MikeLigalig.com

Health Notes
Ni Prof. Copello
Disyembre 23, 2009

A chronic respiratory disease marked by labored breathing, chest constriction and coughing.
Hubak, ang sakit nga labihang lisora palandongon kay kon mosugmat o mosul-ong, ingon sa makaugtas sa gininhawa sa pasyente ang hutoy nga morag walay kataposan, mag-utong-utong. Sakit nga makauulaw ug makahasol kaayo kay kon mosul-ong, dili gayod kapugngan ang pag-ubo bisan pa sa atubangan sa daghang tawo. Maoy hinungdan nga ang mga hubakon magdala-dala gayog tambal ug ginamiton nga mahimong magamit dayon sa higayon nga moaksiyon pagsugmat ang maong sakit sa bisan diing dapit nga ilang nahimutangan sa bisan unsang panahon, adlaw man o gabii.Hinuon sa kalungsoran ug mga siyudad daghang tambal sa botika lakip ang mga ginamiton nga mahimong makasanta sa maong balatian kon kinahanglanon. Ugaling lang kay mahal ang maong mga tambal, dakong gasto alang sa mga kabos nga nagkalisod kanunay sa panapi. Maoy hinungdan nga ang kadaghanan modangop na lamang sa mga tambal nga walay gasto tungod kay makita kanunay sa kasilinganan samas mga mosunod…

Atis
â€" Magkuhag 10 ka gulang dahon, 4 ka dahon sa gabon ug ½ sa pulgada nga luy-a, lagaon sa 3 ka baso nga tubig. Bahinon tulo ka parte nga imnon 3 ka subli sa matag adlaw hangtod nga mahumpay ang hubak.
Botonselio
â€" Maglaga 10 ngadto sa 15 ka bulak sa 2 ka baso nga tubig. Ang maong linaga ipainom sa pasyente tulo ka subli sa matag adlaw.
Comfrey
â€" Maghumol og dahon sa init-tubig aron paimnon ang pasyente ½ ngadto sa usa ka baso, duha ka subli sa matag adlaw, sa buntag ug sa dayong pagkatulog sa gabii.
Mahimo sab nga kan-on diretso ang lab-as nga dahon kutob sa gusto aron daling mahumpay ang makaugtas sa ginhawang hubak.
Elepante
â€" Lagaon ang tibuok tanom, mga gamot, punoan lakip ang mga dahon sa igong gidaghanon sa tubig aron mapainom ang pasyente ½ sa baso sa matag 3 ka oras.
Kalatsutsi
â€" Likiton ug tabak-on ang uga o layang dahon sama sa sigarilyo.
Kapayas
â€" Lagaon ang igong gidaghanon sa lab-as nga mga dahon sa igo usab nga gidaghanon sa tubig aron mapainom ang pasyente ½ sa baso sa lat-ang nga 3 ka oras.
Kipikipi
â€" Sagolon paglaga ang mga gamot, punoan-bagon, mga dahon ug mga bulak, dili isog ang templada, igo lang magdalag ug diyotay ang kolor sa linaga. Paimnon ang pasyente ½ ngadto sa 1 ka baso sa lat-ang nga 2 ngadto sa 3 ka oras.
Maayo imnon ang maong linaga, susama ra sa ordinaryong tubig kon dili isog ang templada. Usa ka aphrodisiac, makapadugang sa gana nilang Undo ug Inday sa dula sa kama.
Kamunggay
â€" Magkuhag panit nga baleg 2 ka pulgada kuwadrado uban sa gamot nga bale 2 sab ka pulgada ang gitas-on, lagaon sa 3 ka baso nga tubig. Paimnon ang pasyente 1/4 sa baso sa lat-ang nga 3 ka oras. Medyo lisod imnon ang maong linaga tungod kay laig lami pero kinahanglang agwantahon aron mahumpay ang hubak. Hinuon, mahimong mokaog gamayng kamay aron dili makasuka.
Kugon
â€" Lagaon ang mga suwa sa kugon, mas daghan mas maayo tungod kay maayong imnon ang maong linaga nga medyo tam-is-tam-is, makahatag kabugnaw sa atong ginhawaan. Wala kiniy overdose busa mahimong imnon sa tanang panahon nga uhawon ang pasyente.
Oregano
â€" Mahimong imnon diretso ang lab-as nga duga, 1 ka kutsara sa dagkong pasyente, ug ½ sa kutsara sa mga bata. Mahimong templahag gamayng kamay o asukar ang lab-as nga duga kon ang pasyente maglisod pag-inom.
Mahimo sab ihumol sa init-tubig ang dahon ug paimnon ang pasyente ½ sa baso sa matag 3 ka oras.
Tawatawa
o Salingkapaw (Gatas-gatasan) â€" Lagaon ang tibuok tanom, gamot, punoan, mga dahon ug bunga, sagolon sa igong gidaghanon sa tubig. Paimnon ang pasyente ½ sa baso sa matag 3 ka oras.
Mahimo sab nga sunogon ang layang sagbot tungod kay ang masingong aso mahimong makahatag alibyo sa hubak.
Sambag
â€" Magkuhag igong gilapdon sa panit, 4 ka pulgada kuwadrado lagaon sa 3 ka baso nga tubig. Paimnon ang pasyente ½ sa baso sa lat-ang nga tagurha ka oras.
Sampaguita
â€" Ang mga gamot lagaon sa igong gidaghanon sa tubig nga igong mainom sa pasyente ½ sa baso 3 ka subli sa matag adlaw.
Mahimo sab nga ang mga bulak, usa ka kumkom ang ihumol sa usa ka baso nga init-tubig nga ipainom sa pasyente ½ sa baso matag 3 ka oras.
Sorosoro
â€" Ang lab-as nga duga, 1 ka kutsarita, ipainom diretso sa pasyente, 3 ka subli sa matag adlaw.
Talong
â€" Lagaon ang mga gamot sa igong gidaghanon sa tubig nga mapainom ang pasyente ½ sa baso sa matag 3 ka oras. Mahimong dugangan ang dosage ngadto sa tagsa ka baso kon gikinahanglan.
Eucalyptus
â€" Kumoson ang 3 ka kutsarang lab-as nga mga dahon o 2 ka kutsarang pinauga nga dahon ug pabukalan o lagaon sulod sa 15 minutos sa 8 ka baso nga tubig.
Pabugnawon ang linaga, salaon, ug paimnon ang pasyente tagsa ka baso 4 ka subli sa matag adlaw.
Kining eucalyptus maoy tanom o kahoy nga ginakuhaan sa daghang matang sa tambal alang sa mga bata ug mga hamtong nga nagkinahanglag maayong mga panghaplas o pangbanyos nga halang-halang.
Sa gihapon, among gipahinumdom dinhi nga ang ½ sa baso nga dosage sa lat-ang nga 2 ngadto sa 3 ka oras maoy labing maayo, epektibo, luwas, halayo sa peligro ang pasyente.â€"

Imelda Marcos and US President Lyndon Johnson

Qasida poetry in Islamic Asia and Africa: Eulogy's bounty, meaning's

Necati also spelled  Nejati 
died 1509, Constantinople, Ottoman Empire [now Istanbul, Turkey]

the first great lyric poet of Ottoman Turkish literature.

Necati was probably born a slave; while still very young, he went to the city of Kastamonu and began to develop his skill in calligraphy and his reputation as a poet. About 1480, he journeyed to the Ottoman capital, Constantinople, and wrote verses for the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II. After the accession of Sultan Bayezid II in 1481, Necati briefly entered the service of one of his sovereign's sons, Prince Abdullah. Upon his return to Constantinople, Necati was once again awarded a government post with another of the Sultan's sons, Prince Mahmud, in whose service the poet enjoyed great favour. Necati was left patronless again, however, when Prince Mahmud died in 1507/08. After returning to the capital, Necati refused any further appointments and lived in retirement until his death in 1509.

Apart from a few scattered lines from the many pieces attributed to Necati, the only extant work is his Dīvān (“Collection of Poems”), in which there are numerous examples of his graceful and refined verse. Considered an original and eloquent poet, he won the praises of his contemporaries and later Turkish writers, securing for himself an important place in Turkish literary history. - source: Britannica Encyclopaedia

VIRGINIA FOOD, INC. is a Cebu-based company engaged in the manufacturing, distribution, selling and processing of Processed Meat Products. Famous for its many Canned Goods Line (CGL) and Frozen Processed Meat (FPM) products, it is best-known today as the maker of one of the best hotdogs in town- the Virginia Premium Hotdog. However, like all great things, VFI also had its humble beginnings.

            VFI began as a backyard poultry farm and piggery in Mandaue City, Cebu in the 1960’s as a pastime of Doña Virginia Sy Chongbian. It was registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Virginia Farms, Inc. As demand for processed products increased, a 2,215 m2 processing plant with canning facilities was constructed on a two-hectare property in Tugbongan, Consolacion in 1977. This small processing plant supplied processed meat products in addition to pork and dressed chicken initially sold by the farm.

            In November 1982, production and marketing of processed meat divisions were spun off to form a new corporation, VFI FOOD, INC., later renamed VIRGINIA FOOD, INC. This became the foundation of the VFI that we know of today.

             In 2002, Avalon Holdings, Inc., a Manila-based company, became the owner of VFI. Today, VFI’s modern processing plant spanning a total area of 7.3 hectares is housed in Cogon, Compostela, Cebu, about 26 kilometers north of Cebu City.

            VFI is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Domestic Trade (BDT), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Company is a member of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc. (PAMPI) and is also recognized as an accredited member-exporter of the Philippine Exporter Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT).

            VFI passed the NMIS audit for Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification. It received the Rated AAA accreditation by the NMIS enabling it to go global in its sales and distribution of its products.

C O M P A N Y   V I S I O N

We are a globally competitive food company providing consumer and industrial markets with value-laden quality products and services.

C O M P A N Y   M I S S I O N

  We will continually develop and offer products and services that anticipate and meet the needs of our markets and customers;
  We will endeavor to continually enhance and optimize shareholders’ value;
  We will foster continuous learning and improvement to build capabilities among our people;
  We will nurture mutually beneficial relationships with our suppliers, business partners, and stakeholders in joint efforts to satisfy and delight our customers;
  We will act as responsible corporate citizen and contribute our share in improving the quality of community and work life;
  We will observe sound industrial practices that promote and enhance the quality of the environment.

O U R   B R A N D S
VIRGINIA
WINNER
CHAMPION
EL RANCHO
AUSTRALIAN
STEFAN'S
NEW YORKER
VINTA
BIG SHOT
C O R E   C O M P E T E N C I E S

  INNOVATION AND NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
CUSTOMER AND SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT
TECHNOLOGY IN FOOD PROCESSING
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS

source: Jobstreet Philippines

Dahil 2.5K Pinoy ang patay sa pagkalunod kada taon:
SWIMMING BILANG SUBJECT SA PAARALAN ISINUSULONG SA KONGRESO
               
Pagkalunod ang pangalawa sa pangunahing sanhi ng pagkamatay ng mga batang pinoy edad 14 pababa, ayon sa United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Ayon din sa Philippine Health Statistics, 2,496 ang average na bilang kada taon ng mga namamatay sa Pilipinas sanhi ng pagkalunod mula 1980 hanggang 2011.

Dahil sa nakababahalang istatistika, inihain ni Iligan Lone District Representative Frederick Siao ang House Bill 3495 o ang Drowning Prevention Act na layong isali ang swimming lessons, safe rescue, at water safety sa subject na MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health) sa mga paaralan.

Nais ni Siao na isali sa K-12 Basic Education Curriculum ang swimming at gawing bahagi ng istratehiya ng pamahalaan para mabawasan ang kaso ng pagkalunod sa bansa at maging recreational activity ng mga mamamayan, yamang ang Pilipinas ay isang archipelago.

Kapag naisabatas ang HB 3495 ni Siao, kakatha at magpapatupad ang gobyerno ng mga planong pangkomunidad para mabawasan ang pagkalunod sa bansa sanhi ng kawalan ng kaalaman sa paglangoy. Di lamang mga nasa eskwelahan ang sakop nito kundi ang lahat ng Pilipino.

“Lahat ng barangay at neighborhood association ay dapat magkaroon ng emergency responders na may sapat na training sa water rescue. Ang tama at angkop na emergency response ay di lamang ukol sa agarang pagdadala ng biktima sa pagamutan. Dapat kasama din dito ang water rescue at ang paglalapat ng first aid at trauma care sa biktima para mabawasan ang mga dead on arrival sa mga ospital,” ani Siao na dating Sports Director ng LGU ng Iligan City.

Sabi pa ni Siao, “Ang mga LGU ay dapat i-enlist ang mga dati at kasalukuyang seamen sa kanilang lugar bilang emergency responders dahil may Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) training at experience na sila. Pati nga ang libu-libong nursing graduates at nursing students sa bansa ay dapat i-enlist din bilang emergency responders.”

Bilang kasapi ng House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, umaasa si Siao na kapag naisabatas ang HB 3495 ay mababawasan na ang kaso ng pagkalunod sa bansa dahil karamihan o kundi man ay lahat ng Pilipino ay matututo nang lumangoy.

Ang HB 3495 ay nakasalang sa Committee on Basic Education and Culture sa House of Representatives.

If it's possible in Japan, it's possible anywhere else.

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

SAVE OUR KIDS FROM DROWNING: Train all barangay tanod on first aid, safe water rescue
       
House Committee on Youth & Sports Development Member and Iligan City Lone District Representative Frederick W. Siao files House Bill 3495 that seeks to mandate swimming as subject in the K-12 Basic Education Curriculum and an integral part of the overall strategy to reduce incidence of death from drowning during natural calamities or recreational aquatic activities.

A World Health Organization report indicates that 372,000 people worldwide die because of drowning.  All too often here in the Philippines, children and teenagers die of drowning and many of them do not know how to swim.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accident deaths in the country. Researchers who studied drowning deaths data from 1980 to 2011 discovered that 2,496 drowning deaths is the annual average of the official stats but they also learned that the data under-reports.

A special study by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reported that drowning is the second leading cause of death among Filipino children 14 years old and younger.

To address this situation, I filed House Bill 3495, which seeks to include swimming lessons, safe rescue, and water safety to our kids in school. We want swimming taught in the implementation of MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health).

In HB 3495, we also want government to formulate and implement a drowning prevention plan and community action plans. These would cover not just the children in school but everyone nationwide.

In my view, every barangay and every neighborhood association should have a team of emergency medical responders with special training on water rescue. Emergency response should not just be about transporting victims. It must include water rescue and giving first aid and trauma care onsite.

The LGUs should also enlist seafarers and former seafarers as emergency responders because of their Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) training and experience. LGUs ought to also enlist the thousands of nursing graduates and nursing students we have nationwide.

“When water-related cataclysmic causes and maritime accidents were added, the average number of annual deaths due to drowning (4196 deaths per year) is 1.68 times the PHS (Philippine Health Statistics) estimate (2496 deaths per year),” â€" taken from https://goo.gl/KgJwuU .

DOE Gets Inputs from Visayas on Energy Resiliency Policy

Press Release - (Tacloban City). In a bid to gather more inputs on its proposed energy resiliency policy, the Department of Energy (DOE) recently concluded the second leg of public consultations in Leyte province.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said the public consultations are conducted to improve the energy resiliency policy.

“Engaging our stakeholders in policy formulation supports our thrust for a comprehensive energy resiliency framework,” he said.

“The insights of our kababayans in the Visayas who experienced the adverse effects of Yolanda â€"the strongest typhoon ever recordedâ€"allowed us to give more depth in strengthening disaster prevention and management in the energy sector,” Cusi pointed out.

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.

The proposed policy revolves around four principles: to strengthen the existing energy infrastructures and systems; to institute the build back better principle; to improve existing disaster resilience operations; and to develop resiliency practices, systems and standards.

“All these are geared towards mainstreaming disaster risk reduction to ensure the reliability of our energy systems in times of disasters,” Cusi said.

Apart from typhoons, the provinces in the Visayas also experienced disruptive earthquakes affecting energy services in the region.

The first leg of the public consultations was held last 10 October in Batangas City, where critical energy facilities are located. The city was struck with a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in August.

During the Luzon and Visayas consultations, the participants generally shared various comments and suggestions to revise, clarify and expand some clauses tackling 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.

The third-leg of the consultations will be conducted on 17 October in Cagayan de Oro, which experienced devastation from Typhoon Sendong and is now reeling from armed conflict in nearby provinces.

For those interested in voicing out their inputs, they may download a copy of the draft resiliency policy on the DOE's Official website: www.doe.gov.ph and send their recommendations thru the email doe.eppb@doe.gov.ph.

By JAKE COYLE, Associated Press

In Harvey Weinstein saga, young lives forever altered

NEW YORK (AP) â€" Katherine Kendall was 23 and fresh out of acting school when she met him. A former ballet dancer working hard to launch herself as an actress, she had just landed a good agent and was juggling a schedule packed with auditions.

“He was so warm when I met him and so inviting. He made me feel he was going to take me under his wing,” Kendall, now 48, recalled in an interview with The Associated Press. “He literally said, ‘Welcome to the Miramax family.’”

Her meeting with Harvey Weinstein, she thought, was going really well.

Weinstein gave her scripts to read and took her to a movie screening at an Upper West Side theater, she said. When they exited, he said he needed to stop at his apartment. There, after spending some time talking, she said, Weinstein came back from the bathroom in a robe and asked for a massage. When she hesitated, Weinstein implored, “Everybody does it,” Kendall recalled. She fled after he briefly left the room and returned nude, chasing her around the room, she said.

Like variations of a scene shot over and over again, there have been common hallmarks in the disturbing allegations leveled against Weinstein in the past week by some 30 women: A bathrobe. A request for a massage. A suggestion that it’s simply the way things work in the movie business.

Another tragic repetition has been in the women who say Weinstein preyed upon them. Overwhelmingly, they constitute young actresses making their first steps into the movies â€" vulnerable Hollywood hopefuls looking for a part, a movie, their big break.

“We were all so young,” Kendall said. “He must have enjoyed on some level watching us squirm.”

As much as the Weinstein scandal is about the downfall of a Hollywood titan and the male-dominated industry many say he’s symptomatic of, it’s also about the women who have come forward. Many of those who have spoken about their encounters with Weinstein include well-known actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie who largely managed to pivot their careers away from Weinstein. But others, after such a first impression with the movie business, retreated from it, disgusted and disillusioned.

“It took a big chunk out of my drive,” said Kendall. “It made me wonder: Am I in over my head? Am I in a business where this happens all the time and I don’t know it? I’m not going to be able to play this game, so maybe this just isn’t for me.”

“I went in with my best self, thinking I’m giving my best meeting,” said Kendall, who first recounted her encounter to The New York Times. “And I come out with that. You feel sort of like, ‘God, maybe this whole time they were just playing me. Maybe I have nothing interesting to say at all.’ There’s a lot of self-doubt that can pile on after something like that happens.”

Sallie Hofmeister, Weinstein’s representative, said the embattled movie mogul was unavailable for comment. Weinstein previously responded to some of the collective sexual harassment allegations by saying that “the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it.” Three women â€" Asia Argento, Rose McGowan and Lucia Evans â€" have alleged that Weinstein sexually assaulted them. Said Hofmeister: “Any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied by Mr. Weinstein.”

Evans, a college student and aspiring actress when she met Weinstein, told The New Yorker that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him at the Miramax Tribeca offices in 2004. She’s now a marketing consultant. Dawn Dunning, a 24-year-old in 2003, told the Times that Weinstein said, “You’ll never make it in this business,” after she refused to have a three-some with him. Dunning gave up acting and became a costume designer.

Tomi-Ann Roberts was an aspiring actress in 1984 when Weinstein held an audition for her from his bathtub and told her she would need to get naked for him if she wanted to play the character in question, she told the Times. She’s now a psychology professor at Colorado College. Her experience with Weinstein, she told the Denver Post, was “foundational” in her academic interest: sexual objectification.

That Weinstein allegedly used the audition process and the promise of movie roles to lure young actresses, is to veteran casting director Cindy Tolan, a corruption of the casting profession.

“This is by no means reflective in any way as to what a ‘casting process’ is and it is derogatory to all casting directors and their art form when it is referred to as such, similarly the term ‘casting couch,’” said Tolan. “That is not what this is. This is sexual assault, aggression and rape.”

Women in Film, a nonprofit advocating gender parity in Hollywood, has suggested three correctives to the industry: gender inclusive boards (the Weinstein Co.’s was all male), inclusive hiring practices “from the top down,” and lasting legal penalties for “crimes of discrimination.”

“It really comes down to changing the culture within the industry and having a zero tolerance policy and a code of conduct that doesn’t allow for this to happen in small companies or big companies,” said Kirsten Schaffer, the group’s executive director. “One of the fastest solutions is for men to call out the behavior when they see it.”

Kendall had previously only spoken about her encounter to friends and family. “The next day I was crying on my mom’s shoulder,” she remembers. She opted to go on the record after Ashley Judd came forward with her story with Weinstein, the first big-name to do so.

“I thought: I can stand by her. She doesn’t know me, but I can stand by her,” said Kendall. “This is for all the women that this has happened to. I’m going to stand by them right now. There’s no reason I need to carry this anymore.”

Kendall spoke for an hour by phone from her Los Angeles home where her Chihuahua and a visiting friend’s parrot occasionally interrupted. Her voice quivered at times with emotion but she mostly spoke with resolution, gratitude for the other accusers and with a hard-earned sense of closure.

“I heard (attorney) Gloria Allred say the other day on CNN: ’Sexual harassment harms people,’” said Kendall. “And it’s true. It does. Your body remembers the trauma. Your heart remembers the trauma. It changes you and makes you make decisions about life, like, I’m going to go in another direction. You don’t know the harm it can do.”

Kendall works as a photographer and sometimes teaches dance, but she has continued to sporadically act and appears in the upcoming celebrity satire “An L.A. Minute,” with Gabriel Byrne. Since first speaking out, she says she’s been inundated by women with their own stories of harassment and assault.

As alone as she felt in 1993, Kendall now feels a profound unity with the other women who have recounted their meetings with Weinstein.

“When I look back at myself, I see that girl feeling like the alien in the room,” said Kendall. “I’m a grown-up now. But let’s say 10 years ago, five years ago his name was brought up, my heart would beat. I would feel alone in the room.

“Now, I’m not going to feel that way.”

Original AP Title: https://apnews.com/0373774e498c42d5a9a27569466c4681/In-Harvey-Weinstein-saga,-young-lives-forever-altered

Duterte retains high approval, trust ratings
By Leslie Gatpolintan October 13, 2017, 7:11 pm

MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has maintained his big majority approval and trust ratings both at 80 percent despite issues faced by his administration in the latest Pulse Asia Research survey.

In the September 2017 nationwide survey on the performance and trust ratings of the top Philippine government officials, President Duterte received an approval rating of 80 percent, slightly lower than 82 percent in June.

Seven percent of Filipinos expressed disapproval of his work, while 13 percent were undecided.

Also, a big majority of 80 percent of those surveyed trust the President, 14 percent are undecided and 6 percent distrust him or has small trust. 

Across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, Duterte enjoyed majority approval ratings at 72 percent to 92 percent and 75 percent to 86 percent, respectively.

Trust figures were at 72 percent to 93 percent and 74 percent to 85 percent, respectively.

The survey, conducted from Sept. 24 to 30 using face-to-face interviews, said also enjoying majority approval and trust scores, albeit lower ones, are Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo (57 percent and 55 percent respectively) and Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III (55 percent and 52 percent).

“While the performance and trust ratings of the President and the Vice President are essentially unchanged between June and September 2017, the other top national government officials experience marked movements in their own ratings both at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes,” it said.

Among the key events during the survey period include Senate’s investigation into the shipment of illegal drugs worth PhP6.4 billion, the Senate’s hearing into the suspected hazing death of law student Horacio Castillo III, and the sacking of virtually the entire Caloocan City police force in the aftermath of the killing of teenagers Karl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman.

The nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above.  (PNA)

Hon. Abellanosa, Rodrigo A.
District Representative
Cebu City, 2nd District

House of Representatives, Quezon City
Rm. SWA-301
Phone: (632) 931-5001, Local: 7910
Direct: 4424212

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Committee   Position
1. Basic Education And Culture   Journal #11Vice Chairperson
2. Accounts   Journal #10Member for the Majority
3. Appropriations   Journal #10Member for the Majority
4. Foreign Affairs   Journal #11Member for the Majority
5. Higher And Technical Education   Journal #11Member for the Majority
6. Legislative Franchises   Journal #16Member for the Majority
7. Poverty Alleviation   Journal #11Member for the Majority
8. Public Information   Journal #12Member for the Majority
9. Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development   Journal #12Member for the Majority

Hon. Abayon, Harlin Neil III J.
Party List - AANGAT TAYO

House of Representatives, Quezon City
Rm. RVM-415
Phone: (632) 931-5001, Local: 7029
Direct: 9511006

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Committee   Position
1. Appropriations   Journal #10Member for the Minority
2. Civil Service And Professional Regulation   Journal #10Member for the Minority
3. Constitutional Amendments   Journal #10Member for the Minority
4. Dangerous Drugs   Journal #10Member for the Minority
5. Foreign Affairs   Journal #10Member for the Minority
6. Government Reorganization   Journal #10Member for the Minority
7. Information And Communications Technology   Journal #10Member for the Minority
8. Justice   Journal #10Member for the Minority
9. Land Use   Journal #10Member for the Minority
10. Legislative Franchises   Journal #10Member for the Minority
11. National Defense And Security   Journal #10Member for the Minority
12. Peace, Reconciliation And Unity   Journal #93Member for the Minority
13. Public Information   Journal #10Member for the Minority
14. Public Order And Safety   Journal #10Member for the Minority
15. Public Works And Highways   Journal #10Member for the Minority
16. Revision Of Laws   Journal #10Member for the Minority
17. Suffrage And Electoral Reforms   Journal #10Member for the Minority
18. Transportation   Journal #10Member for the Minority
19. Rules   Journal #39Assistant Minority Leader

Hon. Abaya, Francis Gerald A.
District Representative
Cavite, 1st District

House of Representatives, Quezon City
Rm. S-206
Phone: (632) 931-5001, Local: 7267
Direct: 9316381

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Committee   Position
1. Climate Change   Journal #46Vice Chairperson
2. Information And Communications Technology   Journal #16Vice Chairperson
3. Science And Technology   Journal #12Vice Chairperson
4. Accounts   Journal #17Member for the Majority
5. Aquaculture And Fisheries Resources   Journal #34Member for the Majority
6. Banks And Financial Intermediaries   Journal #11Member for the Majority
7. Ecology   Journal #46Member for the Majority
8. Foreign Affairs   Journal #46Member for the Majority
9. Games And Amusements   Journal #20Member for the Majority
10. Labor And Employment   Journal #47Member for the Majority
11. Land Use   Journal #20Member for the Majority
12. National Defense And Security   Journal #46Member for the Majority
13. Trade And Industry   Journal #20Member for the Majority
14. Transportation   Journal #12

Hon. Abad, Henedina R.
District Representative
Batanes, Lone District

House of Representatives, Quezon City
Rm. N-307
Phone: (632) 931-5001, Local: 7346
Direct: 9315320

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Committee   Position
1. Government Reorganization   Journal #6Chairperson
2. Rural Development   Journal #12Vice Chairperson
3. Appropriations   Journal #15Member for the Majority
4. Aquaculture And Fisheries Resources   Journal #11Member for the Majority
5. Constitutional Amendments   Journal #15Member for the Majority
6. Energy   Journal #15Member for the Majority
7. Government Enterprises And Privatization   Journal #15Member for the Majority
8. Information And Communications Technology   Journal #12Member for the Majority
9. North Luzon Growth Quadrangle   Journal #34Member for the Majority
10. Tourism   Journal #16Member for the Majority
11. West Philippine Sea   Journal #46Member for the Majority
12. Women And Gender Equality   Journal #15Member for the Majority

DOLE-Bohol regulates wearing of high heels in workplaces

TAGBILARAN CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now disallowing the mandatory use of high heeled shoes among women in workplaces.
This is in compliance to the order that took effect on September 11, 2017 nationwide covering women who are required to wear high heels in their places of work.

DOLE Bohol Field Office has issued a directive against the mandatory wearing of high heeled shoes in the workplace, particularly for sales ladies working in malls and other large retail outlets in Tagbilaran City.

According to DOLE Bohol Field Officer Emmanuel Ferrer, the department called on local business owners to comply with the order.

The new policy pertains to shoes with heels that are over an inch in length, said Ferrer.

Employees required to stand for long periods of time are also allowed to take 15-minute “sitting breaks” every two hours.

Employers are also directed to provide employees with accessible seats where they can perform their duties without detriment or without affecting the efficiency of their jobs.

Based on a study conducted by the Bureau of Working Conditions, prolonged standing leads to several health issues, particularly when wearing high heels.

Ferrer noted that since the directive’s implementation, business establishments, including malls, have started complying with the order.

DOLE Regional Offices are tasked to inspect and monitor the implementation of the said order.

Article 168 of the Labor Code and Rules 1000 and 1960 of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards mandates the labor department to formulate policies and implement programs to ensure the safety and welfare of workers in workplaces. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

Press Release
TATLONG MABABAKANTENG PWESTO SA COMELEC EN BANC DAPAT MAPUNUAN AGAD

Hindi lang ang pwestong maiiwan sa pagbibitiw ni Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chair Andres Bautista sa katapusan ng taon ang dapat alalahanin ng bansa ngayon, yan ang paalala ni KABAYAN Party-list Congressman Ron P. Salo.

Paliwanag ni Salo, nakatakda na rin kasing mag-retiro sa nalalapit na mga buwan sina Commissioners Arthur Lim at Christian Robert Lim na kapwa naka-schedule magretiro sa COMELEC sa Pebrero 2, 2018 o di hihigit sa apat na buwan na lamang mula ngayon.

“Tatlong pwesto na ang mababakante. Kritikal ang mga posisyong iyon at dapat mahanapan agad ng kapalit lalo pa’t naghahanda ngayon ang bansa sa Barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan elections sa Mayo 14, 2018,” ani Salo.

Babala ni Salo, kung di mapupunuan ang mga pwestong iyon pagsapit ng Pebrero 2, 2018 lalabas na magkakaroon na lamang ng apat na nakaupong commissioner sa COMELEC en banc.

Paliwanag ni Salo na isa sa Assistant Majority Leaders ng Kamara, ang COMELEC ay nag-ooperate batay sa divisions kapag dumidinig ito ng election cases. Ang quorum ng mga division ay maaapektuhan kung di agad mapupunuan ang mga mababakanteng pwesto. Kapag hindi agad nakapagtalaga ng mga kapalit ay posibleng mabinbin ang mga kasong nakasalang sa mga divisions.

“Paano kung isa sa apat na matitirang kasapi ng en banc ang magkasakit o mag-leave of absence, mawawalan ng quorum ang en banc na kailangang mag-resolba ng mga kaso,” sabi ni Salo.

“Yan ang mga dahilan kung bakit dapat ngayon pa lang ay hanapan na ng kapalit sina Chairman Bautista at ang dalawa pang magreretirong Commissioner. Tiwala ako na ang search committee ng Pangulo ay maagang magsisimula sa kanilang trabaho para agarang makahanap ng kapalit na may di matatawarang kahusayan at katapatan sa tungkulin,” giit ni Salo.

Ang papalit kay Chairman Bautista ay magsisilbi sa unexpired term ni Bautista na magwawakas pa sa Pebrero 2, 2022.

“Saludo ako kay Chairman Bautista sa pag-alala niya sa kapakanan ng bayan at sa pagpapamalas niya ng delicadeza sa kanyang pagbibitiw. Nawa’y pagpalain siya sa kanyang tatahaking landas,” wika ni Salo. (WAKAS)

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

U.S. Armed Forces and AFP Complete Successful First KAMANDAG

Press Release - Manila, October 12, 2017 â€" U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, together with their Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counterparts, successfully concluded the inaugural exercise KAMANDAG yesterday during a closing ceremony at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Taguig, Philippines.

KAMANDAG, which ran from October 2 to 11, is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” or “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea.”  The name emphasizes the close partnership between the Philippine and United States militaries.

In preparation for KAMANDAG, the service members partnered to complete humanitarian and civic assistance projects.  Members of the AFP, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, and U.S. military renovated C.J. Torre Elementary School, Esperanza Elementary School, and Esperanza Daycare Center, in Casiguran.  U.S. military medical teams also taught basic lifesaving skills, first aid, disease prevention, and dental hygiene to children and teachers in Casiguran as part of a cooperative health engagement.

During KAMANDAG, U.S. and Philippine service members practiced combat lifesaving techniques, live fire training, maritime search and seizure, urban terrain operations, and aviation support planning. U.S. Marine amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) embarked and launched from a Philippine Navy sea lift vessel, the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), for the first time ever.  This success expands both militaries’ operational support capabilities to provide relief during humanitarian disasters, as well as move forces ashore during a terrorist crisis.

“This kind of integrated training prepares the Philippine vessel to carry Philippine Marine Corps AAVs in the future,” said Philippine Marine Corps Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Maria R. Dalmacio.  She noted that the Philippine Marine Corps plans to acquire AAVs by 2019.

KAMANDAG increased overall U.S. and Philippine military readiness, improved bilateral responsiveness, and strengthened the working relationships that embody our illustrious decades-long alliance.

For photos, videos, and stories about KAMANDAG, please visit: www.dvidshub.net/feature/KAMANDAG

Spiritual Preparation

[And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. - Matthew 25:10]

There is no substitute for spiritual preparation. Spiritual preparation equips you for unforeseen crises or opportunities. However, if you are unprepared you will be vulnerable to life’s unexpected events.

Jesus told a parable that teaches this truth. Ten virgins were awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom so that they could celebrate with him and his bride. Five of them prepared in advance and brought an adequate supply of oil for their lamps. The other five were not prepared, so they rushed out to buy additional lamp oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who had planned ahead entered into the house with him, but the door was closed against the five who were not ready, and they missed the celebration.

If you are spiritually prepared when a crisis comes, you will not have to try to develop instantly the quality of relationship with Christ that can sustain you. If you suddenly have an opportunity to share your faith with an unbeliever, you will be equipped to do so. If you enter a time of worship spiritually prepared, you will not miss an encounter with God. If you are spiritually filled when you meet a person in sorrow, you will have much to offer. If you have established safeguards in your life in advance, you will not give in to temptation.

Christians lose many opportunities to experience God’s activity because they have not devoted enough time to their relationship with God. If you have not yet developed the habit of daily prayer and Bible study, why not begin now, so that you will be equipped for whatever life brings? - Henry and Richard Blackaby

STATEMENT BY
THE HONORABLE NEIL J. ABAYON
AANGAT TAYO Party-list
Assistant Minority Leader
 
DRIVER ONLY, CAR POOLING SUGGESTIONS WILL NOT WORK

TNCs have pooling options. I suggest the MMDA ask the TNCs first for their data on car pooling availment. They should first have data and evidence, not just the old idea of car pooling.

I doubt this option is availed of by a significant many.

As member of the House Committee on Transportation, I have serious doubts as to the implementability and practicality of car pooling. When Filipinos buy their cars they do so for personal, family, and TNVS reasons, not for car pooling with strangers or even neighbors.

Ang kultura natin ay hindi katulad ng sa ibang lahi na ang kapitbahay at hindi masyadong kilala ay itinuturing na bahagi ng sariling pamilya at pinasasakay sa sariling sasakyan araw-araw. Kapag may okasyon tulad ng excursion, lakad pang-kasayahan, nakakasabay ng Pinoy ang ka-opisina o kaibigan. Pa-minsan-minsan nakikisakay ang kapitbahay sa kotse ng iba pero hindi iyan madalas.

What the MMDA wants is for Filipinos especially in Metro Manila to do it every day. That takes profound cultural, sociological change and cannot be imposed or legislated.

MMDA should consider other options. (END)

THE HONORABLE HENRY C. ONG
2nd District of Leyte
Vice Chair, Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries
Member, Committees on Transportation, Visayas Development,
Economic Affairs, and 8 other committees

REP. HENRY ONG URGES DTI TO READY IRR ON NON-EXPIRY OF GIFT CHECKS IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS 2017

The proposed Gift Check Non-Expiry Act passed the bicameral conference committee phase and could be ratified soon after Congress returns from its month-long break to consult constituents and resumes session on November 13.

I am hopeful this bill and other bills that have gone through bicam will be signed during November and be this year’s early Christmas gifts of Congress to the Filipino people.

Gift checks and its various other similar versions happen to be convenient gift choices for many. Since gift checks are like cash, Congress is now making it national law and policy to further strengthen the recognition and treatment of gift checks as like cash. Cash, in the form of paper bills, coins, and balances in bank accounts, has no expiry date and continue to be legal tender until they are phased out by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

I, as author of one of the bills that went into the making of the consolidated version of the Gift Check Non-Expiry Act, urge the Department of Trade and Industry to advise issuers of gift checks to start reducing the number of gift checks they are issuing this year to lessen the number of gift checks with expiry dates going into circulation. This way, we lessen the problems when the law is implemented.

I also urge the DTI to start work already on the IRR so the law can be implemented this Christmas 2017.

It is quite probable the DTI’s IRR will provide that gift checks issued before the effectivity of the law or of the IRR will not be covered by the prohibitions.

I reiterate my stand that the reference date should be the date of the effectivity of the law, not the effectivity of the IRR, because the date of the effectivity of the law as the reference point would be to the advantage of the consumer. (END)

HB 6016 was authored by Reps. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan), Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque City), John Marvin Nieto (3rd District, Manila), Ferjenel Biron (4th District, Iloilo), Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Lone District, Camiguin), Rosanna Vergara (3rd District, Nueva Ecija), Manuel Zubiri (3rd District, Bukidnon), Mark Go (Lone District, Baguio City), Teodoro Montoro (Party-list, AASENSO), Henry Ong (2nd District, Leyte), Manuel Sagarbarria (2nd District, Negros Oriental), Abdullah Dimaporo (2nd District, Lanao del Norte), Arlene Arcillas (1st District, Laguna), Lorna Silverio (3rd District, Bulacan), Lucy Gomez (4th District, Leyte), Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), Jerry Treñas (Lone District, Iloilo City), Franz Alvarez (1st District, Palawan), Rene Relampagos (1st District, Bohol), Jose Christopher Belmonte (6th District, Quezon City), Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st District, Negros Oriental), Maria Lourdes Acosta-Alba (1st District, Bukidnon), Deogracias Victor Savellano (1st District, Ilocos Sur), Carlo Lopez (2nd District, Manila), Juliette Uy (2nd District, Misamis Oriental), Jose Enrique Garcia (2nd District, Bataan), Francis Gerald Abaya (1st District, Cavite), Sabiniano Canama (Party-list, COOP-NATCCO), Ben Evardone (Lone District Eastern Samar), Paolo Javier (Lone District, Antique), Mercedes Cagas (Lone District, Davao del Sur), Seth Frederick Jaloslos (1st District, Zamboanga del Norte), Yedda Marie Romualdez (1st District, Leyte), Isidro Rodriguez (2nd District, Rizal), Ramon Durano VI (5th District, Cebu), Dennis Laogan (Party-list, ANG KABUHAYAN) Michael John Duavit (1st District, Rizal), Rodante Marcoleta (Party-list, SAGIP), Raul Tupas (5th District, Iloilo), Raymond Democrito Mendoza (Party-list, TUCP), Cecilia Leonila Chavez (Party-list, BUTIL),Richard Eusebio (Lone District, Pasig City), Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan), Manuel Jose Dalipe (2nd District, Zamboanga City), Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. (1st District, Cebu) and Edgar Mary Sarmiento (1st District, Samar). (END)

DOE Wants Fair Retail Power Competition

UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF CHOICE THRU RCOA: DOE officials presented the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) Policy in the consultation held at Park Inn by Radisson, Clark Pampanga last October 10. The two (2) RCOA circulars contain the policy for contestable customers and the policy for retail electricity suppliers.

Power retailers and consumers should be able to compete fairly under the retail competition and open access (RCOA) system, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said Tuesday at the second public consultation on the RCOA policy at the Park Inn by Radisson Clark in Pampanga.

“We have to properly explain to the industry players our way forward in implementing the ‘power of choice’ provisions of the EPIRA and one of them is the provision on retail competition and open access,” Cusi told some 130 representatives from contestable customers, retail electricity suppliers and distribution utilities who attended the meeting on the draft circulars on RCOA.

“The demand-side contestable customers and the supply-side retail electricity suppliers must be guided towards a competitive and transparent system under a fair playing field,” Cusi said.

The DOE presented at the meeting two RCOA circulars, one containing the policy for contestable customers and the other containing the policy for retail electricity suppliers.   

Contestable Customers

The RCOA policy on the demand side requires contestable customers with an average demand peak of 500kW and above to voluntarily participate in the retail market. It also allows electricity end-users within a contiguous area whose aggregate average peak demand is not less than 500kW to voluntarily enter into a retail supply contract as aggregators who may purchase and resell electricity on a group basis.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will promulgate the supporting guidelines in the licensing of the retail electricity suppliers and retail aggregation and provide for the responsibilities of the distribution utilities and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation.

Retail Electricity Suppliers

The RCOA policy for retail electricity suppliers is for the generation company or its affiliate, an affiliate of a distribution utility, retail aggregators, independent power producer administrators, prospective generation companies and other persons authorized by the ERC to engage in the supply business to the contestable customer to have a license.

The policy also emphasizes the need for licensed retail electricity suppliers engaged in the generation and distribution sectors to unbundle their supply business in order to ensure a level playing field.

It likewise provides that distribution utilities may provide electricity services to contestable customers within its franchise area upon authorization from the ERC and compliance with the unbundling provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and its implementing rules and regulations.

Ultimate Destination

Cusi reminded the participants that the DOE and the ERC must annually review and issue RCOA policies until it reaches the household level.

“The DOE assures the public of its commitment in moving forward with RCOA for the benefit of the consumers,” Cusi concluded.

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

COMELEC VACANCIES MUST BE FILLED IN TIME TO KEEP POLL BODY RUNNING SMOOTHLY, SAYS KABAYAN REP. RON SALO

The vacancy in the COMELEC to be created by the resignation of Chairman Andres Bautista by the end of the year is not the only vacancy we must be concerned about.

The terms of office of Commissioners Arthur Lim and of Christian Robert Lim end on February 2, 2018, which is less than four months from now.

So we have three vacancies to note. These vacancies are critical as the country prepares for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in May next year.

If those vacancies are not yet filled by February 2, 2018 then the COMELEC will have only four sitting members of the en banc.

The COMELEC works according to divisions when it handles cases. Quorum of one or more divisions could be affected by the vacancies and the pending cases in those divisions could hang in the balance.

If the one of those four remaining in the COMELEC en banc happens to get sick or goes on leave of absence, the COMELEC en banc will have no quorum. This lack of quorum must be avoided to keep the COMELEC running smoothly.

This is why it is important that the replacements of Bautista and the two Commissioners whose terms end on February 2, 2018 are appointed timely. I trust that the President’s Search Committee will start with their work early in looking for competent and ethically-imbued replacements.

The replacement of Bautista shall serve the unexpired term of Bautista. Bautista was appointed with a term until February 2, 2022.

I commend Chairman Bautista for upholding public interest above his own, and for showing delicadeza with his resignation. I wish him well in his future endeavors. (END)

Published by Bohol Sunday Post on January 20, 2008

Archived News - A FORMER RANKING CHIEFTAIN OF THE NEW People's Army and said to be the grandson of Francisco Dagohoy was gunned down on his birthday while he bought medicines at a drugstore along Gallares St., this city, Thursday evening.

Dagohoy who hailed from barangay Magtangtang, Danao, led the longest

revolt against Spain making him some sort of a folk hero among Boholanos.

In the history of the city's unsolved killings, the death of Ronald Sendrijas who turned 35 last Thursday was the 16th, according to a compilation of slay statistics of Station DYTR. Those killed included those executed in gangland fashion by suspects who are still in their teens and fully armed. The young boys are members of two teenage gangs who resorted to killing their rivals even without provocation.
In the roster of militant killings, Sendrijas was the fourth to be felled by bullets.

The victims of extrajudicial liquidation who were members of militant groups tagged the military as the perpetrator. The list of victims included Victor Olayvar and Mario Auxilio, who were murdered in separate occasions last year.
         
The death of Sendrijas came at a time when he was no longer active in the underground.

Out on bail due to rebellion charges, Sendrijas was believed to have already joined the mainstream. In fact, he just took his oath of office as barangay secretary of San Jose in Inabanga.

He was killed by an assailant who rode in a motorcycle and driven by another man who wore a ski bonnet. The gunman did not bother to hide his face when he carried out the killing.

Sendrijas sustained two gunshot wounds on his neck and nape that caused his instantaneous death.

SPO4 David Niluag, Tagbilaran PNP criminal investigator, said Sendrijas was assisting his sister who gave birth at the Ramiro Community Hospital.

The victim went out of the hospital to buy medicine for his sister at Paz Pharmacy which is located just across the street.

When Sendrijas was near the pharmacy, two men riding a motorcycle suddenly approached him. One of them shot him twice, causing his instantaneous death.

The incident occurred about 9:20 Thursday evening.

A retired Civil Relations Service non-commissioned officer confirmed that Sendrijas had been active in the leftist underground movement many years ago.

Retired Sgt. Narciso Tabaniag Jr. said Sendrijas was implicated in several NPA activities in Bohol and Cebu.

Sendrijas was allegedly involved in the NPA raid of a military detachment in Sta. Fe, Danao town several years ago.

The raid was timed for the anniversary of the 12th Infantry Battalion based in Carmen town.

The raiders pretended to be Army soldiers from Carmen who brought food including lechon for the soldiers manning the detachment.

One of the sentries however recognized Sendrijas among those aboard an Isuzu Elf truck and alerted the soldiers about the rebel presence.

Sendrijas was a former seminarian who joined activist groups until he was reported to have gone underground.

He was arrested in Cebu but was transferred to the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center until he was allowed to post bail.

Sendrijas was appointed barangay secretary of San Jose, Inabanga which was an indication that he intended to return to the folds of the law.

The police are still trying to determine the identities of the suspects and the motive for the killing.

BAYAN CONDEMNS KILLING

In a press statement, Bayan-Bohol immediately condemned the killing and accused the military hit squad as responsible for the crime.

John Ruiz, Bayan secretary-general in an interview over DYTR minced no words in blaming the military for the treacherous act.

Ruiz zeroed in on elements of the 302nd Infantry Brigade as responsible behind the Sendrijas murder. But Col. Cesar Yano, commanding officer of the 302nd IB based in Carmen denied any involvement of his men in the killing.

Yano said Sendrijas even cooperated with the military after his release in jail and there was no way that the blame of his death will be heaped on them.

In another interview, Sgt. Tabanag maintained the standard military line of militant killings as part of the New People's Army purging process. Previous killings of militant leaders in Bohol were also blamed to the NPA on suspicion that they were either deep penetration agents or those who wanted to be back in the folds of the law.

Rebels backed by Bohol folks-PNP
By Froilan Galardo, PDI Visayas Bureau
and Dave Veridiano

TAGBILARAN CITY--Fighting the New People's Army here is not an easy
task, with residents actively supporting the insurgents.
The Philippine National Police and the military learned this as they
launched yesterday a province-wide operation to rescue two hostages and
recover at least 80 high-powered firearms seized by the rebels in
Friday's raid in Batuan town.

As of yesterday noon, soldiers and policemen had yet to find the NPA
rebels who attacked the camp of the Seventh Regional Mobile Police-
Combat Support Co. in Barangay Rizal, Batuan, 60 km from this capital.

