Philippines to spend P9B for Chacha by Concon
by Rey Anthony Chiu
Tagbilaran City (30 July 2005) -- IT COULD BE too costly a dance for the Philippine Government which is set to spend P9B pesos to get a charter change (chacha) should the people insist on an apparently Senate preferred constitutional convention.

Bohol Third District Congressman Eladio Jala, speaking over a local radio, said the amount would be used for salaries of two newly elected constitutional convention delegates for every congressional district, traveling expenses, election expenses and this still does not include the possible delay in settling the issues deliberated during the convention.

Jala said the constitutional convention tackles issues at its own pace, unlike a constitutional assembly which specifies a time frame for the delegates to settle the issues deliberated.

The Boholano solon disclosed that the congressmen are pleased as the President has provided them guidance for the proposed charter change.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, during her state of the nation address (SONA) early this week proposed an open option for a charter change, drawing 35 rounds of applause and five standing ovations along her 25 minutes speech.

More than half of the Presidents SONA talked about the proposed charter change through constitutional assembly.

However, the Senate is apparently not toeing the line drawn by the President, as observers believe is a logical reason for self preservation.

A constitutional assembly cuts short terms of senators.

The people have two options in changing the constitution of the land.

It has to be either through constitutional assembly or a constitutional convention, said political scientist and city councilor Danilo Bantugan over that same radio program minutes later.

Constitutional assembly is a body composed of elected representatives both from Senate and Congress sitting together to study on the proposed changes and come up with reform proposals in a specified time.

A Constitutional convention can happen after two district representatives shall have been elected at local districts. These elected representatives shall sit together to propose and decide changes in the constitution, after rigorous study and at their own pace.

This way, a proposal could be debated for weeks, further complicating the timetable.

After a draft has been agreed, the nation calls for a plebiscite so that the people may or may not ratify the proposed changes. This would happen in time, especially if Congress still has some matters to settle at hand, Jala disclosed.

He added that if we are to follow the former President Ramos' timeline, we should have shifted to a new system of government in 2006.

This also presumes that if the change be through CONAS, the congressmen sitting with the assembly shall have to swallow a term cut short, and they may not be eligible to run for any position, so as not to craft changes that resound to their vested interests.

"Eventually, everybody must sacrifice," Jala concluded. (PIA)

Tanauan begins Pasaka festivities
Tacloban City (30 July 2005) -- August 1 marks the start of a 15-day festivities highlighting Tanauan, Leyte Day and the Feast of the Our Lady of Assumption, the town patroness.

The Pasaka festivities include nightly cultural shows, sports activities, agri trade fairs, competitions, children's festival, gift giving, tree planting, medical and dental missions and investment forum. All these are set through the collective efforts of all the various sectors from the local government unit, the academe, the non-government organizations, the elderly, the youth and the children. These are focused on thanksgiving for the blessings received all through the years and showcase the solidarity of the people of Tanauan.

Mayor Roque A. Tiu bared that this year's festivities is made more meaningful with the coming home of about 50 Tanauananons from the States headed by Engr. Pat and Madelyn Lauzon, to celebrate with their relatives and friends and who will be bringing with them some gifts for the less fortunate constituents, medical and dental missions. Special activities are scheduled for them like a welcome reception, gift giving, tree planting, meeting with the LGU, meeting with the scholars and medical and dental mission aside from their joining in the religious activities.

The nightly activities which starts on August 1 are the EVSU Night, the Knights of Columbus 1st Tanauan Pop Music Festival, The Senior Citizens Night with the Fedfelli Band, the TNHS Nite, the TSCHI Prime Bida, the Assumption Academy A Vaudeville Night from La Assumpta, DepEd Night featuring Odon Sabarre and His Dance Students, Lamrag's Pasikatan sa Kantahan, Liga ng mga Barangay Night, Little Miss Tanauan, Mr. Tanauan 2005, Pasaka Queen 2005, LGU Stars Night and the Pepsi Night and Hermana's Night.

Aside from the grand Pasaka Festival on August 14, there will be an Acrobatic Show at the Tanauan Gyn on August 12, a children's festival and school band competition on August 13 and a Friendship Basketball Game featuring the TLAS USA Basketball Team vs. the Tanauan Basketball Team.

Worth watching is the Pasaka Skimboarding Open from August 12 -14 and the Skimboard Painting Contest. Tanauan prides itself as being the pioneer in skimboarding and the venue of the first National Skimboard Competition early this year.

Rumba Bugsay will be held also on August 14. Others sports activities are the inter-town basketball tournament, open volleyball tournament, Table tennis, badminton, the battle of Chess Champions, Cycling (BMX and MB) Contest and boxing. (PIA-8)

Vege diet promotes healthy lifestyle
Tacloban City (30 July 2005) -- More and more people are now health conscious and have reduced their consumption of meat. In its place, people have enriched their diet with a wide variety of plant-based food.

Numerous studies and researches show that a plant-based diet is associated to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, lesser risk of heart disease, lower risk of cancer and decreased weight.

The Eastern Visayas Conference has been conducting seminars to government employees and other groups in order to promote healthy lifestyle.

In the brief seminar held at the Philippine Information Agency 8, Mr. Gerry Idio said that his group is manufacturing Vege Meat as meat substitute and by-products from soy beans, grains like whole wheat and high fibered vegetables.

Their products include whole wheat bread, cinnamon bread, Vege gluten, Vege- tocino, vege-tapa, vege-burger, soy milk, tofu, tokwa and special taho.

Vege food is the answer to malnutrition especially in the depressed areas. Aside from being much cheaper than meat, it is low in purine and uric acid and easier to digest. (PIA

DOE Intensifies PH Nuclear Energy Policy Study

INTENSIFIED DISCUSSION ON NUCLEAR ENERGY PROGRAM:  NEPIO Chairperson, Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos (center) led government officials during the nuclear workshop with the ROSATOM Experts. In the photo with Usec. Marcos and ROSATOM experts are DOE Dir. Angelina V. Manga, Amelia M. de Guzman, Asst. Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza Jr., PNRI Dir. Carlo A. Arcilla and Dir. Patrick T Aquino. The nuclear workshop is an offshoot of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the ROSATOM and the DOE as the country endeavors to draft a position on a nuclear energy program.

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE), in cooperation with the Department of Science & Technology (DOST) and with the technical assistance from the Russian Federation State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM), conducted a workshop at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on 11 December 2017 on the application and development of nuclear science and technology.

The goal is to enable the Philippines the option of adopting nuclear energy. The workshop is part of the Memorandum of Cooperation between ROSATOM and the DOE signed at the sidelines of the 12th East Asia Summit last 13 November.

The workshop focused on ROSATOM’s integrated solution covering new and emerging nuclear technologies, capacity building, and inputs in the formulation of policies addressing safety, technology development, as well as other uses of nuclear technology.

Specific topics included the knowledge sharing in building, operating and maintaining a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), the significance of Centers of Nuclear Science and Technologies, the introduction of Russia’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and VVER-1200 (from evolution, design, safety concerns and licensing), the development of nuclear science for medicine and irradiation and the enhancement of local industry involvement.

DOE Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos emphasized in his welcome speech delivered by Director Patrick T. Aquino that “the inclusion of nuclear as a potential long-term option for power generation will further diversify the nation’s generation mix, which currently comprises of coal, natural gas, geothermal, hydropower, oil, wind, biomass and solar.”

The energy official said “this policy direction allows for the entry of alternative energy technologies, such as nuclear.”

“The nuclear workshop supports the DOE’s aim towards a low-carbon future that is anchored on a technology-neutral policy. It is in line with the DOE’s nine-point agenda espoused by DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi,” Marcos pointed out.

Meanwhile, Director of the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla emphasized in his opening statement that “while nuclear energy applications have largely lifted humankind, safety concerns should not be neglected.”

According to Arcilla, “in order to promote safety, the comprehensive nuclear law, now in advanced stages in Congress, will guarantee independence of a nuclear regulatory commission separate from the promotion and research thrusts of the PNRI.”

The DOST official clarified that “while nuclear science is often equated with energy and weapon applications, the advantages of nuclear science presents a huge potential in helping the Philippines, in the fields of agriculture and medicine.”

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi in his previous statements encouraged the public to participate in the dialogues and discussions towards decision and a national position on nuclear energy program. He consistently reminds the participants that safety is the top priority.

The seminar was attended by representatives from the DOE, National Power Corporation, DOST, PNRI, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Science and Technology Information Institute, and the technical staff of the Committee on Energy of the House of Representatives.

OTHER PHOTO
NUCLEAR E-DISKARTE: The nuclear energy workshop held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila on 11 December was attended by the DOE, National Power Corporation, DOST, Philippine Nuclear Institute, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Science and Technology Information Institute, and the technical staff of the House of Representatives Committee on Energy.

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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
Facebook: /congressmansiao Twitter: @freddiesiao                                                                                                            CHED, KINALAMPAG HINGGIL SA UNRELEASED ALLOWANCES NG CHED K-12 TRANSITION PROGRAM SCHOLARS

Tinawag ni Iligan City Congressman Frederick Siao ang pansin ng Commission on Higher Education nitong Huwebes sa nauna nang reklamo hinggil sa labis na pagkaantala ng mga allowance at buwanang ayuda ng CHED sa ilang gurong kolehiyo mula sa Iligan City.

Nag-aaral sa UP Diliman ngayon ang sampung na college faculty at 14 na De La Salle University college faculty ngunit hirap sila ngayon dahil ang ipinangako ng CHED ay ilang buwan nang napapako dahil sa mga isyu ukol sa proseso ng K to 12 Transition program.

Isa sa mga teacher-beneficiary ay nagreklamo na sa presidential complaint center ng Malacañang habang ang iba ay dumulog na sa Chancellor ng Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology.

"Para patas naman tayo sa CHED, binigyan nati sila ng kopya ng aking pahayag at panawagan na ayusin ang gusot sa kanilang sistema. May kutob akong hindi lamang itong mga nakarating sa akin na reklamo ang apektado ng problema," sambit ni Siao.

Dagdag ni Siao na, "dapat agaran nang ibigay ang pondo sa mga faculty na apektado ng K to 12 transition at sundan agad ng pagsisiyasat sa kung paano nangyari at sino dapat ang managot." (WAKAS)

References:
ABS-CBN NEWS TV PATROL https://goo.gl/T3ra1T

ABS-CBN NEWS BANDILA https://goo.gl/c2pqVb

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information

SOLON ASKS NEW NURSES TO SERVE THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, BEFORE SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD

As Member of the House Committee on Health, I congratulate the newest batch of nurses who have just passed the licensure examinations.

While it is understandable that many of them will seek work opportunities overseas, I still appeal to them to at least serve the neighborhood where they reside or where they grew up. In other words, give back and pay it forward.

The hospitals are not the only places where our country needs nurses. The DSWD, cities, towns, and provinces need nurses for their disaster response units. The military and the police need nurses for their wounded personnel. The schools need nurses. Big companies also have in-house posts for nurses.

In reaction to the recent POEA disclosure of the need for 350 more Filipino nurses in Germany, I take this opportunity to remind the nurses to exercise care, caution, and common sense good judgment when evaluating overseas employment options and offers. Always verify and confirm the claims of the recruiters you meet.

Germany has high demand for health care professionals because of its ageing population. According to the Department of Labor, Germany needs over 220,000 new nurses until the year 2020.

Implementation of the Triple Win with Germany project began in July 2013. Germany also has “Triple Win” agreements with Serbia and with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Triple Win applicants have to pay POEA processing fees consisting of: POEA processing fee of US$ 100.00, OWWA contribution of US$ 25.00, PhilHealth Contribution of P1,200.00, and PAG-IBIG HDMF contribution of P100.00. There are no fees for placement, preparation, and integration assistance.

Triple Win application is open to nurses:

• who are citizens of the Republic of the Philippines

• whose primary place of residence is the Republic of the Philippines

• who can provide certificates of their completed nurse’s training (four years of professional education; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

• who have an Active Philippine Nursing License

• who have a minimum of two years of professional experience as a nurse in hospitals, rehabilitation centers and care institutions.

-who preferably have prior knowledge of the German language (technical vocabulary and everyday language â€" ideally Level B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Proof of applicants’ professional qualifications is required. Members of other professional groups, such as nursing assistants, midwives or physiotherapists, are not eligible.

The prerequisite for working in Germany is Level B1 of the Europe Framework of Reference for Languages. Depending on prior knowledge the project finances relevant courses to achieve this language level.

BACKGROUND

Last June and July, 400 applicants were slated for Triple Win face-to-face interviews in Cebu (95 interviewees) and in Ortigas, Pasig City (305 applicants), according to the POEA.

As of last September 4, 2016 selected applicants numbered 584, the POEA said. Of the 584 nurses, 170 were deployed and 307 more were either undergoing training or awaiting training. From November 29 to December 2, 2016 some 27 nurses had Triple Win employer’s interview schedules, according to the POEA.

REFERENCES:
https://www.facebook.com/gmanews/videos/10155997263121977/

http://www.poea.gov.ph/twp/files/Triple%20Win%20Philipinen.pdf

http://www.poea.gov.ph/twp/files/cebu%20recruitment.pdf

http://www.poea.gov.ph/twp/files/ortigas%20recruitment.pdf

http://www.poea.gov.ph/twp/files/twp_rec_exam_passers.pdf

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMEN WHO SUPPORT THE ONE-YEAR EXTENSION OF MARTIAL LAW IN MINDANAO

Representatives Frederick Siao, Mikee Romero, Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Salvador Belaro Jr.  support the one-year extension of Martial Law in Mindanao and each has stated specific concerns about the safety and security of people and communities.

Siao is vice chair of the House committee on tourism and member of the House committees on Mindanao Affairs and public works and highways.

Romero is vice chair of the House committee on the East ASEAN Growth Area and member of the House committee on justice.

Herrera-Dy aside from being House committee on public information chair, is also member of the House committee on ways and means and on foreign affairs.

Belaro is a Member of the House committees on human rights, justice and economic affairs.

