MikeLigalig.com

Isolated rainshowers likely to prevail 'til Thursday
By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Isolated rainshowers may continue to prevail over most parts of the archipelago until Thursday as the easterlies and the northeast monsoon continue to affect the country, state weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Wednesday afternoon.

In its 24-hour forecast, PAGASA said partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains might prevail over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Ilocos region.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from northeast will prevail over Luzon, and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds would be light to moderate coming from east to northeast with slight to moderate seas, the agency said. (PNA)

DOE sees possible PHP4 LPG price rollback

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Consumers may expect a possible PHP4 rollback in the price of an 11-kg. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder due to a downtrend in the international contract price for LPG, the Department of Energy (DOE) has announced.

In a news release issued late Tuesday, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said that based on their international price monitoring, the contract price for March amounts to USD564 per metric ton (MT), which is USD9 lower than February's contract price of USD573/MT, translating to a PHP0.36/kg. or a reduction of PHP4 per 11-kg. tank.

Cusi also called on the buying public to check every LPG cylinder to ensure that it has the right quantity and quality.

The department has advised consumers to check the markings on LPG cylinders (brand name, tare weight and seals) and buy from authorized outlets; check the tank for excessive rust and dents; ensure that the collar and foot ring are smooth and properly welded; and make sure that the seal is intact and firmly affixed to the valve.

Cusi also reminded the public that March is Fire Prevention Month, noting that the occurrence of fire increases with the onset of the summer season.

As faulty LPG tanks are one of the major causes of fires, he advised consumers to check their LPG cylinders regularly for leaks, store them in areas with sufficient ventilation, keep them away from electrical switches and outlets, and ensure that they are always in an upright position.

“We do not want to see our people suffer from fire caused by the misguided use of LPG,” the energy chief said. (PNA)

Don't compare Mamasapano investigation to Lascañas probe -- Gordon

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Sen. Richard Gordon on Wednesday said it is not right to compare the reopening of the Mamasapano massacre inquiry to the probe on the new testimony of retired SPO3 Arturo Lascañas.

Gordon made this statement after families of some members of the slain 44 elite police Special Action Force (SAF) personnel visited his office Tuesday urging him to reopen the probe into the bloody Mamasapano attack in 2015.

The families were accompanied by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) general counsel, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.

“Do not dishonor the 44 men by comparing their families' request to reopen the Mamasapano investigation to Lascanas' admission of perjury,” Gordon, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice, said.

The senator said that unlike the probe into Lascañas’ testimony, the probe into the Mamasapano massacre only sought for justice. Lascañas admitted to lying before the Senate in a hearing last October 2016.

“They went to me. I did not call them. They seek justice not vengeance,” he added.

Gordon earlier expressed willingness to reopen the probe into the Mamasapano massacre if allowed to do so.

He also said that he is also willing to invite former Pres. Benigno Aquino III among other key persons.

In 2015, at least 20 senators signed a Senate committee report holding the former president "ultimately responsible" for the failed police operation.

The report was drafted by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs led by then chairperson, Sen. Grace Poe.

On Jan. 25, 2015, the slain police commandos were deployed to Mamasapano to capture wanted terrorists. The operation sparked a fierce encounter that claimed the lives of SAF members.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte previously said that he wanted to form a commission to reopen a probe into the bloody clash. (PNA)

Pres. Duterte signs Paris Agreement
By Cielito M. Reganit

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the document signifying the Philippines' accession to the Paris climate change agreement and Malacañang is transmitting it Wednesday afternoon to the Senate for concurrence.

The Instrument of Accession document was signed by the President Tuesday.

In his letter addressed to the Senate President and members of the Senate, Duterte said that “after examining the text thereto, I find it advisable to accede to the Paris Agreement and seek the Senate’s concurrence.”

The President previously said that he would not sign the Paris Agreement over concerns on how small countries could access the common fund.

Duterte later agreed to it after his Cabinet members unanimously voted for its ratification.

The Paris Agreement, which was signed on April 22, 2016 in New York, seeks to address climate change and cap greenhouse gas emissions.

The Agreement aims to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2⁰C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5⁰C above pre-industrial levels.

It also provides that developed countries continue their obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to provide financial assistance to developing countries with respect to both climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Duterte said that under the Agreement, emissions reduction or programs for adaptation are nationally-determined and voluntary.

“Nationally-determined contributions are not mitigation-centric but also covers adaptation and requirements for finance, technology and capacity building. This will provide an opportunity to communicate to investors what the country needs in order to implement adaptation and mitigation projects,” Duterte said. (PNA)

Senator Gatchalian confident of passage of free tuition in SUCs bill

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday expressed confidence that the bill seeking free tuition fees in all state universities and colleges (SUCs) will be passed despite the recent Senate reorganization.

The Senate Committee on Education, Arts, and Culture used to be chaired by Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV before he was ousted and replaced by Sen. Francis Escudero.

Aquino among other senators belonging to the Liberal Party -- Leila de Lima, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan -- also transferred from the majority bloc to the minority.

He is also principal sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1304 or the “Free Higher Education for All Act”, which is currently being tackled in the plenary. Gatchalian is co-sponsor.

"The Free Higher Education for All Act continues to enjoy widespread support among senators, including our colleagues from the newly-formed Senate minority,” Gatchalian, the Committee’s Vice-Chairman, said.

“I am optimistic that we will be able to put our political differences aside and continue to provide unified support for this important higher educational reform," he added.

Like Aquino, Gatchalian argued that the bill is not anti-poor as it would significantly improve the financial position of working-class households which struggle to cope with the high cost of tertiary education.

Gatchalian said that by giving working-class households an opportunity to increase household savings, the policy would protect near-poor and low-income households from economic shocks.

"By lessening the burden of educational costs on working-class households, we are giving them the chance to build a more prosperous future for themselves and their loved ones, Gatchalian said.

“This is in line with the country's long-term socioeconomic goal of building a strong middle-income society. Anyone who characterizes this advocacy as 'anti-poor' is obviously out-of-touch with the needs of the average Filipino," he added. (PNA)

Senator Loren Legarda vows to lead concurrence of Paris Agreement in Senate

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Sen. Loren Legarda on Wednesday vowed to shepherd the immediate Senate concurrence of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change after it was signed by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

“It is my commitment to actively shepherd the Senate’s immediate concurrence,” Legarda said noting that it was a “great day for Mother Earth” and “the entire nation.”

Pres. Duterte on Tuesday signed the document signifying the Philippines' accession to the treaty. Malacañang transmitted it to the Senate Wednesday afternoon.

Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, hailed Pres. Duterte’s ratification of the treaty stressing that it is very important for the Philippines as a vulnerable nation to the impact of climate change.

The senator, who is also UN Global Champion for Resilience, received the Instrument of Ratification for the Paris Agreement from Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Meynard Guevarra.

She said that the ratification would allow the Philippines to access to the Green Climate Fund.

“This is what we have been waiting for -- for developed countries that are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG) to aid vulnerable, low-emitting nations like the Philippines,” Legarda said.

Legarda explained that once the treaty is fully ratified, the Philippines will become part of the succeeding meetings about the Paris Agreement.

She said that it is to the advantage of the Philippines to be in talks to converge with fellow vulnerable nations.

“Our ratification will send a strong signal of our continuing commitment to work with the rest of the world in ensuring the survival of this generation and the generations to come, and the ability of the Earth to sustain life,” she added.

Since the treaty was signed by more than a hundred countries on April 22, 2016 at the UN Headquarters in New York where Legarda was present, she has called on the Philippines and all nations to immediately ratify it.

On November 4, 2016, the treaty was entered into force. Since the Philippines has not yet ratified the treaty, it only sat as an observer in the ceremonial first meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement or the CMA during the 2016 climate negotiations in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Paris Agreement on climate change is a treaty that seeks to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.

To recall, Pres. Duterte initially opposed the ratification of the agreement, saying it will prevent the Philippines from achieving economic and industrial growth target.

He changed his mind about the treaty after most of his Cabinet members voted in favor of what has been described as a landmark global deal to cut harmful carbon emissions that are causing climate change.

The Philippines was one of the 195 countries that agreed to the Paris Agreement during the 21st Conference of the Parties or COP21 in France last year. (PNA)

Military ops to rescue ASG hostages to continue despite Kantner beheading

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Military operations aimed at recovering the remaining 32 hostages being held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists will continue despite the brutal beheading of German captive Juergen Kantner last February 26.

This was the assurance given by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año said in a interview Tuesday afternoon.

"We have ongoing operations now in Basilan and Sulu, and (Tawi-Tawi) we will continue until we are able to rescue the remaining hostages and prevent future kidnappings," he stressed.

An AFP estimate places the number of ASG hostages in the hands of the terrorists at 32.

This can be broken down into 27 foreigners and seven Filipinos.

"We sympathize with the family of Mr. Kantner but of course this would even make our (troops) more committed to pursue these perpetrators in order to bring them to justice," the AFP chief added.

Año said he expects the military to get the upperhand in the campaign against the ASG once the AFP gets more equipment that will boosts its capabilities in maritime security as it will help them in preventing attacks against passing merchant ships and isolated coastal areas. (PNA)

Aguirre expresses grief over passing of ex-Maguindanao solon, DOJ chief Datumanong

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II on Wednesday extended condolences to the family of Maguindanao second district representative and former Justice Secretary Simeon Datumanong who passed away on Tuesday night, describing him as one who has many talents and admirable traits.

”We join the nation in mourning the sudden demise of former Justice Secretary Simeon A. Datumanong last night. A man of many talents and admirable traits, he ably served the nation as the Justice Secretary from January 16, 2003 to December 23, 2003,” Aguirre said in a statement.

”We lost a legal luminary but heaven gained the soul of a good man. Let us all pray for his soul. I request everyone to include him in all your prayers. May Allah bless his soul,” he added.

Aguirre said that "Datumanong distinguished himself as a public servant in both the legislative and the executive branches of our government, his love for our country and for the Filipino people was very much evident in his thoughts and more so in his actions."

Datumanong, 81, passed away at 9:42 p.m. Tuesday at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City due to complications caused by diabetes and kidney problems.

Datumanong was a Muslim politician who held different government positions including as a representative of the lone district of Maguindanao.

Datumanong entered politics when he was elected as Vice-Governor (1963â€"1967), then as Governor (1967â€"1971) of Cotabato.

He was elected as the first governor of Maguindanao in 1973 and served until 1975. He was then elected to the Regular Batasang Pambansa from Maguindanao in 1984.

In 1992, Datumanong was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives to represent Maguindanao’s Second District.

Aside from serving as Secretary of Justice, Datumanong also served as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2003. (PNA)

Philippines to host int'l conference on migratory species

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- The Philippines has been chosen as the venue for this year's Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the only global intergovernmental treaty established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.

This was announced by Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) Director Theresa Mundita Lim during the launch of the logo for the 12th COP meeting, also known as COP 12, held at the Philippine Senate on Tuesday (February 28).

The event was graced by climate change committee chair Senator Loren Legarda, environment and natural resources committee chair Senator Cynthia Villar, and CMS Secretariat Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Lambertus Lenten.

Lim said the COP meeting will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on October 22-28, 2017, and will be attended by high-level dignitaries from more than 120 countries.

According to the BMB chief, the country's hosting of the CMS event will serve as an opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its important role as host to a number of migratory species in several of its coastal, marine, wetland and forest ecosystems.

"Birds, marine turtles, and marine mammals find it convenient to stop by our different host sites where they can feed and refuel before they continue on their journey especially during winter time,” Lim said.

She added that migratory sites allow the public, especially environmental hobbyists like bird watchers, to see such wildlife and appreciate the importance of conserving their habitats.

As part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a substantial population of some 150 bird species find temporary homes in migratory sites in the country like the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu, the Naujan Lake National Park in Mindoro, the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park in Palawan, and the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area in Metro Manila.

The Philippines also provides habitat to five of the world’s eight marine turtle species, and 28 species of marine mammals such as dolphins, whales and dugong.

The whale shark (Ryncodon typus), a known migratory species which also frequents the country’s waters, plays a centerpiece role in the logo designed by the BMB for the event.

The logo shows the whale shark as a composite of nine other migratory species and their habitats, rendered as a stylized tattoo.

The letter “O” in COP12 is portrayed as a color wheel signifying the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and underscoring how wildlife conservation plays a role in meeting them.

The bottom of the logo shows waves formed as a stylized hand reaching out to the whale shark, representing the role of people as stewards caring for the habitats of all species.

The conference theme, “Their Future is Our Future” completes the logo as an arc that highlights the connection between wildlife, the earth, and people in meeting the SDGs.

The general colors used for the logo are red, blue, and yellow to represent the Philippines as host country.

Also called the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, the CMS is an intergovernmental treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), providing a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. (PNA)

Spokesperson: Secretary Dominguez is on the side of the law

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- The spokesperson of the Department of Finance (DOF) has asserted that Secretary Carlos Dominguez III’s position on the mining policy of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is founded on the principles of due process of law and non-impairment of contract obligations as enshrined in the 1987 Constitution.

Contrary to the misguided allegation by certain groups that Dominguez is siding with the miners with regard to the DENR’s closure or suspension of mine sites nationwide, Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez said in a statement that “the DOF Secretary is simply on the side of the Constitution and the law when it comes to this issue.”

Alvarez pointed out that “Secretary Dominguez himself has stressed in a Tuesday news briefing at Malacañang that the only position he supports is that of President Duterte, which is to follow due process and honor all contracts in dealing with all kinds of activities in Government.”

Alvarez pointed out that, “These critics have conveniently left out one major point in this issue, and it is that both Secretary Dominguez and DENR Secretary Regina Lopez have, as co-chairperson of the MICC (Mining Industry Coordinating Council), both signed the Council’s Resolution No. 6 dated Feb. 9 affirming the primacy of procedural and substantive due process in the final resolution of the DENR’s series of actions on the closure or suspension of 28 mines and cancellation of the government’s 75 MPSAs (Mineral Production Sharing Agreements) with mining companies.”

In fact, she said, it is this MICC Resolution No. 6 signed by both Secretaries Lopez and Dominguez that have led to the creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG), which, in turn, formed a week ago five technical teams that would conduct a three-month multi-stakeholder review of the performance of the affected mining projects.

“As agreed upon by the MICC’s TWG in its organizational meeting last Feb. 20, these technical review teams or TRTs are to go over the compliance of the affected mines with applicable agreements, submissions, laws and regulations as well as the technical, legal, social, environmental and economic impact of the DENR’s orders,” Alvarez said.

This MICC action is pursuant to Executive Order No. 79, which provides for the multi-stakeholder review of mining operations once every two years, in consultation with local government units, she added.

A lawyer, Alvarez said that Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution’s Article III on the Bill of Rights states that, “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws,” while Article III’s Section 10 states that, “No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.”

“Hence, the DOF Secretary is only upholding the principle that nobody can be deprived of life, liberty or property without the appropriate legal procedures and safeguards as enshrined in the fundamental law of the land,” she said.

Alvarez dismissed the critics’ concern about alleged partiality, noting that the multi-stakeholder review will certainly follow an objective or impartial process, given that (1) the TRTs are mandated to take off from the existing reports conducted by Secretary Lopez’s very own DENR’s audit team, and that (2) no representative from the mining industry shall be allowed to take part in the three-month review process.

The five review teams will present their findings to the MICC, which shall then submit its recommendations to the Office of the President, which shall make a final decision on the DENR's closure and suspension orders, she said.

Alvarez further said that it was only natural for Secretary Dominguez and several more Cabinet members to be concerned about the impact of the DENR’s actions on local employment and finance, considering that estimates by the DOF-attached Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) show that the closure and suspension orders will cost 17 affected cities and municipalities in 10 provinces over P821 million annually in foregone revenues.

Three of these municipalitiesâ€"Carrascal in Surigao del Norte, Tagana-an in Surgao del Norte and Tubajon in Dinagat Islandsâ€"will lose revenues representing over 50 percent of their current operating income if the affected mine sites are shut down or forced to suspend operations.

BLGF estimates show that Carrascal will lose PHP198.3 million of its mining revenues, which represent 62.3 percent of its total operating income, while Tagana-an will lose PHP70.3 million or 54 percent of its total operating income. Tubajon will shed PHP38 million, or 55.4 percent of its total operating income if the DENR order is implemented.

Of this amount, local collections of the affected LGUs from mining firms amounted to P340 million, comprising real property taxes (RPTs) of PHP53.54 million, Php263.13 million from business tax, fees, charges and other local charges, and PHP23.29 million from provincial revenues.

The share of the affected LGUs from mining taxes collected by the national government account for PHP481.17 million.

Aside from the two Surigao provinces and Dinagat islands, the other provinces affected by the closure or suspension orders are Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Cebu, Bulacan, Zambales and Eastern Samar.

BLGF's estimates do not include yet the projected income losses of the LGUs that host 75 mine sites whose MPSAs were ordered cancelled by the DENR.

Alvarez recalled that shortly after the DENR's actions, Dominguez had discussed with the heads of the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the Departments of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Trade and Industry (DTI) how to address the impact of these closure and suspension orders on jobs and LGU revenues in the areas hosting the affected mining projects.

In these informal discussions, Alvarez bared that DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo had said that her department will carry out a census to determine the extent of the jobs displacement, while Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco hadsuggested providing jobs under the government’s national greening program.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III had informed the DOF secretary that emergency employment can be provided to displaced workers but only for a temporary time and in limited volume, while DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said he will also pitch in proposals on how to generate jobs in the affected areas , Alvarez said.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, meanwhile, had said that he will look into additional projects in communities hardest hit by the closure of mining operations so that jobs for the laid-off workers can be provided under a proposed supplemental budget, she added. (PNA)

Livelihood projects for communities affected by mine closures underway

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assured on Tuesday that livelihood projects are being put in place to help communities directly affected by the closure of 23 mining companies that failed the industry-wide audit conducted by the agency.

In a press conference held Tuesday, DENR Secretary Gina Lopez said that a number of government agencies have participated in a planning workshop organized by the DENR in Butuan City to come up with a package of livelihood projects for the affected mine workers in the provinces of Dinagat Island, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte.

“Sa green economy, whether or not we’re there, the government goes there or wala ... kaya na nila sa sarili nila. Yan ang dapat. This is the very key important point that I want everyone needs to know that by taking care of the environment, doon manggagaling ang pakinabang ng lahat,” Lopez said.

DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Philip Camara identified the livelihood projects crafted by 11 participating government agencies to include revegetation of mined-out areas, biochar production and community enterprise initiatives.

He said the re-vegetation of mined out areas has the potential of generating of up to 1,000 livelihood opportunities for mining workers for every 200 hectares, and yield around PHP7,000 monthly income per household, which is the same amount as the average salary of a mine worker.

He also said that mining communities could turn agricultural wastes into biochar or charcoal briquette -- a type of charcoal that is produced by burning only a small amount of oxygen, thus enabling carbon to be absorbed by plants and prevent it from accumulating in the atmosphere.

“Biochar has strong potential to provide alternative livelihood to mine communities given that the Philippines consume about 22 million cubic meters of wood for fuel and charcoal,” he said.

"These alternatives not only provide high-value jobs, they also multiply into agriculture," Camara said, adding that the re-vegetation process starts from rehabilitating the soil so it can grow plants and trees to boost agriculture.

To prepare them into becoming ecotourism sites, the DENR will create community enterprises in mining affected areas within the next three to six months.

Other livelihood activities that the DENR plans to undertake to assist displaced mining workers include establishment of plant nurseries, dredge rivers, improve agricultural lands through biochar, introduce bamboo and napier grass as agricultural crops, raise poultry and livestock and set up priority sites for the Enhanced National Greening Program.

Camara said the livelihood projects being put in place by the DENR are geared toward "creating a local economy that works for the local people."

Among the agencies that participated in the planning workshop were the Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (PNA)

Many NPA bands push for localized peace talks -- AFP

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Not all New People's Army (NPA) ranks are supportive of their top leadership's decision to cancel their existing ceasefire with government forces

This was proven as various NPA groups in the group are pushing for a localized peace talks in their respective regions, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Wednesday.

"We have heard the report from Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte who welcomes the expression of the NPA to have a localized peace talk in their area," he added.

"In Compostela Valley, we have received the report from Major General Rafael Valencia who said that members of the NPA are also opting for a localized peace talks. The members of the local government are the ones brokering these loalized peace talks," the AFP official disclosed,

Arevalo said the same is true in the Visayas as 8th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Raul Farnacio said that rebels in his area-of-operation also signify their intention to go to a localized peace talks.

"This is now being arranged by the local government," he added

In Bondoc Peninsula, Arevalo the provincial board members are catering to this particular desire of the NPA to go to localized peace talks if they cannot attain success in the national level.

We would like to encourage and welcome all those who have expressed their intent to do peace talks even at the localized level in order for us to gain success in this particular area," he added.

The government was forced to cancel its ceasefire and peace talks with the NPA last Feb. 4 after the insurgent earlier announced that they are lifting their unilateral ceasefire effective 11:59 p.m. of Feb. 10.

In wake of that announcement, the rebels also conducted a series of unprovoked attacks against government and civilian targets, killing six unarmed soldiers and abducting three others in the process. (PNA)

Comelec mulls new voters' ID design
By Ferdinand G. Patinio

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking to issue a new design for the voters’ identification (ID) card.

Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista said they are planning of improving the current appearance of the voters’ ID.

"The old voters’ ID is the one that is a laminated paper. It does not look well. So, what we want is to upgrade it to a better one,” he said at the Voter Registration Awareness Caravan at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) on Wednesday.

But, the new ID will cost “less than PHP100” as compared to the old ID which is for free.

Bautista explained that the public especially those who already have the old voter's ID may avail of the new ID once it is approved.

“Even those in possession of the old voters’ ID will be given the option to apply for the new voters’ IDs,” he added.

The poll body chief noted that they are looking to pilot test the project in Metro Manila.

Bautista revealed that they are already coordinating with the National Printing Office as to the production of the new voters’ ID.

The voters’ ID is a valid ID recognized by all government offices and banks, although it is not a requirement for a person to vote. (PNA)

Philippine cuisine, culture showcased at Cairo exhibit

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Philippine cuisine and culture took center stage during the two-day 14th Sakia Exhibition for Cultural Services (SECS) at the River Hall of the El Sawy Culture Wheel in Cairo, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday said.

The Philippine Embassy in Cairo and the Filipino Community in Egypt brought together the best of Filipino snacks, tourism, and entertainment for crowd to enjoy.

A band of Filipinos based in Cairo and Alexandria performed a medley of Filipinos songs during the exhibition.

The SECS is a showcase of different cultures and traditions from all over the world held annually in Cairo.

It is organized by the El Sawy Culture Wheel a private cultural center in Egypt founded in 2003 by Mohamed El-Sawy, Egypt’s former Minister of Culture.

This year’s edition highlighted the cultures of East Africa, Asia, and Australia on the second day. Participating countries during “East Day” included the Philippines, Australia, China, Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Palestine, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. (PNA)

Philippine Red Cross on full alert during Fire Prevention Month

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said it is on full alert 24/7 to respond to fire incidents during the fire season this month.

In a news release issued Wednesday, the PRC said it has put on stand-by 18 fire trucks, 12 water tankers, and thousands of trained emergency responders nationwide for any fire emergency. It has also readied food and non-food items for displaced families in evacuation centers.

March, the beginning of summer in the Philippines, has the highest number of fire incidents, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). It is thus declared as Fire Prevention Month. This year’s theme, “Buhay at Ari-Arian ay Pahalagahan, Ibayong Pag-iingat sa Sunog ay sa Sariling Pamamahay Simulan”, aims to raise public awareness about the importance of fire prevention.

PRC chairman Richard Gordon reported that they have helped out in 38 fire incidents in the National Capital Region (NCR) since January.

“As we always say, prevention is key when it comes to fire safety. But it is also smart to make sure that all members of your household know what to do in case there's a fire emergency,” Gordon said.

To reduce risks in case of fire, the PRC advises every household member to know how to use a fire extinguisher and the location of the fire escape. The family should agree on a meeting place at a safe distance from home.

According to the agency, if smoke, heat, or flames are blocking the exit route, one should stay in the room with the door closed, and wave something bright -- a flashlight, glow stick, or a brightly colored cloth -- by the window.

The PRC also advises people to call the fire department when they make it to safety and not to return to the fire scene.

