MikeLigalig.com

Security tightened in Basilan after explosion; another bomb recovered

ZAMBOANGA CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- Authorities strengthened security measures on Thursday in Basilan to possibly prevent another bomb explosion in the area.

Chief Insp. Allan Benasing, Lamitan City police chief, on Thursday ordered tighter security measures following the explosion of an improvised bomb and the safe recovery of another.

An electric post was destroyed when an improvised bomb exploded outside the Jose Rizal Elementary School at around 12:15 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Matatag, Lamitan City.No one was injured in the explosion.

Another improvised bomb was recovered outside the Alliance Church at around 7 a.m. Thursday in Barangay Malinis.

The place where the bomb was recovered is near the terminal for buses and vans plying the Lamitan City-Isabela City route and vice versa.

The main charge of the recovered cellular-phone triggered improvised bomb is an 81-mm mortar ammunition.

Benasing said they believed that the Abu Sayyaf bandits are behind the bomb explosion.

The official said they are looking at extortion as a possible motive.(PNA)

Multi-sectors support PNP’s Oplan Tokhang 'Reloaded'
By Saul E. Pa-a

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, March 9 (PNA) -â€" Various sectors here expressed support on Thursday to the Philippine National Police (PNP) which resumed its anti-illegal drug campaign “Oplan Tokhang Reloaded” with programs and projects that benefit drug surrenderers and intervention initiatives to solve the drug problem.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Millet Revano, head of the Sectoral Affairs Office in this city, disclosed that the city government has strengthened the Women’s Congress to help address the drug menace.

Revano said that Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco and his wife have thrown their support to the city’s staging of the 3rd Women’s Congress later this month by engaging women sector leaders to consolidate their programs and projects for livelihood, handicrafts and product marketing.

She added that the women leaders are also urged to promote healthy lifestyle and effective parenting as one of the approaches to curb the drug menace.

She said multi-sectors here are also addressing the city’s drug problem and assessed that their focus should start at home and with the families.

“We note that the drug problem is also triggered by family problems and that regular communication among family members should be observed,” Revano said.

While there may be influence exerted by the social environment, families should value quality time for them like bonding and interactions, Revano added.

According to Revano, addressing the drug problem needs proper coordination, collaborative system, verification of identities and evaluation of the report to avoid mishandling of the drug cases.

A host anchor of the afternoon public affairs radio program “Gabay Tahanan” of Radio Calabarzon DZJV 1458 khz, “Mommy Ester” Catalan also expressed support for the program to gain sustainability against dangerous drugs that ruin families.

“It is good that we sustain the program rather than we always go back to zero, because the criminals continue to be emboldened to perpetrate their crimes without police or law enforcement,” Catalan said.

She cautioned, however, against “killing” the suspects if there’s a way, unless authorities are dealing with a dangerous suspect and armed groups.

Catalan also pointed out that parents should play their role to guide children so they would not be lured into illegal drugs by closely monitoring and observing them, and advising them to stay away from bad influence, peer pressure and bullying.

The radio program host advised parents to spend more quality time with their kids for them to become productive citizens and not end up a liability not only to their families but also to the society.

Meanwhile, the Calamba Pastors Alliance (CPA) through its president Pastor Ernie Cerezo has sustained its moral recovery program and values formation with the city government and its outreach program to the city’s 54 barangays including its ministry to the drug surrenderers.

In Cabuyao City, Christian Bible Baptist Church (CBBC) pastors, Reverend Ernesto Gatpandan Jr., said the anti-illegal drug program is a step to sustaining the momentum toward addressing the drug problem.

“We have a classic example where a drug user was introduced to me and we presented him to the police where he signed the waiver and later on we brought him to the rehab center. Then lately, we visited him and learned that he turned to be a business head in the center and that’s a progressive step,” Rev. Gatpandan revealed.

The evangelical pastor described the experience of the rehab patient as a development born out of the government and church working hand-in-hand to address the problem on drugs.

“We always educate our parishioners on the ill-effects of illegal-drugs when once you’re into that, life would be difficult, so might as well avoid drugs,” Gatpandan said.

He advised church members that if they are made to choose, they should not look only for the start of that choice but the results and consequences of illegal drugs.

Rev. Gatpandan also said that their church is into prison ministry, conducting visitations to inmates every Wednesdays in Cabuyao and Mondays in Calamba and daily at the city Social Welfare and Development Office, as well as daily hospital ministry.

He also shared that in their ministry, “we don’t ask, we give and we will sustain our undertakings to help in molding the moral fiber of the communities.”

Ella Blanca Balinguit, barangay secretary of Canlubang, said that they are now revitalizing the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and sustaining their partnership with the religious sector through the “Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan” (UBAS).

Balinguit informed that they have conducted their one-on-one assessment program with the “Tokhang” surrenderers initiated by Barangay Chair Larry Dimayuga in coordination with the PNP.

According to Balinguit, the Canlubang village intervention program includes dialogues with the parents of the drug surrenderers, dialogues in schools and academic communities here and the mapping of out-of-school youths (OSYs).

Canlubang barangay’s program for the OSYs and drug surrenderers include their skills and capacity building through enrollment in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and training courses conducted at the Canlubang Manpower Skills Training Center in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). (PNA)

President Duterte wages war vs NPA; tells AFP, PNP to use all gov't assets
By Lilian C. Mellejor

DAVAO CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte ordered on Thursday the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to wage a war and use all assets of the government against the New People’s Army (NPA).

“I asked the Armed Forces and the police to go ahead and wage a war against them. I will allow the police and the military this time to use all available assets,” the President told reporters during his visit to the wake of slain police officers in Bansalan, Davao del Sur on Thursday.

Duterte said they could even use rockets in their fight against the NPA rebels. He branded the latest NPA attack as "ideological cannibalism."

Duterte on Thursday afternoon visited the wake of the three police officers who were killed in an ambush perpetrated by about 20 suspected members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Sibayan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur last Wednesday.

The ambush killed PO1 Saro Mangotara, PO1 Joey Narvaza and PO1 Rolly Benelayo, all from the Bansalan Municipal Police Station and Scene of the Crime Operation investigator PO3 Jayden May Rabor. PO3 Allen Arnado survived the attack.

Mangotara, a member of PNP Scout Class 107-2016 “Himagsik,” was immediately buried in accordance with Muslim traditions. He was a Maranao.

The police team left at around 6:30 a.m. on board a patrol car for Sibayan, which is about 12 kilometers from Bansalan town proper, to investigate a reported crime incident the night before.

The bodies of the slain cops bore multiple gunshot wounds.

“It’s a question of honor. Alam mo (You know) we fight a war and as the revolutionary ideology would put it, it’s a kind of ideological cannibalism because you devour your own kind. You kill your own brother and sisters in thy name in the altar of revolution,” the President said when asked if there was an overkill.

Duterte said the police officers who went to Sibayan to respond to the crime incident were not combatants. SOCO, he said, is a unit under the police, and the members are not even allowed to bring firearms.

“It was a well-laid trap,” the President said of the attack.

He was saddened that a woman, the SOCO investigator, was included.

The President emphasized it is always his wish to achieve a just and lasting peace even at the start of his presidency.

He noted he extended his hand to the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF) yet “they terminated the ceasefire on February 1.”

The President responded and lifted the unilateral ceasefire and called off the peace negotiations after an attack on soldiers in February in Bukidnon. (PNA)
LAP/BS/LCM/LDP

3 'big-time drug pushers' nabbed in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY, March 10 (PNA) -- Three alleged big-time drug pushers long wanted by law due to their involvement in illegal drug trade were arrested by anti-narcotics agents late Thursday afternoon, officials said today.

Bryan Babang, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM), said the anti-drug operation was conducted in Lower Bitara, Barangay Rosary Heights 10, Cotabato City after an agent managed to buy several sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" from the suspects.

Babang identified the suspects as Mohaliden Delos Santos Mamarinta, 33, his wife Bots Karim Kirat and Dimaraw Tahir Minalang, 30, all of Barangay Rosary Heights 10. They belonged to the Mamarinta drug syndicate, PDEA said.

Seized from the suspects were 11 sachets of shabu, marked money used in the buy-bust, a disposable lighter, tooter and other shabu paraphernalia.

Follow up operations are still going on to confirm reports that the group is also keeping drug supplies in an undisclosed place in the city.

Babang said the suspects were included in the PDEA-ARMM's drug list.

Now detained at PDEA-ARMM regional office lock-up cell, the three suspects are facing violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Since January this year, more than 20 drug personalities have been arrested by joint PDEA-ARMM and police authorities in 14 separate anti-drug operations in Cotabato City and Maguindanao.

Among those arrested were the suspected Maguindanao "shabu queen," who happened to be a town councilor in Kabuntalan, Maguindanao and another town councilor who was caught with prohibited drugs and unlicensed firearms.

PDEA-ARMM said Kabuntalan Councilor Fatima Baliwan was arrested during an entrapment operation after months of surveillance.

Baliwan denied she was into illegal drugs.

Babang vowed to work closely with the PDEA in Region 12 since drug pushers could criss-cross the provinces of Maguindanao, which is part of ARMM, and Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato, both under PDEA-12.

Recently, residents of Maguindanao were arrested in an entrapment by PDEA-12 operatives in Tacurong City, which also led to the discovery of an illegal drug den.

PDEA agents arrested Norodin Pamasang, 33, and Abubakal Cinente, 25, according to PDEA-12 Director Gil Cesario Castro.

Agents seized 15 sachets of shabu with an estimated street value of PHP35,000.(PNA)
JMC/BS/NYP/EOF

Philippine on standby; may declare red alert on March 29

DAGUPAN CITY, March 10 (PNA)--The 702nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army remains on blue alert with its soldiers on standby in their camps but may shift to red alert on March 29 when the terrorist New People's Army (NPA) will observe its founding anniversary and may commit atrocities.

This was bared by Capt. Jay- Ar Ramos, public information officer of the 702nd IB based at Camp Tito Abat in Manaoag in a talk during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters (KBP) Forum in Dagupan City on Thursday, March 9.

At the same time, Ramos belied the alleged report that the NPAs were seen in some parts of eastern Pangasinan especially after the rebels torched two trucks of Philex Mines in Sitio Tupac, Ampucao,Itogon, Benguet on February 9, this year, while bringing ore from the mine site to Poro Point in San Fernando City, La Union.

"We checked the report and it turned out negative," said Ramos, adding that the people in the area mentioned could not also validate the report.

There was also no movement of rebels in the western part of Pangasinan near the Zambales border, Ramos reported.

The other recorded atrocity of the NPA in the area of operations of 702nd IB was the burning of two elf trucks of Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco in Sigay, Ilocos Sur in January this year.

"Our part is focused on anti- insurgency. If we received information from our men in the field or the barangays, we passed this on to the PNP for validation, Ramos explained

He said the Philippine Army continues to conduct its anti-insurgency operations to deter rebel atrocities amid the order of President Rodrigo Duterte lifting the ceasefire that was put in place between the government and the NPA in connection with the peace talks between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Oslo, Norway that was later on aborted.

He said the Philippine Army is open if there are rebels who will surrender but their anti-insurgency operations will continue until there is an order from higher headquarters to stop.

He also assured the Armed Forces of the Philippines will support the resumption of peace talks with the Reds.

He maintained that the NPAs are avoiding clash with the Philippine military in a bid to save their force, short of belittling the NPA's capability to wage a frontal shooting war with the government.

In their atrocities, they are actually conducting sabotaging operations to embarrass the government, Ramos said in Filipino, referring to the NPAs.

Asked if there are already extortion activities perpetrated by the NPA in Pangasinan, Ramos said they have not received any report of any private company paying alleged revolutionary taxes to the rebels in their areas of operation so far.

However, he asked these private companies to feel free to contact the Philippine Army should there be any attempt by the rebels to extort money from them.

He said the 702nd IB is continuously coordinating with the PNP and conducting joint checkpoints in strategic areas as well as monitoring and providing security to flagship projects, which include the wind farm in Ilocos Norte, the Sual Coal-fired Power Plant and the San Roque Multi-purpose Dam, both in Pangasinan.

When asked by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), soldiers of 702nd IB provide area security when they conduct anti-illegal drugs operations, Ramos said. (PNA)
FPV/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

Northern Antique scholars get PHP5,000 fund each

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, March 10 (PNA) â€"- Gov. Rhodora Cadiao extended assistance worth PHP5,000 to each of the around 600 provincial government scholars in Culasi during the "People’s Day" of northern Antique on Friday.

Cadiao said that the scholarship fund was released in timetime for the final exams for second semester of poor but deserving college students.

The governor, together with Youth Affairs Office head Rexon Nodque, who is in charge of the scholarship program, started to distribute the funds to 220 scholars of Tobias Fornier last Tuesday and 215 scholars of Anini-y town last Wednesday.

Yesterday, there were 240 scholars from San Remigio who received their scholarship fund and then 200 in Valderrama town.

The scholarship fund could also be utilized by the scholars for their books, boarding houses and allowances.

For this semester, there are 5,537 scholars of the provincial government.

The "People's Day" for the northern towns of Antique is being held every Friday.

The governor also holds the "People's Day" for the southern and central towns of the province every Tuesday at the capitol in San Jose de Buenavista.

Various services like the release of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and free medical checkup are also being done during the "People’s Day." (PNA)

Typhoon 'Yolanda' victims in Antique get 64 fiber glass boats

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, March 10 (PNA) -â€" Poor fisherfolk families in Culasi town, Antique affected by typhoon "Yolanda" in 2013 received 64 boats made of fiber glass on Friday to help them rebuild their lives.

Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Erwin Ilaya, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) provincial officer, and Nicolasito “Nick” Calawag, Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) chief, led the distribution of the boats.

Allette Gayatin, a senior aquaculturist at the OPA said in an interview that these boats were distributed to the fisherfolk in the coastal town of Culasi as part of the AHON program of BFAR.

Each fisherfolk who received the motorized boat had been identified by the local government unit (LGU) as among the poorest in their sector.

As this developed, Calawag said that Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Pinol will be in Antique on March 16 to again distribute 60 units of fiber glass boats to poor fisherfolk families registered with BFAR’s Fish-R program.

The boats will be distributed also in Culasi town. Ten recipients will be from the town of Tibiao, five from Sebaste and 10 from Libertad. The rest of the boats will be given to Culasi fisherfolk.

Each boat will be shared by two recipient fisherfolk so that more poor fishermen could benefit.

Aside from the boats, there will be two units of rainwater collectors that will be given to the fisherfolk association in Maningning, Culasi and four in Caluya island municipality.

Six fish aggregating devices or "payaos" will also be equally given to fishermen's associations in Libertad, Anini-y and Tobias Fornier.

Gayatin added that these fishing boats, rain water collectors, and fish aggregating devices would be released in response to the governor’s request to DA Assistant Secretary Hansel Didulo last March 3. The DA official was among those who attended the meeting also graced by Senator Loren Legarda.(PNA)

ARMM targets to achieve rabies-free region in 3 years

COTABATO CITY, March 10 (PNA) -- Within three years, officials expect the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to be rabies-free in line with the campaign to make the Philippines rabies-free by 2020.