The rebels were believed to have fled to the hinterlands of Bohol.

Deputy Director Gen. Edmundo Larroza, acting PNP chief, said the police
camp was surrounded by residents already ''hostile to the government.''

''They gave the rebels good intelligence (information) about the
camp,'' he told the Inquirer. ''They actually support them.''

He said the empty cans of sardines and stale puso (rice wrapped in
coconut leaves) found by the police near the camp indicated that some
residents knew of the rebels' presence beforehand but did not report
the information to the police.

Larroza arrived here yesterday morning with Maj. Gen. Victor Garcia,
chief of the Armed Forces Visayas Command.

The raid was the biggest and most daring operation conducted by the
rebels since peace negotiations between the rebels and the government
were terminated last month.


Defection
Police and military officials agreed that the recent defection of
Batuan Vice Mayor Jaime Decasa was a major boost to the insurgents.

But Senior Insp. Diones Ejoc, the Batuan police chief, said Decasa is
well-loved by at least 80 percent of Batuan residents.

The vice mayor apparently joined the rebels in March 22, after he was
accused of involvement in killing a supporter of a rival candidate.

Decasa comes from a prominent political family in Batuan. His great-
grandfather was instrumental in having Batuan raised to the status of a
town. His grandfather, uncles and father alternately served as town
mayor.

Supt. Leonardo Espina, chief of the Criminal Investigation and
Detection Group in Central Visayas, said the police had already
identified some of the residents who supported the rebels.


Criminal charges
The names of the residents will be included in the criminal charges
that the police were set to file against the rebels for attacking the
police camp, he added.

Supt. Mario Potot, chief of the defunct Bohol PNP task force, said the
police had long suspected that the residents were not on their side.

He said he organized four cooperatives in April in Barangay Rizal in an
effort to win the support of the residents.

Larroza said he disbanded the Bohol PNP task force because the Army had
taken over the task of hunting down the rebels and containing
insurgency in Bohol.

The task force was changed to a composite team of 200 soldiers from the
Army's Special Forces and two companies of PNP Special Action Force
from Camp Crame in Manila headed by Col. Gilbert Cayton of the Armed
Forces Visayas Command.

Cayton said the team had already sealed the coastal towns of Ubay,
Tubigon and Loay to prevent the rebels from escaping to Cebu or
northern Mindanao.

Cayton said the team was also checking the numerous caves found in the
mountains of central Bohol.


Retraining
In Manila, the 37 members of the combat support unit of the PNP earlier
relieved after the raid were also ordered to undergo a total retraining
program yesterday.

Larroza ordered the retraining after his brief visit to the police camp
in Bohol.

He ordered the retraining of the entire contingent of the Seventh
Regional Mobile Group Combat Support Company, including its chief,
Insp. Richard Caballero, while the men are being investigated by the
Regional Internal Affairs Office for possible security lapses.

Larroza advised other PNP units not to let their guards down, and all
PNP field commanders to review and implement their security plans.


Daring raid
According to a report sent to Camp Crame, the rebels, clad in
camouflage military uniforms, arrived at the headquarters of the
contingent at about 7:30 a.m.

The rebels rode on two Besta vans with Department of Interior and Local
Government markings.

One of the raiders, clad in a barong Tagalog and accompanied by three
women and fatigue-clad men who introduced themselves as soldiers,
alighted from one of the vans and requested to see the detachment's
first sergeant.

Upon entering the detachment, the rebels then trained their guns on the
policemen and raided the armory where they carted away police and
military weapons, including an M60 light machine-gun, three M60 grenade
launchers, a 60-mm mortar and assorted rounds of ammunition.

The rebels also took several police uniforms and three portable
communication radios.

Before escaping, they took into their custody two policemen, PO2 Ariel
Espinido and PO1 Joselito Catabas.

The raiders fled towards Barangay Hanopol in Balilihan town.

Not a shot was fired during the raid. Members of the police detachment
were left unhurt.

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

Guv draws solution to GSIS pensioners' woes
By JUNE S. BLANCO
Published by Bohol Sunday Post on January 6, 2008

THE LONG QUEUES AND OTHER woes of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pensioners in Bohol will soon be part of history.

This after GSIS General Manager Winston Garcia agreed to the solution offered by Gov. Erico Aumentado.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo endorsed to Garcia the Aumentado solution over lunch in Malacañang that lasted two-and-a-half hours.

The Aumentado solution intends to make all 22 branches of the First Consolidated Bank (FCB) in as many towns that dot Bohol as conduits for the pensions of GSIS retirees.

"FCB will install automated teller machines (ATMs) in all its branches. In towns that have no FCB branch yet, the bank intends to arrange with the local government units for space where it will also set up ATMs," the governor quoted Richard Uy, president of the FCB board as saying.
         
Aumentado said according to Uy, the move forms part of the bank's social responsibility.

Apparently, the sight of pensioners forming a line - exposed to the heat of the sun or to the cold rain as the case may be - as they wait their turn at the ATM terminal at Union Bank near the Capitol tore at the governor's heart.

Because he brought pictures of the queue to show to the President, he said they apparently tugged at her heartstrings, too, prompting her to call Garcia.

Garcia has called Uy for initial discussions of next steps, Aumentado reported.

The governor had expressed elation when, during one of their informal meetings with Uy, the latter brought up the issue and the two formulated the solution.

While the change for the better in the pensioners' plight may not come overnight, Aumentado said gunning for this year is not too bad.

After all, FCB has yet to acquire the ATMs.

Bohol cockpit owners get 72-hour TRO
Published by Bohol Sunday Post on January 6, 2008

Archived News File - COCKPIT OPERATORS AND or owners who called themselves Bohol Cockpit Operators Association won a temporary relief yesterday from their present predicament where they are barred from holding cockfights other than Sundays and legal holidays.

This developed after the Regional Trial Court Branch 49 through Presiding Judge Fernando Fuentes III issued an ex parte temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the provincial director of the Philippine National Police from implementing the provision of the Cockfighting Law of the Phils. prohibiting the holding of cockfights other than Sundays and legal holidays.
         
The TRO was effective for only 72 hours from yesterday. The declaratory relief was issued to prevent the respondent, Senior Supt. Edgardo Ingking, in pursuing any intended acts now the subject of the instant case.

Judge Fuentes also ordered that summons would be served to the parties involved in the civil action for Injunction with Prayer for the issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction and Temporary Restraining Order. A special raffle is scheduled tomorrow.

In a petition filed by Arturo Tan and lawyer Peter Emman Mende, operators of the Duero and Dauis cockpits, respectively, they contended that the respondent has attempted to stop and continues to threaten to stop cockfighting in the province of Bohol if conducted on days other than Sundays and legal holidays. The respondent cited as basis for his threatened action Presidential Decree 449 known as the Cockfighting Law of the Phils. of 1974 and Executive Order 02-A-01 issued by Gov. Erico Aumentado in 2003. Both laws limit cockfighting to Sundays and holidays.

Before the full implementation of the law which was effective last January, Duero and Dauis used to hold cockfights during Saturdays.

Other cockpits conducted theirs from Monday until Friday. It was the unabated holding of cockfights that drove Gov. Aumentado to regulate the holding of cockfights in conformity with the provision of PD 449.

The petitioners likewise argued that the full enforcement of the law will inflict irreparable damage and injury to the operators as they will be unjustly deprived of a lawful business and at the same time suffer irrecoverable business opportunity losses.

The complainants likewise averred that the operators have the legal right to conduct cockfighting activities in their respective licensed cockpits on Saturdays instead of Sundays, based on their respective franchises, mayor's permits and authorities from their Sangguniang Bayan.

Bohol Helps Marawi City

Press Release - Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto sent to Marawi City a million-peso aid which, for its mayor, is a kindness worth remembering beyond any level of rise that his violence-flattened Islamic city may be able to attain.

Mayor Majul Usman Gandamra thanked the governor and people of Bohol for their “concern to help us rise again” even if the government forces have yet to end the scourge of terrorism in his ashed dear land.

Chatto had the emergency financial assistance in check personally delivered by his two assistants, Eric Galan and Thary Victor Hora, to Gandmara at the Marawi City Hall on Wednesday.

Government forces are still trying to crush the remaining Maute-ISIS terrorists in the main battleground at the very business center of the city, which economy the mayor said is in “total collapse.”

“Tayo po ay nagpapasalamat sa mabuting si Gov. Chatto at sa kanyang buong constituency ng Bohol sa kanilang malasakit sa pagtulong sa amin dito sa Marawi,” Gandmara said in a phone interview in the noontime program “Silab sa Udtong Tutok” on DYRD Thursday.

It was the first interview ever granted by Gandmara to a Bohol-based media and radio program, which is hosted by Ven Arigo, since the Marawi siege last May.

The mayor could only pray and hope for the “near end” of the war, saying it might “just take a (remaining) week or 10 days” until the enemies are totally subdued.

This he based on his “briefing” from the high commands and ground forces of the government. 
Terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute are, based on the mayor’s information, are still within the main battleground.

The clash and bloodshed have already run for over four months and the people and defenders of Marawi have more than gravely suffered, Gandmara told DYRD in the interview.

Gandmara was informed that Bohol received and assisted a number of refugees from his city.
“Tayo po ay nagpapasalamat na kahit papaano, sa dinanas naming  kahirapan dito, ay may kagaya nyo po, kagaya ng ating governor at mga mamayan ng Bohol na nagmamalasakit po at handing tumulong sa pagbangon ng Marawi,” the mayor again thanked.
DU30 VOWS FULL
REBUILD SUPPORT

In their talk on his most recent visit to the battle area, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte vowed to the mayor he would fully provide to rebuild Marawi.

The Senate has allocated P10 billion for Marawi’s rehabilitation while an initial P500 million will be provided in loan facilities for the private sector, according to a national report.

Once the armed chaos shall have ended, the immediate reconstruction priorities do include the rehabilitation of infrastructure like roads and power facilities, Gandmara said, although job and livelihood are equally extremely urgent.

Construction of temporary shelters has started in an area already cleared, he said.
With a security convoy provided by the mayor, the team sent by Chatto to deliver the P1 million aid visited the sites for temporary and transitional core shelters.

At the press conference in Tagbilaran City also on Thursday, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Chair Orlando Ravanera said his agency has an intervention for the housing and livelihood of the Marawi settlers displaced by the violence.

The mayor himself has personally donated five hectares for the shelter project, said Ravanera who is a Mindanaoan from Cagayan de Oro City.

For Gandamra, physical reconstruction is meaningless if the Marawi people have no livelihood support to sustain the rebuilding of their lives.

Asked if martial law should only be “co-terminus” with the Marawi war, Gandamra for now believed the wisdom to decide on its lifting or extension will likely largely rely on national security advices.

The mayor said there have been no military and police abuses or human rights violations yet reported in his place since the imposition of the Mindanao-wide martial law.

Marawi’s “experience” should be prevented to “spread over” to near-lying Mindanao areas and the lifting or extension of martial law has to consider the “condition” in these areas, Gandamra said.

Core decentralization of the government under federalism is perceived to only further raise the economic status of the industrialized and fast-growing regions, which have plenty of resources.

Thus, it is believed that it may affect the local effort of reconstruction as Marawi’s revenue sources like trade and industry are dead together. 

To these views, Gandamra said the move towards federalism must involve the people in the consultative process and what good it can do to Marawi's recovery is yet to be ascertained.
“We will support federalism if it does give us greater good.  We will see,” said Gandamra who is both a lawyer and a certified public accountant.

With the government warriors’ intensified clearing operations on the main battleground in the city, which has 96 barangays, and the economic facilities in perfect ruin, the mayor said emergency needs are their present focus.

As a local government unit, the city is preparing its annual budget for 2018 from “scratch” and how to manage it as aligned to the overly-tasking rehabilitation can be simply blasting the brain.
MARAWI HAS YET
MORE TO TELL

Behind its terrible fate, Marawi has many “motivating” stories yet untold but which the mayor thought could wait to be shared to the nation until the smoke clears.

He commended the heroism of the fallen defenders and those who are still sacrificing their lives so that his city may be liberated from terrorism, rebuilt and breathing life again.
Called by Chatto “a help from the people of Bohol,” the P1 million capitol aid was received by Gandamra together with Marawi City Treasurer Anggay Abdullah and Councilors Ozamah Macabangon, Amienquailed Dimal and Borgiva Dalidig.

On Friday, Dalidig sent a grateful text message, “Tnx ulit sa inyo sir. Extend our regards to the People of Bohol.  Maraming salamat sa inyo.  Mabuhay ang mga Boholanos.”

The assistance turnover was also witnessed by Marianito Alemania, a Mindanao businessman from Loon who is the president of the Kaliwat Bol-anon in Lanao and Iligan (KABOLIG).
He escorted the team sent by Chatto from Iligan City all the way to Marawi City.
MARAWI SIEGE A
TEST TO THE NATION

The siege of Marawi is a test to the country, Gandamra said, and “one mayor” can never extinguish such a hell. “Tayo po ay magkaisa para harapin itong pagsubok na ito dito po sa amin sa Marawi.”

Asked if he has still fear, the mayor replied, “I can’t tell that I’ve lost all my fears.  I’m only human.  But I also have a mandate to serve and continue to serve as mandated.”
He said Marawi will not lose hope and is even more resolved to face whatever risks there may still be.

Since day one of the terrorist attack and bloodbath, Gandamra has never left his land---once a charming and warm city by the Lanao lake also known as the “Summer Capital of the South,” a title shared by only one other Mindanao city, the Malaybalay in Bukidnon. (Ven rebo Arigo)

​DOE to Develop PH as LNG Hub

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) today bared plans to develop the domestic natural gas industry, and eventually transform the Philippines as the liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading and trans-shipment hub in the Asia-Pacific Region.

According to Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, the DOE is "already preparing the necessary policies as we approach the depletion of indigenous natural gas supply from Malampaya by 2024.”

“By diversifying our energy mix through LNG, we are ensuring a secure and stable supply of energy. This is a priority,” Cusi pointed out.

The DOE public consultation was held Tuesday (10 October) at its headquarters in BGC, Taguig City to fine-tune the draft Philippine Natural Gas Regulation (PNGR), the policy framework that will guide the development of the natural gas industry in the country.

The DOE presented the draft PNGR in accordance with several key considerations:

1. The expected drop in indigenous natural gas supply coming from Malampaya gas field by 2024.

2. The potential of LNG to cover the increasing mid-merit to peaking demand of the Philippines which is expected to require around 18,500 megawatts (MW) by 2040 based on the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP).

3. The potential of LNG/natural gas-fired power plants in complementing renewables which are poised to increase from 5,000 MW to 15,000 MW by 2035.

4. The potential of LNG to replace diesel-fired power plants in off-grid areas.

5. The expected non-power demand for natural gas from the commercial, industrial, transportation, and even household sectors.

The Philippine Natural Gas Regulation (PNGR) public consultation was attended by interested local and foreign stakeholders Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., Aboitiz Power, CN Energy, Energy Development Corporation, CNOOC, Embassy of Australia, Embassy of Singapore, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Energy World Corporated Ltd., Gas Power Solutions, GE Philippines, Inc., IE Singapore, Japan Bank for International Cooperation, JGC Philippines Inc., JSK Gas Corporation, JSK Holdings, KEPCO Philippines Corporation, Lantau Group, Marubeni Philippines Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments, Mitsui & Co. (Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.), National Power Corporation, Osaka Gas Manila, Pavilion Energy Pte. Ltd., Philippine Petroleum Association of Upstream Industry Inc. (PAP), Sumitomo Corporation of the Philippines, Sembcorp Marine Rigs & Floaters Pte. Ltd., SK E&S, SSB Cryogenic Equipment Pte Ltd., Tokyo Gas Co, Ltd., Total Gas and Power Asia, Vires, PXP Energy Corporation, Shell, Philodrill, Star Power, PHINMA, First Gen Corporation, Blackstone, CleanRock, Basic Energy Corporation, Enerbay, Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corporation, CGN New Energy Holdings Co. Ltd., Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., SCU, PhiLNG, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, City Enro (BCG), LGU-Pagbilao, Philippine National Oil Company, First Gas, Puno and Peñarroyo Law Offices, International Finance Corporation.

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

RANKING SOLON URGES SUSPECT TRANGIA TO BE FAITHFUL TO THE TRUTH

It is good that he has come back home to respond to calls for justice for his fraternity brother and his friend.

It is good he has given way to the stirrings of his consciences. Perhaps he listened to wise counsel from family and friends.

May he face the music, directly respond to the issues, answer the questions by being faithful to the truth and to the memory of Atio Castillo.

As member of the House Justice Committee, I call on the other suspects to surface also and cooperate with authorities. If they are free from culpability, there is nothing to fear as the truth shall protect them.

As to culpability or liability, let the Department of Justice and the courts determine that.

The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they do grind on. (END)

Trusting God's Wisdom

(Go and tell Hezekiah, "Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: 'I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.'" - Isaiah 38:5)

The fundamental premise of Christianity is that God knows what is best better than we do. When we are experiencing God’s blessing, it is easy to believe that God knows what is best. But when God allows sickness and sorrow in our lives, we  to question His wisdom. The Lord told King Hezekiah that his life was coming to an end. God advised him to prepare himself for death and to make arrangements to turn over the kingdom. Instead, Hezekiah pled for his life, begging God to spare him from death (Isa. 38:3). God loved the righteous Hezekiah and, in His grace, granted him an additional fifteen years to live.

Those fifteen years would prove that God’s wisdom far exceeds human wisdom. During those added years, Mannasseh was born, and he eventually succeeded Hezekiah as king of Judah. Mannasseh, who reigned for fifty-five years, was the most evil king ever to rule over Judah (2 Kings 21:1). Mannaseh encouraged the worship of idolatry throughout the nation. He passed his own son through fire according to the abominable practices of idolatry. He shed much innocent blood during his reign; every part of the nation suffered from his cruelty.

Manasseh’s wickedness provoked God to anger, but Manasseh ignored God’s warning (2 Kings 21:16; 2 Chron. 33:10). All these hardships were caused by Manasseh, a king who would never have been born if Hezekiah had accepted God’s will for his life!

Furthermore, Hezekiah’s extended reign led to Judah’s eventual defeat by the Babylonians (2 Kings 20:12-20). So much suffering resulted from Hezekiah’s unwillingness to accept God’s will for him. God knows what is best. Whether your circumstances are easy or difficult, you can completely trust His guidance. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE

BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information
REACTION TO VERY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF PINOY NURSES IN UK ENGLISH EXAM

Examinees had trouble with tenses and essays

As Chair of the House Committee on Public Information and Member of the House Committees on Health and Foreign Affairs, I am deeply concerned about the reported English test high failure rate of Filipino nurses who have been seeking entry to the United Kingdom.

The Guardian, a leading UK newspaper, noted in particular that the high failure rate of foreign nurses is specifically because of difficulties on the use of tenses and in essay writing.

The Philippines is country that flaunts its English competence but apparently that assertion is a balloon full of hot air when it comes to the English competencies of our nursing graduates.

Apparently, this English competence problem is not confined to nursing graduates. The IT-BPO industry in the Philppines has said they have thousands of "near-hires" who needed further training, including English training, so they could be eventually hired. (See reference below)

I now challenge the Commission on Higher Education and the nursing colleges to apply the necessary intervention measures to make sure that future batches of nursing graduates seeking jobs in English-speaking countries will not encounter the same fate as those who failed the English tests in UK.

I ask for a meeting with the deans of the nursing schools, the CHED officials, and the CHED technical panel on health professions, so we can map out the broad strokes and next steps.

I also ask for a meeting with the DepEd to address the roots of the English competence problems in the basic education levels.

This is a very serious matter because about 200,000 nursing graduates are jobless, and we have about 80,000 nursing graduates every year, and about 25,000 take the nursing licensure exams of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) annually. The PRC nursing licensure exams this year are in June and November.

The PRC said, "3,882 out of 11,176 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga this June 2017."

Last year, the PRC said, "6,836 out of 14,322 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga last November 2016."

The November 2017 nursing exams will be on the 25th and 26th. (http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/RA_NURSE_boardprogram_NOV2017.pdf )  (END)

REFERENCES:                                                                              https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/23/nurses-language-tests-immigration-nhs

http://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/09/26/17/pinoy-nurses-recruited-for-jobs-in-uk-fail-english-test

http://www.philstar.com/world/2017/09/27/1743231/88-filipino-nurses-recruited-uk-hospital-fail-english-test

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/10/relax-english-language-test-foreign-nurses-say-hospital-execs/

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/pinoyabroad/627232/90-of-pinay-nurses-accepted-to-uk-hospital-flunk-language-test/story/

http://www.magellan-solutions.com/blog/why-investors-are-attracted-to-the-philippine-call-center-industry-2/

http://www.manilatimes.net/200000-registered-nurses-are-jobless/262211/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18575810

http://www.prc.gov.ph/news/?id=7575)

http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/20/11/65000-it-bpo-near-hires-get-program-boost

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

PINOY NURSES LAGPAK SA ENGLISH EXAM SA UK, CHED HINIMOK UMAKSYON

Hinimok ng isang mambabatas ang Commission on Higher Education (CHED) na aksyunan ang tila paghina ng kahusayan ng mga Pilipino nursing graduates sa wikang Ingles.

Nitong Setyembre, 52 sa 59 na Pilipinong nurses na ni-recruit sa Maynila para magtrabaho sa isang ospital sa United Kingdom ang lumagpak sa English language test kayat di sila makapag-uumpisa sa pangarap nilang trabaho.

Ikinalungkot ni Bagong Henerasyon Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy ang naunsiyaming pangarap ng mga Pinoy nurse at hinimok ang CHED na gumawa ng hakbang para tiyaking di na mauulit ang kahalintulad na pangyayari.

“Makikipagpulong ako sa mga dekano ng nursing schools at mga opisyal ng CHED para maisa-isa namin ang mga hakbang na pwedeng gawin pati na para matukoy kung may mga patakaran ba na dapat isulong sa Kongreso para matulungan ang ating mga nursing students at graduates para mapahusay ang kanilang kakayahan sa banyagang wika,” ani Herrera-Dy, Chair ng House Committee on Public Information.

Makikipagpulong din ang kongresista sa mga opisyal ng Department of Education para matugunan ang problema [sa English competencies] sa antas pa lang ng basic education.

Ayon sa tala, humigit-kumulang 80,000 estudyante ang nagtatapos ng kursong nursing kada taon habang humigit-kumulang 25,000 naman ang kumukuha ng nursing board exams kada taon.

Sa tala ng Professional Regulations Commission, “"3,882 out of 11,176 passed the Nurse Licensure Examination given by the Board of Nursing in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga this June 2017."

Nakatakdang idaos ang nursing board exams sa darating na November 25 at 26.

Naiulat na kung pumasa sana ang mga nurses sa naturang exam, tatangap sila ng "£3,000 recruitment and retention bonus paid over 26 months, flexible working hours, and a relocation loan.” Ang nasabing halaga ay katumbas ng P204,000 (P68 = 1 British pound) https://goo.gl/65xn7V (WAKAS)

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

Perseverance. The will to continue despite all the odds.

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

God's Sufficient Grace

(And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Human strength is a strong deterrent to trusting in Christ. When we rely on our own strength, resources, and knowledge, we assume we can handle situations without help from God.

We tend to divide problems into two categories: problems that we know require God’s help and problems we think we can handle on our own.Paul had a tenacious personality and an exceptionally strong will. He courageously faced angry mobs as he traveled far and wide to promote the cause of Christ. He had spent the first half of his life serving God in his own strength.

However, once God gained his attention, Paul had to learn to rely on God’s strength and not his own. Paul was afflicted with a thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7). Whatever this was, it humbled him. He had performed incredible miracles, even raising the dead, but he could not remove the affliction that God had given him, an affliction that made him depend on God.

