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Housing beneficiaries affected by govt. infra - projects in Cagayan de Oro entitled to one lot each

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Beneficiaries of the city’s housing program here would be entitled to only one lot each, City Vice Mayor Rainier Uy said Wednesday.

He said that the newly approved Ordinance No. 13178-2016, also known as the Comprehensive Housing Program, provides that the beneficiaries are those affected by the government funded infrastructure projects.

Aside from those affected by the government funded projects, those living along the riverbanks and creeks, and on the road-right-of-way would also qualify with the city’s housing program.

Uy said that other qualified beneficiaries include household who was subject of ejectment orders for demolition by the court, the landless City Hall employees, and those included in the master list in the 1994 socialized housing registration in the city’s urban villages.

The ordinance also provides that the awarded lot is not non-transferable, except through hereditary succession, and in the absence of a legitimate descendant and successor, the lot would be reverted back to the city government.

Uy said that under the law, the beneficiary who sells, transfers, leases or disposes of his rights or acts as a broker or middleman shall thereafter be disqualified from any city shelter resettlement program.

He said that the prohibition also includes those who allow other persons who are not immediate member of the family to occupy and stay on the awarded lot. (PNA)
NYP/CD/

Official cites successful dry run of San Jose’s new traffic ordinance

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The first day of the implementation of the amended traffic ordinance of San Jose de Buenavista, capital town of Antique province, has successfully cleared national highways of illegally parked vehicles.

San Jose de Buenavista Senior Municipal Councilor Dante Beriong said that there was no more traffic congestion since early Wednesday morning and vehicles that used to park in front of establishments were no longer there.

”Everyone seemed to be cooperating…it’s very encouraging sign,” he said.

The dry run of the new Municipal Ordinance Number 03-2016 that amended Municipal Ordinance Number 2015-01 started today as part of the preparations for this province’s hosting of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet on February 5-11 and the Palarong Pambansa this coming April.

Last week San Jose de Buenavista Mayor Elmer Untaran said that he wanted to solve the traffic jam in anticipation of the influx of visitors and athletes during the two big sports events. “I don’t want those who would be coming here complain about our traffic and the lack of orderliness among vehicles,” he said.

Forty-three traffic enforcers are deployed on the highways to ensure 24-hour adherence to the ordinance, particularly by the around 4,000 tricycles plying the route. (PNA)
PGL/AJPETINGLAY

Hotel opens in Kalibo in time for Ati-atihan Festival

KALIBO, Aklan, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Glowmoon Inn opened once again here in Kalibo in anticipation of the influx of guests attending the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival.

Ramon Quimpo Jr., one of the owners of the Glowmoon Hotel, said that the building is considered a national heritage site. It is the birthplace of former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Victorino Mapa.

"It was named Glowmoon because it's a combination of our parents names Gloria and Ramon Sr.," said Quimpo.

Attending as guests are his brother Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo and other siblings.

The said inn was temporarily closed to the public last year as it underwent reconstruction and improvement. The inn is considered a strategic area because it's at the side of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral along Martelino Street, Kalibo.

Meanwhile, Kalibo Councilor Philip Kimpo bared that the Aklan Historical Society will be giving tribute to Mapa at the Aklan Museum on February 25.

"The young generation may not be familiar with the works of Mapa anymore so we wanted to give him due recognition," Kimpo said.

Mapa is considered as the second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the first Filipino to hold the highest position in the judiciary. The first Supreme Court Chief Justice in the Philippines was an American.

Prior to his post, Mapa served as legal adviser of then president Emilio Aguinaldo. (PNA)
PGL/AJP/JNAGUIRRE

ARMM to prioritize poverty alleviation programs
By Noel Y. Punzalan

COTABATO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) would primarily pursue and utilize the PHP 4 billion allotment it had for poverty alleviation programs in the region for 2017.

The poverty reduction fund forms part of the PHP 32 billion budget that Congress approved for ARMM this year.

“There should be equitable implementation of the anti-poverty programs,” ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman stressed before newsmen here during a press conference on Wednesday.

In retrospect, Hataman said during the deliberation on the proposed PHP40.573 billion 2017 ARMM budget last year, it was mentioned that the region, which is home to 3.2 million people, remains the poorest region in the country with 53.1 percent poverty incidence.

The ARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Over the past three years, the ARMM’s main focus was on its infrastructure programs on efforts to rehabilitate old roads, bridges, government buildings and also building new and better ones.

However, the governor said that for 2017, efforts would shift to poverty alleviation, as it would require a long-term approach pursuing the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, light, water and sanitation.

In 2015, the ARMM got the biggest slice of the budget for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) program, a government anti- poverty grant, with PHP 6.02 billion and PHP 5.84 billion for 2015 and 2016, respectively, for a total of PHP 11.86 billion.

Under the 4Ps, two types of cash grants are extended, namely, a health grant of PHP500 per family per month, or a total of PHP6,000 every year, and an education grant of PHP300 per child each month and where a household may register a maximum of three children.

Hataman said he is also carefully monitoring the 4Ps implementation in the region due to alleged “anomalies” hounding it.

“We, at the ARMM government would just like to ensure that the money provided for each poor family in the region is exact and given to the right beneficiary,” the governor said.

Hataman said the 4Ps is a program of the national government and that ARMM is merely an implementing agency. (PNA)

Dads amend laws to strengthen housing programs in Cagayan De Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The city council had enacted an ordinance to amend an existing local law to strengthen the housing program here.

City Vice Mayor Rainier Uy, the council's presiding officer, said Tuesday that Ordinance No. 13178-2016 was enacted to amend a 2005 and 2006 Ordinances, also known as the Comprehensive Socialized Housing Program.