ARMM officials on Friday commenced a massive campaign to eradicate rabies in the region's five provinces through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF-ARMM) and partner agencies.

Rabies is a fatal but preventable disease of dogs and other domesticated animals, which is transmissible to humans through the pets' saliva.

The achievement of rabies-free Philippines by 2020 is the country’s goal to support the government’s drive of eliminating rabies-caused human deaths by 2030.

To actively participate in the nationwide campaign, DAF-ARMM will conduct series of rabies awareness program in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The first recipients of the information dissemination were students of Broce Central Elementary School of Peace and the community in Broce, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

According to Dr. Norodin Kuit, ARMM’s regional anti-rabies coordinator, the outreach program was aimed at raising awareness on rabies and to call on residents to prevent such disease through responsible pet ownership.

The program included mass vaccination of domesticated animals, especially dogs.

Locals and pet owners welcomed the move by DAF-ARMM. Among them was Myrna Jacolon, 33, who owns a cat and three dog pets. She said attending such program was educational, and the immunization of her pets against rabies means protecting her pets, her family and the community she lives in from danger.

"It is better to have our pets vaccinated than we treat ourselves from dog bites," she said.

Veterinarian Cathy Moira of the Bureau of Animal Industry cited statistics why dog vaccination should not be ignored by anyone.

"For every 10 minutes, someone dies of rabies worldwide. Most affected are children four to 15 years old," she said.

In the country, at least 1,100 Filipinos experience animal bites every day, and there were around 230 deaths in 2015 and 180 deaths in January to September 2016.

Moira advised anyone who is bitten by animals to immediately wash the wound with soap or detergent using running water, disinfect the wound with alcohol, consult a doctor and seek the nearest bite center in the locality for medical attention.

Moira said that as of 2016, there are around 480 Animal Bite Treatment Centers in the country.

In Maguindanao, the animal bite center is housed at the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital in the town of Shariff Aguak.

Aside from the outreach program, DAF-ARMM also conducted free vaccination of pets, especially dogs, at the DAF-ARMM compound in Cotabato City.

Kuit said in an interview that having responsible pet owners would significantly help in preventing rabies.

The veterinarian also advised pet owners to have their animals vaccinated at age three and every year thereafter.

Kuit also advised pet owners to ensure they have proper nutrition.

Pet dogs should not be allowed to roam freely on the streets because they may acquire rabies when they mingle with street dogs. (PNA)

Phase II of Boracay drainage project up for bidding

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, March 9 (PNA) -- The second phase of the Boracay drainage project, eyed to solve the flooding problem in this world-renowned island, is now up for bidding.

The Boracay drainage project is a public-private partnership between the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the Boracay Island Water Company.

TIEZA, an agency under the Department of Tourism, will fund the construction of the facility while BIWC, a subsidiary of the Manila Water Company, will be in charge of maintenance and operation.

Jennifer Vergara, BIWC operations head, said the construction for Phase II of the project will start in the first half of the year.

For Phase II, a pipeline will be constructed in Bulabog so that treated water will not be discharged to Bulabog Beach anymore but will be diverted to a wetland in Sitio Lugutan.

Vergara said that once the bidding process is done, construction of the pipeline will immediately start.

Phase I of the project was completed in August 2014. It was designed to solve the flooding within the 11-hectare central business district on the island.

Last year, a multipartite agreement for Phase I was signed by TIEZA, BIWC, local government unit of Malay, provincial government of Aklan, DOT, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Boracay, the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) and the Boracay Windsport Association, Inc. (BWA).

The agreement aims to ensure proper implementation of the drainage project. (PNA)

P2.9-B fund transfer for Clark Airport development sought

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga - The City Council of Angeles has passed a resolution requesting the immediate transfer of a PHP2.9-billion fund from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) intended for the development of the Clark Airport.

The City Council, led by its presiding officer, Vice Mayor Bryan Matthew Nepomuceno on Thursday, passed   Resolution No. 7663, S-2017 citing Angeles City as one of the primary beneficiaries in the country of the development of the Clark Freeport Zone, especially the modernization of the Clark International Airport (CRK).

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared that the development of CRK, as the premier airport of the North and a viable alternative to the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), will serve as an impetus to the distribution of economic progress from Metro Manila to northern and central parts of Luzon.

The budget was appropriated by the Congress in 2015 and 2016 for PHP800 million and PHP2.09 billion respectively, for CRK.

CIAC and DOTr have already entered into a memorandum of agreement for the transfer of said funds for three horizontal civil works, which are components of the whole CRK project, but for some technical reasons, the release of the fund was placed on hold.

The resolution further expressed the urgency as it stated that “the process in building the new CRK Terminal Building must start at the soonest time possible for Clark airport to reach its potential, increase passenger traffic, create job opportunities and spur business activities in the surrounding localities, especially in Angeles City.

The resolution was sponsored by Councilors Alexander Indiongco, Edgardo D. Pamintuan, Jr., Jesus Sangil, Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. and Danilo Lacson.

It was seconded by Councilors Joseph Alfie Bonifacio, Joseph Ponce, Jae Vincent Flores and Carlito Ganzon and was unanimously approved by all members present. (PNA)
LAP/ZST/MDDR

Philippine exports surge 22.5% in January 2017

The Department of Trade and Industry sees exports recovering in 2017 as numbers surged in January 2017 with an increase of 22.5 percent with total sales of $5.130 billion from $4.187 billion recorded value in the same period last year according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report.

“We are positive that we will continue to drive growth and recovery for the export sector as we increase our efforts in promoting Philippine industries throughout the year in various key markets. We take the consistent growth since the last quarter of 2016 as a sign for positive outlook in the coming months,” said DTI Industry Promotion Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.

Eight out of the top ten Philippine exports reflected growth with articles of apparel and clothing accessories with 270.1% increase as the highest gainer. Other gainers include: coconut oil includes oil and refined (229.6%), chemicals (104.7%), metal components (66.3%), electronic equipment and parts (64.8%), other manufactures (58.8%), machinery and transport equipment (27.9%), and electronic products (10.4%).

Electronic products remain to be the top Philippine export comprising almost 46 percent of the total Philippine exports with total receipts of $2.365 billion for January. On the other hand, non-electronic goods which accounts for 54 percent of exports likewise increased by a hefty 35.19% for that same month. 

In terms of commodity groups, manufactured goods went up by 23.1 percent with total export sales of $4.505 billion, accounting for 87.8 percent of the total export receipts while exports from Total Agro-Based Products, with a 7.5 percent share to total exports in January 2017, amounted to $386.46 million.   It increased by 33.7 percent compared to $289.12 million in January 2016.

Japan is still the top Philippine export destination with 17.3 percent share to total exports while United States ranks second with 16.5 percent share.

By economic bloc, exports to European Union member countries posted the highest growth with 82.5 percent increase from $491.34 million recorded in January 2016 to $896.69 million for the same period in 2017.

“The increase in our shipments to European Union member countries could be attributed to the impact of EU GSP+ which continues to gain traction for our exports. We wish to further build on this by integrating new strategic measures in promoting the Philippines and our products and services,” explained Undersecretary Terrado.

On the other hand, countries in East Asia received most of Philippine exports accounting for 45.1 percent share to total exports valued at $2.315 billion.  It increased by 11.1 percent from $2.085 billion of January 2016.

Exports to ASEAN member countries comprised 14.7 percent of the total exports in January 2017 and was valued at $751.54 million also posted growth which went up by 19.3 percent.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Requiem K 626 Lacrimosa

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
CONSOLIDATED LIST OF BLACKLISTED CONSTRUCTORS AS OF 28 FEBRUARY 2017
NAME OF CONSTRUCTOR NAME OF AMO LIC. NO. UP TO AGENCY
A. P. Torres, B.J. Contractors Antonio P. Torres UL-0001 AB Present NHA
Al-alamiah Construction Nassib D. Sampaco 24075 AB * NPC
Al-alamiah Construction Nassib D. Sampaco 24075 AB * NPC
Alpha Trine Motors Corporation Rodolfo Mendoza UL-0002 AB * MWSS
ANA Construction Edgardo B. Manigo 31506 AB 7/26/2017 MCWD
ANA Construction Edgardo B. Manigo 31506 AB 12/31/2017 MCWD
AQA Global Construction Miguelito Alberto F. Achurra 33756 AB 6/27/2018 DOTC
AQA Global Construction Miguelito Alberto F. Achurra 33756 AB 9/14/2018 DOTr
ARPEE Construction & Supply Ruben A. Pasion 17200 AB * DepEd
B.E. Construction Ma. Elena A. Malaga 2730 AB * DPWH
Constructive Builder, Inc. Benjamin C. Yu 5110 AB Present NHA
Dowsers Trend Construction Jimmy Capuyan Ano 36215 AB 12/4/2017 Philippine
Army
E.S. Almuete Construction Efren S. Almuete L-5131 AB * NIA
F.N.A. Construction Francisco N. Alincastre 4577 AB * DepEd
Fatima Ask Construction and Enterprises Lincoln A. Abduraup 35918 AB 10/14/2017 Zamboanga
City
Four Brothers Hardware and Construction Services -none- -none- AB 5/6/2017 Zamboanga
City
Francis Lim Construction Francisco H. Lim 8037 AB Present NIA
Geety Realty & Development Corp. Andrea T. Tubeira 30447 RL 1/28/2019 PCAB
Infra-Structural Construction Eleuterio C. Perez 491 AB * MWSS
J. R. Maliwanag Trading and Construction Joel R. Maliwanag 17648 AB * DPWH
JM Yalung Construction Inc. Marie Liz B. Yalung 39620 SL 1/25/2018 PCAB
Jonice Engineering Construction Jorge T. Maliuanag 10888 AB * DPWH
Lime Light Construction Lorenzo C. Nielo, Jr. 0 DL 04/02/2017 PCAB
MRRM Trading and Construction Ma. Rosa S. Mandani 19657 AB 5/26/2017 Philippine
Army
New Amson Construction Angela Mae R. Dulig 39350 AB 10/24/2017 NIA
R. T. Katigbak Construction Corporation Ricardo T. Katigbak 8150 AB * MWSS
R2D Construction & Supply Ruby C. Canlas 33668 RL 7/27/2017 PCAB
Ramona Mining and Development Corp. Juanito T. de Veyra 6710 AB * NHA
RHR Construction Ronaldo R. Hipolito 28189 AB 12/4/2017 Philippine
Army
River Concrete Construction and Development
Corporation George O. Matunog, Jr. 33895 AB 3/28/2017 Mun. of
Calamba
River Concrete Construction and Development
Corporation George O. Matunog, Jr. 33895 AB 3/29/2019 Mun. of
Calamba
Ruby Lim Construction and Supplies
Incorporated Ruby D. Lim 11685 AB 5/18/2018 PNP -
Region 8
RVRU Builders and Trading Ranhi V. Rubiano 0 DL 1/25/2021 PCAB
S & W Construction and Gen. Merchandise Simeon Antique 10557 AB Present PPA
Sarbet Builders Saripoden T. Alonto 26905 AB * NPC
Square 'R' Builders and Development Corp. Serafin H. Ramirez, Sr. 9516 AB Present DOH
Stern Builders Corporation Servillano R. dela Cruz 3379 AB * MWSS
Suzuka Construction Co., Ltd. Tamotu Suzuka OECO-13862 AB * DPWH
Transpower Builders and Development Corp. Rene M. Mejes 25222 SL 7/28/2017 PCAB
Villcruz Construction and Supply Leonardo F. Villanueva 12947 AB * DPWH
VIRLO Construction Virgilio S. Pongase 5765 AB 7/20/2017 Phil. Air
Force
Wismon Construction and Development
Corporation Leah Cruda Balcos 33087 AB 12/4/2017 Philippine
Army
- nothing follows -
Page 1 of 2
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AUTHORITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
CONSOLIDATED LIST OF BLACKLISTED CONSTRUCTORS AS OF 28 FEBRUARY 2017
NAME OF CONSTRUCTOR NAME OF AMO LIC. NO. UP TO AGENCY
Legend:
* Constructors with expired suspension are still included in the list due to the non-issuance of
a delisting order by the proponent/source agency
AB Agency Blacklisted
AMO Authorized Managing Officer
DL Denied PCAB License
JV Joint Venture
NW New Applicant (no PCAB license yet)
Present Conditional Blacklisting (Conditions not yet complied)
RL Revoked PCAB License
SL Suspended PCAB License
SP Special PCAB License
UL Unlicensed (not registered with PCAB)
For more information or details regarding this report, please call up the PDCB Secretariat at the
following telephone numbers: 896-1801 or 897-0791 or e-mail us at pdcb@dti.gov.ph

DTI-DPWH road network in Negros Occidental to spur eco growth

BACOLOD CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Negros Occidental are currently working on the development of two priority road networks in the province positioned to spur local economic growth.

The project is under the Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) Program launched in 2016, and is expected to be fully realized next year.

DTI-Negros Occidental Director Lea Gonzales said Thursday, officials of the two local agencies convened at the Negosyo Center here to discuss the initial implementation stage of the program in the province, particularly the identification of the road networks.

Gonzales said under the program, each province in the country is going to prioritize two major road networks for funding under the 2018 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

For Negros Occidental, Gonzales said they have initially identified these networks, but is still subject to further verification and validation by its partner-agency, the DPWH.

“This project will surely boost connectivity and lower cost for local enterprises,” she said, adding that like farm-to-market road projects of the Department of Agriculture, it will also boost access for companies to easily transport raw materials and finished goods.

The joint agreement of DTI and DPWH will focus on addressing the need of the country’s 12 priority industries.

These are electronic manufacturing services, automotive and auto parts, aerospace parts, chemicals, ship building, furniture and garments, tool and die for engineering works, agri-business, information and technology â€" business process management (IT-BPM), transport and logistics, tourism and construction.

According to DTI, most of these industries are existing and advantageous to the province.

In agri-business, the agency said it is prioritizing the development of food resource-based commodities like cacao, coffee, mango, banana, coconut, bamboo and other high-value crops.

Under the ROLL IT program, the development of the road networks includes road and bridge construction or rehabilitation components.

Gonzales said it could be existing roads, not necessarily new, which could be identified depending mainly on the need of the industries.

For Negros Occidental, it is most probably one in the north and another road network in the south, Gonzales said, adding that they cannot yet peg its amount.

“While DPWH is speeding up the gathering of data, DTI is also coming up with profiling of the companies and industries that could benefit from the project,” she also said.

The two agencies target to have the final list of road networks this week, which will then be endorsed by the Infrastructure Committee during the Negros Island Regional Development Council Meeting in Canlaon City on March 17.

Aside from bridging enterprises to the markets, ROLL IT program is also positioned to generate more employment and enterprising opportunities for residents and local entrepreneurs, respectively.(PNA)

300 complete skills training through PHP10-M DILG grant
By Emmanuel P.Solis

LEGAZPI CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) Manager Diosdado “Dads” Raneses of this city said the first batch of 300, who have graduated from short-term training courses under a city government program called “STAG-LG Trabajo,” are ready to receive their certificates of completion from the various training institutions involved in the program.