PRC secretary general Oscar Palabyab meanwhile emphasized that fire is preventable.

“But it pays to be aware of fire survival tips, especially during summer, when most fire incidents unfortunately occur,” he said.

The PRC has been responding to fire emergencies since 2009, when the Japanese government donated 12 fire trucks to the agency. (PNA)

Telling stories of change in a new dimension

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- The advent of social media has radically changed how the world consumes its daily dose of the news. Mobile and online journalism have paired with multiple formats such as videos, infographics and hard articles giving the consumers a smorgasbord of choices, thus, fueling the never ending thirst for breaking and real-time news and information.

With this, many traditional media companies such as publications, radio and television stations have invested a considerable amount of time, money and manpower in developing a digital or social media department whose sole purpose is to maintain, produce and update various social media accounts of their respective outfits to maintain an active presence online.

The Philippine News Agency (PNA) is no exception to this and with the initiative and push from the executives of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), the Social Media team was strengthened for such purpose.

Prior to this endeavor, there were already social media accounts, although laid dormant for a long period of time.

The team was instructed to "revive" and "update" the said accounts to bring the PNA into the social media landscape.

In an interview, PNA Social Media Team head Janice Cave shared the group's challenges and plans.

Considered as a tad late in entering and being active in social media, even among the other government media agencies, the team collaborated with other government agencies and found a link with ‘Mula sa Masa, Para Sa Masa’, a government-run publication under the PCOO for crafting materials for uploading online. With their assistance, audio-visual materials and infographics are uploaded alongside the biggest stories for the day.

When it came to what happened after the establishment of the team, Cave described the atmosphere of the three-man team formed from a mishmash of three techie and news savvy individuals.

The first few months came rather difficult, adding their social media responsibilities to their usual editorial duties, adding the fact that a three-man team was a small start. But after adjustments and a few tweaks, the first month went by and soon a rhythm was found to balance out their work.

But a flipside is that not all of the reporters out in the field are into social media and when it comes to the hottest, trending and real time news she feels that the team is having difficulty getting the news.

Though the team is making ends meet and are producing material for posting there is always room for improvement. When asked on the immediate need of the team, Cave said manpower is an urgent issue. Equipment and training in the social media is also an aspect the team would like to build on.

When the question of "Where does the team go from here?" a lilt in her voice accompanied by slight enthusiasm set in when she spoke: "Since nag-start pa lang kami, it will definitely improve as we go along."

She said the PCO has been supportive in addressing the needs of PNA in general and with the equipment and proper training, the quality of stories and materials would also improve. (PNA)
BNB/JMC/KARL ANDREW V. SONIO

Senator seeks probe into 'defective' MRT-3 coaches

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- A Senator on Wednesday sought for a probe into the alleged defective new coaches of the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) following reports that they were not working.

Sen. Nancy Binay filed Senate Resolution 304 urging the Senate to look into the new coaches in order to improve the MRT's provision of safe and efficient public transport.

Reports said the new MRT coaches are not working while 12 of them had cracks.

The new coaches are part of the 48 new coaches bought from the Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corp. for PHP3.8 billion in 2013 by the then Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

Meanwhile, the delivery of the new coaches started in January 2016, three months after its October 2015 schedule.

Binay also decried the reported delays in the existing MRT service due to new mechanical breakdowns.

She said that breakdowns in the MRT service have an impact on the country's economy.

"The lost time of our employees because of these MRT breakdowns make companies less productive," Binay said.

"We need to make sure that our passengers are safe and the operation of the MRT is efficient because there are many who ride them daily," she added. (PNA)
JBP/ANP

Thousands rally to support DENR Sec. Lopez, anti-mining initiatives

Brandishing flags and banners to decry mining, over 2,000 people gathered Wednesday morning in front of the Senate in Pasay City to rally in support of Environment Sec. Gina Lopez and her anti-mining initiatives.

“Sec. Gina, ikumpirma! Senado, senado, maglingkod sa Pilipino, hindi sa minero! (Confirm Sec. Gina! Senate, senate, serve Filipinos not miners!)” protesters chanted.

Among the groups present in the rally was the anit-mining group Alyansa Tigil Mina which held a banner that read: “Protect the environment. Defend people’s rights. Confirm Sec. Gina Lopez.”

Lopez’s confirmation was deferred after the Senate underwent a reorganization on Monday with new leadership positions and chairmanships decided.

Several oppositions have also been filed before the Commission on Appointments (CA) panel on Lopez's confirmation.

Around 19,000 people are expected to be “directly affected” by the closing of mines, Lopez said. She, however, assured that displaced miners could be trained to practice ecotourism as it has more long-term benefits as against mining.

Police say that protesters were in the Senate as early as 10 a.m. to show support for Lopez, who previously ordered the closure of 23 metallic mines and suspension of five others for serious environmental violations discovered.

Lopez, who briefly showed up in the rally, expressed gratitude for their support.

"Para sa kalikasan! Para sa bayan! (For the environment! For the nation!)” she said. (PNA)

Duterte meets young ASG kidnap victim in Malacañang

MANILA, Feb 28 (PNA) -- An eight-year old kidnap victim from Zamboanga Sibugay was reunited with his parents in the presence of President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañan on Tuesday following seven months of captivity from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu.

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza presented the child to President Duterte. He was abducted with his family in Zamboanga Sibugay in August last year and was freed last Monday.

The family was brought to Sulu after they were kidnapped. The mother, Nora, was released in August 22 after paying a small amount, according to Dureza. Elmer, the father, was freed last Nov. 13 after handing over Php 1 million, thinking the son will also be released.

Dureza said the family sold everything, including their sari-sari store, and borrowed from friends and relatives to raise the ransom money.

Dureza said he was instructed by the President to work for the release of the boy and with the help of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members, was eventually reunited with his parents.

Dureza said the boy will undergo psychiatric trauma treatment, noting that the President will also assist the family so they can start a new life away from Mindanao.

The family, whose life was in shambles after selling all possessions, decided to leave Zamboanga Sibugay and relocated with relatives outside Metro Manila, according to Dureza.

He also clarified that no ransom money was paid in freeing the boy since the family no longer has the money after disposing its source of livelihood.

President Duterte expressed his gratitude to Secretary Dureza, and Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan for their humanitarian job.

The President however said that there will be a lot of work to do in freeing some reported captives saying, “I would like to assure everybody that for as long as there is violence being perpetrated, the Republic of the Philippines will continue with its military operations.”

But in order for the military to be effective, the President said the soldiers would need new equipment as well as fast boats, frigates and more helicopters.

“We plan to purchase more helicopters. The numbers, I would not want to tell you now but I have to improve on our night-flying capability. We’re nearing to it,” the President said.

But for those in Mindanao who want reintegration or ceasefire, the President reiterated that it is also his desire to adopt a federal system of government.

PRRD expresses sympathies to Kantner's family

At the same time, the President extended his sympathies to the family of German national Jurgen Gustav Kantner, who was brutally murdered by the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu.

“I am very sorry that the hostage or a national of your country has been beheaded. I sympathize with the family. I commiserate with the German people,” President Duterte said.

The President also told Kantner’s family and the German government that his administration really tried its best to secure the safety of the victim.

The President also tackled the anti-illegal drug campaign, saying that he has ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Dir. Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa during Monday’s command conference to recruit patriotic young men in the PNP to be the members of the task force.

“Every station should have one pero ‘yung piling-pili, ‘yung walang mga kaso at walang history ng corruption,” he said. (PNA)

Philippines, Japan to hold 3rd Vice-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said the Philippines and Japan will hold the 3rd Vice-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue (VMSD) here Wednesday to continue building upon bilateral mechanisms that further enhance their strengthened strategic partnership.

Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo will lead the Philippine delegation while the Japanese contingent will be lead by Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba.

DFA Spokesman and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose in a text message to reporters said the event will be held at the main office of DFA.

The VMSD which was established in 2009, is an avenue for both countries to share ideas and discuss matters of mutual interest such as political, security, economic, consular, and other issues that affect Philippine-Japan relations.

The 3rd VMSD will particularly focus on the Philippines’ chairmanship of ASEAN, including possible joint activities to commemorate the landmark 50th Anniversary of ASEAN, as well as important bilateral concerns for the two countries. (PNA)

PAGASA: Northeast monsoon, easterlies to bring isolated rainshowers Wednesday

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Isolated rainshowers is expected over most parts of the archipelago due to the easterlies and the northeast monsoon, state weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Wednesday.

In its 24-hour forecast, PAGASA said cloudy skies with light rains may prevail over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Aurora province.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains is expected over Ilocos region and the rest of central Luzon.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from northeast will prevail over Luzon, and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.(PNA)

PRC on full alert this Fire Prevention Month

MANILA, March 1 (PNA) -- Eighteen fire trucks, 12 water tankers, and thousands of trained emergency responders nationwideâ€"the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is on full alert 24/7 to respond to fire incidents that are expected to come out this fire season.

March marks the beginning of the summer season in the Philippines and, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the biggest number of fire incidents are usually recorded on said month.

This year’s Fire Prevention Month theme, “Buhay at Ari-arian ay Pahalagahan, Ibayong Pag-iingat sa Sunog ay sa Sariling Pamamahay Simulan,” reflects the BFP’s commitment to raise public awareness about the importance of fire prevention.

“As we always say, prevention is key when it comes to fire safety,” PRC Chairman Richard Gordon said. “But it's also smart to make sure that all members of your household know what to do in case there's a fire emergency.”

Below are PRC-recommended tips on how to reduce risks in case of fire:

· Make sure every member of the household knows where the fire escape is.

· Agree on a meeting place at a safe distance from the home.

· Teach everyone at home how to use a fire extinguisher.

· If smoke, heat, or flames are blocking your exit route, stay in the room with the door closed.

· If you can, move close to a window and wave something bright (a flashlight, glow stick, or a brightly colored cloth) to signal for help.

· If you haven't already called the fire department, call them once you make it to safety.

“Fire is preventable,” said PRC Secretary General Oscar Palabyab. “But it pays to be aware of fire survival tips, especially during the summer, when most fire incidents unfortunately occur.”

“Since January 2017, the PRC has helped out in 38 fire incidents in National Capital Region (NCR),” added Gordon. “Besides the water tankers, rescue trucks, and volunteers, the PRC also provides other assistance, such as food and non-food items, and psychosocial support to displaced families in evacuation centers.”

The Philippine Red Cross has been responding to fire emergencies since 2009, when the Japanese government donated 12 fire trucks to Chairman Gordon for the PRC.

For more information, you may visit www.redcross.org.ph or call local hotline 143. (PNA)

BOI approves Santrap's Php1.1-B biomass project

The Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) has approved the application of Satrap Power Corp. to be a renewable energy developer of biomass energy resources under the Special Laws List (Renewable Energy Act of 2008) under the current Investment Priorities Plan (IPP).

The Php1.16-billion project involves the development, construction and operation of a 10-megawatt (MW) power plant in Barangay Nagpanaoan, Santa, Ilocos Sur.

Satrap will use municipal solid and agricultural wastes to generate electricity at a rated capacity of 3MW and 7MW, respectively. It has already executed a feedstock supply agreement with the various local government units (LGUs) in the province.

The company expects to get 86 tons of municipal solid wastes and 200 tons of agricultural wastes from LGUs. Commercial operations are scheduled to be in place by April 2019 with 30 personnel manning the plant.

The power generation process comprises wastes transported to the tipping area where these are sorted and segregated. The leftovers undergo drying and shredding to produce pellets. The pellets are then fed to gasifier/boiler to produce syngas or steam to power the gas turbine/steam turbine blades.

All of the generated electricity are expected to be sold to the National Grid in accordance with the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system of the RE Act. The Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ISECO) is also being considered as a market.

“This project boosts the Ilocos region as a hub for renewable power and complements the wind power plants already in the region. The addition of biomass projects will spur further development of renewable energy sources in the area as we continue our march towards reducing our dependence on fossil fuels over time,” Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said.

Figures from the Department of Energy (DOE) as of June 2016 showed that the country has a total installed power capacity of 20,055 MW with a dependable capacity of 17,925 MW. Available capacity is 13,877 MW.

Peak demand during the period reached 13,197 MW. Newly installed operational capacity was 1,271 MW. Committed projects expected to be operational by end of 2016 topped 6,179 MW with indicative capacities of up to 13,853 MW.

RE constituted the largest share of the total installed power capacity in the country with 34.3 percent share, closely followed by coal with 33.2 percent and natural gas (14.3 percent). Hydro was the biggest in the RE with 18 percent share of the aggregate capacity, followed by Geothermal (9.56 percent), Solar (3.4 percent), Wind (2.1 percent) and Biomass (1.2 percent).

The Renewable Energy Act of 2008, otherwise known as Republic Act No. 951, was enacted with the aim of accelerating the exploration and development of renewable energy resources such as biomass, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and ocean energy sources, including hybrid systems, to achieve energy self-reliance, through the adoption of sustainable energy development strategies to reduce the country's dependence on fossil fuels and minimize the country's exposure to price fluctuations in the international markets, the effects of which spiral down to almost all sectors of the economy.

The law aims to increase the utilization of renewable energy by institutionalizing the development of national and local capabilities in the use of renewable energy systems, and promoting its efficient and cost-effective commercial application by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

The government also continues to encourage the development and utilization of renewable energy resources as tools to effectively prevent or reduce harmful emissions and balance the goals of economic growth and development with the protection of health and the environment while establishing the necessary infrastructure and mechanism to carry out the mandates specified in the Act and in line with other existing laws. (PNA)

DepEd postpones NCAE in NCR due to logistic limits

MANILA - The Education Department has postponed the National Career Assessment Examination in the National Capital Region, which was initially set on Mar. 1 and 2.

According to DepEd memorandum No. 29 issued on Tuesday, the postponement is "due to logistical limitations".

The department said the new schedule for the NCAE would be set by Regional Office and Schools Division Offices, along with the Bureau of Education Assessment.

The department said other areas would hold the NCAE on Mar. 1 and 2. (PNA)

Senator Trillanes faces new ethics complaint

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is currently facing an ethics complaint for two allegations he previously made against Court of Appeals (CA) justices and Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, a Senator said Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics, said that he received the complaint against Trillanes on Monday.

Sotto said the complaint was filed by lawyer Aberlardo de Jesus, who has also filed an ethics complaint against detained Sen. Leila de Lima.

He said De Jesus’ complaint was based on Trillanes allegations that two CA justices accepted bribes from former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay in 2015 to halt his suspension and for calling Pres. Duterte a "murderer".

“Nagbintang siya ng bribery. The other issue is yung kay Pres. Duterte, yung pagtawag ng mga murderer (He accused [justices] of bribery. The other issue was about Pres. Duterte, his calling him a murderer),” Sotto told reporters.

The CA later found Trillanes guilty of indirect contempt of court and was fined PHP30,000.

Trillanes, meanwhile, said that he is ready to face the complaint. (PNA)

PNP-ACG nabs 15 Chinese, Filipino nationals in illegal online gambling

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police Anti-Cyber crime Group (PNP-ACG) has arrested 15 Chinese nationals and a Filipino allegedly involved in illegal online gambling in Pasig City.

The suspects were arrested inside an ordinary-looking office in an 18-floor building in Pasig City on Monday night.

The PNP-ACG started to monitor the company identified as YD International Incorporated (YD International) after receiving an information that it was operating an illegal virtual games in their office in Pasig City.

By virtue of a search warrant issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC), the PNP-ACG operatives raided the office of YD International and discovered that it was a haven of an illegal online gambling.

PNP-ACG spokesman Supt. Jay Guillermo said YD International is not a registered company and that it operates in such a way that a player makes a bet online, but before making the bet, an account connected to a bank should be opened and the money is automatically deducted or added.

The owners of the company identified as Jonah Tee and Mica Wang were nowhere to be found when the PNP-ACG raided YD International’s office.

However, their personnel, composed of 15 Chinese and a Filipino were arrested.

The arrested Chinese will undergo verification, especially so that they are using tourist visa.

They are facing a case for violation of Republic Act No. 10175, or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012”.

The computer sets, camera and scanner, modems and network routers, mobile phones, digital storage, bank cards and other documents inside YD International’s office were confiscated and will undergo examination.

The YD International has been operating in the raided building for the past two years.

The PNP-ACG is now determining whether the building administrator is liable for the illegal online gambling. (PNA)

65 rebels surrender as all-out-war vs insurgents enters 4th week
By Priam F. Nepomuceno

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- Around 65 New People's Army (NPA) rebels have voluntarily surrendered to authorities as the government all-out offensive against the insurgents enters its fourth week.

"As of this morning (February 28), 65 members of the NPA have already surrendered to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), most of which are citing hardships, family reasons and hope for a better life outside the organization. Most of these surrenderers already expressed that they have been disillusioned over how the NPA has relegated into banditry," said AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a briefing Tuesday.

The all-out-war against the NPAs started last Feb. 4 shortly after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of the peace talks following a series of unprovoked attacks by the insurgents against military and civilians.

Some 13 NPA rebels, including two minors surrendered to the AFP in separate occasions in Davao Oriental and Davao Occidental.

Arevalo said these recent surrenders show the rampant recruitment of minors by the NPA. This clearly violates existing conventions on human rights and international humanitarian law.

This also manifest the hardships that these former NPA had to go through trying to evade the hands of the law.

"We welcome them back in the mainstream society and assist in their successful reintegration as productive members of their communities," the AFP official stressed.

As this develops, Arevalo scored the NPAs for their continued attacks against civilian targets providing employment opportunities to poor Filipinos in the countryside.

"We have received reports that lawless NPA rebels attacked a site for a new hydroelectric power plant and a pineapple plantation in separate incidents on Saturday (February 25)," he added.

According to witnesses, the rebels fired several warning shots and laid some improvised explosive devices inside the compound of Pulanai Hydroelectric Powerplant in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Also, another NPA unit burned down two trucks and one trailer owned by the Davao Agri-Venture Corporation, a pineapple plantation in Quezon town, also in Bukidnon.

"The AFP condemns these new NPA attacks on private businesses that provide livelihood and promote development for our people and their community. The NPA's violent nature and greed hampered economic growth and retarded the development potentials of our communities where our people use to belong to," Arevalo said.

By attacking powerless businesses and individuals, the NPA has shown their diminishing capability and complete lack of interest in truly addressing the root causes of poverty, he added.

Ongoing operations against the rebels, numbering 43 overall, has so far killed 16 rebels, along with four wounded and 17 arrested.

Likewise, military units were able to recover 22 high-powered and low-powered firearms from the NPA rebels while 15 -- including IEDs -- were voluntarily surrendered.

On the government’s side, the AFP has recorded a total of 38 casualties, of which, eight were killed-in-action while 30 were wounded-in-action. (PNA)
LGI/PFN

Senate inquiry into Lascañas’ testimony set Monday

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The Senate panel inquiry into the testimony of retired SPO3 Arturo Lascañas, self-confessed head of the so-called vigilante group Davao Death Squad (DDS), has been set on Monday (March 6).

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs which will be conducting the hearing, said he will be inviting members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), particularly in Davao City, and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

The hearing into Lascañas’ new testimony was initially scheduled on Tuesday (March 7) but was moved to Monday. Lacson said that he and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV had a slight miscommunication on the schedule.

Last February 20, Trillanes brought Lascañas to the Senate to announce that he was retracting his first testimony in a Senate inquiry last October 2016 where he denied the existence of the death squad.

This time, Lascañas said that there was indeed a death squad that killed criminals and non-criminals in Davao City.

In his 12-page affidavit, Lascañas said that he was now ready to “tell the truth”.

It was self-confessed hitman Edgar Matobato who first claimed that there was indeed a death squad. However, Lascañas rejected his claims noting that he feared for the safety of his family in Davao City.

"When I appeared before the Senate, I denied the accusations made by Edgar Matobato about the extrajudicial killings in Davao City and the Davao Death Squad. I was forced to deny what Matobato said, even if most of it was true, because I was afraid for the safety and security of my loved ones in Davao City,” Lascañas said in his affidavit.

Lacson said the inquiry will push through despite disapproval of some senators, particularly Sen. Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Gordon said that it was “a slap in the face” to the Senate to allow Lascañas to testify after he had lied in a previous hearing into extrajudicial killings last October 2016.

Gordon’s committee report ruled out the existence of a death squad. (PNA)

Governmentt against contractualization - Dole

An official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that President Rodrigo Duterte has assured workers that his government is against contractualization.

According to Usec. Joel Maglunsod the Chief Executive told the members of the Nagkaisa labor coalition at the meeting on Monday, that his stand against contractualization does not change.

"Sinabi ni Presidente na walang pagbabago sa position niya nung nasa kampanya pa siya na ayaw niya sa lahat ng porma ng contractualization," he said.

The DOLE official added that the President is amendable on the pending bills in Congress that will criminalize violations of existing laws on contractualization.

Manglunsod was asked if the statement of Duterte will have an effect on the new policy on contractualization being formulated by the agency.

"Hindi, kasi kinakailangan talaga dumaan ito sa kongreso. Ang pwede lang namin is siguraduhin na lahat ng minimum requirements para allowable contractualization sa batas ay masusunod," he explained.

Manglunsod added that they were no specific bills that Duterte will endorse. "Wala. implied lang. Sabi niya ipapaaral niya ito sa legal department."

Meanwhile, the labor group was satisfied with what the President has told them during the dialogue.

"This chance became clearer when the President, after a three-hour dialogue with labor leaders Monday evening, demonstrated empathy and understanding for the plight of Filipino workers by reiterating his position that he is not going to renege on his promise to end contractualization both in the private and public sector," the Nagkaisa said in a statement.

They added, "The dialogue ended months of speculation in the business community that the President may only be after agencies that were practicing endo (the hiring of workers only for five months) as he categorically stated that his policy extends fully to ending contractualization through middlemen or manpower agencies."

At the same time, the group urged their fellow workers to be on guard and monitor the actions to be taken by agencies of the government regarding the matter.

"We therefore urge our fellow workers to remain vigilant to make sure that government bodies under instruction to comply with our demands do not stray out of line. This recent advance in our struggle for decent work confirms the power of unions and organized resistance in winning the battle against anti-labor policies," they said.

The Nagkaisa labor coalition is consist 47 labor federations and workers’ organizations in public and private sectors which includes Associated Labor Unions, Partido Manggagawa, Sentro, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Federation of Free Workers, National Confederation of Labor, Philippine Airlines Employees Association, PSLink, Philippine Government Employees Association among others. (PNA)

Duterte's foreign trips earn PHP1K for every 17 cents

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said President Rodrigo Duterte’s trips abroad have raised a total of USD33 billion as compared to the PHP270 million incurred expenses from his foreign travels.

“That is equivalent to spending something like 17 centavos per every 1,000 pesos that he has raised in investments and loans,” Dominguez said in a press briefing in Malacañan on Tuesday, February 28.

“For me that is a very significant figure. You know, sometimes when we talk of millions and billions, we forget the relationship, right? This is the relationship of the expenses of the President with regards to the benefits that he has been able to bring home or as the journalists like to say, ‘the bacon that he brought home,’” he explained.

The Department of Finance is presently negotiating with Chinese officials regarding the USD9 billion in Official Development Assistance (ODA), as well as commercial loans.

He said the DOF is likewise discussing with the Japanese government in response to the announcement of Prime Minister Abe during his recent visit to the country that Japan has committed another USD9 billion more or less in ODA and commercial loans.

In the same briefing, meanwhile, Dominguez said the DOF is working as co-chair of the Mining Industry Coordinating Committee (MICC), with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary-designate Gina Lopez.

“She and I have signed the resolution of the MICC agreeing that we are to set up a technical working group (TWG) to review all her issuances to make sure that these are in line with due process,” Dominguez said, adding that the second meeting of the TWG will be on Friday.

Contrary to speculations that there is a rift between the two Cabinet Secretaries, Dominguez said that he and Lopez are on the same team and that he is not involved with any mining firm at the moment.

“I want to make sure that when she closes the mining, it stays closed. Because if due process is not followed, two possible consequences will happen: the mine will go to court and the court will give them relief and they will open again. And, they will probably file for damages against the government for closing them illegally,” Dominguez explained.

“So I want to avoid those and I want to make sure that Secretary Lopez -- Secretary-designate Lopez is in firm grounds when she does this. You know, that’s my responsibility as co-chair and as a member of the team. We all belong to the same team of President Duterte,” he added.