He said that the newly approved Ordinance provided an additional guidelines for the housing program for the underprivileged and the homeless in the city.

Uy said that the previous housing programs of the city government were a dismal failure because it failed to accomplish its mandate to provide the housing needs of the target beneficiaries.

The housing beneficiaries in the past also failed to pay the required amortization and ultimately sold the awarded house and lot and transfer to other areas to join the squatters in blighted communities, Uy said.

Uy said that the cycle continues because of the failure to address the housing problem in the city and elsewhere where there were displaced settlers.

The newly approved housing ordinance cites the city government’s responsibility to promote social justice and make available decent housing and basic services in urban and resettlement sites, he said.

Uy said that ordinance also disclosed that the city’s population, which is growing at the rate of 2.69 percent annually would need 79,073 housing units in 2022. (PNA)

General Trias City “One-Stop-Shop” eases transaction with business clients
By Rogelio Limpin

GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite, Jan. 10 (PNA) -â€" A good business environment and hassle-free transactions are what attract investors and business clients to do business in the city.

General Trias City Mayor Antonio “Ony” Ferrer led the launching this year of the ‘GenTri Fast Track Service “One-Stop Shop” payment scheme for business owners through the city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).

Ferrer said on Tuesday his local government’s “One-Stop-Shop” caters to all processing of business permits, filing and renewal needs, thus saving them the time and effort by procedures to be done all in one place at the city hall ground floor.

He said the business owners and proprietors no longer hop from one place to another and spend long lines and hours waiting at the city hall.

According to Mayor Ferrer, the BPLO has enjoined the city departments involved in the filing of permits to be housed in one location.

“You literally don’t have to leave the place. Instead of you going to the offices, the office comes to you,” the General Trias Mayor said.

Ferrer said the higher city revenues the bigger the city budgets that will be translated to better services for education, health, infrastructures especially for the Senior High School buildings and social services.

According to BPLO head Dennise Columna, the transactions and the business permit renewal under the the “One-Stop-Shop” scheme will be up until Jan. 20. (PNA)
LAP/SEP/ZAT/ROGELIO LIMPIN/EDS

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Classes in Puerto Princesa suspended due to rains brought by LPA
By Archie T. Barone

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Classes in the elementary and secondary levels were suspended Wednesday as "Auring" that had weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) continue to bring light to moderate rains over Palawan province.

The cancellation of classes was announced by the City Information Office (CIO) of the city government.

In its 4 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA was estimated to be 165 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa.

Affected areas are Puerto Princesa, the capital city of the province; San Vicente and Roxas in northern Palawan; and Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Sofronio Española, Brooke’s Point, Rizal and Bataraza in the south.

Weatherman Sonny Pajarilla of PAGASA said the rains brought about by the LPA could last the whole morning to middle of the afternoon.

Gilbert Baaco, head of the Palawan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), said the provincial government has been monitoring the LPA since Tuesday.

He added that there were no reported landslides, flooding, or mass evacuation of residents.

As part of preventive measures, they are monitoring two large rivers in Aborlan that are prone to flooding.

“Our monitoring is continuous 24/7, especially Palawan Rescue 165, and last night the report we received was that there’s heavy rain in Aborlan, and we are monitoring two of the town’s largest rivers but so far, everything is okay,” Baaco said.

If rains continue, the PDRRMO chief said there flash floods and landslides are likely to happen in municipalities where the soils are weak.

Aside from Aborlan, the PDRRMO is also closely monitoring the southern town of Quezon.(PNA)

Environmentalists protest multi-million peso park project in Tanjay City

DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- A multi-million peso project is into rough sailing due to vehement objection from groups who claimed to be advocates of the environment in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental.

Tanjay City Mayor Reynaldo Concepcion had earlier disclosed funding for the PHP42-million improvement and renovation of Rizal Park to make it look like the Rizal Park in Manila.

The project is ready for implementation after complying with all the requirements, he said Tuesday.

However, members of the Tanjay Anti-Black Sand Mining and some members of non-government organizations (NGOs) who were invited during the public hearing on Decmber 29, 2016 at the Osmeña Park in the city, continue to protest the said project.

Romualdo Dondee Señeris of the Visayan Forum stressed that cutting of trees is definitely not in line with the climate change adaptation mandate of local government units in requesting the city of Tanjay, represented during the hearing by the OIC city administrator, the ENRO officer, city planning, city legal and the chairman of the committee on environment in the city council, to change the design of the proposed project.

Inventory showed 19 trees would be affected and uprooted, to include 12 mahogany trees, four pine trees, two gmelina trees and one mango tree.

According to Señeris, the group will be filing a formal complaint before the proper forum to make known their objection to the cutting of trees, adding that they are for development but to spare the trees that act as carbon sink that absorbs carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 lbs. per year and in turn release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support human beings.

He noted that trees inside the Rizal Park have helped maintain the balance of the surroundings of two churches and three schools in the area, including the municipal hall and the police station nearby.

Señeris suggested that funding for the proposed project be used instead to further develop the Tanjay Board Walk, which is one of the main tourist attractions of the city.

Mayor Concepcion considers the Rizal Park as a historical place for tourists, both local and foreign, to visit.

Thus, the need to make it look like the Rizal Park in Manila for Tanjayanons to be proud of, the mayor pointed out. (PNA)
FPV JFP/JUANCHO GALLARDE

One-stop shop for OFWs serves 2,218 workers in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) â€" The one-stop service center of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) field office here has served some 2,218 applicants and vacationing overseas Filipino workers (OFW).