Raneses, in a statement issued Thursday, said out of the 300 recipients of the program, 125 have completed trainings in contact center services, 25 in cookery, 25 in food and beverages services, 25 in bartending, 25 in costumer services, 25 in hilot or wellness massage, 25 in housekeeping and 25 in shielded metal arc welding.

He said the city administration will also give certificates of recognition to the new graduates of the program that was designed to ensure that community members could get added trainings for skills that would make them gainfully employed or become enterpreneurs.

The program called “Skills Training for Accelerated Growth in Local Government’s Training for Better Job Opportunities” or “STAG-LG: Trabajo” has been made possible through a PHP10-million grant of the Department of Interior and Local Government to the city government.

Raneses said the city government’s partners in the program are the Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Education.

He said TESDA will assess the new graduates through written and practical examinations so they could become National Certificate 2 (NC2) holders.

“The NC2 certificates can be used as tools for employment in our country and even in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian) countries,” he said.

Raneses said the Trabajo program supports the national government’s thrust to help the unemployed and empower them through training projects that would lead to livelihood opportunities.

He said his office is now fine tuning all the documentations needed for the second batch of recipients of the training program.

Raneses said the target beneficiaries of the project must be 18 years old and bonafide residents of this city who have completed high school or junior high school.

“Also qualified under the program are the out-of-school youths and unemployed; drivers of tricycles, vans and jeepney whose spouses have no livelihood; displaced Overseas Filipino Workers and their families and industry workers,” said Raneses.

He said the other possible beneficiaries of the program are persons with disabilities, senior citizens, families of members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police killed while on duty, indigenous people and other marginalized groups. (PNA)
FPV/GVR/EPS/CBD/RSM

Bicol police reports arrest of 28 most wanted persons
By Samuel M.Toledo

LEGAZPI CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- Some 28 most wanted persons were arrested in separate operations across the six Bicol provinces with recommended bails amounting to a total of P1.1-million, showed a report released today at Camp General Simeon Ola, headquarters of the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5).

Sr. Insp. Ma. Luisa Calubaquib, PRO5 spokesperson, said the suspects, who were arrested from Saturday to Wednesday, were held for crimes ranging from murder, homicide, rape, violence against women, child abuse, estafa, robbery to illegal gambling.

“Most of the arrested were hiding for several years already as their names had been listed in either the town or province’s most wanted persons,” she said.

Calubaquib said arrested for murder were Romeo Doncillo, 56 of Mobo, Masbate and Santiago Bornalo, 41 of Balatan, Camarines Sur; for frustrated murder were Felipe Jaliamao, 61, and Ian Marlon Roson, 29, of Daet, both of Camarines Norte.

Arrested for rape was Avelino Tano of San Andres, Catanduanes; and for forcible abduction with rape was Ricojay Punay of Pili, Camarines Sur.

PRO5 said arrested for frustrated homicide was Joleto Lopez, 58; for reckless imprudence resulting to homicide were Errol Oliva, 37, of Milagros, Masbate, and Jayco Basalaysay, 16, of Bacon District, Sorsogon City.

Arrested for reckless imprudence resulting in serious physical injuries were Rosel Olayta, 37, of Camalig, Albay, and Estilito Alcantara, 63, of Tinambac, Camarines Sur.

The others arrested were Elvira Dumandan, 58, of Iriga City and Leonora Consulta, 44, of Tigaon, Camarines Sur, both for estafa; and Allan Agravante for seven counts of falsification of commercial documents.

Arrested for robbery were Andro Rivero, 27, of San Pascual, Masbate and Romy Rizalon, 30, of Balud, Masbate and Emmanuel Salem, 35, of Paracale, Camarines Norte. Ricky Boy Antiquera, 26, of San Roque, Legazpi City was arrested for theft.

Ruben Morales, 47, was arrested for violence against women and Nestor Ruiz, 34, of Garchitorena, Camarines Sur, for child abuse.

Alberto Clemente, 63, of Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte and Joey Gigante, 35, were arrested for illegal possession of ammunition.

Erol Perdon, 32, was arrested for illegal logging while Manuel Publico, 65, Norman Lleva, 54, of Daraga, Albay, and Noel Dejumo were all arrested for illegal gambling.

Also arrested were Benedict Brizo, 26, for grave threats and Jose Asis, 69, of Daet, Camarines Norte, for perjury. (PNA)

Guide: Applying for a Philippine Passport

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Illegal bails of relief clothing did not pass Dumaguete port

DUMAGUETE CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Dumaguete City has clarified that the shipment of more or less 80 bails of used clothing that were confiscated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Wednesday did not pass through the port of Dumaguete.

Customs deputy collector Datu Camad Ali issued the statement Thursday following insinuations the shipment could not have reached the city without the knowledge of port authorities.

NBI special investigator Ma. Contessa Lastimoso disclosed a lot of agencies are involved in the shipment but primarily it is the Bureau of Customs that has jurisdiction over the matter.

She said some of the stocks arrived in Dumaguete passing through a lot of seaports to include Manila, Bacolod and Mindanao.

How the shipment got to Dumaguete is now a subject of an investigation.

The same information was also provided by persons who were present during the service of the search warrant against Romeo Omictin.

NBI special investigator Lastimoso will be requesting the court to retain only a number of bails of the confiscated used clothing to form part of their evidence in filing the complaint before the courts because they do not have a storage facility and that it is up for the court to decide on its disposal, either through the Department of Social Welfare and Development or the local government unit.

According to Lastimoso, the law provides that used clothing and rags confiscated by law enforcement units shall be burned in the presence of representatives from the general auditing office, Department of Finance and the Office of the President without the forfeiture proceedings provided for in RA 1937, if the law is to be strictly enforced. (PNA)
LAP/JFP/JUANCHO GALLARDE

Female high school students in Aurora train on basic self defense

BALER, Aurora, March 9 (PNA)-- A basic training on self defense for female high school students is being conducted here in line with celebration of Women’s Month.

The two-day activity was facilitated by the 56th Infantry “Tatag” Battalion, Philippine Army and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

Army Captain Reynaldo Aragones, Civil Military Operation (CMO) chief of “Tatag” Battalion said they are in full support to the activity for young women learning how to defend themselves.

“Violence is, unfortunately, a fact of life. We have to counter an immediate threat of violence and we have to protect our women by providing them safe and healthful tips to defend themselves in the schools and working places, among others,” Aragones said.

Aragones said the two-day activity likewise aims to raise awareness and boost knowledge on the basic strategies on protecting oneself in the midst of unavoidable circumstances.

Social worker Camay Joy Dadero said taking into account that women’s maternal function is vital for the participants to know their rights and how to defend themselves against violence.

She cited the Magna Carta for Women or the Republic Act of 9710 that provides the necessary mechanisms to enforce and guarantee the realization of women’s rights as well as adopt and undertake steps to include temporary special measures which encompass a wide variety of legislative, executive, administrative and other regulatory instruments, policies and practices aimed at accelerating the equal participation of women in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field as stated in the law.

She also cited the importance of gender equality.

The participants came from the different institutions namely - Angelcare Science of Academy, Aurora National Science High School, Baler National High School, Puangi National High School, Dipaculao, National High School, Maria Aurora National High School, Rodrigo P. Palmero Memorial National High School, Ditumabo National High School, Aurora National High School and Bayanihan National High School here in Central Aurora. (PNA) (PNA)

168 drug surrenderers in Negros Occidental complete community-based rehab

BACOLOD CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- A total of 168 drug surrenders in Negros Occidental completed the community-based rehabilitation program initiated by the provincial government with the Philippine Army.

This was listed in the accomplishments of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) reported Thursday as part of the province’s initiative to support the war on drugs of the Duterte administration.

Late last year, the provincial government organized a series of wellness camps with the 303rd Infantry Brigade attended by moderate drug users from various cities and municipalities who surrendered through the Oplan Tokhang of the Philippine National Police.

The four wellness camps were held in August, September, November and December.

The surrenderers came from the cities of Bago, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, San Carlos, Silay, and Sipalay and the municipalities of Calatrava, Cauayan, Hinigaran, Ilog, Isabela, Manapla, Murcia, and Pontevedra.

Records showed the youngest participant was a 12-year-old boy while the eldest was a 47-year-old.

The modules of the week-long wellness camps include leadership training, physical tasks, spiritual activities, counseling, lectures, skills and entrepreneurial training.

Some of the participants were able to obtain scholarships from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The report also said that PADAC supported and provided assistance to various cities and municipalities for their localized community-based rehabilitation program.

These were Cadiz, Sagay, Kabankalan, Victorias, Silay, San Carlos, Murcia, and Ilog.

Bacolod City also patterned its own community-based rehabilitation program from the provincial model, the report said.

For this year, the technical working group has yet to convene to identify the drug surrenderers who will undergo the rehabilitation program, which would be the initial batch, said Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Ma. Lina Sanogal, action officer of PADAC.

The provincial government has allotted P5 million for drug rehabilitation this year. Additional allocation will also be sourced from the Capitol’s P5 million peace and order fund. (PNA)
LAP/NLG/MPE

Operation Double Barrel Reloaded officially kicks off in Pangasinan
By Leonardo V. Micua

DAGUPAN CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- Operation Double Barrel Reloaded is now on in Pangasinan following its official launching in Region 1 by Chief Superintendent Charlo Collado, Police Regional Office 1 director, at Camp Oscar Florendo in San Fernando City, La Union on Wednesday.

Senior Supt. Ronald Oliver Lee, Pangasinan police provincial director, revealed that immediately after its launching, they served six search warrants in the houses and premises of separate suspects which all turned out positive.

He cited one drug dealer from Barangay Basing in Lingayen whose house was served with a search warrant early Thursday morning, a few days after the police was tipped off that the suspect has returned to his home village when the police suspended their operations against illegal drugs.

Another SW served by the police in San Manuel town also early Thursday against a separate drug personality who just returned too in his village also turned out positive, said Lee, speaking during the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP)forum at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) provincial office in Dagupan City.

Confirming that the two SWs were among the six approved by the courts to be served by the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) against separate drug suspects, Lee said the serving of the same also marked the official provincewide start of Operation Double Barrel Reloaded in Pangasinan.

Lee told newsmen there are some more pending applications for search warrants against several other high-value targets (HVTs) and their service will be complemented by buy-bust operations simultaneously in all towns targeting identified street pushers.

Citing the example of the arrested drug personality from Basing, Lingayen, Lee said that the suspect perhaps thought that when the policemen ceased their operations against illegal drugs, they did not do anything but just rested and slept.

"He was mistaken. The truth is during that period that we suspended our operations against illegal drugs, we were conducting our monitoring with the help of barangay officials and their people. They (drug personalities) do not know, that we were just waiting for them to come out of hiding and return to their villages and resume their illegal activities," he said.

He added that because of this, the police are now just doing what they simply call "apple picking" since the wanted drug personalities already came out from their lairs and have returned to their respective communities.

Lee recalled that when the Pangasinan police stopped their anti-illegal drug operations, there were 87 percent of the more than 1,340 barangays in Pangasinan that were already cleared, which meant that no more of their people were using or pushing drugs.

He revealed they will soon conduct evaluation on these drug-cleared barangays and if they find that there are people again using or pushing drugs in these already cleared villages, they will be reclassified as drug-affected.

There is a probability, he said, that these 87 percent cleared barangays will be reduced to just 60 percent in view of the big number of drug personalities who were monitored to have returned to their villages after leaving for quite sometime to escape intense police operations.

Admitting that President Rodrigo Duterte has not given them any timeline to finish the war on drugs, Lee believes that Operation Double Barrel Reloaded will be as successful as the first, an operation that led to the surrender of over 19,000 drug users and pushers all over Pangasinan.

On top of that, these anti-drug operations led to the drastic decrease in the number of crimes all over the province, except the crime of rape as shown by statistics.

Meanwhile, Lee claimed that since the very start of Double Barrel I, the religious sectors were helping the program as their pastors were the ones giving spiritual guidance to the surrenderers undergoing rehabilitation.

But he said he will soon set an appointment with Lingayen-Dagupan archbishop Socrates Villegas to also ask his help to support the program in a bid to provide better life to the people who were ones hooked on drugs.

Lee admitted that there are now two towns in Pangasinan that are drug-free -- Sto. Tomas and Laoac but may be joined later by the towns of Natividad and Mabini.

He said they were about to declare Natividad as drug-free when the order came that enjoined them to cease conducting anti-illegal drugs operations.

With the police back in the war on drugs, they are proceeding to clear Natividad and Mabini but cautioned their respective officials to follow the example set by Sto. Tomas whose mayor and barangays captains volunteered to comprise themselves as hold-over team to monitor their respective towns against any more drug use and trading.

Lee said under Operation Double Barrel Reloaded, they will continue to monitor business establishments o detect the presence of drug laboratories but offhand, he said, the province has only street level pushers and not even a financier to contend with.

He said "shabu" being distributed by street pushers in Pangasinan is coming from Metro Manila and Cavite, adding that there is no drug laboratory nor marijuana plantation in the province. (PNA)

lst Gayak Pangasinan Show set April 7

LINGAYEN Pangasinan, March 9 (PNA)-- Preparations are now underway for the holding of the 1st Gayak Pangasinan ‘Women Leaders for a Cause’ on April 7, starting at 7p.m. at the Sison Auditorium as part of activities for the Pangasinan Pistay Dayat 2017.

The Filipino word Gayak’ literally means "to dress up" and bears relevance to "gearing up for a certain cause" as it is a fundraising activity organized by the Local Councils’ of Women (LCW) Pangasinan Chapter.

This is in partnership with the provincial government of Pangasinan and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Lingayen Liberation II.

LCW Provincial Chairperson Marilyn Sison, vice mayor of Urbiztondo town, said the Gayak event signifies that “women leaders in Pangasinan are united to carry out pioneering advocacies that seek to reach out women in the grassroots.”

Expressing support to the "Gayak" event, Governor Amado Espino III noted that the activity seeks to help level up women empowerment and serves as a good opportunity to make women leaders in Pangasinan, who are members of the LCW, "more solid and intact to engage them in advocacies benefiting the women sector."

Showcasing a socio-cultural and tourism perspective, the event will also feature women leaders from various localities in the province with diverse cultural backgrounds, donning their Filipiniana gowns designed by local designers.

Women leaders of Pangasinan are also being branded as modern-day Urdujas of Pangasinan who immortalize the refine character, strength and brilliance of the legendary warrior princess of the province.

To be held as part of the Pistay Dayat revelry, "Gayak" is also packaged as a tourism attraction as nationally-acclaimed Pangasinense talents in the performing arts will be seen on stage during the Gala Show.

Cultural performance will also be presented by the "Danggoan" Pangasinan Cultural Group of the provincial government.

Tickets are sold at PHP1,000 each which is inclusive of a dinner for one. (PNA)
FPV/LVM/LVMICUA

Leyte town vows to step up coastal water protection

TACLOBAN CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- The local government unit of Palompon, Leyte vowed to sustain preservation of their coastal waters and enforce the fishery laws after it was recognized as one of the country’s outstanding coastal community this year.