PHL as investment attraction

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in the same briefing, said the Palace welcomes the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) findings citing favorable investment conditions in the Philippines.

Abella cited the statement of European Union-ASEAN Business Council Executive Director Chris Humphrey that the country is now among the top favorite of European investors in ASEAN.

Abella added that the country is seen to have a bright future in enhancing European interest “due to the country’s young population, increasingly liberal trade and investment policies and largely untapped market.”

“To deliver its promise to create 1.2M jobs annually, the Duterte administration will attract more foreign investments, increase infrastructure spending, ease the cost of doing business in the Philippines, and continuously develop its human resource,” Abella said.

He said these jobs to be created include those in construction, information and technology/business-process management, tourism, manufacturing, transport and logistics, agri-processing industry, and retail trade.

On the other hand, Abella cited the findings of the International Monetary Fund mission team regarding the Philippines’ monetary policies which are supportive of domestic expansion.

The IMF team cited the comprehensive tax reform program (CTRP) as among those that contributed to the strengthening of the country’s monetary transmission and reduction of concentration risks in the banking sector, among others, Abella added.

Meanwhile, Abella said the military will continue its unrelenting pursuit operations to recover the remaining hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Sulu.

Abella said President Duterte must be deeply affected by the beheading of German national Juergen Gustav Kantner.

Echoing the statement made by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the incident, Abella said, “It’s a mournful day for all peace-loving and God-fearing citizens of the Philippines.”

Abella meanwhile said that the Palace had no hand in the recent upheavals in the Senate committee positions and pointed out that the stripping of Senate committee chairmanships is a regular development decided solely by the lawmakers.

He said that the Palace recognizes the independence of the different branches of government, adding that the Palace “does not interfere with its affairs.”

Abella said he hopes that the development in the Senate would result in " better working relationships” between Malacañan and the Senate. (PNA)

Senate reorganizes due to 'blurring lines' between majority, minority
By Azer N. Parrocha

MANILA, Feb. 27 (PNA) -- The Senate on Monday underwent reorganization due to "blurring lines" between the majority and minority blocs, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said Monday.

Pimentel made this statement after senators belonging to the Liberal Party (LP) were ousted from leadership posts and committee chairmanships. They LP senators also transferred from the majority bloc to the minority bloc.

"There have been instances where the majority, instead of closing ranks, ended up divided. The majority of Senators decided that to best achieve the Senate's legislative agenda, clear lines have to be drawn," Pimentel said.

He, however, assured that the Senate will remain independent and true to its role as "the last bastion of democracy" in the country.

On Monday's plenary session, Sen. Manny Pacquiao motioned to declare vacant the position of Senate President Pro-Tempore and committee chairmanships on the Senate Committees on Health, Agriculture and Education.

Sen. Franklin Drilon was ousted as Senate President Pro-Tempore while Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV were ousted as chairs of the Health, Agriculture and Education committees.

None of them interpellated Pacquiao’s motion.

Former Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto took Drilon’s place as Senate President Pro-Tempore after 17 out of 23 senators present voted for this change.

The 17 senators who voted for Recto as the new Senate President Pro-Tempore were Senators Nancy Binay, Alan Peter Cayetano, Joseph Ejercito, Francis Escudero, Sherwin Gatchalian, Gringo Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda, Manny Pacquiao, Francis Pangilinan and Grace Poe.

The six senators who voted against Recto were Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Aquino, Drilon, Hontiveros, Recto and Antonio Trillanes IV.

Meanwhile, Senators Joseph Vicente Ejercito, Cynthia Villar, and Francis Escudero became the new chairs of the Senate Committees on Health, Agriculture and Education, respectively.

Recto moved to designate Trillanes the new Senate Minority Leader until the new minority decides among themselves who will be their new leader.

The new minority has five members namely Aquino, Drilon, Hontiveros, Pangilinan and Trillanes.

Drilon included detained Sen. Leila de Lima in the minority but Senate Pres. Aquilino Pimentel III said that it is better to await for her formal communication.

The LP senators’ transfer to the minority bloc comes two days after their party mate, De Lima, was arrested by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for alleged drug trading charges. De Lima is currently detained in the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

In an interview, Drilon said the LP would have stayed with the majority bloc if they were not stripped off their leadership posts and committee chairmanships.

He, however, assured that even if they were “kicked out”, they would continue to do their jobs. (PNA)

Drilon is new Senate Minority Leader

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- Sen. Franklin Drilon was elected as the new Senate Minority Leader on Tuesday, a day after the Senate underwent reorganization.

During the senate plenary session, Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV moved to elect Drilon as Senate Minority Leader. Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto II seconded Aquino’s motion.

Drilon, meanwhile, elected Aquino as his Assistant Minority leader.

Prior to Drilon being elected as Senate Minority Leader, he was Senate President Pro-Tempore.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes was temporarily designated as Senate Minority Leader on Monday before Drilon was elected.

Detained Sen. Leila de Lima, in a letter ready by Sotto, manifested her intention to join the Senate minority bloc along with her party mates from the Liberal Party (LP).

To recall, Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Monday motioned to declare vacant a leadership post, Senate President Pro-Tempore and committee chairmanships on the Senate Committees on Health, Agriculture and Education which were chaired by LP senators.

Drilon was ousted as Senate President Pro-Tempore while Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Aquino were ousted as chairs of the Health, Agriculture and Education committees.

However, Drilon still chairs the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, Hontiveros still chairs the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and Aquino still chairs the Committee on Science and Technology.

Former Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto took Drilon’s place as Senate President Pro-Tempore after 17 out of 23 senators present voted for this change.

Senators Joseph Vicente Ejercito, Cynthia Villar, and Francis Escudero became the new chairs of the Senate Committees on Health, Agriculture and Education, respectively.

The new minority has six members namely Aquino, De Lima, Drilon, Hontiveros, Pangilinan and Trillanes.

The LP senators’ transfer to the minority bloc comes two days after their party mate, De Lima, was arrested by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) for alleged drug trading charges.

De Lima is currently detained in the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Philippine Army remains committed to women empowerment

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The Philippine Army (PA) said it is committed to empowering its female personnel as the country celebrates Women's Month this March.

"We push forward in our continued advocacy to further create the platforms where our women soldiers are empowered to achieve their fullest potential and continue to be a valuable asset of the organization," said PA vice commander Major Gen. Robert Arevalo in a statement.

With the theme "WE Make Change Work for Women," this year's celebration emphasizes the significance of women's participation in bringing about positive change in the Army and stresses the importance of women empowerment.

Among the highlights of the Army's month-long celebration are the Gender, Peace and Security Seminar, and the Forum on Women Empowerment.

The PA will also open a Gender and Development Photo Exhibit at the Philippine Army Museum. It will include inspirational stories of women in the Army, both of the soldiers and civilian employees.

The Philippines has been observing the month of March as the National Women’s Month for 27 years starting 1990. (PNA)

House adopts amendments to death penalty bill
By Filane Mikee Cervantes

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The House of Representatives on Tuesday night adopted the proposed individual amendments to the death penalty bill.

The lower chamber approved through viva voce voting the amendments to remove the crimes of plunder, rape, and treason from the coverage of the death penalty bill.

With the recent changes, the contentious measure has been watered down by limiting the crimes punishable by death to just drug-related offenses.

The amendments were a result of several House supermajority caucuses.

The bill will be put to a vote on second reading on Wednesday.

The drug-related offenses punishable by death include the following:

(1) importation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals;

(2) sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursor and essential chemicals;

(3) maintenance of a den, dive or resort where any dangerous drug is used or sold in any form;

(4) manufacture of dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemical; possession of dangerous drugs;

(5) cultivation or culture of plants classified as dangerous drugs or are sources thereof;

(6) unlawful prescription of dangerous drugs;

(7) criminal liability of a public officer or employee for misappropriation, misapplication or failure to account for the confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, instruments/ paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment including the proceeds or properties obtained from the unlawful act committed. (PNA)

TESDA, NCIP to provide skills training to indigenous people

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) have forged a partnership to empower the indigenous people (IP) through technical education and skills development.

TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong said this training program is geared towards helping the IP become competitive and productive individuals, especially in their respective ancestral domain.

Mamondiong and NCIP Chairperson Leonor Oralde-Quintayo signed on Tuesday the memorandum of agreement that will help the IP for self or wage employment to uplift their economic status.

TESDA said the project aims to provide National Certificate (NC) and Certificate of Competency (COC) to successful IP graduates after they have completed their skills training.

Based on the agreement, TESDA will also facilitate the job referrals.

Mamondiong has ordered all provincial and regional directors to coordinate with the IP in their respective areas to facilitate the conduct of competency assessment in the identified facility to qualified beneficiaries.

The NCIP thanked Mamondiong for giving priority to IP so that they will develop their ancestral domain into a highly productive community.

Aside from Mamondiong and Oralde-Quintayo, other officials who attended the MOA signing were TESDA Deputy Director General for Partnership and Linkages Rebecca Calzado and other officials of both agencies. (PNA)

Duterte presents freed 8-year-old ASG kidnap victim to media

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday presented before the media an 8-year-old boy kidnapped by the terror group Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga Sibugay last year.

The President presented Rexon Romoc in Malacañang, a day after the boy was released from Jolo, Sulu where he was held captive for almost seven months.

Duterte thanked Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza, former Sulu governor Sakur Tan, his son and incumbent governor Totoh Tan as well as other well-meaning elements of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

"I’d like to thank Secretary Dureza, Governor Sakur, the son who is also the Governor for a humanitarian job. Iyon namang mga Ulama who adopted the boy and, of course, the armed men there, thank you this time for treating a human being just like a human being," Duterte said.

Rexon was kidnapped on August 5 last year, along with his parents Elmer and Nora, in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay.

His mother and father were released in August 22 and November 15, 2016, respectively after paying ransom.Dureza said that Nora was released after paying some small amount to their captors.

“Upon being released, she then sold everything they owned including their ‘sari-sari’ store and borrowed money from friends and relatives to pay for the release of Elmer and Rexon. The father was released but the captors did not release the boy and continued to keep him hostage. Until we recovered him yesterday,” he said.

Dureza said he was instructed by the President to work for the boy’s release without letup.

In the meantime, Duterte said there is still a lot of work to be done to rescue the remaining hostages still in Abu Sayyaf hands and assured that the government would exert all efforts to secure their release.

“For the rest of the --- ‘yung mga hostages doon, medyo they still have a lot of work to do. It’s all money and convincing. We have Nur (Misuari) on our side, maybe that’s why Secretary Dureza was a bit successful this time,” he said.

“But I hope this would continue and there’s no other way to do it except there’s a military operation going on. And I would like to assure everybody that for as long as there is the violence being perpetrated, the Republic of the Philippines will continue with its military operations,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, the parents of Rexon expressed their gratitude to President Duterte and all those involved in the release of their son.

"Unang-una, nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoong Maykapal saka kay President. Maraming salamat po, sir," an emotional Nora said.

Rexon’s father also expressed his gratitude who said it was because of the officials that they got their child back.

"Dahil sa kanila, nakuha, naibalik yung bata namin sa amin. Salamat po sa lahat," Elmer said.

Rexon also thanked the officials. (PNA)

DOLE aids 35 female OFW-returnees from Kuwait

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The government has provided assistance to 35 female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who came home from Kuwait last week after experiencing various labor- and welfare-related issues with their respective employers.

"Our returning workers, who were household service workers in Kuwait, had their respective sad experiences, such as non-payment of salaries, maltreatment, and long working hours, among others,” Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) deputy administrator Brigido Dulay, who is in charge of the agency’s Repatriation Assistance Division, has said.

Upon their arrival, the women were registered under the Assist W.E.L.L. (Welfare, Employment, Legal and Livelihood) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The OFW-returnees were also provided with airport assistance, and the release of their travel documents were facilitated by the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Immigration.

They were also given temporary accommodation at the OWWA Halfway Home for those who have no place to stay in Metro Manila, transportation fares, and transportation services in going to bus terminals onward to their respective provinces.

In terms of employment, the OFWs will be given job placement referrals for local employment through the Bureau of Local Employment, or an overseas work courtesy of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, as well as training opportunities under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The women were also advised on the availability of livelihood assistance and programs offered by the National Reintegration Center for OFWs and loans through OWWA if they want to start a business.

Those who have legal issues and concerns with their agencies, such as non-payment of salaries, were provided with legal advice through the Single Entry Approach (SEnA).

Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Qatar is set to move next month to a new location to be more accessible to OFWs.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the new POLO office, which will be located in Al Jazeera Tower, West Bay in Doha, will “provide convenience to our nationals in availing of government services, as well as in raising their issues and concern that need immediate action and assistance”.

According to Labor Attaché in Qatar David Des, West Bay is where many Filipinos work and reside.

“Many Filipino expatriates, including community leaders, have hailed the move of POLO to shift to West Bay, as a welcome and necessary development in delivering government services,” he said in his report to Bello.

The current office along Al Furat St., Onaiza Area, Dafna will serve as the Migrant Workers and Other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC), the central hub of welfare and assistance for migrant Filipinos, which can also be used as temporary shelter for OFWs in distress. (PNA)

Fitch Ratings remains optimistic on six PHL banks
By Joann Santiago

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) - - Operations of six Philippine banks that are being rated by Fitch Ratings are seen to remain robust with the expected sustained strong growth of the domestic economy, a report by Fitch Ratings said.

These banks are the Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI), Ty-led Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), Sy-led BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO), China Banking Corp. (Chinabank), Tan-led Philippine National Bank (PNB), and Yuchengco-led Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC).

Domestic consumption is seen to remain strong as it continues to be fuelled by inflows from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.

“Credit demand should stay upbeat against this backdrop, although this places greater demands on the banks’ operating frameworks as they expand,” the report said.

Domestic demand is seen to remain resilient, it said, and pointed out that any impact of negative external environment on domestic growth may be countered by the Duterte administration’s bid to further increase infrastructure investments.

“We expect loan growth to remain in the mid- to high-teens in 2017-2018, backed by the supportive economic outlook,” the report said but noted that “overheating and over-investment will remain a risk amid persistent high loan growth, particularly since real-estate activity has been a significant source of credit growth over the last five years.”

The report, however, said recent moderation in residential property market in the heavily populated areas like Metro Manila “should help curb unrestrained growth in the sector. “

“The slowdown may hurt smaller, more concentrated developers, while we understand that larger, more diversified players would be able to shift their activities to areas with stronger demand,” it said.

Domestic banks continue to be funded by low cost current account and savings account (CASA) deposits, it noted, citing that funding sources give strong backing on bank’s lending activities.

Improvement of asset quality is seen to continue “owing to supportive economic environment and the banks’ ongoing efforts to manage and resolve their problem loans.”

“ The banks’ shift in focus to the consumer-lending segment may lead to higher NPL (non-performing loan) formation, but we expect the broadly steady operating environment to continue to support their overall asset quality in the near term,” it said.

“ We assess the banks’ profitability profiles as acceptable,” it said.

The report noted that although net interest margins (NIM) have declined in the last three years because of ample domestic liquidity and highly competitive banking system the hikes in US interest rates and demand for higher-yielding lending “should provide support for margins in the medium term.” (PNA)

Senator Recto to LP senators: No hard feelings

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- After the Senate reorganization on Monday, new Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto on Tuesday said that there is no feud between him and any of the Senators belonging to the Liberal Party (LP).

Recto, formerly Minority Leader, said that he had no problems with his colleagues in the minority or with members of the LP.

“Remember I was Minority Leader and they were majority. No hard feelings. Now I'm in the majority in the Senate, I was requested by 17 (senators). They are now in the minority, no hard feelings,” Recto told reporters in an interview.

Recto said that he had “nothing to do” with the motion of Sen. Manny Pacquiao to declare vacant a leadership post, Senate President Pro-Tempore and committee chairmanships on the Senate Committees on Health, Agriculture and Education which were chaired by LP senators.

Drilon was ousted as Senate President Pro-Tempore while Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Aquino were ousted as chairs of the Health, Agriculture and Education committees.

Recto took Drilon’s place as Senate President Pro-Tempore after 17 out of 23 senators present voted for this change.

Senators Joseph Vicente Ejercito, Cynthia Villar, and Francis Escudero became the new chairs of the Senate Committees on Health, Agriculture and Education, respectively.

The new minority has six members namely Aquino, Drilon, Hontiveros, Pangilinan, Trillanes and Sen. Leila de Lima.

De Lima, who is currently detained in Camp Crame, manifested to join the minority bloc through a letter read by Senate Majority Vicente Sotto III.

Recto explained that the majority and minority bloc could not interfere in each other’s business.

He said that if there was a problem with the members of the majority and he were Senate President, he would have told then Senate President Pro Tempore Drilon to just resign instead of being ousted.

"If I had my way, if I were the Senate President at that time, and there was a problem with the members of the majority, I'd have told Sen. Drilon that we cannot work together so just resign. That should have been the case," Recto said. (PNA)

Duterte orders PNP to resume anti-drug campaign

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday announced that he will again use policemen in the war against illegal drugs but added that only a selected group will participate.

In a Palace interview, the President said that he had ordered Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa to recruit young police officers who have no history of corruption for the renewed campaign.

“I have ordered Bato to recruit young men in the PNP who are imbued with fervor of patriotism to be the members only of the task forces. Every station should have one pero yung piling-pili, iyung walang history of corruption,” Duterte said.

“I have to do it because kulang ako ng tao,” he said.

Duterte said he relayed the order during the Command Conference Monday evening.

But despite the order, Duterte said that PDEA will continue to supervise anti-illegal drug operations.

Earlier Monday, the President said that since the PNP suspended its anti-drug campaign last month, there has been a rise of drug activities by 20 percent.

The PNP suspended its war on drugs after several cops were accused of kidnapping and then killing a Korean businessman right inside the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame in the guise of an anti-drug operation.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) took over the campaign but later admitted that it lack the manpower to effectively carry out the anti-drug war.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa also said Monday that the PNP is ready to resume the war on drugs if the President will give them the order. (PNA)

Pres. Duterte receives credentials of 3 new ambassadors

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte welcomed on Tuesday three new ambassadors to the Philippines.

In a ceremony at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate Asad Alam Siam of Bangladesh presented his credentials to the President.

President Duterte also received the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate Ly Qouc Tuan of Vietnam.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Designate Ahmed Abdelaziz Ezzat of Egypt also submitted his credentials to the President.

President Duterte then met with each ambassador right after the submission of credentials at the Music Room.

The new ambassadors were accorded with arrival honors at the Kalayaan grounds prior to the ceremony.

A signing of the guest book followed at the Ante Hall Room of Malacañan Palace.

The presentation of credentials to the president of host country is a diplomatic requirement for newly-appointed ambassadors before they begin their tour of duty. (PNA)

Philippine senators ouster was to ‘make a statement’ â€"Lacson
By Azer N. Parrocha

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- The motion of Sen. Manny Pacquiao to oust senators belonging to the Liberal Party (LP) from key positions and chairmanships was to “make a statement”, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson, in an interview, said that there was no intention to strip LP senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros of their Senate committees because if they did, they would not leave them with any committees left.

Upon motion by Pacquiao on Monday, Sen. Franklin Drilon was ousted as Senate President Pro-Tempore while Senators Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan and Aquino were ousted as chairs of the Health, Agriculture and Education committees, respectively.

However, Hontiveros still chairs the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and Aquino still chairs the Committee on Science and Technology.

Senators Joseph Vicente Ejercito, Cynthia Villar, and Francis Escudero became the new chairs of the Senate Committees on Health, Agriculture and Education, respectively.

This led to the LP senators cutting ties with the majority bloc and transferring to the minority. The new minority has six members namely Aquino, Hontiveros, Pangilinan and Trillanes. Detained Sen. Leila de Lima, through a letter, also manifested to join the minority bloc.

Lacson said that it was he, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Gringo Honasan and Loren Legarda who initiated talks in Pacquiao’s home in Makati on Sunday which eventually led to the decision on the ouster.

He said it was “not decided overnight.”

”When we held that meeting Sunday evening in the nice house of Sen Pacquiao, that's when the decision was firmed up. There were reservations as to the timing and I myself was the one who pushed,” Lacson said.

”The four of us initiated it. Senators Honasan, Sotto and partly Legarda. We were the ones who observed and asked ‘why is our current situation like this?’”

He noted that reorganizing the Senate was “always political” but clarified that it did not involve being pressured by Malacañang.

”I for one will not agree to any move ng majority that had pressure from Malacañang. There is absolutely no pressure. We decided this among ourselves,” he added. (PNA)

Fake News Detection Method

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed with your smartphones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

Athritis Treatment

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed with your smartphones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

Be careful.

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed with your smartphones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

Unsaon nga gugma man

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed with your smartphones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

Psalm

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed with your smartphones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

Additional 6,000 Jobs in Shipbuilding Approaching Philippines. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez (center) and Tsuneshi Shipbuilding Corporation President Kenji Kawano (2nd from L) recently (28, February) met to discuss the expansion plans of the Shipbuilding Industry in the country. On the occasion of his official working visit to Japan last October 26, 2016, two projects were signed and witnessed by President Rodrigo Duterte. These projects involved the 120-hectare Ship Reuse Center in Negros Occidental and the Biomass Fuel Project in Mindanao with initial investments/ job generation prospects of PhP 5.2 billion and 6,000 direct and indirect workers and PhP 5 billion and 20,000 direct and indirect jobs respectively. The investments for the first project will be used for the purchase and setting up of a Skid Barge and Ship Reuse Center. The investments for the second project will be used for a biomass plantation that will be implemented in phases, beginning with Napier Grass in Negros and “Buyo-Buyo” in Mindanao. The biomass will be processed in a new pelletizing factory for export to Japan and for use in local renewable energy projects. The discussions also covered a prospective third project on Ship Recycling, using the latest internationally accredited green technologies. Said project will generate potential investments of anywhere between PhP 5-10 billion and total job generation conservatively estimated at 6000. Due to the very high quality of steel components of ocean going vessels, the steel-recycling project will not only meet the country's requirements for inter-island transport and logistics but also cover the steel requirements of major infrastructure work. Secretary Lopez assured executives of DTI's support and cooperation in the setting-up and operations of the three projects. Also in the picture are STR Dita Angara-Mathay (rightmost), Tsuneshi Shipbuilding Corporation Deputy President Yasunori Kohatake (leftmost) and Executive Officer Takatoshi Ikenishi (2nd from L). END

TUBAGBOHOL.com can now be accessed with your smartphones via Tapatalk App both in Android and Apple OS.

Pasternack, a US-based supplier of radio frequency (RF), microwave and millimeter wave products, announced the opening of a customer fulfillment center in Suzhou, China to provide same day shipment of urgently needed products throughout China.

The new fulfillment center allows Pasternack to better serve Chinese engineers and technical buyers by providing them immediate access to both industry standard and hard-to-find RF and microwave products, all backed by 24/7 support from a team of experienced RF engineers and technical experts. Up to 1,500 square meters of floor area has been dedicated to stocking the industry’s largest offering of RF components and cable assemblies to ensure 99.4% in-stock availability.

“The establishment of the customer fulfillment center in Suzhou dramatically shortens order delivery time throughout China and demonstrates our strong commitment to the needs of our China-based customers,” explains Thomas Lu, Managing Director of Pasternack’s China operations.

About Pasternack:
A leader in RF products since 1972, Irvine, CA based Pasternack is an ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturer and supplier offering the industry’s largest selection of active and passive RF, microwave and millimeter wave products available for same-day shipping. Please visit https://www.pasternack.cn/ for more information or contact us at 400-928-5100 for inquires.
Press Contact:
Lily Yang
Pasternack
Block K Building No.4,
512 Wenchuan Road, Baoshan District,
Shanghai, China 201906
86-21-36558021-203
Lily.yang(at)pasternack(dot)cn

In-Flight Crew Connections, a leading provider of global staffing and recruiting services, announced today they have won Inavero’s Best of Staffing® Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and job seekers. Award winners make up less than two percent of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada who earned the Best of Staffing Award for service excellence.

Dedicated to helping candidates connect with the right job openings in corporate flight departments, In-Flight Crew Connections, received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 (out of 10) from 84% of their clients and 79% of their talent, significantly higher than the industry’s average. Receiving Inavero’s Best of Staffing® Client and Talent Awards for the fourth consecutive year, illustrates the company’s attention to unprecedented quality of service for employers and job candidates.