The world had seen what Paul could do in his own strength, and it was horrifying! Now God wanted to exercise His power through Paul’s life. When Paul thought he was strong, he neglected to rely upon God’s strength. Only in his weakness did Paul trust implicitly in God.

If you feel strong in an area of your life, beware! Often your strength, rather than your weakness, hinders you from trusting God. God will bring you to a point of weakness if that is what it takes to bring you to trust in Him. Do not despise your weakness, for it leads you to trust in God’s strength. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

FACILITY OPERATOR II

STATUS: Full time (40 hours/week)
REPORTS TO: Chief Operator
GRADE: 7 ($23.55 to $28.54)
POSTING #: HR 32.17
POSTING PERIOD: October 5 to October 19, 2017

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: Performs day to day building, ice and pool maintenance, general housekeeping, minor repairs to equipment, electrical, some carpentry and painting of the Community Centre. Completes daily, weekly and annual maintenance activities including two ice surfaces, indoor pool, squash courts, fitness centre, seniors centre, etc. Assists with maintenance of parks, playground equipment, sports fields and other designated outdoor property and buildings.

Qualifications
- Minimum grade 12 or equivalent.
- Certified parks equipment safety operations.
- Class G drivers' licence.
- Certified ice technician through ORFA or equivalent an asset.
- Refrigeration Class B (received within 18 months of employment start).
- Certified pool operators course/designation. - CPR/First Aid.
- Mechanical aptitude, basic plumbing, electrical, equipment repair, HVAC.
- Two years related experience in municipal recreation facilities or equivalent
- Relevant experience with the operation of a municipal recreation centre or equivalent. - - -- Basic computer skills for email and 'Class" read only for facility rental information.
- Good communication skills to communicate effectively and concisely to meet customer needs.
- Ability to problem solve.
- Works well with team to develop solutions.
- Knowledge of facilities operation and preventative maintenance.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and guidelines. jobs@tillsonburg.ca

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

CHRISTMAS BONUS AT IBA PANG TIYAK NA BENEPISYO PARA SA BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS ISINULONG SA KONGRESO

Isinusulong ngayon sa House of Representatives ang pagkakaroong ng tiyak na benepisyo at kompensasyon ng mga Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).

Kapag naisabatas ang House Bill 4277 ni KABAYAN Party-list Congressman Ron P. Salo, heto ang tiyak na matatanggap ng mga BHWs:

a) Honoraria â€" At least P3,000 monthly
b) Christmas Bonus â€" At least P3,000
c)  Hazard Allowance â€" Not lower than P1,000
d) Subsistence Allowance -  Not lower than P1,000

Sabi ni Salo, na dati ring consultant ng Department of Health, mahalaga ang ginagampanang papel ng mga BHWs bilang tagapaghatid ng serbisyong medikal at tagapagpalaganap ng impormasyong pangkalusugan sa bawat komunidad sa bansa lalo pa iyong mga nasa liblib na mga barangay.

“Inaasahan din ang serbisyo ng mga BHWs sa panahon ng kalamidad, sakuna, at mga outbreak kaya naman marapat lang bigyan sila ng disenteng kompensasyon,” ani Salo na kasapi ng House Committee on Health.

Noong 1995, naisabatas na ang Republic Act No. 7883 o ang Barangay Health Workers and Benefits and Incentives Act na nagtatakda na marapat makatanggap ang mga BHWs ng hazard at subsistence allowance, training programs, civil service eligibility, free legal services, at access sa loan services.

Gayunman, paliwanag ni Salo, hindi itinakda sa RA 7883 ang fixed rate para sa allowance ng BHWs kaya tuloy iba’t iba ang rate na natatanggap ng mga BHWs depende sa local government unit na nakakasakop sa kanila. Ang nangyayari tuloy, lumalabas na underpaid ang ibang BHWs.  Layunin ng HB 4277 na resolbahin ang problemang ito. (WAKAS)

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

Rep. Erico B. Aumentado of Bohol’s 2nd District succumbed to complications of pneumonia at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City at 8:37 p.m. on 2013 Christmas night â€" the gloomiest and saddest for the family â€" which shocked Boholanos who are living witnesses of his sterling performance as a public servant.

He was 72. He served as board member, vice governor, governor and congressman during a dynamic 45-year service in government.
He died with his boots on â€" still insisting on reading communications even in his hospital bed â€" and even pestering his doctors for permission to attend the sessions of the 15th Congress that was already tackling, among others, the Reproductive Health bill which he was consistently against said controversial bill.

He had pulled the caper before and got away with it â€" wangling a pass from the hospital to attend a session, or “escaping” as his aides call it, to spend his birthday at home.
This was not to be one of those capers, however. Death overcame him before he could. But he did go to the plenary hall one last time as his colleagues, wearing black arm bands, with the Batasang Pambansa flag flown at half-mast, honored him with necrological services last Thursday.

The news of Aumentado’s demise which was flashed over dyRD early morning after Christmas Day came counter with the celebration of Christmas as sadness and grief occupied the minds and hearts of Boholanos who in various voices echoed their conviction that the late solon can stand as the greatest Boholano public servant, next to the late Pres. Carlos Polestico Garcia, in terms of performance and dedication of serving his constituents.

He is survived by his wife, the former Peregrina Adlaon Cabagnot, eight children, 19 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Gov. Edgar Chatto who led the Boholanos’ expression of condolences to the bereaved family immediately ordered all tri-color in the province to be flown on half-mast until after the burial of the late congressman. In a press statement, the governor said he considers Aumentado a role model as a public servant.
Words of admiration and exaltation were also aired by the two other Boholano solons, Rene Relampagos (1st dist) and Arthur Yap (3rd dist).

His remains arrived yesterday afternoon on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila.
Planeside honors were accorded to the late solon by the 2nd Armed Forces and the Philippine National police while Msgr. Jeffrey Malanog, vicar general officiated the blessing of his remains at the tarmac upon arrival yesterday.

Gov. Chatto, Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim and other provincial and city officials welcomed the remains at the Tagbilaran City Airport together with lawyer Jun Amora, who served as his provincial administrator when he was then governor and Boy Pernia, his spokesman.
His casket which was placed in an open van filled with fresh flowers was brought to Ubay, his hometown yesterday with brief stop over in some towns passing through the eastern coastal road (part of the Bohol Circumferential Road). His town mates paid their last respect to the solon at the Ubay Cultural Center. His remains will be brought to the city by 8 o’clock this morning passing the northern towns. Friends and supporters will await the arrival of his remains at his residence along Calceta st. at noontime today.

His remains will stay at the Aumentado residence up to Friday evening.

On Saturday, 8 o’clock in the morning, the remains will be transferred to the Provincial Capitol for necrological services. Government officials and employees can pay their last respects at the Capitol until 1:00pm when it will be transferred to the St. Joseph Cathedral for the requiem mass starting at 2:00pm . Interment will follow at the Victoria Memorial Park.

People from various walks of life paid glowing tribute to the late solon during a two-day marathon calls of radio listeners who wanted to share their experiences with the late governor.

Former Bohol OIC Gov. Victor de la Serna who sometimes would be a vocal critic of the late solon said the “passing of Aumentado marks the end of an era, the golden era in our political history when our public servants once served with utmost honesty, humility, and dedication to the public welfare, devoid of a any desire for personal profit, and the penchant for the accouterments of power in the best tradition of past governors like Gallares, Pajo, Bernido, Lino Chatto and others. This era is now gone."

While he admitted that the lawmaker had his faults and shortcomings for sure, de la Serna said that in the five decades that he has served the people, he has accomplished several milestone projects which made the greatest impact in “our lives today and to the coming generations of Boholanos."

DYRD’s top-rated “Inyong Alagad” program and the weekly radio pulse “Radyo Merkado” recorded the various comments, commendations and appreciation heartily expressed by his constituents in the various walks in life.

The comments summarized the major accomplishments of Aumentado, among others, the concreting of the Bohol Circumferential Road , the Bohol-Leyte geothermal power connection, irrigation projects for the farm lands and his prime accomplishment as the number one “salesman” for Bohol whose efforts brought the province as a top destination in the country.

Well meaning radio listeners likewise praised Aumentado for not even attempting to set up his own family dynasty in government service.
His son, Aris, was the designated “caretaker” of his district. However, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte, who is a family friend of the Aumentados will sign pertinent documents on projects and other official functions in his district.

45 LONG YEARS
AS PUBLIC SERVANT
The late Aumentado served the province for 45 years starting as a provincial board member in 1967.

His political career started in 1967 when then governor and later, President Carlos P. Garcia “pushed” the newly married young lawyer into running for Provincial Board member. At 27, he was the youngest to be elected as such, and was senior board member to boot for two terms, with extension until 1980.

There was no turning back since then. He was a Sangguniang Panlalawigan member from 1980-1986, vice governor from 1988-1992, congressman for three terms from 1992-2001, governor of Bohol from 2001 to 2010 and congressman from 2010 until his passing.

He was Deputy Speaker of the House from 2000 to 2001, and was president both of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap) during his first two terms as governor. He declined the position in his last term in order to devote more time to his home province and his family. He used to jest that he received a memorandum from his grandchildren reminding him that Sunday was “family day”.

Aumentado was orphaned by his father when he was only eight. He joined a fishing crew at night to help his mother support his studies by day â€" and those of his siblings. He graduated valedictorian from the Ubay Central Elementary School.

He broke his piggy bank and his life’s savings then of P50 launched his buy-and-sell career of broken bottles and other recyclables that he sold in Cebu. In turn, he bought basins, pails, kettles and other utensils for his mother to sell during Mondays â€" Ubay’s market day.
Business was quite good, and soon, he and his siblings had to help their mother sell the items. But helping out during market days took a toll on his school attendance.

Thinking that he had been plain playing hooky, his school director called his attention. To his credit and his surprise, Msgr. Margarito Gonzaga, then school director, understood his predicament, took pity on him, his siblings and other students in the same situation, and moved school days to Tuesdays to Saturdays instead. He graduated valedictorian from the Holy Child Academy.

He pursued higher education at the Rafael Palma College, now University of Bohol, on full scholarship. He earned stipends by writing for the school paper, and working for a local newspaper and later, as correspondent for a national paper. He graduated with highest honors in Pre-Law, magna cum laude in Bachelor of Arts in 1960, and cum laude in Bachelor of Laws in 1964.

A JOURNALIST
The late solon was a journalist by heart.
He joined The Bohol Chronicle as a writer when he was the editor of The Varsitarian, the school publication of then Rafael Palma College (now University of Bohol).

He was Bohol correspondent of The Manila Times during his stint with the Chronicle.
With his journalistic ability, the late Chronicle publisher-editor Jun Dejaresco gave Aumentado a break through his column “Between Extremes,” one of the longest running and well read columns in this paper.

CONGRESS HONORS
BOHOL SOLON
In her eulogy, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa, fellow House minority member, said Aumentado distinguished himself in the four terms he served in the legislature on top of bringing progress to Bohol.

She said Aumentado once stood on the floor for 12 hours to defend the 1999 budget bill â€" the longest budget defense in the history of the House of Representatives.

She also said he had stood alone on the floor in 1999 to foil a House resolution that had asked the Supreme Court to allow a solon convicted of statutory rape to serve in congress.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said the lawmaker served as ethics committee chairman “with distinction.” He had picked Aumentado to head that committee with no qualms even if the latter belonged to the minority.

Committee chairmanships are usually awarded to members of the majority but Belmonte justified his choice: “He’s the proper man for that position,” he said, adding that “Aumentado had not come from a political family or a wealthy clan and earned respect in public office through hard work.”

“Public service was to him not only a calling but a passion,” he said. “To him, public service was almost a religion.”

Belmonte recalled that whenever Aumentado was given a reward, he would instead refer the persons giving it to him to the church.
Parishioners of the Santo Niño Church in Poblacion and in Barangay San Pascual both in his hometown of Ubay, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Sevilla, the hometown of his wife Grenie, and even inmates of the Bohol District Jail, among others, can attest to that. And the list is still long.

Aumentado, a lawyer, also provided pro bono legal services to the poor, Belmonte had said Among his cherished awards is the one given by the Citizens’ Legal Aid Society of the Philippines (Clasp) â€" in recognition of his brilliant and courageous performance in bringing justice within the reach of the poor and for his continuing devotion to the cause of legal aid in the Philippines. Aumentado founded the Clasp Bohol chapter.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said that in all the positions Aumentado occupied, he served with great skill and distinction. He also never lost any of his bids for a public position.
Minority Leader Danilo Suarez praised Aumentado’s infrastructure projects for Bohol, and further hailed him for being a man of humble beginnings who rose to become a leader of men.

LEGACIES
The Bohol solon did his homework, pushed thru gestation (resolutions, fund sourcing for feasibility studies, detailed engineering design, civil works, etc.) and birth pains (trouble shooting) and implemented the Bohol Circumferential Road Improvement Project Phases I and II, the Bohol Irrigation Project Stages I (Malinao Dam) and II (Bayongan Dam), Leyte-Bohol Interconnection Project Phases I and II, National Transmission Corp. (Transco)-Bohol Backbone Transmission Project, Improvement of the Tagbilaran, Tubigon, Ubay and Jagna ports and the Ubay and Tagbilaran airports, improvement of bridges, public markets and the Zamora Dam.
Ongoing are the Rural Electrification Project, barangay master planning, concrete bridge along the Danaoâ€"Getafe road, P106M San Vicenteâ€"La Esperanza (Dagohoy)â€"Concepcion (Danao) road, P139M Sagbayan-Danao road concreting, waterworks systems, medical and surgical missions, P14M Getafe-Jandayan Interconnection Project, school buildings, flood control projects in Sagbayan, P14 million, and Inabanga, P10 million, Hello Bohol (livestock dispersal) Project, livelihood projects with the Department of Labor and Employment, distribution of computers and internet accessing, tractors for hybrid rice and corn projects, rice ratooning project, Extreme Adventure Tourism in Danao, barangay health centers, solar dryers, Botica ng Barangay, multi-purpose buildings with stages, Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP), and others.

He had worked for and had received the grant from the Korean Government for the recently inaugurated Rice Processing Complex in Pilar town.

Aumentado is dedicated to his work. He often emphasized that he did not work just for show, or to harvest awards; he worked because that was his job. But in the process, he did reap recognition.

He treasured most his Golden Heart Award for Humanitarian Service, his Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Outstanding Governor, Local Government Leadership Academy award as Most Outstanding Governor and a host of others for protecting the environment, pushing nutrition, promoting Bohol as a tourist destination, Gawad Galing Pook for eco-tourism, coastal law enforcement, local peace building initiatives and the Award of Excellence (ACE) for maintaining the above initiatives for at least three years, among others.

For the environmental management system (EMS) initiatives the province pursued during his watch, Bohol was issued an ISO 14001 Certification. And the list of awards is still long.

Also under his stewardship, the Bohol Branches of the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, National Bureau of Investigation, the Region 7 office of the National Irrigation Administration in Tagbilaran City, the Philippine Carabao Center at the Ubay Stock Farm, the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital in Ubay and the Bohol Medical Care Institute were established â€" to give his consitutents accessibility to the services of these offices at minimal cost compared to having to go to Cebu or Manila.
At the House, on top of his chairmanship of the Ethics and Privileges Committee, he was a member for the minority of the committees on agriculture and food, appropriations, basic education and culture, Constitutional amendments, good government and public accountability, local government, public works and highways, suffrage and electoral reforms, tourism, transportation, as well as ways and means. (with reports from June Blanco)

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

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

SOLON PUSHES FOR FIXED PAY FOR BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

House Bill 4277 aims to enhance the benefits and incentives of the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), in recognition of their important role and the amount of work they do, especially during disease outbreaks that most often emerge in remote areas, and during natural calamities.

HB 4277 mandates fixed monthly honoraria and a floor or a minimum for the hazard and subsistence allowances for BHWs, in addition to other incentives. This is to ensure that all the BHWs in the different localities receive reasonable amounts of allowances. The additional benefits are a long-overdue set of incentives especially considering the continuing inflation.

Despite the significant role of the BHWs, their work is primarily anchored on volunteerism and many BHWs do not receive remuneration commensurate to the work they do.

In 1995, Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the Barangay Health Workers and Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995, sought to provide incentives to them in recognition of their services. The law specified that BHWs are entitled to hazard and subsistence allowance; training programs, civil service eligibility, free legal services, and access to loan services.

However, it did not provide fixed rates for their allowances, and the local government units vary in the rates and benefits they provide. Consequently, there are many BHWs who are underpaid and receive far less than what their counterparts receive.

Once HB 4277 becomes a law, BHWs who are regularly performing their duties shall be entitled to the following incentives and benefits:

a)    Honoraria â€" At least P3,000 monthly
b)    Christmas Bonus â€" At least P3,000
c)     Hazard Allowance â€" Not lower than P1,000
d)    Subsistence Allowance -  Not lower than P1,000

For complete list of benefits, check: http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04277.pdf

For many years now, Barangay Health Workers have been an indispensable segment in the health sector's provision of primary health care within the communities They have been in the forefront of providing basic health services in their localities, including health and nutrition education; family planning services; maternal, newborn, and child health care; and promotion of good hygiene and sanitation practices. In barangay health centers, they provide assistance and support to physicians, nurses, and midwives.

The presence of health workers in the barangays is crucial to ensure that people in the different parts of the country, including in the remote, underserved areas can avail of the proper medical attention in their respective localities. This is in keeping with our vision to provide universal health care access to all citizens. It is also consistent with the duty of the State to protect and promote the health of Its citizens and to instill health consciousness among them.

The organization and training of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) as primary health care workers in their own barangays since the 1970's, was both a means to address the need to bring health services closer to the communities: as well as to empower the communities to fully participate and be responsible for the protection and maintenance of their own health, Moreover, BHWs fill the gap brought about by the dwindling number of health workers in the Philippines due to continued migration of nurses and doctors for better opportunities abroad.

This bill is an affirmation of the Barangay Health Workers’ heroic role in helping the State fulfill its obligation to provide universal health care to all its citizens, especially in the underserved areas.

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

Shaping a nation’s future

by Henry T. Blackaby   

All of us seem to be staggering under a load of fast-changing events and values in the nation. Many are asking, “But, what can I (we) do?” First, we must never say, “There is nothing I can do!” This is just not true, especially of every Christian. Read carefully the following scriptures the Apostle Paul gave to young Timothy in a personal letter to him as he worked among the churches:

“… I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (dignity). For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth….” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

So we can do something â€" we can PRAY! We can do this personally, as families, and together with other Christians, on all levels of our relationships. To PRAY is to approach God Himself Who can make a significant difference. He does answer the prayers of His people! Paul knew this firsthand in his own life and the distressing life of the people of God in the early churches. God heard His people as they prayed in the very hostile world of the Roman Empire, and “turned that Roman Empire upside down,” saving multitudes and changing the world from that day to this very day.

Now it is our turn. Paul exhorted young Timothy and all believers. Paul did not see PRAYER as an option but as a divine command. God would change their world when they prayed, with supplications and intercessions. And this was to be done for “those who have the rule over us” (i.e. local, state and national leaders).

We are facing a nation-determining election time. The leaders we pray for earnestly God may bring into leadership responsibilities, to guide us to be able to live “quiet and peaceable lives,” and to live them “in all godliness and reverence.” We know that God would hear such prayer, for Paul adds that “… this is good and acceptable in the sight of God….”

But, be careful to use Scriptures to guide you as you pray! And be careful to prepare your own life, so God can answer your praying. This scripture is just one of many you could use to guide you as you pray in this time of a national spiritual emergency. Pray personally! Pray with your family, and guide them with spiritual leadership and example. Pray with them out loud, so they can hear your heart before God, and so they can watch God answer your praying. Lead and gather others to pray with you, in small groups. Participate in your church’s prayer meetings. Respond when the larger Christian community calls for corporate or regional praying.

The greatest contribution you can personally make during these days of “national decision” is to pray â€" as God has both urged, and commanded you to do.

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

DOE to Pursue Energy Resiliency Policy

BROTHERHOOD: As part of current resiliency efforts in the energy sector, linemen of electric cooperatives come together through the Task Force Kapatid (TFK) to help affected colleagues to immediately restore impaired power facilities. The draft energy resiliency policy looks at available resiliency models to improve existing operational and maintenance procedures and practices in the sector.

(Taguig City). Acknowledging that disasters adversely affect the economy, environment and the people, the Department of Energy (DOE) today vowed to pursue a policy towards a resilient energy sector.

“Being one of the most vulnerable countries to disasters, the Philippines needs to ensure that our energy systems are disaster-resilient and that resiliency is an integral component of our policies and programs,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“The policy is a priority of the DOE following President Duterte’s pronouncements to improve the disaster preparedness and resiliency of the country,” Cusi explained.

“The policy requires all the energy players to put upfront the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction programs into planning and investment to ensure the continuous delivery and strengthening of the existing energy infrastructure,” Cusi pointed out.

In June, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 29 which renamed the National Disaster Consciousness Month to National Disaster Resiliency Month to emphasize the shift of focus from disaster awareness building to disaster resilience.

The “Adoption of Resiliency Planning and Program in the Energy Industry to Mitigate Adverse Effects Brought About by Disasters” policy has four guiding principles:

1. Acknowledge the need to strengthen the existing energy infrastructure, facilities and systems to prepare/mitigate the impacts of disasters;

2. Implement the build back better principle in terms of reconstruction and rehabilitations of damaged infrastructure;

3. Improve existing operational, maintenance and procedures to ensure continuous operations and energy supply; and

4. Develop resiliency practices, systems and standards that will be used as basis in future construction of energy facilities.

In line with this thrust, the DOE will conduct a series of public consultations on energy resiliency policy starting on 10 October 2017 in Batangas.

This initial consultation will be followed by two other meetings in Leyte and Cagayan de Oro on 13 and 17 October, respectively.

For more information, the public may download a copy of the draft resiliency policy on the DOE's Official website: www.doe.gov.ph.

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE

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

Reaction to SWS Third Quarter Survey:
15-POINT RATINGS DROP CAN TURN AROUND IN WEEKS

Public opinion is quite a malleable, clay dough-like easily shaped by twists and turns in current events.

Yes, recent weeks' developments have not been generally favorable to President Rodrigo Duterte, but his base of support remains solid, in my view. The 16 million who voted for him in May 2016, I believe are still there.

Factoring in the margin of error of 2.5 percentage points, that 15.5-point shedding is a chunk, but far from an existential crisis or even being worrisome.

A few or several remedial measures here and there on the crime and peace and order front can result in recovery of those lost points. The end of the Battle for Marawi is on the horizon, more Duterte points there.

The crime front may have been less than rosy but economic figures have been favorable as can be clearly seen in developments in the stock market, remittances from overseas Filipinos, and the roll out of the administration's infrastructure and social services spending. Other economic indicators are quite seasonal so no worries there.

Many bills are nearing enactment into law in the following weeks, so news about that will certainly boost President Duterte's ratings.

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

Aumentado turns over P2-M mechanical driers to Bayongan, Corazon, Benliw IAs
By JUNE S. BLANCO

FARMERS in barangays Bayongan and Corazon as well as in Benliw in Ubay town and their neighboring barangays will now have better recovery from their rice harvest â€" with added economic empowerment to boot.

This after Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) turned over a mechanical flatbed drier each worth an aggregate of P2 million to the irrigators associations (IAs) based in the three barangays.

Aumentado had tapped the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) funds of the Department of Labor and Employment for the drier.

For the release of the funds, the solon thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio "Tuloy" Evasco and DOLE Secretary Silvertre Bello III.

During the turnover rites in Bayongan yesterday to the Basacan Irrigators Association of of barangays Bayongan, San Vicente and Cambangay Norte, Aumentado said the farmers expressed elation for the post-harvest facility (PHF) as this will curb after-harvest palay wastage.
He said the weather is unpredictable. He observed that Bohol no longer has distinct wet or dry seasons. Unless immediately dried after harvest, the grains either turn black and soft â€" or sprout. In both cases, the grains will no longer be fit for human consumption. The situation is compounded should there be rain during harvest time.

