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The trade that rocked fans of the Philippine Bastball Association (PBA) this past week is on!



PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa announced on Friday night that he approved the trade that will give San Miguel the number one pick in the PBA Draft this Sunday.



In exchange, Kia, supposedly to get the top pick, will instead get Jay-R Reyes, Ronald Tubid, and Rashawn McCarthy alongside SMB's first round pick in 2019.



The swap is the third revision of the trade offer, and Narvasa said that he suggested the said package to take place and even told both camps to agree on it within the day or else the top pick stays with Picanto, Narvasa revealed during the press conference.



With the deal done, the Beermen now have the opportunity to go first in a draft that will be headlined by Chris Standhardinger, Kiefer Ravena, and Jeron Teng. (PNA)

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New Policy on Renewable Energy (RE) to Help Rural Communities

(Taguig City). In the continuing effort to increase consumer access to clean and sustainable energy, the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) is conducting a series of public consultations to promulgate a new policy on renewable energy (RE) utilization in the off-grid areas, or for consumers in remote areas like islands, mountains and far-away villages.

The consultations focus on the rules and guidelines for the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) for Off-grid areas, a policy mechanism requiring electric power industry participants such as generators, distribution utilities, and suppliers to source or produce a specified fraction of the electricity they generate from eligible RE resources.

The consultations are being held with the support of the Department of Energy and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Building Low Emission Alternatives to Develop Economic Resilience and Sustainability Project.

“The proposed RPS rules for off-grid areas will contribute to the growth of the renewable energy industry through increased development and utilization of RE resources in the countryside where significant percentage are using expensive fuels. Thus we will be able to diversify energy supply,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

“Ultimately, we see this to spur socio-economic development and help address environmental concerns,” he added.

The Luzon leg of the public consultations for RPS was conducted on 5 October in Puerto Princesa City and on 12 October in Pastor Village, Batangas City.

In the Visayas, the public consultation is scheduled Thursday (26 October) in Lahug, Cebu City.

On the other hand, the fourth and last leg of the public consultation will be on 6 November in Cagayan de Oro City.

Among the issues discussed during the earlier consultations include roles and responsibilities, pricing, competitive selection process and public bidding, monitoring and transparency, academic participation, long term plans and programs, technology, transmission, permitting, relevant RE policies and even international commitments on greenhouse gas emission reduction.

The public consultations were attended by participants from national government agencies, RE proponents and developers, distribution utilities, electric cooperatives and the academe, among other energy stakeholders.

Led by NREB RPS Off-grid Committee Chair Urbano Mendiola and NREB Chairman Atty. Jose Layug Jr., the public consultations provided a venue to present the latest draft of the RPS Off-grid guidelines and to gather comments and suggestions from stakeholders before its implementation.

The DOE also welcomes additional recommendations on the NREB proposed policy from the public, especially from the primary RE stakeholders. All interested stakeholders may send comments until 10 November 2017 at email: techsec.nreb@gmail.com. An electronic copy of the NREB proposed policy is downloadable at the DOE official website: www.doe.gov.ph.

The issuance of the RPS guidelines is based on Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which aims to increase the utilization of RE by enhancing national and local capabilities. - Press Release

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ROME (REUTERS) - An Italian man was sentenced on Friday (Oct 27) to 24 years in prison for infecting more than 30 women with the HIV virus, after having unprotected sex with them despite knowing that he was HIV positive, a court ruled.

Valentino Talluto, a 33-year-old accountant, seduced dozens of women via social networks for a decade before his arrest in November 2015.

Police believe he had sex with at least 53 women during that time, passing on the virus to 32 of them.

The male partners of three of the women subsequently contracted the potentially fatal illness, as did an eight-month-old infant of a fourth woman.

Talluto often found an excuse not to wear a condom, telling his partners that he was allergic to them, or had just had an HIV test, the court in Rome heard.

He expressed regret for what had happened, but said he did not realise the consequences of his actions.

Prosecutors had urged the court to give him life in jail, saying he had provoked an HIV epidemic. The court rejected this, convicting him instead of "grievous and incurable bodily harm".

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STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone District of Iligan City
Vice Chair, Committee on Tourism
Member, Committees on Appropriations, Mindanao Affairs,
Youth & Sports Development, and 7 other committees
www.freddiesiao.com           

ILIGAN SOLON TO DOT: KEEP ADVENTURE SPORTS CENTERS SAFE FOR TOURISTS

Vice Chair of the House Committee on Tourism and former Sports Director of the City of Iligan Frederick W. Siao files House Bill 6424 or the Leisure and Adventure Extreme Sports Safety and Insurance Act to institutionalize safety measures and secure insurance coverages for all clients of theme parks or extreme sports facilities.

As vice chairman of the House committee on tourism, I urge the Department of Tourism to regulate and enforce minimum standards on safety and security at theme parks, including the adventure sports, extreme sports, and other sports tourism destinations, all over the country.

There have been fatal accidents involving domestic and foreign tourists who sought to experience thrills of the zip line, parasailing, river rafting, and skydiving, among others. (See references at the end of the statement)

Safety and security of our tourists must be assured. If the DOT does not have the personnel, it can certainly accredit competent and professional firms that can conduct the safety and security checks on its behalf.

Minimum Philippine standards must comply with globally-recognized standards.

This role of regulation and enforcing minimum standards cannot be left to local government units because there would be disparities from place to place and the standards regime would become nebulous that way.

The regulatory framework may also include a classification and ranking system that distinguishes between different operational scales, but sets a common core of standards.

A rapid response protocol must also be part of the regulatory system, so that when accidents occur there are accredited, properly trained, highly-experienced emergency personnel and units in place that will swiftly spring into action following a set of priorities and performance benchmarks.

With the yearend holidays coming soon, it is timely to urge the House Committee on Games & Amusements to prioritize House Bill 6424 which I filed to require operators of amusement or theme parks and adventure or extreme sports facilities to institutionalize safety measures and secure comprehensive general liability insurance coverage for all their clients.

Safety must be the number one priority of the operators of amusement or theme parks and adventure or extreme sports facilities. With the advent of the information age and the popularity of virtual games. amusement and sports activities have become hard core games to test the physical limits and imagination of the players, patrons, clients and other sports enthusiasts.

Amusement parks and adventure sports industries being highly dynamic, the operators continue to reinvent these enterprises. For instance, a world-renowned theme park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is continuously innovating its facilities by transforming its amusement park into an integrated destination with a complete package for different groups that includes swimming, comfortable lodging, food and beverage, shopping, exhibits and conventions.

With the continuous technological advancement of amusement or theme parks and adventure or extreme sports facilities, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions emphasizes the need to strengthen the safety measures appurtenant to these activities.

Therefore, it becomes imperative to institutionalize the safety measures and make the procurement of comprehensive general liability insurance as one of the mandatory prerequisites for the operators so that clients may safely enjoy the amenities of amusement or theme parks and adventure or extreme sports facilities. (END)

REFERENCES:
http://accreditationonline.tourism.gov.ph/Standards.aspx
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/933438/police-zipline-accident-resort-los-banos-laguna-dead
http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/24/17/south-korean-man-dies-in-parasailing-accident-in-cebu
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/qrt/146879/pastor-patay-nang-mabagsakan-ng-steel-stopper-ng-zipline-sa-antipolo/video/
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/365804/body-of-tourist-in-cdo-white-water-rafting-accident-found/story/
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/ulatfilipino/236058/ust-student-patay-sa-skydiving-accident-sa-ormoc/story/

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The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to serve the dismissal order against Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

This after the Ombudsman confirmed the decision imposing the penalty of dismissal against Mabilog for the case of “serious dishonesty relative to unlawful acquisition of wealth.”

The dismissal from post of Mabilog was approved by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang on Oct. 6, 2017.

Likewise, the Ombudsman on Friday furnished the DILG the copy of its decision for the implementation of the dismissal order.

The Ombudsman also perpetually disqualified Mabilog from holding any public office and that all his retirement benefits are forfeited.

The complaint stemmed from the case filed by former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada.

In 2015, Mejorada filed before the Ombudsman the case of plunder, dishonesty, grave misconduct and perjury against Mabilog.

In his complaint-affidavit, Mejorada claimed that the wealth of Mabilog increased by PHP54 million when he became Iloilo city mayor.

He added that Mabilog did not declare properly his properties in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) in 2014.

Mejorada questioned the accumulation of properties by Mabilog, which he said, could not be purchased if his salary as city mayor and his income as a businessman would be the basis.

Included in the questioned properties is the house of Mabilog in Barangay Tap-oc, Molo, Iloilo City, which President Rodrigo Roa Duterte described as a “mansion”.

The complaint added that Mabilog failed to declare in his SALN where he derived his properties. (PNA)

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CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA, September 02, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Winjet Automotive is pleased to announce to return as a featured pavilion at SEMA 2017, Oct. 31 through Nov. 3, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. SEMA show, one of the automotive industry's hottest events of the year, known as the "premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world,"

"We're expanding the boundaries of design and technology, will also debut our latest automotive parts and accessories. We are confident the new designs and technologies will be a game changer especially in the automotive lighting manufacturing industry and we can't wait to share it with you," said Kyle Lee, Manager of Winjet Automotive in USA. "Not all automotive parts are created equal. Not all your customers' needs are either. The automotive aftermarket and performance are all about choices, quality, and design. So is the Winjet Automotive Pavilion at SEMA 2017," commented Winjet Automotive's Manager Kyle Lee. "For more than 100 years, the automotive aftermarket and performance has been providing motorists with choices for parts and service like no other industry."

For professional service and parts suppliers, success is often based on giving customers true choices, fast and efficiently. Choices that make sense to the clients and for the business professionals who are serving them. Customers need dependable and affordable parts and services with reliable quality. There are levels of quality to meet the needs of many levels of the market from top quality to value lines.

Winjet Automotive will focus on growing its WDs and resellers network throughout the Americas, and is again actively inviting prospective WDs and resellers to come learn about the product and services from Winjet Automotive. With over 20+ years of manufacturing experience, we surpass our competition in quality, innovative styling and product offerings. Winjet Automotive is dedicated to providing the best service and customer support through an experienced sales support team.

To learn more about Winjet Automotive, and the full line of automotive aftermarket products and services, please visit Winjet at http://www.winjetinc.com

We invite you to join us at this highly anticipated event. Visit our booth # 21439 to learn more about the exciting things happening at Winjet Automotive. In addition, we are excited to show you some our newest automotive lights with LED technology that will be on display, which will help you and your clients to maximize productivity and profit.

About Winjet Automotive
Winjet Automotive is an one stop solution for all of the performance & aftermarket replacement automotive parts needs, with over 20+ years of manufacturing experience, we surpass our competition in quality, innovative styling and product offerings. Winjet Automotive is dedicated to providing the best service and customer support through an experienced sales support team.

Winjet Automotive with headquarter and distribution center in City of Industry, California, is the US branch and DC of Winjet aftermarket automotive lamps in the North America, serving the needs of the automotive industry, new car dealerships, and also aftermarket repair, spare, or performance parts markets. For more information about Winjet Automotive, please contact Winjet Automotive, 13942 E. Valley Blvd, City of Industry, CA 91746, call (626) 369-2121 for a reseller near you, (626) 369-2175 Fax, e-mail sales@winjetinc.com or visit http://www.winjetinc.com

Contact information
Winjet Automotive
13942 E. Valley Blvd.
City of Industry, CA 91746
Phone: 626-369-2121
E-mail: Sales@winjetinc.com
Web site: http://www.winjetinc.com

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE NEIL J. ABAYON, AANGAT TAYO Party-list
Assistant Minority Leader

Mission accomplished: Troops trusted President Duterte

MILLENNIAL SOLON TO AFP:
SEND TO CONGRESS AN ENHANCED AFP MODERNIZATION PLAN THAT INCLUDES URBAN WARFARE, DRONES, ROBOTS

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police Special Action Forces (PNP-SAF) accomplished their mission. They exterminated the Maute-ISIS forced who tried to separate Marawi City from the Philippines.

In stark contrast to the former president who sent, let and left the SAF 44 to die in Mamasapano, President Rodrigo Duterte is a leader our troops trusted.

Now, aside from rebuilding Marawi, we must continue to support our troops by, among others, giving them the training they need for future wars.

As member of the House Committee on National Defense and Security, I am open to a next-level AFP Modernization Program which includes such training and weaponry for urban warfare, close quarters combat (CQC), drones and robots.

I urge the AFP leadership to put together a sustainable and reality-based enhancement of the Revised AFP Modernization Program (RA 10349) that includes a sizeable plan for future wars against forces who will try and surely fail to challenge the government. That future of warfare also includes sophisticated methods and tools to finally end insurgency.

In relation to minding the welfare of our soldiers, I filed House Bill 6187 (“Stakeholder Support to Military and Other Armed Services Personnel Act”) in August seeking to give active duty soldiers and veteran soldiers benefits similar to most of the benefits now available to senior citizens. (END)

References:
http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2012/12/11/republic-act-no-10349/
http://www.dnd.gov.ph/pdf/IGRRP.pdf

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Revival

(O LORD, I have heard your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. - Habakkuk 3:2)

Only God can restore life to something that has died. If you find that your heart has grown cold to God, that the spiritual life of your family or church has waned, call out to God to revive you, for only He can give life. It is not your activity but your relationship with God that brings life! Spiritual fervor can ebb if left unattended.

We all begin our walk with the Lord enthusiastically, with an excited sense of anticipation. But over time, busyness creeps in. We become distracted and let our sin go unchallenged. We may take our relationship with God for granted and not notice the gradual decline until we find ourselves drained of spiritual vitality.

This descent can happen in your church just as it does in your personal life. Do you remember a time when the Holy Spirit was moving mightily in your church, and the members sensed God leading in an exciting direction? Are the services now lifeless and the power of God only a memory?

At a time like this it is futile to try to bring back life yourself. You can organize many activities and exhort those around you, but only God can resurrect what is dead. If God has initiated something in your life, or family, or church, only He can sustain it or revive it. If you sense that the spiritual vigor has gone out of your life or the life of your church, this is God’s invitation to pray. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

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President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Russia was hurting U.S. efforts to rid North Korea of nuclear weapons while China had been helpful.

In an interview with Fox Business Network, Trump said it would be easier to resolve the North Korea nuclear issue if the United States had a better relationship with Russia.

"China is helping us and maybe Russia's going through the other way and hurting what we're getting," Trump said of the North Korea situation. - Reuters

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A budget plan crucial to President Donald Trump's hopes for large-scale tax cuts looked set for a close vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday after some Republicans vowed opposition in an effort to protect a popular tax break.

The rebellious faction is resisting a proposal to eliminate a federal deduction for state and local income taxes, which would hit middle-class voters in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey and California.

The idea is one of several that have been floated as Republicans craft a tax-cut plan. The budget blueprint, which has already been approved by the Senate, is central to their efforts to push tax legislation through Congress in the face of staunch opposition from Democrats.