“Our company is committed to making customer service a priority to both our clients and crew members and we are honored to be recognized for our success in upholding that commitment,” said In-Flight Crew Connections’ President and CEO, Jennifer Guthrie. “This year we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we will continue to live by these core values and to provide a personal touch to our clients, crew members and employees.”

"Staffing firms are giving top companies a competitive advantage as they search for talent in North America," said Inavero's CEO Eric Gregg. "The 2017 Best of Staffing winners have achieved exceptionally high levels of satisfaction and I'm proud to feature them on BestofStaffing.com." In-Flight Crew Connections’ clients and crew members gave high praise for the staff. Visit the Best of Staffing Site to view testimonials.

About In-Flight Crew Connections
In-Flight Crew Connections, a global leader since 2002 provides aviation industry staffing solutions for owners and operators of business class jets. Focused on developing customized solutions that meet the unique needs of corporate aviation clients, our range of services include: ONe-Callâ,,¢ Temporary Crew Services - on demand supplemental staffing for pilots, flight attendants, schedulers/dispatchers, aircraft maintenance technicians and engineers, Payroll Services, Management Service, Recruiting & Placement, International Staffing, and Concierge Services. The company is a privately held, WBENC certified women-owned staffing firm headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

To schedule staffing services with In-Flight Crew Connections, call (704) 236-3647. Visit In-Flight Crew Connections online at http://www.inflightcrewconnections.com and follow on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

About Inavero
Inavero administers more staffing agency client and talent satisfaction surveys than any other firm in the world. Inavero’s team reports on over 1.2 million satisfaction surveys from staffing agency clients and talent each year and the company serves as the American Staffing Association’s exclusive service quality partner.
About Inavero’s Best of Staffing
Inavero’s Best of Staffing® Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based completely on the ratings given to them by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on BestofStaffing.com â€" an online resource for hiring professionals and job seekers to find the best staffing agencies to call when they are in need.

Brady (NYSE:BRC), a global leader in industrial and safety printing systems and solutions, announced that its Smart ID business has partnered with Vizinex RFID to provide Rigid RFID Tags to the aerospace industry. The portfolio of Rigid RFID Tags includes two mount-on-metal tags. The Stik tag offers a slim profile, an average read range of 2.35m and measures 36.4mm x 7.0 mm x 4.4 mm. The Nickl tag is designed for smaller parts, with an average read range of 1.5m and measurement of 14.0mm x 14.0mm x 5.8 mm.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Vizinex RFID on this portfolio,” said Matthew Goode, commercialization manager for Brady SmartID. “Throughout the entire process, we had an entirely collaborative relationship, and I think the end result is indicative of that. We are eager to begin providing the aerospace industry with a reliable solution for tracking assets that also adheres to its stringent customer requirements.”

The Rigid RFID Tag solution combines Vizinex’s expertise with rigid, mount-on-metal RFID tags with Brady SmartID’s knowledge of commercial aerospace RFID specifications and customer expectations. These tags are small format and engineered to meet ATA Spec-2000 CH 9 Rev 2016.1 requirements for commercial aircraft.

“We’re proud to be involved in the release of the Rigid RFID Tags for aerospace,” said Bob Oberle, CTO of Vizinex. “Our partnership with Brady SmartID allows us to take the strengths of both of our companies and combine them to offer a broad portfolio of RFID tags. We are extremely pleased with the process and the products and we look forward to seeing much success.”

Brady SmartID offers on-metal and off-metal tags that meet the rigorous performance standards required by aerospace, combined with printing, encoding and aircraft asset management. Vizinex RFID is the industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, rigid RFID tags tailored to specific applications.
For More Information
To learn more, visit bradysmartid.com/aerospace or vizinexrfid.com

About Vizinex RFID
Vizinex has over a decade of experience providing leading-edge RFID solutions to businesses and governments. Vizinex RFID’s leadership team includes experts in manufacturing, quality, engineering and product development. Vizinex is a technological leader, with 26 patents issued or pending, and has developed a prototyping and pilot production process that provides rapid, low cost development services for customers seeking exactly the right tag for their application. Whether you need an RFID tag off the shelf or one that is “outside the box,” Vizinex RFID can help. To learn more about Vizinex, visit vizinexrfid.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter or Google+.

About Brady Corporation:     
Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of complete solutions that identify and protect people, products and places. Brady’s products help customers increase safety, security, productivity and performance and include high-performance labels, signs, safety devices, printing systems and software. Founded in 1914, the Company has a diverse customer base in electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, medical, aerospace and a variety of other industries. Brady is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as of July 31, 2016, employed approximately 6,400 people in its worldwide businesses. Brady’s fiscal 2016 sales were approximately $1.12 billion. Brady stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. More information is available on the Internet at bradycorp.com.

Kongsberg Geospatial, an Ottawa-based developer of real-time, mission critical, geospatial and mapping software, announced today that its TerraLens geospatial platform has been updated to include integration with Microsoft’s Xamarin.

Xamarin is a cross-platform software development technology that allows developers to build applications in Microsoft’s C#.NET language, and then compile them to run on a variety of different operating systems like Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android. The Xamarin software runs C# applications on a virtual machine style environment on different operating systems â€" resembling how Java applications work.
Now C# developers can add sophisticated geospatial and mapping capabilities to mobile applications for Android phones and tablets, simply by including the TerraLens libraries in their projects.

This new capability will also allow existing TerraLens developers to expand their platform support while continuing to use the popular Microsoft tools they used to develop their original applications.

“We believe that being able to easily include the mapping and display capabilities TerraLens provides in their applications will be a real benefit to C# developers,” explained Gilles Bessens, Technology Officer at Kongsberg Geospatial. “Even better, because the TerraLens API is designed to directly access hardware at a low level, developers will find that their Xamarin applications built with TerraLens don’t exhibit the slowdown typically seen with applications that run in a virtual machine. The performance bottlenecks typically found in virtual solutions is eliminated by using our direct access to hardware acceleration by leveraging OpenGL.”
Performance with constrained hardware is a particular bugbear for Bessens and his product team: TerraLens was originally developed for defense applications which stipulated very strict performance requirements on low-power ARM chipsets. While the platform has continued to evolve new capabilities, the engineers at Kongsberg Geospatial have invested significant effort in maintaining that level of bare-metal performance. The result pays off in situations like application ports with Xamarin.

The high performance Model 745-OEM Pulse/Delay Generator, a new release from Berkeley Nucleonics (San Rafael, CA), has no push buttons, no informational display, no bail or feet and no mechanical dial or toggles. What the timing generator does have is mind-boggling 250 femtosecond timing resolution and jitter down to 5 picoseconds. The miniaturized timing module can gate, syncronize, trigger or pulse various experiment components with time delays out to twenty seconds. With precision unmatched in the industry, both close to the trigger and with longer delays, experimenters can consolidate timing schemes around a single timing module and single trigger source. The rock-bottom jitter, both from an internal or external trigger, is ideal for timing lasers, imaging devices or data acquisition systems where multiple instruments or functions need to be coordinated from a single trigger reference.

“Take the 5 decades of expertise in timing we tap into at Berkeley Nucleonics, and squeeze it into an OEM module about the size of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and you have an exciting alternative to benchtop DDGs,” trumpets Junior Choe, a Timing Solutions Product Manager who works out of the corporate headquarters in Northern California. “As with all our OEM solutions, we can build custom designs to address unique power, packaging, interface or signal train demands.”

The Model 745-OEM ships with onboard MCX connectors to ensure high performance, fast rise time signals without the delays or noise inherent in cable harnesses or wired front panel BNC connectors. The standard unit is a 4 channel version with timing, delay, width and pulse amplitude adjustable on each channel. A variant with 8 channels is available also under $5,000. The scalable design can also be controlled with the factory supplied DDG-MUC software utility or web-panel interface, allowing hundreds of timing channels to be managed from a single web or PC application. For more information, see the webpage or youtube overview, or call the company from 6:00AM - 6:00PM PST. The company also offers live-chat online to discuss your custom timing needs.
Webpage - http://www.berkeleynucleonics.com/model-745-oem
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe4mBask7eI

AIM, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials, will highlight their full range of joining materials including indium and gold/tin solders at Strategies in Light & The LED Show, scheduled to take place February 28 â€" March 2, 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. AIM will be located in booth 810.

AIM’s full range of joining materials includes indium and gold/tin solders for assembly and a wide variety of indium alloys for various applications. These alloys are available in paste, preforms, ribbon, spheres, ingot, wire and foils. AIM Specialty offers LED assembly materials for automotive lighting, general lighting, high brightness LED, LED thermal management and numerous other applications.

Developed by AIM, the REL61â,,¢ and REL22â,,¢ lead-free solder alloys have been specifically engineered as exceptionally durable alloys for extreme service environments. High thermal demands make REL61 and REL22 ideally suited to LED applications by providing superior thermal cycling performance and lower voids versus other lead-free alloys. REL61 and REL22 have also shown to reduce tin whisker formation and improved strength versus SAC alloys making them ideal for high reliability electronics applications.

To discover all of the products AIM offers, including indium and lead-free solders and to learn more about their revolutionary REL61 and REL22 high reliability solder alloys, visit the company at table 810 at Strategies in Light & The LED Show.

About AIM
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, AIM Solder is a leading global manufacturer of assembly materials for the electronics industry with manufacturing, distribution and support facilities located throughout the world. AIM produces advanced solder products such as solder paste, liquid flux, cored wire, bar solder, epoxies, lead-free and halogen-free solder products, preforms, and specialty alloys such as indium and gold for a broad range of industries. A recipient of many prestigious SMT industry awards, AIM is strongly committed to innovative research and development of product and process improvement as well as providing customers with superior technical support, service and training. For more information about AIM, visit http://www.aimsolder.com.

About AIM Specialty Division
AIM manufactures and supplies solder and braze materials for the electronic, microwave, semiconductor, LED, and photonic industries. Our innovative products and technical support helps our customers to achieve the highest quality and yields in their production processes. For more information about AIM Specialty Materials, please visit http://www.aimspecialty.com.

AeroVision International has announced it will open a new forward stocking location to service customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in collaboration with B&H Worldwide, a leading aerospace logistics provider. “Our newly initiated warehouse will be adjacent to London’s Heathrow Airport, allowing customers outside of North America greatly improved access to AeroVision’s inventory of regional aircraft parts” said Pete Gibson, AeroVision’s Vice President of Aircraft Services. “Utilizing the 24/7/365 support of B&H Worldwide will cut lead times for normal shipments and greatly reduce the response time for EMEA customer’s AOG situations.”

Rick Cramblet, Executive Vice President of AeroVision said, “The relationship with B&H Worldwide, utilizing their LHR warehouse location, is the first step in building out a global support network for our customers. Additional forward stocking locations will be added as quickly as possible, enabling our customers to reduce their investment in inventory while increasing their dispatch reliability.”

"We are delighted to have been chosen to provide these specialist logistics services to a leading global provider like AeroVision International. Our highly trained team at Heathrow will be focused on providing a first class service, which will enable AeroVision to maintain the highest integrity of its forward stocking supply chain," stated B&H Worldwide’s V.P. Americas, Reg Echeumuna.

About AeroVision International LLC: Founded in 2003, AeroVision International has become a trusted business partner to business and regional aircraft MR&O shops worldwide. AeroVision supplies business and regional commuter engines and engine parts (PT6 / PW100 / JT15D / PW300 / PW500 / TFE-731 / AE3007) in support of operators and MRO facilities around the world. With a strong focus on Embraer ERJ-135/145 and ATR 42 aircraft, AeroVision offers sales & leasing of aircraft, engines, auxiliary power units, avionics and landing gear as well as outright or exchange sales of all major internal and external spare parts. Information on AeroVision’s support for the ERJ aircraft can be found at http://www.aerovi.com.

About B&H Worldwide: Established in 1988 in the UK, B&H Worldwide is a market leader in the highly specialist aerospace parts industry. Over the last quarter of a century is has expanded globally and today operates from ten strategically located aerospace hubs around the world and has a customer base which includes airlines, spare part stockists, MROs and repair vendors. Its innovative, in-house designed IT solutions are highly tailored to suit customer operating models and its OnTrack software sets the benchmark for the aerospace logistics industry.

ODU, a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing high performance connectors, is promoting to the US market its advanced modular hybrid connector solutions designed for high reliability rugged test platforms.

The ODU-MAC® Portfolio includes: ODU-MAC® White-Line that offers manual mating up to 100,000 mating cycles, ODU-MAC® Blue-Line - manual mating up to 10,000 mating cycles and ODU-MAC® Silver-Line â€" a docking connector that provides more than 100,000 mating cycles for automatic test platforms.

Additional features of this product portfolio include: easy and ergonomic mating with unique spindle lock, 34 different modules with high speed, USB, Ethernet, signal, high voltage, high power, high current, fiber optic, coax, pneumatic or hydraulic connections, large variety of housings, cable entries, bulkhead and docking solutions and low mating and demating forces.
ODU-MAC® Portfolio is ideal for applications such as: Test & Measurement, industrial, medical imaging, rugged environments, high vibration, mobile testing, portable testing, configurable testing, and scalable testing.

ODU-USA is vertically integrated and provides in-house molding and custom connector capabilities, cable assembly integrated solutions, competitive lead time, rapid prototyping and product development, local one-on-one engineering support, factory direct.
For additional product information go to: http://www.odu-usa.com/products-solutions/odu-mac-modular-connectors.html

ODU Group: global representation with perfect connections
The ODU Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of connector systems, employing 1,650 people around the world. In addition to its company headquarters in Mühldorf am Inn (Germany), ODU also has an international production and distribution network throughout Europe, North America and Asia. ODU combines all relevant areas of expertise and key technologies including design and development, machine tool and special machine construction, injection, stamping, turning, surface technology, assembly and cable assembly. The ODU Group sells its products globally through its eight subsidiaries in Denmark, England, France, Italy, Sweden, the US, China and Japan, as well as through numerous international sales partners. ODU connectors ensure a reliable transmission of power, signals, data and media for a variety of demanding applications including medical technology, military and security, eMobility, energy, industrial electronics, and measurement and testing.

For press inquiries, please contact:
Dana Stoica - Head of Marketing, North America
Phone +1 (805) 484-0540 Fax: +1 (805) 484-7458
Email: dana.stoica(at)odu-usa(dot)com

Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit that builds strong, stable and secure military families, today announced a full rebrand and unveiled its new logo, website URL, and other visual elements. The updated logo is an instantly-recognizable evolution of Operation Homefront’s commitment to Serving America’s Military Families.

The organization has also transitioned their existing website to http://www.operationhomefront.org, to better represent its nonprofit status and reputation as a highly rated and trusted organization consistently recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity ratings groups. Ninety-two percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go directly to program delivery and services.

“I’m extremely proud of all our entire team does to meet the ongoing needs of military families and help them thrive in the communities â€" our communities -- they have worked so hard to protect. With over 40,000 charities in the military nonprofit space, a strong brand and visual identity is critical to connecting with those we seek to serve â€" our military families â€" as well as those who are interested in helping us â€" our corporate and foundation sponsors and individual donors â€" support this special and deserving group of our fellow citizens,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. “I believe our new brand identity makes this very important connection with both audiences and is something that clearly reflects who we are and what we trying to do.”

Since 2012, the organization’s Homes on the Homefront program welcomed nearly 600 military families into their mortgage-free homes, granting them with well over $48 million in home equity. The nationally known Back-to-School Brigade has delivered over a quarter million backpacks with supplies to military children since the program began in 2008. Since 2010, the Holiday Meals for Families program has served 70,000 military families â€" feeding over 308,000 individual family members.

The updated logo has several key features representing the organization’s primary focus to serve America’s military families:

The Military Family Icon is represented by red, white, and blue to reinforce the patriotic feel. The saluting child shows us that in a military family, everyone serves, even down to the youngest child. The military family is gender neutral and non-ethnic to show our unbiased support for all military families.

The angled Red and White Stripes represent a patriotic feel and demonstrates how the organization helps move the military families forward. The three stripes represent Operation Homefront’s three pillars of support: Relief through critical financial assistance and temporary housing programs, Resiliency through permanent housing and caregiver programs, and Recurring Support through a variety of seasonally focused and specialty family programs.
The Home Icon represents the strong foundation provided to military families through its programs and services which helps keep a family strong, stable, and secure. Since 2012, Operation Homefront has provided military families with more than $20 million in critical assistance â€" which enables them to be stronger, self-sufficient and more fully invested in their community.

The Blue Circle represents the multiple avenues Operation Homefront utilizes to work with families, partners, donors, volunteers, and other resource providers to deliver critical support.

The Operation Homefront Text encircling the family icon represents the entire Operation Homefront organization, including thousands of volunteers and supporters who help military families become stronger, stable, and more secure so they may thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.

For more information about Operation Homefront, visit operationhomefront.org

ABOUT OPERATION HOMEFRONT: Founded in 2002, Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive â€" not simply struggle to get by â€" in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America’s military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.

Stark Aerospace‘s Board of Directors announced the appointment of Michael J. “Mike” McGrevey as the new Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of General (Ret.) Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong. Foglesong will continue his ongoing appointment as Chairman of the Board.
“Mike is a great fit for Stark Aerospace as we reach forward into new business domains and continue to offer quality products in the national security domain,” says outgoing CEO Foglesong.

McGrevey is a respected and accomplished retired officer of the United States Air Force. Upon retirement, McGrevey held prominent positions within the State of Mississippi, serving as Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief of Staff at Mississippi State University and Deputy Director of the Mississippi Development Authority. McGrevey also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of JBHM Education Group. He holds a doctorate from Mississippi State University.

In his new position, McGrevey will lead the company’s overall strategic direction and drive growth and profitability.
“Stark Aerospace has a strong commitment to protecting our armed forces both domestically and abroad. With a passion for promoting our military and protecting those who serve our country, I look forward to working with the company to build upon a long-standing history of success in the defense sector and building our commercial interests,” says incoming CEO McGrevey.

Stark Aerospace is a global aerospace contractor with its main facility located in Columbus, Mississippi at the Golden Triangle Global Industrial Aerospace Park. Stark has a 100,000+ SF state of the art production facility which includes Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Sensors, Production Services and Engineering.
http://www.starkaerospace.com

The buzz attendees will be hearing at what ISC calls “the leading physical security event in North America”, might just be from aerial drones flying overhead or unmanned ground vehicles cruising around. Unlike any other event, ISC West 2017 will feature its inaugural Unmanned Security Expo complete with a fully functional flight cage and robotics demonstration area. Vendors, representative of the latest robotic technology for security, will be showcased and some will participate in free exhibit floor educational sessions.

Robolliance, a forum for technology partners and industry experts in robotics, surveillance and security, created to advance the understanding and awareness of the Autonomous Robotics marketplace, is one of the four primary supporters of the Unmanned Security Expo. Robolliance sponsors, comprised of technology companies, security integrators and industry thought leaders, will be on hand April 5th-7th to welcome attendee inquiries and address the greater questions of “Why Robotics? Why Security? Why Now?”.

Founding sponsor of Robolliance, Sharp Electronics Corporation, will also take part in the Unmanned Security Expo by featuring its Sharp INTELLOS Automated Unmanned Ground Vehicle (“A-UGV”). Debuted in September 2016, the Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV is a cost-effective, multi-terrain, mobile sensor platform that can capture video, audio and environmental data, while providing a visible deterrent. The data it collects can enhance outdoor surveillance, security, safety and maintenance inspections, which will help organizations meet the challenges of an ever-changing security landscape by augmenting a skilled guard force. Other Robolliance technology sponsors having booth presence at the Unmanned Security Expo include Rajant, Nightingale Security, and National Solar Technologies. Robolliance technology sponsor IPVideo will be on the main exhibit hall floor.

Cliff Quiroga, Vice President of Sharp Robotics Business Development, the division of Sharp Electronics responsible for the Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV, is proud to support ISC West in this way. “Sharp determined over four years ago the necessity of robotics for outdoor security perimeter patrol. By studying the market and through innumerable conversations with security integrators, guard companies and end users, we not only brought to the industry a product that is integral in safeguarding infrastructure, assets and people . . . Sharp brought to the industry a profit-making opportunity for resellers and a true technological partner for manpower guarding. Additionally, out of those conversations emerged the ecosystem of Robolliance, where thought leaders can together shine a light on the transformative nature of robotics for security. The Unmanned Security Expo is yet another example of like-mindedness around this technology.”
To foster awareness and understanding about UGVs for security, visit Robolliance.com. Then stop by the Robolliance Sponsor Showcase as well as the Robolliance Expert Corner in booths #3135 and #4136 to meet the sponsors.

For a full list of “right fit” properties and missions for the Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV, visit SharpINTELLOS.com. There you will also find all the features and benefits as well as see the unit in action. The Sharp INTELLOS A-UGV can be found in booth #3137 during the ISC West 2017 Unmanned Security Expo.

About ISC West
ISC West is the security industry's premier event for new products, solutions and technologies. Each year, ISC West hosts over 1,000 international and domestic security product manufacturer companies, making ISC West the largest exhibition hall in North America for Security. The show provides over 29,000 security professionals from all segments of the industry with the latest products, solutions and insights. ISC West 2017 will take place April 5-7 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, NV. SIA Education@ISC will kick off a day prior to the exhibits, on April 4. Interested exhibitors, speakers and sponsors can learn more at http://www.iscwest.com/For-Exhibitors/Interested-in-Exhibiting/  or may contact Sherida Sessa at 203-840-5831 or ssessa(at)reedexpo(dot)com.

About Sharp Electronics Corporation
Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan’s Sharp Corporation. Sharp is a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, professional displays, robotics and energy systems. For more information, visit SharpUSA.com.

OceanWorks International is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea MacIntosh to the position of Operations Manager effective immediately. Ms. MacIntosh will take the reins of the OceanWorks’ Vancouver facility in anticipation of an expected increase in the number of projects to be completed in 2017. Among her many tasks will be the responsibility of on-time delivery of high quality products and program deliverables to customers.

Ms. MacIntosh has over 20 years of experience in progressively more senior positions in the subsea, aerospace, defense, and telecommunications industries. She brings broad experience to the OW team in manufacturing, quality, supply chain and materials, legal, regulatory and environmental compliance, and industrial security.

Andrea is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, and holds a degree in Physics. She is also a certified Master Black Belt in Lean, and also holds both Lean Green Belt and Lean Black Belt certifications.

OceanWorks International
OceanWorks International is a subsea solution engineering company, providing over 27 years of service to the Military, Scientific & Environmental, and Oil & Gas markets. Offering a full range of subsea system engineering, design and analysis, fabrication, testing, and project management services, OceanWorks has been at the cutting edge of subsea engineering design, deep submergence and diving technology, operations, and support and looks forward to providing subsea engineering solutions to its customers.
For more information regarding OceanWorks International’s products and services visit our website, http://www.oceanworks.com , or contact us at sales(at)oceanworks.com.

The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Sport Pilot Academy, which immerses people in a three-week course that concludes with earning a sport pilot certificate, returns in 2017 with three sessions throughout the year.

The all-inclusive course at EAA headquarters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin features dedicated aircraft and instructors focused on successful completion of sport pilot training. The top-notch flight instruction is combined with the spirit of camaraderie among fellow future aviators that create an unforgettable experience. The training eliminates many of the scheduling and other barriers that limit the ability of individuals to pursue a pilot certificate on their own.

The spring session is May 20-June 10, while the fall academy is September 9-30. In addition, there is a new Sport Pilot Academy for former EAA Young Eagles will be held in August, with scholarships provided through funds raised at the annual Gathering of Eagles event during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
“There is no better place to learn to fly than at Oshkosh,” said Joe Norris, EAA’s flight training manager, who administers the Sport Pilot Academy. “Here at the home of sport aviation, you not only learn to fly; you’re immersed in aviation that makes it a unique experience that you share with others who are pursing the same dream of flight.”

The total $9,999 cost for the three-week session includes all flight training, housing, and meals. It also includes unique EAA experiences, such as guest speakers, flights in EAA aircraft, museum tours and more.

For more information or to apply for the general sessions, go to EAA.org/SportPilotAcademy. Information on the Sport Pilot Academy for Young Eagles will be available in March.

About EAA
EAA embodies the spirit of aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 200,000 members and 1,000 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to http://www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with http://www.twitter.com/EAA.