Palompon Mayor Ramon Oñate said they are now more committed to stepping up local environmental management programs after winning first runner-up in the first “Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The local government received the award on Wednesday from President Rodrigo Duterte and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol at Malacañang Palace.

“It’s not an easy feat. We worked hard for this the past decade and recovering after super typhoon Yolanda is a great factor,” Oñate said in a phone interview.

“This award goes to the people of Palompon. We would also like to thank Leyte Governor Dominic Petilla and Rep. Lucy Gomez-Torres (Leyte 4th district) for their unstinted support in our town.”

Among the local government’s initiatives are solid waste management, total ban on the catching of danggit (rabbitfish) during the spawning season from February to April, total ban on coral extraction, regulation on the use of superlight and other destructive fishing methods, and the establishment of a 24-hour patrol against illegal fishing and other violations of environmental laws.

In recognition of their efforts in the preservation of coastal waters and enforcing the fishery laws, the national government awarded PHP8 million check to the local government. They also received PHP2 million as regional winner.

Palompon is a 2nd class town with a population of 58,150. The town is 120 kilometers from Tacloban City, the regional hub.

The town is famous for its sun-dried danggit and its jewel destination, Kalanggaman island.

It also bagged the Hall of Fame Pearl Award as best tourism oriented local government (Municipality Category) in the Association of Tourism Association of the Philippines Pearl Awards 2016 last October, for winning the award for three-straight years.

The Department of Agriculture through BFAR advocates MMK to encourage the local government units to adopt best practices and promote conservation, management and sustainable development of municipal waters.

The town of Cortes in Surigao del Sur and Calatagan in Batangas were declared MMK champion and 2nd runner-up, respectively.(PNA)

ASEAN council chair underscores need to strengthen commitment to UNDRIP

ILOILO CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) underscored the need for members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen their commitment to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).

At the sidelines of the 17th Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council Meeting that culminated here Thursday, Secretary Taguiwalo, who chairs the council, said that all ASEAN countries are signatory to the UNDRIP.

“The collective and inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples are enshrined in the UNDRIP,” she stressed.

However, she pointed out that the ASEAN-ASCC “itself has no declaration regarding IPs.”

“There are certain areas that need to be arrived at by consensus and no consensus has been arrived at so far,” she said.

She cited as reasons concerns on urbanization and development involving ancestral lands of IPs under displacement. This, she said, is very clear with the case of Lumads in the Philippines.

Also, some major development programs, such as in Indo-Chinese countries, impact on IPs and communities.

Nonetheless, she said that the Philippines can initiate the process through a consensus.

Ensuring the promotion and protection of the rights of the vulnerable sectors, to include among others the IPs, is among the initiatives being eyed by the Philippines to be carried out by the DSWD to achieve a people-oriented, people-centered ASEAN, which is one of the priorities of ASEAN 2017.

DSWD played host to the 22nd Senior Officials Committee for the ASCC (SOCA) meeting held backâ€"to-back with the 17th ASCC Council meeting that ended today. (PNA)
LAP/PGLENA/CBF

Antique PWDs to undergo 'disability equality training'

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, March 9 (PNA) -â€"Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Antique will undergo a "disability equality training" here on Saturday.

Paulo Castillo, Antique PWD affairs officer, said that Dr. June Ann De Vera of the Philippine Rehabilitation Medicine and Eunice Factor of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) will be here for the training.

He said that the training would be attended by the officers of the PWD municipal organizations in the province for them to eventually establish their respective community-based rehabilitation program that benefited their members.

Disability equality training explores the concept of people being disabled by society's barriers and attitudes. It will highlight the role of society in the removal of those barriers and in the changing of attitudes.

The training may include customer care, etiquette and appropriate language.

There are 8,592 PWDs registered with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office in Antique.(PNA)
RMA/BS/AJPETINGLAY/KVB

Japan may conduct preemptive strikes against enemy bases -- defense chief

TOKYO, March 9 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Japan's Defense Minister Tomomi Inada on Thursday suggested that it may be legally possible for Japanese troops to acquire the capability to conduct preemptive strikes against enemy bases.

Inada made the remarks in a House of Representatives Committee meeting on security with regards to a question on how Japanese troops deal with launches of ballistic missiles against it from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Inada said that in line with Japanese and international law, Japan would "consider various measures", although added that the government was not currently considering giving its forces the capability of making such preemptive strikes.

Inada did say, however, that giving Japanese troops the capability and conducting such preemptive strikes is "legally possible."

Under Article 9 of the Constitution, Japan is not allowed to maintain any means of land, sea, or air war potential or use war as a means of settling international disputes. Japan's Constitution also decrees that the Japanese people forever renounce war.

Thursday's discussions come on the heels of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launching four missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Monday, with three of them thought to have fallen within Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, for his part, has been looking into acquiring enemy base strike camps, stating in a Diet Committee meeting on Jan. 26 that Japan should consider becoming more independent in terms of its own military defense.

A study group from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) led by Abe is looking into the feasibility of acquiring this capability.

Separately, the lower house on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution protesting the DPRK's latest missile launch.

The resolution says the launch represents a new stage of threat and is a clear provocation against the international community.

Japan lodges a strong protest and condemns the launch in the strongest terms, the resolution says. (PNA/Xinhua)
JBP/EDS

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

President Widodo meets predecessor, both pledging to solve nation's issues

JAKARTA, March 9 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Thursday met his predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the presidential palace and both pledged to work together to solve issues faced by the nation.

The meeting came following the request of Susilo Bamgang Yudhoyono, palace spokesperson Johan Budi said.

Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting, Susilo spoke highly of the government's success in hosting the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) summit and in welcoming Saudi Arabian King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud's visit to the country.

"I and Jokowi sincerely want to further develop this country," Susilo said.

The two's last meeting was on Dec. 8, 2014 at Jokowi's inauguration as the nation's seventh president. (PNA/Xinhua)

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

U.N. Security Council holds emergency talks on N. Korea

NEW YORK, March 9 (PNA/Kyodo) -- The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday convened an emergency meeting to address North Korea's latest test-firing of ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. resolutions.

The move came a day after the 15-member council, in a press statement, "strongly condemned" the test, carried out Monday morning local time, as a "grave violation" of Pyongyang's international obligations.

"The most important thing of course is to reduce tension and also to get on the track of dialogue, to seek progress in denuclearization and also to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Liu Jieyi told reporters just prior to the meeting.

Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho said the missile launch is "totally unacceptable," noting it is important the Security Council "discuss this and try to think through about what further actions to take."

On Monday, Pyongyang fired ballistic missiles that landed in waters as close as 300-350 kilometers off Japan's northwest coast. North Korea's official media has reported that the launch was a drill simulating a strike on U.S. military bases in Japan.

In the statement, the council members also "deplore all the Democratic People's Republic of Korea ballistic missile activities" and "expressed serious concern" over the country's "increasingly destabilizing behavior and defiance." North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The launches came after Pyongyang criticized the annual joint military exercises being conducted by Seoul and Washington. While the United States and South Korea consider the exercises routine, the North views them as preparation for war.

Under past U.N. resolutions, North Korea is barred from any use of ballistic missile technology. But a spate of six sanctions since its first nuclear test in 2006 have failed to dissuade the country from pursuing what it insists are defensive weapons. (PNA/Kyodo)

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Over half of Americans in favor of Sessions' resignation

MOSCOW, March 9 (PNA/Sputnik) -- More than 50 percent of US voters think Attorney General Jeff Sessions should resign over his alleged contacts with the Russian authorities during the 2016 US presidential election campaign, a new poll reveals.

"American voters say 52 â€" 40 percent that US Attorney General Jeff Sessions lied under oath during his confirmation hearings and say 51 â€" 42 percent that he should resign," the results of an independent Quinnipiac University national poll released on Wednesday said.

According to the survey, 66 percent of US voters support the idea of an independent commission investigating potential links between campaign advisors of US President Donald Trump and the Russian government.

Donald Trump sits with US Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) at Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York, US, October 7, 2016© REUTERS/ Mike Segar 'If Trump Loses Sessions, It'll Be the End of His Administration'

The majority of the voters, 54 percent, disapprove of the way Trump is handling US policy towards Russia and 61 percent are "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" about Trump's "relationship with Russia," the Quinnipiac poll results said.

Senator Al Franken said on Tuesday that a statement by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions during his confirmation hearings in March that he had no contact with Russia during the 2016 election campaign prompted a demand that he reappear before the US Senate Judiciary Committee and explain his answer.

At issue are reports that Sessions met once with Russia’s ambassador to the United States during a reception at the Republican National Convention in July and later during a private meeting in his Senate office. The reports have prompted Sessions to formally recuse himself from any investigation of Russian involvement in the US presidential election. (PNA/Sputnik)
RMA/BNB/EDS

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Anti-nuke groups march in Taiwan to mark Fukushima anniversary

TAIPEI, March 9 (PNA/Kyodo) -- Antinuclear power groups in Taiwan said Thursday that marches will be held island-wide on Saturday to mark the sixth anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant disaster in Japan following a monster earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011.

The upcoming event will be the first of its kind since President Tsai Ing-wen, who has vowed to end the use of nuclear power in Taiwan by 2025, took office in May last year.

Tsuei Su-hsin, secretary general of the Green Citizens' Action Alliance, told a press conference outside the Legislative Yuan compound that the marches will be held across Taiwan on Saturday from Taipei in northern Taiwan to Kaohsiung in the south and Taitung on the east coast. (PNA/Kyodo)
RMA/RSM

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Russia to welcome any US ambassador willing to mend dialogue, Kremlin says

MOSCOW, March 9 (PNA/TASS) -- Russia will welcome the appointment of any US ambassador who will be committed to the idea of establishing a dialogue between the two countries, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in the wake of media reports Utah’s former governor Jon Huntsman may become the head of the US diplomatic mission in Moscow.

"We will welcome any new head of the US embassy in Moscow who will display firm commitment to the idea of establishing a dialog between the two countries," Peskov said, adding that the decision on who will head the US embassy in Russia was entirely Washington’s internal affair.

"We have no intention to meddle in these internal affairs," Peskov said. (PNA/TASS)
RMA/RSM

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Russia, Germany interested in making Geneva process on Syria permanent

MOSCOW, March 9 (PNA/TASS) -- Moscow and Berlin are interested in making sure that the "Geneva process" on Syria becomes permanent and effective, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday following talks with his German counterpart, Sigmar Gabriel.

"We talked about Syria as well. We have a common interest to make sure that the Geneva process gathers momentum and becomes permanent and, most importantly, effective," the minister said.

"Meetings in Astana are rather useful. We expect that coordination of action on the Astana and Geneva platforms will help to simultaneously advance on strengthening the ceasefire, and on the path of a political settlement, Lavrov said. (PNA/TASS)
RMA/RSM

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Egypt military arrests 70 suspects in restive Sinai

CAIRO, March 9 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The Egyptian military and security forces arrested 70 suspects during raids over the past two days in restive North Sinai province bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, a military spokesman said Thursday.

"The forces also killed an extremist during his attempt to plant an explosive device on one of the patrol roads and found and destroyed six other explosive devices prepared to target our forces during their movement," the spokesman, Tamer al-Refaay, said in the statement.

During the raids, two main smuggling tunnels, two hideouts of terrorist elements and three motorbikes were also destroyed, he said.

On Sunday, security forces killed 11 militants and arrested 34 others in a similar campaign in Central Sinai, the southern part of North Sinai province.

In mid-February, at least three Egyptian soldiers were killed in Central Sinai's Mount Halal area when their armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Three militants were killed and three others arrested in subsequent fighting.

Anti-government terror attacks in Egypt have killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since the mid-2013 military removal of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in response to mass protests against his one-year rule.

Later, security crackdown on Morsi's supporters killed about 1,000 of them. Thousands others were arrested and Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood group was designated as a "terrorist organization".

Most of the terrorist attacks nationwide, particularly those in Sinai, have been claimed by a Sinai-based outfit that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

Security campaigns in Sinai have killed hundreds of militants and arrested a similar number of suspects over the past few years as part of the country's anti-terror war declared by former www.army.govarmy chief and current President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi following Morsi's ouster.

Egypt's military intelligence chief, Gen. Mohamed Farag al-Shahhat, said during a military-held symposium earlier in February that at least 500 extremely dangerous terrorists have been killed since a massive anti-terror campaign, known as "The Martyr's Right," started in September 2015. (PNA/Xinhua) CVL/RSM

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Russia, Germany committed to consolidating Donbass ceasefire

MOSCOW, March 9 (PNA/TASS) -- Russia and Germany are unanimous in believing that it is necessary to stop violations of the ceasefire in the Donbass region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday following talks with Germany’s top diplomat, Sigmar Gabriel.

"We take a similar stance on the main thing that it is necessary to stop ceasefire violations, it is necessary to comply with the agreements on the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the inadmissibility of failure to meet obligations to keep them at storage sites," Lavrov said.

Kiev pretends it has complied with all Minsk-2 obligations, Lavrov added. "I don’t what to point fingers, but we hear what our Ukrainian neighbors are saying, how bellicose is Kiev’s rhetoric and how regularly the Ukrainian leadership is trying to present things as if only Russia must comply with the Minsk agreements, while Ukraine has allegedly fulfilled all," Lavrov said.

Moscow urges Kiev to stop blockade of Donbass, he said, adding that Russia is in favor of having more OSCE observers in Donbass. (PNA/TASS)
RMA/RSM

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Japanese Broadcaster rapped for drama title comparing local food to penis

TOKYO, March 9 (PNA/Kyodo) -- A Japanese broadcaster has agreed to change the title of a new TV drama series from the originally planned "Sayonara, Kiritampo" after it enraged people in a northeastern prefecture for using kiritampo, their traditional food, as a metaphor for a penis cut off by an estranged girlfriend.

TV Asahi now lists the title of the drama series beginning in April as "undecided" on its website. According to the network, the drama will be a romantic comedy revolving around a woman who "punishes a series of terrible men she has met" either as a revenge for being betrayed or out of "pure love."

The network previously stated on the website that the heroine, to be played by Mayu Watanabe, a member of the all-girl idol group AKB48, will be an "Abe Sada" of the modern age, referring to the woman notorious for cutting off the penis of her lover in a 1936 murder.

That case inspired the creation of "L'Empire des sens (In the Realm of the Senses)," a 1976 Franco-Japanese film directed by Nagisa Oshima.

The reference to Abe Sada and the title meaning "good-bye, kiritampo" upset people in Akita Prefecture, who love and take pride in the cylinder-like food made of cooked and mashed rice.

TV Asahi said Wednesday it had received a protest from the prefectural government over the "inappropriate title" and will change it.

An Akita prefectural government official said the original title was clearly intended to make people think of the male genitalia.

It could have "tarnished the image" of kiritampo and was therefore "impermissible," the official said. (PNA/Kyodo)
RMA/RSM

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

U.N. confirms 2 Malaysian staff arrived in Beijing from N. Korea

KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (PNA/Kyodo) -- The United Nations confirmed Thursday that two of its World Food Program employees, among 11 Malaysian citizens in North Korea, have left the country and arrived in Beijing the same day.