The proposal "is obviously an issue of concern to a group of members, and the shared goal is to work together to address the issue and move forward," an aide to House Majority Whip Steve Scalise said on Wednesday. - Reuters

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DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT

FILIPINO GUARDIANS' AND ALLIED FORCES
DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT TO CARRY OUT REBOLUSYONG DUTERTE FOR REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT
GERONA, TARLAC, OCTOBER 22, 2017

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

      WHEREAS, concern individuals in one accord assembled and formed “Rebolusyong Duterte for a Revolutionary Government (#REBODU304REVOGOV)” with its adherents instituting  a potent organization for the total transformation of the Philippine Society finally come to the open to manifest their patronage to the unified objective of liberating the people from the long enduring years of suffering from the bondage of repression under repetitive regimes controlled by the Illustrados and their Oligarch masters conspiring with the pseudo-patriotic leaders dominating the political landscape of this nation, now in well-founded expression we hereby DECLARE our convictions to wit:

1.      That from the time of Aguinaldo to Aquino III, in a period of 119 years, the masses of our people had been robbed, plundered and have been kept in extreme poverty and ignorance;

2.      That such condition was only ended with the emergence of a Digong ascended  in the presidency making us pronounce that he is a God's gift to the Filipino people that comes only once in a century;

3.      That it is implored upon us not to squander the next five years of Digong’s incumbency as president of this republic, instead, take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to indeed transform our society from  its present state and stage of deterioration, degeneration, disintegration and possible demise;

4.      That when President Duterte assumed the presidency, he effectively started a revolution to transform the Philippine society even in fact he belonged to the family of traditional politicians and among those Illustrados, he embraced the cause of the working class, the peasants, the fisher folks, the jeepney and tricycle drivers, the urban and rural poor, the professionals, the youth and students as well as the small businessmen, making him the leader of a genuine revolution for the masses of the Filipino people against the interests of the Trapos who descended from the Ilustrados and their Oligarchic Masters;

5.      That. it is imperative that all classes and sectors of Philippine society especially the marginalized, the disenfranchised and the underserved must band together in solidarity to support the REBOLUSYONG DUTERTE FOR REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT for there is no other way to change our society from its present detestable and despicable conditions of existence of our people demanding their right for a decent and good living and not just mere subhuman existence;

WHEREAS, the FILIPINO GUARDIANS whose number is reaching around five million can be a veritable force and instrument of the REBOLUSYONG DUTERTE in the transformation of Philippine society for they have been organized since 1976 some 41 years ago with definitive patriotic and nationalistic ideology or the ideology of Filipinism which for all intents and purposes is Duterteism as the guiding ideology of the said Revolutionary Government being carried out by Rebolusyong Duterte;

WHEREAS, the more than 300 factions of the Filipino Guardians can only be unified through the leadership of Digong and through his guiding ideology as well as the Rebolusyong Duterte for Revolutionary Government, that once and for all the vision and mission of all Filipino Guardians all over the whole length and breadth of the entire Philippine archipelago can once and for all be achieved through forging this organization into a quasi-military organization or People's  Militia, to help the Armed Forces of the Philippines or AFP, the Philippine National Police or PNP, the National Bureau of Investigation or NBI, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration or PDEA and other government agencies in order to carry out the all-out war against illegal drugs, graft and corruption, criminality as well as carrying out the 10-Point Socio-Economic Program and Ambisyong 2040 to enhance and advance the interests and welfare of the masses of our people;

WHEREAS. the Filipino Guardians, since their founding by members and officers of the Filipino Warrior Class of the noblest profession of arms,  have shared, articulated, propagated, inculcated the Supreme Value and the Three Fundamental Values of Filipinism/Duterteism internalized, namely, the Filipino family and the Filipino youth, the aggressive assertion of our sovereignty, the predominance and preponderance of the Filipinos in their economy as well as solidarity and unity through said ideology as the guiding principles in inspiring, reorganizing and mobilizing the Filipino Guardians for Rebolusyong Duterte for Revolutionary Government;

WHEREAS, the Filipino Guardians present in this Congress declaring total and unconditional commitment to Rebolusyong Duterte for Revolutionary Government do hereby pledged to campaign vigorously and steadfastly among all the officers and members of Guardians all over the country so that the entire Philippine Archipelago shall be engulfed by the raging conflagration of true and genuine revolution for the masses of the Filipino people;

      NOW THEREFOR, in adherence to the unified objective to liberate the Filipino people from the long enduring years of suffering from the bondage of repression under repetitive regimes controlled by the Illustrados and oligarch masters conspiring with the pseudo-patriotic leaders of the land, RESOLVED THAT WE THE UNDERSIGNED FILIPINO GUARDIANS and other concerned INDIVIDUALS and ORGANIZATIONS DO HEREBY DECLARE FULL and UNCONDITIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE REBOLUSYONG DUTERTE FOR REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT;

ADOPTED ON THIS HISTORIC DAY, SUNDAY, 22ND OF OCTOBER, 2017, AT THE HISTORIC TOWN OF GERONA, PROVINCE TARLAC.

SGD BISHOP NILO S. TAYAG, FRMG.
Lead Convenor/ Founding National Chairman, #REBODU304REVOGOV
Former PGBI SEC.GEN/ For Information and Education

SGD RMG RONJIE “RONDA” DAQUIGAN
Coordinator, Central & Northern Luzon Regions, #REBODU304REVOGOV
Founder RONDA-FI PGBI Chairman for Region III City Councilor, Municipality of Gerona, Tarlac

SGD MG RODEL “ROADMAN” MANZANILLO, LLB Finance & Logistics Support Chief,  #REBODU304REVOGOV

SGD RMG ABEL “CASAFUEGO” PABLO
Press Bureau Chief, #REBODU304REVOGOV
Executive Vice President, Publishers’ Association of the Philippines Inc.,(PAPI)
Ombudsman, Central Luzon Media Association Inc. (CLMA) President, Federated Media Associations of Tarlac (FMAT)

SGD FRMG LEO “TIGER” LIZASO
National Chairman 1- GANAP Guardians

SGD Gen. DANILO LIM, SGF
National Chairman RAM/Guardians

(Note) Also signed by some 300 individuals
(Founders, Chairpersons, members of PGBI, 1 Ganap, RAM Guardians, PHI Omicron Fraternity and others) present in the event

Also in this occasion the group pledged to finally end the prevailing triumph of the so called "Tejeros Syndrome", that in the very celebration of the filipino people of winning the war against the Spanish tyranny, conducted the first election ever for the newly establish Philippine Republic in Tejeros in Rosario Cavite, taintend with  fraudelent and decietful schemes perpetrated by the illustrados and their oligarchic masters.  Since then the Tejeros Syndrome prevailed 119 years from regime of Aguinaldo to Aquino III and on the day of the signing, the delegates of that congress cried "NEVER AGAIN" and pledge to end such syndrome to prevail, NEVER AGAIN!

Reference: # REVOD304REVOG
                   Press Bureau Chief
                   Abel C. Pablo Mobile Phone Smart 09474130424 Globe 09278566977


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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Christian Perez
TEL: 02-889-7119 loc. 328
FAX: 02-889-6850   
EMAIL:.PerezChristian.PP@jica.go.jp

JICA reaches out to young Filipinos interested to learn agribusiness in Okinawa, Japan
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) invites young Filipinos engaged in agribusiness or agriculture tourism to apply to a training program to be held in Okinawa, Japan as part of Japan’s capacity building assistance to the Philippines.

The training program is under the so-called Knowledge Co-Creation Program (Young Leaders) where participants learn new technology and skills in a specialized field and learn new ideas from Japan that can be applied to the Philippines.

“We believe that young Filipinos are becoming more aware of issues that surround society and that there’s a real interest for them to learn new ways of doing things and contribute to nation building,” said JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

Government data showed that the Philippines has one of the youngest populations in Asia, with median age at 23 years.

JICA’s Young Leaders training program has benefited nearly 3,000 young Filipinos as of 2016.

For the training in Okinawa, participants will visit Miyakojima Island in Okinawa Prefecture to study green tourism. They will also observe product development using local resources in Yanbaru, an ecotourism site in southern Japan. 

“It took years for Japan to modernize its society by learning from other countries and internalizing new skills and knowledge to suit our needs and conditions. Thus, we hope that through the JICA training program, young Filipinos would draw lessons from Japan’s experience, particularly government and private sector partnership in Okinawa and adopt them to address local challenges,” added Ito.

The Philippines’ socio-economic agenda pinned down developing rural value chain in agriculture as one of its priorities. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data in 2015 showed agriculture’s share in the country’s GDP at 9% or P13.3 billion.

Young Filipinos then could learn from Japan’s so-called ‘sextiary sector’, (another term for agribusiness in Japan) on how the Philippines can add value to its agriculture and fishery sectors through agriculture-commerce-industry cooperation.

Application for the training program is open until November 24, 2017.  The training program will be on February 7-24, 2018. For more information, please contact +632-889-7119 local 143 or visit https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/activities/activity02_03_02.html. ##
About JICA:

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the executing agency of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA), which handles technical cooperation, ODA loans and investment, and grant aid, as well as cooperation volunteers and disaster relief programs. JICA is the world’s largest bilateral aid agency with its volume of cooperation amounting to about USD 21.2 billion for JFY 2015 and a world-wide network of about 100 overseas offices including the Philippines.

For more information on JICA and JICA Philippines’ activities, please log on to https://www.jica.go.jp/english and https://www.jica.go.jp/philippine/english/index.html.

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

(In reaction to complaints of teachers about the deductions from their salaries because of loans from private lending institutions)
Reference Material: http://www.deped.gov.ph/orders/do-38-s-2017

EDUCATION SOLON URGES DEPED TO REVISE DEPED ORDER
ON NET TAKE HOME PAY OF DEPED PERSONNEL

Receiving reports from public school teachers asking to suspend implementation of the Deped Order Nos. 12 and 27, S. 2017 (Implementation of P4,000.00 Net Take Home Pay for Department of Education Personnel), I urge the Department of Education to find ways on how to reduce the debt burden of teachers because of the interest and penalties on their salary loans.

In the 2017 General Appropriations Act (GAA) there is Section 47 of the Special Provisions setting at P4,000.00 the net take home pay limit for all government employees to protect them against excessive salary deductions that diminish their take home pay. The proposed GAA for 2018 raises this net take home pay limit to P6,000.

However, some teachers ignore this rule and still incur loans, so because of the 2017 GAA, which is a law, teachers incur more interest and penalties because of salary loan payments that could not be deducted because of the net take home pay rule in the law.

Teachers who request anonymity sent their report and sentiments through our party-list’s official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/edukasyonparty/

PROPOSED SOLUTION

The Department of Education should do much more than simply issue department orders about those loans that many teachers keep incurring from private lending institutions. In-service training of teachers MUST include intensive formal briefings on financial literacy and managing personal finances.

Simple reminders to public school teachers to “ensure that they have the capacity to pay loans being applied for” would have very little effect on a teacher who has lots of bills and debts to pay.  Also likely with minimal effect are advisories stating authorized approving officers “must be stringent in certifying or providing confirmation with the GSIS on the NTHP of their DepEd personnel.”

“The AAOs shall educate the DepEd personnel on the consequences of applying for loans with various private lending institutions (PLIs) without considering their capacity to pay,” is a very general directive. These approving officers often see their roles are ministerial or simple formality. (END)

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NEWS RELEASE

BBM’S ELECTION PROTEST MOVES FORWARD AS PET ORDERS DECRYPTION OF BALLOT IMAGES

Despite the delaying tactics and strong resistance of the opposing camp, the election protest of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has finally moved forward with the order of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) to decrypt and print the ballot images in his three pilot provinces.

Acting on the go-signal of the PET, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) started to decrypt and print the ballot images and other data found in the Secured Digital (SD) cards in its main office in Intramuros, Manila yesterday (Monday, October 23, 2017).  The decryption and printing of the ballot images will be from BBM's three pilot provinces, namely, Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental.

Lawyer Victor Rodriguez, spokesman of Marcos, said the counsels of former Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo initially tried to postpone the scheduled decryption reasoning that they only brought two (2) revisors. But because of the strenuous opposition of the BBM camp, who came prepared for the decryption as scheduled by the PET, the Comelec denied Robredo’s motion to postpone and proceeded with the decryption of theballot images, beginning with Camarines Sur.

The decryption and printing of ballot images of the three pilot areas will take at least seven (7) months to finish. Rodriguez said the printed images will facilitate and expedite the election protest of BBM.

The decryption was also attended by representatives from the PET and the Comelec Legal Department.

Rodriguez said in the last year and a half, Robredo’s camp has done nothing but question all of BBM’s efforts to expedite the resolution of his election protest, iincluding his move for technical examination and evaluation of the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List (EDCVL) of the three Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) provinces which is subject of a separate cause of action.

“All these constant and spurious delaying tactics by the Robredo camp have been going on for more than a year now.  What are they afraid of? If they believe she won, they should be rushing to count the ballots so that this issue could finally be laid to rest, in her favor.  Instead, they have adopted a strategy of delay and obfuscation.” Rodriguez pointed out.

These tactics, added Rodriguez, indicate only one thing and that is, “they know that the recount will make the cheating by the Liberal Party as well as Robredo’s loss apparent to all.”

Rodriguez further stated that after18 long months, the PET may have finally noticed their ploy to "holdup the proceedings” because it recently ordered the exploratory teams to start locating the ballot boxes in the clustered precincts of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental so that itcould order its retrieval and transfer to Manila.

In an Resolution dated October 10, 2017, the PET ordered the members of the Exploratory/Retrieval Team to go to Camarines Sur either on October 16 to 20, 2017 or on October 23 to 27, 2017 to locate all the ballot boxes and map out the logistics needed for their retrieval and transportation to the Supreme Court compound in Manila where the revision/ recount of votes will take place.

“We are glad that the case is finally moving forward because each step forward is a step closer to the truth,” Rodriguez said.

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God Speaks through His Activity

(Look among the nations and watch--Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you. - Habakkuk 1:5)

Christians habitually seek God’s voice through prayer, through His word, or through His messengers. Yet sometimes we fail to hear God speak through His activity, even though He is working all around us. Unbelievers see God’s activity without understanding what they see. God encourages His people to watch for His activity so they will know how they should respond and adjust their lives.

The disciples discovered much about God’s power by witnessing Jesus calming a raging storm with a command. Seeing Jesus dine with the notorious sinner, Zacchaeus, taught them a poignant message about God’s love for sinners. Watching Jesus hang upon the cross communicated a compelling message of what God was willing to do to free people from sin. Discovering the empty tomb revealed an astounding truth of God’s victory over death.

To those with spiritual discernment, God’s activity is a significant revelation about His heart and His will. If you are sensitive to what God is doing around you, He will clearly speak to you through His activity. You will know that God is at work, because what you see will astound you, and human power and wisdom will not explain it. If things happen that are direct answers to your prayers, God is speaking to you. When you experience events that surpass your understanding and ability, it may be that God is communicating a critical message to you.

If you want to hear God’s voice, look around you to see what He is doing. When you are watching for God at work, what you see will reveal His character, and you will have a fresh understanding of how to respond to Him. - - Henry and Richard Blackaby

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OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE
KABAYAN PARTY-LIST
By Joshua P. Sebastian, Secretary General

Reports that erstwhile member of KABAYAN Party-list Atty. Harry Roque is being considered for the post of Presidential Spokesperson is a positive development for his public service career. KABAYAN Party-list is happy with this exciting development as very few and select individuals are given the opportunity to work closely with, and speak on behalf of, the President.

The podium there at Malacanang is clearly a more powerful position although it is appointive, not elective in nature.

The KABAYAN Party-list is ready when Atty. Roque assumes the post. All the necessary documents are being readied and all the necessary protocols are being prepared for the proclamation of the third nominee, Atty. Ciriaco S. Calalang.

All these are necessary to ensure KABAYAN Party-list constituents are ably and adequately represented in Congress. (END)

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Wednesday, 7th December 2017*
6:00pm to 9:00pm,
10th Floor, The Calyx, Cebu IT Park

Join us for drinks with free-flow of beer, wine, cocktails, soft drinks and canapés
Meet your Cebu peers in senior management, suppliers and potential clients
PRICE

Attendance Fee (per person): P1,850.00

Early Bird Fee: P1,500.00 (For payment before 10th November 2017 only)

Group bookings: Discounts are available for group bookings, subject availability.

To register please click here

*This event has been rescheduled from its original date of 8th November.

For further information, contact Christine Lapaz on +63 (0) 917 590 6300 / (032) 318 5126

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THE HONORABLE RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list Assistant Majority Leader
KABAYAN PARTY-LIST CONGRATULATES HARRY ROQUE FOR BEING CONSIDERED FOR A PALACE SPOKESPERSON POST

“Reports that erstwhile member of KABAYAN Party-list Atty. Harry Roque is being considered for the post of Presidential Spokesperson is a positive development for his public service career,” reads the official Statement of KABAYAN Party-list.

“The podium there at Malacanang is clearly a more powerful position although it is appointive, not elective in nature,” Salo, who used to be Undersecretary of then Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, said.

Salo also noted that the Spokesperson post will be a better avenue for Roque to showcase his intellectual prowess.

“Very few and select individuals are given this kind of opportunity to work closely with, and to speak on behalf of, the President,” added Salo.

“We wish him well for this exciting development in Atty. Roque’s public service career,” Joshua Sebastian, KABAYAN Party-list Secretary General said.

KABAYAN Party-list is now preparing for the proclamation of its third nominee, Atty. Ciriaco S. Calalang vice Atty. Roque.

“As founder and Chairman of KABAYAN Party-list, it is part of my responsibility to make sure that our constituencies are not under-represented in Congress, so prudence dictates that we set in motion preparatory processes to ensure that Atty. Calalang is ready, able, and can immediately take his oath of office as KABAYAN Party-list representative,” Rep. Salo added.

Salo also said that he has advised the KABAYAN Party-list Secretariat and Atty. Calalang to exercise due diligence and be ready to ensure that KABAYAN Party-list is ably and adequately represented in Congress.

Atty. Calalang is a certified public accountant. He is an alumnus of Manuel L. Quezon University and passionately shares the advocacies of KABAYAN Party-list. https://www.facebook.com/kabayanpartylist/ (END)

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JOURNAL Newspaper - Atak, who is Ronnie Arana in real life, of No. 12 New Manila, Quezon City, is facing a case for acts of lasciviousness filed by complainant Mark Christian Macavinta, 21, bell attendant at Okada Casino Hotel Manila, located in Barangay Tambo, Paranaque City.
   
Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario said Arana was arrested at around 2:40 p.m. at Room 725 of the casino hotel.
   
Macavinta alleged that he was assisting Arana after he checked in for his complimentary room at the casino-hotel when the incident took place.
   
He said that when he entered Arana’s room, the suspect suddenly “attacked” him after closing and locked the door, grabbed his private parts, embraced and kissed him.
   
He said he struggled and pushed the suspect and reported the incident to the security personnel who in turn called the police.
   
Police said Arana came from Bacolod and went to Okada Manila to play casino before he went to his complimentary room.

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Reuters - Sony Pictures Entertainment has named Mike Hopkins, the CEO of Hulu, as its new chairman of Sony Pictures Television, the company announced Tuesday.

Hopkins, since 2013, has headed Hulu, the streaming service owned by Comcast Corp, Walt Disney Co, Time Warner Inc and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc.

Randy Freer, who has been president and COO of Fox Networks Group, will replace Hopkins at Hulu effective Oct. 30, Hulu said in a separate statement.

Freer is currently on the board of directors of Hulu.

(Reporting by Jessica Toonkel; Editing by David Gregorio)

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Reuters - Two-time Emmy Award-winning actor Robert Guillaume, who became one of the most prominent black actors on U.S. television playing the cantankerous title character in the hit 1980s series "Benson," died of complications from prostate cancer on Tuesday, his wife said. He was 89.

The gravelly voiced Guillaume, who thrived in Broadway musicals before starring on the TV series "Soap" and its spinoff "Benson," died at his Los Angeles home, his wife Donna Brown Guillaume said in a statement. It is not known how long he had been battling cancer.

Robert Guillaume first played sarcastic and irascible butler Benson DuBois on the over-the-top soap opera parody series "Soap," which debuted in 1977 and also starred Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan and Billy Crystal.

His work on that show won Guillaume won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series in 1979.

His character became so popular that the ABC network created "Benson" for him and that series ran for seven seasons from 1979 to 1986. Guillaume's character had been a butler on "Soap" but on "Benson" he served as a state governor's director of household affairs, then state budget director, lieutenant governor and candidate for governor.

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Reuters - The end of the world is nigh, and Marvel's brawny superhero Thor finds himself hammerless and held hostage on a kitsch futuristic planet light years away from his home, in a sequel that revamps the slightly dim-witted Norse god with irreverent humor.

"Thor: Ragnarok," the third installment of Marvel's standalone "Thor" film franchise, sees Chris Hemsworth reprise his role as the superhero and places Thor well outside of his comfort zone, relying on others to help him save the world.

"I was a bit sick of the Thor I'd created," Chris Hemsworth told Reuters.

"I think that I have an obligation to change it up, you know, and give people something different, something new," he added.

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Reuters - A New Zealand political party has been ordered to pay more than $400,000 to U.S. rapper Eminem for using music similar to his 2002 hit "Lose Yourself" in a television commercial to help win a national election.

The track, played during the National Party's successful 2014 election campaign and titled "Eminem Esque", was found by a New Zealand court to have "substantially copied" Lose Yourself.

The National Party used the song 186 times during the campaign before taking the ad off the air, the court said.

"This decision is a warning to sound-alike music producers and their clients everywhere," Adam Simpson, director of Simpsons Solicitors, who acted for Eminem’s music company, Eight Mile Style, said in a statement.

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Bible Verse in the Gospel of John
As spoken by Jesus Christ

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Let go of your Stresses!

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience.
As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question.

Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: ”How heavy is this glass of water?”

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.

In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water.
Think about them for a while and nothing happens.

Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed â€" incapable of doing anything.”

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses.

As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down.

Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night.

Remember to put the glass DOWN.

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A Second Time

(Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time. - Jonah 3:1)

Jonah didn’t like the assignment God gave him. God directed him to leave his homeland and go to the enemy city of Nineveh, a hostile and evil center of idol worship. There Jonah was to warn the people of God’s impending judgment and urge them to repent. The Hebrews hated the people of Nineveh, so the rebellious prophet fled in the opposite direction, hoping for a different word from God that was more to his liking. Instead, God was determined that his word to Jonah would be obeyed (Isa. 55:11). He spoke to Jonah again. His second message was the same as the first. However, during the interval, Jonah had been buffeted by storms and had traveled in the stomach of a fish for three days. This time, he was prepared to hear God again and do His bidding.

God also spoke to the prophet Jeremiah two times (Jer. 33:1-3). The second time God spoke to But Jeremiah accepted God’s word to him the first time. him was to give him a fuller revelation of what He had first told him.

What God says to us next will depend on how we responded to His previous word to us. If, like Jonah, we disobeyed His earlier instructions, God will give them a second time. If we obeyed His first directive, as Jeremiah did, He will give us a fresh and deeper expression of His will (Matt. 25:23).

If you have not received a fresh word from God, return to the last thing God told you and examine your obedience. Is the Lord still waiting for your obedience? Seek to be like Jeremiah, and properly respond to your Lord’s instructions the first time.    Henry and Richard Blackaby

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PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release
Contact: Jess Pauliño - 09123306123

1st MINDANAO FOURTH ESTATE SUMMIT
The media for change and federalism will meet in Davao City

DAVAO CITY â€" The Mindanaoan journos will have its grand media convention on October 28, 2017 at SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City for its first ever Mindanao-wide press community summit.

The media event is organized by the Mindanao Federation of the Fourth Estate, Inc. (MFFEI) which will serve as platform for the kick-off of the Media para sa Pagbabago (Media for Change) in Mindanao.

The highlight of this forthcoming media event is the keynote address of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on the vital role of news media today in reporting factual and unadulterated news and its important part in the Administration’s campaign for change.

The discussion during this maiden gathering for media practitioners in Mindanao will also focus on the ongoing crackdown of President Duterte against drugs, criminality and corruption and his planned political structural reform.

“The role being played by the members of the fourth estate community is vital at this point in our history since the media people serve as links between our policymakers and the citizenry. President Duterte is hell-bent to get his job done at the end of the day,” said Jess Pauliño, President of the MFFEI.

The expected participants of this media event are the press journalists from both the fields of broadcasting and print from different provinces of Mindanao including partners from the local government units and journalism students (LGUs). Representatives from Malacañang are also invited especially the key officials from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) headed by Secretary Martin Andanar.

Jun Enriquez of Civil Society Organizations Forum for Peace from Iligan City also said, “This media summit is a one of a kind and will be the first ever in Mindanao to bring all media people at one place to meet the President. It will also help put a balance in the equilibrium since most of the loud voices in the industry are adversarial to PDU30.”

“It will also serve as the community-based presidential communications machine aiding the Presidential Communications Office of Malacanang,” said Jun Datwin of Caraga 

The program for this upcoming occasion will start at 1:00PM until 9:00PM. The following speakers will be the resource persons in the panel discussion format of lectures: DILG Assistant Secretary Epimaco Densing, Philippine Press Institute Vice President Allan Mediante, TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong, MFFEI Vice President Ronie Osnan, Assistant Secretary Wendel Avisado, ARMM Peace Adviser Atty. Randolph Parcasio, PAPI President Emeritus Johnny Dayang and Kilos Pideral sa Pagbabago (KPP) Atty. Aristeo Albay.

The event will be facilitated by the members of MFFEI. MFFEI is a non-stock and non-profit organization based in Davao City which aim is to help uplift the well-being of the media professionals and raise the level of standards for journalistic practices. The MFFEI Board of Trustees is headed by Pauliño as president, Ronnie Osnan, treasurer and finance officer, and Marlon Ayog, corporate secretary. (EB)

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STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone District of Iligan City
Vice Chair, Committee on Tourism
Member, Committees on Appropriations, Mindanao Affairs,
Youth & Sports Development, and 7 other committees

COMELEC MUST BE READY AGAINST IDENTITY THIEVES WHO USE HACKED VOTERS DATA

House Committee on Suffrage & Electoral Reforms Member and Iligan Lone District Congressman Frederick W. Siao is concerned about the possibility that the massive security breach suffered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) over a year ago could still be used by fraudsters in 2018 Barangay and SK elections and 2019 mid-term elections.

In March and April 2016, the public information website of the COMELEC was hacked causing the personal data of 55 million registered voters, passport details of 1.3 million overseas Filipino voters, and fingerprint records of 15.8 million voters to be uploaded online and be accessible to all.

COMELEC must assure Filipino voters here and overseas that the database of voters is secured. COMELEC must also have measures in place to prevent anyone who has the data hacked from the COMELEC or used data from the hacking to vote.

Now, it is not impossible or improbable for identity thieves to issue fake voter IDs. With the hacked data out there, they have the information they need to produce fake voter IDs and if this is done on a massive scale, the results of future elections could be in serious doubt.

COMELEC should also updated Congress and the Filipino people on the status of the hacking case, including the case/s against the suspects or suspects in the hacking.

Filing of applications for registration and other voter-related registration for the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections, according to the COMELEC, will be on December 4, 2017 to December 30, 2017 except December 25, 2017 (Christmas Day) and January 2, 2018 to September 29, 2018, except March 29 & 30, 2018 (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday).

But there are reports voter registration could start earlier than scheduled. (END)

REFERENCES:
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/09/early-resumption-of-voters-registration-period-mulled
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/04/08/1570934/comelec-hack-puts-data-55m-registered-voters-risk-security-firm-says
https://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/130252-suspected-hacker-comelec-website-nabbed
http://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/04/21/16/nbi-arrests-hacker-of-comelec-website
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/technology/561849/phl-voters-at-risk-following-comelec-site-hacking-says-cybersecurity-firm/story/

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

SOLON ASKS PALACE TO CONSIDER DECLARING OCT 30 A SPECIAL HOLIDAY

I ask Malacanang to consider declaring October 30, 2017 a special non-working holiday, as a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer for Peace in Marawi and Mindanao.

This will give all Filipinos a time to pause to honor the sacrifice of our men in uniform who gave their lives, who suffered serious injuries, and who fought bravely, so that Marawi would be free of the extremist terrorists who tried to separate Marawi City from the Republic of the Philippines and establish a way of life that is against what makes all of us Filipinos.

It is a special day for Filipinos everywhere to internalize the heroism displayed by our soldiers and to consider how they can concretely manifest their heroism as well in helping to rebuild Marawi City and to attain lasting peace in Mindanao. One of which is by supporting the reconstruction bonds to be issued by the government.

If palace would declare October 30 a holiday, that would give students, government workers, and private employees ample time to enjoy a long-weekend holiday from October 28 to November 1. That would reduce disruption to business and production schedules, and encourage domestic tourism.

On October 30, let us personally thank the soldiers, volunteers, rescuers, and news reporters who went to Marawi. (END)

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information
Principal Author, Revised Anti-Hazing Bill, 17th Congress

IDENTIFY, CHARGE ALL SUSPECTS; FILE THE RIGHT CHARGES

We urge police investigating the Horacio “Atio” Castillo, III hazing death to follow proper procedures and be fully transparent.

We remind the police that all the suspects in Atio’s hazing must be identified and brought to justice.

All suspects include not just the members of Aegis Juris, did the hazing, covered it up, and prevented investigators from getting to the truth, but also their relatives, friends, and sorority counterparts who were present at, witnessed or participated in the hazing, were involved in the cover up, or refused to cooperate in the investigation.

Where and who are the other suspects?

So far, only the Aegis Juris suspects are known to the public. About the sorority members, we know only that six sorority members could be charged. We do not know yet who they are and why they are suspects. We also do not know if they are the only suspects who are in the sorority. (http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/10/21/1750965/sorority-sisters-be-charged-atio-hazing )

We also do not yet know where some of Atio’s personal belongings (eyeglasses, mobile phone) are. Those items are evidence and should be in police custody.

We also hope the right charges are filed. If the wrong charges are filed and those charges are dismissed, the suspects cannot be charged again for the same offense because the suspects’ lawyers could use the double jeopardy rule as their defense.

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present tense
I taint
you taint
he/she/it taints
we taint
they taint
-ing form
  tainting
past simple
  tainted
past participle
  tainted

1600s: In India, women have no independent
legal rights. They are given in marriage, often
to create alliances between royal families. Wid-ows are expected to immolate themselves ontheir husbands’ funeral pyres (a practice knownas suttee, in which a widow allows herself to beburned on the pyre), although not all of them doso. Widows occupy very low social status in society. They are required to dress in drab clothesand are shunned by others. Also, they are notallowed to take part in Hindu festivals. Somewidows who commit themselves to suttee do soin order to escape being carried off by Muslim
soldiers as slaves or concubines.

Today: Many laws exist in India to protect
women’s rights, including the Equal Remuner-
ation Act, the Prevention of Immoral Traffic
Act, and the Dowry Prohibition Act. The prac-
tice of suttee is illegal. However, according to areport issued by the U.S. State Department in2004, the Indian government is often unable toenforce these laws, especially in rural areas inwhich traditions are deeply rooted. Suttee continues to be practiced in some areas; there wassuch an incident in Madhya Pradesh in 2002. - Encyclopedia

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Was it taught in schools when we were kids?

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Perfect wake-up call.

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Ford cars are populating the streets of Tagbilaran City in Bohol and elsewhere in the country.

The latest issue of Time Magazine tackles the problem of hazing on US university campuses.

Let's hope the perpetrators of this heinous crime be punished.

Ex-Misamis Oriental governor faces malversation charges
07 January 2016 (source: Ombudsman Website)

Former governor Antonio Calingin of Misamis Oriental is facing Malversation charges for his failure to liquidate the cash advance of P500,000.00 used for the registration of the Misamis Oriental Telephone System Inc. (Misortel) in June 2002.  Also facing charges before the Sandiganbayan is Jusie Roxas, former manager of Misortel.

In its Resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman stated that “Calingin admitted that he directed respondent Roxas to secure the cash advance of P500,000.00 and that he personally received the amount.”  Calingin was not able to show proof of liquidation.   In finding against Calingin and Roxas, the Ombudsman added that “respondents conspired with each other in committing Malversation of public funds.” 

It will be recalled that in December 2014, Ombudsman prosecutors secured Calingin’s conviction for Malversation in connection with the missing spare parts and accessories of two government vehicles assigned to the Office of the Provincial Governor.

He was sentenced to imprisonment of 10 years and one day of prision mayor as minimum, to 18 years, eight months and one day of reclusion temporal as maximum.  Calingin was also ordered to pay a fine of P2,082,385.00, and to suffer perpetual special disqualification with an order to indemnify the Province of Misamis Oriental in the total amount of P2,082,385.00.

DOST Hybrid Electric Road Train coming to serve commuters of General Santos City
September 22, 2017 Share

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 21 â€" The 40-meter long Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT) developed by Filipino engineers from Department of Science and Technology Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) is expecting to hit the highways of General Santos City this October after its trial run in Cebu City last February 2017.

This train consists of 5 interlinked air-conditioned coaches and can hold up to 240 passengers per trip. It is expected to provide technological solutions to urban transport concerns like traffic congestion, of which General Santos City is currently facing.

It is mainly designed for roads and not for rails, thus HERT only run a maximum speed of 50kph.

DOST regional office, thru its Regional Director Dr. Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan, further extends support and commitment in the implementation of the road project in the region, as the office ties up with GenSan LGU and DOST MIRDC.

“As part of the preparation of its implementation in General Santos City, DOST MIRDC conducted series of route-assessment and ocular inspection to ensure viability of using the road train in main roads of the city” said Dr. Laidan.

Based on the initial route assessment survey, HERT will initially start at Barangay Katangawan as it passes through Lagao Public Market, the national highway and the city’s circumferential road going to Gensan Fish Port.

“Aside from serving a huge number of daily commuters around the city, HERT also advocates a greener-use of technology as it is powered by electric batteries instead of solely diesel fuel thus creating lesser carbon emission,” she added.

This road train project is being deployed for trial runs to ensure that it meets the standards prior to its complete rollout to urban cities. The field testing of HERT in the roads of General Santos City may ease the burden of daily commuters, if the city will adopt the technology upon the completion of the trial run. DOST Secretary Fortunato T. De La Peña agrees to donate HERT if it is viable and is effective to decongest main roads of GenSan. (DOST)

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

ANTI-HAZING BILL PRINCIPAL AUTHOR CALLS FOR DISBARMENT PROBE, IMMIGRATION WATCHLIST PLACEMENT OF LAWYERS IN ALLEGED ATIO HAZING COVER-UP

As a principal author of the House version of the new Anti-Hazing Bill, I add my voice to the growing public clamor for accountability and disbarment of the lawyers who investigators have been identified as among those who have planned to cover up the hazing death of Horacio “Atio” Castillo, III.