At least 11 national government agencies have set up their desk at the POEA field office here to process documentary requirements of overseas workers under one roof since September 6, 2016.

Marlon Macalla, officer-in-charge of POEA field office here, said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has the highest number of OFWs served at 1,069 between September to December 2016.

Other member-agencies that provided services to OFWs (with corresponding number of clients served) were the National Bureau of Investigation (461), Commission on Higher Education (231), POEA (229), Professional Regulations Commission (91), Philippine Statistics Authority (65), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (38), Social Security System (21), Bureau of Immigration (14), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (three), and Maritime Industry Authority (one).

“The center is designed to reduce transportation expenses of OFWs and shorten the processing time of their documents,” Macalla said.

Services offered by the center include passport services, professional license isssuance, application for social benefits, education and training assistance, workers welfare assistance, social services, departure clearance information, issuance of NBI clearances, and other government services.

Marianne Rubino, 35, from Llorente, Eastern Samar, who has been working in Italy for 11 years, said the one-stop service center helped her a lot in the processing of documents.

“For someone who lives far from the regional capital, my transportation expenses was reduced since I don't have to go to different agencies to get documents,” Rubino said.

The setting up of one-stop service center for vacationing overseas workers and applicants is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte's directive to make it easier for the public to access government services.

The POEA is a government agency under the Department of Labor and Employment the main agency tasked to monitor and supervise recruitment agencies in the country.(PNA) FPV/SQM/Maria Eden Mae T. Terceño (OJT)

Kidapawan City’s 911 unit to get PHP 5.1-M equipment upgrade

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The city government is set to procure PHP5.1- million worth of equipment for its Call - 911 Response Unit to strengthen its response capability, timely coordination with other agencies, and anti-crime and terrorism monitoring.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista said the equipment includes PHP1.3- million high- resolution close circuit television cameras that would be installed in strategic areas, particularly along the Davao - Cotabato highway and other public passages.

The remaining PHP 3.8-million would be utilized to improve the current Intelligence Operation Center and to purchase Internet Protocol (IP) radio, digital handheld radios, digital repeater radio and computer software and servers.

“Ongoing 911 innovations are underway in order to meet our visions and objectives in serving the public in times of troubles and emergencies in a swift manner,” Evangelista stressed.

The mayor also assured of the procurement of additional mobile units and emergency kits for the 911 medical responders this year.

The city's 911 entity, being the sole emergency response unit currently existing in Region 12, was set-up in 2013, and had served over 15,000 emergencies here and in adjacent municipalities.

The improvement in 911's capabilities came a week after the Jan. 3 jailbreak at the North Cotabato District Jail in Barangay Amas here where heavy armed men stormed the facility and sprung out 158 detainees.

Evangelista ordered the speedy installation of the new 911 gadgets in preparation for possible diversionary strategies that maybe launched by similar lawless groups against the public. (PNA)
FPV/NYP/JOHN ANDREW G. TABUGOC/

Rearrested jail escapees say gunmen threatened to shoot them if they refused to flee
By Edwin O. Fernandez

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Fear of being shot or being torched alive was one of the reasons some inmates of North Cotabato District Jail (NDJC) fled after gunmen attacked the jail facility on January 3.

“I have no plan to escape at all,” Nilo Cadungog, a 39-year-old former militiaman detained for frustrated murder, told the police chief of Carmen town in North Cotabato.

Cadungog, a resident of Barangay Tonganon, volunteered to surrender to Chief Inspector Julius Malcontento, Carmen town police chief.

“He said he feared for his life and opted to peacefully surrender to us,” Malcontento told the Inquirer.

Cadungog was among the 158 inmates of the provincial jail facility who fled at the height of attacks by about eight gunmen at 1 a.m. on January 4.

He told Malcontento that he has no plan of leaving the jail facility while his jail mates were rushing out of the compound under cover of darkness.

“The armed men told us to run or we will be shot,” Malcontento quoted Cadungog as saying. “They also told us if we will not leave our cell, they will set the provincial jail on fire, so I joined the group and left,” Cadungog added.

He said he separated from the throng of escapees and went home by hiring a “habal-habal” (passenger motorcycle) to Barangay Tonganon, Carmen arriving there Thursday night. His family paid the driver P500.

He stayed with his family overnight then decided to surrender Friday.

Hiding from law for the rest of his life would be meaningless for Cadungog so he decided to yield peacefully.

“If I really intend to escape for good, I would not have surrendered,” he told Malcontento from his temporary cell at Carmen PNP lock-up cell. Provincial jail guards fetched him Friday and sent him back to the provincial facility in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City.

Hungry and fatigue forced fugitive Jomel Caguio who was facing illegal drug charges. Caguio was exhausted and weak when village officials found and arrested him Friday afternoon in Barangay Abra, Matalam.

Caguio told reporters he too feared he would be shot if he would not join the fleeing inmates. (PNA)
LAP/NYP/EOF

Bureau of Immigration in Dumaguete urges foreigners to report for documentation

DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Immigration field office in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental has cautioned foreign nationals against violating provisions of the Alien Registration Act of 1950, while urging them to report to any immigration office within 60 days from the start of the new year.

Acting Alien Control Officer Peter Bueno of the Bureau of Immigration field office here disclosed that there are about 1,000 aliens permanently residing in Negros Oriental, with several thousands are tourists or holding temporary visitors’ visa and tourist visa holders.

As provided for in Section 10 of RA 562 or the Alien Registration Act and other existing regulations, all registered aliens are required to report in person to any of the immigration offices within two months of every calendar year.

This is aimed at strictly enforcing compliance of the immigration law in the interest of national security, public safety and public order.