STATEMENT BY THE
HON. FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone District of Iligan City
ON MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION

As a Mindanaoan and Iligan City congressman, security and political stability are among my top concerns. Recovery and rehabilitation efforts for Marawi will not prosper if people's safety is not assured and remaining pockets of terrorism are not quashed. I am for extending martial law in Mindanao by one year.

Mindanao is ready to forge ahead as the new economic powerhouse of the Philippines, not just in agriculture, but also in manufacturing, services, and tourism. The security and safety of workers, investors, tourists will be assured in the short term by martial law extension and in the long term  by political solutions such as the BBL, progressive charter change, and move economic legislation empowering local governments and creating jobs. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE
HON. MICHAEL ROMERO, Ph.D.
1-PACMAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
ON MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION

It is clear that the Maute-ISIS terrorists have not yet been exterminated. It is also clear how the BIFF, the NPA, and other terrorist forces are taking advantage of the security situation in Mindanao.

We need a strong economic war on the root causes of the rebellion and terrorism, particularly in Mindanao. The roll out of the 2018 budget and other ways to address poverty will be adversely affected if the people who will make the programs happen cannot be adequately secured.

The victory of the military and police in Marawi has won the trust of millions of Mindanaoans. We need to take advantage of the one year extension to solidify that trust and build upon it with economic, social, and political solutions. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE
HON. BERNADETTE HERRERA-DY
Chair, Committee on Public Information
ON MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION

The new phase of the Martial Law situation in Mindanao requires not just a military solution but a military response strengthened by an aggressive public information campaign to win the hearts and minds of Muslim and Christian Filipinos living and working in Mindanao.

Government must, while there is martial law, mobilize all public information officers of all its agencies in Mindanao to help the military wage the information campaign.

In the hearts and minds of Mindanaoans, we must build the defenses of peace. The psywar must run parallel to the military campaign on the ground. (END)

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE SALVADOR B. BELARO, Jr
Assistant Majority Leader
1-ANG EDUKASYON Party-list
ON MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION

Schools all over Mindanao must be secured and protected against both terrorists and common criminals. Campuses must remain zones of peace and safe zones even with martial law in place. Safety and security of students and teachers must be assured during martial law.

Some schools are being targeted because of the new computers and other IT equipment being issued to the schools. Many schools in Mindanao do not have perimeter security and are far from the military camps and police stations, and because of these factors, they are open and soft targets of terrorists and bandits. (END)

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Reuters: Democrat Doug Jones won a bitter fight for a U.S. Senate seat in deeply conservative Alabama on Tuesday, dealing a political blow to President Donald Trump in a race marked by sexual misconduct accusations against Republican candidate Roy Moore.

The stunning upset makes Jones the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama in a quarter-century and will trim the Republicans' already narrow Senate majority to 51-49, opening the door for Democrats to possibly retake the chamber in next year's congressional elections.

U.S. stock futures, Treasury yields and the dollar dipped on Wednesday on the news of Jones' victory which could endanger Trump's policy agenda.

With 99 percent of the vote counted, Jones had a lead of 1.5 percentage points over Moore. But the Republican refused to concede, telling supporters in Montgomery that votes were still coming in and state law would trigger a recount if the margin was within half a percent.

In a CNN interview, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill said it was "highly unlikely" that anything would change the election outcome. "The people of Alabama have spoken," he said.

The ugly campaign drew national attention and split the Republican Party following accusations by several women that Moore sexually assaulted or pursued them when they were teens and he was in his 30s.

Moore, 70, a Christian conservative twice removed from the state Supreme Court in Alabama for ignoring federal law, denied the allegations and said he did not know any of the women who made them. Reuters has not independently verified them.

Trump endorsed Moore even as other party leaders in Washington walked away from him, but Jones, 63, a former federal prosecutor, portrayed the campaign as a referendum on decency and promised the state's voters he would not embarrass them in Washington.

"I have always believed that the people of Alabama have more in common than divides us," Jones told cheering supporters at his Birmingham victory party, where Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" had blasted from loudspeakers earlier.

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MEDIA ADVISORY
13 DECEMBER 2017
WHAT             : NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY BOARD (NREB) PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY MARKET (REM) RULES
WHEN             : DECEMBER 14, 2017 (THURSDAY), 9:00 AM-12:00 AM

WHERE          : 1012 MULTIMEDIA ROOM, 10TH FLOOR HPSB, UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI, MAKATI CITY

WHO               : ATTY. JOSE M. LAYUG, JR   CHAIRMAN, NREB

                         ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN, PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY MARKET CORPORATION

•          THE RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS (RPS) IS A POLICY MECHANISM THAT REQUIRES ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY PARTICIPANTS SUCH AS GENERATORS, DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES AND SUPPLIERS TO SOURCE OR PRODUCE A SPECIFIED FRACTION OF THEIR ELECTRICITY FROM ELIGIBLE RE RESOURCES.

RPS IS COMPLIED THROUGH RE CERTIFICATES TO FACILITATE THE COMPLIANCE OF THE MANDATED ENTITIES TO THE RPS.

THE TRADING OF THE CERTIFICATES IS GOVERNED BY THE REM RULES TO BE PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.

THE REM IS A MARKET FOR THE TRADING OF RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES (“RECS”) IN THE PHILIPPINES AND INTENDED AS A VENUE FOR MANDATED PARTICIPANTS OBLIGATED BY RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS (“RPS”) TO COMPLY WITH THEIR RPS REQUIREMENTS.

THE PROPOSED REM RULES WILL ESTABLISH A COMPETITIVE, EFFICIENT AND TRANSPARENT MARKET FOR RHE TRADING OF RECS TO FACILITATE THE COMPLIANCE OF MANDATED PARTICIPANTS WITH THEIR RPS REQUIREMENTS THROUGH THE SURRENDERING OF RECS.

IT WILL ENSURE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL REM PARTICIPANTS,  ENSURE THAT PRICES OF RECS ARE GOVERNED AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE BY THE FUNDAMENTALS OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY AND WILL ASCERTAIN  THAT THE PRICES OF RECS ARE, IN THE LONG â€"TERM, REFLECTIVE OF THE MARGINAL COST OF BRINGING AN ADDITIONAL MEGAWATT-HOUR OF RE GENERATION INTO THE PHILIPPINE ELECTRICITY SYSTEM.

THIS IS THE SECOND (2ND) LEG OF THE PUBCON AFTER THE FIRST HELD IN MARCO POLO DAVAO CITY LAST DECEMBER 5, 2017.

THE ACTIVITY WILL BE ATTENDED BY VARIOUS RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPERS, DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES, ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, LGUS, CONSUMER GROUPS AND CIVIL SOCIETIES.

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U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Klecheski (back row, second from right) led the ceremonial handover of 1.1 million library books to the Philippine Department of Education (DepEd). Witnessing the event were students of Highway Hills Integrated School in Mandaluyong City and (L-R, back row) DepEd Region VII Officer-in Charge Juliet Jeruta; DepEd Region I Regional Director Alma Ruby Torio; DepEd Assistant Secretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan; DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Lorna Dig-Dino; and USAID Office of Education Chief Brian Levey.

Manila, December 13, 2017 â€" U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Michael Klecheski led the ceremonial handover of 1.1 million library books to the Philippine Department of Education on December 11.  The donation is part of the U.S. government's continuing early grade reading assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“The U.S. government continues to support the Department of Education (DepEd) in our mutual goal of improving the quality of education in the Philippines, so that boys and girls can go to school and learn skills that are foundational to their development,” said Mr. Klecheski.

The books, many of which were written and illustrated by renowned Filipino authors and artists, were provided to more than 8,100 classroom libraries in USAID-assisted schools in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region) and 7 (Central Visayas).  Through this initiative, children will have access to a wider variety of quality reading materials, helping boost their interest in reading â€" a key to lifelong learning and academic success.

Since 2013, USAID, through its Php1.9 billion Basa Pilipinas project, has worked with the Department of Education to implement the language and literacy component of the K-3 curriculum.  Through this partnership, USAID has strengthened the reading skills of over 1.8 million students from kindergarten to grade three, trained more than 19,000 teachers and school heads, and provided more than 8 million copies of teacher guides, storybooks, and other education aids to 3,000 public elementary schools in the Philippines.

About USAID:

USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.  In the Philippines, USAID partners with the national government to build a more stable, prosperous, and well-governed nation.  For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or email infoph@usaid.gov.

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God's Revelation Is His Invitation

(Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. - Amos 3:7)

Christians spend much time talking about “seeking God’s will,” as though it were hidden and difficult to find. God does not hide His will. His will is not difficult to discover. We do not have to plead with God to reveal His will to us. He is more eager to reveal His will than we are willing to receive it. We sometimes ask God to do things He has already done! The people in Amos’s day became disoriented to God and to His desires. God had revealed His will; the problem was that they had not recognized it or obeyed it. Amos declared that God does nothing in the affairs of humanity without seeking one of His servants to whom He will reveal His activity.

Tragically, there are times when no one is walking closely enough with Him to be receptive to His word (Isa. 59:16; 63:5; Ezek. 22:30-31). Jesus walked so intimately with His Father that He was always aware of what the Father was doing around Him (John 5:19-20). Jesus said that if our eyes are pure, they will see God and recognize His activity (Matt. 6:22). If we are not seeing God’s activity, the problem is not a lack of revelation. The problem is that our sin prevents us from noticing it. When God is working in your child’s life or when He is convicting your coworker, He may reveal His activity to you. His revelation is His invitation for you to join Him in His redemptive work. Be alert to God’s activity around you. He will reveal His activity to His servants. If your spiritual eyes are pure, you will be overwhelmed by all that you see God doing around you! - Henry and Richard Blackaby

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Asa na kaha si Botoy karon?

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If you’re not spending 5 hours a week learning, you’re being irresponsible

Why did the busiest person in the world, former president Barack Obama, read an hour a day while in office?

Why has the best investor in history, Warren Buffett, invested 80% of his time in reading and thinking throughout his career?

Why has the world’s richest person, Bill Gates, read a book a week during his career? And why has he taken a yearly two-week reading vacation throughout his entire career?

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PH ENERGY PLAN PRESENTATION: Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Robert B. Uy addresses the stakeholder participants during the Philippine Energy Plan ‎‎‎2017-2040 presentation last 1 December at Days Hotel in Iloilo City. This information, education and communication campaign aims to provide the necessary knowledge to energy stakeholders on the full implementation of the plan as well as the accomplishments and various roadmaps in the development of the energy sector.

(Taguig City). What Christmas break with the Filipinos’ high utilization of electricity to light up lanterns, trees and other festive decor during the Yuletide season?

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Tuesday announced the year-ending information, education and communication (IEC) session set for Dec. 19 on the Philippine Energy Plan in Taguig City.

The IEC is the third in a series following sessions in General Santos last November 29, Iloilo City on December 1 and Baguio City on 5 December 5 â€" all reaching out to energy consumers and stakeholders across the country.

“We are doing these to increase public awareness on the government’s direction for the energy sector, because we want them to get involved in the execution of our plans and programs,” said Cusi.

“Communicating the Philippine Energy Plan ‎2017-2040 to our stakeholders is aligned with our thrust of empowering the Filipinos, especially on their energy choices for the better,” he added.

The PEP serves as a blueprint to guide energy stakeholders and boost investors’ confidence in the industry.

The plan, according to Cusi, is anchored on the Duterte administration’s Ambisyon Natin 2040 program and the Philippine

Development Plan (PDP) ‎2017-2022.

PEP encapsulates the administration’s priority agenda and the eight ( strategic directions in energy to support the country’s economic development, said the DOE chief.

The salient features of the PEP ‎2017-2040 include the energy demand and supply outlook, sub-sectoral plans, programs and roadmaps for the short- to long-term planning horizons, and the recent policy initiatives, such as Executive Order (EO) No. 30 and the Department’s Energy Resiliency Policy.

Cusi emphasized the benefits of EO No. 30 in hastening the processing of energy projects for their fast realization.

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E-POWER TAGAYTAY SCHOOL: Over 150 Grade 10 students and teachers of Tagaytay City High School attended last December 6 the final leg of this year's series of DOE’s Career Talks on Breaking Gender Stereotypes in the Energy Workforce. Among those who joined them were staff of Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office headed by Chief Science Research Specialist, Helen B. Arias, Electric Power Industry Management Bureau and Energy Resource Development Bureau who informed them of the energy industry and the opportunities therein. The activity was part of the celebration of National Energy Consciousness Month.

(Taguig City). In celebration of National Energy Consciousness Month, the Department of Energy (DOE), through the Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office (CWPO), conducted the last leg of 2017’s Career Talks in the Tagaytay City High School on 6 December 2017.

Principal, Dr. Florencio Costa, in his opening and closing remarks, extended his appreciation to DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi for introducing the ENEReady Program to their Grade 10 students.

“This activity is a welcome opportunity for our children to learn more about careers in the energy sector,” said Dr. Florencio.

Resource persons from the CWPO, Electric Power industry Management Bureau, and from the Energy Resource Development Bureau shared their personal and work experiences, and showed the distinguished women leaders who managed the DOE and its attached agencies. The goal is to inspire students to take up courses in science, technology and engineering, because energy is seen to be among the top challenging sector of the 21st century.

Over 150 Grade 10 students and teachers actively participated as they were provided guidance on how to plan their careers and have meaningful jobs in the future.

The ENEReady is a continuing program of the DOE-GAD reaching a total of 2,115 students in ten (10) schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Region IV-A since its commencement in 2016.

It is aligned with the E-Power Mo campaign of the DOE and aims to promote gender equality in the energy sector.

“I hope the DOE will also be one of their lifetime partners in the same way as its regular visitors, such as DepEd, DOH, and PNP,” Dr. Florencio concluded.