Accountability, responsibility, and the high risk of cover up were precisely among the reasons for the tougher and finer provisions of the new Anti-Hazing Bill.

Now the public is informed of social media evidence that point to specific personalities, who happen to be lawyers, expressly conspiring to cover up Atio Castillo’s hazing death.

I urge the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Supreme Court of the Philippines to conduct motu proprio administrative investigation of the said lawyers and preventively suspend these lawyers from the practice of the legal profession while their investigation is pending.

I also urge the Department of Justice to place these lawyers on the Immigration lookout watch list. If and when those lawyers are formally charged and preliminary prosecutorial investigation is underway, perhaps a hold departure order would be proper to make sure those lawyers do not flee.

For now, the provisions of the current anti-hazing law and of the Cybercrime law would suffice to hold those lawyers accountable for their actions. I again urge my colleagues in Congress to expedite passage of the new Anti-Hazing Bill. (END)

Pahayag ni dating Senador Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. tungkol sa pagtitipon sa "Marcos Gold"

Nakarating sa aking kaalaman na mayroon na namang pagtitipon na binabalak bukas sa Intramuros, Manila upang pag-usapan diumano ang tinatawag na Marcos gold. Muli kong inuulit na huwag po tayong maniwala sa mga sinasabi ng grupong ito. Ito po ay panloloko na naman upang makakuha sila ng pera sa mga inosenteng taga-suporta ng aming pamilya at sa publiko.

Sa lahat, inuulit ko, wala po kaming kinalaman sa pagtitipon na ito at huwag na po tayong maniwala sa modus operandi na ito. Maraming salamat.    ​

OFFICE OF FERDINAND “BONGBONG” R. MARCOS, JR.
Unit 2602, Tycoon Centre
Pearl Drive, Ortigas
Pasig City 1605
Philippines
Telephone:  +63 (02) 490 0618
Facsimile:  +63 (02) 490 0078
Website:  http://www.bongbongmarcos.com

CONFIDENTIALITY & PRIVILEGE:
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Luzon Grid on Normal Operation

Press Release - (Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) closely monitors the power situation in the country. Based on the latest report it received, the yellow alert status in the Luzon grid was lifted by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) due to sufficiency operating reserves at 5:25 p.m. (Friday).

Tripping of the Pagbilao-Tayabas Transmission Line 1
According to the consolidated reports submitted to the DOE, the issuance of red and yellow alert statuses by the NGCP in Luzon started with the tripping of 230 kilovolt Pagbilao-Tayabas Transmission Line 1 at 9:04 a.m. This caused the isolation of Pagbilao Coal-fired Power Plant Units 1 and 2 in Quezon.

Other plants on forced outage at that time are: Calaca Coal-fired Power Plant Unit 2 in Batangas; GNPower Coal-fired Power Plant Unit 2 in Bataan; Masinloc Coal-fired Power Plant Unit 1 in Zambales; and, Sual Coal-fired Power Plant Unit 2 in Pangasinan. These incidents resulted in a total power capacity loss of 2,342 megawatts (MW).

At 09:53 a.m., only Pagbilao Coal-fired Power Plant Unit 2 went on line upon the availability of Pagbilao-Tayabas Line 1.

QPPL Forced Outage
At 9:57 a.m., the 456 MW QPPL Co. Coal -fired Power Plant in Mauban, Quezon tripped due to the vibration of the boiler booster pump. This resulted in an accumulated reduction of 2,416 MW of power supply in the Luzon grid.

The tripping and outages caused the initial power interruption in Luzon at that time. The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) reported, however, that it immediately restored power supply in its franchise area at 10:04 a.m.

NGCP Issuance of Red and Yellow Alert
Because of these incidents, the NGCP issued a red alert status from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The yellow alert status was also issued covering the period of 12:00 nn to 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The derating of San Gabriel Natural Gas Power Plant in Batangas and Pagbilao Coal-fired Power Plant Unit 2 contributed an additional reduction of 422 MW. This brought the total loss of 2,838 MW capacity in the Luzon Grid.

At 12:00 noon, Interruptible Load Program (ILP) participants in the MERALCO franchise area have been advised and 68 ILP participants committed to deload a total of 111 MW.

NGCP Adjusted Alert Statuses
By 12:30 p.m., the red alert notice was lifted by the NGCP after Pagbilao U2 and San Gabriel were delivering at full capacity. The NGCP issued the yellow alert status from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

At 2:53 p.m., QPPL Coal-fired Power Plant went online contributing more power supply to the grid. This eventually resulted in the lifting of the yellow alert status 5:25 p.m.

The DOE reminds the consumers that “yellow alert” means operating reserves have dropped below the required 647 megawatts (MW) contingency in Luzon, 100 MW in Visayas and 150 MW in Mindanao. “Red Alert”, on the other hand, means that the reserve left on the grid is regulating reserve or equivalent to 4% of the current demand and power interruption may occur.

'Paradise lost' now regained

Tagbilaran City (27 June 2005) -- Residents of the 16 islets of Concepcion, Iloilo heaved a sigh of relief as Kaakbay Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) inaugurated a water system project stopping the flooding of disease in Barangays Nipa and Botlog.

The place, sometimes referred to as Nature Paradise is abundant in natural resources, however its residents live in misery as they are faced with high costs of clean drinking water and the possibility of contamination causing more diseases. With no dependable water service to rely on, tourism projects which it can right away capitalize remain a dream.

Located some two kilometers from Polopina, the islets boasts of teeming marine life and an equally diverse wildlife in its forests. Here in its forests thrive monkey-eating eagles, and in its seas are sea turtles, fish, squid and more abundant sea bounty.

But tourism, as their ladder off misery is far with the water problem they got.
Then in 2003, residents of Botlog and Nipa saw a ray of hope with the KALAHI water systems project funded by the Presidents' Social Funds.

Brandishing cooperation, residents put up labor counterpart, a good eight days, when fisher-folks and local residents made government work for them.

In no less than a time, Nipa residents now have faucets and Botlog enjoy water through an underwater pipe linked to the mainland.

Before Kalahi, residents used to travel the two kilometers to Polopina to buy potable water, oof course, at a high rate. This situation drains what residents earn in their meager jobs fishing. This also led some of them to poach sea turtles to supplement their income.

The residents now also vow to implement a newly legislated anti-poaching ordinance.

Now, they do not just have water services, they also saw the coming of the tourists owing to the fact that they now have better services to cater to the tourists. (PIA)

Oro’s best practices to be replicated nationwide

Cagayan de Oro City (27 June 2005) -- CAGAYAN de Oro City’s implementation gains owing to its participation in the Philippines Regional and Municipal Development Program (PRMDP) may be replicated in other local government units in the country under the proposed Local Governance Development Program (LGDP).

This was disclosed by City Planning and Development Officer Emmanuel Abejuela who said a team from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) is coming to the city today to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed program and explore partnership ties with the city government.

The mission team is composed of Prof. Brian Roberts (team leader), Mr. Deo Mwesigye (Philippines desk officer), Prof. Joel Mangahas (Filipino consultant), Angus Barnes (first secretary), and Rod Ervin Sollesta (program officer).

The team will discuss the concept paper and the terms of reference of the program with key officials of the city government.

Engr. Abejuela pointed out that the concept paper that will be discussed contains the options for a new program of Australian assistance to support capacity building for local government units to improve delivery of basic services.

He added that the team would be replicating the good governance practices of the city to other cities in the country in governance capacity along development planning, revenue management, and information technology.

It may be recalled that with PRMDP, the city enhanced its governance capacity along land tax revenue, asset maintenance, engineering planning, land use planning, human resource development, and community consultation. (Oro City Information Office/Ragcom)

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2 new GMA classrooms opened in Tablon
by Alice P. Tinhay

Cagayan de Oro City (27 June 2005) -- “EVERY child in the barangay must be in school,” Eulogio Suaner, Tablon National High School principal quoted Education Secretary Butch Abad’s advocacy during the recent turn-over ceremony of the two-classroom building donated by Nestle Philippines Inc. under the Classroom Galing sa Manggagawang Pilipino Abroad (CGMA) Project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and facilitated by the Department of Labor and Employment.
The Tablon National High School (TNHS) in Barangay Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City is very lucky for having been a recipient of Nestle’s program bearing the corporate slogan “Sulong sa Pagbabago, Magkapit-bisig Tayo,” Suaner further said.

According to Nestle Philippines, they believe in the traditional value attached to education as a way out of poverty, thus their involvement in the development of the TNHS, which began as early as 1997 when the school was founded. As one of its initiators, Nestle Philippines donated two classrooms equipped with tables and chairs.

On July 9, 2004, through the CGMA Project, they again donated P450,000 for the construction of a two-classroom building to address the problem of classroom shortage of the school. As a bonus, Nestle completed the construction of the building with a set of 30 chairs per classroom in time for the June school opening.

Suaner said the new classrooms is now helping the TNHS improve the quality of education since it reduced the classroom-student ratio from 1:80 last year to 1:60 starting this school year.
Classes are now conducted more effectively and comfortably, he added.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Marianito D. Roque, who was present during the turn-over ceremony, narrated how they first launched the CGMA Project in Saudi Arabia.

He expressed gratitude to Nestle Philippines for their generosity and said he is looking forward for more companies in the country to help in providing better quality public education.

For her part, Asst. Schools Division Supt. Greta C. Guria of the Department of Education echoed the same sentiment and called on Nestle to extend their generosity to other public schools in Cagayan de Oro.

The CGMA Project is also supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the national and local chapters of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FCCCII). (DOLE-10/Ragcom)

COA-10 cites top performing employees
by Jorie C. Valcorza

Cagayan de Oro City (27 June 2005) -- THE Commission on Audit in Northern Mindanao recently cited a number of its employees for exemplary performance.

Awarded during COA’s anniversary celebration were the Executive and Oversightâ€"National Government Sector (NGS) Cluster 1, Team 2 headed by Madrigal Sirad for the early transmittal of the CY 2004 Comments and Observations on the covered offices of the Presidential Management Staff, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Regulatory Commission, and Games and Amusement Board.

Sirad also received a separate award from the Philippine Canada Local Government Support Program (LGSP) for his contribution as the auditor and adviser to the LGSP 1 in Region 10.
Sirad’s team is composed of auditors Cecilia Pragamae, Lydia Macatol, Diogracias Lopez, Elena Elango and Erminia Obsioma.

Also recognized were NGS audit team leaders Evelyn Galacio, Elvira Palamine, Helen Gaabucayan and its members, including Auditor Rosalie Pelonio of the Corporate Government Audit Sector Cluster 5 and 7 for the prompt submission of office annual audit reports of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Likewise commended were Engr. Shane D. Dalman of COA’s technical services office (most outstanding employee), Esherlina Placido (model employee), auditor Carolina Diez for her support in the consolidation of the annual audit report of the National Food Authority, and state auditor Agustina Elleso and Elsa Manoto from the Corporate Government Audit Sector Cluster 5 and 6 for evaluating the performance of the audit team leaders.

Another special recognition was also given to Allan Llaneta, and more awards to the NGS Clusters 1, 2 and 3 for the quality of their audit findings.

According to COA-10, acknowledging its top performing employees is a means to boost their confidence and encourages others to follow suit, while strengthening President Arroyo’s on-going anti-graft and corruption campaign.

In this drive, the President challenges each and every public functionary to “set an example of honesty, discipline and frugality to elevate the whole moral tone of the bureaucracy in keeping with the times.” (PIA-10)

ABC eyes more investments in Mindanao

Cagayan de Oro City (27 June 2005) -- THE ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) Business Council, in cooperation with the Growth with Equity in Mindanao, is set to hold the 4th ARMM Business Congress (ABC) on 28-29 June at the Datu Amirbahar H. Jaafar Covention Center in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

The ARMM Business Congress is an annual gathering of businessmen, key business leaders, top government officials and non-government organizations in the region.

The two-day congress will hold a series of plenary sessions on various issues and concerns affecting business and investment growth in the ARMM.

According to Marlon Libot, team leader of the Business Support Organization Development, the activity helps in promoting investment specifically in the areas of transport infrastructure, educational reforms, telecommunications, seaweeds production and marketing, governance and cross-border trading between ARMM and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP EAGA).

There will also be special presentations from various successful companies in ARMM and other government agencies on tourism, employment and investment opportunities. Key industry leaders will also be invited to serve as resource persons.

The upcoming event is aimed at promoting ARMM as a premier investment in Mindanao. To achieve this, the congress aims to discuss vital issues and concerns that hinder efforts of the local business community to generate investments and increase productivity in the region. ARMM traders will also look at the policy recommendations that will further entice local and foreign businessmen to invest in ARMM.

In a related development the recent UBS Investment Research Report discussed the improvement of the country’s fiscal position.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the “report affirms the surging confidence in the Philippines as we strive to clear all stumbling blocks on our road to economic recovery and breach the skepticism over our capability to address our fiscal problems.” (MEDCO/PIA-10)

Camiguin investments, employment growth up 184%
by Jorie C. Valcorza

Cagayan de Oro City (27 June 2005) -- THE province of Camiguin took great strides in promoting its investments when it posted a 184-percent increase in the services and trade sector in the first quarter of this year amounting to P91.963 million.

The Department of Trade and Industry first quarter report also showed the province surpassing its employment target by 412%, from 86 to 354 jobs generated during the period.

At the same time, the agri-based sector, especially on processed food and beverages, generated about P5.18 million in sales during the quarter.

DTI provincial director Joselito Ento also said they are regularly monitoring the prices of commodities, including the enforcement of the price tag law.

At the national level, Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos believes that the overall performance of DTI for the first quarter indicates that the country continues to be an attractive investment destination for foreign investors.

Local investors have put in more investments in the first three months, generating more jobs in the process, Santos added.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye in a statement said the government has finished implementing Phase 1 of the economic plan and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has started moving Phase 2 to broaden the benefits of economic stability.

Due to recent threats of political instability, Bunye further said, the country’s economic gains are again under pressure.

“But the President is determined to stay the course of urgent change and reform, putting our fiscal house in order, sustaining investment confidence, and fostering the political and economic climate for more jobs and better social services,” Bunye stressed. (PIA-10)

Trade envoy visits Oro
by Jorie C. Valcorza

Cagayan de Oro City (27 June 2005) -- AMBASSADOR Donald G. Dee, special envoy for international trade negotiations was in Cagayan de Oro City recently to keynote the launching of the Business Enterprise 2005 during the 2nd general membership meeting of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (Oro Chamber)

Dee, who is also the president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was accompanied by PCCI assistant secretary general Edwin Glindro, Propel project executive director.

During the meeting, Dee updated the Oro Chamber of business opportunities abroad, including business trends, according to Oro Chamber program manager Lordile Enjambre.

Oro Chamber’s move of bringing in the trade envoy for the business discussion was intended to encourage more investments in the city and the region, improving the prospects of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 10-point agenda to also generate more jobs.

Dee was for former director of the Export and Industry Bank and Manila Exposition Complex Inc. and served as president of the Yarn Ventures Resources Inc. and the Redson Textile Manufacturing Corp. (PIA-10)

Zero record on labor strikes in Normin
by Becky P. Esguerra

Cagayan de Oro City (27 June 2005) -- PEACE has so far reigned in the industrial sector with only eight strikes registered in the first five months of this year or 27% lower than the 11 cases last year, the Department of Labor and Employment national office said.

In Region 10, however, DOLE Regional Director Ponciano Magsayo Ligutom is proud to claim that no single strike has been reported during the past seven years.

He credits this laudable achievement to the active role of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, a venue to resolve and maintain industrial peace in the concerned sectors.

Magsayo is expecting that this venue shall become even stronger with the signing of the 2005 Social Accord for Industrial Peace and Stability for Region 10 recently, where more than a hundred representatives from the labor, management and government sectors gathered to forge the pact in Cagayan de Oro City.

This move is in line with the 10-point agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as she acknowledges labor’s discipline and forbearance, the mark of a true ally in the Rule of Law and Constitutional adherence. (PIA-10)

Normin CARP land distribution now 91% complete - DLR
by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro City (27 June 2005) -- SOME 235,870 hectares of land have been distributed by the Department of Land Reform (DLR) in Northern Mindanao to 140,211 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) in the region, as of May 2005.

"This is actually 91% of the 261,289 has. that comprises the working scope of the Comprehensive Agrarian Land Reform Program in the region," Regional Director Alimoden M. Domado of DLR-10 said, during a "Mobile Talakayan sa PIA" forum held at the DLR-10 office recently as one of the activities of the CARP Month celebration.