The driers will be operated by the respective IAs at a cost lower than what the private sector charges. The service fees will be used to cover overhead cost as well as other projects the IAs may venture into in time.

THIRD DIVISION
[G.R. No. 104528. January 18, 1996]

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, petitioner, vs. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD, ALFONSO MAGLAYA, ANGELINA MAGLAYA P. REYES, JORGE C. BERNARDINO, CORAZON DE LEON, VICTORIANO ACAYA, FLORENCIA CULTURA, MARIA CAMPOS, ERNESTO SARMIENTO, SANTIAGO TAMONAN, APOLONIA TADIAQUE, SIMEON DE LEON, NATIVIDAD J. CRUZ, NATIVIDAD B. LORESCO, FELICIDAD GARCIA, ANA ANITA TAN, LUCAS SERVILLION, JOSE NARAWAL, represented by their duly authorized Attorney-in-Fact, CORAZON DE LEON AND SPOUSES LEOPOLDO AND CARMEN SEBASTIAN, respondents.
R E S O L U T I O N
PANGANIBAN, J.:

May a buyer of a property at a foreclosure sale dispossess prior purchasers on installment of individual lots therein, or compel them to pay again for the lots which they previously bought from the defaulting mortgagor-subdivision developer, on the theory that P.D. 957, The Subdivision and Condominium Buyers Protective Decree, is not applicable to the mortgage contract in question, the same having been executed prior to the enactment of P.D. 957? This is the question confronting the Court in this Petition challenging the Decision dated March 10, 1992 of the Office of the President of the Philippines in O.P. Case No. 4249, signed by. the Executive Secretary, Franklin M. Drilon, by authority of the President.

Private respondents were buyers on installment of subdivision lots from Marikina Village, Inc. (represented by spouses Antonio and Susana Astudillo). Notwithstanding the land purchase agreements it executed over said lots, the subdivision developer mortgaged the lots in favor of the petitioner, Philippine National Bank. Unaware of this mortgage, private respondents duly complied with their obligations as lot buyers and constructed their houses on the lots in question.

Subsequently, the subdivision developer defaulted and PNB foreclosed on the mortgage. As highest bidder at the foreclosure sale, the bank became owner of the lots.

Acting on suits brought by private respondents (which were later consolidated), the HLURB Office of Appeals, Adjudication and Legal Affairs (OAALA) in a decision rendered on October 28, 1988 ruled that PNB -- without prejudice to seeking relief against Marikina Village, -- Inc. may collect from private respondents only the remaining amortizations, in accordance with the land purchase agreements they had previously entered into with Marikina Village, Inc., and cannot compel private respondents to pay all over again for the lots they had already bought from said subdivision developer. On May 2, 1989, the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board affirmed this decision. On March 10, 1992, the Office of the President, invoking P.D. 957, likewise concurred with the HLURB. Hence, the present recourse to this Court.

Under Revised Administrative Circular No. 1-95, appeals from judgments or final orders of the x x x Office of the President x x x may be taken to the Court of Appeals x x x. However, in order to hasten the resolution of this case, which was deemed submitted for decision three years ago, the Court resolved to make an exception to the said Circular in the interest of speedy justice.

Petitioner bank raised the following issues:

1 .The Office of the President erred in applying P.D. 957 because said law was enacted only on July 12, 1976, while the subject mortgage was executed on December 18, 1975; and

2. Petitioner Bank is not privy to the contracts between private respondents and mortgagor-subdivision developer, hence, the Office of the President erred in ordering petitioner Bank to accept private respondents remaining amortizations and issue the corresponding titles after payment thereof.

Normally, pursuant to Article 4 of the Civil Code, (1)aws shall have no retroactive effect, unless the contrary is provided. However, it is obvious and indubitable that P.D. 957 was intended to cover even those real estate mortgages, like the one at issue here, executed prior to its enactment, and such intent (as succinctly captured in the preamble quoted below) must be given effect if the laudable purpose of protecting innocent purchasers is to be achieved:

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State to afford its inhabitants the requirements of decent human settlement and to provide them with ample opportunities for improving their quality of life;

WHEREAS, numerous reports reveal that many real estate subdivision owners, developers, operators, and/or sellers have reneged on their representations and obligations to provide and maintain properly subdivision roads, drainage, sewerage, water systems, lighting systems, and other similar basic requirements, thus endangering the health and safety of home and lot buyers;

WHEREAS, reports of alarming magnitude also showcases of swindling and fraudulent manipulations perpetrated by unscrupulous subdivision and condominium sellers and operators, such as failure to deliver titles to the buyers or titles free from liens and encumbrances, and to pay real estate taxes, and fraudulent sales of the same subdivision lots to different innocent purchasers for value; (Italics supplied).

While P.D. 957 did not expressly provide for retroactivity in its entirety, yet the same can be plainly inferred from the unmistakable intent of the law to protect innocent lot buyers from scheming subdivision developers. As between these small lot buyers and the gigantic financial institutions which the developers deal with, it is obvious that the law -- as an instrument of social justice -- must favor the weak. Indeed, the petitioner Bank had at its disposal vast resources with which it could adequately protect its loan activities, and therefore is presumed to have conducted the usual due diligence checking and ascertained (whether thru ocular inspection or other modes of investigation) the actual status, condition, utilization and occupancy of the property offered as collateral. It could not have been unaware that the property had been built on by small lot buyers. On the other hand, private respondents obviously were powerless to discover the attempt of the land developer to hypothecate the property being sold to them. It was precisely in order to deal with this kind of situation that P.D. 957 was enacted, its very essence and intendment being to provide a protective mantle over helpless citizens who may fall prey to the razzmatazz of what P.D. 957 termed unscrupulous subdivision and condominium sellers.1

The intent of the law, as culled from its preamble and from the situation, circumstances and condition it sought to remedy, must be enforced. Sutherland, in his well-known treatise on Statutory Construction (quoted with approval by this Court in an old case of consequence, Ongsiako vs. Gamboa2), says:

The intent of a statute is the law. If a statute is valid it is to have effect according to the purpose and intent of the lawmaker. The intent is the vital part, the essence of the law, and the primary rule of construction is to ascertain and give effect to the intent. The intention of the legislature in enacting a law is the law itself and must be enforced when ascertained, although it may not be consistent with the strict letter of the statute. Courts will not follow the letter of a statute when it leads away- from the true intent and purpose of the legislature and to conclusions inconsistent with the general purpose of the act. Intent is the spirit which gives life to a legislative enactment. In construing statutes the proper course is to start out and follow the true intent of the legislature and to adopt that sense which harmonizes best with the context and promotes in the fullest manner the apparent policy and, objects of the legislature.3

Truly, this Court cannot allow the injustice that will be wrought by a strictly prospective application of the law. Little people who have toiled for years through blood and tears would be deprived of their homes through no fault of their own. As the Solicitor General, in his comment, argues:

Verily, if P.D. 957 were to exclude from its coverage the aforecited mortgage contract, the vigorous regulation which PD. 957 seeks to impose on unconscientious subdivision sellers will be translated into a feeble exercise of police power just because the iron hand of the State cannot particularly touch mortgage contracts badged with the fortunate accident of having been constituted prior to the enactment of P.D. 957. Indeed, it would be illogical in the extreme if P.D. 957 is to be given full force and effect and yet, the fraudulent practices and manipulations it seeks to curb in the first instance can nevertheless be liberally perpetrated precisely because PD. 957 cannot be applied to existing antecedent mortgage contracts. The legislative intent could not have conceivably permitted a loophole which all along works to the prejudice of subdivision lot buyers (private respondents).4

Likewise noteworthy are certain provisions of P.D. 957, which themselves constitute strong arguments in favor of the retroactivity of PD. 957 as a whole. These are Sections 20, 21 and 23 thereof, which by their very terms have retroactive effect and will impact upon even those contracts and transactions entered into prior to PD. 9575 enactment:

SEC. 20. Time of Completion. - Every owner or developer shall construct and provide the facilities, improvements, infrastructures and other forms of development, including water supply and lighting facilities, which are offered and indicated in the approved subdivision or condominium plans, brochures, prospectus, printed matters, letters or in any form of advertisement, within one year from the date of the issuance of the license for the subdivision or condominium project or such other period of time as may be fixed by the Authority.

SEC. 21. Sales Prior to Decree. - In cases of subdivision lots or condominium units sold or disposed of prior to the effectivity of this Decree, it shall be incumbent upon the owner or developer of the subdivision or condominium project to complete compliance with his or its obligations as provided in the preceding section within two years from the date of this Decree unless otherwise extended by the Authority or unless an adequate performance bond is filed in accordance with Section 6 hereof.

Failure of the owner or developer to comply with the obligations under this and the preceding provisions shall constitute a violation punishable under Section 38 and 39 of this Decree.

SEC. 23. Non-Forfeiture of Payments. -No installment payment made by a buyer in a subdivision or condominium project for the lot or unit he contracted to buy shall be forfeited in favor of the owner or developer when the buyer, after due notice to the owner or developer, desists from further payment due to the failure of the owner or developer to develop the subdivision or condominium project according to the approved plans and within the time limit for complying with the same. Such buyer may, at his option, be reimbursed the total amount paid including amortization interests but excluding delinquency interests, with interest thereon at the legal rate. (Italics supplied)

As for objections about a possible violation of the impairment clause, we find the following statements of Justice Isagani Cruz enlightening and pertinent to the case at the bench:

Despite the impairment clause, a contract valid at the time of its execution may be legally modified or even completely invalidated by a subsequent law. If the law is a proper exercise of the police power, it will prevail over the contract.

Into each contract are read the provisions of existing law and, always, a reservation of the police power as long as the agreement deals with a matter affecting the public welfare. Such a contract, it has been held, suffers a congenital infirmity, and this is its susceptibility to change by the legislature as a postulate of the legal order.

This Court ruled along similar lines in Juarez vs. Court of Appeals6:

The petitioner complains that the retroactive application of the law would violate the impairment clause. The argument does not impress. The impairment clause is now no longer inviolate; in fact, there are many who now believe it is an anachronism in the present-day society. It was quite useful before in protecting the integrity of private agreements from government meddling, but that was when such agreements did not affect the community in general. They were indeed purely private agreements then. Any interference with them at that time was really an unwarranted intrusion that could properly strike down.

But things are different now. More and more, the interests of the public have become involved in what are supposed to be still private agreements, which have as a result been removed from the protection of the impairment clause. These agreements have come within the embrace of the police power, that obtrusive protector of the public interest. It is a ubiquitous policeman indeed. As long as the contract affects the public welfare one way or another so as to require the interference of the State, then must the police power be asserted, and prevail, over the impairment clausq.

The decision of the Court of Appeals in Breta and Hamor vs. Lao, et al.7, penned by then Court of Appeals Associate Justice Jose A. R. Melo, now a respected member of this Court, is persuasive, the. factual circumstances therein being of great similarity to the antecedent facts of the case at bench:

Protection must be afforded small homeowners who toil and save if only to purchase on installment a tiny home lot they can call their own. The consuming dream of every Filipino is to be able to buy a lot, no matter how small, so that he may somehow build a house. It has, however, been seen of late that these honest, hard-living individuals are taken advantage of, with the delivery of titles delayed, the subdivision facilities, including the most essential such as water installations not completed, or worse yet, as in the instant case, after almost completing the payments for the property and after constructing a house, the buyer is suddenly confronted by the stark reality, contrived or otherwise, in which another person would now appear to be owner.

xxx xxx xxx

We cannot over emphasize the fact that the BANK cannot barefacedly argue that simply because the title or titles offered as security were clean of any encumbrance or lien, that it was thereby relieved of taking any other step to verify the over-reaching implications should the subdivision be auctioned on foreclosure. The BANK could not have closed its eyes that it was dealing over a subdivision where there were already houses constructed. Did it not enter the mind of the responsible officers of the BANK that there may even be subdivision residents who have almost completed their installment payments? (Id., pp. 7 & 9).

By the foregoing citation, this Court thus adopts by reference the foregoing as part of this Decision.

The real estate mortgage in the above cited case, although constituted in 1975 and outside the beneficial aegis of P.D. 957, was struck down by the Court of Appeals which found in favor of subdivision lot buyers when the rights of the latter clashed with the mortgagee banks right to foreclose the property. The Court of Appeals in that case upheld the decision of the trial court declaring the real estate mortgage as null and void.

As to the second issue of non-privity, petitioner avers that, in view of the provisions of Article 13 11 of the Civil Code, PNB, being a total stranger to the land purchase agreement, cannot be made to take the developers place.

We disagree. P.D. 957 being applicable, Section 18 of said law obliges petitioner Bank to accept the payment of the remaining unpaid amortizations tendered by private respondents.

SEC. 18. Mortgages. - No mortgage on any unit or lot shall be made by the owner or developer without prior written approval of the Authority. Such approval shall not be granted unless it is shown that the proceeds of the mortgage loan shall be used for the development of the condominium or subdivision project and effective measures have been provided to ensure such utilization. The loan value of each lot or unit covered by the mortgage shall be determined and the buyer thereof, if any, shall be notified before the release of the loan. The buyer may, at his option, pay his installment for the lot or unit directly to the mortgagee who shall apply the payments to the corresponding mortgage indebtedness secured by the particular lot or unit being paid for, with a view to enabling said buyer to obtain title over the lot or unit promptly after full payment thereof. (Italics supplied)

Privity of contracts as a defense does not apply in this case for the law explicitly grants to the buyer the option to pay the installment payment for his lot or unit directly to the mortgagee (petitioner), which is required to apply such payments to reduce the corresponding portion of the mortgage indebtedness secured by the particular lot or unit being paid for. And, as stated earlier, this is without prejudice to petitioner Banks seeking relief against the subdivision developer.

Finally, before closing this Resolution, we enjoin petitioner Bank to focus not only on the strictly legal issues involved in this case but also to take another look at the larger issues including social justice and the protection of human rights as enshrined in the Constitution; firstly, because legal issues are raised and decided not in a vacuum but within the context of existing social, economic and political conditions, law being merely a brick in the up-building of the social edifice; and secondly, petitioner, being THE state bank, is for all intents and purposes an instrument for the implementation of state policies so cherished in our fundamental law. These consideration are obviously far more weighty than the winning of any particular suit or the acquisition of any specific property. Thus, as the country strives to move ahead towards economic self-sufficiency and to achieve dreams of NIC-hood and social well-being for the majority of our countrymen, we hold that petitioner Bank, the premier bank in the country, which has in recent years made record earnings and acquired an enviable international stature, with branches and subsidiaries in key financial centers around the world, should be equally as happy with the disposition of this case as the private respondents, who were almost deprived and dispossessed of their very homes purchased through their hard work and with their meager savings.

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing considerations, the petition is hereby DENIED, petitioner having failed to show any REVERSIBLE ERROR or GRAVE ABUSE OF DISCRETION in the assailed decision. No costs.

SO ORDERED.

Narvasa, C.J. (Chairman), Davide Jr., Melo, and Francisco, JJ., concur.

1 Preamble, Presidential Decree No. 957.

2 2 86 Phil. 50 (April 8, 1950).

3 Vol. II,Sutherland, Statutory Construction, pp. 693-695.

4 Comment filed by the Solicitor General on behalf of the public -respondent, p. 9;

5 Rollo, p. 78.

6 6 214 SCRA 475,480 (October 7, 1992).

7 CA-G.R. No. 58728-R, promulgated on November 11, 1981.

Press Release
PCW, COA conducted Third GAD Planning and Budgeting Forum
Submitted by information officer on Thu, 2014-10-16 16:08

A total of 414 participants from different national government agencies, attached offices, bureaus and GOCCs attended the Third GAD Planning and Budgeting (GPB) Forum, organized by Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in partnership with Commission on Audit (COA), last October 9 and 10, 2014 at Professional Development Center Auditorium, COA in Quezon City.

Said forum clarified processes, timelines and protocols on the review and submission of the 2016 Gender and Development (GAD) Plan and Budget and 2014 GAD Accomplishment Report (AR). Last September 29, 2014, PCW issued Memorandum Circular 2014-04 reminding all concerned government agencies on the early preparation and submission of their GPB Plan and GAD AR in accordance with the guidelines set under PCW-NEDA-DBM Joint Circular 2012-01.

The forum also oriented participants on Gender Mainstreaming Monitoring System (GMMS), an online system for managing GAD profiles, GPBs and GAD ARs, as well as for generating GAD-related reports. To facilitate the GPB process, the PCW will be implementing the online submission, review and endorsement of GPBs and GAD ARs through the GMMS starting November 2014.

Parameters for GPB review and revised guidelines in the audit of GAD Funds and activities in government were also tackled in the forum. COA issued Circular 2014-001 last March 18, 2014, providing a more comprehensive and detailed guidelines in the audit of GAD Funds.

The GPB Forum is in line with the National Gender Resource Program (NGRP), the overall technical assistance blueprint of PCW.

FIRST DIVISION

ZOSIMO GODINEZ, ELIZABETH GODINEZ and EDWIN GODINEZ, Petitioners,
- versus -

THE COURT OF APPEALS, HON. OSCAR G. TIROL in his capacity As Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, Branch 1, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, and DELFINA VILLAGE SUBDIVISION HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, Respondents. - G.R. No. 154330

Present:

PUNO, C.J., Chairperson,
SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ,
CORONA,
AZCUNA, and
GARCIA, JJ.

Promulgated:

February 15, 2007

x -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

D E C I S I O N

SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ, J.:

For our resolution is the instant Petition for Certiorari assailing the Decision[1] of the Court of Appeals promulgated on February 22, 2002 in CA-G.R. SP No. 65445.
The facts are:

On August 30, 2000, Delfina Village Subdivision Homeowners Association (DVSHA), respondent, filed with the Regional Trial Court, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, an amended complaint about injunction and damages against spouses Zosimo and Elizabeth Godinez and their son Edwin, petitioners, docketed as Special Case No. 383. The complaint alleges that petitioners were operating a mineral processing plant in the annex of their residential house located within Delfina Village. The village has been classified by Municipal Ordinance No. 63, s. 1993 as a medium-density residential district.

On September 13, 2000, petitioners filed their answer raising the following affirmative defenses: a) the complaint states no cause of action; b) respondent DVSHA has no capacity to sue; c) it is not a real party in interest; d) the complaint fails to implead the real parties in interest, and e) respondent failed to refer the case for conciliation to the barangay before filing its complaint.

On April 3, 2001, the trial court issued an Order directing respondent to amend its complaint and attach thereto proofs showing that it is a juridical person with the capacity to sue and that it is the real party in interest.

On April 16, 2001, respondent submitted its amended complaint impleading, as additional plaintiffs, its officers and members, and attaching thereto its Certificate of Registration with the Home Insurance and Guaranty Corporation, as well as its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

On April 27, 2001, petitioners filed a motion for reconsideration of the trial courts Order dated April 3, 2001, but it was denied on May 21, 2001, prompting them to file a petition for certiorari with the Court of Appeals, docketed as CA-G.R. SP No. 65445.

On February 22, 2002, the Court of Appeals rendered its assailed Decision dismissing the petition for certiorari.

The Court of Appeals held that the trial court did not commit grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in directing respondent to amend its complaint. The purpose of the trial court was to determine whether the respondent is a juridical person and whether it is a real party in interest. In sum, its intention was to ensure respondents compliance with the procedural rules.

Petitioners timely filed their motion for reconsideration, but in its Resolution[2] dated June 26, 2002, the Court of Appeals denied the same.

Hence, this recourse.
The only issue for our resolution is whether the Court of Appeals erred in sustaining the trial courts April 3, 2001 Order directing respondent to amend its complaint in Special Case No. 383.

In resolving this issue, we are guided by two principles. First, there is nothing sacred about processes or pleadings and their forms or contents, their sole purpose being to facilitate the application of justice to the rival claims of contending parties.[3] Hence, pleadings, as well as procedural rules, should be construed liberally.[4] Second, the judicial attitude has always been favorable and liberal in allowing amendments to a pleading in order to avoid multiplicity of suits and so that the real controversies between the parties are presented, their rights determined, and the case decided on the merits without unnecessary delay.[5]

Here, we find no reason to deviate from the foregoing dicta. It is on record that in its first amended complaint, respondent DVSHA alleged that it is a registered association. However, it failed to attach to its complaint the supporting certificate of registration, as well as its articles of incorporation and by-laws. In their answer, petitioners promptly assailed respondents lack personality to sue. The trial court, desiring to determine if indeed respondent has the capacity to sue, directed respondent to amend its complaint anew by attaching thereto the necessary documents.

Sections 1 and 4, Rule 10 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended, provide:

SEC. 1. Amendments in general. Pleadings may be amended by adding or striking out an allegation or the name of any party, or by correcting a mistake in the name of a party or a mistaken or inadequate allegation or description in any other respect, so that the actual merits of the controversy may speedily be determined without regard to technicalities, and in the most expeditious and inexpensive manner.

SEC. 4. Formal amendments. A defect in the designation of the parties and other clearly clerical or typographical errors may be summarily corrected by the court at any stage of the action, at its initiative or on motion, provided no prejudice is caused thereby to the adverse party.

Here, the amendment of respondents complaint at the instance of the trial court merely involves the designation of respondent as a proper party, i.e., whether it has a juridical personality and, therefore, can sue or be sued. We note that when respondent amended its complaint by attaching the required supporting documents, such amendment did not change its cause of action. Nor was its action intended to prejudice petitioners. Verily, the Court of Appeals correctly ruled that the RTC did not gravely abuse its discretion when it ordered the amendment of the complaint.

Anent petitioners contention that respondent is not a real party in interest, the same is without merit. Section 2, Rule 3 of the same Rules defines a real party in interest as the party who stands to be benefited or injured by the judgment in the suit, or the party entitled to the avails of a suit. In its complaint, respondent alleged that it will be prejudiced by petitioners act complained of. Even assuming it will not suffer an injury from the alleged unlawful act of petitioners, its members or homeowners may sustain such injury. In this jurisdiction, an association has the standing to file suit for its members despite lack of interest if its members are directly affected by the action.[6]

WHEREFORE, we DENY the petition and AFFIRM the Decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. SP No. 65445. Costs against the petitioners.

SO ORDERED.

ANGELINA SANDOVAL-GUTIERREZ
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:

REYNATO S. PUNO
Chief Justice
Chairperson

RENATO C. CORONA
Associate Justice
ADOLFO S. AZCUNA
Associate Justice

CANCIO C. GARCIA
Associate Justice

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Article VIII, Section 13 of the Constitution, it is hereby certified that the conclusions in the above Decision were reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Courts Division.

REYNATO S. PUNO
Chief Justice

[1] Rollo, pp. 21-25. Ponencia by Associate Justice Eliezer R. De los Santos (deceased), with Associate Justice Buenaventura J. Guerrero (retired) and Associate Justice Rodrigo V. Cosico concurring.
[2] Id., pp. 26-27.
[3] Domingo v. Scheer, G.R. No. 154745, January 29, 2004, 421 SCRA 468, 485, citing Alonso v. Villamor, 16 Phil. 315 (1910).

[4] Anama v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 128609, January 29, 2004, 421 SCRA 338, 345, citing Luzon Stevedoring Corp. v. Court of Industrial Relations, 122 Phil. 1037 (1965).

[5] Contech Construction Technology & Development Corp. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 79903, July 23, 1992, 211 SCRA 692, 696.
[6] Executive Secretary v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 131719, May 25, 2004, 429 SCRA 81, 96, citing Maite v. Chicago Board of Education, 415 NE2d 1034 (1980), DeWitt County Taxpayers Association v. The County Board of Deliot Country, 445 NE2d 509 (1983).

EN BANC
[A.M. No. P-94-1032. January 18, 1996]

FELICIDAD V. MORALES, petitioner, vs. JULIO G. TARONGOY, Deputy Sheriff, Regional Trial Court, Branch 19, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, respondent.
DECISION

PER CURIAM:

In a complaint, dated 09 March 1994, Felicidad V. Morales charged Deputy Sheriff Julio G. Tarongoy with Grave Misconduct and Violation of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, relative to the execution of a final judgment of the National Labor Relations Commission (ââ,¬Å"NLRCââ,¬Â).