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Bohol Editor Covers Marawi City War

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Bohol Journalist in Marawi City War

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Pinoy Aquaman Swims Off Camiguin Island

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Marawi City On Google Earth

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Philippine Army in Bohol

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Mangrove Area in Pangangan Island, Calape, Bohol

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Bohol Kids in San Isidro Town

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Overlooking Tubigon, Bohol

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Some Bohol Towns

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Bohol Map

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Surigao City Port

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Sunset at Pangangan Island in Calape, Bohol

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Bukid Rice Sold in Tagbilaran, Bohol

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Lebron James and Stephen Curry in Bohol

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Philippine Islands

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Miss Universe Philippines Rachel Peters
At Bohol Beach Club, Panglao Island, Bohol PHILIPINES

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Bohol Beach Club, Panglao, Bohol

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KABAYAN PARTY-LIST
(Kabalikat ng Mamamayan)
For more information, contact:
Rep. Ron P. Salo 0917-729-2437
Twitter:  @KABAYAN_Ron

MENTAL HEALTH BILL FORGED AT BICAM, RATIFICATION SEEN THIS WEEK

Senators and congressmen were able to forge a reconciled version of their proposed mental health bills and expect to ratify it before Congress goes on its holiday break this Friday, KABAYAN Party-list Rep. Ron Salo said.

Salo, one of the six bicameral conference committee members and author of a bill that became part of the House version of the mental health bill, said the penal provisions of the reconciled bill are enough to empower implementing agencies.

"The six months to two years of prison time plus the civil and administrative sanctions would be enough deterrent against non-compliance, but consistent and effective performance will make the law achieve its purposes," the KABAYAN congressman said.

The prison penalty is for:
1) Discrimination against a person with mental disorder;

2) Failure to secure informed consent of the service user (person with mental disorder), unless falls under the exceptions;

3) Unauthorized disclosure of a person with a mental disorder’s confidential personal information; and

4) Torture, cruel, inhumane, harmful or degrading treatment, which are not medically or scientifically-based.

Other legislators on the House panel are Rep. Angelina Tan (Chair), Rep. Chiqui Roa-Puno, Rep. Arlene Arcillas, Rep. Edcel Lagman, and Rep. Ruffy Biazon. Their Senate counterparts are Sen. JV Ejercito (Chair), Majority Leader Tito Sotto, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and Sen. Bam Aquino.

The Department of Health estimate on fatal suicide in the country is at five Filipinos everyday but that figure is considered low because of under-reporting due to social stigma attached to suicide and mental health problems.

BACKGROUND

More Filipinos can come out of the shadows of social stigma if only they knew that some mental health problems are covered by PhilHealth. Yes, there is PhilHealth coverage for mental health issues: https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2010/circ09_2010.pdf

One study, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3146433/ using data spanning 1974 to 2005, observed that “there was a decrease in the incidence of suicide in the 1970s and early 1980s, but since then rates have been steadily increasing in both sexes; rates rose from 0.23 to 3.59 per 100,000 between 1984 and 2005 in males and from 0.12 to 1.09 per 100,000 in females.” (END)

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Three Temptations

(Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." - Matthew 4:3)

Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, yet He never sinned (Heb. 4:15). Jesus began His public ministry with His baptism. As John the Baptist raised Him from the water, Jesus heard His Father’s affirmation, “Well done!” Immediately afterward, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the wilderness. There, Satan met Him and presented three temptations. First, Satan enticed Jesus to use His divine power to transform stones into bread. It seemed like a logical thing to do.

Jesus was hungry, but He had a much greater need to follow His Father’s leading. The Father had led Him to fast; Satan sought to persuade Him to eat. Next, Satan tried to convince Jesus to use Satan’s means to accomplish the Father’s ends. “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down” (Matt. 4:6). Jesus understood that this would be presumption, not faith. It would be attempting God’s work in the world’s way. The world looks for spectacular displays; God uses a holy life.

The final temptation Satan proposed for Jesus to achieve God’s will was by worshiping Satan (Matt. 4:8-9). In return, Satan offered to give Him all the kingdoms of the world. By compromising, Jesus could gain a powerful ally, and achieve His mission without suffering the cross. Jesus knew that only God was to be worshiped and to do this would not bring instant success, as Satan promised, but devastating failure. As you seek to follow God, temptations will inevitably come. Sometimes they will come to you immediately after a spiritual victory. Jesus relied on God’s Word to see Him through the temptations that could have destroyed Him and thwarted God’s plan. He has modeled the way for you to meet every temptation. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

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REP. BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information
TINIMBANG NGUNIT KULANG ANG MGA HAKBANG KONTRA TRAPIK NGAYONG PASKO

Kailangan pa ring dagdagan ng mga shopping mall ang kanilang mga parking management and traffic congestion response measures para maibsan ang matinding trapik hindi lamang sa mga lansangan sa paligid ng mga mall kundi pati rin sa kanilang parking areas, lalo na ngayon Kapaskuhan, ayon sa Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy.

"Sadyang matiisin at sanay na masyado sa hirap sa kalsada ang mga motorista sa Metro Manila at iba pang highly-urbanized centers ng ating bansa, pero hindi ito dapat samantalahin ng mga mall," giit ni Rep. Herrera-Dy, may-akda ng House Bill 2263 (proposed Car Park Security Act) at kasapi ng House Committee on Metro-Manila Development.

Kulang na kulang, sa pananaw ng kongresista ang mga tauhang naka-deploy at sa mga parking lots naman ay nagkakatrapik dahil sa paikot-ikot na hanapan ng bakanteng mapagpaparadahan.

"Bakit hindi pa sila gumagamit ng mobile apps para matulungan agad ang mga motorista na makita kung saan ang mga bakanteng parking slot? Hindi naman siguro mahirap nang gawin iyang mobile apps dahil meron silang mga CCTV na nakakalat sa bawat bawat zone ng parking area at meron pa silang rumorondang security guards," dagdag ni Herrera-Dy.

Pansin rin ng congresswoman na tila walang koordinasyon ang ilang mall sa mga barangay at munisipyo o city hall dahil habang nagkalat ang tao sa lansangan sa palig ng mall ay wala man lang mga taong inilalayo ang mga commuter sa sakuna.

"Hindi na-mamaximize ng mga mall ang kanilang transport terminals dahil maraming tao ang nag-aabang pa rin ng masasakyan sa kalsada mismo. Tinimbang ngunit kulang pa rin sila. Parang inaasa lahat sa MMDA," ani Herrera-Dy. (WAKAS)

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information
SOLON CALLS FOR MOBILE APPS TO LOCATE VACANT PARKING SPACES

Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy asks PNP, malls to maximize malls’ transport terminals

As Member of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, I ask the shopping malls, hospitals, sprawling campuses, to address the specific issue of parking within the larger contexts of safety and traffic management.

I filed House Bill 2263, the proposed Car Park Security Act, which provides measures for access control, CCTV monitoring, and compliance.

While we recognize that it does cost the malls tens of millions to building parking structures, those facilities are auxiliary to the mall areas and contribute to bringing revenue to the whole shopping complex, while securing the safety of customers. So while it may be impossible to provide free parking, fees for use of the facilities should be affordable and reasonable.

Shopping complexes ought to have downloadable mobile apps for locating vacant parking spaces on their premises. Such apps can significantly lessen time wasted looking for parking slots, ease traffic congestion at and around parking facilities, and notify parking security of suspicious situations and medical emergencies.

Hundreds of commuters waiting, not on sidewalks but on highways for their rides home, is inexcusable. It takes only one drunk, distracted, or speeding driver at the steering wheel of a motor vehicle to suddenly kill, maim, or seriously injure commuters standing on highways and sidewalks. This high risk is frequently present along the highways linking eastern Metro Manila and Rizal, northern Quezon City and Caloocan to Bulacan, and Paranaque and Manila to Cavite.

Local PNP, mall security, city/municipal traffic enforcers, and barangay tanods must come to agreement on how to keep those commuters from waiting on the highways and herd them to the transport terminals within the mall complexes.

Some property developers have integrated transport terminals into the design of their shopping malls, but some have not. Cities and towns with malls within their jurisdictions or soon-to-be-built therein would be wise to encourage or require the mall developers to incorporate multi-modal transport terminals so that tricycles, jeepneys, buses, and private vehicles do not cause traffic congestion on roads leading to and from the malls.

Hospitals and campuses are also traffic congestion zones. Surely, there are better ways for these facilities to not unreasonably inconvenience motorists and commuters. The main roads near the schools and hospitals are not their private parking spaces. Effective coordination with the barangays should be enough to address this. (END)

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Not by Might

(This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’Says the LORD of hosts.” - Zechariah 4:6)

God’s word came to His people at a critical time. They were a despondent, disillusioned people who faced a daunting task. They had been exiled in Babylon for seventy years. During this time they had witnessed the strength of the most dominant military power in their world. They had watched the Babylonian army marching off to conquer other nations. They had seen the wealth and splendor of the Babylonian king. When Babylon was in turn conquered by the Persians, the Israelites saw an even greater superpower emerging on the world stage. They lost heart when they compared their own weakness and captivity with the enormous strength and wealth of the superpowers of their day.

As the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after seventy years in captivity, they found their city in ruins. Their magnificent temple had been destroyed. The city walls had been torn down. They had no resources to rebuild their splendid city. As these former refugees looked at the mammoth task before them, they realized their poverty and weakness, and they became greatly dismayed. Then came God’s word! He promised that they would, indeed, rebuild their city. But, He told them, the rebuilding would not be accomplished by their own power and resources but by His Spirit. As long as they had God’s Spirit, they had everything they needed.

There will be times when obeying God will lead you to impossible situations. If you look at your own skills, knowledge, and resources, you will become discouraged. However, when you became a Christian, God placed His Spirit within you. You now have the resources of heaven at your disposal. The success of your endeavors will not depend on the way you use your own resources but on how you obey the Spirit of God. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

Readability is judged by the number of words and syllables per sentence, as well as the average syllables per word throughout the text. Depending on the audience, the average number of words per sentence should range somewhere from eight (very easy) to twenty (somewhat difficult) words per sentence. Sentences longer than thirty words are often very difficult to follow. These thresholds are guidelines, not set limits. The occasional long sentence may be necessary and understandable. - Grammarly

'Not to admire is all the art I know
(Plain truth, dear Murray, needs few flowers of speech)
To make men happy, or to keep them so'
... but had none admired,
Would Pope have sung, or Horace been inspired.

Lord Byron   (1788 - 1824)
British poet.
Don Juan
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

NEW YORK (Reuters 2007 Archive) - It’s been five years since U.S. stocks took as big a beating as they did this month, but their climb out of the cellar this week has fed optimism that November may not be the dawn of a bear market after all.

Just four days ago U.S. equity index benchmarks were all 10 percent or more below their 52-week highs, marking the first formal market correction in more than four years.

At the time, rattled investors appeared convinced that the unraveling of the housing and credit markets had much further to go, and stocks were not the place to be.

But in a wink, the mood changed. In a deal announced between Monday’s market close and Tuesday’s open, an Abu Dhabi government fund forked over $7.5 billion for a stake in Citigroup (C.N), triggering four days of gains for the Dow and S&P 500 to close out the month.

“I have a feeling the worst of the correction is behind us,” said Edgar Peters, chief investment officer at Panagora Asset Management Inc. in Boston. “The chances of this becoming a full-blown bear market are pretty small.”

The Abu Dhabi deal appeared to advertise what some investors had been arguing for weeks: stocks were bargains, and financial sector stocks were doubly so.

Indeed, standard valuation methods suggested stocks were their cheapest in more than a decade. The S&P 500’s forward price-to-earnings ratio, based on projected earnings for the coming 12 months, troughed below 13.7 on Monday, their least expensive since 1996, according to Reuters Estimates.

Financial sector valuations had suffered more than others, dropping about 15 percent since mid-October to as low as 9.4 times estimated earnings as the outlook for bank profits eroded thanks to the credit crisis. At Monday’s low, the S&P financial index .GSPF was more than 25 percent below its record high in late May.

The hidden health crisis of the opioid epidemic
By Robert Greenwald

The American epidemic of opioid abuse is finally getting the attention it warrants. While policy solutions continue to be inadequate, the decision by President Trump to declare a national opioid emergency has helped to increase discussion about the problem and how the country can solve it. But the conversation also needs to address a dangerous â€" and largely ignored â€" interconnected public health crisis wreaking havoc among young Americans.

The problem is that more Americans than ever are injecting opioids and inadvertently infecting themselves with hepatitis C. Shared needles mean shared blood-borne infections â€" and that’s how the opioid crisis has created a new generation of hepatitis C patients. The number of reported hepatitis C infections nearly tripled from 2010 to 2015, with the virus is spreading at an unprecedented rate among young people under 30 â€" who are now, for the first time, the most at-risk population for contracting and transmitting hepatitis C.

In the United States, an estimated 3.5 million people, and likely more, are currently living with hepatitis C. The virus kills nearly 20,000 Americans each year â€" more than HIV and all other infectious diseases combined.

Hepatitis C attacks the liver, causing cirrhosis â€" or scarring of the liver â€" and leads to severe liver damage, liver cancer and liver failure. The virus is the leading cause of liver cancer â€" the fastest-growing cause of cancer mortality in the U.S., which kills twice as many Americans now than it did in the 1980s. Driven by young people who inject drugs, new cases of liver disease have nearly tripled nationwide in just a few years.

Fortunately, we now have an unprecedented chance to eliminate the virus. More and more treatments are available that provide cure rates of over 95 percent, without the debilitating side-effects of older and far less effective hepatitis C therapies. These newer treatments, known as direct-acting antivirals, eliminate the hepatitis C virus from the body, stopping the virus’ attack on the liver and preventing the patient from infecting others.

While some of these treatments made national headlines for their initial $1,000-a-pill sticker prices, that time has passed. Due to increased competition as new treatment options have entered the market over the last three years, the cost of a cure has dropped dramatically. The price will decrease even further as additional alternative cures are approved.

For too many Americans, however, barriers to getting cured remain. While access has increased significantly for the more than 216 million Americans with private insurance and the 53 million who have Medicare, state Medicaid programs are a different story. The more than 70 million low-income Americans covered by Medicaid, including low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities, continue to face severely limited access to cures for hepatitis C.