"Mobile Talakyan sa PIA" provides a vehicle to discuss among other things the 10-point agenda of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her campaign to "Let us BEAT THE ODDS and Help the Nation To Last" and is being hosted by Area Manager Olivia T.Sudaria of the Philippine Information Agency, Region 10.

Domado said of the land distributed, 78,027 has. or 33.08% were private agricultural lands categorized under the Compulsory Acquisition (CA), Voluntary Offer To Sell (VOS) and Voluntary Land Transfer (VLT)/Direct Payment Scheme (DPS), while 157,843 has. or 66.92% were government-owned lands categorized as Settlement Areas (SA), Government Financial Institutions (GFI)-owned and those formerly declared Kilusan ng Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran (KKK) areas.

By province, the biggest bulk of the CARP area is in Bukidnon with 140,072 has. Or 53.60%, followed by Lanao del Norte with 74,236 has. or 28,41%, Misamis Oriental with 32,371 has. or 12.38%, Misamis Occidental with 12,303 has. or 4.70%, and Camiguin with 2,307 has. or 0.88%.
"We are not only concerned with the land acquisition by the farmers as mandated under the Asset Reforms Program of the Arroyo Administration. Per our new mandate, we are now focusing on the support services for the beneficiaries of our Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) because we want to help them improve their productivity by enhancing their capability to earn more," he said.

Per Executive Order No. 364 entitled "Transforming the Dept. of Agrarian Reform into the Dept. of Land Reform" signed by Pres. Arroyo on Sept. 27, 2004, the DLR is made responsible for all land reform in the country, including agrarian reform, urban land reform and ancestral domain reform.

Meanwhile, a total of 114 ARCs have been launched by DLR-10 in 385 barangays covered by 82 cities/municipalities in the region, benefiting 48,144 farmers of whom 13,352 are members of 288 different ARB organizations/cooperatives.

From a total loan of P285.12 million availed over a capital build-up of P960.9 million, a P6.5-million savings was generated by these ARBs after mobilizing resources amounting to P2.289 million for the production of major crops like corn, rice and coconuts.

Likewise, a total of 16 Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects amounting to P2.732 billion, six of which were already completed, while 10 are still on-going are undertaken in 88 ARCs of the region, benefiting 36,218 ARBs.

Specifically under the Local Credit Support Program, a total of 1,628 projects amounting to P45.454 million have been availed of by 48 ARC organizations, benefiting 5,260 ARBs.
The ARC average household income in the region now, Domado said, stands at P59,235 per year, the highest of which is in Lanao del Norte with P73,407, followed by Camiguin, P64,012, Misamis Oriental, Php58,968, Bukidnon, P55,930 and Misamis Occidental, P52,916.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, during her visit to Northern Mindanao last week, emphasized that the government's focus now is the fight against poverty. So far, the farmers' sector, which contributes a lot in this aspect, has been getting her concern and time.
"This is clearly seen when she signed EO No.364 and when she came to the region for the inaugural switching-on to start operations of the Grains and Feedstock Service Center in Valencia City on June 16, this year," Domado also remarked. (PIA-10)

New Dumaguete ordinance passed to protect animal rights
by Rachelle Nessia

Dumaguete City (7 October 2005) -- The city government of Dumaguete is now taking animal rights seriously with the passage of a new ordinance pushing for the protection of animal welfare while putting more teeth into the city's anti-rabies campaign.

Ordinance No. 21 now limits dog ownership to two dogs for the dogs' sake. "Dog ownership must be restricted if the dog owner cannot really afford to give the necessary care that the animals need," says City Veterinarian Dr. Lourdes Socorro during a recent Kapihan forum.
Socorro cites shelter, food and nutrition, grooming and exercise and protection from infectious diseases that may cause death as some of the animal rights that dog owners should provide. "If you cannot afford to give these rights, then the government has the right to prevent you from owning these dogs because you will be maltreating them by not providing for their needs," she said.

She however clarified that dog ownership, even if restricted, depends on the owner's capability to provide. You can raise as many dogs as you want if you can afford to provide for all their needs, Socorro said.

The new ordinance also increased the registration or licensing fee from P5 to P100.
Socorro explained that 50% of the fee will go to the barangays which are now closely involved in the ordinance's implementation as it orders barangays to identify dog owners in their areas by conducting surveys in households with dogs and cats.

Violators will face imprisonment from one to 6 months and fines of not less than P2,000 but not more than P5,000or both fine and imprisonment upon the discretion of the court, says Socorro.

The city's new ordinance, authored by City Councilor Dr. Urbano Diga and which amends Ordinance No. 15, is in support of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act that was passed in 1998.

Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr. Antonio Mutia said RA 8485 calls for animal protection and responsible pet ownership. "This law covers all kinds of animals, like pets, food animals, show animals and even wild animals," says Mutia who warned that the destruction of animal habitat is already a violation of the said law.

The Provincial Veterinary Office has been conducting lectures in the different towns and cities to raise awareness on the salient points of the Animal Welfare Act.

Both Mutia and Socorro was speaking in yesterday's Kapihan forum conducted by the Philippine Information Agency in line with the first celebration of Animal Welfare Week in October.
Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed on October 11 last year Proclamation No. 175 declaring the first week of October as Animal Welfare Week.

In line with the celebration, the city and provincial veterinary offices here is conducting free clinics offering services on deworming, tick, flea and lice treatment, castration of male dogs and cats and treatment of sick animals.

The city veterinarian said the celebration also aims to highlight the Animal Welfare Act, under which facilities involved in raising any kind of animals are now required to register with the Bureau of Animal Industry's Animal Welfare Division.

"Before, anybody can have a pet shop, but now it is regulated," states Socorro.
The said bureau also regulates the raising of poultry if it exceeds a certain number.
In the same forum, Mutia reminded dog owners to be responsible and submit their dogs for regular vaccination.

He also warned dog owners not to let their pets loose even if they are vaccinated. "There is a real danger that your dog will bite someone. Under the law, the dog owner is responsible for the medical expenses if their dog bites someone as dog bites can also lead to tetanus and not just rabies," Mutia stressed.

This was reiterated by Socorro, who said that Ordinance No. 21 also calls for the mandatory leashing of dogs. "You must keep your dogs within your premises. If you are not leashing it, then it must be inside a fenced household." (PIA)

PGMA calls for end to political conflict
by Aleli Aggasid-Batara

Laoag City (26 June 2005) -- Despite the efforts of the government to cushion the impact of the political attacks against the administration, the bickering is starting to affect international trade and credit relations.

The President has asked for an end to the political problem rocking the country and appealed to the public to support her administration as the country begins to reap the fruits economic reforms that she initiated.

Sen Panfilo Lacson and leaders from the group of Fernando Poe Jr. have posed a united front supposedly to uncover the truth behind the tapes but more importantly to strengthen their attack against the government after failing separately to unseat the President.

President Arroyo has persuaded AFP Chief of Staff Efren Abu to postpone his retirement and turnover of command to Philippine Army commanding general, Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga to ensure smooth transition of the military leadership amidst of the on-going crisis.

The International Monetary Fund has demanded close watch on government spending and warned of derail in economic prospects because of the political uncertainty facing the country.
Credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has decided to visit the Philippines in the third quarter to evaluate the situation in the country and prospects for further developments. (PIA)

Destabilization efforts will never solve our problems

Tacloban City (26 June 2005) -- Rallies, political bickerings, exposes will never solve the problems of the Filipino people especially the disadvantaged and the underprivileged. Instead, these double the burden of the poor.

The destabilization efforts in Manila paints a bad picture of the Philippines. They destroy all the achievements that the Arroyo administration has painstakingly worked for. They drive away investors, discourage local businessmen, cause inflation and high interest rates, price hikes, make life more difficult for the Filipino. For at the tail end of the chaos they are creating is the poor Filipino who is the most affected. Most of the time, the poor are even exploited and are used by the plotters. They are made to join demos and rallies and are made the sacrificial lambs.

Who are the plotters of the destabilization movements? They are those who lost during the last elections, those who belong to the opposition, or those who espoused candidates who lost. To make it short, they are the losers who cannot accept defeat and want to make losers all Filipinos.

These detractors will never see anything good because as the adage goes: worse than the blindman is the man who refuses to see. These are the people who always focus on the negative instead of the positive. Those who see what is wrong more than what is right with people. What is better than focusing on the negative? It is focusing on the positive. If the destabilization plotters could learn to focus on the positive more than the negative, the Philippines would be a nicer place to live in.

The destabilization plotters have a vision- that of toppling down the Arroyo administration. But surprise! There is something more potent than vision and that is what President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has. She is fighting for a CAUSE - to Beat the Odds, to heal the wounds of the ailing Philippines.

Now, what are we to do? As former President Corazon Aquino said, "the best thing we can do for our country is pray for each other, pray for our leaders and as always to stick to sobriety and just follow the rules." (PIA

Success stories showcased at Pintados Kasadyaan Festival fairs

Tacloban City (26 June 2005) -- In connection with the fast approaching Tacloban City Fiesta, Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla in coordination with the Leyte Pintados Foundation and various government agencies plays host to the Pintados Kasadyaan Fairs with the honorable congresswoman of the first district of Leyte Remedios L. Petilla as the chairperson.

With the Old Children's Park as the venue, the Fair was designed to showcase success stories of regional development in terms of technology and heavy industries, locally produced goods, agri-aqua, trade and tourism, in line with the thrusts and programs of the Arroyo administration. The brainchild of the First District of Leyte Congresswoman Remedios L. Petilla who is known for her determination and her pioneering many successful projects, the Fair hopes to provide a venue for the enterprising Leyteno to find opportunity to do business, promote culture and history of the province and to rev up all the engines of development in the region that will serve as inspiration to the people especially the disadvantaged sector.

The Agri Aqua Fair highlights the fish cages in the booming Mariculture Industry of the Region. Milkfish which is now abundant in the region because of the fish cages are available for sale together with other value added marine products. A model farm house tagged as FAITH (Food Available in the Home) with vegetable garden complete with fishpond, poultry and piggery is also exhibited, a very good answer to the Food Security program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Vegetable, fruits, poultry and livestock including goat and lamb are also available for sale.

The Global Development Exhibition showcases the production processes of the different industries in Leyte like the New Leyte Edible Oil of Tanauan, Leyte which manufactures cooking oil for export, the Cal Energy, PASAR, PNOC, NPC, Leyeco II and other locators in Leyte. It makes any Leyteno proud to know that Leyte provides 60 percent of the Geothermal energy generated in the five geothermal sites in the country. This means that even if the other four sites are combined, the geothermal power generated in Leyte is still higher.
The trade fair billed as Port Fair or the Peoples Organizations Regional Trade Fair, highlights the products of the successful Peoples Organizations all over the region. Grouped together adhering to the principle of strength in coming together, these peoples organizations serve as an inspiration to the People of Region VIII as a very good example of Empowered Filipinos. Most of these peoples organizations were formed to respond to the economic need of the members Products on sale ranges from handicrafts made from local materials, handmade papers from banana pulp, abaca products, processed food like the preserved tahong shell, local delicacies, costume jewelries and coconut products like virgin coconut oil and its by products, white cheese, culinary virgin coconut oil, cocowater vinegar and many others.

Leyte, the whole of Eastern Visayas is truly blessed. It takes such undertakings like the Pintados Kasadyaan Agri-Aqua, Industrial and Trade Fair to make people realize this. And it takes people like Cong. Petilla, Governor Petilla and the government and non-government organizers to make it happen. (PIA-8)

Archbishop Cruz confirms PGMA not "jueteng" beneficiary - Bunye

MANILA (26 June 2005) -- "The good bishop (Archbishop Oscar Cruz) has just confirmed it."
This was the statement issued by Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye after Archbishop Cruz admitted that he has no witness to directly link President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the illegal gambling payoffs.

Bunye, who is also the Presidential Spokesman, also reiterated that President Arroyo never benefited from illegal gambling.

"Unfounded allegations unwittingly serve the plot to malign the President," he added. (PIA-MMIO)

No "sacred cows" in government - PGMA

MANILA (26 June 2005) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been consistent with her stand that there are no "sacred cows" in her administration.

The statement was made by Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) started its formal investigation into the assets of the President's brother-in-law, Congressman Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo over his alleged ownership of the "Jose Pidal" bank account.

Bunye, who is also the Presidential Spokesman, said the full brunt of the law will be enforced whoever gets hurt.

"The government is gearing for Phase two of its economic reform agenda, and the BIR's campaign against tax cheats is part of putting the fruits of tough reforms to work," he added. (PIA-MMIO)

RP economy sound - Palace

MANILA (26 June 2005) -- The bullish outlook of the international business community of the country's economy is speaking well of the nation's sound economic reform agenda and affirms the integrity of the national leadership.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye made the comment as American banking giant JP Morgan Chase grooms the Philippines as a major global backroom hub despite concerted efforts to malign President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Bunye conveyed that the positive views ascribed to the present administration's efforts to strengthen the economy are inspiring the government officials to focus more on what they have started upon.

He pointed out that the economic momentum gained by the nation can't be easily reversed by the blaring noise of a few losers.

Meanwhile, the Palace official urged the country to rise above the political din and unite to steel itself against the rice in oil prices in the world market - the most important challenge today. (PIA-MMIO)

Snap election, PGMA resignation absurd - Bunye

MANILA (26 June 2005) -- The calls for snap elections or the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are absurd.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye made the statement in response to protests calling for President Arroyo's resignation and Senator Raul Roco's proposal for a snap elections to solve the current political crisis.

Bunye reiterated that President Arroyo won fair and square in last year's election and advised those who bear the wounds of defeat to wait for the next Presidential elections.
The Palace official cautioned that if they do not agree with the rules, they should not impede the President from leading the nation in achieving the goals she has set for the people particularly the Filipino poor.

He also warned the foes of the present administration to desist from sabotaging the economy by sowing political unrest, and added that they must be sporting enough to wait for their turn. (PIA-MMIO)

Leyte villagers' dream comes true

MERIDA, LEYTE (25 June 2005) -- Many areas in the country still has no existing potable water supply. But to residents of the Puertobello Agrarian Reform Community (ARC), it was a realization of a dream when officials from the Department of Land Reform (DLR) turned over here on Tuesday a Level-2 Rural Water System Project.

Water is essential to life and to rural development, said DLR Assistant Secretary Edgar Igano as he explained the significance of it during Tuesday's turn over rites.

Although implemented by the local government unit said project was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) through the second phase of Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP II) with a total cost of P1,026,573.

Some 491 residents in 271 households are expected to benefit from this project wherein 131 of them are agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Regional Director Tiburcio Morales, Jr. disclosed that ARISP II will have three components for implementation in Puertobello ARC.

After this first component, a farm-to-market road and post harvest facilities will soon follow, Morales added.

Aside from these projects, Mayor Marcos Antonio Solaña hopes that an irrigation project would also be implemented here to make their rain-fed ricelands productive whole year round.
On the same occasion, Igano who represented Land Reform Secretary Rene Villa distributed 97 individual and collective certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) covering more than 185 hectares of agricultural lands here and in Merida and Albuera towns to 231 recipients. (PIA-8)

Anti-terrorism efforts progress in Mindanao

Quezon City (25 June 2005) -- Decades-long disputes by Islamic separatists in Mindanao are slowly being resolved through peace talks.

The government's efforts to reach a peaceful Mindanao is slowly progressing, this was observed by visiting United States Deputy Secretary Robert Zoellick during a state visit to the Philippines.

In a press conference held recently, Zoellick revealed that he had met with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other Philippine officials to discuss economic, political and security issues.

The government efforts of rebel reintegration of former Moro National Liberation Front members is successful.

He hoped to provide the Philippines with more funding assistance but saying that it will depend on the progress of the Mindanao negotiating process. (Beat-the-Odds Infobits Service)

Reintegration program of former rebels backed by AID

Quezon City (25 June 2005) -- The reintegration program of former rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) received praises and was promised funding assistance by the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) says U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick.

In a recent state visit to the Philippines, Zoelick praised the government's strategy of reintegrating the former rebels into society after a successful signing of the agreement in 1996. The project was further encouraged by Zoelick by promising more funding for assistance projects by AID.

"I have a good report from the AID mission about efforts to help integrate these people back into the developmentn of the society," Zoellick said.

Zoellick further stressed that the United States and the Philippines share the same concerns about global terrorism. He revealed that the Philippines is the second largest recepient of US funding assistance in the South East Asia after Indonesia. The country will receive $120 million in military, trade and development assistance. (Beat-the-Odds Infobits Service)

DOH and Davao unite for health
Quezon City (25 June 2005) -- The Department of Health and some municipalities in Davao are in sync as the government and the Davaoeños move for a healthy Filipino in the fulfillment of the International Conference on Population and Development's (ICPD) millenium development goals.