With their once-cozy relations sharply deteriorating in the aftermath of the Feb. 13 murder of the estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, the Malaysian and North Korean governments said Tuesday they have temporarily prohibited each other's nationals from leaving their countries.

Nine Malaysian people, embassy staff and their family members, currently remain in North Korea. (PNA/Kyodo)
RMA/RSM

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Roundup: DPRK's test-launch of ballistic missiles draws international condemnation

BEIJING, March 6 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Several countries are condemning Monday's test-launch of four ballistic missiles by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as it was in violation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions once again.

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the DPRK fired four ballistic missiles of a new type into east waters at about 7:36 a.m. local time (2236 GMT on Sunday). The missiles flew eastward some 1,000 km on average, and three out of the four fell into Japan's exclusive economic zone.

"China opposes the DPRK's violation of the U.N. Security Council's stipulation," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.

In response to the launch, the U.S. State Department said it was "prepared to use the full range of capabilities at our disposal against this growing threat."

"The United States strongly condemns (the DPRK's) ballistic missile launches ... which violate U.N. Security Council resolutions explicitly prohibiting North Korea's (the DPRK's) launches using ballistic missile technology," acting state department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement.

Under the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, Pyongyang is banned from testing any ballistic missile technology.

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who serves as caretaker president following the impeachment in December of the defamed President Park Geun-hye, denounced the missile launch as a grave provocation and a direct challenge to the international community as it defied repeated warnings from the international community against ballistic missile launches.

Seoul's foreign ministry said in a statement that the launch was in blatant and clear violation of the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions while threatening peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the entire international community.

In Japan, Prime Minister Sinzo Abe confirmed the missile launch during an Upper House Committee session on Monday, saying "the launch clearly showed that North Korea (the DPRK) has reached a new dimension of threat and the repeated launches are serious provocation to our security".

Japan has also filed an official protest against the DPRK over the latest missile launch, the Japanese leader said.

While saying there were no immediate reports of damage to ships, vessels, or aircraft flying in the vicinity of the missiles' flight path, Japan's top government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, told a news conference in Tokyo that the DPRK's launch was a "grave threat to national security", and Japan would be fully on alert for any future contingencies.

Senior security officials of South Korea and the United States also had phone talks over the missile launch.

Kim Kwan-jin, top security advisor to impeached President Park Geun-hye, talked with U.S. national security advisor Herbert McMaster of the White House via phone for 15 minutes from 10:45 a.m. local time (0145 GMT), South Korea's presidential Blue House said in a statement.

During the talks, Kim and McMaster strongly denounced the missile launch, agreeing to strengthen cooperation to put effective sanctions and pressure on the DPRK.

South Korea's chief negotiator to the Six-Party Talks also held emergency phone talks with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts following the DPRK's missile test-launch, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman also criticized the United States and South Korea for their recent military measures against the DPRK, which could have triggered retaliation.

"China has also noted that both are holding large-scale military exercises targeting the DPRK," Geng said, "All sides should exercise restraint and not do anything to irritate each other to worsen regional tensions."

The Foal Eagle field training exercise, which kicked off on Wednesday, is scheduled to last by the end of April, mobilizing U.S. strategic assets such as a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and stealth fighter jets. Pyongyang has denounced it as a dress rehearsal for northward invasion.

About 10,000 U.S. troops, including U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), will be mobilized for the drill together with 290,000 South Korean soldiers.

It would be almost the same as the largest-ever spring war game carried out in 2016.

On Feb. 12, Pyongyang successfully test-launched a new type of Pukguksong-2 intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) under supervision by top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un.

Expectations had been running high for the DPRK's test-firing of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the near future based on the IRBM technology, but the JCS said the missiles launched Monday were unlikely to be new ICBMs of the DPRK. (PNA/Xinhua)
LOR/SSC

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Update: Egypt forces kill 11 militants, arrest 34 in restive Sinai

CAIRO, March 7 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The Egyptian military and security forces killed 11 militants and arrested 34 others during raids in restive North Sinai province bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, the Egyptian military spokesman said in a statement Monday.

"The raids that took place on Sunday killed four extremists, busted a fifth with a gun machine and arrested 22 other suspects," military spokesman Tamer al-Refaay said in the statement, adding the campaign destroyed three hiding places of the armed extremists.

He said later on Monday that continuous military raids in Central Sinai, part of North Sinai province intended to be a separate province in the future, killed seven militants, injured three others, and arrested six extremely dangerous extremists and five others suspected of cooperation with them.

Earlier in mid-February, at least three Egyptian soldiers were killed in Mount Halal area as a roadside bomb targeted their armored vehicle, while security raids killed three militants and arrested three others.

Growing anti-government terror attacks in Egypt killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since the mid-2013 military removal of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in response to mass protests against his one-year rule.

Since the beginning of the year, at least 25 police and military personnel have been killed in blasts and confrontations nationwide. Most of the terrorist attacks were claimed by a Sinai-based militant group loyal to the regional Islamic State group.

Security campaigns in Sinai killed hundreds of militants and arrested a similar number of suspects over the past few years as part of the country's anti-terror war declared by former army chief and current President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi following Morsi's ouster.

Military Intelligence Chief, Gen. Mohamed Farag al-Shahhat, said during a military-held symposium earlier in February that at least 500 extremely dangerous terrorists have been killed since a massive anti-terror campaign, known as "The Martyr's Right," started in September 2015. (PNA/Xinhua)
LOR/EBP

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Netanyahu, Trump hold phone talk about Iran's "nuclear threats"

JERUSALEM, March 7 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The U.S. President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday evening and the two discussed Iran's "nuclear threats," the prime minister's office said in a statement.

The statement said that the phone talk was focused on the "dangers posed by the nuclear agreement with Iran and Iranian aggressions in the region."

Netanyahu is a vocal opponent of the nuclear deal, which was signed between Iran and the world powers. He has been calling to cancel the agreement ever since it was signed in 2015.

During Trump's presidential campaign, he said the agreement was "a bad deal."

However, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, said Monday he was confident of "very good cooperation" with the U.S. on the nuclear deal, despite Trump's hardline remarks.

Amano was speaking with reporters in Vienna following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Washington last Thursday.

The talk between Trump and Netanyahu was held as police investigators were questioning Netanyahu at his official residence in Jerusalem over his possible involvement in two separate corruption cases. (PNA/Xinhua)
LOR/EBP

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Trump signs new travel ban, downsizes targeted countries to six

WASHINGTON, March 7 (PNA/Xinhua) -- US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order Monday banning immigrants from six Muslim-majority countries, excluding Iraq from the list of a previous ban.

The new document maintained a ban on nationals of Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Iran and Somalia from entering the United States.

The new executive order, which will take effect on March 16, said nationals of the six countries who are outside the United States will banned from entering the country, except those who are lawful permanent US residences.

"The close cooperative relationship between the United States and the democratically elected Iraqi government, the strong United States diplomatic presence in Iraq, the significant presence of United States forces in Iraq, and Iraq's commitment to combat ISIS justify different treatment for Iraq," the document said.

The new order was signed in observation of court rulings and to avoid further litigation, the order said. (PNA/Xinhua)
JMC/LOR/SSC

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Globe: Amend Local Gov't. Code to hasten installation of more cell sites
By Aerol B. Patena

MANILA, March 9 (PNA) -- Globe Telecom is pushing for the amendment of the Local Government Code to rationalize the permitting process for the installation of additional cell sites across the country.

Globe Chief Information and Technology Officer Gil Genio explained that bureaucratic red tape has caused significant delays in securing permits from the local government units (LGU) compromising the quality of mobile communications in the country.

“We have repeatedly emphasized that there is no substitute for government support in developing telco infrastructure in the country. We need the government to prioritize and enable the sector to undertake infrastructure builds, not just in the construction of cell sites but also in establishing underground facilities and in facilitating pole attachments,” Genio said.

He explained that the lack of cell sites is one of the reasons why Internet service is slow in the country.

The Philippines only has around 16,300 towers compared with Vietnam’s 70,000 towers, based on the latest report of online community TowerXchange.

The approval process for the construction of one cell site involves 25 permits which take at least eight months to complete. Furthermore, a number of LGUs impose tower fees ranging between PHP 5,000-PHP 200,000.

Uncooperative villages or subdivisions also hamper the ability of LGUs to further expand its communication facilities nationwide.

Close to 30 villages and subdivisions have rejected cell site proposals made by Globe, mainly due to health risks, thus preventing the company from proceeding with its network expansion plans.

Currently, Globe has a backlog of 3,000 cell sites amid varying degrees of permitting issues despite aggressive efforts by the company to invest in network facilities.

For his part, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Austere Panadero disclosed that the department is pushing for limiting the number of days for the issuance of building permits for additional cell sites.

The DILG is proposing that LGUs set policies that would ensure that the process for the building permits would involve 16 steps for 61 days compared to the current practice of 24 steps for 98 days.

He reiterated the need for collaboration between the government and the telco industry players.

“The Philippines deserves faster Internet that both businesses and government can benefit. There is a need for fast and effective Internet communication,” Usec. Panadero said in his address at the Philippine Telecommunication Summit held Thursday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

A Memorandum of Agreement pledging for cooperation in the fast tracking and expediting of public services will be signed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), DILG, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), League of Provinces of the Philippines, National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO), Globe and PLDT/Smart during the summit.

The DICT will also present a draft Executive Order (EO) that will mandate LGUs to expedite the processing of license and permits for additional cell sites within seven days. (PNA)
FPV/ABP

"BARISTA GRILL" FOOD AND BEVERAGES
BOAC (CAPITAL), MARINDUQUE

At the end of the one-day seminar, the participants would be able to do job evaluation and job pricing study. Specifically, they would be able to:

1. Formulate job descriptions;
2. Apply appropriate job evaluation method; and
3. Design pay structure that is internally and externally competitive.

Module 1: Rewards Management in Perspective

    - Framework on Total Rewards
    -  Objectives
    - Components

Module 2: Introduction to Job Evaluation

    - Definition
    - Principles, Purposes and Process
    - Job Evaluation: An OD Intervention

Module 3: Job Definition

    - Job Analysis Mechanics
    - Data Gathering
    - Formulation of Job Description

Module 4: Methods and Job Evaluation Committee

    - Qualitative Methods: Advantages and Disadvantages
    - Quantitative Methods: Advantages and Disadvantages
    - Job Classification
    - Options in Forming Job Evaluation Committee

Module 5: Designing Salary Structure

    - Internal Consistency & External Competitiveness
    - Considerations in Job Pricing
    - Parts of the Salary Structure
    - Design Key Process

Module 6: Salary Administration

    - Job Evaluation Adjustment
    - Variation in Individual Base Pay
    - Other Pay Actions


Speaker: Dr. Virgel C. Binghay

• Professor & Coordinator - Graduate Studies Program, School of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of the Philippines (UPSOLAIR)
• International lecturer (Australia, Canada, Japan, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, etc.)
• Editor of the “Philippine Journal of Labor and Industrial Relations”
• Expert in corporate planning, organization development, human resource management, industrial relations and quality management.
• Accredited Voluntary Arbitrator of the Department of Labor & Employment
• Former Director, Center for Industry Productivity & Competitiveness

New Astro Hardware
Address 1436 Soler Manila
Telephone 02-733-7359

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

New Anchor Hardware
Address 662 Evangelista Manila
Phone 02-733-4823

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

"AMBAGAN NA" FOOD AND BEVERAGE
BOAC (CAPITAL), MARINDUQUE

CHICKENITOS FOODSTICKS
PUROK E (POB.), BORONGAN CITY, EASTERN SAMAR

Nevada Commercial
206 A S Arnaiz Avenue, Pasay City
Phone 02-831-7638

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

8 Lapu lapu Avenue, Navotas, Manila
Phone no. 02-282-3930

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

NPA ambush which killed 4 cops may affect peaces talk -- Palace
By Cielito M. Reganit

MANILA, March 9 (PNA) -- Malacañang on Thursday said the deaths of four policemen in an ambush allegedly staged by suspected New People's Army (NPA) in Davao del Sur might affect efforts to revive peace negotiations with the communists.

At a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the deadly incident would provide some sort of distraction in reviving the stalled peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (or CNN according to the Palace official).

“So how it would affect? It will provide some sort of hindrance but, however, there’s a bigger thing which is the pursuit of peace,” he said.

"I cannot qualify, but quality-wise, I am sure it will influence... It will influence the talks. I suppose the conversation would be that there should be a firmer action coming from the CNN on the people on the ground," Abella said.

The Palace official reiterated President Rodrigo Duterte's "compelling reasons" to revive peace talks with the communists.

“Well, the President has actually laid down some conditionalities. Well, basically, some things that he would like --- he would like the CNN to abide by, for example, that they should stop extortion and that there should be a bilateral ceasefire,” he said.

“In other words that they should also cease -- cease action. That they should, in fact, take it upon themselves to be responsible for their own people and also to release prisoners. I supposed the conversation would be -- that there should be firmer -- firmer action coming from the CNN side on the people on the ground,” Abella said.

Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) condemned the latest hostility launched by the NPA on police crime scene investigators in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur.

A police team en route to investigate a murder incident were fired at in Barangay (village) Sibayan early Wednesday morning resulting in the deaths of four policemen and causing injuries to another.

Both the police and military tagged the Communist guerrillas behind the ambush.

The four slain PNP members were later identified as PO1 Rholly Benelayo, PO1 Joey Narvaza, PO1 Saro Mangotara and PO3 Jayden May Rabor.

President Duterte is set to visit the wake of the killed-in-police-operation (KIPOs) officers at the Bansalan Municipal Hall Lobby Thursday afternoon. (PNA)
JBP/CMR

Phone number 02-526-5455

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

MORE PLEDGES FROM CHINA AS NEW CHINESE COMMERCE MINISTER CALLS ON PRRD. Newly-appointed Chinese Minister for Commerce Zhong Shan and his delegation (left side) recently (7 March 2017) paid a courtesy call on Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacanan, confirming Chinese Government’s assistance to the rehabilitation of the quake-stricken Surigao, as well as USD 1 billion-worth of purchase agreement of Philippine agricultural products to be signed upon the visit of a high-ranking Chinese official in the country next week. In the call, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (right side, with other PH government officials) accompanied his Chinese counterpart to also brief the President on the USD 10 billion-worth of potential private sector-led projects from China and the Yuan 100 million grant for the drug rehabilitation initiatives and security equipment. Twenty eight years after his last visit to the Philippines, Minister Zhong was back in the country for the convening of the 28th Philippines-China Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation (JCTEC). After a five-year hiatus, the JCETC reconvened as the official bilateral mechanism for discussion of trade, investments and economic cooperation. It was also a quick follow through of President Duterte’s State Visit to China in October 2016.