Negotiated discounts to Medicaid are proprietary and confidential, but we know that the price to Medicaid for leading hepatitis C medications is now in the $20,000-$30,000 range â€" far less than the cost of treating the liver damage and cancer caused by hepatitis C. Each year, hepatitis C-positive patients average more than five times the hospitalizations and more than three times the number of emergency room visits as patients without the virus. Hepatitis C is also the underlying cause of approximately 30 percent of all liver transplants performed in the U.S. â€" an operation which costs an estimated $577,000 and thousands more to maintain ongoing health.

But it’s not just about the cost-effectiveness of the cure. Medicaid is America’s safety-net health care program for low-income individuals, and it is required by law to provide access to medically necessary treatments. As an entitlement program, there is no such thing as a waiting list or set budget in Medicaid. The program is specifically designed to shrink and expand to respond to public health needs, disease outbreaks and treatment advances.

It’s time that all state Medicaid programs start treating hepatitis C as the public health threat that it is, but that’s not what is happening in most states.

In our new report, Hepatitis C: State of Medicaid Access, we graded all 50 state Medicaid programs, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, according to access to hepatitis C cures. More than half of Medicaid programs received a “D” or an “F” for withholding a cure based on restrictions related to liver disease progression, sobriety requirements, and limitations on who can prescribe the treatments.

All of these restrictions contradict established treatment recommendations from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and Infectious Disease Society of America. They also run afoul of guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which states clearly that some states are limiting access to hepatitis C treatment in violation of federal Medicaid law. The guidance to states puts Medicaid programs on notice that they must comply with the requirement to provide medically necessary treatments, and this obligation has been confirmed by U.S. Federal District Court decisions.

Not only are these restrictions imprudent from a public health, cost-savings, and moral perspective, but they are medically unfounded. A growing body of research shows that drug-users can be cured just as easily as people who don’t use drugs â€" and that curing the virus in substance users can lead to low re-infection rates.

Current restrictions do nothing but needlessly jeopardize the health and wellbeing of hepatitis C patients and the general public. With opioid addiction at an all-time high, there is no justification for prohibiting drug users â€" the population most likely to spread this highly communicable disease â€" from accessing a cure.

States that are still rationing a cure based on outdated cost concerns and imaginary medical concerns are not only allowing the hepatitis C epidemic to spread, they’re exacerbating the lasting aftermath of the opioid crisis. It’s time for them to look at the bigger picture.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Robert Greenwald is a clinical professor of law at Harvard Law School and the director of the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School. Ryan Clary is the executive director of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable.

William Blake
I  INTRODUCTION

William Blake (1757-1827), English poet, painter, and engraver, who created an unusual form of illustrated verse; his poetry, inspired by mystical vision, is among the most original, lyric, and prophetic in the language.

Blake, the son of a hosier (stocking-maker), was born November 28, 1757, in London, where he lived most of his life. Largely self-taught, he was, however, widely read, and his poetry shows the influence of the German mystic Jakob Boehme, for example, and of Swedenborgianism (see Swedenborg, Emanuel). As a child, Blake wanted to become a painter. He was sent to drawing school and at the age of 14 was apprenticed to James Basire, an engraver. The young Blake had to draw monuments in the old churches of London, a task he thoroughly enjoyed.

After his seven-year apprenticeship was over, Blake studied briefly at the Royal Academy, but he rebelled against the aesthetic doctrines of its president, Sir Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds was a neoclassicist who took a very academic approach to the study of art. Blake preferred to draw from his imagination. At the Royal Academy Blake did, however, establish friendships with such artists as John Flaxman and Henry Fuseli, whose work may have influenced him.

In 1784 Blake married Catherine Boucher, the daughter of a gardener, who proved a devoted wife. The Blakes set up a print shop; although it failed after a few years, for the rest of his life Blake eked out a living as an engraver and illustrator. His wife helped him print the illuminated poetry for which he is remembered today.

II  EARLY POETRY

Blake began writing poetry at the age of 12, and his first printed work, Poetical Sketches (1783), is a collection of youthful verse. Amid its traditional, derivative elements are hints of his later innovative style and themes. As with all his poetry, this volume reached few contemporary readers.

In 1789, unable to find a publisher for his Songs of Innocence, Blake and his wife engraved and printed the work at home. This was the first large work created in his novel method of “illuminated printing,” which combined text and decorations on a single etched plate. Blake’s most popular poems have always been Songs of Innocence, and the volume displays characteristics that become more marked in Blake’s later work. It is written in a lyric style of great freshness, simplicity, and directness. Here are the first verses of the “Nurse’s Song” from Songs of Innocence:

When the voices of children are heard on the green
And laughing is heard on the hill,
My heart is at rest within my breast
And everything else is still.

Then come home, my children, the Sun is gone down
And the dews of night arise,
Come, come, leave off play, and let us away
Till the morning appears in the skies.

In 1794, disillusioned by the apparent impossibility of human perfection, Blake issued Songs of Experience, employing the same lyric style, and often using the same titles and themes as in Songs of Innocence, but perverting the sing-song rhythms so that the verses seem sinister and resonant with a darker meaning. Here is the “Nurse’s Song” from Songs of Experience:

When the voices of children are heard on the green
And whisp’rings are in the dale,
The days of my youth rise fresh in my mind,
My face turns green and pale.

Then come home my children, the Sun is gone down,
And the dews of the night arise;
Your spring & your day are wasted in play,
And your winter and night in disguise.

Both series of poems take on deeper resonances when read in conjunction. Innocence and Experience, “the two contrary states of the human soul,” are contrasted in such companion pieces as “The Lamb” and “The Tyger.” Blake’s subsequent poetry develops the implication that true innocence is impossible without experience, transformed by the creative force of the human imagination.

III  BLAKE AS ARTIST

As was to be Blake’s custom, he illustrated the Songs with designs that demand an imaginative reading of the complicated dialogue between word and picture. His method of illuminated printing is not completely understood. The most likely explanation is that he wrote the words and drew the pictures for each poem on a copper plate, using some liquid impervious to acid, which when applied left text and illustration in relief. Ink or a color wash was then applied, and the printed picture was finished by hand in watercolors.

Blake has been called a preromantic because he rejected neoclassical literary style and modes of thought (Romanticism). His favorite tenet was that “all things exist in the human imagination alone.” In his graphic art, too, he shunned 18th-century conventions and felt that ideal forms should be constructed not from observations of nature but from inner visions. His style made great use of the line in repudiation of the painterly academic style. Blake’s attenuated, fantastic figures refer back to the medieval tomb sculptures he copied as an apprentice. The influence of Michelangelo is evident in the radical foreshortening and exaggerated muscular form in one of his best-known illustrations, popularly known as The Ancient of Days, the frontispiece to his poem Europe, a Prophecy (1794).

Much of Blake’s painting was on religious subjects: illustrations for the work of John Milton, his favorite poet (although he rejected Milton’s Puritanism), for John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, and for the Bible, including 21 illustrations to the Book of Job. Among his secular illustrations were those for an edition of Thomas Gray’s poems and the 537 watercolors for Edward Young’s Night Thoughtsâ€"only 43 of which were published.

IV  THE PROPHETIC BOOKS

In his so-called Prophetic Books, a series of longer poems written from 1789 on, Blake created a complex personal mythology and invented his own symbolic characters to reflect his social concerns. A true original in thought and expression, he declared in one of these poems, “I must create a system or be enslaved by another man’s.” Blake was a nonconformist radical who numbered among his associates such freethinkers as political theorist Thomas Paine and writer Mary Wollstonecraft.

Poems such as The French Revolution (1791), America, a Prophecy (1793), Visions of the Daughters of Albion (1793), and Europe, a Prophecy (1794) express his condemnation of 18th-century political and social tyranny. Theological tyranny is the subject of The Book of Urizen (1794), and the dreadful cycle set up by the mutual exploitation of the sexes is vividly described in “The Mental Traveller” (1803?). Among the Prophetic Books is a prose work, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790), which develops Blake’s idea that “without Contraries is no progression.” It includes the “Proverbs of Hell,” such as “The tygers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction.”

In 1800 Blake moved to the seacoast town of Felpham, where he lived and worked until 1803 under the patronage of William Hayley. There he experienced profound spiritual insights that prepared him for his mature work, the great visionary epics written and etched between about 1804 and 1820. Milton (1804-08), Vala, or The Four Zoas (that is, aspects of the human soul, 1797; rewritten after 1800), and Jerusalem (1804-20) have neither traditional plot, characters, rhyme, nor meter; the rhetorical free-verse lines demand new modes of reading. They envision a new and higher kind of innocence, the human spirit triumphant over reason.

V  OTHER WORKS

Blake’s writings also include An Island in the Moon (1784), a rollicking satire on events in his early life; a collection of letters; and a notebook containing sketches and some shorter poems dating between 1793 and 1818. It was called the Rossetti Manuscript, because it was acquired in 1847 by English poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the first to recognize Blake’s genius.

Blake’s final years, spent in great poverty, were cheered by the admiring friendship of a group of younger artists. He died in London, August 12, 1827, leaving uncompleted a cycle of drawings inspired by Dante’s The Divine Comedy.

Source: Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Jane Austen
I  INTRODUCTION

Jane Austen (1775-1817), English novelist, noted for her witty studies of early-19th-century English society. With meticulous detail, Austen portrayed the quiet, day-to-day life of members of the upper middle class. Her works combine romantic comedy with social satire and psychological insight.

Two common themes in Austen’s books are the loss of illusionsâ€"usually leading characters to a more mature outlookâ€"and the clash between traditional moral ideals and the everyday demands of life. In most of her novels, her characters correct their faults through lessons learned as a result of tribulation. Because of her sensitivity to universal patterns of human behavior, many people regard Austen as one of the greatest novelists of the 19th and 20th centuries.

II  LIFE

Austen was born in Steventon, Hampshire, England. She was the seventh child of eight, and her family was close, affectionate, and lively. She lived most of her life among the same kind of people about whom she wrote. Her lifelong companion and confidant was her older and only sister, Cassandra. Neither woman ever married, but dozens of relatives and friends widened Austen’s social experiences beyond her immediate family. The Austens frequently staged amateur theatricals, and they were devoted readers of novels at a time when reading novels was regarded as a questionable activity. They also provided a delighted audience for Jane’s youthful comic pieces, and later for her novels. Jane had almost no formal education, but she read extensively and critically. At age 13 she was already writing amusing and instructive parodies and variations on 18th-century literatureâ€"from sentimental novels to serious histories.

By the time she was 23 years old, Austen had written three novels: Elinor and Marianne, First Impressions, and Susan, which were early versions of, respectively, Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), and Northanger Abbey (1818). A fragment, Lady Susan, which scholars date between 1793 and 1795, most likely also belongs to this period, but it was not published until 1871.

In 1801 the family moved to the town of Bath. After Jane’s father died in 1805, Jane, Cassandra, and their mother moved several times, eventually settling in 1809 in the village of Chawton, very near Steventon. Austen lived and wrote there for the last eight years of her life.

All of Austen’s novels were originally published anonymously. Several of them went through two editions in her lifetime. Pride and Prejudice was particularly praised, and Emma (1816) received a favorable review from English writer Sir Walter Scott, who was a prominent literary figure of the time.

III  EARLY WORKS

After her literary experiments as a teenager, Austen had two periods of busy and fruitful writing. The first lasted from 1795 to 1798. During this time she wrote the first versions of Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, and Northanger Abbey.

Austen’s family preserved the writing she did as a teenager, which was published more than a century after her death as Love & Freindship and Other Early Works. It includes the story “Love and Freindship” [sic], which Austen completed when she was about 15 years old. It is a comic parody of 18th-century melodramatic fiction.

The main theme of Austen’s first full novel, Sense and Sensibility, is that sensibilityâ€"responsiveness, openness, enthusiasmâ€"is highly desirable, but that it must be tempered by good sense and prudence. In other words, a person needs both sense and sensibility for fulfillment and survival. Nineteen-year-old Elinor Dashwood, the elder of the two sisters at the center of the story, combines both qualities; her 16-year-old sister, Marianne, is less balanced.

The novel focuses on the romantic affairs of the two sisters. When Marianne sprains her ankle on a hillside in a rainstorm and handsome John Willoughby rescues her, she follows her heart and passionately responds to what she believes is his courtship. He, however, breaks off the relationship when he learns that Marianne is not rich. In the meantime, Elinor becomes involved with a young man of integrity, Edward Ferrars, who, unknown to her, in a foolish moment of his youth had become secretly engaged to a woman whom he did not love. Both heroines suffer, but Elinor bears her suffering stoically while Marianne dramatizes hers, playing the role of the jilted maiden. Elinor is ultimately rewarded with a happy marriage to Edward while Marianne eventually accepts the proposal of the dull though loyal Colonel Brandon.

In Sense and Sensibility Austen challenges her readers and her characters to look closely at all facets of an individual’s personality. In so doing, Austen has been criticized for creating characters who are morally good, but too flawed to be appealing. For instance, Elinor may strike an ideal balance between sense and sensibility, but she also can strike the reader as cold and judgmental. Austen recognized that real people are flawed in significant ways, and so she did not permit the characters in her romances to drift too far from life.

Pride and Prejudice is Austen’s first undoubted masterpiece. The book focuses on the Bennet family and the search of the Bennet daughters for suitable husbands. Austen illuminates the topic of husband hunting and marriage in an acquisitive society and shows most of its aspects and consequencesâ€"comic, trivial, sensual, opportunistic, desperate, and hopeless. The story follows Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, both of whom are romantic and intelligent, as they are forced to give up their personal pride and prejudices before they can enter into a happy relationship together.

As do Austen’s earlier writings, Pride and Prejudice displays the themes of appearance versus reality, and impulse versus deliberation. Elizabeth, trusting her own impulses, makes a mistake about Darcy and his apparent arrogance that deliberation and further experience eventually cause her to correct. Of Elizabeth, Austen wrote: “I must confess that I think her as delightful a creature as ever appeared in print, and how I shall be able to tolerate those who do not like her...I do not know.”

In contrast to Elizabeth, her father, Mr. Bennet, is the book’s example of what it means to live with one’s mistakes. When he was courting Mrs. Bennet, her beauty blinded him to her silliness. Another character, Charlotte Lucas, scared of spinsterhood, deliberately chooses to ignore personal desire and the basic requirements of a good marriage according to every Austen novelâ€"friendship and respectâ€"and she marries for security and social status only.