The annual report (AR) fee is only PHP310 with penalty of PHP200 per month for delayed annual report to be reckoned from March 2 of the current year.

Bueno said the parent or legal guardian of an alien who is less than 14 years old shall have the duty of reporting such alien to his office; failure to comply will result to administrative fine and/or imprisonment, at the option of the Commission of Immigration.

On the other hand, an alien is exempt from personal appearance, if he is below 14 years old (but should be reported by his parent or guardian), above 65 years old, mentally or physically incapacitated, provided, a medical certificate with a one-week advance written request for exemption subject to the approval of the Bureau of Immigration Medical Officer.

The reportee-alien is required to present his original Alien Control Registration I-card and official receipt amounting to PHP310 covering the payment of the AR fee.

Bueno disclosed that visa-free nationalities like the Japanese, the Caucasians or the Americans are allowed to come to the country without a visa for 30 days but for those with visas, they are allowed to stay for 59 days.

However, Bueno noted that many foreigners would want to stay longer than their authorized stay and would apply for extension.

An average of 50 applications for extensions everyday is being processed by his office the whole year round.

Meanwhile, the acting alien control officer in Dumaguete has advised the warden of British nationals in Negros Oriental to assist and secure one of their nationals against possible harm to himself or to others.

Peter Bueno was furnished a copy of several police reports where British national Jamshaed Shariff was allegedly victimizing a number of business establishments here by not paying for food and drinks he ordered.

At one time, Shariff was involved in an alarm and scandal incident inside a pension house, but was released after the reglamenary period of detention.

He told the British Embassy warden Roger Stanley to secure Shariff before anything happens.

Bueno believes the British national has a mental condition or is mentally disturbed. (PNA)
FPV/JFP/JUANCHO GALLARDE

Initial survey shows copra market price to be affected by 26.6-M coconut trees felled by typhoon 'Nina'
by Mike Dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- An official of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) regional office in Bicol said their initial survey and assessment showed a total of 26.6 million trees were damaged by typhoon Nina with total copra production losses valued at Php 700 million.

“Because of the big destruction to coconut plantations in Bicol, copra production and the market price of copra will be affected,” said Edmundo Bailon, PCA senior agriculturist.

He said they gathered partial figures based on the immediate survey and assessment made by teams from PCA-Bicol after the typhoon on Christmas day.

Bailon the teams of PCA-Bicol are still conducting an assessment in other areas.

He said the partial assessment showed that in Camarines Sur, felled were 17.8 million trees which “nut falls” when converted into copra would amount to copra production losses valued at Php413.5 million.

Bailon added that there were 8.16 million trees felled in Albay with an equivalent copra production losses of Php224.9 million while in Catanduanes there were 785,731 coconut trees felled with copra production losses estimated at Php67.7 million

He said among the six Bicol provinces, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon did not report any damage.

Bailon said the instruction of the PCA administrator to the regional office in Bicol is to provide immediate assistance to all coconut farmers in the form of technical help and supplies so the farmers could recover from the losses.

The annual nut production per tree and per year in the provinces of Albay is 30, Catanduanesâ€"42, and Camarines Surâ€"74 nuts. (There is no record yet for the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate).

Bailon said a tall coconut tree can yield up to 75 fruits per year but more often the yield is less than 30 fruits per year mainly due to poor cultural practices.

He said that given the proper care and growing conditions, a coconut tree produces its first fruit within six to ten years while it will take 15 to 20 years before a tree can reach peak production. (PNA)
LAP/GVR/MDR/CBD/EDS

Gov't employees affected by typhoon can avail of 5-day special emergency leave -- CSC Bicol
By Connie B. Destura

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Bicol has reminded government employees affected by the recent typhoon Nina that they can avail of a five-day special emergency leave so they can attend to personal needs that were disrupted by the calamity.

Lyn Navio, CSC spokesperson, in an interview Tuesday, said the special leave is based on Memo-Circular No. 2, s2012 that was issued on February 8, 2012.

The memo allows the leave for employees stranded in affected areas and are suffering from illnesses caused by natural disasters.

Government workers who are taking care of immediate family members affected by natural calamities and repairing and cleaning damaged houses are also allowed to take the five-day leave.

Navio said the emergency leave can be applied for five straight working days or on a staggered basis.

“It will not be deducted from the employee's leave credit,” she said.

Navio said the government worker can avail of the leave “30 days from the first day that the province was declared under a state of calamity.”

She added the head of office shall take full responsibility for the grant of special emergency leave and should be able to verify the employee's eligibility to be granted the leave.

In Bicol, the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes and Camarines Sur were declared under a state of calamity on December 26 last year due to the devastation wrought by typhoon Nina. (PNA)
LAP/GVR/CBD/EDS

PDRRMC suspends classes in Albay Wednesday due to continuous rains
By Connie B. Destura

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA)--The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) of Albay suspended classes from pre-school to high school Wednesday due to continuous rains in the province.

PDRRMC chairman and Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara said classes have been suspended due to heavy rains pelting the province since last night.

The Legazpi station of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration forecast that moderate to heavy rains would persist throughout the day and may cause mudflows and floodings, especially near river channels, and landslides in mountainous areas.

“Avoid crossing rivers and artificial pool of waters, landslides and flood-prone areas,” said Bichara.

He said the suspension of classes include the junior and senior high schools in both public and private schools while the suspension of classes in the college level shall be subject to the decision of the respective school administrators. (PNA)

General Santos city plaza now a free ‘high-speed’ WiFi hotspot

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- This city’s main public park, the Plaza Heneral Santos, is now a free “high-speed” WiFi Internet zone.