In response to the 2000 ICPD-MPD set to fight poverty and hunger, DOH organized several programs to help alleviate health problems in the country. Among these programs are providing vitamin A supplements for preschoolers, ferrous sulfate for low birth-weight infants, giving of early child care and development (ECCD) cards, and trainor's training on enhanced child growth strategy and international reference standards.

Municipalities in Davao have also acted on the call of ICPD through municipal projects like the Integrated Rice Production and Financing Program in New Corella, Davao Del Norte; meeting farmer's needs in Malalalag, Davao Del Sur; and a literacy program in Dujali town, Davao Del Norte where local and national resources meet.

The MPD was adopted by 147 government heads and 191 member-states who attended the ICPD held in September 2000 where other issues like the promotion of gender equality; reduction of child mortality; labor; nutrition; battle against HIV/AIDS; malaria and other diseases; maternal health; matching grants; and health and sanitation were discussed. (Beat-the-Odds Infobits Service)

Employees grab a COLA
Quezon City (25 June 2005) -- Here's another way to quench your thirst. Employees rejoice as the Department of Labor and Employment gives an additional P20 cost of living allowance (COLA) to minimum wage workers in Central Luzon on June 16, 2005.

Acting on its own, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) did not wait for a petition to increase wages citing increases in prices of goods, transportation and power rates as enough reason for the wage hike.

The wage board composed of DOLE, Department of Trade and Industry, National Economic and Development Authority and management and labor representatives, unanimously approved the effectivity of wage order no. RBIII-11.

As specified in the wage order, the minimum wage for non-agricultural sector in Central Luzon are: P263.50 (Bulacan), P259.50 (Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales), P217 (Aurora).

Through the wage hike, DOLE Sec. Patricia Sto.Tomas hopes to encourage the business sector in the region to adopt schemes in productivity improvement such as time and motion studies, quality circles, and labor-management cooperation. (Beat-the-Odds Infobits Service)

Job generation program yields results in five months

Quezon City (25 June 2005) -- The government's concerted effort in creating six to 10 million jobs by 2010 is finally paying off.

Presidential Management Staff Chief Rigoberto Tiglao revealed that the job generation project yielded 1.1 million jobs in its initial five months starting in January 2005 as reported by various government agencies.

He added that developing two million hectares of land for agribusiness; creating three million micro, small and medium enterprises (SME) through credit financing and technology and marketing support; developing industries like housing, tourism, mining, export, and ICT are key components of the program.

Agribusiness accounted for 99,730 jobs; micro-enterprises created 15,123 jobs due to increased loans totaling P3.4 billion in three months; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority's Kasanayan at Hanapbuhay enrolled 10,678 apprentices; and Department of Tourism's aggressive tourism campaign created 98,837 jobs.

SMEs gained from the standardized guidelines and lending rates of government financial institutions (GFIs) under the SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth Program increasing loans to P7.2 billion for the first quarter forming 90,224 jobs. (Beat-the-Odds Infobits Service)

Department of Education Division of Bohol   
Dr. Wilfreda Bongalos, Ph.D.   
Schools Division Superintendent   
Desiderio V. Deligero - Information Officer
Office Address: Carlos P. Garcia North Avenue, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
Telephone: (038) 411-2720telefax, 501-7537telefax, 411-2544, 411-4938

Department of Health- Bohol Provincial Health Team Office
Dr. Portia Reyes
Team Leader        
Address - J. A. Clarin Street, Tagbilaran City    
Contact No: (038) 235-5822; 501-0032

Department of Agrarian Reform DAR
Ms. Grace Fua, CESO V
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II
M. Lydia D. Bantugan - Information Officer
Address: Provincial Capitol Annex, Dao Tagbilaran City
Telephone Numbers - (038) 411-2816, 501-8891, 235-3560, 235-4243

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
Mr. Mario L. Limbaga
Officer-In-Charge
Capitol Building, Tagbilaran City
(038) 411-4629

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
Mr. Dennis Aures
A.P.S./Officer-In-Charge
Tagbilaran Airport, Tagbilaran City
(038) 411-3320, 235-5880(telefax)

European Union leaders on Thursday reaffirmed their full commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, hoping that the U.S. Congress would not let it collapse despite relentless criticism by President Donald Trump.

But the bloc, reluctant to isolate itself completely from Washington, is also stepping up criticism of Iran's ballistic missile program and its role in what the West sees as fomenting instability in the Middle East.

Trump last week adopted a harsh new approach to Iran by refusing to certify its compliance with the nuclear deal, struck with the United States and five other powers including Britain, France and Germany after more than a decade of diplomacy.

"We fully stay committed to the complete implementation by all sides of the Iranian nuclear deal. We see this as a key security interest for the European Union and the region," said the bloc's top diplomat, Federica Mogherini.

The EU leaders' joint statement, agreed after talks in Brussels on Thursday, "reaffirms full commitment to the Iran nuclear deal". - Reuters

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North Korea has sent a letter to Australia's parliament, warning it is a nuclear power and will not be cowed by U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to destroy it, according to a copy of the letter published in an Australian newspaper on Friday.

"If Trump thinks that he would bring the DPRK, a nuclear power, to its knees through nuclear war threat, it will be a big miscalculation and an expression of ignorance," said a facsimile of the letter, published by the Sydney Morning Herald and verified by Australia's foreign ministry.

"Trump threatened to totally destroy the DPRK ... it is an extreme act of threatening to totally destroy the whole world." - Reuters

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Canada's Finance Minister Bill Morneau said on Thursday he will place his assets in a blind trust and divest all his stock in a publicly traded family business, amid opposition allegations that these holdings put him in a conflict of interest.

Questions about the assets of Morneau, the multimillionaire former chief executive officer of human resources management firm Morneau Shepell, have dogged the minister and led some to question whether he would be forced to resign.

His plan to adopt a blind trust follow weeks of backlash over a government attempt to reform small business taxes, which have become a major stumbling block for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's two-year-old Liberal government.

Morneau said he had initially intended to put his assets in a blind trust - as Trudeau has - but had changed his mind after consultations with the ethics watchdog. He said he had "naively" believed that following the advice of the ethics commissioner was a high enough standard. - Reuters News

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New Zealand Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern said she would spend Friday ironing out issues and ministerial posts with coalition partner New Zealand First, one day after becoming the Pacific nation's youngest leader in more than 150 years.

The previous night's highly anticipated announcement by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters that he would support 37-year-old Ardern's Labour Party had ended a decade of center-right National rule and spelt big changes for the country's economy.

The New Zealand dollar - the world's 11th-most traded currency - was down 1.7 percent, after its largest one-day fall in more than a year amid jitters around the new government's protectionist agenda.

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STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone District of Iligan City
Vice Chair, Committee on Tourism
Member, Committees on Appropriations, Mindanao Affairs, Youth & Sports Development, and 7 other committees www.freddiesiao.com fb/congressmansiao twitter: @freddiesiao     

FUND MARAWI REHABILITATION VIA “ISLAMIC BONDS,” ILIGAN SOLON SUGGESTS

Designate Al Amanah, the PH’s lone Islamic bank as fund raiser â€" Rep. Siao

The rehabilitation of the war-torn city of Marawi can be funded through issuance of “Islamic bonds” through our lone Islamic bank Al Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (Al Amanah).

As an investor myself and Member of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs, I recommend to government that it work together with Al Amanah in developing a so-called “sukuk” or Islamic financial certificates that comply with sharia laws. The Department of Finance through the Bureau of Treasury shall be the issuer and Al Amanah shall be the marketer.

I recommend also that the government designate Al Amanah as fund raiser for the Marawi reconstruction pursuant to powers vested on it by Republic Act 6848.

Issuance of sukuk will enable us to tap funds from the 57-member countries of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Recently, Qatar Investment Authority announced that it has at least $320 billion worth of excess funds which may be used for energy projects in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Chair and chief executive officer of Al Amanah Alex Bangola said that Philippines can access those billions of dollars of funds from Qatar through issuance of sukuk. “Sukuk can be compared with government bonds, only that these financial papers do not follow the Western banking concept of riba or interest. Under Islamic banking, a holder of a sukuk means he or she holds “ownership” in the investment “and the bank becomes a business partner,” Bangola was quoted explaining. https://goo.gl/gDepmC

I am aware of DoF’s plan to issue “Marawi bonds” on January 2018. I support that move and I believe that can be complemented by the issuance of sukuk that I am suggesting in order to give our Muslim allies throughout the world an opportunity to help rebuild the Islamic trading city of Marawi.

However, the P30 billion worth of debt securities that DoF proposes might just be not enough compared with the magnitude of work that has to be done. https://goo.gl/Kq9Szy

The P30 billion is enough only for some key structures but insufficient to implement a master plan not just for Marawi but also the surrounding towns, the Lake Lanao area, and to integrate them with Mindanao and the Visayas.

We do not want band aid solutions. We want a total solution to the economic, social, and political woes that are root causes of the discontent in Marawi and western Mindanao.

Since my district Iligan City is just 30-minutes away from Marawi, there is a synergy between the two cities. What happens to Marawi greatly affects us too. (END)

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NORECO-II PIO: Due to inclement weather, several NORECO-II posts toppled down and those near overflows were washed away by the strong current, leaving several areas without power. These include:

• Feeder 8 of Bagacay substation is affected - two (2) double circuit backbone poles
• Canlas Subdivison, Bagacay in Dumaguete City â€" two (2)  poles
• Talay in Dumaguete City
• Magatas, Sibulan â€" three-phase line and two (2) broken poles
• Magatas going to Calabnugan

All NORECO II forces who are available are dispatched to work on the damage and power will be restored the soonest possible time.

Please stay away from any broken lines and posts and warn others of the danger. Report any concern to our Consumer Welfare Desk at 422-6522 or 225-4830 or 09173224237.

Please continue to prepare for any contingency with regard to power service interruption.

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October 19, 2017 - As part of its advocacies to protect the environment, Priland Development Corp. announced its effort to plant at least 23,000 trees, including mangroves, in the town of Jetafe in Bohol Province.

Marcelino Relampagos, Priland’s general manager, said that this tree-planting program will be implemented in the first quarter of 2018, in coordination with the local government of Jetafe.

Relampagos told SunStar Cebu during the launching of Belize North, its newest development project in Barangay Jugan, Consolacion, Cebu, that the tree-planting will also be held in compliance with the Cebuano real estate development company’s environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

Relampagos assured that the trees will be constantly monitored to ensure the sustainability of the program. (JTG)

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2017/10/19/priland-devt-corp-plant-23000-trees-bohol-570365
Follow us: @sunstaronline on Twitter | SunStar Philippines on Facebook

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Manila Hosts 2017 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Summit

Five-day summit brings together 250 emerging leaders representing all 10 ASEAN member states to advance leadership skills and collaborate on regional challenges.

Manila, October 19, 2017 â€" Two-hundred and fifty emerging leaders between the ages of 18-35 representing all ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states have come together in Manila for five days of advanced leadership training, collaboration, and networking at the 2017 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Summit.

The YSEALI Summit, held from October 17 to 21, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and Cultural Vistas.

The third annual YSEALI Summit will equip these rising leaders with training and mentorship to address the complex and dynamic political, social, economic, and environmental issues facing ASEAN.  In this 40th anniversary year of U.S.-ASEAN partnership, the Summit delegates will also focus on strengthening U.S.-ASEAN relations in the next 40 years.

The Summit will accomplish these goals through a combination of hands-on activities, lectures, and simulations focused on advanced leadership skills such as systems thinking; communications and negotiations; 21st century collaboration; and approaches to meaningful dialogue.

The program includes a reception celebrating both ASEAN’s 50th anniversary and the 40th year of U.S. -ASEAN partnership. Representatives from the embassies of ASEAN member nations to the Philippines will join U.S. government representatives and the YSEALI Summit delegates to mark these historic anniversaries.

In preparation for the Summit, the 250 young leaders completed five weeks of online learning activities.  While in Manila, they will collaborate in multi-national teams to design service projects for implementation in an ASEAN-wide campaign of youth-led community service initiatives, YSEALI YOUnified, in December 2017.

For the last 40 years, the United States has partnered with ASEAN and its member states on economic engagement, security, rule of law, sustainable development, human rights, and people-to-people programming.

According to the ASEAN Secretariat, 65 percent of the population in the region is under the age of 35.  These 400 million youth will define the Asia Pacific region for decades to come; their participation in solving global challenges is critical to the development and prosperity of the region.

Recognizing this fact, the U.S. government launched YSEALI in 2013 to strengthen partnerships with emerging leaders in Southeast Asia; to expand their skills as effective civic, economic and non-governmental leaders in the region; and to nurture an ASEAN community of leaders who work together to solve common issues.

Since that time, the YSEALI network has grown to more than 111,000 members, including almost 19,000 in the Philippines.

This year’s YSEALI Summit marks the third such gathering of YSEALI alumni. Previous summits were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Nov. 19-23, 2015) and Luang Prabang, Laos (Sept. 6-9, 2016).

Learn more about the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Summit at ysealisummit.org and follow summit updates in real time at #YSEALISummit.

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Press Release - Manila, October 19, 2017 â€" The U.S. Embassy in Manila and the Philippines’ Department of Justice Interagency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT) announce the launch of activities to implement the U.S.-Philippines Child Protection Compact (CPC) Partnership, signed in Manila earlier this year by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Michael S. Klecheski and Philippine Secretary of Justice Vitaliano N. Aguirre II.

The State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) led the negotiations for the United States and awarded $3.5 million USD (PhP 175 million) to two implementing partners: International Justice Mission (IJM) and The Salvation Army World Service Office.  The IACAT led the CPC Partnership negotiations for the Philippine government and intends to provide PhP 40 million ($784,000 USD) to support the partnership’s objectives.  The TIP Office will continue to work with IACAT and other participating departments during the partnership’s four-year implementation period.  Activities will focus primarily in the National Capital Region (Manila) and Central Visayas.

The CPC Partnership is the first of its kind in the region and will support sustainable improvements in the capacity of the Philippine government and civil society to combat online sexual exploitation of children and child labor trafficking, to expand specialized child protection services and prevention efforts, and to improve coordination among duty bearers in responsible agencies.

“Ending the threat of child trafficking is a priority for our government and we are committed to further enhancing interagency coordination to investigate and prosecute this crime and expand comprehensive services for child trafficking victims through this Partnership,” commented Prosecutor Darlene Pajarito, Executive Director of the Department of Justice’s IACAT.

As CPC Partnership implementing partners, IJM and The Salvation Army have begun working collaboratively with the government of the Philippines and other civil society organizations to support the government’s efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict child traffickers; provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care for child victims of these crimes; and prevent online sexual exploitation of children and forced child labor from occurring.

For example, IJM will build on the model it has developed alongside the Philippine government for investigation and prosecution of online sexual exploitation of children and increased protection for children.  Activities will focus on geographical hotspots for online sexual exploitation of children and will result in strengthened criminal deterrence and protection for vulnerable children in the target regions and nationally.

In addition, IJM and other implementing partners will work closely with the government to expand sustainable long-term care for child victims of online sexual exploitation by investing in foster care systems for recovering survivors.  IJM and its partners will also provide technical support to local government units and other partners to strengthen existing community-based mechanisms for preventing, identifying, and protecting child victims of online sexual exploitation and labor trafficking.

The Salvation Army and local implementing partners will develop and strengthen systems for comprehensive care of child survivors of online sexual exploitation in Manila and Central Visayas.  Its work will include supporting social workers and other stakeholders to identify child victims of online sexual exploitation and strengthen comprehensive service delivery for survivors, with a focus on enhancing psychosocial care and legal services.  The program will increase the availability of much needed shelter and comprehensive services for child victims of online sexual exploitation.

“This Partnership represents a unique opportunity for the United States to partner with the government of the Philippines on an issue of the highest importance â€" building a better future for vulnerable Filipino children,” said U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim.

Contact: Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) contactus.iacat@gmail.com

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One Man’s Sin

(Get up, sanctify the people, and say, “Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.'” - Joshua 7:13)

Just as the obedience of one Christian can bring blessing to others, the sin of one Christian can bring harm to many others. The children of Israel were rapidly advancing into the Promised Land. They had experienced a miraculous victory over the city of Jericho, and they were continuing toward their next conquest. To their surprise they met decisive defeat as they attempted to capture the small town of Ai. They sought God’s explanation for their failure, and He provided it. He revealed that someone among them had disobeyed His clear command not to keep any possession from Jericho. The disobedience of one man and his family had paralyzed an entire nation! Achan thought he could conceal his sin and it would not affect anyone else. God chose to demonstrate the destructive power of one sin to His people. One act of disobedience cost Achan and his family their lives. It caused his countrymen to lose the battle; innocent soldiers were killed. His sin had serious repercussions for others, denying them the blessing, power, and victory of God.