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh. Hebrews 10:19-20

Our generation lacks a sense of wonder and reverence toward God. We want to bring God down to our level, to the commonplace. He is God! Though we have direct access to Him as His children, we ought never to forget that this access was purchased with the precious blood of His only Son. No one who truly understands this ever enters God’s presence without a sense of holy awe. No one who comprehends the incredible price paid at Calvary ever takes his relationship with God for granted.

We will never truly understand God and the way He relates to us unless we first comprehend a true sense of His holiness and His demand for holiness among His people. If we are in God’s presence, we are on holy ground! We must never act as if it were God’s purpose to make us successful. It would be preposterous for us to become impatient when God does not answer our prayers when and how we think He should! He is God, we are not!

As you meditate on the price Jesus paid to give you access to the Father, you will come to treasure your prayer times with Him. Worship will become a privilege you seize with gratitude. Scripture will be dear to you as you strive to be holy in all that you do (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Pet. 1:15).

If you have lost your wonder at the incredible gift of salvation that has been given to you, you need to revisit the cross and witness your Savior suffering for you. How priceless God’s gift of salvation is!     Henry and Richard Blackaby

Abe, Trump agree N. Korea launch poses "clear challenge" to region

TOKYO, March 7 (PNA/Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed Tuesday that North Korea's test-firing of ballistic missiles the previous day poses a "clear challenge" to the region and the international community.

Trump told Abe that the United States stands by Japan "one hundred percent" and that he hopes Japan will trust him and the United States completely, the prime minister told reporters after his phone conversation with the U.S. leader.

North Korea fired ballistic missiles from an area near Tongchang-ri in the country's northwest early Monday morning. Four missiles flew some 1,000 kilometers eastward before falling into the Sea of Japan some 300 to 350 km east of Akita Prefecture, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry. (PNA/Kyodo)
LOR/SSC

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Ex-French Prime Minister Juppe says ready to replace Fillon in Presidential race

MOSCOW, March 3 (PNA/Sputnik) -- According to media reports, former French Prime Minister Alain Juppe said he was ready to join the presidential race as the candidate from The Republicans party, if Francois Fillon had to step down.

Former French Prime Minister Alain Juppe said he was ready to join the presidential race as the candidate from The Republicans party, if Francois Fillon had to step down, French media reported Friday.

"I would not hide. This situation looks like a collective suicide," Juppe said, as quoted by Le Parisien newspaper, adding that he would "stay loyal" but was "ready" to serve as a replacement candidate.

On Wednesday, in the run-up to Fillon's press conference, the French media speculated on whether he might announce Juppe as his substitute. Instead, Fillon reaffirmed his determination to run despite the scandal around his wife and stressed that the investigation into his family's finances was "a political assassination."

The center-right candidate said that he would attend the interview with the examining magistrate he had been summoned for and would "tell the truth." Fillon also reiterated that he was not guilty of misappropriating public funds.

The scandal broke out in January around Fillon's wife allegedly having been employed as his parliamentary assistant and paid without actually working.

Juppe lost to Fillon in the second round of the center-right primaries in November 2016, with 33.51 percent to Fillon's 66.49 percent.

Juppe served as the prime minister under Jacques Chirac in 1995-1997. In 2002-2004, he was the president of Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), later rebranded as The Republicans. Juppe held a number of positions in Sarkozy's government and is now the mayor of the city of Bordeaux. (PNA/Sputnik)
RMA/RSM

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

A River in Mindanao

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Unvaccinated Australian children being refused medical treatment

CANBERRA, March 8 (PNA/Xinhua) -- One in six unvaccinated Australian children are being refused medical treatment from doctors out of fear they may potentially infect other people with preventable illnesses, a national survey showed on Wednesday.

The Australian Child Health Poll asked 2,000 parents questions about their children's health, and it was found that one in six was refused medical treatment.

The Australian Medical Association's President Michael Gannon told Fairfax Media it was a concern that children were being refused health care, but admitted the onus was on the child's parents to ensure vaccinations were up to date.

"I'd be very disappointed if that is the case," Gannon said Wednesday. "No matter what reservations an individual doctor might have, it's not ethical to deny care to an unvaccinated child."

The study also showed that while 95 percent of children were up to date with vaccinations, one in 10 parents were of the belief that vaccinations were a contributing cause to autism despite medical evidence suggesting otherwise.

Three-quarters of parents said they should be informed if any unvaccinated children are attending their children's school, while 70 percent of parents said they would consider sending their children to a different school if refused that information.

The results of the study came after the government introduced the "no jab, no pay" policy last year, which withholds welfare and other government subsidies from parents who do not get their children immunized. (PNA/Xinhua)

Nikon D5500 Model

Onay Beach, Northern Samar

The Beauty of Eastern Samar, Philippines

The Certainty of God's Supply

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

This verse is one of the most practical we will ever encounter in the Bible. Every one of us faces needs in our lives; at times, they are beyond our own means. Those are not the times to become anxious or to panic. Nor should we give up in defeat. It is at these times that God wants to draw from His unlimited storehouse to meet our need as only He can. Do you believe God can meet the needs of your finances? Your health? Your children? Your parents? Your church? Scripture says you will never face a need for which God’s provision is not more than adequate. This promise appears over and over again in the Scriptures (Ps. 116:6; Heb. 4:16; Matt. 6:8; Ps. 69:33). If you are not experiencing God’s bountiful provision, what is the problem? Is the difficulty with God? Or could it be that you do not really believe that God stands ready to meet your every need? Every resource of God is available to any child of God who will believe Him. No one has ever exhausted God’s supply nor suffered a shortfall when trusting Him. Unfortunately, some Christians live as if God’s abundant resources were not available to them. They are children of the King, but they live like beggars! Would the people close to you affirm that your life gives evidence of an unwavering belief that God will do what He said?    Henry and Richard Blackaby

Knowing God

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

Knowing God through experience is radically different than knowing about God from a theology textbook. According to the Bible, you cannot say you know God unless you have experienced Him (Phil. 3:8, 10). Biblical knowledge always involves experience. You may become discouraged because the truths you read about in the Bible are much richer than the reality of your own experience.

If you have not experienced God’s power at work in and through your life, do not settle for a secondhand knowledge of God’s power, rejoicing in what He has done in others. Jesus’ prayer was that you would come to know God and His presence in your life and experience. Don’t discount the power of God as described in Scripture simply because you have not experienced it. Bring your experience up to the standard of Scripture, never reduce Scripture to the level of your experience. Don’t settle for a head knowledge of God’s love. Jesus prayed that you would experience the depth and width and height of His love and that you would enjoy God’s full and unending love in the day-to-day experiences of your life.

If you sense there are biblical truths that you are not experiencing, keep that truth before you and ask God to bring it into your everyday experience. Ask God if there are any adjustments you need to make in order to receive His promise. Don’t give up on the promises of God, stay with them until you are fully experiencing them   Henry and Richard Blackaby

Concentrix joins global 100
Concentrix Corporation joins a list of the world's top 100 outsourcing companies after it was named by the IAOP to the 2017 Global Outsourcing 100. Companies featured in the IAOP Global Outsourcing 100 list have passed rigorous criteria and independent review by an industry-experienced panel of customer members. Concentrix President Chris Caldwell said the recognition acknowledges the company's ability to provide innovative solutions that are different in the marketplace. The Global Outsourcing 100 recognises the world's best outsourcing service providers based on demonstrated global excellence.

BPO will continue to flourish despite Trump's stance - Colliers
The Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) sector will continue to flourish even with the policies of the new US administration. Joey Bondoc, research manager at Colliers, expressed confidence that the US President Donald Trump's rhetoric on bringing outsourcing jobs back to the US will not materialize. Bondoc said it just does not make any business sense for companies to set up outsourcing operations in the US. He added that US BPO companies are banking on the competitive wages and English speaking workforce in the Philippines. However, new BPO players planning to enter the Philippine market may be more challenged because due diligence now takes a bit longer.

Infor committed to further investment in the Philippines
Enterprise software company Infor is further investing in the Philippines after reporting a triple-digit growth in terms of license sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2016-17 in the country. Helen Masters, vice president and managing director for South Asia-ANZ and ASEAN at Infor, attributed the company's triple-digit growth figure to a number of channel partners in the region. Aside from providing support centers for logistics firms, Infor is also strong in other verticals, such as retail, food and beverage, healthcare and business process outsourcing. Masters stated there will be continuous investment regardless of the fact that the company has already established itself in the domestic market.

ExlService's quarterly revenue beats forecast
ExlService, a provider of decision analytics, operations management, outsourcing, business transformation and IT services, posted revenues of USD177.3m in its most recent quarter. The figure compares to analysts expectations of USD175.93m and was 6.9% higher from the same quarter last year. ExlService Holdings provides business process solutions. It operates 19 operations centers in India six operations centers in the United States five operations centers in the Philippines and one operations center in Bulgaria Romania and the Czech Republic respectively.

HGS seeks Latin America acquisitions
Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), a back-office service provider, announced plans to make acquisitions in Latin America to build digital capabilities. The Indian firm, which also operates BPO centers in the Philippines, said it plans to expand on-shore delivery in the region through the acquisitions. Partha DeSarkar, HGS chief executive officer, said the company would now focus on building capabilities in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Digital, and Analytics. HGS has recently acquired firms in the Philippines and Canada to build new capabilities.

Trump policy unlikely to alter PH BPO sector
US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said the country's business process outsourcing (BPO) sector is unlikely to change despite the protectionist stand of US President Donald Trump. There will not be any dramatic changes to US companies' BPO operations in the Philippines because the country offers very capable, smart employees and reasonable labor costs. Kim's statement should serve as reassurance for some BPO stakeholders who have expressed concern Trump's promise to bring jobs back to the US.

Everest predicts decline in global outsourcing growth
Consulting and research firm Everest Group has predicted a slowdown in the global outsourcing growth rate over the next one to three years. The company said global outsourcing growth could fall as low as 1.9% by late 2019 from 3% by the end of 2016. Everest attributes the forecast growth decline to macro uncertainties, technological disruptions, and stiffer competition. The global services industry experienced continued growth in 2016, but the pace of revenue growth slowed from 4.5% in Q1 to below 3% at the end of 2016.

Telus forms football club as part of work-and-play culture
Telus International Philippines (TIP) has established a football club as part of its effort to build a culture of work-and-play in the work place. TIP's Special Interest Group program is run independently by team members such as photography, water sports, running, dance, music, gaming, mountaineering and a chorale and drama club. TIP's football club is composed of members that have played professional football from their respective countries, such as Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Congo. The TIP Football Club started with 14 members, but in two years, has grown to 60 comprising currently employed team members and those who have left the company. TIP trainer Ian Iturralde, presently the TIP Football Club captain, said the club includes team managers, operations managers, team leads and business analysts.

Innodata set to announce Q4 result on March 8
Content solutions provider Innodata said it will announce on 8 March 2017 its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2016 results. Raj Jain, vice president of Innodata Inc, said a news release will be available in both the news and investor relations sections of the Innodata website. On the same day, Innodata will hold an investor conference call to update investors of the company's performance. Founded in 1988, Innodata comprises a team of 5,000 diverse people in eight countries, including the Philippines, who are dedicated to delivering services and solutions that help the world's businesses make better decisions. Innodata is an IAOP Global Outsourcing 100 company.

Sitel launches Palawan's first-ever job fair
Global outsourcing provider Sitel has become the first company to launch a Palawan career expo. Puerto Princesa Mayor Luis Marcaida III praised Sitel for holding "JobSpot Connect to the Future", which he said recognizes the potential of the city's talents and skills. Sitel is now employing 500 residents in Puerto Princesa, Palawan's capital city. In addition, Sitel also organized Career Readiness Seminars throughout the day with respected and reputable speakers for the industry and the media. Sitel has enjoyed steady growth in the Philippines for 17 years now, since it first set up shop in the country in 2000.

EU ambassador wants to accelerate EU-Philippines trade deal
European Union (EU) Ambassador to the Philippines Franz Jessen said he wants a faster conclusion of talks for the ambitious EU-Philippines free-trade deal. Jessen noted that the timing to improve business ties is perfect, as the Philippines is enjoying strong economic growth. The ambassador told members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines that the EU provided 37% of all new reported investments in the Philippines in 2015, with most of the foreign direct investments invested in manufacturing and business process outsourcing. Jessen said the free trade agreement is needed to make EU-Philippines trade grow stronger, and to work together on market access.

Sitel gives back to community
Outsourcing firm Sitel Philippines has made cash donations to the non-profit organization Cribs Foundation as part of its efforts to give back to the community. Cribs Foundation provides temporary shelter and recovery programs to abandoned and neglected children. The company recently gave a check worth P15,500 to Cribs, with the money raised during the internal Sitel talk show "Chill with Craig". Sitel is a telemarketing and outsourcing business headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. It maintains 108 sites in 21 countries.

SM Prime target BPO employees for new residential units
The country's largest property developer, SM Prime Holdings has announced plans to launch affordable residential units this year to particularly target millennials and people employed in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. SM Prime's chief financial officer John Ong declined to identify the location of SM Prime's pilot project but said its mid-rises will be in cities near Manila and on the fringes of the capital's business districts. Prices for the units range from P1.8m to P2.5m (USD49,600), cheaper than the starting price of P3.1m for the high-rise condominiums dominating SM Prime's existing 37 projects with 98,000 units.

GICC gives back to community with medical, dental aid
Business process outsourcing firm Grand Innovasia Concept Corp (GICC) has been conducting a series of medical and dental mission for residents of Mariveles town in Bataan and workers of the Freeport Area of Bataan. The activities are in line with the company's social programs to give back to the people. GICC, a BPO firm that provides technical support activities for online gaming, has already donated a total of P1.8m for medical mission. It also supported the construction of health centers in barangay Baseco and the Bataan Drug Rehabilitation center. Emmanuel Pineda, chairman of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), extolled GICC for its CSR program that has helped ensure that AFAB's labor force and the Mariveles community have access to medical services. GICC entered the Freeport Area of Bataan in 2014.

PLDT's P43bn expansion this year aligns with IT-BPM Roadmap
Telecom and digital services provider PLDT Group has earmarked P43bn this year for the expansion of its international gateways, landing stations, and has upgraded infrastructure for its Smart Enterprise arm. Victor Aliwalas, corporate relationship management advisor for PLDT, said the expansion aligns the company with the 2022 Roadmap of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP). According to PLDT's expansion plan, a portion of the P43bn budget was also allocated to PLDT Global’s expansion projects that will extend IBPAP’s visibility in key areas covered by PLDT’s operations, namely Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. PLDT's Vic Tria said the company renews its commitment to sustaining the IT-BPM industry's continued growth and evolution.

Ireland’s Voxpro to open Manila office 
Irish business process outsourcing (BPO) firm Voxpro announced plans to open an office in the Philippines in the next financial quarter and employ 300 people. Voxpro said the opening of a centre of excellence in Manila will be funded by a EUR30 million fundraising with advisers Deloitte. The company, owned by husband and wife team Dan and Lina Kiely, has been presenting its ambitious plans to potential investors. Voxpro said the Manila office is part of efforts to move towards a structure that ensures it can meet the needs of customers in all time zones. It is understood that the company is looking at further locations in mainland Europe, Asia and the US and believes its workforce will grow to 3,000 in 12 to 18 months.