Northanger Abbeyâ€"the novel originally titled Susanâ€"parodies the exaggerated, mystery-filled and horror-filled Gothic novel form. The story is about Catherine Morland, a gullible and naive girl who enjoys reading Gothic novels. With the help of Henry Tilney, Catherine learns that real-life villains, specifically Henry’s social-climbing father, are characterized by mundane nastiness rather than melodramatic Gothic violence, and that extremely charming people, specifically Catherine’s friend Isabella Thorpe, can withdraw their affections as quickly as they offer them. Northanger Abbey is a novel of sustained and sparkling inventiveness, displaying the accurate and ironic social and psychological observation that also shows up in Austen’s mature fiction.

IV  LATER WORKS

Austen’s second important period of writing lasted from 1811 to 1816, when her works first received public recognition and she deepened her mastery of her subjects and form. In this later period she revised and prepared Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice for publication, and wrote her last three completed novels, Mansfield Park (1814), Emma, and Persuasion (1818). (Austen had already revised Susan in 1803, but it was not renamed Northanger Abbey and published until 15 years later.)

Mansfield Park is Jane Austen’s most ambitious novelâ€"in length, in variety of characterization, and in the scope of its theme. It centers on the effects of upbringing on personal morality in three familiesâ€"the middle-class Bertrams, the fashionable Crawfords, and the impoverished Prices. Austen has been praised for her presentation of the complex relations between the members of the families, but as in Sense and Sensibility, she frustrates the expectations of her readers that the hero and heroine be vital, attractive characters.

Fanny Price is intelligent, true to her values, and sensitive, but she is also frail, self-pitying, and terribly shy. “Creepmouse” is the label the character Tom Bertram pins on her. Edmund Bertram is witty and attractive when he is allowed to be, but circumstances usually keep him on the defensive, and he often seems prim and judgmental. Fanny and Edmund are, however, destined for one another, and after difficulty and growth on both their parts, they end up marrying. Mary and Henry Crawford, on the other hand, who were raised in London high society by an aunt and uncle who loved them but were not much concerned with their moral education, possess the vitality and charm expected in a hero and heroine. Some people have argued that Fanny and Edmund should have married Henry and Mary, thus combining morality and vitality. Others maintain that Fanny and Edmund are warm, wonderful people who make a perfect match, and that while Mary and Henry might be attractive, they are irredeemably shallow.

An important topic in Mansfield Park, as in Persuasion, and to a lesser extent in the rest of Austen’s fiction, is religion. Near the end of the novel, Edmund Bertram is ordained a priest in the Church of Englandâ€"in spite of Mary Crawford’s insistence that a career in the church is unchallenging and dull, unworthy of Edmund. The Anglican ministry, and its significance and importance (or lack thereof), are discussed several times in the course of the novel.

Modern critics have asserted that Austen’s interest in heredity, education, economics, and social forces leaves no doubt that her fictional world is a modern one unconcerned with religious affairs. But some critics insist that the moral intensity of the novels strongly indicate a spiritual dimension to the stories. Critics see this dimension in the willingness of moderate and practical heroines to sacrifice their chances of worldly happiness rather than compromise their basic values, the constant emphasis on unselfish love and self-sacrifice, and the awareness of the limitations and mystery of the human mind and personality.

The subject of the novel Emma is self-deception, and the book’s heroine is the personification of this subject. The novel follows the evolution of the lovely Emma from a domineering, self-infatuated meddler into a chastened young woman ready for marriage to the admirable and aptly named Mr. Knightly. He helps her to see herself more clearly and guides her away from a future as disastrously, and comically, muddled as her past. Emma is considered not as witty as Pride and Prejudice, and its heroine is not as appealing as Elizabeth Bennet. But Emma’s self-delusion, and the slow but progressive awareness by which she arrives at self-knowledge, give the novel a unity and perfection of form.

Persuasion, Austen’s last completed work, is very different from its predecessors. The main character, Anne Elliot, at 27 years old, is older than any other Austen heroine, and the great romance in her life seemingly has taken place more than seven years before the novel begins. She had been courted by a dashing but penniless young naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, and had accepted him. Then, persuaded by a cautious older friend that the marriage would not work out well, she broke the engagement. Since the unhappy episode, Anne has led a life of almost total isolation. Anne’s mother, who shared her intelligence and sensitivity, died when Anne was 14. Her father, Sir Walter, and her two sisters are shallow, self-absorbed, and contemptuous of Anne. Only Anne’s inner strength and determination keep her from succumbing to self-pity and resentment.

When Sir Walter is forced to lease his estate to an admiral returning from the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815), Anne discovers that the admiral’s wife is a sister of the now promoted and wealthy Captain Wentworth. He thus reenters Anne’s life, but he still resents her having broken their earlier engagement and begins courting another, younger woman. Over time Anne and Wentworth are slowly drawn together again, and this time it is the man who learns from the woman that his values are askew, not the other way around, as in Emma. This subtle work follows the themes of chance and fate, and it shows a constant awareness of the mystery and frailty of human existence.

Scholars debate how Austen’s deteriorating physical condition during the last year of her life affected her work. Persuasion has been called autumnal in its tone. Yet Sanditon, the novel she undertook a few months before her death and left unfinished, explores ambiguities of appearance and difficulties of judgment with a boldness of technique and a flexibility of tone that shows progress even from Pride and Prejudice and Emma.

Several other incomplete works were published after Austen's death. These include The Watsons (1923), Fragment of a Novel (1925), and Plan of a Novel (1926). Her correspondence has been published as Jane Austen’s Letters (1932; revised edition, 1952). Popular interest in Austen and her works increased during the 1990s, in part because of motion-picture and television adaptations of Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Persuasion.

Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou, born in 1928, American author, poet, performer, and civil rights activist, best known for portrayals of strong African American women in her writings. Characteristically using a first-person point of view and the rhythms of folk song, she writes of the African American woman’s coming of age, of struggles with discrimination, of the African and West Indian cultural heritage, and of the acceptance of the past. In 1993 Angelou read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton.

Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. The child of divorce, she spent most of her childhood living with her grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, the place she calls her hometown. After graduating with honors from Lafayette County Training School in 1940, Angelou was reunited with her mother in San Francisco. At the age of 16 she graduated from high school, gave birth to her son Guy, and began a series of jobs, including cooking and waiting tables.

Angelou’s career in the arts began on the West Coast, as a calypso performer and cabaret entertainer, and as a dancer in a touring company production of Porgy and Bess. She adopted the stage name Maya Angelou in 1953. “Maya” was what her brother had called her as a child, and “Angelou” was based on the last name of Tosh Angelos, whom she had married the year before. Upon moving to New York City in the mid-1950s, she attended meetings of the Harlem Writers Guild, won parts in the off-Broadway musical Calypso Heatwave (1957) and the Jean Genet drama The Blacks (1961), and recorded an album of calypso music. In 1960 she wrote and produced a revue entitled Freedom Cabaret as a way of raising money for the civil rights movement.

Angelou began her writing career as a playwright and journalist, receiving the attention and encouragement of writer James Baldwin and cartoonist and playwright Jules Feiffer. In 1970 she published the first of her autobiographical books, the popular and widely acclaimed I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In it she describes her rape at the age of seven and subsequent five years of self-imposed speechlessness. The series of autobiographical books continues with Gather Together in My Name (1974), Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas (1976), The Heart of a Woman (1981), All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986), and A Song Flung Up to Heaven (2002). These writings stress the themes of courage, perseverance, self-acceptance, and the realization of an individual’s full potential.

In 1971 Angelou published her first book of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ’fore I Diiie. Subsequent poetry collections include Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well (1975), And Still I Rise (1978), Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing? (1983), Now Sheba Sings the Song (1987), I Shall Not Be Moved (1990), and Phenomenal Woman (1994). The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou appeared in 1994. Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now, a book of inspirational meditations on life, was published in 1993. A collection of essays, Even the Stars Look Lonesome, appeared in 1997. In 2004 Angelou published a cookbook with anecdotes from her past, Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes.

Angelou has acted in several television broadcasts, including the miniseries Roots (1977) and the weekly drama Touched by an Angel. She has received many awards and honorary degrees, including Grammy Awards (1994 and 1996) for her recordings of her poetry on the albums On the Pulse of Morning (1993) and Phenomenal Woman (1995). In 1998 Angelou made her directing debut with the release of the motion picture Down in the Delta. The film is about a troubled woman who returns to the home of her ancestors in the Mississippi Delta.

source: Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Woody Allen, born in 1935, American motion-picture director, actor, and writer, many of whose films are humorous depictions of neurotic characters preoccupied with love and death. Allen frequently stars in his own movies.

He was born Allen Stewart Konigsberg in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 15, using the name Woody Allen, he began to write quips for newspaper columnists. He then wrote for radio and television performers, joining the staff of television comedian Sid Caesar in 1957. From 1961 to 1964 Allen worked as a comedian in nightclubs, where he drew the attention of a film producer and was hired to write and act in the motion picture What’s New, Pussycat? (1965).

Allen’s own first film, What’s Up, Tiger Lily? (1966), was actually made from a forgettable Japanese spy thriller that Allen transformed by dubbing it with absurd dialogue in English. He made his true directorial debut with Take the Money and Run (1969), followed by Bananas (1971), Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (1972), and Sleeper (1975). All featured Allen in his characteristic role of the befuddled underachiever.

Allen’s first major critical success came with Annie Hall (1977), in which he plays a comedian who falls in love with a singer played by Diane Keaton. Annie Hall won Academy Awards for best picture and best screenplay; Allen won the Academy Award for best director, and Keaton won for best actress. Allen famously snubbed the Oscar ceremony that year because it coincided with his weekly appearance playing jazz clarinet at Michael’s Pub in New York.

Allen’s film Interiors (1978) was a somber psychological drama, while Stardust Memories (1980) was an obviously autobiographical work. Around this time Allen also made what is regarded by many critics as his greatest film, Manhattan (1979), a deft comedy about the romantic anxieties of a New York television comedy writer, noted for its inspired title sequence set to Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin and for its luminous black-and-white photography. Allen’s 1982 film, A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy, the first of a new association with Orion Pictures, was also the first of many to feature his future partner, Mia Farrow.

Allen’s subsequent films include the spoof newsreel documentary Zelig (1983); Broadway Danny Rose (1984), a comedy about a failed talent agent; the 1930s takeoff Purple Rose of Cairo (1985); the family sagas Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and Radio Days (1987); Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989), about adultery; Husbands and Wives (1992), a dissection of marriage; the comic suspense story Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993); the mob comedy Bullets over Broadway (1994); the marital comedy Mighty Aphrodite (1995); and the musical Everyone Says I Love You (1997).

An acrimonious separation from Farrow occurred in 1992 over his affair with her adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn, whom Allen married in 1997. After his marriage Allen made Deconstructing Harry (1997) and Celebrity (1998), two films that were notably more cynical in tone than his previous work. In 1999 Allen wrote and directed Sweet and Lowdown, a comedic biopic about the life of a fictional 1930s jazz guitarist, Emmett Ray, starring Sean Penn. He starred in, as well as wrote and directed, the crime capers Small Time Crooks (2000) and The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001). In Hollywood Ending (2002) an aging filmmaker tries to cover up the fact that he has been struck blind during the making of a movie. Allen returned to romantic comedy in 2003 with Anything Else, and in 2004 wrote and directed Melinda and Melinda, a comedy exploring the same events from contrasting standpoints, comedic and tragic. Match Point (2005) was Allen’s first film made in Britain. This morality tale of ambition and social climbing set amid London’s high society was his biggest commercial success in two decades. He stayed in the British capital to shoot the murder mysteries Scoop (2006) and Cassandra’s Dream (2007). Allen has received Academy Award nominations in various categories for many of his films.

Allen wrote and starred in the plays Don’t Drink the Water (1966; motion picture, 1969) and Play It Again, Sam (1969; motion picture, 1972). A 1994 film version of Don’t Drink the Water was Allen’s first made-for-television movie. He has also published collections of short humorous writings, including Getting Even (1971), Without Feathers (1976), and Side Effects (1980).

Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

U.S. Government Program Provides Seaport Interdiction Training and Personal Radiation Detectors to Philippine Bureau of Customs

Left: U.S. Export Control and Related Border Security Program Advisor Joyce Gouge turns-over personal radiation detectors to Philippine Bureau of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña on December 4, 2017.

Right: Students participate in a “ride along” during a cargo container‎ scan.

Manila, December 9, 2017 â€" The U.S. Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS), in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), conducted an International Seaport Interdiction Training (ISIT) with Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) officers in Manila from December 4-8, 2017.  21 BOC officials from ten seaports completed the training, which included operational exercises at the Port of Manila.

EXBS donated 20 personal radiation detectors to the BOC during the opening ceremony on December 4.  The small hand-held devices will help customs officials to better detect nuclear and radioactive materials, and are valued at nearly Php1.5 million.  BOC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony.  U.S. Department of Homeland Security Attaché Ransom Avilla made remarks, followed by EXBS Regional Advisor Joyce Gouge.

A team of officers from U.S. CBP conducted the training, which focused on the effective use of cargo scanning through a multilayered targeting strategy, including advanced data collection, automated targeting systems, and detection technologies.  Students received three days of classroom instruction in preparation for field exercises conducted on December 7.  The field exercises focused on the use of non-intrusive inspections equipment, and students observed and analyzed cargo container scans as part of the exercise.

The ISIT builds on a previous training of BOC officials held at the Port of Charleston, South Carolina in June 2017.  EXBS will continue to engage with and support the BOC in advanced data collection and the eventual implementation of an automated targeting system.

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Over 170 Companies and Individuals Win Energy Efficiency Awards

STAUNCH ENERGY DEFENDER: Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi with Assistant Secretary Robert Uy and Senior Undersecretary Jesus Cristino Posadas and UNIDO's Representative Tonilyn Lim conferred the Special Recognition Award to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian during the 35th Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards (DEAEEA) held last 7 December at the Passion Restaurant, Maxims Hotel in Pasay City. The prestigious award is given to an individual who served the country through honed, crafted knowledge and talents on energy efficiency and conservation.