This, as the city government formally unveiled on Tuesday its free Internet WiFi or wireless fidelity project for the entire park in partnership with telecommunication and digital services provider PLDT Inc. and its mobile subsidiary Smart Communications.

PLDT-Smart earlier tapped the city as pilot area for its free public WiFi initiative in coordination with local government units (LGUs).

“This is the first government park in the country to have free public WiFi from PLDT-Smart,” said Melvin Lacuna, PLDT General Santos-Cotabato zone head, during the ceremonial launching.

He said the project is an offshoot of an agreement between the city government and PLDT-Smart.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera personally requested for the public WiFi service after the successful launching of free Smart WiFi connection at the city airport in September last year, he said.

Under the project, Lacuna said they committed to provide WiFi connection with data transfer speed of up to 1 gigabytes per second within the city plaza grounds.

Around 500 users could be accommodated by the free connection through WiFi networks #LGU-GenSan_PLDT-SMART_FreeWifi and PLDTHOMEREPEATER-LGU-GSC.

“This is a fast connection since the requirement for Internet streaming is only 2-4 mbps (megabytes per second),” he said.

Lacuna said that based on a speed test they made during the launching, the WiFi connection is already at 50 to 60 mbps.

“For the other equipment that’s already at around 300 mbps,” he said.

Rivera said they pushed for the provision of free public WiFi connection at the city plaza as part of the city government’s efforts to provide better services to residents.

The mayor said it is specifically a component of the local government’s development strategy of “creating a livable environment for all Generals towards nation-building.”

Residents here are called “Generals” in reference to the city’s name.

“This is one of the services that we really wanted to give to our people here,” Rivera told reporters.

Rivera said that putting up an internet connection in strategic locations in the city, like the public park, would ensure that residents would enjoy digital connectivity, which could help boost tourism, economy and technological capability.

He noted that since Plaza Heneral Santos is in the vicinity of schools and colleges, students who are on a budget can do their research and online study for free.

“We are living in the digital age and Internet connection is very important. It’s a big help especially for the students who frequent the area. For our tourists, they can help promote the city better and show the world how beautiful this city is by uploading pictures. Even for those looking for jobs, you can easily search the internet for free,” he said.

Rivera said families here of Overseas Filipino Workers may also use the connection for video chats with their love ones for free.

Dave Arreglado, executive assistant of the City Mayor’s Office, said the project is just the start of the city government’s partnership with PLDT and Smart.

He said they will continually work together to further improve and strengthen the Internet connection at the city plaza.

The official added that that to protect users, especially the minors, online security measures have been put in place by network engineers to prevent downloading and watching of pornographic websites and materials. (PNA)

Salceda thanks Duterte, GSIS for P1.6-B concessional loan package for Albay members and pensioners
By Johnny C. Nunez

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has approved a P1.6-billion concessional loan package for Albayano victims of Typhoon Nina which ravaged vast areas of the province, along with other provinces on Christmas day.

Beneficiaries of the loan package include both GSIS members and pensioners.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda who issued a flash appeal for help in the wake of Nina has thanked President Rodrigo Duterte and the new GSIS management for the prompt approval of some P1.6 billion of the concessional loans.

Salceda personally presented Albay’s condition to GSIS officials led by Chairman Wilfredo Maldea and GM Nora Saludares during the agency’s full board meeting last Tuesday where he proposed the package of calamity assistance for the agency’s members in his province.

Nina’s damage to Albay as of January 9, are as follows: cost for damaged houses - P3,696,333,000; agriculture, P568,729,360; poultry and livestock, P11,146,510; and infrastructures as reported by both the provincial engineering and local government units - P4,728,277,872. Total: P9,004,486,742.90.

Specifically, Salceda requested three items for cash flow relief and new funds flow to the Albay economy which were readily approved by the GSIS Board, as follows: P1.431 billion in emergency loans at P40,000 for active members and P20,000 for pensioners; the loan will be payable in three years with 6-month interest-free grace period; and installment payments on P172,068 million existing loans will also be deferred for six months interest free without the need for Albay resident members to apply for it.

Under the second item, a member who borrows P40,000 emergency loan this month will start paying P1,311.11 monthly installment starting July 2017 while pensioners can borrow P20,000 and pay P655.56 every month for three years.

In short, Salceda explained, all installment payments on existing loans falling due between February and July will not be collected and will not be charged penalties or additional interest except on their original terms. GSIS pensioners, he added, can borrow P20,000 and pay P655.56 for 36 months and start paying 6 months after loan takeout.

The Albay congressman profusely thanked President Duterte for his newly appointed GSIS Board headed by its new Chairman Wilfredo Maldea and the GSIS management headed by Saludares for their expeditious action on the matter. “Change is coming because the officials’ decisiveness and generosity are elevated,” he noted.

Salceda had embarked on at least three emergency financial measures following the devastation by Nina in Albay on Christmas Day. The moves were designed to cushion the long term effects of the destruction, and prop up rehabilitation efforts of several heavily devastated towns.

Aside from the GSIS, he had also coordinated with the Social Security System and the Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association Inc. for calamity loans and other assistance which these agencies could extend to their members in Albay.

The lawmaker has also “started talks with Pag-IBIG (or the Home Development Mutual Fund (HMDF) for quick disbursement of P150,000 home rebuilding loans for residences damaged by Nina in his province, with special urgency for residents of Libon and Polangui towns.

He said he will also propose a P2.5-billion package in the 2017 Supplemental Budget for Libon, Polangui and Tiwi in the first district, and other parts of Albay, based on the rehabilitation plans these local government units have submitted to the Office of Civil Defense.