Duterte reiterates order against contractualization
President Rodrigo Duterte has restated his stance against endo (end of contract) and agreed to certify as urgent a bill seeking job tenure for workers. The president also directed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to amend a department order that will end all forms of contractualization. Duterte reiterated his administration's policy against contractualization when he met with representatives of various labor groups in Malacañang. The president is also inclined to certify as urgent House Bill 444, a measure that aims to secure regular jobs by amending certain provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines that allowed subcontracting or outsourcing labor through third party agencies.

Anti-outsourcing bill reintroduced in US Congress

US Congressmen Gene Green and David McKinley have reintroduced the US Call Center and Consumer Protection Act, which seeks to keep companies from outsourcing jobs overseas. The bill will make companies that move call centers overseas ineligible for grants or guarantee loans from the US government. The legislation is similar to a bill introduced in 2013 that would have required disclosure of a call center location to consumers. With call center jobs moving overseas to India, the Philippines, and other countries, Green said this legislation will protect call center workers throughout the US, and American consumers from unfair treatment. McKinley said the number one priority of Congress is protecting and creating American jobs.

Outsourcing tops cost savings initiative in Asia Pacific
A survey conducted by corporate relocation services provider Cartus showed that outsourcing was the number one change that Asia Pacific respondents have made in order to achieve cost savings in their global mobility programs. The latest "Trends in Global Relocation: Global Mobility and Practices Survey" conducted by Cartus noted that outsourcing is the number one relocation cost-saving initiative being made by organizations in Asia Pacific, taking up 50% of the answers. Other areas of mobility practice included reducing the number of assignments, administrative process improvement, better and more proactive assessment of local talent, and tiering programs based on purpose or objective of assignment. The survey received responses from 176 international mobility managers, representing nearly 10 million employees. It was sponsored by the US National Foreign Trade Council.

AT&T promises to bring back 3,000 outsourced jobs to the US
AT&T and its biggest union, the Communications Workers of America, said they had agreed to on terms covering 20,000 workers in the US. Among the deals agreed was for AT&T to hire 3,000 people locally for jobs that have been previously outsourced, mostly overseas. AT&T's workers have been focused on their employer's outsourcing of call center jobs outside of the US. The carrier has reportedly moved 8,000 call center jobs since 2011 to countries including the Philippines. AT&T said it committed to hire 3,000 people in the local areas to fill work that is currently mostly performed offshore. The announcement marks another in a long line of successful deals.

Landbank Customer Care Hotline Number
405-7000 for NCR
Or 1-800-10-405-7000 PLDT Toll Free outside NCR

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at www.aliexpress.com

Remembering Tacloban, Leyte Tragedy

Kumusta na ang Rebuild Leyte Project?

NGCP Station in Corella, Bohol

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Carabao Milk in Mango Flavor

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Crunchy Peanut Roll from Ubay, Bohol

Avoid Traffic, Shop Online at http://ho.lazada.com.ph/SHLYWy

Pangilinan commits to stop passage of death penalty bill in Senate
By Azer N. Parrocha

MANILA, March 7 (PNA) -- Sen. Francis Pangilinan on Tuesday committed to stop the passage of the death penalty bill in the Senate after the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the measure restoring the capital punishment.

“We commit to stopping the death penalty in the Senate,” Pangilinan said.

He said that it was “saddening” how the minority in the House was not given the chance to debate the bill in full.

The senator further said that without the benefit of a full debate, it was not clear what reasons merit a constitutional return of the death penalty.

He also said that it was “unfortunate” that most of the people's representatives voted for a bill that is proven worldwide to not work in reducing crime and victimizes the poor and powerless.

“We maintain that death penalty is cruel, degrading, and inhuman,” he added. (PNA)
RMA/ANP

The Arrival of Samsung A7 2017 Model
Click the image above for more information

Senate Foreign Relations Committee files Comrep to extend passport validity

Tuesday (March 7) - Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, filed the committee report on a measure seeking to extend the validity period of the Philippine passport from five (5) to ten (10) years.

“Let me assure all stakeholders and our colleagues that we are doing all we can to ensure that the President’s legislative agenda, which is rooted in his goal to create real change, will be achieved under our watch,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano expressed support for the proposal to extend the validity of passports and assured that his committee is doing all it can to respond to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to amend Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the Philippine Passport Act of 1996.

The Foreign Relations Committee led the discussions on several proposed bills aimed at extending the validity of passports. It filed Senate Bill No. 1365 under Committee Report No. 45, a counterpart of House Bill (HB) No. 4767 that was already approved on the 3rd and final reading last February 13.

“All our efforts are in line with the President’s promise during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) as well as with our campaign promise to promote the welfare of our people, particularly our migrant workers,” Cayetano stressed.

The senator acknowledged the need to make the passport application process more “seamless, convenient, and pro-people.”

“Simplifying our passport application system would ease our people’s burden of having to renew their passports every few years. It would also prevent any backlogs in the issuance of passports,” Cayetano said.

He added that the application process should be made hassle-free particularly for OFWs, as any delay in the processing of their travel documents could cost them their jobs abroad.

“I remain confident in our President’s strong commitment to fulfill his promise of change to the people. That is why we are doing all we can under our power to help him in his goal of pushing for more genuine reforms that will make our people’s lives easier,” Cayetano ended.

BBM CAMP: ROBREDO DELAYING ELECTION PROTEST
Press Release

‘Barely 2 months after he filed his election protest, a preliminary conference was already scheduled for losing VP candidate Mar Roxas’

The legal team of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos’ legal team compared the ongoing delay of the preliminary conference in his election protest to that of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas. In Roxas’ case, it only took the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, 2 months after the case was filed to schedule the preliminary conference.

The camp of the former Senator also deplored the dilatory tactics being employed by former Camarines Sur Rep. Leni “Daang Matuwid” Robredo saying that they were designed to prevent the truth about the massive cheating conducted in the May 2016 elections from coming out.

In an eleven-page Reply to Robredo’s Opposition of his motion to set the case for preliminary conference, George Erwin Garcia, Marcos’ counsel, said that Robredo’s objection to set the case for preliminary conference is “obviously dilatory” because by law, the Tribunal could have set the same as early as September 9, 2016.

“To date, more than five (5) months have lapsed since the filing of the Answer Ad Cautelam to the Counter-Protest, the last pleading in this case.  It thus behooves this Honorable Tribunal to immediately schedule the conduct of the Preliminary Conference in this case as mandated by its own Rules of Procedure.  Protestee Robredo’s opposition to the setting of the Preliminary Conference is obviously dilatory in nature. This Honorable Tribunal should not be swayed by her ambiguous and distorted arguments,” the pleading stated.

Robredo’s argument that there remain pending incidents which have first to be resolved by the Tribunal because a Preliminary Conference could be scheduled is misleading, Garcia said.

“In a long line of decided cases, the Supreme Court has held that in an election protest, different causes of action can proceed independently of each other.  This is because the sovereign will of the people is the core issue in an election protest.  Thus, the purpose of a Preliminary Conference is precisely to avoid unnecessary delays and speed up the process so that the people’s voice will be heard,” he stated.

The issues brought up by Robredo regarding the numerous unused SD cards which were found to have data, problems with the diagnostics which led to the shutting down of the servers in the Comelec warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna as well as other procedural matters would be discussed in the Preliminary Conference.  These matters could be threshed out during the conference in order to achieve a just, inexpensive, orderly and expeditious disposition of the election contest.

“The conduct of the Preliminary Conference cannot be stifled by the pending incidents in this case.  To rule otherwise will open the floodgates to abuses by incumbent protestees who will conveniently file flimsy and dilatory motions in order to drag the proceedings in an election protest.  Needless to say, protracted delays in the resolution of electoral contest cases will only benefit protestees like Robredo” because she does not want the truth to come out.

“If protestee Robredo has nothing to hide, why does she keep trying to delay the proceedings?  What is there to fear about a simple Preliminary Conference?,” he added.

Not content with finding ways to delay the case, Garcia also accused Robredo of raising issues that have no bearing to the scheduling of a Preliminary Conference.

He then noted the election protest filed by Roxas against former Vice President Jejomar Binay wherein it took the PET only 2 months after the filing of the petition to schedule the Preliminary Conference on September 30, 2010.

“As an aside, it is noteworthy to mention that the Preliminary Conference in the case of Manuel A. Roxas v. Jejomar C. Binay was scheduled on 30 September 2010 â€" i.e., two (2) months after the filing of Roxas’ election protest on 9 July 2010. In the instant case, eight ( months have already lapsed since the filing of Marcos’ election.  Regrettably, the Preliminary Conference has yet to be scheduled,” he pointed out.

He further stated, “(k)nowing that the clock is ticking, it is now incumbent upon this Honorable Tribunal to set the Preliminary Conference in this case at the soonest possible time so as not to render this election protest moot and academic.  The term of a Vice-President is only six (6) years.  8 months have already gone by.”



“If protestee Robredo has nothing to hide, then she should do everything in her power to encourage â€" rather than hinder â€" this election protest to move forward.  The millions of voters who trooped to the polls 8 months ago deserve no less.  They want the truth to come out.  The sooner the better.”



In an interview after the filing, lawyer Victor Rodriguez, spokesman of Marcos, said "(n)ot content with cheating Sen. Bongbong Marcos last election and not stopping at having cheated her way to the vice-presidency, Leni Robredo is continuously cheating the Filipino people by depriving them their rightful Vice President and the speedy resolution of the election protest. We have refuted all her lame justification on why the preliminary conference should not proceed notwithstanding the Court's clear pronouncement that "it is beyond dispute the Tribunal have jurisdiction." We have waited an inordinate amount of time but instead of working for its expeditious resolution, it has become obvious that delay is the name of Robredo's game. She is afraid of the truth and determined to suppress at all cost the genuine will of the people.

The Extraordinary in the Midst of the Ordinary

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, �I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn. So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Exodus 3:2-4

Moses was going through the routine of his day when he noticed an ordinary thing: a burning bush. Moses also noticed something extraordinary. Although the bush was burning, it was not consumed. Moses turned aside to look more closely. When the Lord saw Moses turning aside from the routine of his day, He spoke to him. Everything God had been doing for forty years in Moses’ life was culminating in this moment. So much of God’s redemptive plan waited for Moses to notice the uncommon in the midst of the common. There will be times when, immersed in the ordinary details of life, you may be oblivious to the extraordinary that is right next to you. You can be in the midst of a common moment, only this time the activity is filled with the presence of God. There may be times when, in the middle of your harried day, you notice something unusual. Your first reaction might be “I’m too tired to go aside to investigate this!” or “I’m not going to disrupt my life for this.” Yet, in that moment you may have the opportunity for a unique encounter with God. God usually speaks out of the ordinary experiences of life. Often, it is not while you are worshiping at church. Many of God’s most profound and history-changing encounters come during the ordinary experiences of life. When you see the unusual in the midst of the mundane, don’t continue business as usual. It may be that God has ordained that moment to be a life-changing time for you and those around you. Henry and Richard Blackaby

NCRPO all set to secure school opening, rainy season
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced Wednesday that it will implement maximum deployment of police operatives as part of security preparations for the opening of classes and onset of the rainy season this month.

NCRPO Regional Director Joel Pagdilao ordered the deployment of 7,153 cops in 853 schools and in 212 bus stations in Metro Manila.

“We are expecting 2.6 million of students from kinder to senior high school to go to school on June 13. Our priority is to secure them against lawless elements and keep the school premises safe from all perpetrators,” he said.

Pagdilao also ordered all District Directors, Chiefs of Police and Station Commanders to focus on police presence as he presented the NCRPO’s four operational guidelines: General safety of students; Restoring and maintaining order at school vicinities; Crime prevention; and Campaign against criminal elements and crime syndicates.

”We put premium in the safety and security of our students here in Metro Manila, especially those in the elementary and high school. Their vulnerability to be target of criminals and other opportunists because of their tender age is something that must be protected by our men in the field,” the NCRPO Chief added.

The NCRPO will implement maximum deployment of Beat Patrols, Tactical Motorcycle Riders (TMRs) and mobile/MCs and bike patrol, Bus Marshals/Detectives, and will engage traffic enforcers and force multipliers within the vicinities of schools, bus/ jeepney stops and terminals.

He said the NCRPO will also set up Police Assistance Desks at various schools and universities in the metropolis.

Pagdilao and his command group together with the Department of Education-NCR Regional Director, Dr. Ponciano A Menguito, representatives from Office of the Civil Defense (OCD-NCR) and representatives from the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) discuss the plans and collaboration programs to ensure that the coming “balik eskwela 2016” will be smooth and secure to all students, academic workers, and the public.

Police Assistance Desks will also be put up in all private and public schools, colleges and universities all over Metro Manila to provide immediate security assistance to all students, and to protect them against possible holdup men and snatchers.

Also, Pagdilao affirmed that the NCRPO is prepared for the anticipated rainy season and ready to respond to the security needs of the public during the occurrence of any calamity. However solicits the public support and cooperation.

He reminded the public to be vigilant and alert at all times as criminals may take advantage during calamities and disasters.

“Huwag po nating hayaang malusutan tayo ng mga k******n o ng iba pang mga masasamang loob sa panahon ng tag-ulan,” Pagdilao added. (PNA)
BNB/CLTC/Tresha R. Finianos/Hygeian R. Español (OJTs)

Navy no longer decrepit force of yesteryears -- Taccad
MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- As the Philippine Navy (PN) celebrates its 118th founding anniversary Wednesday, it is no longer the decrepit force which earned derision from its foreign counterparts.

"Today, we stand proud because we are a far cry from the old, decrepit navy that we once were. We are a Navy poised for modernization and our shared aspiration of a strong and credible Navy is almost at hand," PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Caesar Taccad said.

The change in the PN's fortunes is attributable to the strong support extended by President Benigno S. Aquino III's to the military modernization program.

The Chief Executive was the guest-of-honor and speaker in the Navy's 118th founding anniversary Wednesday.

Aquino also headed the commissioning ceremonies for the country's first strategic sealift vessel, the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and three ex-Royal Australian Navy landing craft heavies who were named BRP Agta (LC-290), BRP Iwak (LC-289) and BRP Waray (LC-288).

All four ships will be assign to the Sealift Amphibious Force of the Philippine Fleet.

"In every way that we can, we strive to repay this trust with the very best of our performance. Our awardees this morning are testimonies to the dedication of our personnel and our units to even in the face of meager resources or imminent threats," Taccad stressed.

"Finally, today is a celebration of the future. It is our expression of hope that we see in the years ahead of us. Even in the face of the real and urgent threats, we sail on and we look at the promising horizon before us, not only for the Navy but for our country. Our government has made great strides in strengthening our economy and fortifying the foundations of sustainable development, and we have done so much in rebuilding the dignity of our public institutions," he added.

And in line with this promise, the PN chief said the Navy is more than ready to continue fulfilling its role for national development, with the support of the national government leaders, lawmakers, our higher headquarters, and our stakeholders.