The DEAEEA is an annual awarding ceremony held every December to honor and recognize individuals and organizations with an outstanding performance in energy efficiency and conservation which greatly contributes to proper energy management. #ESafetyMo

(Pasay City)--The Department of Energy (DOE) honored over 170 establishments and energy stakeholders during the 35th Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards (DEAEEA) on 7 December 2017 at the Passion Restaurant, Maxims Hotel in Pasay City.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi together with Undersecretary Jesus P. Posadas, Assistant Secretary Robert Uy, and Mr. Gerry Manares, Chairman of DEAEEA Technical Evaluation Committee conferred the awards in seven (7) categories: Special Recognition Award to an Individual, Secretary’s Award, Hall of Fame Award, Outstanding Award and Outstanding Energy Managers Award, Citation Award and Special Award. Special recognition was also given to ASEAN Energy Efficiency and Conservation Awardees, the top ten performers in the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), experts and implementers of Energy Management Systems.

With the collective energy efficiency measures, Cusi said, “more than 1 million megawatt-hours of electricity or PHP 9.7 billion has been saved, or an equivalent of 512 million kilograms of CO2 emissions.”

“Energy efficiency is but a small part of our efforts to forge an environmentally sustainable energy sector,” he added.

Cusi said “Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. For 3 years in a row, we have ranked 1st in environmental sustainability on the World Energy Council’s Energy Trilemma Index.”

The Secretary emphasized the vital role of the consumers in achieving a sustainable future. He said that “with the right information, consumers will be better equipped to exercise their power of choice and make more efficient use of energy.”

The 35th DEAEEA were given to the following individuals and establishments:
Special Recognition Award: Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
Secretary’s Award: San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp.-Manila Plastics Plant

Hall of Fame Award:

1. 6750 Office Tower
2. Greenbelt 3
3. Holcim Philippines, Inc.-Bulacan Plant
4. Dole Philippines, Inc.-Upper Valley (DUVO) Cannery
5. First Farmers Holding Corporation
6. IBM Philippines, Inc.-Building J UP AyalaLand Technohub
7. Toshiba Information Equipment (Phils.), Inc.-CIP Site

Outstanding Award and Outstanding Energy Managers Award:

1. U.P. Town Center/ Francis S. Tenefrancia
2. Pavilion Mall/ Jesus V. Nacubuan, Jr.
3. Glorietta 3/ Ransie E. De Sahagun
4. Tutuban Center/ Joven C. Cristobal
5. Greenbelt 5/ Armin Lexter G. Tan
6. Greenbelt 3/ Armin Lexter G. Tan
7. Greenbelt 4/ Alvin Bryan S. Musngi
8. Greenbelt 1/ John Ignatius R.  Laplana
9. The District North Point/ Leopoldo Nino A. Jayme
10. Market! Market!/ Edwin B. Villanueva
11. Nestle Philippines, Inc. - Lipa Factory/ Lester A. Adviento
12. Nestle Philippines, Inc. -Tanauan Factory/ Edwin E. Erasquin
13. Froneri Philippines, Inc.-Pulilan Factory/ Dennis V. Sibulo
14. San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp.- San Fernando Beverage Packaging Plant/ Fernand V. Rivera
15. San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp. Metal Closure & Lithography Plant San Fernando Pampanga/ Marciano P. Payumo, Jr.
16. San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp.-Canlubang PET & Caps Plant/ Mario M. Mabaga
17. San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp.-Manila Plastics Plant/ Joey A. Lingbaoan
18. San Miguel Brewery Inc.-San Fernando Brewery/ Florito F. Santos
19. San Miguel Brewery, Inc.-Davao Brewery/ Wigbert Michael R. Blardony
20. San Miguel Brewery, Inc.-Bacolod Brewery/ Rofuat L. Lu
21. San Miguel Brewery Inc.-Sta. Rosa Plant/ Rofuat L. Lu
22. Manila Water Company, Inc. -Lucban Pumping Station/ John Paul Galman
23. Continental Temic Electronics Philippines, Inc./ Edgar I. Bondoc
24. Maynilad Water Services, Inc.-La Mesa Treatment Plant 2/ John Gerald H. De Jesus
25. Maynilad Water Services, Inc.-La Mesa Treatment Plant 1/ Adrianne Rose G. Castillo
26. Shopwise San Pedro/ Senorito Gejis
27. Shopwise Sta. Rosa/ Vince Dacanay
28. Shopwise Sucat/ Renz Francisco
29. Shopwise Vito Cruz/ Venancio Peralta
30. Shopwise Harrison Plaza/ Mark Anthony Francia
31. Shopwise Imus/ Herminio Saulog
32. Shopwise Commonwealth/ Jerson Fugen
33. Shopwise Basak Cebu/ Jaworski Rendar
34. Shopwise Araneta/ Nercy Jane Torilla
35. HSBC Centre/ Matthew Earl I. Ramoso
36. 6750 Office Tower/ Patrick Joseph V. Penacerrada
37. Convergys One Building/ Ruth K. Adaro
38. UP-AyalaLand Technohub/ John Boris R. Austria
39. Baguio AyalaLand Technohub/ William Z. Santiago
40. MSE Building/ Charles C. Hernandez
41. Universal RE Condo Corporation/ Lolita T. Vicente
42. Glorietta 2 BPO/ Mark Ryan T. Quierrez
43. Serendra Retail/ Diego Angelo C. Gonzalez
44. Bonifacio Technology Center/ Marvin John M. Gacula
45. KGB Building/ Julian C. Cuartero, Jr.
46. The Mind Museum/ John Adam P. Sumbillo
47. Maybank Corporate Center     / Felipe A. Ladignon, Jr.
48. Genpact Services LLC-Plaz@ A Bldg./ Arnold P. Pagcaliwagan
49. Genpact Services LLC-Vector 2 Bldg./ Raymond Angelo Pedracio
50. Citibank Square Condominium Corporation/ Richard V. Teodocio
51. Nexperia Philippines, Inc./ Ramil A. Soriano
52. Toshiba Information Equipment (Phils.), Inc.-LTI Site/ Rolando G. Arciaga
53. AGC Flat Glass Philippines, Inc./ Alfred G. Pascual
54. JY Campos Centre/ Judith Monica C. Cu
55. Honda Cars Philippines, Inc./ Reginald M. Castillo
56. Robinsons Fuente/ Manuel T. Llagas
57. Robinsons Place Angeles/ Leo S. Galuego
58. Robinsons Place Antique/ Sunny A. Deramas
59. Robinsons Place Palawan/ Elmer B. Borejon
60. Eagle Cement Corporation/ Danny S. Madriaga
61. Holcim Philippines, Inc.-Bulacan Plant/ Samuel O. Manlosa, Jr.
62. IBM Philippines, Inc. -Building J        / Nicasio Bordeos, Jr.
63. IBM Philippines, Inc.-Two Evo Tech Building/ Nicasio Bordeos, Jr.
64. IBM Philippines, Inc.-Building E/ Timitty Joseph Amparo
65. Pepsi Cola Products Phils, Inc.-Davao Plant/ Larry James V. Agustin
66. Pepsi Cola Products Phils, Inc.-Cebu Plant/ Erwin Avergonzado
67. Dole Philippines, Inc.-Upper Valley (DUVO) Cannery/      Tomas A. Socorin
68. Dole Philippines, Inc.-Cannery Complex/ Wilson Peria
69. Philippine Mining Service Corp -Bohol Plant/ Paul M. Espina
70. Canon Business Machines (Philippines), Inc./ Hiroki Matsubayashi
71. ON Semiconductor Philippines, Inc.-Carmona Plant/ Ramil Mandocdoc
72. First Farmers Holding Corporation/ Beau G. Ruiz
73. International Wiring Systems (Phils.) Corp. / Leslie T. Baun
74. New Carcar Manufacturing Inc./ Leeman R. Aguirre
75. Toshiba Information Equipment (Phils.), Inc.-CIP Site/ Roberto B. Tan

Citation Award:

1. Fairview Terraces
2. Glorietta 5
3. Greenbelt 2
4. TriNoma Mall
5. One E-Com Center
6. SM City Manila
7. SM Mall of Asia
8. SM City Fairview
9. SM City Clark
10. SM Southmall
11. SM Delgado
12. SM Harrison
13. Maynilad Water Services, Inc.-Tondo Sewage Pumping Plant
14. Shopwise Filinvest
15. Marketplace by Rustan's Rockwell
16. Tower One & Exchange Plaza.
17. Teleperformance Center Ayala
18. ON Semiconductor SSMP Philippines Corp.
19. CitiTower Condominium Corporation
20. Robinsons Place Tagaytay-Summit Ridge Promenade
21. Robinsons Place Ilocos
22. Robinsons Place Cainta
23. San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp-Manila Glass Plant
24. San Miguel Brewery Inc.-Polo Brewery

Special Award:

1. Ecotower
2. Metrobank Card Corporation
3. Shell Shared Service (Asia) B.V.
4. Manila Water Company, Inc. -San Juan Pumping Station
5. Manila Water Company, Inc. -Balara Pumping Station
6. Two E-Com Center
7. SM Center Pasig
8. SM City Bacoor
9. SM City Marikina
10. SM City Cebu
11. SM City Masinag
12. Maynilad Water Services, Inc.-La Mesa Pump Station & Reservoir
13. Shopwise Antipolo
14. Bonifacio High Street -East
15. BPI-Philam Life Alabang Condo Corp.
16. Vertex One Building
17. Solaris One
18. Ayala Museum
19. Glorietta 5 BPO
20. The District Imus
21. Metropoint Mall
22. San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp.-Metal Closure & Lithography Plant Cebu
23. Forum Robinsons (Pioneer)
24. Steel Asia Manufacturing Corp.-Meycauayan Bulacan Plant
25. Pepsi Cola Products Phils, Inc.-Tanauan Plant
26. Pepsi Cola Products Philippines, Inc. San Fernando Plant
27. Nestle Philippines, Inc.-Cabuyao Factory
28. IBM Philippines, Inc.-Hanston Building

ASEAN Energy Award:

1. Maynilad Water Services, Inc.-La Mesa Treatment Plant 2
2. BPI-Philam Life Makati Condominium Corporation
3. Ayala Malls Solenad 3
4. Greenbelt 5
5. Serin
6. San Miguel Yamamura Fuso Molds Corporation
7. ON Semiconductor Philippines, Inc.-Carmona Plant
8. Continental Temic Electronic (Phils), Inc.
9. SM Jazz Mall
10. SM Seaside City-Cebu
11. Five E-com Center
12. One E-com Center

Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) Award:

1. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
2. Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions
3. Department of Agrarian Reform
4. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
5. Forest Management Bureau
6. Mariano Marcos State University
7. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
8. National Housing Authority
9. National Irrigation Administration-UPRIIS
10. Philippine National Oil Company

The DOE also recognized the newly certified National Experts on Energy Management Systems (EnMS) as well the companies who have installed the EnMS under the DOE-Philippine Industrial Energy Efficiency Project (PIEEP). These include Job Jacob Gonzales, Desiderio Caliba, Erick Estiller and Val Gregana who were trained by international experts of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Energy Management System Project Implementers of the EnMS include Chowking Highland Commissary, Sucat Plant; Chowking Highland Commissary, Muntinlupa Plant; Tong Hsing Electronics (Phils), Inc.; and Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Inc.-Canlubang Plant.

The 35th DEAEEA winners have been carefully selected by  the members of the Technical Evaluation Committee composed of the DOE, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, MERALCO, Petron Corporation, Philippine National Oil Company, National Power Corporation, Energy Practitioners Association of the Philippines, Philippine Energy Conservation Center, Inc., Energy Development Utilization Foundation, Inc., and Chevron Philippines.

The DEAEEA was named after Don Emilio Abello, a pioneer in the enercon movement whose commitment to the conservation of energy was demonstrated through prudent policy formulation and an intensive information drive. These efforts gave birth to the DEAEEA that honors outstanding performers in energy efficiency and conservation in the business, industrial, commercial and power sectors, as well as individuals with exceptional contributions in energy management.

THE EVALUATORS: The DOE also recognized the 35th DEAEEA Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) who were tasked to apply their technical expertise and skills in coming up with the criteria and the selection process for the different award categories. Members of the TEC are composed of the DOE, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, MERALCO, Petron Corporation, Philippine National Oil Company, National Power Corporation, Energy Practitioners Association of the Philippines, Philippine Energy Conservation Center, Inc., Energy Development Utilization Foundation, Inc., and Chevron Philippines. Presenting the plaque of recognition are Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Undersecretary Jesus Cristino Posadas and Assistant Secretary Robert Uy. #E-SAFETY MO

TAGBILARAN CITY, December 4, 2017 (PIA) â€" At least 151 Boholanos have tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) while another 23 persons are confirmed to have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

This was reported by the Department of Health (DOH) during the recent Kapihan sa PIA in line with the campaign to urge Boholanos to keep away from risky behavior that are the most common modes of transmission of the virus.

The forum was also held in time for December 1 as World AIDS Day.

By risky behaviour, health authorities mean having multiple sex partners and having unprotected sex, sharing needles, and using infected injection needles.

Another mode of transmission is when a mother has the virus which she may pass on to her infant.

HIV is a kind of virus that mimics the body’s “soldiers cells” that act as its defense forces, explained Milagros Israel, the provincial HIV AIDS coordinator at the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

Israel added that by so doing, the body’s soldier cells can no longer distinguish which are foreign viruses.

The virus then attacks the body’s immune system and weakens people's defense system against infections.

As the virus destroys and impairs the function of immune cells, infected individuals gradually become immune-deficient, they become susceptible to a wide range of infections, and other diseases that people with healthy immune systems can fight off.

The most advanced stage of HIV infection is AIDS, which can take from 2 to 15 years to develop, according to World Health Organization (WHO).

This happens when the person living with HIV (PLHIV) develops certain incurable cancers, infections, or other severe clinical manifestations which lead to death, WHO added.

Transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids, blood transfusion or use of infected needles as well as mother to infant, HIV - once its gets inside the body - would cause opportunistic infections, Israel said.

DOH nurse Nickson Felix Epe revealed that the Philippines has been identified by the United Nations as the country with the highest new AIDS cases, and Region 7 as the region with the highest cumulative cases.

As of May 2017, Region 7 recorded 90 cases in a month, and 182 of these are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
By law, the identities of persons living with HIV are treated with confidentiality.

One factor that puts Boholanos at risk of acquiring the disease is the mobility of people in Bohol, Epe said.

He explained that OFWs who may have contracted the virus abroad may bring it in, or foreign tourists who may have the virus could pass it to unsuspecting sex partners in Bohol.

The only way that one can determine positively if he or she has the virus is by undergoing a quick HIV test, which is free from any government facility, AIDS advocates said. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

A Heart That Loves God

(For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. - Hosea 6:6)

No amount of activity for God will ever take the place of a heart that is right with Him. Through the ages God’s people have been persuaded that they could please Him through their service and their offerings, regardless of their heart condition. King Saul offered generous sacrifices, hoping God would overlook his disobedience (1 Sam. 15:22-23). David may have assumed that after all he had done on God’s behalf, God would overlook his sin (2 Sam. 12:7-15). Ananias and Sapphira thought that their generous gift to the church would compensate for their deceitfulness (Acts 5:1-11). Paul was certainly one who had thought his zealousness would please God. After his conversion, however, he concluded that even if he had faith to remove mountains, gave all he had to feed the poor, and offered his body to be burned for the sake of God, and yet had a heart that was not right, it would all be for nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

We are susceptible to the same misunderstanding as all of these people were. We can be deceived into assuming God is more interested in our activity for Him than He is in the condition of our heart. God has consistently made it clear that He will not be pacified by even the most generous offerings and zealous service if our hearts are not right with Him (Mic. 6:6-8). No matter how much we do in God’s service, regardless of how active we are in our church, no matter how honorable our reputation in the Christian community, He will not overlook a sinful heart.His desire is that we devote  ourselves to knowing Him and loving Him with all of our hearts. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

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Northwest Inn Bacolod City
JB Centre, Rizal-Mabini Streets, Bacolod City
Phone: 034-434-8881, 434-4077
northwestinnbacolod@gmail.com
northwestinnbacolod.com

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Left: U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim helps cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new C-Joy poultry processing facility.  (L-R) Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong, Cargill VP Todd Hall, Ambassador Kim, C-Joy Poultry Meats Production President and CEO Paul Fulbright, JFC Founder and Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, Santo Tomas Mayor Edna Sanchez, Representative Maria Theresa Collantes, Cargill Philippines President and CEO Philip Soliven.  Right: Ambassador Kim partakes in a “chicken toast” to the future of the new C-Joy facility.  (L-R) Mr. Tanmantiong, Representative Collantes, Ambassador Kim, Mr. Fulbright, Mr. Hall, Mr. Caktiong, Mayor Sanchez, Mr. Soliven.

Santo Tomas, December 5, 2017 â€" U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim inaugurated a poultry processing plant, expected to be the largest in the Philippines, in Santo Tomas, Batangas on December 5, 2017.  This investment by Cargill Joy Poultry Meats Production, Inc. (C-Joy), a joint venture between Cargill and Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), underscores the strong economic relationship between the United States and the Philippines.

Ambassador Kim said “We are proud that U.S. companies like Cargill make investments that strengthen the economic partnership between our two countries and contribute to the economic development of the Philippines by providing livelihood opportunities, particularly in rural areas.”

The plant is expected to process 45 million chickens per year to meet increasing consumer demand.  C-Joy is partnering with local poultry farmers in Batangas and nearby provinces to supply chickens to the new facility.  The farming community expressed eagerness to provide chicken to the JFC brands.

“We are looking forward to producing chickens for the C-Joy plant to satisfy the poultry requirements of Jollibee.  One thing I was impressed about is the biosecurity requirements to control food safety at every stage of production.  They are surely raising the bar there,” said Mr Vic Lao, President of Highcrest Corporation, a partner-grower of C-Joy.  “We have already built a strong relationship with C-Joy and the executives from Cargill that we have met.  This partnership will be a successful one for all parties.”

Ambassador Kim called the venture a “partnership between two agribusiness giants.”  JFC operates the largest food service network in the Philippines with nearly 3,000 restaurant outlets around the country.  Cargill employs 155,000 people in 70 countries to provide food, agriculture, financial, and industrial products and services.  C-Joy is committed to delivering convenient, safe, and affordable chicken products to JFC brands in the Philippines.

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MEDIA ADVISORY
6 DECEMBER 2017

WHAT             : ENERGY INVESTMENT FORUM: OPENING MORE WINDOWS OF
                         OPPORTUNITIES

WHEN             : DECEMBER 7, 2017 (THURSDAY); 8:00 A.M. â€" 2:00 P.M.

WHERE          : RIZAL BALLROOM, MAKATI SHANGRI-LA HOTEL 

WHO               : SECRETARY ALFONSO G. CUSI, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                          UNDERSECRETARY JESUS P. POSADAS, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                          ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROBERT B. UY, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                          ATTY. GILLIAN S. DUNUAN, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, ANCESTRAL DOMAINS OFFICE NATIONAL
                          COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

                          MR. JOSEPH B. LLEDO, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, BANCO DE ORO

                          MR. JEROME H. CAINGLET, VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GROUP PRIME
                          MERIDIAN POWERGEN CORPORATION
               
•           THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, THROUGH ITS INVESTMENT PROMOTION OFFICE, HAS BEEN INITIATING THE ENERGY INVESTMENT FORUM THROUGH THE YEARS  IN LUZON, VISAYAS AND MINDANAO WITH REGULAR PARTICIPATION FROM EMBASSIES, LOCAL AND FOREIGN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, ENERGY ASSOCIATIONS AND AFFILIATES, FINANCIAL AND DONOR INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, DEVELOPERS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GROUPS, ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS, ENERGY CONSULTANCY GROUPS, THE ACADEME.

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TAGBILARAN CITY, Dec 6, 2017 (PIA) -- Nineteen families who evacuated to Bohol from Marawi City have returned home while 77 Muslim families from the war-torn city are still here.

This sums up the report of the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD) through Social Worker Hannah Mae Lubiano who discussed about the local Tabang sa Marawi here.

The war that broke out in Marawi since May 23 has made Bohol a host to 350 individuals comprising 103 Muslim families who sought safety in Bohol.

A little over 90,000 excluding the food and non-food items and free stress debriefings were among the help extended by Bohol to the evacuees, Lubiano said in a report to the Provincial peace and Order Council (PPOC) last week.

This excludes the cash assistance handed to Marawi City which was personally delivered by Bohol representatives to Marawi officials a few months back.

In Bohol, after coordination with the City Social Welfare Office, municipal, barangay officials and village chiefs, the OPSWDO facilitated the evacuees' immediate temporary settlement.

About 29 families comprising of 93 individuals were resettled at the Muslim Village here in Taloto District, Tagbilaran City while at the Muslim Village, Poblacion I, 29 families comprising 98 individuals stayed.

At the Muslim Village in Ubay, OPSWDO tracked eight more families, while at the Muslim Village in Jagna, nine
families comprising 36 individuals temporarily sought shelter, while two more families decided to stay in Dauis.

As the evacuees were temporarily adopted by communities, government and private sector interventions started.

Bohol provided food, which included rice and canned goods as well as non-food items that would make the evacuees' stay in Bohol more pleasant.

Non-food items like blankets, mosquito nets, malong, tawas, slippers for children, and clothes for babies were also handed out, Lubiano said.

All local PNP stations of Bohol donated food (like rice, canned goods, noodles, biscuits, milk, coffee) and non-food items (shampoo, toothpaste, bath soap, laundry soap, sanitary napkins, baby diapers) for the Marawi evacuees, Lubiano shared.

Even local universities such as University of Bohol and Holy Name University Community Extension provided grocery items and stress debriefing sessions to the evacuees.

As early as July, the OPSWDO conducted coordination meetings with the Health Cluster Coordinator, Provincial Health Officer, Muslim Leaders, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and City Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers to plan interventions on the needed health support of the evacuees.

OPSWD also released financial assistance of P 19,300 to help defray various medical expenses of nine evacuees, released 4,000 cash assistance for burial expenses for the families of two evacuees who died due to lingering illness and provided wheelchair for two evacuees - for one suffering Pelvic Bone Fracture while the other from Ischemic Heart Disease.

As soon as the government declared Marawi liberated, OPSWDO released P 66,750 as transportation assistance for 19 families who decided to return to Marawi and nearby areas to be united with their families.

By November 6, the evacuees dwindled to only about 278 individuals from 77 families, according to Lubiano. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

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Bestank Manufacturing Corp
668 T Santiago Valenzuela
Phone 02-292-5727

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Cebu Champion Hardware and Electrical Depot Inc
11 Pres Quirino Cebu City
Phone 032-231-7139

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POLICE BLOTTER - That at around 4:40 p.m. of December 4, 2017, Batuan PS received a phone call from a concerned citizen regarding a traffic accident that transpired along the national highway of Poblacion Sur, Batuan, Bohol near the barangay hall. Personnel of the said PS immediately responded to the area and found out that involved vehicles were as follow: one (1) rusi motorcycle (mc for brevity), color black, bearing plate number gc 56200, no certificate of registration and official receipt presented at the moment, and driven by one Daisy Cadenas Y Nazareno, 27 years old (d.o.b. 12-9-1990), together with passengers namely Thelma Nazareno Y Ebol, 52 years old, mother of mc driver, and mc driver’s son John David Cadenas Y Nazareno, 3 years old, all residents of Poblacion Sur, Batuan, Bohol; and one (1) kia bongo frontier truck (truck for brevity), color white, bearing plate number 120105, engine numberjt-123577, chassis number kncsd0622xs430713, certificate of registration number 252065542, official receipt number 1117424696, registered owner Janet Ontina from Tungkil, Minglanilla, Cebu, and driven by one Ruben Laguitao Jr Y Pasyol 37 years old (d.o.b. 08-26-1980), married, and a resident of Taongon Sr, Dimiao, Bohol, with non-professional driver’s license number g10-08-001376, restrictions 12 and will expire on 08-26-2021. Initial investigation conducted disclosed that both vehicles were travelling in same direction from Batuan town proper bound to Bilar town as the mc was travelling ahead of the truck when upon reaching at place of incident, mc maneuvered to turn left and was about to enter a barangay road when it was hit by the truck which was about to overtake the said mc. The truck driver applied brakes  but it was too late and rammed the mc to the side of the road. All riders of the mc was immediately rushed to Congressman Simeon Toribio District Hospital at Carmen but was eventually transferred to Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital at Tagbilaran city for further medical attention except the child who only sustained minor abrasions. The mc was damaged on its different parts as well as the truck on its front portion. The truck driver and his passengers were unharmed and he (truck driver) was brought to Batuan PS including the involved vehicles for proper disposition.

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TAGBILARAN CITY, December 5, 2017 (PIA)--The canvas has gathered dust, gloves eerily hung in the lockers and the sound of shuffling feet and occasional thump of gloves hitting the punching bags, the grunt of air as a hook finds its marks on sparring partners have long been silenced, the training gym has long been closed.

The gym, located on a small lot along the national highway in Taloto District of this city has seen the rise and fall of Boholano boxers: Rey "BoomBoom" Bautista, Aj Bazooka Banal, Cesar "The Czar" Amonsot and the most promising Filipino boxer closest to grab a world title, Mark Magnifico Magsayo.

Owned by the region's premier boxing firm ALA Promotions, the gym has long been padlocked when the owners decided to transfer their base of boxing training operations to nearby Cebu.

Tagbilaran City raised boxer and concurrent World Boxing Organization international Featherweight Champion Mark Magsayo who is fighting to defend his belt, said he had fond memories of the gym.

"I used to sell ice cream and pass by the gym, until one day, somebody asked me if I liked to fight. I quickly said yes I do," Magsayo, who is in Tagbilaran to fight a Japanese contender for the right to fight World Boxing Organization's featherweight division champion Oscar Valdez, told media during a press conference weeks ago.

Magsayo was then nine years old and the guy whom he talked to was the famous Antonio L. Aldegeur, founder of ALA promotions, the country's premier boxing promotions firm associated with Golden Boy and Top Rank, two of the world's top boxing promoters.

Michael Aldegeur, ALA Chief Executive Officer, also said he saw the promise of Magsayo when he was here in Bohol promoting the Boomboom fight, when the firm also officially started Magsayo’s career.

Magsayo has now picked the leather gloves to fight it out of the hard life and has long laid the icebox since he entered the Taloto gym.

The gym was where the Magsayo legend started.

Now abandoned with ALA still trying to decide what to do with it, City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II revealed that he would lead the city government in forging ways to get the gym re-opened, at least for the training of local boxers.

Now with a visible grassroots sports program and full flexing for local athletes, Tagbilaran City through the city mayor will initiate talks with world-class boxing promotions firm for the possible use of the boxing training gym in Tagbilaran.

At the sidelines of the press presentation of the pugilists for Pinoy Pride 43 which is billed "Battle in Bohol set 6:00 PM on November 23 at the Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium, Mayor Yap said he would try to talk with ALA promotions about the training gym.

At the same day, Michael Aldeguer confirmed they own the unused property, the temporarily closed training gym.
Aldeguer said he would still consult with the family on what to do with the abandoned gym here.

Baring its support to sports, Mayor Yap said "the City Government has always been supportive of athletes.”

The city government along with ALA promotes the Pinoy Pride 43 billed as Battle in Bohol, with Magsayo top billing the fight against Japanese Syota Hayashi.

The fight undercard are Masbateño Jeo Santisima against Indonesian Kichang Kim, Maasin-based Prince Albert Pagara against Tanzanian Mohammed Kambuluta and six more boxing pairs including Boholanos.

Aside from opportunities like this that show international exposure for Tagbilaran, the city has pushed for grassroots sports development program in boxing, but without a proper training gym.