Rob Lowe is a popular television personality known for his numerous characters in movies and TV shows throughout the 1980s; however, Rob Lowe has recently decided to use his talents to draw attention to interesting parts of modern society. Rob Lowe is the host of "Informed," a popular public television series that has produced episodes on a wide variety of subjects recently. One of the recent releases focuses on experts in aviation.

Over the past century, flight has completely changed the world. It brought people and countries together in ways that never before were thought possible. It has given people the ability to travel to more places than ever before as they experience all of the beautiful sights and cultures that the world has to offer. While this is important, flight remains a pressing challenge. Anyone who has spent time as a pilot knows that it is nerveracking to have the lives of so many people depending on the skills of the person manning the cockpit. Fortunately, there are experienced experts in aviation that are willing to share some of the stories of what it's like to be a pilot. This is the focus of this episode of "Informed."

"Informed" with Rob Lowe is a television program that is filmed for public broadcast. It is carefully reviewed by an experienced to ensure it meets quality standards before being sent out to national syndicates for broadcast to a wider audience. "Informed" has received multiple awards in recognition of its quality work.

Sirius Technical Services, Inc. next month marks a dozen years in business providing temporary, long, and short term contracts, payrolling services, and permanent placement job opportunities in engineering, IT and technical related professions. These professionals support projects within various industries such as aerospace, maritime, oil and gas, specialty chemicals, automotive, and energy. The company is co-owned by Sandra F. Ritter, who serves as President and CEO, and V. Susie Jones, Chief Operating Officer.

The company is one of the leading women-owned businesses nationally and proudly promotes being certified as a woman-owned large enterprise by the National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC), an independent oversight organization. Membership conveys an authenticity of its woman-owned status and helps the firm bid on many national staffing contracts.

"We've grown each year because national contracts have opened new doors for our services," says Ritter. "The strong faith of the owners has contributed to the success of Sirius, and we acknowledge professionally how blessed we are as a company. Our woman-owned status also helps secure long-term relationships with many client companies, which helps us sustain growth during the peaks and valleys in the staffing industry." Adds Jones, "Another aspect of our success involves how we relate to those we place in technical jobs. We consider our contract employees as our clients. This healthy relationship with Sirius fuels our brand and growth. Connecting emotionally is very important. Our product is 'people, ' and we handle every job candidate as an individual deserving professionalism, compassion and empathy. This facilitates loyalty, which shows in their returning to us once a temporary assignment is concluded."

While serving markets primarily in America's Gulf states, Sirius Technical Services continues to grow its presence outside the region. It currently employs over 1,000 temporary employees per year in 15 states and has 25 staff members that report to the home office in Mobile, AL. Expansion plans over the next five years include providing IT services targeted to healthcare and banking industries as well as providing 'big data' expertise to clients, the latest trend in large data center operations. It also seeks to grow its current offering in human resource expertise and co-employment management. The company is located at 6215 Rangeline Rd., Suite 102, Theodore, Ala., 36582. For more information, call 251-443-1166. The firm can also be contacted online at http://www.siriustechnical.com.

Sirius Technical Services started in 2005 in Mobile, Ala., as a technical staffing firm serving a single engineering client. Sirius' ability to find and place superior candidates for temporary and permanent employment lead to references to other firms, contributing to its growth. It currently has a strong network of both employers and available technical staff. Its niche is engineering, IT and technical staffing, and the business has thrived by focusing on that specialty.

Creation Technologies, a private company and 25-year leader in creating transformative design and manufacturing solutions for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), today announced it has received the ‘Highest Overall Customer Rating’ Service Excellence Award. 2017 marks Creation Technologies’ third consecutive year winning in its category of electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers with annual revenues over $500 million. The award was presented by Circuits Assembly during a ceremony at IPC Apex Expo in San Diego.

The Service Excellence Awards (SEAs) are judged entirely on third-party, customer feedback across the categories of Responsiveness, Value for Price, Dependability, Quality, and Technology. As the ‘Highest Overall Customer Rating’ Award Winner, Creation Technologies received the highest score in all five of the individual service categories.

“Winning the Highest Overall Customer Rating for the third year in a row and being recognized by our customers in this prestigious way is such an honor,” said Creation Technologies President and CEO, Bhawnesh Mathur. “It’s a testament to the daily hard work, entrepreneurialism and collaboration between so many people â€" our Creation team, our customers’ teams, our suppliers’ teams â€" to deliver the business results for our two-hundred-plus OEM customers that clearly make Creation stand out. We couldn’t be more delighted to win this Highest Overall SEA as Creation’s 25th Anniversary year comes to a close…and our 26th Anniversary year begins! We are extremely excited about what 2017 holds for Creation and for our customers.”

The Service Excellence Awards are sponsored by leading industry analyst, Circuits Assembly, and are open to EMS providers and electronics assembly equipment, materials and software suppliers worldwide. The EMS companies with the highest scores in each of five individual service categories also received awards. (Overall winners like Creation Technologies were excluded from winning individual categories).

Electronics assembly equipment Award Winners were Europlacer Americas for pick-and-place; Speedprint for screen printing; Kyzen for cleaning/processing materials; MIRTEC for test and inspection; Indium for materials; Nordson Asymtek for dispensing; ECD for soldering equipment; Aegis Industrial Software for automation/manufacturing software; and Count On Tools for automation/handling equipment.
Creation Technologies congratulates all category winners for their achievements.

Law firm Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP has established a presence on the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation. It is the first law firm to offer legal services on-site at the incubator campus known for growing technology, defense, cybersecurity and other businesses.
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie attorneys will be available for meeting with Catalyst members to assist with legal needs including government contracts, corporate law, intellectual property, business transactions and commercial litigation.

“Catalyst Campus is a great match for our firm. With talented lawyers in many specialties here locally and throughout the West, we look forward to being available to work with Catalyst Campus members needing legal services,” said David Kunstle, an attorney with Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie.

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie regularly advises clients in broad variety of areas including government contracts, business formation, corporate governance, regulatory law, finance and securities, taxes, employment, real estate and the protection and licensing of intellectual property.

As a legal support services provider for Catalyst Campus members, the firm’s lawyers are looking forward to the opportunity to work with new and existing Campus-based clients, and expand educational programs for local businesses as well, said Kunstle.

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie provides counseling to and representation of companies doing business with federal, state and local governments, as well as representing a broad range of business clients. Its intellectual property team focuses on patent and trademark registrations, assignments and litigation, copyrights, trade secrets and IP licensing and agreements.
The law firm is the second entity to partner with Catalyst Campus.

“Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie brings a dynamic team of Copyright, Intellectual Property, Patent and Technology Trademark legal experts to the Catalyst Campus ecosystem that meet the essential legal demands of start-ups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses,” said Kevin O’Neil, founder of Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation.

About Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP
Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP is an Am Law 200 commercial law firm for handling complex matters in government contracts, litigation, intellectual property, business transactions, gaming, government relations and other practice areas. Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie offices are located in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Irvine, Phoenix, Reno, Silicon Valley and Tucson. For more information, visit lrrc.com.

About Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation
Located in downtown Colorado Springs, Catalyst Campus advances technology in Southern Colorado. Catalyst Campus creates a centralized ecosystem to promote industry, education, and venture capital for these advanced industries: aerospace, defense and homeland security, electronics, technology and information and advanced manufacturing.

"For most companies looking to expand the room in their warehouse facility, the mezzanine platform will have a distinctive purpose to that facility." Whether the structure will function as a work platform, storage area, or if it is going to hold equipment, it will require different specifications and features in order to function properly. A mezzanine in an area with heavy foot traffic may need more safety features, or a storage platform could require a vertical reciprocating conveyor to move inventory back and forth. Panel Built has recently added new options to increase mezzanines usability.

1. Hand Rail
Mezzanine and storage platforms will provide a number of different hand railing options to best fit the application. Depending on the use of the warehouse mezzanine system, there may be certain regulations or codes with which to build a mezzanine. If the mezzanine is open to the public or is in an area with high traffic, there will be higher more strict building codes placed on it. In these high traffic areas, IBC railing provides rails of 42” high and 34” high on both sides of the mezzanine’s stairwell. While OSHA standards require railings on open sides of the stairwells and a handrail on a side, preferably the right side descending at 34” high.

2. Utilizing Barrier Railing
For all facilities, safety is one of, if not the most important rules. Barrier railing, also known as safety railing, provides some extra assurance, especially in areas with heavy forklift traffic. The Barrier railing is constructed of high strength steel and is designed to withstand heavy impacts. When placed around the columns of a warehouse mezzanine, the railing will help prevent damage to recent investments.

3. Safety Gates
For mezzanines used as storage platforms, safety gates provide a secure option to safely move inventory on and off the level with ease. The main benefit of pivot gates is their ability to always have the mezzanine closed off from the facility floor. The gate’s arms will only allow one side of the gate to be open at a time, protecting all employees. This safety net allows for facility workers to operate the gate and transport inventory with peace of mind. Panel Built also offers a number of additional gate options for a mezzanine. Swing gates, lift out gates, and slide gates allow for extreme convenience while moving inventory, just having to push the gate open or remove a section of the mezzanine railing.

4. Wire Partitioning and Lockers
Many companies take advantage of the extra space a warehouse mezzanine provides by creating a locker room like environment underneath the structure. The wire partitioning allows a visual on the contents of the storage unit, while still keeping them protected. With an up against the wall mezzanine, the wire lockers can be placed against the wall, occupying all the vertical space between the warehouse floor and the bottom of the mezzanine deck. This provides maximum storage space, while only taking up minimal room on the warehouse floor.Vertical Reciprocating Conveyor

5. Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors
Similar to an elevator system, a vertical reciprocating conveyor travels up and down to transport objects from one level to the next. However, unlike an elevator, a VRC is not constructed for human transportation, but strictly inventory and goods. This conveyor system offers the quick and convenient transportation of goods from a mezzanine level to the warehouse floor, without the use of a forklift. No matter what inventory needs to be transported, the VRC allows movement in the easiest and most consistent way possible. A VRC can even include added features in order to perfectly fit the need of a warehouse. We can add additional railing, chains, or wire mesh to the sides of the platform in order to ensure the greatest safety measures possible. These conveyor systems provide the most benefit to a warehouse mezzanine system when it is being used as a storage platform, rather than an equipment or work platform.

6. Modular Offices
In many situations, warehouses or manufacturing facilities need to add an office area to provide a controlled and calm work area away from the warehouse floor. In these instances, a warehouse mezzanine can be the perfect structure to place a modular office on top of, or underneath it. The benefit of adding a modular office to a mezzanine is, of course, that employees do not have to take up any unnecessary space on the facility floor. This type of office is perfect for a supervisor type, who would need to have a workspace overlooking the warehouse floor. It can also be manufactured to reduce noise, creating a calmer working environment away from the facility. For this reason, a modular office on a mezzanine is one of our most popular modular construction options for its convenient location and its ability to keep space free on the warehouse floor.

7. Ladder Options
Depending on the purpose of the mezzanine, using a ladder system as a main entrance could provide a warehouse with certain benefits. If the mezzanine system is going to primarily be used as a storage or work platform, a ladder system could be a viable option, or if combined with a pivot gate or VRC, they would even work with a storage mezzanine. The main benefit of utilizing a ladder in place of a stair system is that the ladder system is going to take up less area on the warehouse floor. If a mezzanine system needs to maximize its total usable area, the ladder system would best allow thats accompishment. However, with the ladder system, more safety precautions must be taken. For this reason, most companies will use a caged ladder to reduce the chance of employee accidents or if a worker does fall, they have a chance of catching themselves or pinning themselves against the ladder’s cage.

8. Mezzanine Decking Options
Advantech
The most common of our warehouse mezzanine decking options, Advantech is a high-quality flooring material that has properties similar to plywood and Oriented Strand Board. However, it provides advanced strength, stiffness, and moisture resistance. This type of decking is considered the most economical option of the materials that we offer.
ResinDek

Similar to our Advantech option, ResinDek provides a higher density composite flooring recommended for mezzanines require a solid floor, subject to heavy loads from the use of pallet jacks, carts or dollies. This option is typically installed over 20g corrugated steel decking and has a load capacity of up to 2000 lbs. Its surface is skid resistant and easy to clean.
Steel Grating Mezzanine Decking

This type of flooring is preferred by many warehouses, in many applications, due to its insurance implications. Welded grating, a common choice in waste management, mining, and food service industries, allows for air, light, and water to pass through the deck surface

Diamond Plate
If durability is a serious factor in the warehouse mezzanine decision, er a diamond plate floor is a consideration. Heavy duty steel tread plate (diamond plate) is generally installed over Advantech. Advantech is mounted over corrugated steel deck to provide greater durability with higher point load and wheel load capacities. It also enables a quiet floor for the work environment as opposed to having diamond plate directly over a steel deck.
Concrete

The most durable decking option possible, is concrete. With a high point load and minimal transmission of noise through the deck, concrete should be used in high capacity industrial and military applications where the mezzanine is considered to be permanent.

Fiix, the industry leading provider of cloud-based maintenance and asset management software, announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent for its computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).

The new patent, US 9479388 “Computer system and method for maintenance management including collaboration across clients," covers Fiix’s innovative multi-tenant cloud-based maintenance software.

The patent broadly protects key capabilities of Fiix’s CMMS, which helps users establish and run a preventive maintenance strategy, monitor asset performance, filter and interpret data, manage inventory, and order partsâ€"all from their computer or mobile device. But it takes this a step further to describe an innovative networking platform to connect the world of maintenance.
This would allow clients to selectively and securely share maintenance-related information, and enable sharing of documentation, procedures, and expertise amongst the maintenance community.
Fiix has long been committed to transforming maintenance into a powerful business asset.
According to Marc Castel, CEO of Fiix, "Enabling communication and information sharing in the maintenance community has the capacity to change how the business of maintenance gets done."
“In the same way that social media revolutionized our personal interactions, the technology under this patent can revolutionize how businesses work together. Right now we work in silos, but with this type of innovation we can enable a shift towards collaborative maintenance,” says Castel.

About Fiix
Fiix creates modern maintenance software that’s easy to use, flexible, and affordable. Its cloud-based CMMS is disrupting the market by revolutionizing how thousands of companies worldwide schedule, organize, and track maintenance. Learn more, at http://www.fiixsoftware.com.
Fiix is a trademark of Maintenance Assistant Inc.

The Laser Institute of America is pleased to announce the winner of the prestigious 2017 George M. Wilkening Award. Wesley J. Marshall, Principal of Laser Safety Specialties, will be recognized for his contributions in laser safety at the International Laser Safety Conference, held from March 20-23 at the Sheraton Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA.

The George M. Wilkening Award is presented to individuals who have made extensive contributions to laser safety in science, medicine, industry, or education. Established in 1997, the award is named after George M. Wilkening, the first ANSI Z136 Standards Committee Chairman. LIA is proud to recognize Mr. Marshall for his 40-year involvement with military laser safety, as well as his vast educational contributions in working with numerous institutions to increase laser safety knowledge.

Marshall has consulted on numerous projects involving laser equipment and systems. He has developed laser hazard analysis software, as well as educational courses involving laser safety and hazard awareness. Marshall serves on the Accredited Standards Committee for Safe Use of Lasers Z136, as a chair for Technical Subcommittee 7, which provides example calculations for the Z136 standards. He also serves as the chair for the SAE G10T Laser Safety Hazards Committee, providing guidance on outdoor laser operations.

Previously, Marshall served as the chair of Standard Subcommittee 6, which is responsible for the ANSI Z136.6 Safe Use of Lasers Outdoors. He has numerous publications in laser applications credited to his name. Marshall also served as a Manager of the Laser/Optical Radiation Program in the US Army.
LIA will present Marshall with the 2017 George M. Wilkening Award during the awards luncheon on the opening day of the International Laser Safety Conference. The ceremony will also highlight the winner of the R. James Rockwell Jr. Educational Achievement Award.
Registration for ILSC 2017 is open now. To learn more and register, please visit https://www.lia.org/conferences/ilsc.

About Laser Institute of America
Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. http://www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553

The disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 is a tragic accident with far-reaching consequences for the aviation industry.

The Crash of MH370 is an analysis of the mystery behind the missing Malaysian Airlines 777, and one of the first to be published since the search concluded.

Unlike previous books about the ghost plane, written by well-meaning amateurs and journalists, the author of this analysis, James Nixon, is an industry insider; an A380 captain with similar flight experience to the missing pilot.

James examines the facts, who’s who, the flight and the search. Then he dispels the various theories, provides his informed opinion as to what happened and delivers a list of thirteen urgent recommendations for the aviation industry.

Issues that must be addressed in order to prevent future tragedies.
Rarely do we hear from people within the aviation industry. From pilots and air traffic controllers to crash investigators, their employment contracts stipulate: no media.
Informed by 31 years experience, recently retired A380 pilot James Nixon opens the doors on this extraordinary event to provide a rare glimpse into the cockpit and a captivating analysis of the facts behind the fiction.

A full Media Kit including: words, photos, interview Q&A and Radio interview grabs
Review copies of the 131 page eBook
World paperback rights still available to fast-moving member of The Big Four
http://www.thecrashofmh370.com
Get a review copy
Amazon page link
Media Kit link
Radio Sound Grabs
What they are saying
Amazon Author page

Co-Production International, the shelter services provider for companies looking to start manufacturing in Mexico, offered a seminar last week to help answer questions about the future of NAFTA under Trump. As a part of the national medical device industry, many manufacturers wanted to know if expanding operations to nearshore Mexico was still a viable option for their firms. The answer was an unequivocal “yes.”

NAFTA has improved the economies of its three member nations, added millions of new jobs and created a successful and profitable atmosphere of cooperation. Since its inception in 1994 manufacturing has become a cooperative effort where products are built from multi-origin parts.
Businesses faced with global competitiveness have not only stayed in business, but have expanded capabilities and increased their profit margins. While headlines continue to include words like “worry” and “uncertainty” in regards to President Trump’s position on NAFTA and trade with Mexico, the reality of free trade and the interwovenness of North America’s economies is a testament to the success of international trade.

HOW NAFTA HAS BENEFITED THE U.S.
Mexico is the United States’ third-largest trade partner, accounting for $1.5 billion in bilateral trade every day.
14 million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Canada and Mexico, according to the US Chamber of Commerce.

The United States is, by far, Mexico’s leading partner in merchandise trade. U.S. exports to Mexico increased rapidly since NAFTA, from $41.6 billion in 1993 to $240.3 billion in 2014, an increase of 478%, according to the Congressional Research Service.
23 U.S. states send more than half of their exports to Mexico, according to the Transborder Institute.

Mexico buys more goods and services from the U.S. than all of Europe combined, according to the Transborder Institute.
Goods from Mexico and Canada represent about 75% of all the U.S. domestic content that returns to the United States as imports.

SEVERE IMPACT ON U.S. MAKES NAFTA WITHDRAWAL UNLIKELY
President Trump has zeroed in on the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs as the reason why NAFTA is unfair to the U.S. So if the U.S. withdraws from NAFTA, would that actually bring manufacturing jobs back home?

Not so, says the Center for Automotive Research (CAR). In fact, more U.S. jobs would be lost in the automotive sector should his plans to withdraw from the treaty come to fruition. According to CAR’s report released this month, “for instance, a 35 percent tariff on vehicles imported from Mexico would result in the loss of at least 6,700 North American assembly jobs and 450,000 units of U.S. auto sales.”

And this isn’t just about U.S. auto jobs, it’s also about parts and supply. The CAR report noted that U.S. suppliers would also be threatened as the U.S. exported $22 billion in parts to Canada in 2015 in addition to $20 billion to Mexico.

The CAR report attributes North America’s automotive industry competitiveness to NAFTA and Mexico, highlighting, "Without NAFTA, large segments of the U.S. automotive industry would have moved to other low-wage countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, or South America. By producing cheaper automotive parts and components on the 'near shore' in Mexico rather than truly 'off-shore,' Mexican automotive plants helped sustain a competitive automotive industry across North America."

NAFTA RENEGOTIATION THE LIKELY ROUTE
“NAFTA is an agreement that has been around for about 20 years or so. I think it will be healthy to review it and to make sure that all the participants are getting their fair share. There are changes that could be made to reflect the world we live in now,” says Enrique Esparza, President of the manufacturer and shelter services firm, Co-Production International.
To drive home the point that NAFTA would benefit from a review and update, the 2015 Congressional Research Service report on NAFTA concluded, “Both proponents and critics of NAFTA agree that the three countries should look at what the agreement has failed to do as they look to the future of North American trade and economic relations. Policies could include strengthening institutions to protect the environment and worker rights; considering the establishment of a border infrastructure plan; increasing regulatory cooperation; promoting research and development to enhance the global competiveness of North American industries; investing in more border infrastructure to make border crossings more efficient; and/or creating more efforts to lessen income differentials within the region.”

Everyone seems to agree, renegotiation is going to be the most likely route. With so many stakeholders, U.S. cities and their entire economies dependent on efficient, free trade, it will be hard for the Trump Administration to unilaterally pull out of the treaty.

Co-Production International is hardhearted in San Diego, California and is the premier Shelter services provider in Mexico. CPI handles the complete set-up of manufacturing operations in Mexico and manage the day-to-day administrative duties in accordance with Mexican regulations allowing our clients to focus on what matters, manufacturing. For more information visit http://www.co-production.net or call (619) 429 4344

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the nation’s leading voice for model flying hobbyists, and DJI, the world’s leading maker of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), are launching a joint program to promote safe and responsible drone operations, train public safety officers to use drones effectively, and support educational outreach efforts.

AMA and DJI will collaborate on other potential opportunities to mutually support their missions and provide new programs and options for those interested in small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), the FAA’s formal designation for drones. Both organizations will become more visible in each other’s outreach and communications channels, and will explore joint activities to inspire youth and adults to become involved in model aviation and recreational drone flying.
“Safe operations in the national airspace are of the upmost importance to the AMA,” said AMA Executive Director Dave Mathewson. “This cooperative effort will further those safety efforts as we build educational programs for those planning to use DJI products as they explore the many activities that drones make possible.”

“By working with the AMA, we are encouraging safe operations by our pilots who are looking to progress in the hobby and to reach new audiences through this partnership,” said Ryan Tong, DJI General Manager, San Francisco Office. “Recreational and educational operations are a key source of innovation in technology, and model aviation in particular inspires many to pursue careers in sciences, robotics, aviation, and beyond.”

“As a Life Member of AMA, I know first-hand the value of its community engagement and educational programming,” said Brendan Schulman, Vice President of Policy & Legal Affairs for DJI. “I am excited for DJI to bring the latest in technology to AMA's membership, and to work together to preserve the freedom to operate model aircraft for recreational and educational purposes.”

DJI and the AMA will develop and promote a joint AMA membership offering; advocate for the accessibility, affordability and safety of personal drones; offer dedicated online support for pilots; and develop youth programs to nurture interest in pathways to aviation and technology careers.

The two organizations will work together to promote the AMA Public Safety course, a hands-on training experience that teaches public safety employees how to safely use drone technology in their daily jobs. The course includes flight skills training and orientation management, and culminates in a series of flights that allow them to apply their skills in simulated public safety missions.
DJI will also provide support to all of the AMA’s educational outreach efforts, including the UAS4STEM drone construction and flight competition for teens, by offering a 10% discount on DJI products.

For additional information, please contact:
DJI: Adam Lisberg, Corporate Communication Director, North America â€" adam.lisberg(at)dji(dot)com
AMA: Mandee Mikulski â€" (765) 287-1256 x 277, mandeem(at)modelaircraft(dot)org
About the Academy of Model Aeronautics
The Academy of Model Aeronautics, founded in 1936, continues to be devoted to national airspace safety. It serves as the nation’s collective voice for approximately 200,000 modelers in 2,400 clubs in the United States and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Muncie, Indiana, AMA is a membership organization representing those who fly model aircraft for recreational and educational purposes. For more information, visit http://www.modelaircraft.org.

About DJI
DJI is a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative drone and camera technology for commercial and recreational use. DJI was founded and is run by people with a passion for remote-controlled helicopters and experts in flight-control technology and camera stabilization. The company is dedicated to making aerial photography and filmmaking equipment and platforms more accessible, reliable and easier to use for creators and innovators around the world. DJI’s global operations currently span across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and its revolutionary products and solutions have been chosen by customers in over 100 countries for applications in filmmaking, construction, emergency response, agriculture, conservation and many other industries.