"The Navy shall continue performing while transforming. More assets will be arriving within the year and the acquisition of more platforms are already in the pipeline. We cannot afford to slow down. We have already built a firm foundation marked by culture of integrity and excellence, and we mean to continue sailing towards becoming the modern, formidable Navy that can make our country proud," he added. (PNA)
BNB/PFN/Tammy Delos Reyes (OJT)

Outgoing DOST chief lauds Duterte for picking an insider successor
TACLOBAN CITY, June 1 (PNA) â€"- Outgoing Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo lauded President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for picking an insider as the next head of DOST.

Speaking to employees here on Tuesday, Montejo said the appointment of Undersecretary Fortunato dela Peña will ensure continuity of what the department has been implementing in the past years.

“I am happy that he’s from the ranks because there will be continuity. As a nation, we should develop technology self-reliance and it can be easily achieved if someone from the ranks will lead,” Montejo said.

The outgoing DOST chief reiterated the need to sustain existing efforts such as the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, launched during the Arroyo administration and expanded by the Aquino government.

SETUP is DOST’s response to their public’s demand to improve access to technologies and breakthroughs developed by the different facilities of DOST.

This program is focused in helping SMEs utilize and adapt technological innovations and scientific processes that improve business productivity and efficiency.

“We have many programs that should not be stopped. These are multi-billion peso programs, which are bearing fruits,” he added.

Other key programs are food innovation and processing center, scholarship, technical and consultancy services, and standards and testing.

Dela Peña is the DOST’s current undersecretary for science and technology services. Under his watch is Science and Technology Foundation Unit, International Technology Cooperation Unit, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Joint Scientific Cooperation program, gender and development, human resource development, biosafety committee, and biosafety clearing house.

Dela Peña's stint in DOST started when he became head of the planning service division of the National Science and Technology Authority (DOST's forerunner) in the early 1980's. (PNA)
JMC/Sarwell Q. Meniano

Pope Francis appoints new auxiliary bishop for Lingayen-Dagupan
MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Elmer Mangalinao as the new auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.

The appointment of Mangalinao was announced by the Vatican at 12 noon on Tuesday (6 p.m., Manila time).

According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, the archdiocese has been without an auxiliary bishop since December 2012 after Renato Mayugba was installed bishop of Laoag.

In Pangasinan, Mangalinao will assist the archdiocese’s chief shepherd, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, in his governance of the local Church.

Prior to his appointment, the 56-year-old bishop-elect is the vicar general of the Cabanatuan diocese.

He is also the current president of the College of the Immaculate Conception in Cabanatuan City and School Cluster Head of Sacred Heart School of Talavera and Our Lady of Fatima, General Natividad.

No date has been announced for the Episcopal ordination of Mangalinao and for his installation as the new auxiliary bishop of Lingayen-Dagupan.

Auxiliary bishops are appointed by the pope at the request of the diocesan bishop “when pastoral needs require” their presence, according to the Code of Canon Law.

Their role is to assist the diocesan bishop in the functions of the office and the diocese.

However, their exact duties depend on the diocese, and the responsibilities a bishop assigns them. (PNA)

BCCP targets to improve UK-PHL food, beverage trade
By Kris M. Crismundo
MANILA, June 1 (PNA) -- The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) aims to improve bilateral trade and investments between United Kingdom and the Philippines, particularly in the food and beverage industry.

During the Food and Beverage Industry Forum organized by BCCP Wednesday, its Chairman Chris Nelson said British and Filipino food and beverage firms should look into opportunities in the sector for both markets.

Nelson added that the Philippine market has a lot of interest in British products through the GREAT British Campaign of the British Embassy in Manila.

Likewise, Philippine products are also getting the interests of British market as UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) is actively promoting the Philippines in the European country.

UKTI Director Mike Moon noted that food and beverage has driven the bilateral trade of UK and the Philippines in 2015 which grew by 35 percent.

UK is the country’s 19th largest trading partner -- 16th largest export market and 21st import source.

Moon also said British food and beverage companies have huge potential in the Philippine market with the growing middle class.

Currently, global middle class is around 1.8 billion. The population is expected to grow to 3.2 billion in 2020 and 4.2 billion in 2030, with 60 percent of this global middle class are in Asia.

For his part, Dusit Thani Manila general manager Bruno Cristol said the Philippines is a vibrant market for food companies as Filipinos love to eat.

An average Filipino eats five times a day, Cristol mentioned.

He added that Filipinos are also the world’s most curious consumers and world’s most confident consumers.

Restaurant owners in the country likewise have young and growing target market who eats out more often.

Citing the Third Quarter 2015 Nielsen Out-of-Home Dining Habit Survey, six out of 10 Millenials say they eat out at least once a week.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines has the highest number of customers visiting a restaurant at 785 people, advancing Thailand with only 498 people; Singapore with 171 people; and Vietnam with 159 people. (PNA)

Japan's SoftBank to sell USD7.9B stake in Alibaba
TOKYO, June 1 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Japan's mobile telecommunications behemoth SoftBank Group Corp. will sell a long-held investment worth USD7.9 billion in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group to enhance its fiscal situation, as it eyes, in part, in rehabilitating its activities in its U.S. communications market, local media said Wednesday.

SoftBank said it will continue to keep 28 percent from its 32.2 percent stake in Alibaba, which at market rates is currently worth around USD50 billion, and will sell its stock to interested parties to raise capital, with the transactions expected to take place relatively soon and possibly within a few weeks.

After the stock sale however, SoftBank, controlled by billionaire Masayoshi Son, will still be the largest shareholder of the Chinese e-commerce juggernaut and sources from both parties stated that Son and Alibaba Executive Chairman Jack Ma will both continue to serve as board members of each others' firms

SoftBank said that its decision to sell its shares in Alibaba had nothing to do with a recent accounting probe into Alibaba by the U.S. authorities and said that the move was purely driven by its plans for capital restructuring and moves toward deleveraging its position and bolstering investor sentiment.

In 2013, SoftBank bought a major stake in Sprint, a U.S. telecommunications holding company that provides wireless services and is a major global internet carrier, for USD21.6 billion.

The move by SoftBank was to forge its way into a relatively saturated U.S. wireless market, but Sprint has performed poorly since SoftBank's buy-in and has been struggling with mounting debts, an ever-eroding consumer base as well as outgoings to augment its network.

As such, the adverse financial conditions have ticked over to SoftBank, with those close to the matter saying its move with Alibaba is aimed at proactively consolidating its finances, while attempting to renew slumping investor confidence. (PNA/Xinhua)

CA confirms appointment of 196 AFP senior officers, 28 DFA officials; bypasses CSC official
MANILA, June 1 (PNA) â€" The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed on Wednesday the ad interim appointments of 196 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and 28 officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The CA Committee on National Defense recommended the confirmation of the appointments of the AFP senior officers, including V. Luna Hospital chief Brig. Gen. Joseph Acosta.

Acosta’s confirmation was opposed by the family members of one retiree who was confined but later died at the AFP’s V. Luna General Hospital. The death prompted the family to file administrative case against Acosta and one of the doctors of the hospital.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez moved for deferment of Acosta's confirmation, but Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy officer, said the Ombudsman case should not hinder Acosta’s confirmation.

Trillanes, however, advised Acosta to improve the services of the V. Luna, saying he personally witnessed the lousy services being given by the medical personnel of the military hospital to the soldiers and their dependents.

”I don’t see any grave reason why we will stop the promotion of Gen. Acosta, but I hope we will learn from this experience. Discipline your personnel because when I brought my father to V. Luna, I saw the nurses have no sense of emergency. My father died there,” Trillanes said.

As ordered by Trillanes, Acosta apologized to his oppositors and promised to continue the improvement he has been implementing at the V. Luna Hospital.

Aside from Acosta, other confirmed AFP senior officers include: Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, who was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant General; Carlito G. Galvez, Ferdinand F. Quidilla, Arnold A. Mancita, Manolito P. Orense and Jose P. Tanjuan Jr. to the grade of Major General; and Raul R. Ubando to the grade of Rear Admiral.

Also confirmed are: Brig. Generals Elvin B. Velasco, Melquiades F. Feliciano, Welner M. Elpedes, Allan F. Martin, Restituto F. Padilla, Jose P. Cabanban, Ramon C. Yogyog, Amador T. Tabuga Jr., James V. Jacob, Andres S. Aguinaldo, Francisco L. Pabayo, Arnold F. Andales, Claudiuo L. Yucut, Dino C. Dino, Jose D. Caparras Jr., Mariano A. Mejia, Enrico L. Ignacio, Reuel N. Sorilla, Danilo P. Pamonag, and Constancia P. De Guzman (reserve).

Those promoted to the grade of Colonel include: Raul P. Villanueva, Jose Gany C. Galanza, Inocencio I. Pasaporte, Michael M. Buhat, Jose Rickey A. Laniog, Nhel Richard E. Patricio, Florante P. Sison, Alex T. Aduca, Alex S. Rillera, Marion R. Sison, Julius A. Tomines, Joel M. Paloma, Joseph Norwin D. Pasamonte, Antonio I. Bautista, Aldwine I. Almase, Lenart R. Lelina, Shalimar R. Imperial, Ted B. Dumosmog, Jose R. Tiangco, Edgardo C. Palma, Zosimo A. Oliveros, Oriel L. Pangcog, Allan D. Hambala, Arnel Jose J. Morada, John Sebastian C. Fuerte, Glenn Jun C. Calambuhay, Danilo O. Carino, Bernardo R. Fortez Jr., Dennis R. Pacis, Erwin A. Alea, Johnson Jemar D. Aseron, Emilio R. Pajarillo Jr., Cerilo C. Balaoro Jr., Alvin V. Flores, Eugene M. Mata, Giovanni T. Franza, Moises M. Nayve Jr., Napolean Z. De Vera, Cesar A. Molina, Florentino B. Mendez, Jr., Noel A. Vestuir, Anthon G. Abrina, Noel N. Dela Cruz, Hernando H. Siscar, Antonio John B. Divinagracia, Orlando D. Edralin, Alejandro J. Papa;

Perfecto P. Penaredondo, Danilo D. Benavides, Norwin Romeo P. Tolentino, Joel Y. Abregana, Jerry T. Borja, Erwin Rommel P. Lamzon, Armand F. Rico, Ignatius N. Patrimonio, Mark Edwin B. Moro, Alejandro C. Manalo Jr., Monico E. Abang, Peter Paul D. Domingo, Dennis C. Perez, Fernando M. Reyeg, Nelito C. Tan, Norman S. Zuniega, Richard T. Ruffy, Efren F. Morados, Ferdinand B. Napuli, Christopher C. Sab-it, Khrisnamurti A. Mortela, and Jesus P. Durante III.

The reservist colonels are Justiniano S. Achumbre, Roalndo R. Rodil, Bernard M. Bautista, Lester A. Luzano, Jose R. Nepomuceno Jr., Aristotle Q. Barnachea, Felix A. Benitez, Robreto A. Reyes, Aresminde G. Dayaon, Danilo G. Ibon, Marlito F. Bautista, Wenefredo O. Arceno Sr., Llewellyn R. Binasoy, Dario C. Bucawit, Aniceo M. Lantano Jr., Jose Q. Amores, Recoleto V. Cantorias, Alfredo P. Patarata, Pepito B. Lolor, Antonio C. Astilla, Gilbert G. Santiago, Sidney V. Atega, Ralph Raul S. Sespene, Nixon S. Raymundo, Rogelio R. Mesias, Seigred J. Espina, Joselito P. Pastrana, Quirino F. Laborte, Rey Anthony M. Tumaliuan, Atanacio F. Sarzadilla, Rodrigo D. Limos, Aniano B. Orap-orap, Arnulfo E. Dayao.

Colonels Albert G. Baybayan, Mario B. Demaisip, Lawrence C. Carreron, Antonino G. Florendo, Donaldo P. Hongitan, Fernando V. Felipe, Antonio G. Punzalan, Cipriano M. Famorca Jr., Joel B. Diamante, Michael S. Tiu, Vicente G. Magaro, Juris S. Pinson, Tito Del Rio Vicario Jr., Romel H. Amuan, Renato L. Aguila, Philip C. Turaray, Emmanuel L. Itchon, Eugenius F. Esteban, Ronaldo S. Soriano, Rustico B. Reyes Jr., Rafael A. Jaramillo, Rodolfo V. Calapis, Joseph B. Orilla, Rubema M. Candelario, Manuel K. Quizon, Mary Grace O. Pataindagat.

Colonels Arlene V. Gutierrez, Jose Demar A. Pauly, Rogelio F. Luna, Achilles C. Villacrusis, Melchor S. Fernando, Leonides C. Cruel, Francisco Domingo R. Fernandez, Antero Troy S. Narcise, Pedrito C. Dulanas Jr., Jerry T. Bauzon, Vicente M. Ronatay, Arnel F. Teodoro, Leo A. Fontanilla, Genero C. Menor, Erick A. Gachalian, Gleen Albert C. Laguardia, Clarence V. Abellera, Jessie A. Banastao, Napoleon A. Tacut, Philip Jose M. Paja, Jonathan M. Aquino, Jesys Nelson B. Morales, Richard S. Ramos and Luisito F. Angeles Jr.

Promoted to the grade of Captain are: Romeo T. Rosales Jr., Gerralline M. Pasia, Leud L. Lincuna, Dario M. Yanto Jr., Zosimo M. Bolanos Jr., Brendo J. Casaclang, Mac Raul B. Racacho, Edward Ike M. De Sagon, Diosdado G. Caluya Jr., Danilo S. Aguit, Hilario D. Cesista, Rolando F. Sarmiento, Raymundo Narciso Rico A. Balde, and Marcos Y. Imperio.

The confirmed DFA officials with Chief of Mission post include Antonio A. Morales, Celeste V. Balatbat, Arvin R. De Leon, Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, Ariel R. Penaranda, Raly L. Tejada and Ma. Elena P. Algabre.

The Foreign Service Officers are: Jason Jovencio A. Anasarias, Melanie Rita B. Diano, Emmanuel Donato K. Guzman, Susanna L. Mendiola, Reichel P. Quiones, Conrado B. Demdem Jr., Nomel B. Ado II, Irish Kay L. Kalaw-Ado, Lily Ann C. Cheng, Helen Anne B. Sayo, Analyn D. Ratonel, Therese R. Cantada, Ria E. Gorospe, Rodeney Jonas L. Sumague, Maurice A. Tiempo, Melvin C. Almonguera, Norman E. Padalhin, Rafunzel A. Acop, Rachel Anne L. Oronce, Eric P. Valenzuela and Duke A. Villanueva.

Meanwhile, the CA bypassed the confirmation of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Commissioner Nieves L. Osorio due to lack of quorum. Osorio’s confirmation was deferred twice.

CA chairman Senate President Franklin Drilon thanked his colleagues both from the Senate and the House of Representatives for working hard for the last three years.

Drilon also urged the newly-confirmed AFP officers to “be loyal to the Constitution.”

The 16th Congress is set to adjourn sine die on June 6 while the new Congress will open on July 25 under newly-proclaimed President Rodrigo Duterte. (PNA)