Nina, which hit Albay on Christmas Day, is reputedly the worst recorded calamity in the province in the past ten years, and was even more devastating than supertyphoon Reming (Durian) in 2006. Salceda had issued a flash appeal for relief assistance and donations for the victims of Nina in Albay following the devastation. (PNA)

PH's 'hottest' Tuguegarao City hits by cold temperature

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Jan 11 (PNA) -- Tuguearao City, touted to be the country's hottest in terms of weather condition with almost 42.2 degrees Celsius recorded 1969, is now experiencing cold weather at 19.0 degrees Celsius recorded Tuesday due to the northeast monsoon.

Weather specialist Amor Benitez of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in the Cagayan Valley Region, said the cold weather condition will persist, at least in most parts of the region, up to February.

With 22 to 26 degrees Celsius which is far different from the normal temperature of 37 to 38 degrees Celsius being experienced last year, Benitez said the residents here expressed mixed feelings.

"Majority of the residents are enjoying the cold weather with so much to save on, including consumption cost on power and water while the rest of them are complaining of ailments ranging from respiratory track infection to lifestyle diseases like high blood pressure and heart disease, she said.

"At least, even with just a short period we will be able to curb the trend of global warming because we are reducing our power consumption, We likewise save on water as we dont's wash as much as we do during the warm month," she added.

Aida B. Cabauiatan, 42, a government employee, said " there is not much clothings and beddings to wash because we do not perspire. We are enjoying the cold weather." (PNA)
ZST/SCD

Bulacan RTC dismisses poll protest vs Bocaue 'coin toss mayor'
By Emil G. Gamos

BOCAUE, Bulacan, Jan. 10 (PNA) â€"- Many believe there was indeed “divine intervention” in the result of the mayoralty race in this town which was decided through a coin toss after the two main rivals ended up tied in the last May 9, 2016 elections.

This, after the election protest filed against winning coin toss Mayor Eleanor "Joni" Villanueva-Tugna was dismissed by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Malolos City.

Tugna's victory decided through a coin toss in the May 2016 election was affirmed by RTC Branch 81 in a 21-page decision penned by presiding Judge Herminigildo Dumlao.

In the said decision, the court sustained Tugna's argument that complainant/ protester Jim Valerio, former Bulacan provincial administrator/ chief of staff of Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, "failed to give a detailed description of the acts or omissions complained of as required by Sec. 10(c)(iv), Rule 2 of A.M. No. 10-4-1-SC, otherwise known as the "The 2010 Rules of Procedure for Municipal Election Contests".

The protest was filed after Valerio lost in the coin toss, alleging that in 34 clustered precincts, "frauds and irregularities were committed in the conduct of the election and during the canvassing of the election returns".

Tugna's lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Antonio Carlos Bautista asked the court to summarily dismiss the said protest for being insufficient in form and substance and for the failure of Valerio to make a detailed specification of the acts or omissions complained of showing the electoral frauds, anomalies or irregularities in the protested precincts as required by the Supreme Court Rules for election protests involving elective municipal officials.

The court said that Valerio did not indicate in his protest the particular acts or omissions which amounted to fraud or irregularities committed in the conduct of election.

The Bocaue mayoral election became one of the most controversial in the May 9, 2016 presidential and local polls because it ended up in a draw and was decided by the toss of the coin after Tugna and Valerio received an equal number of votes -- 16,694 votes each.

Tugna scored a 3-0 on a best of five mechanics against Valerio.

She was immediately proclaimed the winner of the mayoral race in this town known as the “fireworks capital” of the country and its colorful fluvial parade.

The court added that Valerio’s election protest “did not make mention of the individuals or parties that committed the frauds or irregularities complained of or of the voters who were disenfranchised due to the commission of the frauds or the irregularities complained of.”

Macalintal said this could serve as a lesson to other  lawyers who, he said, should file the “correct” election protest

Macalintal said that Valerio can still appeal the decision of the Malolos City RTC before the Commission on Elections.

Bro. Eddie Villanueva, father of Mayor Tugna, said there was “Divine Intervention” in the mayoralty race in Bocaue.

He said that there was a Biblical explanation to the coin toss victory of the mayor, citing Proverbs 16:33 which says, "We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall".

"We are thankful to God. My daughter has no interest in politics and just ran for her love to God and the welfare of her townmates,” Villanueva added.

Mayor Tugna said that she was ready to face defeat but she miraculously won. (PNA)
LAP/ZST/EGGAMOS

New provincial IP municipal representative of Davao del Norte sworn in

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Dibabawon Datu Marcial Lig-onan from San Isidro town in Davao del Norte was sworn on Monday afternoon as the newest member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan being the provincial indigenous peoples mandatory representative (IPMR).

He is the second IPMR of the province after Datu Victor Pandian finished his three-year term.

Vice Governor Alan Dujali administered the oath of office of Datu Lig-onan before members of the provincial board in a fitting ceremony proceeding the SP maiden session for the year 2017.

After Lig-onan was sworn in, the vice governor immediately signed Lig-onan's appointment papers to formally accept him as SP member.

In an interview, the 68-year-old IP leader said he would prioritize helping the IPs having problems in claiming their ancestral lands besides working for their livelihood and continuing self-determination.

He is a high school graduate and had served as village leader of Gupitan, San Isidro and is also presently the town's municipal IPMR.

Other municipal IPMRs were also present during Lig-onan's oath taking. (PNA)

Gov. Espino bares additional benefits for veterans, kin

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III vowed to provide expanded benefits to World War II veterans in Pangasinan, particularly the impoverished ones, in answer for their immediate need and those of their families.