For more information, visit our website: http://www.dji.com
Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DJI
Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DJIGlobal
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/DJI

Fairview Microwave Inc., a supplier of on-demand microwave and RF components, has released a waveguide Gunn oscillator that provides a cost-effective source for microwave power with excellent frequency and power stability while generating low-phase-noise. Typical applications include transmit and receive oscillators for radio communications, local oscillator source that can be multiplied for higher mm-wave frequency test and measurement, military and commercial radar sources, police radar, Doppler sensors and security screening.

Fairview Microwave’s model FMWGN1001 is a K-Band waveguide Gunn oscillator module that generates a center frequency of 24.125 GHz and can be tuned up to +/- 1.0 GHz via a self-locking tuning screw. Because of the extremely high external Q and temperature compensation mechanism, this design exhibits higher frequency and power stability, lower phase-noise and higher anti-load-pulling characteristics. Performance specs include phase noise of -95 dBc/Hz typical at 100 KHz offset, and frequency stability of -0.4 MHz/°C maximum. The output power of this oscillator is +10 dBm minimum with power stability of -0.04 dB/°C maximum. Bias supply is +5Vdc at 200 mA typical with an operating temperature range of -40°C to +85°C.
The design of this oscillator from Fairview utilizes high performance components in a rugged and compact aluminum package with a precision machined internal cavity design. The output frequency port supports a WR-42 UG-595/U waveguide flange interface.   

“Our FMWGN1001 Gunn oscillator module offers designers a cost-effective and high performing K-Band waveguide frequency source solution for use with sensitive communications, radar and test and measurement applications,” said Randy Leenerts, Senior RF Engineer at Fairview Microwave.
Fairview’s waveguide Gunn diode oscillator is in-stock and ready for immediate shipment with no minimum order quantity. For detailed information on these products, please visit https://www.fairviewmicrowave.com/rf-products/fmwgn1001-24.125-ghz-gunn-oscillator.html. For inquiries, Fairview can be contacted at +1-949-261-1920.

About Fairview Microwave:
A leading supplier of on-demand RF and microwave products since 1992, Fairview Microwave offers immediate delivery of RF components including attenuators, adapters, coaxial cable assemblies, connectors, terminations and much more. All products are shipped same-day from the company’s ISO 9001:2008 certified production facilities in Allen, Texas.
Press Contact:
Peter McNeil
Fairview Microwave
17792 Fitch
Irvine, CA 92614
(978) 682-6936 x1174

The Security Industry Association (SIA) today announced that it has empaneled a steering committee of security industry professionals to guide its efforts to assist in fostering the careers of young professionals under its program SIA RISE.

SIA RISE is dedicated to engaging young professionals in the security industry through providing job opportunity information and networking opportunities. The SIA RISE Steering Committee will be chaired by Allegion’s Mairin Priestley, director of the Allegion Operating System.

“The Security Industry Association is excited to bolster its support of early career professionals by launching the SIA RISE Steering Committee,” said Priestley. “I’ve seen firsthand the extraordinary benefit of engaging millennial members in the security industry. I look forward to leveraging the committee’s insights to help other early talent in the industry grow both personally and professionally while expanding their business networks.”
In addition to the chair, the SIA RISE Steering Committee currently consists of the following members:
    Tim Wenzel, Facebook, Vice Chair
    Brendan McFall, Northland Controls, Vice Chair
    Erin Barsanti, Brivo, Member
    Kristina Carson, Allegion, Member
    Lisa Corte, Assa Abloy, Member
    Kevin Fowle, Win Serv Software, Member
    Bryan Miller, SIA, SIA Staff Liaison
The next formal SIA RISE event will occur during ISC West with a happy hour at Señor Frog's at the Treasure Island Hotel on Thursday, April 6. For more information and to register for free, visit http://www.securityindustry.org/rise.

To join the SIA RISE program or to get more information, contact Bryan Miller, SIA Manager of Operations, at bmiller(at)securityindustry(dot)org or 301-804-4717. SIA RISE participation is free to all qualifying SIA Members.

About the Security Industry Association
The Security Industry Association (SIA) (http://www.securityindustry.org) is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with roughly 700 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members' interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels; creating open industry standards that enable integration; advancing industry professionalism through education and training; opening global market opportunities; and collaboration with other like-minded organizations. As a proud sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA Government Summit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground®, the security industry's top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.

LSP Technologies, Inc. (LSPT) announced the sale of its state-of-the-art Procudo® Laser Peening System to the Guangdong University of Technology (GDUT) in Guangzhou, China. The sale includes a 200-watt Procudo® 200 Laser Peening System along with paired work cell and robotic part manipulation equipment for a fully-integrated production-quality laser peening facility. The equipment will be delivered in early 2017, and installed on GDUT’s campus. GDUT will use the system to conduct research and application development on laser peening (LSP), laser peen forming, and laser-material interactions. This sale represents LSP Technologies' introduction into the Asian material improvement market, and the equipment will provide GDUT with the fastest high-energy laser peening system currently available anywhere in the world.

The Procudo® 200 Laser Peening System is the highest-power laser peening system in the industry, and the world’s first turn-key laser peening system available for commercial integration. The system offers 20 Hz repetition rates for efficient industrial processing, and an advanced control system for real-time data collection and storage. The embedded diode-pumped laser offers an injection-seeded oscillator with multiple amplifier modules and YLF rod sizes from 3 mm to 25 mm to produce gigawatts of power. The system produces a flat top beam with up to 10 Joules per pulse at a wavelength of 1053 nm. The flexible system offers selectable pulse widths and repetition rates, while delivering consistent outputs with narrow variability. The system is designed for integration with modular work cells for laser-delivery, diagnostics, and part-handling, and can be supplied with a wide range of automated robots and accessories to facilitate laser peening parts of nearly any shape and size.

“As the first commercially available laser peening system, it was critically important that we designed and built the Procudo® 200 LSP System to meet the rigorous industrial standards demanded by the aerospace industry,” said Dr. Jeff Dulaney, CEO of LSP Technologies, Inc. “Our engineers have been refining laser peening technology for over twenty years, and this state-of-the-art system represents a culmination of decades of cutting-edge work and innovation in the field. We are very excited to be partnering with such a prestigious institution as GDUT, and we look forward to expanding the availability of laser peening technology in the Asian market through our combined efforts. We expect the data generated from this international effort to fuel the proliferation of laser peening technology throughout China and around the world.”
GDUT and LSPT will work together to introduce laser peening technology to China and Asia by bringing leading academics and researchers from the international laser peening community to GDUT for cutting-edge research.

Laser peening is a proven method for significantly increasing the fatigue life and fatigue strength of metals. The mechanical surface enhancement process utilizes a high-energy, pulsed laser beam to impart compressive residual stress fields into metal alloys such as titanium or steel. Compressive residual stresses add strength and robustness to metal parts by improving their resistance to damage, fatigue, crack initiation, and crack propagation. Laser peening can even be used to arrest the propagation of existing cracks in fielded components, leading to reduced maintenance and repair costs, longer inspection intervals, and significantly increased service lifetimes. Laser peening has been shown to impart beneficial stresses many times deeper than shot peening, leading to increased damage tolerance, reduced fatigue effects, and superior resistance to stress corrosion cracking. Laser peening is routinely applied to turbine engine blades for commercial and military engine components, as well for turbines used in electrical power generation. The process has been employed for years by major aerospace OEMs such as Rolls Royce on its Trent series engines and GE Aviation to improve turbine engine blade resistance to foreign object damage (FOD), fretting fatigue, and cracking.

LSP Technologies is the world’s premier laser peening services, technology, and equipment provider. It is the only company in the world selling, installing, and integrating state-of-the-art laser peening systems into manufacturing and research facilities. The Company has been providing laser peening production services for clients in the aviation and power generation industries for over twenty years, and has been awarded more than fifty patents for innovations in laser peening equipment and technology.

PrinterLogic, the leading server-less Enterprise Print Management solution that enables businesses to eliminate Windows print servers, today announced that is has partnered with Plus Technologies, a leading print and output management provider, to provide businesses with the highest availability and reliability of print delivery. The partnership integrates PrinterLogic and OM Plus Delivery Manager, and also enables PrinterLogic to become a reseller of OM Plus solutions.

PrinterLogic has long been a leader in front-end print management solutions, eliminating the need for Windows servers for print jobs initiated from the PC. Plus Technologies’ OM Plus Delivery Manager seamlessly ingests jobs from multiple back-end systems and delivers them to printers, multifunction devices, fax software, email systems, and more. Together, these integrated front-end and back-end solutions enable businesses of all sizes and in any industry to simplify print management regardless of the origin of the print job while streamlining infrastructure and reducing costs.

Today’s agreement enables PrinterLogic to provide customers with a complete print management solution that provides the following benefits:

Simplified Printer Driver Management & Deployment â€" PrinterLogic provides easy printer and driver management with a simple interface, eliminates scripting and GPOs, and enables self-service printer installation with floor plan maps.

Enhanced Print Scalability & Reliability â€" OM Plus Delivery Manager can enhance or replace existing print spooling systems while providing advanced capabilities including print confirmation, re-printing, re-routing, automated failover, load balancing, bundling, re-sequencing, seem-less integration with popular health care EMR solutions such as Epic, and much more.

Certified Solution â€" OM Plus Delivery Manager is a certified Imprivata pull print solution and certified for SAP ERP environments to increase print fidelity, control, and increase productivity. Delivery Manager also provides many WMS solutions for warehouse and production lines to increase throughput and reduce wait times and outages via automatic print fail-over solutions.

Reduce Costs â€" PrinterLogic cuts waste of print consumables, reduces the costs of purchasing, deploying and maintaining servers and endpoint devices, and boosts the productivity of IT staff as well as end users. And OM Plus Delivery Manager drastically reduces duplicate printing by ensuring and confirming print delivery.

“By combining Plus Technologies software and its years of experience in back-end printing with our ability to eliminate Microsoft print servers and deliver front-end printer management, a complete end-to-end print management solution is quickly taking shape,” said Ryan Wedig, President and CEO at PrinterLogic. “The OM Plus Delivery Manager solution is unparalleled when it comes to print spooler management, and the integration of our solutions will provide customers reduced cost and simpler printing with greater confidence in print delivery.”

Availability
The integrated solution is available today through PrinterLogic. Please contact sales(at)printerlogic(dot)com with questions or to schedule a demo.

About Plus Technologies, LLC
Since 1994, Plus Technologies (plustechnologies.com) has been providing output management software to corporate, government and healthcare organizations in over 30 countries worldwide. Plus Technologies has been selected by many Fortune 500 companies who are leaders in their markets.

Plus Technologies provides solutions based on their output management suite of products including OM Plus Delivery Manager (print job spooling and delivery), OM Plus Fleet Manager (consumables, printer error and usage management system), and OM Plus Report Manager (electronic report distribution system). We call this collection of software products the OM Plus Software Suite. Plus Technologies also provides custom programming services in the area of output management for organizations.

Plus Technologies has extensive experience in combining their output management software products with a strong implementation services capability to create ‘solutions’ that are as unique as the customer’s problems. In addition, Plus Technologies solutions are known to be very cost effective as the company provides flexible pricing options including utility billing, subscription, and initial license fee licenses.

About PrinterLogic
PrinterLogic is the world's leading server-less Enterprise Print Management solution for remote site printer deployments. With more than 1,500 customers in over 120 countries, PrinterLogic enables organizations of all sizes to eliminate print servers. PrinterLogic's patent-pending single integrated print management platform is an on-premises web application that simplifies the management, migration, and deployment of printers while drastically reducing cost. In 2016, PrinterLogic has been recognized twice as one of the fastest growing companies in North America â€" being ranked number 141 overall (and 8th amongst software vendors) on the Inc. 5000 and number 107 on the Deloitte Fast 500. For more information, or for a free trial, please visit http://www.printerlogic.com. Questions? Watch our video or connect with us on Twitter at @PrinterLogic or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and Google+.

Spika Design and Manufacturing's new product line, the RangerMax Series work platform, offers extreme vertical, cantilevered access without compromised stability. The RangerMax provides critical upper-level access for maintenance and manufacturing facilities that require extreme height adjustability and overreach.

“Users are looking for work stands that can start really low and go really high but don’t have the interference of the mechanisms under a scissor lift,” says Tom Spika, CEO of Spika Design and Manufacturing. “So our design team developed what we believe to be a superior work stand to give users a better option when requiring adjustable height ranges of as much as 10 feet, while starting as low as 4 feet.”

A key component to the RangerMax design is Spika’s dual-acting telescopic linear actuator system. This unique design provides greater extension capability while retracting into a compact length. The 120VAC or 12VDC electric actuators provide smooth, predictable extension and retraction, and cannot back-drive or seep from the set extension. These systems are also virtually maintenance-free.

Many existing cantilevered work platforms, by their very design, sacrifice stability due to extreme lengths of overreach from the foremost support points. Side to side sway, as well as “bounce” when working from the deck, increase the farther the platform is from the support points.

“When we designed the RangerMax, we prioritized keeping the front leg support member as close to the center of the load as possible. This allows greater overreach as well as width of the work zone without the feel of instability,” says Spika. “We allow the user to define the overreach and width of the deck to meet their needs, and not worry about the technicians feeling apprehensive about stability.”

Users have found existing cantilevered work platforms are very difficult to maneuver in tight hangars and work areas, and have the typical issues associated with hydraulic lift systems. Hoses and seals age and deteriorate, causing leakage of hydraulic fluid, and because of aging components, hydraulics have the tendency to “seep”, or slowly settle over time. This can create a significant problem when the stands are positioned above vulnerable components or surfaces. These issues increase maintenance costs, but also increase the likelihood of aircraft damage during use.

Spika’s standard dual-disc casters allow easy movement of the platform both back and forth and side to side, making positioning simple and easy. High-quality face brakes secure the system during storage, while outrigger jacks lock the stand in place and increase stability during use. The RangerMax complies with OSHA 29 CFR 1910 requirements to ensure safety.
Spika’s RangerMax work platform is comparable to the B1 maintenance stands used by DOD and commercial aircraft maintenance facilities but has been designed to improve on the shortfalls of the 1960’s design with a focus on ease of mobility, stability, and dependability.
“The existing B series stands have been a mainstay for years for accessing a wide range of heights when a small work deck is needed. Even though users agree these stands are very difficult to position in tight facilities and have a number of undesirable characteristics, we continue to get requests for them because there just hasn’t been a better option available,” says Spika.

About Spika Design and Manufacturing
Spika Design and Manufacturing Spika Design and Manufacturing is a leading designer and manufacturer of work platforms and MRO equipment for maintenance and manufacturing operations around the world. Spika’s design team has years of experience developing products that improve efficiency, exceed safety requirements, and set the industry standard for quality. http://www.spikamfg.com
Watch a video of Spika’s RangerMax Series here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-YMPEgXQUM
Read a blog about the RangerMax here:
http://blog.spikamfg.com/

Seventy-one members of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, have been named Fellows of the Society this year, the Fellows Committee has announced. The honor recognizes each individual’s significant scientific and technical contributions in the multidisciplinary fields of optics, photonics, and imaging as well as their service to the Society and the greater optics and photonics community.

The newly promoted Fellows join more than 1,200 SPIE members who have become Fellows since the Society's inception in 1955.

This year’s new Fellows exemplify the full diversity of the photonics community, said Majid Rabbani (Rochester Institute of Technology), 2016 chair of the Fellows Committee.
“They represent 16 countries on 3 continents, and 13 of the 71 are women, which represents an all-time high in that regard,” Rabbani said. “Their affiliations encompass the full range of academia, industry, and government labs and institutes, with expertise spanning all aspects of the photonics community, including strong representation from the medical imaging community. I am honored by the association with such an elite group and I congratulate them all for their outstanding contributions.”

New Fellows are recognized at SPIE meetings of their choice throughout the year. The first group were announced last week at Photonics West, with others scheduled for Medical Imaging, Advanced Lithography, Optics and Optoelectronics, Defense and Commercial Sensing, and Optics and Photonics.

The list and photos of 2017 SPIE Fellows is available online, along with a list all SPIE Fellows, and nomination information.

About SPIE
SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology. The Society serves nearly 264,000 constituents from approximately 166 countries, offering conferences and their published proceedings, continuing education, books, journals, and the SPIE Digital Library. In 2016, SPIE provided more than $4 million in support of education and outreach programs. http://www.spie.org

Transport makes up around 20 percent of our energy use around the worldâ€"and that figure is set to grow, according to the International Energy Agency. With sustainable solutions in mind, a new study published by eminent physicist Jo Hermans in 'MRS Energy and Sustainabilityâ€"A Review Journal' ('MRS E&S') looks at the energy efficiency of current modes of transportâ€"from bicycles to buses, from air transport to cruise shipsâ€"and concludes that liquid hydrogen seems to be a realistic option for what is probably the most problematic of transportation modes in terms of sustainability, future air travel.

Professor Hermans from Leiden University’s famous Huygen’s Laboratory acknowledges that oil-based liquid fuels such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene will be hard to beat when it comes to how much energy they pack in relation to their volume and weightâ€"not to mention the sheer convenience of using them to get from A to B.

The author of popular books such as 'Physics is Fun' (2012) and 'Energy Survival Guide' (2011) acknowledges that achieving sustainable transport in the post-fossil fuel era will be a huge challengeâ€" but finds that liquid hydrogen could offer a potential solution for future air travel.

“Given the severe weight limitations for fuel in aircraft, liquid hydrogen may be a viable alternative in the long run,” he argues:
First, handling of liquid hydrogen would be carried out by professionals, which reduces the safety issues involved with liquid hydrogen to the same level of risk involved in handling kerosene.

Second, liquid hydrogen itself is very light (in fact, it is in a gaseous state at ordinary temperatures), which is an important advantage for air travel.
Third, the disadvantages of “boil off” (created by the low boiling point of liquid hydrogen) would be reduced in air travel because of the low outside temperature at cruising altitudes.
Hermans discounts the use of solar power for air travel without revolutionary changes in the airplane concept, but concludes that it seems wise to extend the availability of oil products as long as possible. However, he argues that the low cost of kerosene is a huge disincentive in this respect:

“It is a defect that kerosene is so irrationally cheap, which triggers much unnecessary air travel,” he writes. “A worldwide tax on keroseneâ€"if at all politically possibleâ€"should be something to pursue.”

For road transport, Hermans argues that liquid hydrogen is not a viable option due to safety issues around handling it. He finds that electric vehicles offer the most promising solution. However, the challenge is to improve the performance of batteries to prolong the driving time for electric cars, as well as improving the performance of supercapacitors for more rapid charging of the batteries, he argues.

Direct driving using solar power is difficult, Hermans finds, even under a clear sky. However, students from Eindhoven University of Technology are among those that have taken up the challenge; they built a four-seater solar-powered family car that can be driven indefinitely under clear skies at a speed of about 43km/h. The only drawback is that the car is just over 1m tall and is not very comfortable. Hermans concludes that solar family cars will be feasible in future if consumers are willing to sacrifice on comfort.

Alternatively, Hermans writes, the most efficient way for us to reduce energy use in future is to reduce our mobility, for example, by having shorter distances between the workplace and home. “In other words, urban planning provides an important key,” he concludes.
'MRS E&S', a journal of the Materials Research Society and Cambridge University Press, encourages contributions that provide viewpoints and perspectives on the all-important issue of how humankind can work towards, and build, a sustainable future.
The contents of this press release refer to the following article which is freely available
The challenge of energy-efficient transportation, by Professor Jo Hermans

TAKE Supply Chain (TSC), a division of TAKE Solutions Ltd., today announced that it has formally launched the TAKE Digital Supply Chain Initiative in partnership with Nick Vyas, Executive Director and Professor of Clinical Data Science and Operations, USC Marshall Center for Global Supply Chain Management. This joint research project aims to evaluate the impact of key emerging technologies identified by Gartner at its 2016 Supply Chain Conference in Phoenix.
Through this initiative graduate students at the USC Marshall Center for Global Supply Chain Management will apply Six Sigma practices and techniques to determine if and how transformative new technologies such as Blockchain, Augmented Reality, Predictive Analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Supplier Networks, and Conversation Based User Interfaces can be effectively applied to remove data silos across supply chain organizations.

“In today’s world, supply chains typically rely on multiple technology systems to manage their procurement processes, warehouses, logistics, and enterprise resource planning processes in addition to the manual, or paper-based, business processes. These are typically spread across multiple functional and geographic silos. Despite attempts at system convergence, these silos still do not share information well, and that continues to challenge supply chain performance and efficiency,” explained Steve Rice, director, product group at TAKE Supply Chain. “However, at TSC we believe that these information silos can be removed via the Digital Supply Chain initiative to provide full data transparency and real-time accessibility across entire operations, thus improving agility and cost effectiveness of entire supply chains as market economics change.”

Throughout the duration of the project, USC students will evaluate whether or not these emerging technologies are potentially transformative and how they can drive improved collaboration and decision making across supply chain environments. At the conclusion of this project, TAKE will introduce a new Digital Supply Chain Roadmap that aligns with the USC team’s findings. The company will then commit a set of global resources to the development of globally relevant solutions that will deliver increased accuracy, visibility and responsiveness across its customers supply chains.

“For 20 years, TAKE has been on the cutting-edge of supply chain innovation and we have a clear understanding of the challenges facing global supply chains today. We are excited to partner with the USC Marshall Center for Global Supply Chain Management to prove the viability of emerging technologies. We’re confident this project will help us quickly define new solutions to address our customers’ supply chain challenges,” added Brad Huff, executive vice president and general manager, TAKE Supply Chain.

Vention.io is announcing the beta launch of their browser-based 3D machine builder platform, enabling established and emerging designers to design and order their custom industrial equipment in just a few days.

Vention is providing an intelligent cloud-based 3D design platform, embedding a library of “ready-to-order” industrial-grade components. The platform is suited for the design of fixed and automated equipment in the fields of small business automation, lean manufacturing, product validation and research, and industrial design. Usage of the platform is free and users can order their machine for next day shipment upon design completion. To experience the platform, potential users are invited to sign up for free on http://www.vention.io or to submit their project ideas to project(at)vention(dot)io

“It became obvious to us that the next frontier for faster machine design wasn’t better design tools or higher performance hardware, but rather the integration between the two. The launch of our beta program is a first step in enabling our partners to experience a novel design and build workflow that will accelerate the machine design process more than 5-fold,” says founder and CEO Etienne Lacroix.

Moreover, by incorporating artificial intelligence in their platform, Vention aims to create a 3D design experience that is significantly easier and faster than with traditional tools.
Vention’s ease of use philosophy revolves around the “one-part, one-click” component insertion feature, enabling the 3D assembly of machines to mimic that of the physical world.
“With the help of artificial intelligence, we are paving the way for significant democratization of mechanical engineering. We want to enable design-savvy individuals who never used a CAD software, to 3D design industrial machines and prototypes. Similar technology democratization in web development (i.e., WordPress, Squarespace, Wix) were complete game-changers; we are creating the equivalent for machine design,” adds CTO Max Windisch.

Vention integrates part selection, 3D design, and component purchasing, eliminating the need for 2D drawings and manual bill of material management. Integration between design software and industrial hardware is the primary contributor to cycle-time improvement. The infrastructure is entirely cloud-based, enabling Vention to implement real-time collaboration features. Below is a list of features currently available on the beta version of Vention.
    A library of structural, motion, and control components.
    A free cloud-based 3D Machine Builder
    Artificial intelligence-enabled 3D constraints
    Real-time cost and weight in the 3D Machine Builder environment.
    Automatic fasteners and bill of material management.
    Access to a library of user-generated public designs
    Invitation of individual collaborators to a design
    Ability to set up a private design group
    Submission of new component ideas
    Personalized assembly instructions with purchase orders

The company recently raised a pre-seed round led by Boston-based Bolt, a premier fund for startups at the intersection of hardware and software with significant expertise in CAD, and Canadian-based Real Ventures, Canada’s most active seed investor. In addition, this round was joined by a group of prominent angels from the computer-aided design and the robotic industries. Prominent investors include Jon Stevenson, a former executive of PTC and GrabCAD, and Rob Stevens, a former executive of GrabCAD and Amazon Robotics.