Although part of his administration's goal is to build a city-owned sports center venue for its sports events and promoted sports activities, Mayor Yap also admitted they have to prioritize other immediate priorities like roads and drainage over sports center building.

Should the city's move result positively, the re-opening of the gym may not only be for celebrating the Boholano boxers who have, in one time or another, brought honor and pride to the province, including Magsayo, but would also firm up the local support for the grassroots training of Bohol boxers who, like Tagbilaran City based Magsayo, Talibongnon Nonito Donaire and Olympian from Jagna Roberto Jalnaiz, would relive and bring the glory of Bohol boxers as world-class fighters. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)

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KABAYAN PARTY-LIST
(Kabalikat ng Mamamayan)

UTANG SA GSIS NG MGA MAGRERETIRONG GURO PATAWARIN NA â€" REP. SALO

23,000 na teacher-retirees, di nakatanggap ng pension dahil sa di nabayarang utang

Inihain ni KABAYAN Party-list Congressman Ron Salo ang House Resolution 1508 na layuning himukin ang Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) na patawarin na ang natitirang utang ng mga kareretiro palang at mga magreretirong guro. Layunin din ng resolusyon na patawarin pati na ang loan penalties ng lahat ng pampublikong guro.

"Certainly, the waived penalties may be miniscule in amounts, but this will certainly hasten the payment by our public-school teachers of their loans, and will go a long way in alleviating the financial burden that they are currently facing," sabi ni Salo sa isang pahayag.

Sa HR 1508 ni Salo, ipinawagan niya sa GSIS na magpatupad ng tinatawag na “debt forgiveness or condonation” para sa mga kareretiro palang at mga magreretirong guro mula 2017 hanggang 2022 kabilang na ang mga guro na namatay bago ang takdang petsa ng kanilang pagreretiro para naman mapakinabangan ng kanilang pamilya ang pension mula sa GSIS.

Nakasaad din sa resolusyon ni Salo ang panawagan sa DepEd at Department of Finance na magsagawa ng malawakang financial literacy training para maturuan ang mga guro ng tamang paggasta at pananalapi na makakatulong sa kanila para mapabuti ang kanilang pamumuhay.

Matatandaan na naglabas na ng kautusan ang Department of Education (DepEd Order No. 38) nitong Hulyo 31, 2017 na nagpapahintulot sa GSIS at Pag-IBIG Fund na bawasan ang sahod ng mga guro nang walang “cap” na naging sanhi kung bakit maraming guro ang nakatanggap ng take-home pay na mas mababa sa P4,000.

"However, the DepEd order was questioned by this representation as well as by some teacher groups, and this led to the issuance of DepEd Order No. 55 (dated October 26, 2017). The new DepEd order will prioritize deductions from GSIS and Pag-IBIG Fund loans without affecting teachers' mandated net take home pay," giit ni Salo na isa sa mga lider ng Kamara bilang Assistant Majority Leader.

Ayon sa batas (Section 47, General Appropriations Act of 2017) ang mga kawani ng gobyerno ay dapat may minimum take-home pay na P4,000.

Pinunto ni Salo na ang kabuuang utang ng mga guro na aabot sa ng humigit-kumulang P19,000 ay di pa rin sapat dahil sa mga di inaasahang mga pangyayari at pagtaas ng mga bilihin.

"Our teachers are saddled by extensive deductions for contributions and obligations as they are forced to fall victim and borrow money from lenders that entrap them in a vicious cycle of indebtedness," ani Salo.

Ayon sa tala ng DepEd, umaabot sa P178 bilyon ang utang mga public school teacher sa mga pribadong lending companies. Sa GSIS naman, aabot ang utang ng mga guro sa P123 bilyon.

Sa tala rin ng DepEd, aabot sa humigit-kumulang 23,000 na teacher-retirees ang di nakatanggap ng pension ngayong taon sanhi ng di nabayarang utang. (WAKAS)

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PRIVILEGE SPEECH â€" REP. RON P. SALO
A CALL TO GSIS TO IMMEDIATELY WAIVE INCURRED PENALTIES OF LOANS OBTAINED BY PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS

Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, and fellow Filipinos:

I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege to address an issue concerning not only this representation, but also hundreds of thousands of our public-school teachers. Personal because it concerns teachers personally known to me, as well as supporters of KABAYAN Party-list. Collective in the sense that these teachers are our second parents. Without them, none of us, I suppose, would be here. None of us would have become what we are today. None of us would have been in a position to effect real and meaningful change in our country’s policies.

Mr. Speaker, according to the Department of Education (DepEd), the current gross salary of our public-school teachers is around P 19,000.00. However, they take home far less from the gross amount due to unfortunate and unforeseen financial troubles. Our teachers are saddled by extensive deductions for contributions and obligations as they are forced to fall victim and borrow money from lenders that entrap them in a vicious cycle of indebtedness.

According to DepEd data, the current total debt of public school teachers from legitimate private lending instiutions have ballooned to unprecedented levels amounting to P178-billion, aside from the already existing P123-billion worth of loans owned to GSIS. This amounts to P301-billion worth of loans, equivalent to 55% of the 2018 DepEd proposed budget of P549-billion.  In fact, it came to the attention of this representation that around 23,000 teacher-retirees this year failed to receive their pensions due to unpaid debts.

DepEd Order No. 38 (July 31, 2017) allowed GSIS and Pag-IBIG Fund loans to be deducted from teachers' salaries without a cap, leading some to have a meager take-home pay below P4,000. However, the DepEd order was questioned by this representation as well as by some teacher groups, and this led to the issuance of DepEd Order No. 55 (dated October 26, 2017). The new DepEd order will prioritize deductions from GSIS and Pag-IBIG Fund loans without affecting teachers' mandated net take home pay. With accrued penalties of their loans from GSIS and an imposed deduction cap, teachers will have to pay their loans and penalties in a longer period. DepEd Order No. 55 implements the minimum take home pay of P4,000, consistent with Section 47 of the General Appropriations Act of 2017.

Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, the basic education system is already confronted with a myriad of problems. Yes, our teachers have had their fair shares in contributing to the current dilemma that they are experiencing. However, the onus should not be placed entirely on them.

Although the P 19,000.00 current gross salary of the teachers is a significant increase compared to the previous years, it was a tad too late for many of them because they have already incurred loans and debts prior to the increase precisely because of their low salaries.  Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, we need to immediately take affirmative steps in order to halt the increasing burden being experienced by our public-school teachers.

As the people’s representatives, it is within our power to intervene and promote the best interest of the people whose welfare are at stake. As such, I respectfully call on this august chamber to strongly urge the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in immediately waiving incurred penalties of public school teachers in the payment of their loans. Certainly, the waived penalties may be miniscule in amounts, but this will certainly hasten the payment by our public-school teachers of their loans, and will go a long way in alleviating the financial burden that they are currently facing.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that education is our way out of poverty. Education is our way out of ignorance. Education is our way toward stability, self-sufficiency and true empowerment. Education is the key to the betterment of our society.

We may liken education as our nation’s fertilizer. It is the fertilizer that is needed for our nation’s development to take root and grow. But without the nurturing hand applying the fertilizer, the soil remains barren, dry and unproductive. Thus, it is essential that as policy-makers, we let our teachers focus on their job of educating our youth and worry less about their financial situation. And until the Government is able to provide the adequate and necessary resources in order to sufficiently cover all the needs of the education sector, all these remain an optimistic vision.

A take home of 4,000 pesos is unjust, particularly at this day and age, and with the continuing increase in the cost of living in our country. This amount may not even be sufficient to cover their transportation cost in going to and from their school. As fellow human beings, our teachers still need to live, eat, dress and send their children to school. It is incomprehensible how one can live with meager amount of P4,000 a month. Certainly, it is unjust for us to allow our teachers to suffer this fate. We must ensure that these teachers are able to provide for themselves and their families with sufficient take home salaries. We cannot allow our public-school teachers to suffer this injustice. Thus, this representation is elated to note that in the current proposed 2018 General Appropriations Act, this amount is increased to P6,000. But still, P6,000 is still very much insufficient for any family to be able to live decently.

Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, it was said by our national hero Jose Rizal that the youth is the hope of our country. (Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.)  These teachers are responsible for the molding of our youth; our country’s future. We must not ignore the pleas of the molders of our nation’s future.

Kung ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan, ang ating mga guro ang pag-asa ng mga kabataan.

Mr. Speaker, my dearest colleagues, in this regard, I am calling all the members of the House of Representatives to strongly urge the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to:

(1)          Waive immediately incurred penalties of public school teachers in the payment of their loans;

(2)          implement debt forgiveness or condonation for newly-retired and retiring public school teachers from 2017 to 2022, including teachers who are deceased before their scheduled retirement, so that these teachers and their families will benefit from the value of the retiring teachers’ maturing GSIS policy; and

(3)          DepEd, DOF, and government financial institutions to immediately conduct nationwide financial literacy and enabling training to empower public school teachers to manage their personal finances better and get them out of the path to financial ruin.

Along with this speech is a Resolution which I shall be filing to ensure that this call will be immediately realized.

Thank you and once again, a pleasant afternoon to all. (END)

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KABAYAN PARTY-LIST (Kabalikat ng Mamamayan)
Rep. Ron P. Salo 0917-729-2437
Atty. Ciriaco S. Calalang  0920-294-0156
Twitter: @KABAYAN_Ron
KABAYAN REP. SALO TO GSIS: WAIVE TEACHERS' LOAN PENALTIES, FORGIVE RETIRING TEACHERS' DEBTS

KABAYAN Party-list Congressman Ron P. Salo gave a privilege speech on Monday night at the House of Representatives to convince his colleagues to strongly urge the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to immediately waive incurred penalties of public school teachers in the payment of their loans.

"Certainly, the waived penalties may be miniscule in amounts, but this will certainly hasten the payment by our public-school teachers of their loans, and will go a long way in alleviating the financial burden that they are currently facing," Rep. Salo said.

The KABAYAN congressman recalled that DepEd Order No. 38 (July 31, 2017) allowed GSIS and Pag-IBIG Fund loans to be deducted from teachers' salaries without a cap, leading some to have a meager take-home pay below P4,000.

"However, the DepEd order was questioned by this representation as well as by some teacher groups, and this led to the issuance of DepEd Order No. 55 (dated October 26, 2017). The new DepEd order will prioritize deductions from GSIS and Pag-IBIG Fund loans without affecting teachers' mandated net take home pay," Salo also said.

With accrued penalties of their loans from GSIS and an imposed deduction cap, teachers will have to pay their loans and penalties in a longer period. DepEd Order No. 55 implements the minimum take home pay of P4,000, consistent with Section 47 of the General Appropriations Act of 2017.

Salo noted that the current gross salary of our public-school teachers is around P 19,000.00 but they take home far less than the gross amount due to unfortunate and unforeseen financial troubles.

"Our teachers are saddled by extensive deductions for contributions and obligations as they are forced to fall victim and borrow money from lenders that entrap them in a vicious cycle of indebtedness," Salo said.

Citing DepEd data, Salo added that the current total debt of public school teachers from legitimate private lending institutions have ballooned to unprecedented levels amounting to P178-billion, aside from the already existing P123-billion worth of loans owned to GSIS. This amounts to P301-billion worth of loans, equivalent to 55% of the 2018 DepEd proposed budget of P549-billion.

"In fact, it came to the attention of this representation that around 23,000 teacher-retirees this year failed to receive their pensions due to unpaid debts," Salo stressed.

In pushing for his proposed resolution addressed to the GSIS, the KABAYAN congressman also urged the GSIS to "implement debt forgiveness or condonation for newly-retired and retiring public school teachers from 2017 to 2022, including teachers who are deceased before their scheduled retirement, so that these teachers and their families will benefit from the value of the retiring teachers’ maturing GSIS policy.”

He also called for the conduct by DepEd, Department of Finance, and government financial institutions of "nationwide financial literacy and enabling training to empower public school teachers to manage their personal finances better and get them out of the path to financial ruin." (END)

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STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
RANKING SOLON SEES NEW HIV-AIDS POLICY IN PLACE BY MAY 2018

Nearly 20 years after the approval of the Philippines’ first law on AIDS prevention and control, RA 8504, on February 13, 1998, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading House Bill 6617 or the proposed Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act.

As author of HB 4276 which was consolidated into HB 6617, I hope this measure will become law by February 2018. The Senate already has a counterpart measure in SB 1390, which has approaches and many provisions similar to those of HB 6617.

Considering February 2018 is just weeks away and many provisions need to be reconciled, it would be better for Congress to get this law right more than to get it passed on the 20th anniversary of its predecessor law.

Perhaps enactment of the new HIV-AIDS policy law by May 2018 is the more prudent target.

Both HB 6617 and SB 1390 are the results of many lessons learned since 1998 in the struggle against HIV-AIDS. These two bills are vast improvements compared to RA 8504. Both seek to repeal RA 8504.

Both have better provisions on discrimination, confidentiality, health and support services, testing, screening, counseling, prevention, education, information, and misinformation.

From 26 members in RA 8504, the Philippine National AIDS Council will have 28 members if HB 6617’s PNAC composition prevails over the Senate version.

HB 6617 provides for two representatives of organizations of persons living with HIV and AIDS (from the current one representative). New additions to the PNAC are one representative each of organizations with expertise on standard setting and service delivery, and the chairpersons or representatives of the National Youth Commission and Civil Service Commission.

In HB 6617, the 17th Congress deemed it wise to trust and delegate to the concerned government agencies, the formulation and adoption of implementing measures and mechanisms for very specific provisions, in addition to the new implementing rules and regulations by the PNAC.

For example, the PhilHealth is tasked to develop packages and mechanisms for persons living with HIV, unborn and newborn children of infected mothers, and orphans living with HIV. PhilHealth will also propose as reference price for HIV and AIDS services in government hospitals.

HB 6617 also gives immunity from suit to HIV educators, licensed social workers, health workers and other HIV and AIDS service providers for acts in performance of the duties that do not violate provisions of the new law.  (END)

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Phone 032-345-6846

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578 G Lopez Jaena
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