The governor announced this at the 72nd anniversary celebration of the Lingayen Gulf Landings and 10th Pangasinan Veterans' Day held Monday night at the Veterans’ Memorial Park within the Capitol Complex here.

“In my capacity as governor of this province, I vow to pursue a more comprehensive program to give honor to our unsung heroes, by expanding our services to them and their immediate families,” he said.

The governor directed the Provincial Population Officer, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, and Provincial Employment Services Officer to design a special livelihood and educational assistance program for the families of those of the veterans who are in dire need.

“Our World War II veterans were there when we needed them, let us be here for them in return. By providing the needed aids to them (war veterans), we can assure them of keeping their legacy of bravery," Gov. Espino said.

The provincial chief executive, however, noted the dwindling number of living war veterans in Pangasinan from around 15,000 during World War II to only 370 as of January 2017.

Corollary to this, Romeo Madriaga, area director of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), confirmed that Pangasinan had the most number of veterans before, compared to Cebu.

He said during the war, it was in Pangasinan where American Lieutenants Robert Lapham and Edwin Ramsey aggressively recruited would-be guerillas to join their forces to continue the fight against the Japanese.

Gov. Espino recalled that his father, former governor and now Fifth District Congressman Amado T. Espino, Jr., instituted the Pangasinan Veterans Day as an annual event in Pangasinan to coincide with the Lingayen Gulf Landings Anniversary.

Being a former soldier himself, the elder Espino started giving prime attention to the war veterans and their families.

Since 2008, the veterans and theirs sons and daughters have availed of free medical and dental services and medicines with cash gifts and other tokens as well as free transport service during observance of the veterans' day.

The veterans have also become recipients of the provincial government's free health care services from the 14 government-owned hospitals.

A major milestone made by the provincial government was the construction of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office building within the Capitol Complex in 2015.

In the same year, the provincial government awarded medals of valor to the veterans who have not been accorded honors.

“Certainly, they deserve all these. However, we feel that these are not enough to reciprocate their sacrifice for our country. They deserve more,” said Gov. Espino. (PNA)

GenSan eyes rollout of new ID system for workers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The city government is hoping to free its personnel from the control of “loan sharks” with the targeted rollout later this year of a new employee identification or ID system.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Wednesday studies are now underway for the deployment of a unified identification and automated teller machine or ATM card for all city government employees.

Dubbed “2-in-1 Identification/ATM Card,” he said it will mainly be utilized as a secure pass for the entry of attendance logs of the workers.

The card will also be integrated with bank account data or information required for the payroll of the employees, he said.

“We’re planning to adopt and deploy this new system within the year,” the mayor said.

Rivera said he has tapped the city government’s Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO) to spearhead the implementation of the project.

The HRMDO, through its chief Leah Tolimao, is currently leading the study on the matter.

Rivera said they pushed for the adoption of such system to prevent city employees from pawning their ATM cards to “loan sharks” or informal lenders.

A number of informal lenders, which are mainly unlicensed, have been offering cash loans to private and government workers in the area.

These lenders require the surrender of the payroll ATM cards of their clients as collateral for the loans, which usually involve prohibitive interest rates.

“We’re implementing this system as part of our economic wellness program for our employees,” Rivera said.

The mayor said the local government will help employees with existing or pending credits from “loan sharks” in retrieving their ATM cards through loans. (PNA)

City of Korea, Pampanga LGU share ideas on development

YOUNGIN CITY, South Korea, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Chan Min Jeong, mayor of Yongin City, welcomed here delegates from Pampanga, Philippines, Tuesday.

Jeong and the Philippine delegation led by Pampanga Representative Glora Macapagal-Arroyo and Governor Lilia G. Pineda discussed topics such as urban development with Youngin City as example, development of special economic zone in Pampanga, Philippines and the friendship cooperation between Yongin and Lubao.

Mayor Jeong and Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, mayor of Lubao, exchanged letter of intent (LOI) for exchange and mutual cooperation on economy, culture, arts and sports, among others.

Mayor Jeong expressed hope of cultural exchange between Yongin and Lubao after this visit and he said: "I will visit Lubao to see more possible interchanges and sign an agreement on friendship city."

Arroyo and Cayabyab expressed that “there are a lot of things to learn on urban development from Youngin City."

The visiting party has participated in several activities such as a visit to the National Assembly of Korea, and contracting an agreement on the establishment of the Danguk University campus in Lubao and an international golf school to promote a special economic zone.

The Philippine delegation arrived in Korea on Saturday, January 7. (PNA) LAP/PGL/Beom Cheol Park (CPU-OJT)

Notorious “Alcala Group” drug suspect killed in shootout with Quezon operatives
By Sol Luzano

CAMP GEN. NAKAR, Lucena City, Jan. 10 (PNA) â€"- A notorious drug suspect was killed in an armed encounter with joint operatives of Quezon Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group (PAIDSOTG) and the Lucena City PNP on Tuesday morning in Purok Bagong Sinag, Barangay Cotta in this city.

Police Senior Superintendent Rhoderick C. Armamento, acting Provincial Director of Quezon Police Provincial Office (QPPO) identified the suspect as Jerry Vergara Causapin alias “Pugto”, 45 and Bagong Sinag resident.

Based on the report, the joint teams in coordination with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conducted the drug buy-bust operation at Purok Bagong Sinag in Cotta Village.

Police said that during their operation, the suspect fired at them, prompting the team to return fire and killed the armed suspect on the spot.

They recovered from the suspect two pieces of â,±hp 500 bill as marked money; 12 heat-sealed plastics containing shabu weighing 21 grams valued at â,±hp 38,150.