Complainant averred that, on 27 January 1992, a decision was rendered by the NLRC in Case No. RAB VII-0584-88 (ââ,¬Å"Felicidad V. Morales vs. Ever Cinema Theatre,ââ,¬Â etc.) ordering the employer to pay her and a fellow employee the amount of P190,254.00. Somehow, the judgment obligor managed to evade payment that prompted Labor Arbiter Dominador Almirante to issue an alias writ of execution ordering the Provincial Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, to collect the sum adjudged by the NLRC or to satisfy the judgment by levying movable and immovable property of the employer not exempt from execution. Complainant alleged that she personally handcarried the writ of execution to Pagadian City. Respondent Sheriff demanded a P15,000.00 fee for the implementation of the writ. Since she had no cash on hand at the time, and in her eagerness to have the writ of execution promptly effected, she borrowed a portion of the sum demanded and gave it to the Sheriff.

Respondent Sheriff thereupon levied two parcels of real property owned by the employer. After the required publication and three days before the scheduled auction sale, respondent informed complainant that she would have to put up a bond because the property levied were mortgaged with a bank. She then questioned respondent for making a levy on the mortgaged assets despite the fact that there were eleven other parcels of land registered in the name of the employer which were not similarly encumbered.

In its resolution of 25 May 1994, the Court required respondent Sheriff to comment on the complaint. Respondent failed to comply. In the Courtââ,¬â,,¢s resolution of 20 February 1995, respondent was required to show cause why he should not be disciplinarily dealt with for his having ignored the 25th May 1994 resolution of the Court and to submit within 10 days from notice his compliance with both directives. Again, the Court received no word from respondent Sheriff althpugh it would appear that the Court resolutions were duly sent and acknowledged. Respondent Sheriff personally received a copy of the 25th May 1994 resolution on 27 June 1994 while a copy of the 20th February 1995 resolution was received by his authorized agent, Branch 19 Stenographic Reporter Rebecca Sucaldito, on 07 March 1995.

In a memorandum, dated 16 October 1995, the Office of the Court Administrator, through Deputy Court Administrator Zenaida N. Elepaflo, evaluated the case, expressed its findings and recommended thusly:

ââ,¬Å"Respondent was given an opportunity to defend his side but he chose not to comply with two (2) court resolutions requiring him to submit his comment on the complaint despite proof that he personally received the resolution dated 25 May 1994 on 27 June 1994 while the resolution dated 20 February 1995 was received by his co-officemate Rebecca Sucaldito on 7 March 1995. With his actuations, he is deemed to have admitted the charges.

ââ,¬Å"It cannot be denied that expenses are incurred in the execution of writs. Under the law, sheriffs are allowed to collect Sheriffââ,¬â,,¢s fee in the implementation of the writ. The instant complaint would have been avoided had respondent Sheriff required the prevailing party (herein complainant) to submit to the court for approval the amount necessary (Bill of Costs) to enforce the writ.

ââ,¬Å"As to the charge of grave misconduct for levying two (2) parcels of land (TCT No. 9844 and 136736) of the defendant which were found to be mortgaged with Metrobank and PNB for P2,000,000.00 and P7,000,000.00, respectively, we find the charge to be meritorious. It is noted that the money judgment is only P190,000.00. Respondent should have verified the value of the real property levied and checked whether or not the same were free from any liens or encumbrances. If the market value of these real estate would only cover the mortgage loan, then the levy is useless. Moreover, it is now undisputed that there are other properties of the employer which were not levied upon by respondent. Respondent failed to discharge his duties with prudence, caution and attention.

ââ,¬Å"xxxÃ, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã, Ã,  xxxÃ, Ã, Ã, Ã,  xxx

ââ,¬Å"In view of the foregoing, it is respectfully recommended that Deputy Sheriff Julio G. Tarongoy be SUSPENDED from office for three (3) months without pay, with warning that a repetition of the same or similar offense in the future will be severely dealt with.ââ,¬Â1

The records would also disclose that respondent Sheriff had once before been found remiss in the performance of his duties. In A.M. P-90-468, he was found guilty of negligence by the Court (through its Second Division)2 and fined an amount equivalent to a monthââ,¬â,,¢s salary with a warning that future infractions would be dealt with severely by the Court.

More than anything else, however, respondent Sheriff has continued to disregard the Courtââ,¬â,,¢s resolutions, aforementioned, which not only can be indicative of guilt but is also a plain defiance that cannot be countenanced.

All considered, the Court is constrained to order the dismissal of respondent Sheriff from the service.

WHEREFORE, the Court finds respondent Sheriff guilty of Grave Misconduct and orders his DISMISSAL from the service with forfeiture of all benefits, including leave credits and retirement benefits, and with prejudice to re-employment in any branch or service of the government, including any government owned and controlled corporation.

SO ORDERED.

Narvasa, C.J., Padilla, Regalado, Davide, Jr., Romero, Bellosillo, Melo, Puno, Vilug, Kapunan, Mendoza, Francisco, Hermosisima, Jr., and Panganiban, JJ., concur.


1 Rollo, pp. 57-58.

2Ã,  In its resolution of 13 June 1994.

Grand Lotto 6/55   34-07-18-15-41-47   07/10/2017   63,999,532.00

Sandiganbayan Decision People vs Rolito David and Zosimo Catarungan
The PDF file can be downloaded below.

Ombudsman wins 2 more cases vs. DPWH officials over P7.8M vehicle repair scam
03 January 2017

The Office of the Ombudsman has obtained two more convictions against seven officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including three private individuals involved in the P7.8 million “ghost” repairs and purchases of spare parts for the agency’s service vehicles undertaken in 2001.

The Sandiganbayan found DPWH Director III Burt Favorito, Officer-in-Charge Assistant Director Florendo Arias, Chief Maximo Borje, Equipment Inspector Rolando Castillo, Chief Erdito Quarto guilty beyond reasonable doubt of two counts of Estafa through Falsification of Public Documents and two counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019). Meantime, Officer-in-Charge Nelson Umali and Storekeeper Felipe San Jose were also convicted of one count each for Estafa and graft. Also convicted were representatives from the car repair shops Janette Bugayong of GK & J Auto Repairs, Augusto Capuz of BIZTRADE and Vicente Santos of VIC-SAN Motorworks. The accused were sentenced to suffer six to 10 years of imprisonment for each count of graft and 10 to 20 years for each count of Estafa.

The accused were ordered to indemnify the government with a total amount of P7,866,631.00 as civil liability The DPWH employees were also meted the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of civil service eligibility, and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

Ombudsman prosecutors proved during the trial that the accused connived with each other to facilitate and effect reimbursements amounting to P7,866,631.00 over “ghost” vehicle repairs and purchases of spare parts by committing fraudulent schemes such as: repetitive procurement of spare parts; splitting of job orders; excessive costs of repairs; and false claims of emergency repairs. Even a vehicle involved in an accident was falsely reported as repaired, and vehicles with rehabilitations allotments were subjected to emergency repairs â€" all in violation of existing DPWH and Commission on Audit policies. Prosecutors presented evidence to show that Favorito, et. al. fraudulently claimed that 192 vehicles were repaired with 1,052 disbursement vouchers issued from March to December 2001.

With several irregularities established by the prosecution and “considering that there were never any repairs done on the subject vehicle, the facts narrated by the accused are absolutely false,” the anti-graft court said.

“Since the only reason for the reimbursements made was to steal money from government coffers, and not to allocate them for the repair of the vehicle in question, it is clear that the intention of the accused was to injure the government,” explained the Decision.

People vs Villavicencio Sandiganbayan Decision
You can download the decision in the attachment folder folder.

Cognizant eyes 5 to 10 acquisitions a year

US-headquartered outsourcing firm Cognizant is embarking on an aggressive acquisition spree, with plans to achieve five to ten deals annually. Most of the deals will continue to be smaller tuck-in deals, said Karen McLoughlin, chief financial officer at Cognizant. But while most of the deals will be tuck-in, they need not necessarily be small. A tuck-in deal could be anywhere up to a couple of hundred million dollars, she added. McLoughlin also did not rule out the possibility of Cognizant making larger acquisitions. Cognizant is targeting 22% margins by 2019. For this year, the company said its operating margin will be about 19.5%.

Lenovo to offer data centre products to BPO firms

Global tech firm Lenovo is planning to introduce its large portfolio of data centre products to the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the Philippines. The data centre products are under the ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile serve portfolio of Lenovo. The ThinkSystem portfolio consists of 14 highly configurable servers, seven storage, and five network switches, while the ThinkAgile service focuses on the software-defined infrastructure. Abraham Lim, country manager of Data Centre Group and Lenovo Philippines and Indochina, said they are considering extending their services to the BPO sector.

iQor mulls expansion in Trinidad & Tobago

Florida-based business process outsourcing (BPO) firm iQor, which also operates contact centers in the Philippines, has announced plans to further expand in Trinidad and Tobago. The company, which currently employs about 600 in Trinidad and Tobago, said it plans to add 200 more people in the country before the end of the year. iQor currently services four clients from its two locations in Trinidad. These clients are Sprint and Metro PCS, Amazon.com, and 1-800-Flowers. iQor, one of the largest employers in the Philippines with more than 15,000 employees at seven locations, said Trinidad has the potential to service many jobs. The company opened its first call center in the Caribbean in 2015.

USD250m submarine cable system to boost Mindanao's BPO industry

A USD250m Southeast Asia - United States submarine cable system is expected to further expand the outsourcing industry in Mindanao and create more jobs in the service sector. This was the pronouncement of Peter Maquera, Globe Enterprise Group senior vice president, during the commercial launch of the cable system of Globe Telecom. The construction of the 14,500 SEA-US cable system started about five years ago. It now provides Mindanao a much faster Internet connectivity - between 100 to 400 gigabytes per second. Globe CEO Ernest Cu said the cable system will enable businesses dependent on Internet connectivity to thrive and prosper with world class Internet at cost-efficient rates.

Bacolod City emerges as BPO hub

Bacolod City remains a key destination for business process outsourcing (BPO) operations in the country, a global real estate services company said. Colliers International Philippines said the city is among the pioneering provincial locations that have managed to entice global outsourcing companies. Bacolod is also slowly being recognized as a major health information management hub outside Metro Manila, the company said, adding that this is primarily attributed to the nursing and allied medical graduates that the city produces annually. There are 19 PEZA-accredited locations in Bacolod and more space is needed by the IT-BPM industry, said Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation of Information and Communications Technology (BNEFIT) executive director Jocelle Batapa-Sigue.

Access Healthcare achieves goal of 8,000 employees

US-based healthcare IT services provider Access Healthcare announced that it has already achieved its hiring and revenue goals for this fiscal year. The company now has more than 8,000 employees and is set to end the 2017 fiscal with revenue of more than USD100m. The 8,000-employee milestone was easily achieved after Access Healthcare added two facilities in the Philippines and India, raising its total global locations to 12. Access Healthcare CEO Anurag Jain said the milestone is in line with the company's growth plans. It also serves as a testament to the quality of revenue cycle services delivered by the Access Healthcare team, Jain said.

Global healthcare IT outsourcing market to exceed USD50bn by 2020

The global healthcare IT outsourcing market will continue to grow on the back of the lack of in-house IT professionals and the growing need of healthcare firms to reduce operational costs by integrating IT solutions, among others. According to Market Research Engine, the market could exceed USD50bn by 2020, although it warns that various factors, such as rising incidences of data breach and language barriers, could hamper the market's growth. The firm also identifies Accenture, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro as among the most active players in the healthcare IT outsourcing market currently.

Accenture set to report Q4 earnings

Global IT and outsourcing giant Accenture is scheduled to post its fiscal Q4 results on 28 September, with analysts saying the company will post higher results. According to latest analysis, Accenture could report earnings of USD1.46 per share against the USD1.31 per share during the same period last year. The company's stock has been performing well this year due to a string of four consecutive positive earnings reports. So far this year, Accenture's stock is up an impressive 18%. In the Philippines, Accenture is one of the top five companies that Filipinos aspire to work for due to job security, according to a survey conducted by online job search firm Jobstreet.com.

Conduent to further expand in Jamaica

Conduent, one of the biggest outsourcing locators in the Philippines, is holding a job fair in Jamaica for pre-selected applicants. The move is part of Conduent's plan to add 300 more customer care associates in Jamaica. The location and the date of the job fair have not been disclosed because the event is an invitation only event, the company said. The BPO operator said the type of work performed by the team members in Jamaica includes technical support, administrative assistance, insurance claim processing, finance and accounting, payroll services, and transaction processing. Jamaica is Conduent's fourth largest operation, following the US, India, and the Philippines. Its global workforce is around 130,000.

Investment pledges in BPO industry fall 34% in Q2

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that new investment pledges in the country's IT-BPM industry dropped 34% in Q2 from the same period last year. In the April-June period, investment commitments in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector reached P4.9bn (USD97m) from P6.27bn registered in the same period in 2016. Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez was quoted as saying that the slowdown in investment pledges could be due to companies' ongoing wait-and-see approach to the outsourcing policies of US President Donald Trump. In Q1, investment pledges in the industry also dropped 34% to P4.18bn from P6.34bn year-on-year.

DICT head Rodolfo Salalima quits

Citing personal and work-related reasons, Information and Communications Secretary Rodolfo Salalima has resigned as head of the newly created Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). President Rodrigo Duterte confirmed that he has accepted the resignation letter of Salalima. President Duterte was quoted as saying that Salalima resigned because he used to be connected with a telecommunication firm. However, Salalima told DICT employees that he wanted to step down because he can no longer deal with corruption and interference. Duterte said he would still talk to Salalima about his resignation, but revealed that he is now looking for a successor.

Patay’ng lawas sa gwardiya nga missing ug 20 ka adlaw, nakalutan sa iro
Posted By: Bombo Radyo Gensanon: October 06, 2017 | 7:04 AMNo Comments

GENERAL SANTOS CITY â€" Nagpadayon ang gihimong pagsusi sa kapulisan kalabut sa pagkakaplag sa lubong sa usa lalaki nga gilubong una ang ulo ug paibabaw ang iyang mga tiil.

Gibutyag ni Police Sr. Insp. Dominador Soliva sa Tambler Police Station nga ilang girespondihang ang tawo sa duha ka mga cowboy sa Guiterrez Ranch sa Sitio Cabu, Barangay Bawing sa lalaki nga gituhu-ang gipatay ug gilubong.

Kaubn nga nagresponde ang mga sakop sa Scene of the Crime Operatives nga miila nga lalaki ang nahisgutang mga bukog nga gituhu-an nga mukapin kinse diyas na nga gilubong.

Matud ni Soliva bnga naa na sa advance state of decomposition ang nahisgutan nga kadugayan giila sa misis sa biktima nga si Romeo Sudaw 33-anyos, headguard sa Supreme Security Agency nga nagbantay sa Rodriguez Ranch sa Sitio Kabu, Bawing ning dakbayan.

Matud ni Soliva nga miaging mga semana adunay nagpatala nga nawala ang ilang security guard sa usa ka ranso sa lugar.

Nakatimaho matud pa ang duha ka cowboy sa hangin hinungdan nga ilang gisusi ug nakita ang lubong.

Sa karon nagpatabang sa gobyerno ang asawa ug igsuon sa namatay nga madala ang mga bukog sa biktima sa ilang lugar sa Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

Naka estorya na sa kapulisan ang asawa sa biktima ug nakuha na ang pangalan sa suspek nga gikonsidera na nga person of interest.

Experts find 12 new species of Philippine lichens
October 3, 2017 Share

MANILA, Oct. 3 â€" Local experts recently found 12 new species of lichens living in the Philippine mountains. This finding was documented in the study “Philippine Species of Parmotrema (Ascomycota, Parmeliaceae)” published in the June 2017 issue of the Philippine Journal of Science.

The research team led by Paulina Bawingan reported 30 identified Parmotrema species, in which 12 were new records in the Philippines. While this did not indicate that the species are endemic in the country, it showed that the Philippines has a rich lichen diversity waiting to be explored.

The exploration

Given the Gratuity Permit by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Bawingan and her colleagues explored the forests of Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province. They also studied some collected species from Mt. Apo and Mt. Kitanglad, through their partnership with Dr. Andrea Azuelo of Central Mindanao University (CMU). Collaboration with other universities enabled them to collect and identify other Parmotrema samples from Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya.

The team was able to identify the morpho-anatomic features and chemistry of the lichens through observation. The authors used microscopes to observe the features of the samples. They also used chemicals to conduct a “spot test.” A spot test can be done by dropping specific chemicals on select parts of the lichens, causing them to change color or produce unique chemicals.

Dr. John Elix of Australian National University, also one of the authors, and Dr. HarrieSipman of Freie University in Berlin, Germany verified the new species.

“We were able to meet foreign lichenologists who taught us how to identify the lichens, (and) provided free consultation and reference materials,” Bawingan revealed.

Through her personal visits to herbaria and laboratories abroad, Bawingan said that she learned more about lichens, especially their importance and use, as well as their taxonomy or how they are named and classified.

Lichens with pores

Parmotrema refers to the group of lichens with apothecia or pores. Lichens use apothecia to produce spores, which are their means for reproduction. The term Parmotrema comes from the Greek words parmosor, which means “cup” and tremaor, meaning “perforations.”

These species abound in forests in mountains of high altitudes, growing mostly on barks of trees and on rocks.

Lichens are composite organisms, the result of the symbiosis between fungus and alga or cyanobacterium or both. The alga or cyanobacterium uses sunlight to make nutrients while the fungus gives minerals, shelter, and water.

For more than a century since the discovery of the two-way relationship in lichens, it was also discovered in 2016 that yeasts were living on the cortex or outer layer of the lichens. The yeasts make chemicals that repel predators.

Lichens are known to be sensitive to atmospheric pollutants. “They can be used for atmospheric pollutant remediation,” Bawingan shared.

“Lichens in general, Parmotrema species included, possess unique compound. I have PhD students doing research on antimicrobial and anticancer properties of lichens,” she added.

Lichens are not exempted from threats of forest degradation.

“We cut down the trees, we also eliminate the lichens. If we conserve the forest, we save other organisms that use them as habitats.” Bawingan explained.

Through their study, the authors hope that younger scientists will be encouraged to study the rich lichen diversity of the country. (DOST)

Reflection: Prayer Changes You

[Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written. - Exodus 32:32]

Prayer is not designed to change God, it is designed to change us. Prayer is not calling God in to bless our activities. Rather, prayer takes us into God’s presence, shows us His will, and prepares us to obey Him.

Moses climbed Mount Sinai and spent forty days communing with God. God showed him the wickedness of the Israelites (Exod. 32:7). Moses had not known their desperate condition, nor had he realized the imminence of God’s judgment upon them until God revealed it to him. As God made Moses aware of all that was at stake, Moses felt the same compassion for the people that God felt.

Moses became willing to sacrifice his own life for his obstinate people. In a compelling and selfless prayer of intercession, Moses offered to have his own name blotted out of the book of life if God would spare the people. In Moses’ time with Him, God had formed a mighty intercessor for His people.

God will use your prayer times to soften your heart and change your focus. As you pray for others, the Holy Spirit will work in your heart so that you have the same compassion for them that God does (Rom. 8:26-27). If you do not love people as you should, pray for them. If you are not as active in God’s service as you know He wants you to be, begin praying.

You cannot be intimately exposed to God’s heart and remain complacent. The time spent with God will change you and make you more like Christ. - Henry and Richard Blackab

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

EO 43 IS A VALID EXERCISE OF PRESIDENTIAL PLENARY POWERS

The now-defunct Presidential Anti-Graft Commission was created and abolished via presidential executive order. The new Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission is created via presidential executive order.

The exercise of presidential plenary power is validly made with EO 43, series of 2017.

EO 43 basically copies the provisions of executive orders that gave the defunct PAGC its composition, powers, and functions.

In addition, EO 43 appropriately mentions and invokes the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Administrative Code of 1987.

It is another step forward by the President in his commitment to the people to get rid of corruption and correct ethics of people in government most especially the regulatory bodies of public utilities like the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems (MWSS), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), etc.

I hope that the EO can withstand any legal review as to its constitutionality.  I would also wish that   the the right people will be chosen very rigidly and those to be appointed are very good people for its proper and effective implementation. (END)

Pagsubay

Samtang di pa kasubang ang kabugason, pukawon nato ang
Tanang walhong mananabtan sa Sento Otso.
Uban nila, panangtangan nato sa gapos ang
mga irong bu**** sa ilang pag-uwang unyang alas dose.
Ug pasagdi ang mga Insek nga manghimalad
unsang mananapa ang mipatakdol sa ilang taghoy.
Pabiyai una ang mga sugilanon ug yamyam
sa komedyanteng kosinero samtang wala pa
masunog ang kilay ni Shaay nga nagtayhop
sa anino sa gabii abay sa buak, kuaw niyang lantaka.
Samtang wa pa makapanug-ab
ang karbonatong tungol sa sunod
ting-ihaw og kuwaknit, ipalilong sa punerarya
ang tanang ngiyaw sa ambulansiya sa Bicol ug St. Bernard.
Samtang wa pa mahipos ang tanang ilhanan sa kagios,
sininaan nato ang tanang manikin sa Kamagayan
kay gipanghayblad na ang tanang lamok sa katunggan.
Samtang wa pay uha ang nahimugso nga dramaturgo,
ipa-FedEx sa tanang tubaan sa Lorega
ang kinadak-ang buaya sa Manila.
aron kalingawag sawsaw sa halang nga suka
ang tambok nilang empilya ug baga.
Sa di pa nato tungabon ang sanglitanan
sa sunod nga banagbanag,
panahon karong subayon nato kon diing lawra
manago ang tubig sa miaging tingpanggapnod sa hunasan.

Oo, samtang wala paâ€"

OMAR KHALID
Sento Otso, Medellin, Cebu

Ang Ugma Walay Pag-abot
Nobela ni Gremer Chan Reyes
{Bismag 05-03-06}
Ang sugibuhi sa tagsulat ma-search sa Sugboanong Wikipedya: http://ceb.wikipedia.org/

(Kasugiran kini nga gipalatay sa tinuod nga mga panghitabo sa kasaysayan. Makita dinhi ang batan-ong Sugbo nga napagan sa Ikaduhang Gubat sa Kalibotan. Ang kahimtang, mga pagbati, mga pangagpas, ug mga pangandoy sa kaliwatan ubos sa kabangis sa gubat tatawng maaninag niining nobelaha.

Kinse ka tuig nga gihagoan sa tagsulatâ€" diin sulod sa maong kinse ka tuig nahadiin-diin na lang siya sa nagkadaiyang mga basahonan aron lang pagsiksik sa gikinahanglang kasayoran.

Ug karon, ania kining obra maestraâ€" usa ka talagsaong historical novel nga nag-inusara sa iyang matang sa kapanulatang Binisaya nga angay gayong basahon ilabi na sa mga batan-on dili lang sa mga Sugboanon kondili sa tanang kaliwatan.

Sa kabataan nga wala na makasinati ug makatuhog sa atong kasaysayan, kaninyo labing gipahinungod kining maong nobela.)--Editor


Prologo:

MIBAGTING ang lingganay sa simbahang Saint Clothilde nianang ikanapulog usa sa buntag sa Paris. Talandogon ang ganay sa lingganay nga nanuhot-suhot sa tigming kabuntagon ug mihawin sa kahilom sa dakbayan nga ingon sa nag-awhag sa tawhanong pamalandong ning minatay nga gikasabotang ilubong nianang Nobiyembre 11, 1918.