Furthermore, Vention was announced as a part of the 2016-2017 cohort of the Creative Destruction Lab of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, one of Canada’s leading accelerators for the commercialization of science-based companies.
About Vention.io
Vention is the first machine builder platform, allowing users to design and order custom industrial equipment from a web browser in just a few days. Vention was founded in 2016 by former mechanical and software engineers from General Electric, McKinsey & Co, Microsoft, VMware, and Pivotal. The company is aiming to become a central tool within the machine design ecosystem. http://www.vention.io

About Bolt
Bolt is a venture capital firm designed to address the unique needs of early-stage startups at the intersection of hardware and software. In addition to capital, portfolio companies get support from Bolt's world-class engineering team, access to cutting-edge prototyping shops in San Francisco and Boston, and help with manufacturing. More information at http://www.bolt.io

About Real Ventures
Real Ventures invests in ambitious entrepreneurs that are creating the Internet experiences of the future or are embracing the power of the Internet to disrupt existing industries or business models. Investing pre-traction, its team and networks support entrepreneurs and propel their companies forward. http://www.realventures.com

The Laser Institute of America is pleased to announce the winner of the distinguished 2017 R. James Rockwell JR. Award to John O’ Hagan for his contributions in laser safety. The Rockwell Education Achievement Award recognizes individuals with outstanding contributions in safety education and will be presented on opening day, March 20, at this year’s International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

O’Hagan is honored for his work as a laser safety resource for governments and organizations, providing advice on the effects of optical radiation on people, as well as his work in laser safety education at Loughborough University. O’Hagan heads the Laser and Optical Radiation Dosimetry Group at Public Health England’s Centre for Radiation, Chemical, and Environmental Hazards and is also the Group Leader for Laser and Optical Radiation at Public Health England’s Centre for Radiation, Chemical, and Environmental Hazards; a position he has held since 1975.
As a visiting professor in Laser and Optical Radiation Safety at Loughborough University, he has collaborated on joint laser safety courses since 1990 and is also a member of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. He is the Director of Photobiology and Photochemistry at CIE; is credited with over 30 publications; a senior member of SPIE; and a fellow of the Laser Institute of America. O’Hagan will serve as the Conference General Chair for the 2017 ILSC.

O’Hagan will receive the Rockwell award at the ILSC Awards Luncheon. The ceremony will also highlight the winner of the George M. Wilkening Award. To learn more about ILSC and to register, please visit https://www.lia.org/conferences/ilsc.

About Laser Institute of America
Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. http://www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553

Additional 1,000 in Jobs Rolls-off in Auto Manufacturing Industry

In Photo: President Rodrigo Duterte (center L), Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez (2nd from L), Executive Secretary Medialdea (3rd from L), Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Domiguez (leftmost),  Mistubishi Motors Corporation President Osamu Masuko (center right).

Manila â€" Following the Presidential visit of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Mistubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) President Osamu Masuko and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez last October in Tokyo, Japan, President Duterte, Secretary Lopez together with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, led the launching ceremony of the Philippine manufactured Mirage G4 under the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) today (February, 27) in Malacañang.

The production of the Mirage G4 in the Philippines is in line with the initiative of the government to revive and develop the auto manufacturing industry in the country, making it as a regional manufacturing hub for auto parts.

“The CARS Program will bring in more investments, better paying and high productivity jobs that will lead to spill-over effects by stimulating economic activities in related manufacturing and services.  It will create employment and require local sourcing of auto parts up to 70 percent local content, that will develop more SMEs and generate more jobs,” said Secretary Lopez.

Over 200,000 units are to be produced under the program for 6 years which will require additional man power of 1,000 workers including direct and indirect sales and general administration employees from Mitsubishi and Auto parts suppliers. The program will furthermore serve as an opportunity for technology transfer to local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through joint ventures and technical licensing agreements.

“This is important to enable us to maximize the trade and investment opportunities arising from the ASEAN Economic Community and take advantage of our growing domestic market” said Secretary Lopez highlighting the significance of building the domestic auto market base to attain the necessary scale economies that would bring down costs of auto manufacturing in the country.

“The implementation of the CARS Program signals government’s vigorous support and focus on industries with auto as platform for manufacturing take-off,” said Secretary Lopez.

“This will maximize the trade and investment opportunities arising from the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and take advantage of our growing domestic market,” he concluded. (END)

NEW GUIDELINES ISSUED FOR CEMENT IMPORT CERTIFICATION

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon M. Lopez issued Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 1702 Series of 2017 covering the new guidelines for the mandatory certification of cement imports to ensure safety standards.

An update from a previous order on the issuance of the import commodity clearance (ICC) for imported cement, the new DAO details revised guidelines for Portland Cement and Blended Hydraulic Cement with Pozzolan covered by PNS  07:2005 and PNS 63:2006, respectively. “The DTI issued a revision of this order to help safeguard the safety of consumers by requiring the strict conduct of standards compliance tests on cement imports,” Lopez said.

“This new DAO will also help ensure that imports into our country are held to the highest standards of product safety,” he added.  The DAO requires the application of the Philippine Standards (PS) licenses on foreign producers of cement imports and ICC on cement imports, as well as the setting of a required minimum paid capitalization of Php 20 million for all the cement importers to weed out fly by night importers. Importers also need to post surety bond of ten percent of the declared value of the imported cement in Philippine peso.

"All these efforts are intended to ensure the safety and protection of Filipino consumers, without adding unnecessary import procedures."

Eyes That See, Ears That Hear

"But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear." Matthew 13:16

When you became a Christian, God gave you spiritual sight and hearing so you could begin experiencing His presence and activity all around you. The Holy Spirit helps you to develop these spiritual senses as you walk with Him. Spiritual sensitivity to God is a gift that must be accepted and exercised. Scripture indicates that those who are spiritually dead cannot see or understand spiritual things (Matt. 13:14-15). Without spiritual eyes, you can be right in the midst of a mighty act of God and not recognize it. There is a radical difference between seeing your surroundings from a human perspective and seeing life through spiritual eyes. Non-Christians will see world events around them and become confused. You will look at the same events, recognize the activity of God, and adjust your life to Him. When you meet a person who is seeking God, you will recognize the convicting work of the Holy Spirit and adjust your life to God’s activity (Rom. 3:11). Someone without spiritual perception will encounter that same person and not grasp the eternal significance of what is happening in that person’s life. Others will hear of new philosophies and trends in society and not know how to discern the truth. You will hear God’s voice over the din of the world’s voices, and you will keep your bearings in the midst of the confusing circumstances. Sin dulls your senses, ultimately leaving you spiritually blind and deaf. Do not be content with merely seeing with physical eyes and hearing with natural ears but not sensing what God is doing. Ask God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to sensitize you to His activity all around you.     Henry and Richard Blackaby

Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit serving America’s military families, today announced the seven recipients of the coveted 2017 Military Child of the Year® Award. Six recipients earned the award based on the armed forces branch in which a parent either serves or has served â€" Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the National Guard. Additionally, one recipient earned the Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation presented by Booz Allen Hamilton.

The 2017 Military Child of the Year® Award recipients are as follows:
Army: Henderson Heussner, 18, Fort Myers, Fla., Estero High School
Navy: Alexander McGrath, 17, Severna Park, Md., Severna Park Senior High School
Marine Corps: Jackson Beatty, 18, Camp Lejeune, N.C., Lejeune High School
Air Force: Jamal Braxton, 18, Hill AFB, Utah, Northridge High School
Coast Guard: Mary Kate Cooper, 17, Fairfax, Va., W.T. Woodson High School
National Guard: Molly Frey, 16, Pickerington, Ohio, Pickerington High School North
Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation: Sophie Bernstein, 17, St. Louis, Mo., Navy, Clayton High School

Profiles of the recipients follow.
“These seven award recipients are truly exceptional young people who have achieved much at such a young age in terms of academic achievement and service to others. They are remarkable representatives of a larger community of extraordinary military kids,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. “The nearly 400 nominees we had for our ninth annual Military Child of the Year® Awards all personified resiliency, leadership, achievement, and strength of character. Their families and their communities can be justifiably proud of each of them â€" and we are too.”

Each award recipient will receive $10,000 and will be flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for a special recognition gala on April 6, during which senior military leaders will present the awards. United Technologies Corporation is the presenting sponsor for the 2017 Military Child of the Year® Awards Gala. Other gala sponsors are Booz Allen Hamilton, Murphy-Goode Winery, La Quinta Inns & Suites, MidAtlanticBroadband, and the Military Times.
The six Military Child of the Year® Award recipients are selected based on their scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, and extracurricular involvement.
The Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation presented by Booz Allen Hamilton is awarded to the child who best demonstrates the power of innovative thinking. Examples include a new invention, improvement to existing technology, or creation of a new nonprofit. In addition to the $10,000 cash award, the Innovation award recipient will receive a mentorship by Booz Allen Hamilton employees to scale or to advance the recipient’s project.

About the Recipients
Henderson Heussner, Army Military Child of the Year® Award
Henderson’s family moved to Florida from Colorado as his father was deployed to Afghanistan and as the family was caring for Henderson’s terminally ill grandfather. Henderson, recipient of the Army Military Child of the Year® Award, shouldered the emotional burden and set a leadership-by-example standard for his peers. A student-athlete and member of the Estero High School varsity baseball team â€" who worked tirelessly to rebuild his strength after he suffered two broken vertebrae during his sophomore year â€" Henderson spent many hours alone in the batting cage in August 2016 in the sweltering Florida heat. He was not alone for long because he led one teammate after another to join him in putting forth the same spare-time voluntary pursuit of excellence. That is but one example of Henderson’s leadership and can-do spirit. Henderson also devoted 240 volunteer hours in the year leading up to his nomination as a tutor and mentor for at-risk children and teens at the nonprofit New Horizons of Southwest Florida. Henderson, a onetime American Legion Boys State delegate and West Point Summer Leadership Experience participant, also served multiple terms as class president and as Student Government president. He has spent hundreds of hours as a youth group leader, Sports Camp counselor and Sunday School teacher at Summit Church.

Alexander McGrath, Navy Military Child of the Year® Award
Alexander McGrath, the 2017 Military Child of the Year® Award recipient, in addition to spending time with his friends, spends some of his spare time reading U.S. Supreme Court opinions as well as books about the U.S. Constitution. It is a fitting activity for this 17-year-old Severna Park Senior High School senior, who has established a laudable track record of influencing public policy in the state of Maryland. As first vice president of the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils, which represents more than 80,000 county students at all levels of government, Alexander organized 700 students to lobby in favor of three education reform bills that would come before the Maryland General Assembly, which is the name of Maryland’s state legislature. He instructed his peers on the legislative process and on the effective use of talking points. He also arranged meetings between the hundreds of public school students and state lawmakers. Ultimately, all three bills got to committee and two became law. Alexander has long advocated on behalf of students from military families as well, personally bringing the needs of military children, notably those needs protected under the Interstate Military Compact, to the forefront of the Maryland State Board of Education’s attention.

Jackson Beatty, Marine Corps Military Child of the Year® Award
Jackson Beatty is an 18-year-old senior at Lejeune High School and recipient of the 2017 Marine Corps Military Child of the Year® Award. He began studying Kenpo karate at the age of 4 and achieved his black belt at 16. He has served as captain of the high school wrestling team. He competed at the 2017 North Carolina State Wrestling Championships and placed third in the 1A 106-pound weight class. He has qualified for the State Championship for the last three years and that was his best finish. He has been captain of the Marching Band drumline. He has a near-perfect GPA and has an outstanding track record of volunteerism, thusly giving back to the community, especially to children. Jackson has achieved these milestones through his skeletal dysplasia, a condition which hampers the growth and development of bones and joints. Working in conjunction with the Semper Fi Fund, which serves the children of wounded warriors, Jackson has been a mentor to other students participating in the Outdoor Odyssey Leadership Academy. Jackson is a Lejeune High School Band Booster, raising money for competition and band necessities. Jackson teaches karate to children in his spare time at Wright’s Mixed Martial Arts.

Jamal Braxton, Air Force Military Child of the Year® Award
Varsity swimming. Varsity cross country. Varsity outdoor track and field. Jamal Braxton, the Air Force 2017 Military Child of the Year® Award recipient and future United States Air Force Academy Class of 2021 cadet, has been an achiever in them all; nevertheless, this 18-year-old senior at Northridge High School in Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is distinguished, above all, by his selfless service to others. Jamal fills numerous leadership positions at the Red Cross, including Northern Utah Youth Co-Chair for Services to Armed Forces, Northern Utah Youth Co-Chair for International Services, Student Staff for Red Cross Leadership Development Camp, Member for the American Red Cross of Northern Utah Board of Directors, and the Northern Utah Youth Co-President. In these capacities, Jamal oversees monthly veteran house visits, youth group and leadership group meetings, numerous activities related to the armed forces, the recruitment of future Red Cross Youth Services leaders, and numerous fundraisers, including the International Measles & Rubella initiative fundraiser. He also educates youth on International Humanitarian Law. Serving military families abroad as well as domestically, Jamal earned the Commander’s Leadership Award from the 52nd Fighter Wing Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in 2013 and in 2014. Jamal in the U.S. and overseas has been a champion for the nonprofit New Eyes for the Needy.

Molly Frey, National Guard Military Child of the Year® Award
Although only 16, Molly Frey is a senior at Pickerington High School North in Pickerington, Ohio, and recipient of the 2017 National Guard Military Child of the Year® Award. She has been accepted to Capital University, where she will major in biology, with an emphasis on pre-med, and will play golf for the Capital Crusaders. For her academic excellence, Molly received a letter from President Barack Obama that read, in part, “Students like you will chart the course of our country’s unwritten history...” As a figure skater, dedicated to causes that benefit the troops, Molly and her coach in 2012 created the inaugural and annual figure skating show Tribute to the Troops, a program to honor the military and to collect donated items to send to deployed service members. She also raised funds and participated for five years in Skate for Hope, accumulating more than $6,000 for Breast Cancer research. Beyond the arts, Molly has served in the leadership group Students Serving Students, which is designed to improve character, bolster school climate, and organize events.

Mary Kate Cooper, Coast Guard Military Child of the Year® Award
Mary Kate Cooper, the 2017 Coast Guard Military Child of the Year® Award recipient, is a 17-year-old junior at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Va. A triple threat, Mary Kate is a scholar who is taking AP Calculus B/C as a junior and has a weighted 4.7 GPA. She is a star multi-sport athlete of national and international acclaim and a community activist who has devoted countless volunteer hours to the betterment of her peers and to strengthening a broader understanding of those with disabilities. That description does not even scratch the surface of Mary Kate’s life, which is practically the definition of resiliency. Mary Kate is a below-the-knee amputee from birth who has only known life with a prosthetic leg. She has transitioned from playing recreational soccer against able-bodied kids to competing at the highest level in Paralympic sports. In addition to earning All-American High School status in Track and Field from the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field Olympic Committee, Mary has become a top swimmer, competing on the international level in the Can-Am Swimming Open. Mary Kate was one of the few athletes to qualify for the U.S. Paralympic Trials in more than one sport. While Mary Kate did not earn a spot on Team USA last year, in her best swimming event, she ranked 36th in the world.

Sophie Bernstein, Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation
Recipient of the 2017 Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation, Sophie Bernstein, a 17-year-old junior at Clayton High School in St. Louis, is passionate about food and about social justice. Sophie’s twin passions propelled her award-winning Innovation. Committed to improving the health of her community, Sophie has built, planted, maintained and harvested 22 raised vegetable gardens at low-income daycare centers and shelters in the St. Louis area. Sophie’s innovation has raised awareness of childhood hunger in the community, and it has increased the volume of fresh and healthy produce available at food banks and at child care facilities. Sophie had donated more than 13,570 pounds of produce to local food banks and to families in need by the time she was nominated for the award in the fall of 2016. Sophie’s project has been a hands-on learning lab for children as she has led 225 science technology engineering and math (STEM) botany and plant science workshops for young children throughout the year. In the process, students at low-income pre-schools are engaged in building, planting and maintaining produce gardens.
More information about the Military Child of the Year® Awards is available at http://www.militarychildoftheyear.org.

About Operation Homefront: A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront builds strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. With more than 3,200 volunteers nationwide, Operation Homefront has provided assistance to tens of thousands of military families since its inception shortly after 9/11. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to http://www.operationhomefront.net.

Spearheading the expansion is high performing business, operations management, and supply chain executive, Derek Baggerly, founder of ESIS Inc., a successful, full-service e-commerce outsourcing provider. With over 20 years of hands-on experience in supply chain operations, Baggerly has supported over 20,000 e-commerce partners and 200+ major manufacturers.

“The U.S. market is a key strategic opportunity for SupplyOn; we can leverage our strengths in supply chain processes with our global trading partner network. There is a big demand in U.S. manufacturing for the complete suite of capabilities we offer with the SupplyOn Collaboration Platform,” stated Baggerly.

SupplyOn is used globally in direct material procurement, with particular strengths in complex manufacturing industries such as Automotive, Railway and Aerospace. SupplyOn customers include companies such as Bosch, Airbus, Siemens, BorgWarner, BMW and Bombardier. “With the nature of today’s global supply chains, SupplyOn already has a large presence in the U.S., with dozens of manufacturers and thousands of suppliers already using the platform.”

“Mr. Baggerly has a proven track record in developing supply chain solutions in the U.S. By adding him to SupplyOn’s seasoned team we believe the company will continue to accelerate and realize its potential as the leading supply chain collaboration platform globally,” said SupplyOn CEO, Markus Quicken.

About SupplyOn:
SupplyOn is the supply chain collaboration platform for the manufacturing industry used to manage business processes with suppliers and service providers across continents in a structured, transparent and secure manner. SupplyOn begins where ERP systems leave off and extends internal business processes seamlessly beyond company borders. The solutions are provided as Software-as-a-Service and align to the process requirements of the manufacturing industry encompassing cross-company processes in supply chain management, supplier risk and performance management, strategic and operational procurement, and quality and transport management.

SupplyOn has established a network of companies in the manufacturing industry â€" with a focus on the automotive, aerospace, railway and engineering industries â€" that connects some 30,000 businesses in 70 countries. SupplyOn generated $46M in revenue with 160 employees in 2016. http://www.supplyon.com/.
SupplyOn contact:
Derek Baggerly
CEO, SupplyOn North America
760.248.0317

AIM Solder, a leading global manufacturer of solder assembly materials for the electronics industry, is pleased to announce their participation at the SMTA Dallas Expo & Tech Forum, scheduled to take place March 7th, 2017 at the Plano Centre in Plano, Texas. AIM will highlight their revolutionary REL61â,,¢ and REL22â,,¢ lead-free solder alloys, along with their full line of solder assembly materials.

Developed by AIM, the REL61 and REL22 lead-free solder alloys have been specifically engineered as exceptionally durable alloys for extreme service environments. REL61 and REL22 provide superior thermal cycling performance and lower voids versus other lead-free alloys. They have shown to reduce tin whisker formation and improved strength versus SAC alloys making them ideal for high reliability electronics applications.

Additionally, AIM will highlight its full line of advanced solder materials, including its solder pastes, liquid fluxes, tin/lead and lead-free alloys. To discover all of AIM’s products and services, visit the company at the SMTA Dallas Expo & Tech Forum for more information.

About AIM
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, AIM Solder is a leading global manufacturer of assembly materials for the electronics industry with manufacturing, distribution and support facilities located throughout the world. AIM produces advanced solder products such as solder paste, liquid flux, cored wire, bar solder, epoxies, lead-free and halogen-free solder products, preforms, and specialty alloys such as indium and gold for a broad range of industries. A recipient of many prestigious SMT industry awards, AIM is strongly committed to innovative research and development of product and process improvement as well as providing customers with superior technical support, service and training. For more information about AIM, visit http://www.aimsolder.com.
Upcoming Events:
March 9, 2017 â€" SMTA Dallas â€" Plano, TX
March 14-16, 2017 â€" Productronica China - Shanghai, China

Today, Technologic Systems, Inc. announced that it will be partnering with Canonical to make Ubuntu Core available for their TS-4900 Compute Module. The TS-4900 is a high-performance Computer on Module (CoM) based on the NXP i.MX6 CPU which implements the ARM® CortexTM A9 architecture clocked at 1 GHz.

The TS-4900 is ideal for embedded systems applications, especially those needing wireless connections like industrial IoT gateways. Ubuntu Core is ideal for this environment because of its rich networking and protocol support. In addition, Ubuntu Core offers a secure, reliable, and remotely upgradeable platform to easily update and maintain IoT devices making for a more secure and cost-effective deployment.

The TS-4900 is available in either single or quad core configurations with up to 2 GB DDR3 RAM. It is designed with connectivity in mind with WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0 onboard. Several standard interfaces are supported including Gigabit Ethernet, USB, SATA II, and PCIe Express. The TS-4900 is fanless, although a heat sink is recommended for the quad core configuration, and it is rated at an industrial temperature range (-40C to 85C). In addition, new applications can be simply developed and rolled out across the deployment via snap packages, increasing the utility and value of any IoT deployment.

Bob Miller, founder of Technologic Systems said, “With the functionality of our TS-4900 and the flexibility of Ubuntu Core, I can see these powering virtually anything from industrial IoT gateways, plant automation, network equipment, high definition digital signage, to remote monitoring stations.”

Mike Bell, EVP IoT and Devices of Canonical said, “The TS-4900 Compute Module brings Ubuntu Core to the popular i.MX6 platform, delivering a new level of life-cycle management, monetisation and security to a whole range of IoT applications. Ubuntu Core delivers groundbreaking security, management, operations, and upgradability in a compact developer-friendly platform, underpinned by the open 'snap' packaging technology.”
For more information on Ubuntu Core please visit: http://www.ubuntu.com/core
For more information on TS-4900 powered by Ubuntu Core please visit: http://www.embeddedarm.com/software/ubuntu-core
Mobile World Congress 2017 location:
Learn more about Ubuntu Core and see the TS-4900 visit the Ubuntu Booth in Hall P3 â€" 3K31 at Mobile World Congress 2017.

About Technologic Systems, Inc.
Technologic Systems has been in business for 32 years, helping more than 8000 OEM customers and building over a hundred COTS products that have never been discontinued. Our commitment to excellent products, low prices, and exceptional customer support has allowed our business to flourish in a very competitive marketplace. We offer a wide variety of single board computers, computer-on-modules, touch panel PCs, PC/104 and other peripherals, and industrial controllers that satisfy most embedded project requirements. We also offer custom configurations and design services. We specialize in the ARM and X86 architectures, FPGA IP-core design, and open-source software support, providing advanced custom solutions using hardware-software co-design strategies.

Technologic Systems
Fountain Hills, AZ
http://www.embeddedarm.com
(480)837-5200
About Canonical
Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, the leading OS for cloud operations. Most public cloud workloads use Ubuntu, as do most new smart gateways, switches, self-driving cars and advanced robots. Canonical provides enterprise support and services for commercial users of Ubuntu. Established in 2004, Canonical is a privately held company.
Media contacts
EMEA
+44 208 408 8000
US
March Communications
+1 (617) 960-9900.

Baltimore biotech firm, PathSensors, Inc., announced today that in a published evaluation of multiple immunoassay-based threat detection technologies by researchers from the Pacific National Northwest Laboratory (PNNL), a U.S. Department of Energy Laboratory, PathSensors’ CANARY® biosensor threat detection technology was found to have the best level of detection (LOD) for two bio terror threats, Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) and Ricin.
The report, "Evaluation of Immunoassays and General Biological Indicator Tests for Field Screening of Bacilus anthracis and Ricin," compared fourteen immunoassays from ten different technology providers, including PathSensor’s CANARY biosensor immunoassay and PathSensor’s Zephyr assay sample reader.

A measure of the effectiveness of bio terror and bio threat detection technologies is the technology’s tested “limit of detection,” which indicates the level of sensitivity of the technology and its ability to avoid false positives (false alarms). A lower limit of detection indicates a better level of threat detection sensitivity and lower false alarm rate and is more desirable for bio threat detection applications. In the case of PathSensors’ CANARY® Zephyr technology, the PNNL report found that for detection of bacillus anthracis:
“….the CANARY Zephyr achieved an estimated limit of detection of 10^3 spores/mL, which was 4 orders of magnitude lower than any other immunoassay tested.” [PNNL report, page 87]

For detection of Ricin toxin, the PNNL report found that:
“…The CANARY Zephyr achieved the lowest limit of detection (3ng/mL).” [PNNL report, page 87]
“This new report from PNNL scientists is only the latest in what has been a series of independent validations of PathSensors’ CANARY pathogen detection technology,” commented Ted Olsen, CEO, PathSensors, Inc. “Anthrax and Ricin are just two of the many pathogens CANARY can detect; now users of CANARY can know that they are using one of the most highly sensitive and cost effective bio threat solutions available.”