Your sin will have an impact on others. Choosing to disobey God may cost your family God’s blessing. The power of God may be absent from your church because you are living in disobedience. Your friends may suffer because you are not living tenuous Diligently seek to obey every word from God, for you do not know how your disobedience could affect those around you. Scripture promises that if you will obey the Lord, your life will be a channel of blessing to others (Ps. 37:25-26).   Henry and Richard Blackaby

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Young Japanese helps Bohol tap Japanese market

A young Japanese dispatched under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Volunteer program is helping build the capacity of 15 ecotourism sites while introducing disaster risk reduction (DRR) in local tourism to attract Japanese tourists in Bohol.

Akiko Nagata, 29, left her job in a Japanese travel agency to volunteer at the Bohol Tourism Office (BTO).

“Bohol has so much potential in sustainable tourism and the Boholanos have a unique kind of hospitality that can help boost tourism in the area,” said Nagata, who also previously worked in tourism promotions in Japan’s Gunma Prefecture in northern Tokyo.

Already, she has partnered with 12 local government units in Bohol namely Buenavista, Alicia, Anda, Antequera, Balilihan, Carmen, Loboc, Maribojoc, Loay, Dauis, and Danao to study value-added activities including sales tools that can be incorporated in Bohol’s tourism programs.

Nagata also worked with the Bohol Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRM) on security and DRR trainings in 34 accommodation facilities and tourism site operators in Bohol. Just recently, Nagata invited a tourism expert on Tourism Crisis Management from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to share crisis management information with over 400 students and tourism stakeholders in Bohol.
Meanwhile, tourist numbers in Bohol have been on the rise, despite the earthquake disaster in 2013 and perceptions on security threats from insurgents this year. In 2016, over a million foreign and local tourists visited Bohol from merely 602,577 during the previous year.

“China, Korea, and USA were Bohol’s top markets in terms of arrivals, and there’s opportunity to grow the Japanese market particularly through eco-tourism,” added Nagata.

Already, a JICA-assisted development cooperation Sustainable Environment Protection Project (SEPP) identified 102 eco-tourism sites in Bohol that foreign tourists can visit. These include firefly and kayaking experience tours in Maribojoc to name a few.
The new Bohol Airport in Panglao scheduled to finish by 2018 is also seen to attract more tourists in the province.

Nagata is among the 47 Japanese volunteers under JICA that are supporting various development areas in the Philippines. (PR)

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

Reaction to the statement of DBM secretary

SOLON BATS FOR MARAWI RECONSTRUCTION BONDS IN SMALL AND LARGE DENOMINATIONS SO OFWS AND THE MIDDLE CLASS CAN ALSO INVEST

The budget requirements for rebuilding Marawi are simply too big to be loaded on the national budget in one or a few tranches. Reconstruction bonds are really the way to spread out the cost over many years while getting the funds in the present and near term. We need those funds soon, not later.

The details of computing how much is needed, the terms and conditions will be the tasks of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance and National Economic and Development Authority. Our role in Congress is to make sure government is circumspect, has the diligence of a good father, and adheres to proper accounting, auditing, and oversight.

The P30 billion worth of debt securities that the DoF considers issuing might be too small for the magnitude of work that needs to be done. There should be a master plan that should not simply focus on Marawi, but also connect it to Iligan City, Cotabato City, and the rest of Mindanao, so the city would be an integral part of Mindanao and national development.

I trust that NEDA shall immediately facilitate the preparation of that Master Plan for the rehabilitation which shall involve all relevant stakeholders, particularly the Maranaos. Also, let us ensure that the learnings we acquired in the Tacloban rehabilitation will guide us in facilitating our current efforts.

The bonds will give all who invest in them, both local and foreign investors, the opportunity to be direct stakeholders in the future of Marawi, Mindanao, and in peace and progress for the while country.

I suggest to the DBM, DoF, and NEDA that the bonds also have small denominations to allow middle class Filipinos and Overseas Filipino to be among the investors.

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

WIN THE PEACE, ADOPT A SCHOOL

KABAYAN Party-list congratulates the Armed Forces of the Philippines on accomplishing the first part of the mission to liberate Marawi City from the hands of the Maute terrorists.

Now that no less than the Commander-in Chief President Rodrigo Duterte has declared “Marawi City liberated from terrorist influence,” the next phase of the mission is to win the peace and assure the rebuilding and progress of the battle-torn city and restore its residents’ confidence.

We must now come together to mobilize all the resources needed for the rebuilding efforts.

Priorities are basic health services, education, and governance.

In line with this, KABAYAN Party-list would like to adopt a school and build one or two classrooms especially for grade school students.

KABAYAN Party-list will coordinate with officials on the ground and community leaders and national officials on the particulars.

Also let me once again urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives, as I expressed in House Resolution 1083 that I filed in June, to express our collective support and commendation to the men and women of the AFP and the Philippine National Police in their valiant efforts and heroic deeds in order to uphold peace, order, and security in Marawi City and the whole Island of Mindanao.

Our Better World, Content Lead and Content Producer (Singapore)

Our Better World is a digital media platform that tells stories of people doing good in Asia to inspire action and impact lives.

Content Lead
The ideal candidate will lead its in-house content team and Our Better World’s regional network of content creators to create innovative and compelling actionable content that effectively engages audiences across a variety of digital channels. He / She must have excellent editorial judgment and a strategic mindset, coupled with a passion to explore creative storytelling approaches for social impact. The ideal candidate must have at least 15 years of relevant experience in journalism or content creation, experience with a variety of content formats and types, and having led cross-cultural teams.

If interested, check out more details and apply here. > https://www.ourbetterworld.org/en/career/content-lead

Reuters seeks Correspondent (Indonesia)

Reuters is hiring a Company News Correspondent to drive its news coverage in Indonesia. The successful candidate will be a team player who is comfortable handling breaking news and dealing with reporters out in the field. The right person must be able to spot trends and build sources with a range of corporate players to ensure they can generate insightful and agenda-setting stories. In addition, he / she will be required to work with colleagues on stories in other beats that could range from central bank policy decisions to natural disasters and elections. Interested applicants, please apply via this link: http://email.telummedia.com/c/eJxFj81uwyAQhJ8mvmEBxsY-cEgcR0oOkfpzjzZm3dAYiIDI9duX9FJpZw8zo5G-UbEugNCFVpLT61QYxSmTLIu2lHFWMtoI2ZSy5XwQYj80_W6_lduNoAnnp7WoDZSjt8VNjRWttYRJYDvV1WumZc2o9RXE2MmpLmZ1S-kRN9V2ww_50s3b6F3AZ8IQy0XXpV0XH-4a1m9_ja_dXBt-cuxgvvQQEMPlwyTMdm7kf9yfyQnuEBIQ0pu0kk-_YCAdOcwh5723D3ArOeMSSe9DwPjwTqNLhJCj095hNHA5vQ9vtONMVkVQxk0-A1pzx9l8QdYfYVL_yARmDOkXhy9nSQ

Assistant Digital Producer
BBC StoryWorks is hiring an Assistant Digital Producer who will coordinate and produce digital content and campaigns across their platforms. He / She should have a minimum of one year experience in digital and / or social media production and strategy, and possess a good visual eye. Primary duties include creating and coordinating visual assets for BBC digital and social platforms, and supporting StoryWorks' APAC team for digital campaigns. This is a six-month full-time contract.

To apply, please send your CV and relevant portfolio to Nicola Eliot at nicola.eliot@bbc.com

BBC StoryWorks, Content Strategist and Assistant Digital Producer (Singapore)

Content Strategist
BBC StoryWorks is seeking a Content Strategist to support StoryWorks' APAC team in developing and delivering content solutions across existing and prospective client portfolios. The Content Strategist should have strong editorial skills and commercial experience working directly with advertising clients. He / She will have substantial experience in writing and commissioning journalistic content, and experience in working with native / client-funded content. Extensive digital experience is a plus including knowledge of CMS, basic HTML and Photoshop. The contractual period will be from December 2017 to April 2018.

Manila Times News (Archive) ZAMBOANGA CITY: Gunmen shot and wounded a Bukidnon town mayor early Saturday, reports said.

It said the vehicle of Mayor Joelito Jacosalem Talaid, of Bukidnon’s Kadingilan town, was flagged down by gunmen at a checkpoint in the village of Kibogtok. But it was unclear why gunmen shot the politician or whether he had put up a fight.

Other reports said two the mayor’s bodyguards were reportedly killed by the gunmen, who also carted some P7 million from Talaid’s vehicle.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the shootings, but communist rebels are actively operating in the province and had previously warned politicians against campaigning in so-called guerrilla zones.

Al Jacinto

Energy Resiliency Policy to Guide the Rebuilding of Marawi

(Cagayan de Oro City). The Department of Energy (DOE) conducted here Tuesday the Mindanao-leg of the energy resiliency policy public consultations in view of the region’s vulnerability to natural and human-induced disasters, such as the siege of Marawi City.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said, “The policy will help guide the massive restoration and rehabilitation efforts of energy facilities in Marawi City, which must immediately commence as soon as the cessation of fighting in the city torn by the 5-month long military operation in the area.”

“We are fast-tracking the issuance and implementation of the energy resiliency policy as this would guide us, especially in rebuilding Marawi City,” Sec. Cusi said.

The DOE chose Cagayan de Oro City as venue for the third-leg of the consultations since the city serves as the gateway to Northern Mindanao and the people living in nearby areas are aware of the adverse effects of typhoons, floods and armed conflicts to their energy sources.

The energy resiliency policy, dubbed as the “Adoption of Resiliency Planning and Program in the Energy Industry to Mitigate Adverse Effects Brought About by Disasters,” is anchored on President Duterte’s directive to heighten disaster resilience.

Among others, the proposed policy seeks to strengthen the existing energy infrastructure and systems; institutionalize the “build back better” principle; improve existing disaster resilience operations; and develop resiliency practices, systems and standards.

“With this policy, we are building with the industry players a structure on how to plan and address human-induced disasters that compromise existing power facilities,” Sec. Cusi emphasized.

Other important issues discussed during the Mindanao-leg consultations include the improvement of information technology infrastructure, energy stakeholders’ involvement, sectoral guidelines, and determining the policy’s contribution to the overall strategy of the country towards disaster resilience, risk reduction and response.

The Mindanao-leg also reflected some of the views and suggestions from the Luzon and Visayas-leg of consultations, including the resiliency compliance plan and its timelines, the task force, regulatory support and monitoring, definition of terms, roles and responsibilities, costs and budgetary concerns, plans and roadmaps, among others.

In addition to the public consultations conducted, the DOE welcomes additional comments or recommendations of all concerned citizens on the proposed policy. For this purpose, the public may send until Friday, 20 October 2017 their insight through email: doe.eppb@doe.gov.ph. An electronic copy of the policy is downloadable at the DOE official website: www.doe.gov.ph.

“The issuance of this policy will cement the DOE’s commitment to mainstream disaster risk reduction to increase the reliability of our energy systems and reduce their vulnerability to disasters,” Sec. Cusi said.

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Manila Times (Archive) - Following the successful implementation of closed season on sardines, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Wednesday said it now is studying the implementation of fishing ban for round scad, or commonly known as galunggong.

In a statement, BFAR Director Asis Perez said they are inspired to extend the fishing closed season for galunggong because of success of the Visayan Sea and Zamboanga sardines closed season, which were both implemented last year and was lifted March this year.

“We are inspired by what happened in the sardine closure. We are happy with the results because we now have more fish catch,” BFAR Director Asis Perez said.

Perez said the agency sees possible fishing closed season as a positive way to address the depleting supply of galunggong and to lower down prices in the market.

At present, prices of round scud range from P60 to P120, depending on size.

“Why do we have to have to implement a closed season? Because galunggong, as we know, is the poor man’s fish. We want to bring down prices so that, consistently, we have galunggong on our table at a very, very affordable cost,” Perez said.

As a result of the closed season in Visayan Sea and Zamboanga, the BFAR chief noted there is also an increase in the catch of galunggong in those areas.

“And that is our inspiration that’s why we want to look at some areas particularly areas where galunggong can be found massive,” adds Perez.

To do this, the Capture Fisheries Technology Division (CFTD) of BFAR has already been given the directive to study where the best spot for managing galunggong can be found.

Among the important things to research on are the exact peak of spawning period of round scud, where fish aggregation with that spawning period happens, how long it takes for the species to spawn and how many eggs on the average each fish lays.

Initially, the government is looking at the Northern Pala­wan as the area of study where closed season for galung­gong will be implemented either in the last quarter of this year or first quarter of 2014.

Currently, CFTD is doing a survey on the size of galunggong sold in the wet market as an initial study on the very nature of the said fish species.

“From there, further studies will be conducted to help gather useful information that will serve as scientific basis for the possible seasonal closure for galunggong,” Perez said.

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE NEIL J. ABAYON
AANGAT TAYO Party-list
Assistant Minority Leader
As reward for soldiers’ valiant efforts in Marawi

AANGAT TAYO SOLON:
EXPEDITE PROPOSED PAY HIKE FOR SOLDIERS & COPS

House Assistant Minority Leader and Member of the Committees on Appropriations, National Defense & Security, and Public Order & Safety Representative Neil Abayon wants the pay hike for cops and soldiers implemented ASAP. https://goo.gl/yZGf5c

I laud the Duterte administration for the compensation adjustment for cops and soldiers. Currently, for example, a Police Officer 1 receives a basic monthly salary of P14,834. Call center agents receive better pay than that.

If the pay adjustment gets implemented, every PO1 shall be receiving a basic monthly salary of P29,668 (a 100% increase). Such move shall boost the morale of our law enforcers.

Relatedly, I filed House Bill 6187 (“Stakeholder Support to Military and Other Armed Services Personnel Act”) last August. HB 6187 seeks to give active duty soldiers and veteran soldiers benefits similar to most of the benefits now available to senior citizens.

While I acknowledge that the killing of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon of the Abu Sayyaf and Maute group figurehead Omar Maute by our brave soldiers is a victory in our war against terror, I maintain that it is prudent not to let our guard down.

I therefore support the continued implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao to prevent the remnants of the Maute group from escaping to provinces outside of Lanao and possibly regroup and infect other parts of Mindanao.

Gerontion
By T.S. Eliot

       Thou hast nor youth nor age
       But as it were an after dinner sleep
       Dreaming of both.
     Here I am, an old man in a dry month,
     Being read to by a boy, waiting for rain.
     I was neither at the hot gates
     Nor fought in the warm rain
     Nor knee deep in the salt marsh, heaving a cutlass,
     Bitten by flies, fought.
     My house is a decayed house,
     And the jew squats on the window sill, the owner,
     Spawned in some estaminet of Antwerp,
     Blistered in Brussels, patched and peeled in London.
     The goat coughs at night in the field overhead;
     Rocks, moss, stonecrop, iron, merds.
     The woman keeps the kitchen, makes tea,
     Sneezes at evening, poking the peevish gutter.

                       I an old man,
     A dull head among windy spaces.

     Signs are taken for wonders. "We would see a sign":
     The word within a word, unable to speak a word,
     Swaddled with darkness. In the juvescence of the year
     Came Christ the tiger

     In depraved May, dogwood and chestnut, flowering Judas,
     To be eaten, to be divided, to be drunk
     Among whispers; by Mr. Silvero
     With caressing hands, at Limoges
     Who walked all night in the next room;
     By Hakagawa, bowing among the Titians;
     By Madame de Tornquist, in the dark room
     Shifting the candles; Fraulein von Kulp
     Who turned in the hall, one hand on the door. Vacant shuttles
     Weave the wind. I have no ghosts,
     An old man in a draughty house
     Under a windy knob.

     After such knowledge, what forgiveness? Think now
     History has many cunning passages, contrived corridors
     And issues, deceives with whispering ambitions,
     Guides us by vanities. Think now
     She gives when our attention is distracted
     And what she gives, gives with such supple confusions
     That the giving famishes the craving. Gives too late
     What's not believed in, or if still believed,
     In memory only, reconsidered passion. Gives too soon
     Into weak hands, what's thought can be dispensed with
     Till the refusal propagates a fear. Think
     Neither fear nor courage saves us. Unnatural vices
     Are fathered by our heroism. Virtues
     Are forced upon us by our impudent crimes.
     These tears are shaken from the wrath-bearing tree.

     The tiger springs in the new year. Us he devours. Think at last
     We have not reached conclusion, when I
     Stiffen in a rented house. Think at last
     I have not made this show purposelessly
     And it is not by any concitation
     Of the backward devils.
     I would meet you upon this honestly.
     I that was near your heart was removed therefrom
     To lose beauty in terror, terror in inquisition.
     I have lost my passion: why should I need to keep it
     Since what is kept must be adulterated?
     I have lost my sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch:
     How should I use it for your closer contact?