Walay ngalan ang minatay. Apan nakatandog sa tanlag sa kalibotan. Dili usa ka ilo kun patayng lawas sa usa ka wa hiilhing sundalo ang buot ilubong sa kalibotan. Dili anak sa gugma. Ang minatay panagway sa kasilag, usa ka haya nga dili mahinol ug makita, usa ka anino sa kahadlok, ang hukom sa kahinayak nga makamugnag pagbasol ug pangamuyo.

Makalilisang ang katalagman sa iyang kabangis. Di maisip ang mga tribung napuhag, dakbayang naugdaw, gingharian ug buhilamang nagun-ob ug naagbon sa nawong sa yuta sa malaglagon niyang kapintas.

Apan kanus-a pa kayha ang tawo makakat-on ug hilamdagan sa kahimatngon nga way maayong moabot sa panglupig, kay unsay maagaw niya sa laing tawo mahawani ra sa iyang kamot. Ang kalaog may iyang tugbang nga kasilag kansang tango sa pagdumot may makalanag nga panganti sa panimalos.

Ang tawo wala makakat-on sa pagtulun-an sa iyang kasinatian. Nagpulaw hinuon nga makahinlas og labing malaglagon nga hinagiban sa kamatayon.

Wala pay duha ka libo ka tuig nga gisangyaw sa Tawo nga naglakaw sa desiyerto ang usa ka gumaran sa kinabuhi nga dili lang ang silingan kondili ang kaaway higugmaon. Kaanindot. Apan natan-aw nga ang Gugma sa Tawo gihimo lang puhunan sa gamhanang Gingharian. Pila ka gubat ang nahimo sa ngalan sa krus sa mga panglupig ug panglutos sa wala pa ang Unang Gubat sa Kalibotan nga karon gibagtingan sa kamatayon sa simbahang Saint Clothilde?
Misunod pagbagting ang Saint Thomas d’ Aquin, ang Notre Dame ug ang Saint Louis de Inbalides, unya ang Sacre-Coeur ug dayon ang lingganay sa tanang simbahan sa dakbayan sa pagkahilom sa mga pusil sa panggubatan.

Nagsayaw ang Paris sa kalipay. Nagsuliyaw ang London sa pagmaya. Magahob ang Dakbayan sa Tinipong Kanasoran. Nagsingkiay ang tagayan sa alak sa New York. Makabungol ang budyong sa mga gamhanan nga nanagsangyaw sa Armistice sa Unang Gubat sa Kalibotan. Nagmaya ang katawhan. Sa kataposan mitang-on da gayod ang pagtulo sa dugo sa panggubatan.

Apan may mga tawo nga wala mahimuot. Nahilom ang pusil. Apan sa dughan nag-alintabo ang kahiubos. Bulog ang kalinaw kay kasabotan nga panglupig nga gipamugos ngadto sa mga Aleman. Dili makiangayon. Giusab sa Amerika ug sa mga kaanib ang mapa sa Uropa sa way pagtan-aw ug pagtamod sa tingog sa katawhan sa kayutaan nga hingtungdan. Ang Armistice nakitang paghari-hari sa kusgan batok sa mahuyang. Dili panagsabot alang sa kalinaw kondili usa ka silot nga gipamugos sa kaliwatan pagkalawat sa pinulongan sa paninugon sa kasabotan nga gimbut-an sa kusgan ug malupigon.

Natapos na ang gubat apan padayon ang pagdili sa mga barko sa dunggoanang Aleman nga mahikawan sa pagkaon ang lunos nilang katawhan. Nawagtang na sa Aleman ang Lorraine ug Alasce, ngadto sa Pransiya. Gitabas ang Prussia ngadto sa Poland ug nia kining pagdili sa pagkaon sa lunos nilang katawhan.

Mao nga wala pa gani mauga ang tinta sa kasabotan sa Versailles, may nagpangitag paagi nga makapanimalos. Dili lang paglukat sa garbo sa kaliwat nga nagusbat sa panggubatan kondili pagluwas sa katawhan sa dili makiangayon nga kasabotan.

Kanay pagbati sa nasod nga naparot sa naghinapos nga tuig sa 1918 sa Uropa. Samtang ang Silangan usa usab ka bulkan kansang kahiladman nagpuot sa aso sa kayong gitago nga naghulat lamang sa tukmang panahon sa pag-ulbo.

Ang Hapon gamay lang nga yuta; susama lang sa Montana, nga usa sa 48 ka nasod sa Amerika niadtong higayona. Dako lag diyotay sa Pilipinas. Ang yuta batoon. Usa sa unom ka bahin lamang ang magamit sa panguma. Ang Hapon may lumulupyo nga 90,000,000 niadtong panahona. Ang panguma dili kalaoman sa ingon nga gidaghanon nga katawhan.

Sa patigayon, natan-aw nga sila mabuhi. Apan nakita sa mga Hapones nga gimakuli kanila sa mga Puti ang ekonomikanhong kagawasan sa pagpakabuhi.

Sa Pilipinas, sa Guam ug ngadto sa Hawaii sa kamingawan sa Pasipiko, naglupad ang bandilang Amerikanhon. Gipanag-iya sa Gran Britanyaâ€" ang India, Burma, Hongkong, Malaysia, North Borneo, Western Guinea, ang Solomon Islands ug New Zealand.

Giyak-an sa mga Dutch ang Celebes, Sumatra, Java, South Borneo, ug Eastern Guinea; samtang ang Franciaâ€" nakasiphod sa Cambodia, Laos ug Annam (Vietnam) ug gipatikan sa timailhan nga French Indo-China. Ug usa sa pulo sa Pasipiko nga gitawag og New Celedonia.
Gibahin-bahin sa nasod nga Kristohanon ang kayutaan sa Sidlakan. Ang mga Hapones naghinan-aw lang nga maibogon sa mga abot ug mga lughason (raw materials) nga gipahimudsan sa mga nasod sa kasadpan.

Kon ang pailob matan-aw nga usa ka pisi sa kamot sa mga Hapones, kanus-a kayha mapupos ug mabugto? Ang Suez Canal anaa sa kamot sa Gran Britanya, samtang ang Panama hinigtan sa Amerika. Ang nahitabo sa Silangan mao say nahitabo sa dakong kayutaan sa Aprikaâ€" ang pagkabahin-bahin sa kayutaan ngadto sa Kristohanong mga nasod sa kalibotan. Gisagpa sa bug-at nga taripa sa dunggoanan ang patigayong Hapones.

Nakita sa mga Hapones nga may duha ka gamit ang pisi sa ilang kamot. Magamit nilang himan nga makatapon sila sa pikas habig sa kalibotan alang sa ilang kaluwasan kun paghigot sa kahoy sa pagpasagad ug maghinan-aw lang nga kalunosan ang ilang katawhan.

Sa tinguha nga makaugmad og ekonomikanhong kaluwasan, namugna sa Hapones ang Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Spheres, nga ang Asya iya lamang sa Asya. Usa kini ka ekonomikanhong gumaran alang sa ekonomikanhon ug politikanhong kaluwasan sa katawhan sa mga kaliwatan nga hingtungdan.

Ang tinguha ug panultihon laway lamang kon huyang ang nasod ug way kusog nga makatubos sa iyang pamahayag. Mao nga nangandam ang Hapones. Ang gubat dili kalikayan. Ang matag hagtok sa taknaan gitubag sa lanog nga basal sa maso sa pandayan. Way hunong ang gam-anan nga nag-ugmad sa makalilisang himan sa gubat. Ang kagubot nahukman na. Naghulat na lang sa tukmang panahon sa pag-ulbo.

Tingali, ang kagubot sa Silangan nabinhi sa nasodnong pagbating Hapones, niadtong Hulyo 8, 1853, dihang ang Prigata nga Susquehanna ni Commodore Matthew Calbrath Perry miyuhot ngadto sa Bukana sa Ido (Bukana sa Tokyo karon) sa kasugoan sa presidente sa Amerika ug sa mahulgaong kanyon niini, mimando sa emperador nga buksan ang ganghaan sa Gingharian nga makasulod ang misyonaryong Amerikano ug mahimo nilang merkado.

Usa kini ka hinari-hari ug linuog nga panglupig sa katawhan nga mahuyang. Ang tawo mahimong hamubo dag panumdoman. Mahimo lang mahikalimot sa iyang kagahapon. Apan sa usa ka nasod kansang dughan nagkayo ang gugma sa yutang natawhan, ang nahimong panaog-daog magpabiling iwag nga maghayag sa panumdoman sa kaliwatan.

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

HOUSE PUBLIC INFO CHAIR HOPES ATIO HAZING CASE WILL REMAIN A TOP-OF-MIND ISSUE

As Chair of the House Committee on Public Information, I am concerned that with the emergence of new hot news and issues, the hazing death of Horacio "Atio" Castillo, III will be forgotten or buried as a painful memory.

I hope not. Vigilance must be sustained. The death of Atio ought to be the last hazing death. No parent deserves the pain of losing a child through such torture.

As for the latest update on the Atio Castillo case: One of the witnesses in the case yesterday identified three Aegis Juris Fraternity members that he saw carrying Castillo's lifeless body. http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/10/06/Witness-identifies-three-fratmen-in-Castillo-hazing-case.html

The testimony of the witness “Tonio” (not his real name to protect his identity) is vital in the case build-up against the Aegis Juris members. His testimony could also lead to more suspects being implicated in the case.

On the pursuit of suspects who fled abroad: The United States’ Department of Homeland Security has expressed willingness to cooperate in case the Philippine government would seek the deportation of suspects Ralph Trangia and his mother to face charges over the hazing death. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/628562/aguirre-us-authorities-willing-to-help-in-hazing-suspects-deportation/story/

Ralph Trangia and Rosemarie Trangia left for the US on September 19, amid police investigation on the hazing rites conducted by Aegis Juris for Atio, who died on September 17.

As for the proposed Revised Anti-Hazing law (House 3467) that I principally authored, it has already passed the committee level and feasibly will be deliberated at the House floor this coming week. Hopefully, it will be approved on 3rd and final reading before House takes a break on October 12.

Bagong Henerasyon stands for the new generation, our country's future. We will do what we can so that no one else among the new generations will be lost to hazing.

Samsung smartphone explodes in man's pocket

Newsflare•October 1, 2017 - http://ph.yahoo.com
This is the terrifying moment a man's smartphone explodes in his front shirt pocket.

Hotel supervisor Yulianto, 47, was waiting in the lobby of the building when he suddenly felt the device heat up.

He reached up to the phone in his front pocket but moments later it erupts in a fireball.

CCTV captured the moment the mobile phone exploded and burst into flames at the Hotel Ciputra in Semarang, Indonesia, on September 30.

Yulianto falls to the ground as an onlooker rushes to help him. He then rips off his shirt while it is engulfed in flames.

The hotel worker said he had never had problems with his phone before but suddenly felt it heat up.

He said: ''There was a strong sensation of heat and I felt something start to shake.

''Before I knew what was happening there was fire and I panicked. I took off my shirt as quickly as I could.''

Police said that Yulianto was rushed to hospital where he was treated for minor burns on his chest. The injuries were limited by Yulianto quickly taking off his top.

He is said to have been using the Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS simultaneously causing the phone to overheat.

Questioning God

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.” Job 38:1-3

Job was a righteous man who, from a human perspective, did not deserve to suffer. He lived a blameless life and followed God’s laws to the letter. As he was experiencing great tribulation, Job cried out in frustration and questioned why God was allowing him to suffer. God came to Job in the form of a whirlwind with His answer. As soon as God spoke, Job recognized that he should not have challenged God’s wisdom. God turned to Job and asked him several sobering questions: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? ere were you when I set the oceans in their place? Where were you when I put the constellations of stars in position?” God’s questions humbled Job and reminded him that his own wisdom did not begin to compare with God’s.

When God finished asking His questions, Job replied, “I have uttered what I did not understand, / Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know” (Job 42:3). In a moment of despair and frustration, Job had challenged God’s wisdom. God had firmly reminded Job that He was still sovereign and that this truth was enough for Job. Whether Job ever knew that his life had been the focus of a cosmic struggle is unclear. Perhaps Job never realized that his experience brought glory to God in the face of Satan’s challenge (Job 1:8-12). But Job was satisfied to know that God’s wisdom was flawless.

At times you may not understand why a loving Father would allow you to suffer as you are. You may question the wisdom of God’s direction for your life. Learn from Job. Review the awesome power and wisdom of Almighty God (Job 38-41). Have confidence that this same God is directing your path.

Bohol Standard, November 12 2006
Cebu-Bohol sea route claims another “jump-ship” victim

It’s the second fatality in a span of two months for Bohol-bound passengers, reportedly jumping off from a cruising ship.

THE latest fatality was identified as 19-year old man Stephen Torrefiel who jumped off M/V Ara when the ship was along Gilutungan Channel on its way to Talibon, Bohol Monday night.

The first was reported last month when a detainee of the Bohol Detention and Rehabilitation Center was also reported to have jumped ship on its way back to Bohol from Cebu.

Both incidents are now being investigated by the Coast Guard of the Central-Eastern Visayas regional command.

Torrefiel reportedly jumped into water 1.5 nautical miles away from the shorelines of Cordova town.

The ship’s crew conducted a search and rescue operations delaying the ship for two hours. The body of Torrefiel was never found.

A Special Operation Group from the Coast Guard also proceeded to the place of incident but still no trace of the victim’s body was found. Heavy current might have swept the body into the open seas.

The investigation will focus on whether the victim accidentally fell or intentionally jumped-off from the ship.

Local residents of coastal towns along the route in the islands of Cebu and Bohol are requested to inform the Coast Guard any sighting of a floating body near their shores.

How to Fight When Your Mind Is Failing
By John Piper

If you read your Bible in the morning and see an encouraging promise of God’s help, but then, ten minutes after you have put the Bible away, you have no memory of what that promise was, your battle for hope and holiness will be seriously compromised. This happens to most of us from time to time â€" no matter our age â€" but for those of us who are in our seventies, the problem is more acute. What’s to be done?

Matter of Life and Death

You may not feel with me how urgent and serious this is. So let me remind you that there is a holiness (a “sanctification”) without which we don’t get to heaven. “Strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). John puts it like this: “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death” (1 John 3:14). And Paul says, “If you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13).

So, practical holiness, which includes love for people and mortification of the body’s sinful bent, is not marginal. Hebrews and John and Paul say it’s a matter of life and death.

Besides the New Testament estimation of holiness as a necessary mark of spiritual life (old or young), there is the plain biblical fact that practical holiness is how God is glorified and people are loved and joy is sustained. We do good deeds, Jesus said, that people may see them “and give glory to our Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). And Paul made clear that such love is the radiance of holiness (1 Thessalonians 3:12â€"13). And Nehemiah added that the joy of the Lord is our strength and should mark the holy day (Nehemiah 8:9â€"10).

In sum, holiness is the path to final salvation, glorifying God, loving people, and experiencing joy. This means that if this is harder as we get older, we need serious spiritual help, not theologies that minimize the importance of holiness.

Stockpiled Faith Is No Substitute for War

But perhaps you have the notion of sanctification that the longer a person has walked with the Lord, the less vulnerable that person is to sin. Perhaps you see sixty years of spiritual discipline as stockpiling faith so that the fight for faith is not as crucial as it once was. Or perhaps your view of sanctification is that it happens subconsciously so that the loss of conscious memory is not a liability.

There is some truth in each of those three notions.

Long familiarity with Jesus in sweet fellowship habituates the heart to his reality and presence (Philippians 3:10).

And there is a sense in which faith does grow with exercise over time (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

And it is true that the subconscious is altered by God’s word and prayer and persevering obedience. “Out of the abundance of the heart [subconscious] the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).

However, no length of fellowship with Jesus, no degree of growth in faith, no subconscious renewal of the inner person ever replaces the need for conscious, daily acts of the mind and the heart recalling and embracing and believing the promises of God in fighting for hope and holiness. Listen to Paul as he comes to the end of his life:

I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:6â€"7)
Wouldn’t you agree that those last three clauses imply “right up to the end”? “I have fought the good fight, fighting right up to the end. I have finished the race, running hard right up to the end. I have kept the faith, holding fast, right up to the end.” Paul does not give us the impression that his long familiarity with Jesus, or his ongoing growth in faith, or the depth of his subconscious renewal in Christ diminish his need to fight and run and hold on.

Sanctification Through Conscious Faith

I think the main reason for this is that God intends for us to live in conscious reliance on Christ. While it is true that a huge percentage of our daily acts are instinctive â€" with little or no extended premeditation on the word of God as our guide, or the promises of God as our conscious motive â€" nevertheless, God’s ideal for us is not that we become increasingly oblivious of his presence, and increasingly unconscious of his word while our sanctified subconscious completely takes over. That would make us increasingly robot-like, and strip our behavior of conscious volition to trust Christ and glorify God. Our experienced, personal relationship with the Lord would vanish.

In other words, God’s will for us is not merely that we increase in the subconscious renewal of the inner person, but also that we live increasingly in mindful reliance on his revealed word. He does not intend that we ever outgrow the need to hear his word, and by trusting it consciously, get victory over temptation and get motivation for love.

Paul said that Christian love for all the saints was owing to our hope laid up for us in heaven (Colossians 1:4â€"5). And he said that his aim was that we love people “from a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). He had been told by the Lord Jesus, in his commissioning, that people “are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).

Two Examples of Sanctification by Conscious Faith

I think these texts point to a way of life in which conscious hope and conscious faith in the promises of God are the daily means by which the luring promises of sin are negated by the power of the superior promises of God. I think Paul is pointing to the fact that acts of practical love are unleashed by conscious faith in the promised care and reward of God.

An example from Hebrews: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). Would you not agree that the writer is calling us to a way of life that is joyfully conscious of the promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”? And that he intends for that conscious faith to keep us free, day by day, from the love of money? Another example from the teaching of Jesus:

“When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:13â€"14)
Here is a directive and a promise, a path of holiness and a motive of happiness. Invite people to dinner who cannot repay you. If your old, selfish nature objects that it’s not worth it, defeat that sinful thought by faith in this promise: “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Doesn’t Jesus mean that we should pursue such difficult acts of holiness by means of conscious reliance on specific promises?

How Can I Fight When My Memory Fails?

This brings us back to the problem of senility. One of the effects of the “wasting away of our outer nature” (2 Corinthians 4:16) is that short-term memory weakens. The mind simply will not hold on to things like it used to. This is why all Medicare checkups at the doctor require the nurse to test your memory loss by telling you three words (chair, banana, tree), and then asking you one minute later (after you have drawn a clock and proved you can still tell time) if you can remember the three words.

So what am I to do if I read my Bible in the morning, spot a promise that I know will be of great help in sustaining my faith at a moment of testing later in the day, but when the Bible reading is over, I have no recollection of the promise? How am I to defeat temptation by faith in God’s promise if I can’t remember the needed promise?

1. Do not underestimate what God might do when you ask him for help.

Ask the Lord â€" be urgent and sincere â€" to strengthen your memory of his promises. I know this sounds naïve in the face of real, physical brain deterioration. But I do not think we should be so fatalistic that we think God would not give us some help. We do not know what small miracles he might work for us. God was not happy with King Asa when he was old and neglected to ask the Lord for help but only sought help from physicians.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, dying in the forty-first year of his reign. (2 Chronicles 16:12â€"13)
By all means, seek help from physicians, exercise, eat right, do your crossword puzzle, play Sudoku, and get lots of sleep. But don’t be a practical atheist and neglect to ask God to do what only he can do. God does not promise escape from aging and senility. In fact, he says it will come (Romans 8:23; 2 Corinthians 4:16). But who knows what help he may give in the process! We have not because we ask not (James 4:2). Ask him.

2. Work even harder at memorizing God’s promises.

Disability demands greater effort. If we stop doing things because they get harder with age, we will stop living long before we are dead. Disabled people have always had to work harder to do what non-disabled people do. And we admire them for it. Senility is a disability. Are we just going to give in? No. We work harder to make up for the disability.

So, if you once repeated a promise to yourself ten times in the morning and could remember it easily all during the day in any situation, you might need to repeat it twenty or thirty times to achieve the same effect. This will change over time. Know yourself. I could run eight-minute miles when I was in my thirties. Today I can only run twelve-minute miles. (Which most people would not call running!) It takes longer. It hurts more. It leaves me more tired. All because I am forty years older. So why do it? Same reason I’ve run for fifty years. I don’t want to be depressed, I don’t want to be fat, and I don’t want to be dead (yet).

It’s the same with memorizing promises. Once upon a time, I memorized a verse every morning from four different places in the Bible. Today, alongside constant review of large portions once memorized, I focus on one word from the Lord to carry with me through the day, and I must work two or three times as hard to make that word stick. I want that word with me all day, especially for use against temptation, and to motivate hard obedience.

3. Spite the devil with your smartphone.

When the memory simply will not hold on to the promises you want with you during the day, spite the devil and dementia with pieces of paper and iPhone reminders. I am totally serious. When you find the promise in the morning that you want to enjoy all day, write it on a little piece of paper and put it in your pocket. Take it out and read it again and again during the day, especially in the hour of trial.

I am part of the first wave of baby boomers who got in on the era of mobile devices soon enough to take them with us into senility. So, take your smartphone, push the button, and say to Siri or Bixby, “Remind me at 10:00am that I should cast all my cares on God because he cares for me.” Then do the same for as many times during the day you find helpful.

If you have the mindset that this kind of spiritual warfare is superfluous, and that God somehow automatically makes up for our increasing weakness apart from the fight of faith, you are not paying attention, either to aging Christians or to the word of God. He comes. And he helps. But he does it in and through our resolves and efforts of faith. “We always pray for you, that our God may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:11). It is God’s gift. But we act the miracle by “resolves” and “work.”

4. Let a companion become your eyes and memory.

Stay close to caring members of the body of Christ. The senile member cannot say to the strong, “I have no need of you.” The non-reading eye, with glaucoma and macular degeneration, cannot say to the members with reading mouths, “I have no need of you.” Nor can those with good eyes say, “I have this gift for myself alone.”

When the eyes and the memory of one member go, the other members pick up the missing strategy of spiritual war. If I cannot remind myself of the promises of God, I will need you to remind me. With aging, it is truer than ever that we must “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).

Let’s Be God’s Voice for Each Other

Until the day we die, sanctification remains a divine work through human means. It began that way. It ends that way. The means might change as our weaknesses increase. But sanctification never ceases to be a divine summons to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.

Even in the last hours, it is a summons to the body of Christ to lean down close to the ashen face and say with a loud voice:

“Even to your old age I am he,
   and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
   I will carry and will save.” (Isaiah 46:4)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Piper (@JohnPiper) is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Reading the Bible Supernaturally.

LAS VEGAS (AP) â€" Those seeking to know the motive of Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock have had little more to chase than hints and shadows.

Paddock led such a low-key, private life that no one seemed to know him well, and those who did had no sense he was capable of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.

Where other mass killers have left behind a trail of plain-sight clues that help investigators quickly understand what drove them to violence, Paddock, 64, had nearly no close friends, social media presence or other clear connections to the broader world.

Even the No. 2 official in the FBI said Wednesday he was surprised investigators have not uncovered more about why a man with no obvious criminal record would cause so much bloodshed.

“There’s all kinds of things that surprise us in each one of these events. That’s the one in this one, and we are not there yet,” FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said. “We have a lot of work to do.”

Working with what little they know, investigators have zeroed in on a weapon-buying binge Paddock went on one year before he gunned down 58 people Sunday at a country music festival from a 32nd-floor room at the Mandalay Bay casino resort before killing himself.

Authorities said Stephen Paddock had spent decades acquiring weapons and ammunition to “meticulously” plan the worst domestic attack in U.S. history. Calling him “disturbed” and “dangerous,” investigators are still trying to determine a motive. (Oct. 5)

They wonder if he had some sort of mental break at the time that drove him to start making plans for mass murder.

They also know he rented an apartment in a Las Vegas high-rise over another music festival the weekend before the massacre, though not why.

They know he was a major gambler and are looking at related records, though even in very public casinos he played the very private game of video poker.