PathSensors’ CANARY® (Cellular Analysis and Notification of Antigen Risks and Yields) technology is a biosensor technology that delivers rapid detection
of pathogens â€" including toxins, viruses, and bacteria â€" at high levels of sensitivity and specificity. First developed at the MIT-Lincoln Laboratory, CANARY® incorporates pathogen-specific antibodies expressed on the biosensor surface which, in the presence of a pathogen, trigger an intracellular calcium release that in turn activates bioluminescent proteins whose light output can be measured and analyzed. In independent tests by U.S. government labs, PathSensors’ CANARY® technology was shown to be superior to alternative technologies in terms of sensitivity and speed of detection. PathSensors has a continually growing library of biosensors for threats such as HLB, Phytophthora, and Ebola.

About PathSensors, Inc.
PathSensors is a leading biotechnology solutions and environmental testing company. PathSensors provides high speed, highly sensitive pathogen and threat detection solutions for the defense, homeland security, public health, medical countermeasures, mail room screening, first responder, food processing and agricultural sectors. For more information, visit http://www.pathsensors.com.

Washingtonian â€" the premier lifestyle magazine for the DC Metro area â€" recently named DataSync Technologies one of its Great Places to Work for 2017. DataSync has been privileged to receive this biannual award for the second consecutive time. Great Places to Work is based on a wide range of metrics that includes the organization's generous benefits and compensation, work/life balance, professional development opportunities and contribution to the larger community. Being named a Great Place to Work recognizes DataSync's ongoing commitment to its growing team, and its drive to create a positive, supportive work environment for all staff.

About the Award:
Washingtonian magazine publishes its list of Great Places to Work in the DC Area every other year. The award dates back to 1999 and recognizes 50 unique employers each time it is released. Businesses on the list range from small boutique firms to major corporations employing more than 80,000 individuals. The list crosses industries and sectors, recognizing government agencies and contractors, IT firms, nonprofits and more. Due to the diversity of businesses represented, the list is unranked â€" winners encompass the best 50 applicants, but they are not listed in any order.

Winners are determined after a comprehensive review nearly 200 applications and more than 10,000 employee surveys. Key criteria for selection include the scores awarded to each company by their own staff, as well as the magazine's own independent research and fact-checking. As a result, the list heavily reflects both the reputation and the working culture of winning organizations.

About DataSync:
DataSync is a full service provider of data science services in Washington DC. Primarily serving the defense and intelligence communities, helping organizations make informed business decisions for the short-term, and strategic planning choices that position them for growth well into the future.

Core services include business intelligence, software engineering, cyber engineering, systems integration and data integration. In everything we do, we focus on helping clients face the unique challenges that come with working in the federal services sector.

DataSync is more than just an award-winning best places to work in Virginia, we're also a great place to begin or continue to grow your IT career. Our staff enjoys the opportunity to mentor under industry leaders, as well as receiving generous compensation packages, including five weeks of paid annual leave, 100% coverage for health and life insurance and participation in our corporate profit sharing plan. We believe in nurturing the long-term growth and success of our team by ensuring that interested staff members have opportunities to partake in continuous education and training. In addition we make a mindful approach to insure that the atmosphere of our company promotes appreciation of our team mates, their family units and the greater community we are part of. For more information about what it's like to work for DataSync, watch for our profile in the upcoming 50 Great Places to Work issue of Washingtonian. You can also visit our website to see current openings and read more about the many perks of working for DC's leading data science service provider.

Commsignia, Inc., a leading V2X solution provider has formed an alliance with Alps Electric Co., Ltd., a leading supplier of wireless modules to accelerate V2X deployment with joint value proposition.

As part of the alliance, Commsignia offers to deliver automotive-grade software solution to support all current and future generations of Alps hardware modules with complete V2X software stack, security and ADAS safety applications. As a result of this cooperation Alps will have the ability to improve time to market by being able to offer a full vertical solution to its customers on a global scale.

“We are very proud of partnering with such a top-quality industry pioneer as Alps. It is always hard to evaluate something you cannot see. V2X technology will be at the heart of all cars and will be the cornerstone of cooperative decisions made by drivers and driverless cars all around the world. With this cooperation, our customers can immediately see and experience the maturity and quality of the products offered by both Alps and Commsignia”â€" said Jozsef Kovacs, Commsignia CEO.

“We are very delighted to announce our partnership with Commsignia, a global leading company of the V2X technology. The innovative solution from Commsignia is very advanced and mature, thus we are pleased to have a close relationship with the team,” said Junji Takahashi, Senior Manager of Wireless Connectivity Engineering Department M6 at Alps. “We look forward to continue our cooperation with the Commsignia team on contributing to the world of smart and safety-enhanced vehicles.”

About V2X
Cars today are computers on four wheels, experiencing the world through sensors and data. Even though vehicles are becoming smarter and eventually fully autonomous, there are shortcomings in today’s technology, which cost lives and make everyday traffic more difficult. Commsignia contributes to this ecosystem by enabling cooperation through Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) wireless communication. By connecting vehicles with each other and the smart city infrastructure, it is possible to foresee an accident from miles away, alert pedestrians to danger or enable vehicles to keep up with the green wave when traveling through downtown.

About Commsignia
Commsignia, Inc., a Silicon Valley start-up with European roots, recently closed its next investment round, which enabled the company to strengthen its presence throughout the US. Commsignia specializes in Connected Car / V2X hardware and software solutions to ADAS systems with a mission to increase traffic safety and efficiency on the road. Dedicated to the research and development of car connectivity systems for innovative car makers, the company aims to create the world’s first connectivity platform that integrates Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) applications with everyday technologies from tablets and phones to smart homes. The product line of Commsignia includes a V2X Communication Software Stack including Commsignia’s own security stack implementation, Hybrid V2X/ADAS Safety Applications, a V2X Simulator, On Board Units (OBU) and Roadside Units (RSU), all developed with flexibility, reliability and security in mind. The hardware- and platform-agnostic solutions compatible with multiple Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) make Commsignia the most dynamic and rapidly growing V2X provider on the market. V2X communication is performed with various radio technologies, including 802.11p, 4G/LTE and the upcoming 5G, depending on implemented use cases, preferred standards of the geographic region and customer segment preferences as well. Commsignia is global leader in using all available technologies to meet ever increasing feature, flexibility and quality demands of the customers. For more information, visit http://www.commsignia.com.

About Alps
ALPS Electric (Tokyo: 6770) is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality electronic components for mobile devices, home electronics, vehicles and industrial equipment. With the philosophy of “Perfecting the Art of Electronics” ALPS Electric supplies over 40,000 different components to about 2,000 companies all over the world. For more information, visit http://www.alps.com.

The 7th International Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards is yearly organized by prestigious A' Design Award & Competition released its final call for 2017 entries.

International Industrial Designers, Interior Designers, Architects, Aircraft Designers, Aerospace Engineers and Aircraft Companies can register at A’ Design Awards to submit a work and get a preliminary score. Projects that pass the preliminaries can proceed with nomination, however it shall be noted there is a nominal fee for nominating entries for Aircraft Awards jury consideration.

Deadline for entries to A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards is on February 28, 2017.
List of winners of the A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards will be announced on April 15, 2017.

Winners of the A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards 2017 will be granted the highly coveted A’ Design Prize that includes a series of PR, marketing and publicity tools in addition to the Design Excellence Certificate, Lifetime license to use the A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards Winner Logo, Yearbook of Best Designs, Exhibitions of Awarded Works in Italy, Exclusive Design Award Trophy, A’ Design Awards’ Gala-Night invitation, as well as inclusion in World Design Rankings, Designer Rankings, Aircraft Design Classifications and Design Legends platforms.

The following are some example projects that could be submitted to A' Aerospace and Aircraft Design Awards https://competition.adesignaward.com/competitions/aerospace.html
Nominations can be made at https://competition.adesignaward.com/registration.php

About A' Design Award & Competition
The A’ Design Award & Competition has been established to promote and recognize the very best design works from across the globe while creating a global awareness and understanding for good design practices and principles. The ultimate goal of the A’ Design Awards is to push designers, companies and brands worldwide to create superior products and projects that bring positive value to society To learn more about the A’ Design Awards, please visit http://www.designaward.com

LizardTech®, a division of Celartem Inc. and a leading provider of software solutions for image asset handling, announced the release of the MrSID® Generation 4 Decode SDK Version 9.5.4 to compliment the release of LizardTech’s GeoExpress® Version 9.5.3. This latest SDK release includes support to view MrSID compressed Harris Geiger-Mode LIDAR point clouds, paralleling previously incorporated tools for viewing MrSID compressed LAS and LAZ point clouds.
LizardTech continues to enhance LiDAR and raster compression capacity across its’ image asset handling platform for image compression, management, distribution, integration and deployment. This includes updating compilers, refreshing target computing platforms and improving compression performance.

Trusted as a raster format by geospatial professionals since 1992 and supported in a broad spectrum of GIS and CAD applications, MrSID is the highest quality file format with the most advanced compression technology available. A no cost download of the MrSID Generation 4 Decode SDK is available at http://developer.lizardtech.com, and enables application developers to add support for viewing and decoding multiple image files and most recently Geiger-mode, LAS and LAZ point clouds compressed into MrSID.

About LizardTech
Since 1992, LizardTech has delivered state-of-the-art software products for managing and distributing massive, high-resolution geospatial data such as aerial and satellite imagery and LiDAR data. LizardTech pioneered the MrSID technology, a powerful wavelet-based image encoder, viewer, and file format. LizardTech has offices in Seattle, Denver, London and Tokyo. For more information about LizardTech, visit http://www.lizardtech.com.

© 2017 Celartem, Inc. d.b.a. LizardTech. All rights reserved. LizardTech, MrSID, GeoExpress, Express Server, and Express Suite are registered trademarks in the United States and LiDAR Compressor and the LizardTech, GeoExpress, Express Server, Express Suite, LiDAR Compressor, ExpressView and GeoViewer logos are trademarks, and all are the property of Celartem Inc. d.b.a. LizardTech. Unauthorized use is prohibited. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Aircraft Maintenance School Honors Women in Aviation with eBook Rollout
Female student from Aviation Institute of Maintenance awarded Acer notepad, preloaded with textbooks, for winning essay contest focusing on women in the field of aviation maintenance.
The Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) in conjunction with Ambassador Education Solutions, has launched an eBook program to meet its students’ evolving needs. As students become more tech savvy and dependent upon mobile devices, AIM seized the opportunity to provide tablet computers loaded with digital content as a more portable alternative to traditional textbooks.

With the eBook rollout coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, AIM sought to champion women in aviation with an essay contest. The winner, Tarsha Cecil, was awarded an Acer Aspire R11 notepad loaded with her required textbooks, which she now carries proudly to her classes. Female students with a minimum 3.0 GPA were encouraged to write a 250-word essay to describe, in their own words, why they chose to pursue a career in aviation maintenance. A committee composed of AIM’s Vice President of Operations, Dr. Joel English, Director of Aviation Maintenance, Debbie Wiggins, and Regional Directors of Operations, Patricia Thomas and Jan Schoonmaker, selected the winning essay.

Cecil’s journey began long before she started classes at AIM’s Duluth, GA campus in January 2016. For as long as she can remember, she wanted to be an aviation mechanic. Growing up in a family that believed women did not belong in aviation, Cecil was encouraged to become a nurse like her mother. Though Cecil enjoyed her work in the medical field, that nagging desire to become an aviation mechanic never went away. Therefore, in 2014, she made the decision to pursue her dream of becoming an A&P mechanic. She wrote, “I am grateful to be alive at this time in history: a time when women have the opportunity to do and be whatever they choose.”
Read more about Cecil’s inspirational winning essay at http://www.aviationmaintenance.edu/blog/school-awards/wia-contest/.

About Aviation Institute of Maintenance
Aviation Institute of Maintenance is the United States' largest family of aviation maintenance schools, with headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va. Students learn the skills necessary to become successful in one of the world’s fastest growing industries, aviation maintenance and the free Human Factors course and certification are examples of the school’s passion and commitment to the aviation industry. AIM graduates are trained to meet the increasing global demands of commercial, cargo, corporate and private aviation employers. AIM’s campuses are located in the following major metro areas: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Mo., Oakland, Calif., Orlando, Fla., and Norfolk, Va. Learn
more at: http://www.aviationmaintenance.edu.

Once again, PI has improved upon its best in class with a new reference-class digital controller / driver offering higher bandwidth and resolution, along with 3 times the driver power of its predecessor. From the nanopositioning systems industry leader, the E-754 is designed for closed-loop piezo mechanisms with capacitive position feedback sensors.

22 Bit Resolution and 50 kHz Servo-Bandwidth, Digital Linearization
Several decades of knowledge and experience are built into the E-754 controller. It provides a best in class ultra-fast servo with 50 kHz update rate and 22-bit resolution. In addition to PID control, two programmable notch filters are integrated for higher bandwidth by suppression of mechanical system resonances. Digital linearization is based on 4th order polynomials to suppress linearity deviation to less than 0.01%. The Dynamic Digital Linearization (DDL) firmware option eliminates phase lag and dynamic non-linearities at high operating frequencies, such as used in scanning applications. The driver provides 500mA peak current and -30 to 135V output voltage swing.

Multiple Interfaces, Digital and Analog
In addition to Ethernet (TCP/IP), SPI, USB, RS-232 communication interfaces, 4 I/O trigger lines and a high-resolution, 20 bit DAC analog command interface is also installed. A built-in high-speed data recorder allows capture of transients and optimization of servo parameters.
Auto-Calibration ID Chip for Quick Start Up and Interchangeability of Controller and Mechanics, Comprehensive Software Package

ID chip compatibility allows for quick start-up and interchangeability of controller and piezo mechanisms without recalibration, a critical feature for OEMs. The controller also comes with extensive software support for LabVIEW and shared libraries for Windows and Linux.
Specifications, Datasheet, More Information>
Applications of the E-754
Applications for the new dynamic controller include nanopositioning, nano-automation, semiconductor technology, photonics, bio-nano-technology, metrology, microscopy, micro-manipulation, including cleanroom applications.
Features & Advantages:
50 kHz Servo Loop
22-Bit DAC Resolution
20-Bit Analog Command Interface
45 W Peak Power, 500mA Peak Current
USB, Ethernet (TCP/IP), SPI, RS-232 Interfaces
Standard and Custom
PI has over 4 decades of experience providing in-house engineered precision motion control solutions, and can quickly modify existing product designs or provide a fully customized OEM part to fit the exact requirements of the customer’s application.

Winshuttle is excited to announce the launch of its newly revamped global website, winshuttle.com.

After extensive research and development in collaboration with Rational, a full-service digital, technical and consulting agency, Winshuttle has improved navigation and web functionality, revitalized the design, and created crisp new content, all with user experience top of mind.

“We are thrilled with the launch of our new global website, and the wealth of information it brings to customers, partners, media professionals, and potential employees,” said John Pierson, CEO of Winshuttle. “People turn to the web to learn, making it important that we deliver the same “aha moment” on our website that users experience with our tools and solutions.”

The website offers quick and easy access to essential information about Winshuttle’s core capabilities - data movement, workflow applications and data governance, as well as quick links to upgraded product pages and support. New sections like “How we help” empower users to quickly identify solutions by line of business, and benefits that directly relate to their function.
Users can also leverage resources like the ROI calculator, customer success stories and business benefits to calculate savings and the potential impact of implementing solutions. The new careers page not only gives potential new hires a glimpse of what it’s like to work in each office, but also provides information on benefits and perks for each region.

“Everyone knows that data is challenging, but not everyone understands that their data challenges can be addressed with better tools and processes,” said Mary Gary, Winshuttle’s Director of Global Marketing. “The new website helps users clearly identify how to make their lives and their company’s livelihood more successful.”

“Winshuttle wanted to create a seamless digital experience for users,” said Selina Petosa, Principal at Rational. “Users have high expectations for interacting on the web, and after an extensive UX study and thoughtfully elevated content and design, we’re confident this revolutionary new site will provide a fantastic user journey. The Winshuttle team were true partners on this project, and we couldn’t be more excited for them and this next chapter in the company!”

Visit http://www.winshuttle.com to experience the new website. The redesign will be rolled out to other language sites in French, Spanish and German over the course of 2017.

About Winshuttle
Winshuttle is a leading provider of enterprise applications for data management, offering the broadest vision for data management and governance needed to fuel business transformations that keep companies competitive.

Its tools, platforms and solutions reduce the friction of implementing data intensive, mission-critical processes in SAP by automating data movement tasks and critical workflows, ensuring business processes are orchestrated, repeatable and scalable.
Learn more about Winshuttle’s SAP data management solutions by visiting http://www.winshuttle.com

The 5th Annual Humans to Mars Summit (H2M) will be held from May 9-11, 2017 at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. H2M is the largest conference in the world focused on the goal of sending humans to Mars and will feature some of the most prominent and influential people in business, government and academia. The conference will explore critical policy goals and technology solutions required for the human exploration of Mars and the significant progress that has been made since the first H2M was held in 2013.

“Children born in 2017 are more likely than any generation before them to witness, before their 18th birthday, humans walk on another planet for the first time,” said Explore Mars, CEO Chris Carberry. “For more than five years, the Humans to Mars Summit has been at the forefront of policy and technology decisions that have had a major impact on U.S. space policy. Today we have unprecedented support for Mars exploration from Congress, industry, and the general public. If we make the right decisions, humans will be on the surface of Mars within the next two decades, and the economic and scientific benefits to our country and the world will be unprecedented.”

H2M 2017 will be a platform for discussion on major technical, scientific, and policy challenges that need to be overcome in order to send humans to Mars by the early 2030s. The Summit will also feature topics such as international partnerships and cooperation, the impact on small business and innovation, Hollywood and the Mars story, risk tolerance in space exploration, the role of the Moon in sending humans to Mars, and space diplomacy.

Confirmed speakers include: Buzz Aldrin (Apollo XI, Gemini XII), William Gerstenmaier (NASA: Associate Administrator, HEO), Penny Boston (NASA: Director, Astrobiology Institute), Steve Jurczyk (NASA: Associate Administrator, STMD), Clementine Poidatz (National Geographic Series, Mars), John Grunsfeld (former NASA Associate Administrator and astronaut), Artemis Westenberg (President, Explore Mars, Inc), Thomas Zurbuchen (NASA: Associate Administrator, SMD), Abigail 'Astronaut Abby' Harrison (Student; The Mars Generation), Jim Cantrell (CEO of Vector Space Systems), James Green (NASA: Director, Planetary Science), Janet Ivey (Janet's Planet), Joe Cassady (Aerojet Rocketdyne: Executive Director, Space), Mat Kaplan (Planetary Radio, The Planetary Society) and Ann Merchant (Science and Entertainment Exchange).

Said Explore Mars President, Artemis Westenberg, “H2M will host substantive NASA workshops on policy, STEaM competitions for our youth and important debates on strategies for space transportation and human habitats. This is the single best opportunity for all of us to come together and advance the mission that will one day make humans a two-planet species.”
For registration information visit http://h2m.exploremars.org. To become an event sponsor, please contact carberry(at)exploremars(dot)org.

About Explore Mars
Explore Mars was created to advance the goal of sending humans to Mars within the next two decades. To further that goal, Explore Mars conducts programs and technical challenges to stimulate the development and improvement of technologies that will make human Mars missions more efficient and feasible. To advance the idea of Mars as a habitable planet, Explore Mars challenges educators to use Mars in the classroom as a tool to teach standard STEM curricula. Explore Mars, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation organized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Donations to Explore Mars are tax-deductible. Contact Explore Mars via its website or email info(at)ExploreMars(dot)org.

Diehl Tool Steel is now offering Hitachi Metals America’s SLD-i cold work premium tool steel, an advanced tool steel grade used in various blanking and forming application where AHSS parts are processed. It is produced using the same heat treatment as D2 but exhibits better wear and toughness when used for forming and trim sections. It also shows better wear than 8% Cr steels for specific draw sections of large automotive dies.

Because of the unique manufacturing process, Hitachi SLD-i also minimizes heat treat deformation, thereby lowering tooling costs. Further comparison between Hitachi SLD-i and D2 reveals that Hitachi SLD-i requires less machining after heat treatment and a decreased amount of shape adjustment than D2. In specific application areas, customers have experienced a dramatic improvement over conventionally applied D2. SLDi is now available in flat cross-sections up to 5 inches thick and provides an effective combination of wear resistance and toughness, tool performance and price. Diehl can machine Hitachi SLD-i tool steel to toolmaker tolerances using its Accu-Squareâ,,¢ process.

About Diehl Tool Steel
Diehl Tool Steel, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Metals America, LLC, is an international supplier of quality tool steel, alloy steel, CPM® powder metal, mold steel, carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum products and services. The company offers standard and custom cut and machined sizes of flats, bars, squares, sheets, plates, drill rod, hollowbar and rounds. With its unique Accu-Squareâ,,¢ process, the company can square metal block to toolmaker tolerances. Diehl Tool Steel focuses on serving the rapid turn-around needs of the tool and die, mold shop, machine shop, and O.E.M. industries, typically shipping in-stock items in 24 to 48 hours.

ThoughtFocus, a leading consulting, engineering and business process management firm serving the aviation and aerospace industry, and Gold Sponsor of the SAP A&D Innovation Days conference in San Diego, CA, will host a key conference presentation on the digital transformation of a complex, multi-site global organization into a nimble, unified, and quality-assured manufacturing enterprise. The business strategy briefing session for prominent aerospace and defense manufacturing executives will take place on March 8, 10:30 â€" 11:30 am.
The presentation will feature the experiences of REV Group Inc., a global manufacturer of specialty vehicles for recreation, public safety and public service, and how REV is digitally connecting its vast enterprise incorporating three operating divisions, 27 brands and 16 manufacturing locations.

“From vision creation to implementation, transportation manufacturing leader REV Group is tapping the power of SAP S/4HANA to digitize, integrate, automate, and connect its worldwide operations, turning to the ThoughtFocus SAP implementation experts to steer their journey,” noted David Deal, General Manager, Aerospace, ThoughtFocus.

Led by REV Group CIO Stephan Engler, the presentation reveals how digital technologies ranging from sensor fusion, Big Data analytics and cloud computing, to predictive analytics, self-learning systems, and autonomics are driving change throughout their manufacturing enterprise, providing process breakthroughs that are accelerating production, improving reliability, shrinking cycle times, and reducing overall costs of operation.

“A task of this magnitude and velocity requires what only SAP S/4HANA can deliver, and the implementation expertise ThoughtFocus can provide,” Deal added. “With direct parallels to aerospace and defense manufacturing, we are looking forward to sharing our lessons learned on this successful lean transformation journey with A&D innovators who are seeking to realize a higher level of customer satisfaction and return on investment.”

Skylogic Research, LLC (http://www.droneanalyst.com/) today announced that Christopher Korody and Will Tompkinson will join the Drone Analyst® network of Contributor / Advisors. Each are specialized commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry experts and allow Skylogic Research to scale its market analysis to meet the growing demand of industry insights.

“We are very excited to have these two specialists on board,” said Colin Snow, CEO and Founder. “Each brings a wealth of knowledge on the impact of drone technology on commercial users. As the commercial UAS market continues to mature, there is demand for specialization and these two are tops in their specialized fields.”

These independent professionals join other Skylogic Research team members and contractors who lend their proficiency and assistance to provide industry insights, thought leadership content, research, and consulting.

Christopher Korody is the founder of DroneBusiness.center and specializes in strategy, market research and content for marketing, PR, and social media.
Will Tompkinson is Owner and Consulting Lead for Insightful Dimensions and specializes in the domain of 3D data capture and LiDAR for the purposes of metrology and geomatics applications.
Complete Contributor / Advisor bios can be found here: http://www.droneanalyst.com/about
Tweet this: New contributor advisors join @droneanalyst to provide specialized services for the growing commercial #drone industry http://bit.ly/1tcvKoP