     These with a thousand small deliberations
     Protract the profit of their chilled delirium,
     Excite the membrane, when the sense has cooled,
     With pungent sauces, multiply variety
     In a wilderness of mirrors. What will the spider do,
     Suspend its operations, will the weevil
     Delay? De Bailhache, Fresca, Mrs. Cammel, whirled
     Beyond the circuit of the shuddering Bear
     In fractured atoms. Gull against the wind, in the windy straits
     Of Belle Isle, or running on the Horn,
     White feathers in the snow, the Gulf claims,
     And an old man driven by the Trades
     To a sleepy corner.

                       Tenants of the house,
     Thoughts of a dry brain in a dry season.

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Never Too Busy

[But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. - - Luke 10:33]

If anyone could understand the temptation to let busyness distract Him from the Father’s activity, Jesus certainly could! He told a parable that clearly illustrated this danger: A certain Jewish man was on his way to Jericho when he was brutally attacked by thieves and left to die by the road. First a Levite, then a priest, passed by. These were religious leaders; surely they would show compassion to a wounded person! But they had places to go and appointments to keep, so they passed him by. Surely someone else would come along who had more time to help the wounded man! Then a Samaritan, despised by the Jews, came along. Of all people, this man had reason to look the other way, since the wounded man was his enemy. But wherever he was going could wait, for someone needed his help.

It’s easy to become so busy that you are oblivious to those in need. Your schedule can become so full of accomplishing good things that you are of no help to the people around you. God is at work in the lives of your friends, your neighbors, your family members. He may ask you to interrupt your day long enough to join Him as He ministers to them.

Nothing on your agenda, no matter how pressing, is reason enough to ignore the voice of God when He tells you to stop and help. If you have become too busy to minister to those around you, ask God to reestablish your priorities so that you do not miss opportunities to serve Him. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

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Professional Physical Therapy, a leading provider of physical and hand therapy and rehabilitation services throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire announces today the opening of a new, state-of-the-art clinic in Yonkers, New York, in Westchester County.

The new Yonkers clinic, located at 970 North Broadway, in Suite 204, is easily accessible from the Saw Mill River, Hutchinson River, and Cross County Parkways, and in close proximity to most Lower Westchester communities, including Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville, as well as the North Riverdale section of the Bronx.

“It’s an exciting time for us, as this is our second clinic opening in Westchester County in the past month. I’m proud to welcome Patrick Evia to our team in Yonkers, who is a seasoned orthopedic and sports rehabilitation specialist, and has an excellent reputation within the Yonkers patient community,” says Charlie Byrd, Partner and Vice President of Clinical Operations in Westchester and Connecticut.

Tony D’Angelo, Partner, and Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations adds, “It’s a great day when you can offer high-quality physical therapy services to residents in the highest populated city in Westchester County. Tony continues, “Through our unwavering commitment to helping patients achieve optimal results, we strive to earn the same high level of confidence from the Yonkers communities, which we’ve built throughout the Northeast."

The Yonkers clinic is Professional’s 144th location, and its ninth in Westchester County, with other clinics located in Eastchester, Hartsdale, Katonah, Mamaroneck, Pleasantville, Rye Brook, White Plains, and Mount Kisco.

For more information, and a list of all of Professional Physical Therapy’s locations and services, please visit http://www.professionalpt.com.

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY
Professional Physical Therapy, headquartered in Uniondale, New York, is a leading provider of physical and hand therapy and rehabilitation services throughout the New York metropolitan area, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

Professional is an award-winning organization, honored as the recipient of the 2016 ADVANCE for Physical Therapy and Rehab Medicine magazine’s annual Practice of the Year award, selected based on clinical expertise and exceptional patient experience. Most recently, Professional has been named among the best workplaces in health care by Fortune Magazine; the only physical therapy company to achieve this honor.

Founded in 1998, Professional Physical Therapy operates 144 outpatient physical and hand therapy centers: 121 are standalone, and 23 are located within other places of business, including Equinox and Blink Fitness Centers. Professional’s New England facilities are operating as ProEx Physical Therapy. The company’s outpatient physical therapy centers provide treatment to patients suffering from musculoskeletal impairments associated with orthopedic and sports injuries and other medical conditions.

Professional’s Sports Medicine Department has one of the largest teams of certified athletic trainers in the Northeast, serving schools in Westchester, Long Island, New York City, New Jersey and Massachusetts, and provides per diem coverage for more than 2000 events each year. Professional Physical Therapy also operates a 20,000 square foot sports performance training facility in Garden City, NY, as well as three fitness centers in Stamford, Wilton, CT, and Copiague, NY.

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REMARKS OF ENERGY SECRETARY ALFONSO G. CUSI
Delivered by Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella
SEIPI 16th CEO Forum & 130th General Membership Meeting
4:00 p.m., 16 October 2017
Mindanao Ballroom, Sofitel Hotel Philippine Plaza Manila)

Theme: Empowering the Philippines: Electric Power Industry Roadmap 2017-2040

Special guests and participants, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon!

Thank you for inviting me today. Thanks to our host for the warm reception and the special arrangements made to ensure the success of this year’s general membership meeting.

This forum offers a good opportunity to talk about the power sector, which is crucial for any economic development.  I intend to highlight the DOE’s power sector roadmap.

Without power, there can be no progress and prosperity. It is indispensable to our economic growth and our nation’s drive towards global competitiveness. Because of this, the energy sector seeks to attain its ultimate goal of energy security to hasten the government’s drive towards industrialization.

The Department of Energy, pursuant to this long-term vision and as mandated by the Department of Energy Act and the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001, has prepared the power development plan covering the transmission, generation and distribution sectors of the electric power industry.

Our strategic plan or the electric power industry roadmap has three main goals: to ensure quality, reliable, affordable and secure supply; to expand access to electricity; and to ensure a transparent and fair playing field in the power industry.

The roadmap focuses on four subsectors and embodies the short- term to long-term implementation of strategies formulated to respond to these overall objectives.

For power generation, we will pursue the participation of the private sector and utilize new technologies and emerging power supply sources consistent with the appropriate power mix policy. We will build energy-resilient infrastructure using advanced and efficient technologies to secure the delivery of power supply even in times of calamities. We will formulate relevant policies and regulations to ensure an attractive business climate.   

The issuance of Executive Order No. 30 will help the DOE facilitate the declaration of energy projects as projects of national significance to pave the way for their timely implementation.

EO30 will do away with the tedious process of permitting and approval prior to the commercial operation of power generation projects.  This will enable us to meet the required capacity to respond to the growing power demand due to increased economic activities.  This will likewise help minimize the transaction costs and address tax concerns of power companies to make the cost of electricity competitive with neighboring countries.

Another policy thrust of the DOE is the institutionalization of the appropriate power mix policy for power generation. This is geared towards the achievement of the optimal portfolio to meet 24/7 electricity demand and reserve requirements with spatial and sectoral dimensions.

The DOE has a number of initiatives to ensure protection of the consumers.  One is the implementation of the causers pay policy which is a rewards-and-penalty system, where power industry players may be held accountable for forced outages.  Another is enjoining power generating facilities to undertake rehabilitation and upgrading of their power plants for maximum operation to ensure reliability of supply.

The DOE now conducts daily monitoring of the power situation.  We regularly assess the performance of power generation companies to monitor efficiency in their operations.  This performance assessment or benchmarking aims to review and develop policies to improve power generation.  Through this assessment, the DOE formulates appropriate policies to improve even more the efficiency in the operations of these power plants.  We encourage power generating facilities to comply with international standards for the construction of power plants and accreditation of contractors.

Another strategy to maximize efficiency is the formulation of a resiliency policy to ensure that power generating facilities are resilient enough to continue providing power in case of disasters.

For the transmission subsector, the DOE prioritizes the timely completion and commissioning of transmission infrastructure and the upgrading, rehabilitation and expansion of existing transmission lines, substations and related facilities.

In support of this objective, the DOE has formulated a transmission development plan (TDP) while the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, has conducted a system impact study (SIS) to improve the operation of the transmission system and ensure its reliability and integrity. These will help address concerns on the provision of adequate reserve capacities to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Our other activities to improve transmission system include the identification and development of new transmission backbones and alternative transmission corridors. This will help address inefficiencies and system congestion. The Visayas-Mindanao interconnection is expected to come on stream by 2020.

Similar to the generation sector, the adoption of a resiliency policy in transmission sector is a priority. The DOE leads the conduct of regular performance assessment and benchmarking of transmission facilities to operate more efficiently and effectively.

On the distribution and supply side, the DOE together with the National Electrification Administration will supervise the strengthening and capacitating of distribution utilities, particularly the electric cooperatives.  We are coordinating with the Energy Regulatory Commission for the formulation of appropriate policies and joint resolutions to facilitate the timely approval and implementation of distribution facility-related projects through capex provisions.  This will improve the provision of services to their customers and facilitate economy of scale in their operations.

To further improve their operational and financial efficiency and good governance and address their institutional issues, the DUs, both grid and off-grid, will be subjected to regular performance assessment and benchmarking.

For market development, the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) will provide trainings and capacity building for market participants and perform trial operation to enhance WESM design and system development.  The new market management system (NMMS) is expected to be fully operational by 2018 pending the completion of software certification audit.

For WESM Mindanao, a department circular signed on May 4, 2017 launched the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) and provides for transition guidelines. The target commercial operation is June 2018.  The market intends to establish a central dispatch system to optimize available capacities. It will also provide price and other techno-economic signals that will further encourage investments in additional capacities in the region.

We will work on institutional and support mechanisms to ensure the attainment of EPIRA objectives.  Among the priorities of the DOE are: 1) intensification of an IEC campaign at the grass roots level, supported by the different attached agencies and the PEMC thru conduct of focus trainings and fora;  2) improvements in WESM operations thru rules review and changes, and conduct of WESM audits, among others; 3) establishment and maintenance of DOE's  electric power database management systems; 4) capacity building for DOE personnel to ensure the dynamic nature of industry; 5) enhanced supply expansion planning using advance modeling tools and optimization software;  and 6) ensuring compliance with the various requirements of EPIRA and related laws.

Another major area of concern is access to electricity.  Consistent with our mandate to expand and accelerate access to electricity services and craft policies that will redound to a sustainable energy sector, the roadmap for missionary electrification presents a strategic direction for the development of missionary areas in terms of energy security and its associated systems; private sector investment; institutional partnerships; and operational efficiency. Seven small island and isolated grids’ (SIIGs) generation services have been privatized so far and the turn-over will eventually lead to the reduction of missionary electrification subsidy or universal charge for missionary electrification (UCME) which in turn minimizes the cost incurred by the government through the NPC-SPUG.

We will also develop a graduation policy program to rationalize and improve the UCME subsidy system and at the same time address the concerns prior to the implementation of the graduation policy.

Lastly, the DOE will continue to work on expanding electricity access to all on-grid households by 2022 through various programs and projects embodied under the electrification roadmap.

In conclusion, let me emphasize that with this roadmap, we are confident that we can surmount current energy challenges. But I must point out that equally important is getting the active support of all energy stakeholders and consumers so that we can achieve energy supply security and economic competitiveness in the years ahead.

Thank you very much.

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

Member, Committees on Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs,

Overseas Workers Affairs, and 9 other committees
OVERSEAS FILIPINOS PUMPED $20.7B OR P1.035T INTO PH ECONOMY FROM JANUARY TO AUGUST 2017

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, our country's constitutionally-mandated central monetary authority, is doing a splendid job at financial inclusion so that more Filipinos are able to avail of financial services wherever they are nationwide or overseas.

One clear sign of this is the growth in Overseas Filipino remittances sent through banks, money transfer firms, and other formal intermediaries.

The latest BSP figures show that personal remittances increased by 6.4 percent in August 2017 while from January to August personal remittances totaled US$20.7 billion, or P1.035 trillion (at P50 to $1.00), which is one-third of the country’s current budget.

Overseas Filipinos, our modern-day heroes, pumped P1.035 trillion into the Philippine economy, and continues to keep the economy afloat!

Working together with the formal financial intermediaries, the BSP, DOLE, DFA, DTI, and other government agencies were able to make the remittance services happen and protect the hard-earned monies of OFWs.

Here at home, there are continuing efforts to enable OFWs and their dependents to acquire financial literacy, including how to save for future emergencies, future needs, sound investments, and entrepreneurship.

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(Taguig City). As part of the Department of Energy's E-Safety Mo Campaign, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi has underscored strict compliance with the posting of consumer safety and informational signs in gasoline stations stated under the Retail Rules for Liquid Fuels.

“To err on the side of caution is the prudent thing to do, thus the DOE urges full compliance by gasoline stations on the posting of these signs,” Cusi said.

“There’s science behind the informational signs and while there’s debate as to the true causes of such fire incidents in gas stations all over the world, it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Cusi added.

The DOE prohibits the conduct of the following acts within the vicinity of gasoline retail outlets:

1. Smoking: The act of smoking, igniting of cigarette lighters/matches and throwing of lighted cigarettes are strictly prohibited in gasoline stations to prevent the start of fire where fuel vapors or fumes are present.

2. Running engine while filling: Vehicle engine should be shut-off during fuel filling to prevent accidental ignition of fuel fumes. This will also prevent vehicles from being accidentally moved or driven off during the refueling process, thus will avoid fuel spill.

3. Using of cellular phones: The use of cellular phones is strictly prohibited to prevent accidental ignition of gas fumes caused by small electric spark in some of the gadget’s parts.

4. Straddling while filling: This is to prevent oil spillage and possible motor start-up causing accidental ignition of gas fumes.

5. Inappropriate containers: Only approved and leak-proof fuel containers that are petroleum-grade and will not react with petroleum products are allowed to be filled-up with fuels.

“These signs must be prominently displayed within the premises of gasoline stations for the awareness and information of the public and station personnel,” Cusi pointed out.

The DOE chief urged the owners/operators of gasoline stations to ensure that these signs are strictly observed by their personnel before fueling vehicles.

Failure to comply with the DOE rules and regulations on safety would subject gasoline stations to appropriate sanctions. Grave offenses may lead to suspension or revocation of their business permit.

“We do not want such unsafe practices and negligence from both the business operators and the consumers to incur loss of lives. Let’s all be safe and take necessary precautionary measures seriously,” Cusi said.

Republic Act No. 8479 or the “Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998” requires the DOE to promote fair trade practices in the liquid fuel retailing business, including quality and quantity of petroleum products, and ensuring safety from fire, danger, health and environmental risks, among others.

For other information, queries or concerns, the DOE asked the public to contact the DOE Consumer Welfare Office (Landline - ‎‎429 2900 local 329).

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

JEEPNEY DRIVERS, OPERATORS URGED TO ADAPT TO TODAY’S SITUATION

We are no longer in the 1970s and 1980s when the transport groups were at the height of their mass action power. Circumstances have changed. Jeepneys, buses, and taxis are no longer the only means of commuter transport. The oil crises and power of the OPEC decades ago are history today.

But jeepneys are still the preferred way of commuting by most people.

Jeepney drivers, operators, and cooperatives must adapt to the situation today and the emerging scenarios as exemplified by the TNCs and TNVS. More changes are on the road ahead.

It cannot be denied that many jeepneys are no longer roadworthy. That is why government is replacing the old with the new that comply with environmental standards and road safety law. Government is doing its best to make the new jeepneys affordable.

Nauunawaan natin na nakasanayan ng maraming drayber at operator ang dati nilang jeepney, ngunit sa sobrang dami na ng mga aksidenteng kinasasangkutan ng mga jeepney, hindi na makakaila na panganib na sa publiko ang mga lumang yunit. Kaya nga papalitan ng bago.

Kailangan din ng bagong training. Kaya naman iminumungkahi ko sa TESDA na bigyan ang lahat ng jeepney drivers ng libreng certification training sa driving at engine maintenance. Magagamit ng mga driver ang TESDA certification para umangat ang kanilang estado sa buhay.

It is TESDA that should take the lead in jeepney drivers' training by putting up a TESDA Drivers' Academy.

Also, government must double and even triple its efforts to include hundreds of thousands of jeepney drivers in social security and PhilHealth coverage, as well as TIN registration and filing of income tax returns. These measures are safety nets jeepney drivers can benefit much from.

Yes, TIN registration and ITRs are safety nets because the income tax return is a document that can help jeepney drivers avail of many benefits and services requiring ITR filings as proof. One example of this is scholarships for themselves and their dependents.

Lastly, it is time the Traffic and Road Safety Laws are updated and made more flexible for the new challenges of the future. Traffic laws of LGUs must be harmonized.

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