They know he had a plan to survive the shooting and try to escape, though would not say how.

“This individual and this attack didn’t leave the sort of immediately accessible thumbprints that you find on some mass casualty attacks,” McCabe said. “Putting aside the somewhat dubious claims of responsibility that we see in each one of these instances, we look for actual indicators of affiliation, of motive, of intent, and so far we’re not there. We don’t have those sort of indicators.”

Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said at a news conference Wednesday night that Paddock must have had some help along the way given his huge arsenal the explosive materials found in his car, and his meticulous plan, but they don’t know who that might be.

Some who thought they knew him intimately could provide no help.

“He never said anything to me or took any action that I was aware of that I understood in any way to be a warning that something horrible like this was going to happen,” Marilou Danley, 62, said in a statement read by her lawyer outside FBI headquarters in Los Angeles.

Danley returned Tuesday from the Philippines, where Paddock had sent her before the attack, and was being interviewed by the FBI.

Analyzing Paddock’s computer, cellphone and other electronic devices, Investigators have found no obvious ideological motive, no clear connection to extremists or activist groups or outward display of mental illness.

Paddock wired $100,000 to the Philippines days before the shooting, said a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly because of the continuing investigation. Investigators are trying to trace that money.

Danley, who was overseas for more than two weeks, said she was initially pleased when she was wired money from Paddock to buy a house for her family in the Philippines. But she later feared it was a way to break up with her.

She said she loved Paddock as a “kind, caring, quiet man” and hoped they would have a future together. She said she was devastated by the carnage and would cooperate with authorities as they struggle to get inside Paddock’s mind.

The previous weekend, Paddock had rented a high-rise condo in a building that overlooked the Life is Beautiful alternative music festival featuring Chance the Rapper, Muse, Lorde and Blink-182, said Lombardo, who offered no other details about what led Paddock there.

On Sept. 28, the 64-year-old high-stakes gambler and real estate investor checked into Mandalay Bay and specifically requested an upper-floor room with a view of the Route 91 Harvest music festival, according to a person who has seen hotel records turned over to investigators.

Paddock wasn’t able to move into the room until Saturday, said the person, who was not authorized to speak publicly and disclosed the information to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The room, which goes for $590 a night, was given to Paddock for free because he was a good customer who wagered tens of thousands of dollars each time he visited the casino, the person said.

Authorities are looking for hints in those details of the kind of life he lived, and the kind of victims and venue he targeted, said David Gomez, a former FBI national security and criminal profiler.

“We may never know to 100 percent certainty,” he said. “But they will find out.”

___

Gurman reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Brian Melley and Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles, Regina Garcia Cano and Michelle Price in Las Vegas; Jim Gomez and Teresa Cerojano in Manila, Philippines; and Richard Lardner, Eric Tucker and Tami Abdollah in Washington contributed to this report.

Use the Best Anti-Virus Protection. Pls follow the link: https://goo.gl/S5Bzjd

Spiritual Optimism

Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand." 1 Samuel 17:45-46a

David was certainly an optimist! Regardless of his circumstances, David could always see God’s activity! A pessimist focuses on the problems, concentrating on the reasons why something cannot be done. The optimist sees those same problems, but he sees them from the perspective of God’s presence.

David was just a young boy when he faced Goliath, an intimidating veteran warrior who frightened even the bravest Israelite soldier. As he prepared for battle, David saw that Goliath was a giant. He heard his boastful taunts. He could not fail to notice his enemy’s weapons: a sword, a shield, and a javelin. David did not barge into the battle unprepared for a fight. He armed himself with five smooth stones. David was prepared for God to grant him victory with the first stone he hurled at the giant or the fifth. David was ready to accept God’s victory, whether it came easily or with much effort.

Optimists do not ignore the difficulties, they are keenly aware of them. But the knowledge of God’s presence prevents them from becoming discouraged or giving up. It is impossible to stand in the presence of God and be a pessimist!

The account of David and Goliath vividly pictures the source of the Christian’s faith?not our own size, strength, or resources, but the power of almighty God. If we focus on our opposition and problems, they will seem gigantic. But as we focus on God, we will see our situation in the proper perspective and be assured that all things are possible with God (Phil. 4:13). - Henry and Richard Blackaby

Mindanao Power Supply Restored After Transmission Tower Bombing

Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi immediately convened the Inter-Agency Task Force on Securing Energy Facilities (IATSEF) to coordinate the restoration of the power services in affected areas in Mindanao. This was done following the attack on Transmission Tower 106 along Kibawe and Sultan Kudarat by suspected terrorists at around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 3.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), a member of the IATSEF, was able to tap an alternative power transmission line to temporarily supply the needed electricity. After the bombing of Tower 106, power was temporarily sourced from an alternative route through the Tacurong 69kV line. Because of this, the voltage was being maintained at 45MW due to load limitation.

The NGCP also reported that a rotating load curtailment is being implemented in the franchise areas of Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Cotabato Electric Cooperative and Palma & Cotelco Light & Power to maintain the delivery of power services in the affected areas.

To improve the delivery of electricity service further, a bypass line is being constructed through an excavation for anchors and the setting up of two sets of Emergency Restoration System from the Baloi Substation. As per NGCP, the completion of the other significant restoration works may take two more days.

Cusi reminded the IATSEF to ensure the safety of the personnel performing the restoration works and asked law enforcers to investigate and arrest the bombers.

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

REACTION TO STATEMENTS OF BLOGGERS AT THE SENATE HEARING

There may be a need for a Code of Conduct for Bloggers â€" Rep. Belaro

I observed what transpired at the Senate hearing where some bloggers now in the employ of government agencies made various statements. I also took note of the various comments in social media about those statements.

I now sense that there may be a need for a CODE OF CONDUCT to govern how these bloggers go about their tasks as communicators of government policy, programs, and projects. As government employees, they should follow ethical standards and adhere to evidence-based methods.

There is no group or association that represents bloggers. Apparently, there is a new association of government information officers. http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1000280     

I will seek to consult the ranks of the bloggers and public information officers as soon as I have identified who can appropriately advise.

God's Design

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. Romans 8:29-30

Your life is a part of God’s grand design. God has known about you and had a plan for your life since before time began. He knew everything about you before you were even born (Jer. 1:5). God predetermined that you would become like His Son. Your life, therefore, has a destiny. Christ is the model upon which the Father is developing your life. You are meant to have a relationship with the Father that is as intimate as the relationship between Jesus and the Father (John 17:21). Every event He allows into your life is designed to make you more like Christ.

God’s call came when He invited you to join Him in the process! His call was extremely personal, designed specifically for your response. How wonderful to realize that at a particular moment in history, almighty God spoke personally to you and invited you to become His child!

Because of your sin, you could never live blamelessly. But God forgave your sin and justified you, declaring you righteous. All the spiritual debt you carried with Him was forgiven, and you were freed to enjoy God and to serve Him for the rest of eternity. In Biblical times, the glory of God’s people was His presence. You, too, are glorified because the fullness of God now dwells within you, and you will one day be with Him (Col. 1:27; 2:9). He invites you to join Him in working out His will in your lifeâ€"conforming you to His image (Phil. 2:12).       Henry and Richard Blackaby

STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
House of Representatives

NDRRMC, LGUs WERE NOT READY FOR MARING

Storm Maring was deceptive; only signal number 1, but brought lots of floods

Filipinos should not just focus on the storm winds. The floods that follow the heavy rains are what really cause a lot of death and destruction along the path of storms.

This is partly why I filed House Bill 6072 entitled “Rationalized Cancellation and Suspension of Work and School Classes Act of 2017” which factors in flood warnings and rainfall as factors in decision-making on suspension of classes and work, as well as evacuations.

I ask my colleagues in the House and over at the Senate to expedite work on HB 6072.

Storm Maring showed we have not learned our lessons from Ondoy and Yolanda.

Maring had only a Storm Signal No. 1 and when it was at its strongest, it had only top gustiness of 80 kilometers per hour, but it brought a lot of rain.

When flooding is severe, government should suspend not just classes in schools and work in government offices, but also in private workplaces.

HB 6072 lays out the different gradations or levels of severity of factors and the matching responses.

It also seems that because Maring had only a Storm Signal No. 1 label, people did not prepare well for it and were not aware of the rainfall and floods it could bring.

Cities, towns, and barangays in the path of Maring were clearly not ready.

Something is wrong with the NDRRMC and the local DRRMCs. When will we ever learn?

Voters should also stop electing mayors and barangay officials who cannot save or keep their constituents out of dangers brought by storms, other disasters, and emergencies.  (END)

HONORABLE RON P. SALO
KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Vice Chair, Basic Education & Culture and Rural Development
Member, Committees on Justice, Appropriations,
and 10 other Committees

KABAYAN SOLON PUSHES FOR FAST TRACKING OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES BILL

In the wake of Storm Maring which left at least several people dead

Rains and floods brought by Storm Maring pose an imminent threat to the lives of senior citizens and anyone who might need emergency aid.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems can provide first aid and pre-hospital care which are crucial in saving victims from disability or death.

It now becomes evident that the missing component in the disaster response measures of our country is an EMS System. We will continue to have many casualties unless the national government gives our cities, towns, and barangays the EMS units they need.

I urge the House Committee on Health to please calendar and expedite passage of House Bill 4955 that I filed this last February 2017. Its passage takes on urgency now that we are experiencing floods, storms, and landslides of the current rainy season.

HB 4955 proposes the creation of a National Emergency Medical Services System for "effective, coordinated, and timely delivery of health and safety services to victims of sudden illness or injury in the pre-hospital setting."

The system proposed would have five components and core services: emergency medical dispatch, emergency response and care, emergency transport, inter-agency referral and transport, and command and control.

The emphasis of this bill is on pre-hospital emergency services. Many victims of disasters, accidents, and mishap are dead on arrival. Some of them could be saved if only we have effective EMS in place particularly in Local Government units (LGUs) with high-risk disaster zones and at the barangay level.

When the bill becomes a law, all LGUs shall be mandated to establish a dispatch center where constituents can call for all cases of emergencies, with qualified personnel. The dispatch centers shall follow the prescribed guidelines on dispatch protocol as determined by the Department of Health and the EMSS council.

Also when the bill becomes a law, a single national universal emergency number will be in effect to enable the public to have access to emergency medical services. All LGUs shall ensure availability of emergency transport vehicles with qualified EMS staff.

Currently, we already have a 9-1-1 national emergency line; however, it can be scrapped anytime or be replaced by the next administration since there is no law backing it up. House Bill 4955 seeks to have the single national emergency number a basis in law so its implementation can be assured of annual funding. (END)

15+ Beautiful Cheap DIY Coffee Table Ideas

Read it here: http://homesthetics.net/15-beautiful-cheap-diy-coffee-table-ideas/

Uber Policy Update

We believe it should be easy for you to understand our privacy practices. That’s why we’re launching an updated and streamlined Privacy Policy that explains in clear language what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices and controls you have. We’re also publishing FAQs and other resources to give you even more details about our privacy practices.

Here are some of the key changes to our Privacy Policy:

We compiled our privacy practices for Uber riders, drivers, and UberEATS customers around the world into a single policy
We revised our Privacy Policy to make it more concise and easy to read
We updated the policy to reflect our latest products and services, and added additional details and examples to help you understand our privacy practices
We explained how long we retain your information
We provided more information about how you can control what we collect and how we use your data, including location information

This policy will take effect on November 1st. We encourage you to carefully review our Privacy Policy and resources in the meantime.

Sincerely,
The Uber Team

U.S. and Philippines Conduct Strategic Trade Management Licensing Tabletop Exercise

Above: The U.S. Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program, U.S. Department of Energy, and the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Office conduct a tabletop exercise on the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Licensing Process on September 15, 2017 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City, Philippines.

Manila, October 4, 2017 â€" The U.S. Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program, together with the Strategic Trade Management Office (STMO) within the Department of Trade and Industry, recently conducted a tabletop exercise on the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Licensing Process.

Experts from the U.S. Department of Energy took the lead in designing and facilitating the exercise which included participants from 17 relevant government agencies.

The tabletop exercise was designed to help the STMO test their proposed licensing procedure in preparation for the full implementation of Republic Act 10697, otherwise known as the Philippine Strategic Trade Management Act (STMA).  The STMA is designed to manage the trade of strategic goods and help prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The EXBS Program is designed to help countries develop and improve their strategic trade and border control systems.

Press Release
SOLON TO DEPED AND CHED:
SECURE STUDENTS’ AND ENROLEES’ DRUG TESTING DATA; SUSPEND DRUG TESTING

Kabayan Party-list founder also seeks protection for out-of-school youths

As Vice Chair of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture and Member of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, I ask the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to suspend immediately their implementation of policies on drug testing pending their adoption of specific measures that shall ensure full protection of the privacy of the students tested positive, and adoption of clear rehabilitation measures in coordination with the Department of Health.

The suspension of drug testing implementation by the public and private schools is necessary to make sure that the identities of those who test positive will be protected and that the students and aspiring enrollees will not be targeted either by rogue cops or by the drug lords and traffickers.

Parents and guardians must be assured of the safety and security of their children. The data on and access to the drug testing results must have safeguards.

We want the drug testing data/results secured. We want the human rights of all the youths who undergo drug testing respected. Those data must be kept away from the police and anyone else who should not get access to that data.

We do not want more of our children tortured and executed.

I am NOT questioning the legality of the drug testing by the schools, DepEd and CHED. The private schools have the academic freedom to determine who they admit into their schools. Our state universities and colleges also have that same academic freedom on admission policies. The DepEd has sound policies on random drug testing and safe schools.

The DepEd has guidelines on the conduct of random drug testing in schools. The CHED has been conducting national and zonal consultations on its policies, guidelines, and procedures for higher education institutions requiring drug testing.

The out-of-school youths also need protection just like the kids who go to school. I am asking the Department of Interior and Local Government, the National Police Commission, the Dangerous Drugs Board and the governors, mayors and barangay chairmen to promulgate and implement protection policies and programs for the OSYs.

I also ask the DepEd, CHED, and private schools to work with the National Privacy Commission to make sure the drug testing data are secure and the privacy rights of all those tested are upheld.

Let us ensure full protection of the lives of our youth, who are the hope of our motherland. (END)

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

CRUSADERS MUST MEET SUBSTANCE AND FORM STANDARDS ON IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINTS - REP. BELARO

Statement by House Justice Committee Member and Assistant Majority Leader Salvador B. Belaro, Jr.

The filing of an impeachment complaint is a matter that must be taken seriously, not regarded as a whimsical exercise done without any due diligence and compliance with already established rules and procedures.

The impeachment complaints of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. (VPCI) were rejected because they were not sufficient either in form or in substance.

In the past, other filers also failed to meet the standards on sufficiency in form and substance. Some people have even made it their favorite past time to file impeachment complaints as knee jerk reaction to hot button controversies.

It is time crusaders and advocates exercise true due diligence in complying with the House rules on the filing of impeachment complaints, so as not to waste the time of Congress and of the people. (END)

Prayer Is Preparation

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:1

Prayer does not give you spiritual power. Prayer aligns your life with God so that He chooses to demonstrate His power through you. The purpose of prayer is not to convince God to change your circumstances but to prepare you to be involved in God’s activity.

Jesus told His followers to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:4-5). The disciples obeyed His command, waiting for God’s next directive. As they prayed, God adjusted their lives to what He intended to do next. As they prayed, a unity developed among them. For the first time the disciples used Scripture as their guide in decision making (Acts 1:15-26). The day of Pentecost arrived, and the city of Jerusalem filled with pilgrims from around the world. When God released His Holy Spirit upon the disciples, He had already filled the city with messengers who would carry the Gospel to every nation. Prayer had prepared the disciples for their obedient response.

Prayer is designed to adjust you to God’s will, not to adjust God to your will. If God has not responded to what you are praying, you may need to adjust your praying to align with God’s agenda. Rather than focusing on what you would like to see happen, realize that God may be more concerned with what He wants to see happen in you. Henry and Richard Blackaby

iQor joins Kadayawan Festival in Davao

iQor, one of Davao City's top business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, joined Davaoenos in celebrating the 32nd Kadayawan's Pamulak sa Kadalanan, an annual floral float parade. iQor's entry to this year's Pamulak sa Kadalanan boasted an electric array of vibrant floral set in a picturesque scene of a simple, serene depiction of a traditional Filipino farm life. The company said it took around six weeks to conceptualize and build the float. Jim Down, iQor's director of operations, said joining the parade allows the BPO firm to display its dedication to be part of the community and share in the pride of Davao.

TaskUs attracts, retains workers through perks and culture

TaskUs chief executive officer Bryce Maddock said the company's employee-centric and values-driven cultur, as well as the number of benefits it offers to employees, have made it one of the best BPO companies to work for. Maddock said among the benefits that attract millennials to TaskUs are onboard dieticians, wellness coaches, MMA fight sessions and running fitness challenges. The company also pioneered 120-day maternity leave since 2015, and provides a comprehensive LGBTQ HMO coverage. TaskUs boasts of 22% attrition rate, the lowest in the industry. It also has a score of 63% Employee Net Promoter Score on employee satisfaction.

Cebu's BPO firms to hire senior high graduates

Most IT-BPO companies in Cebu are willing to hire fresh senior high-school graduates next year to meet the manpower demand of the industry. This was revealed by Jun Sa-a, managing director of Cebu-IT Business Process Management Organization (CIB-O). He said the willingness of the IT-BPO firms to hire senior high-school graduates has prompted CIB-O to hold career caravans in different senior high schools in Cebu to entice soon-to-be graduates to join the industry. Sa-a added that senior high graduates are already 18 years old and are employable. The implementation of the K-12 program of the government means there will be no college graduates in 2018 and 2019.

TCS director Ishaat Hussain retires from board

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) director Ishaat Hussain has retired from the company's board effective 3 September. In a filing, the IT outsourcing giant said Hussain has ceased to be a director of the company as per the retirement age policy of directors of the company. He served as interim Chairman at TCS from November 2016 amid the boardroom battle between Tata Sons and Cyrus Mistry. He was succeeded by TCS' former CEO N Chandrasekaran in February this year. TCS provides IT services, consulting, and business solutions to global clients and operates in over 40 countries, including the Philippines.

Cloud-based outsourcing platform wins Hack-for-a-Nation competition

A cloud-based platform that can generate employment opportunities for Filipinos has won this year's Hack-for-a-Nation competition sponsored by Globe Telecom. The platform lets users outsource everyday tasks to interested providers, thereby connecting blue collar workers and users who need extra personnel for their office jobs. The platform, dubbed OhMyGennie, was developed by a three-man team of software developers. Team leader Jomar Luguit said the platform will only get credible and legitimate service providers by requiring them to provide documents such as National Bureau of Investigation clearance, driver's license, resume among others.

Teleperformance, Sykes dominate Inter-BPO volleyball tournament

The volleyball teams of Teleperformance and Sykes were crowned champions in the recently concluded 2017 Inter-BPO Volleyball tournament in Cebu City. The Teleperformance team dominated the men's division while the Sykes team emerged champions in the women's division. Teleperformance had a 7-0 record and defeated a tough Convergys team in the finals. The Sykes team was also unbeaten with a 5-0 scorecard, dominating Calltek to take home the crown. Giovanni Devero and Shiela Bongo were picked Finals MVP in the men's and women's divisions, respectively. The tournament was organized to foster camaraderie and promote sportsmanship among BPO workers in Cebu City.

IDC MarketScape names WNS leader in F&A BPO

Global business process management services provider WNS Limited has been named a 'Leader' in Finance & Accounting (F&A) BPO services by IDC MarketScape. In choosing WNS as a Leader, IDC MarketScape recognized the company's strategy and delivery models, including its commitments to tools, methodologies, and technology-enabled ‘as a service’ offerings. It also cited WNS for its vertical and geographic market expansion focus and tuck-in acquisition strategy. The IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT suppliers in a given market. WNS Group CEO Keshav R. Murugesh said the company has taken big strides towards market leadership in its F&A practice.

Silicon Valley tech guru identifies ways PH can counter AI invasion

A Filipino-American Silicon Valley technology guru said the Philippines needs to prepare for artificial intelligence, which is expected to disrupt the business process outsourcing industry. Antonio Benjamin said the government needs to improve the country's internet services and that the industry has to improve the levels of services currently offered to more of a higher knowledge set of services. He also said the country needs to upgrade the education system to make college graduates ready for work that cannot be overtaken by robots. Benjamin was in the Philippines for the 5th Geeks on a Beach 2017 international conference in Palawan.

Trade department urges BPOs to innovate

Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has joined the call for business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to innovate or be left out by the emergence of artificial intelligence. Lopez said BPO companies can address the threat of AI through innovation and training and modifying or remodeling the nature of existing jobs. He stressed that disqualified BPO applicants and retrenched agents can be retrained for AI application development. Lopez also underscored the need to strengthen the curriculum toward computer science, engineering, data science and AI application design. Experts have already voiced their concern that AI may replace humans in certain tasks and that BPO companies need to upgrade their services to stay relevant.

Wipro bags applications management contract in Finland

IT outsourcing giant Wipro said it has won a five-year IT applications management contract from Outokumpu, one of the world’s biggest producers of stainless steel, based in Finland. No financial details were disclosed but Wipro said the five-year contract includes the delivery of applications management services for Outokumpu's SAP landscape along with legacy applications support to cover Outokumpu locations globally. Abidali Z. Neemuchwala, CEO and Member of the Board of Wipro said the company has been committed to delivering business efficiency to Outokumpu over the past four years. The Nordic region has been a key market for Wipro since 1999.

ICT among focus of EU-Philippine business summit

Private and public sector representatives and business leaders are expected to participate in this year's EU-Philippines Business Summit to be held at Solaire Resort & Hotel on 17 October. A major focus of the summit will be the high potential of sectors in the Philippines and opportunities for investments in Europe, including information and communications technology. The event will be attended by key figures from the government and the private sector and is a key venue for facilitating dialogue between key industry players and the government, according to the organizers - NordCham and the EU-Philippines Business Network. This year's event carries the theme "The EU & the Philippines: Partners for Progress and Prosperity".

Infosys to continue with plan to hire 6,000 engineers annually

Indian IT outsourcing firm Infosys reiterated its plan to hire about 6,000 engineers annually over the next 1 to 2 years despite the recent upheavals on the board. Infosys interim-CEO and managing director U B Pravin Rao told investors that the company will continue to recruit after adding 6,000 this year. The hiring activity for the next 1 to 2 years will depend on the kind of growth that the company will see in the market, he said. At the end of the first half of this year, Infosys had a total of 198,553 employees. The company does not provide country-specific headcounts. Infosys, India's second largest software services firm, has delivery centers in the Philippines.

14 teams compete in Davao inter-BPO volleyball tourney

A total of 14 business process outsourcing (BPO) teams - 10 from the men's and four from the women's - are competing for the first Davao Inter-BPO League (DIBL) Volleyball Tournament title in Davao City. Participating teams are from BPO firms Alorica, Conectys, Convergys, Ibex, Iqor, Next BPO Solutions, Offsourcing Philippines, Sutherland, Teleperformance, and VXI Felcris. DIBL commissioner Mark de Guzman said the volleyball tournament was initiated to provide a sporting avenue and promote a healthy lifestyle and camaraderie among call center employees in Davao City. The opening program was hosted by Alorica and Offsourcing Philippines. In Cebu, BPO teams have just recently concluded their own inter-BPO tournament.

Eton Properties ink electricity deal with Aboitiz Power

Property firm Eton Properties, whose buildings hosts some of the top business process outsourcing firms of the country, has signed an electricity agreement with Aboitiz Power. The agreement is for an uninterruptible, round-the-clock power supply that Aboitiz Power will provide. Eton said its agreement with Aboitiz will allow it to continue to deliver on Eton's promise of quality and efficiency in its office developments. BPO operations, it added, need reliable power supply to ensure efficiency of their services to clients. Aboitiz also inked an electricity agreement with The Net Group, one of the pioneers in green buildings in the Philippines.