The operatives also retrieved the suspect’s caliber .45 pistol with magazine loaded with three live ammunitions and a fired cartridge case of caliber 45.

Senior Supt. Armamento also disclosed that the suspect Causapin was a member of the “Alcala Group” engaged in illegal drugs trade in Lucena City and nearby towns.

Police record also revealed the suspect has pending case for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs law (Republic Act 9165 Section 5) on the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs at RTC Branch 55, Fourth Judicial Region in Lucena City. (PNA)

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Solon suggests increasing salary cap to exempt low income earners from paying higher SSS contributions

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Thursday said the government should just increase the maximum salary cap of the Social Security System (SSS) from the present PHP16,000 to PHP25,000 instead of implementing a 1.5 percent hike in contribution.

In a statement, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said the planned increase in SSS contribution rate imposes additional financial burden on low-wage earners and self-paying members and would further diminish their purchasing power.

Castelo suggested increasing the maximum salary cap while retaining the current 11 percent contribution rate, thus allowing high-income earners to subsidize low-income earners.

"The increase in salary cap should be enough to cover the projected financial requirement of the pension increase without burdening low-income earners and self-paying members," Castelo said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a PHP1,000 increase for SSS pensioners starting this month along with a 1.5 percent increase in SSS contributions to be implemented starting May 2017 and an increase in monthly salary credit to PHP20,000 from PHP16,000.

Castelo, who filed his own version of the SSS measure, also said that before the planned contribution hike takes effect, the SSS must generate higher investment income.

"This means that before the increase should take effect, the SSS must achieve a minimum annual rate of return on its investments. This should be imposed on the SSS to force its management to invest wisely and manage its investments well," he said.

The Quezon City lawmaker proposed that any increase in contribution will be allowed only if the SSS achieves an annual average return of investment (ROI) of 8 to 10 percent.

Castelo noted that the average return on SSS investments is below 7 percent per year, which he described as “inefficient investing” considering that the state fund firm has almost one-half trillion pesos in investable funds.

As of September 2016, SSS has more than PHP470 billion in investments from which it generated income of only PHP24.6 billion or 5 percent ROI, he noted.

"The fact is, SSS appears to earn more from lending to its own members. It charges its members 10 percent for salary loans plus 1 percent service fee for a total of 11 percent. Housing loans are charged 8 to 11 percent depending on amount," Castelo said.

"If the average ROI of SSS is 7 percent as it claims, that means SSS is earning lower from its other investments -- higher from lending to its members," he added. (PNA)

House panel OKs bills on mining-free zones

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A House of Representatives panel has approved measures declaring Davao City and Biliran province as mining-free zones.

The House committee on natural resources, chaired by Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, passed House Bill Nos. 3166 and 872, declaring Davao City and Biliran Province, respectively, as mining-free zones to protect their local residents and the environment from the adverse effects of mining.

Davao City Rep. Alberto Ungab, who authored HB 3166, said that rapid deforestation caused by logging, kaingin (slash and burn), and mining operations is still prevalent despite the laws and directives of both the national and local government agencies.

"If opened to mining operations, a world-class city like Davao City would unnecessarily be endangered by deforestation and the risks attributed to mining since the place is traversed by Davao River from the highlands to the lowlands," Ungab said.

Ungab further said the fresh waters of Davao City, considered as one of the best waters in the world, must be protected from any form of pollution or degradation, to include the surroundings and environs of its sources underneath the ground or above the ground.

For his part, BIliran Rep. Rogelio Espina, author of HB 872, stressed that mining will be destructive to Biliran, citing the province’s small land area which is composed of two volcanic islands.

Espina said mining has adverse effects both on humans and the environment, saying that “aside from adding toxic chemicals to the ore, it strips off large areas of top soil of all flora and fauna.”

Espina further cited a study conducted by Greenpeace International which states that “mining impacts include destruction of landscapes, forests and wildlife habitats at the site of the mine when trees, plants and topsoil are cleared from the mining area.” (PNA)

Gov’t urged to review fiscal incentives instead of hiking tax on petroleum

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Review laws on the grant of tax incentives instead of raising taxes on petroleum products, Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon urged the government economic managers on Thursday.

Drilon made this remark stressing that concerned agencies and economic managers of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte should try to exhaust other means to compensate for the expected foregone revenues from the proposed income tax cut.

This way, he said, it would generate additional revenues to help offset projected decrease in revenues that may arise from income tax cuts.

The government would also be able to assess the economic impact of these incentives by reviewing the grant and administration of incentives to business enterprises.

"If our aim is to increase revenues, then the government should look at reviewing the various laws on the grant of tax incentives and plug the leakages in our tax system," Drilon said.

The senator said that imposing a tax hike on petroleum should not become an extra burden to Filipinos.

"I hope that our economic managers will work closely with Congress for the long-sought Rationalization of Fiscal Incentives law instead of spending its time on a tax hike on petroleum products that will surely negatively affect our people," he added.

Drilon is the author of Senate Bill No. 229 which seeks to review the government's system of granting incentives to business enterprises in the country.

His proposed measure will cover all incentives granted by all investment promotion agencies (IPAs) such as the Board of Investments and Philippine Economic Zone Authority to foreign and local business enterprises. (PNA)

Japan's First Lady Akie Abe visits school for blind

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Mrs. Akie Abe, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s wife, visited the Philippine National School for the Blind (PNSB) Thursday afternoon.

The PNSB, the country's pioneer and leading exponent in the education of visually impaired Filipino children, is the first stop of Mrs. Abe upon her arrival in the Philippines for the two-day official visit of the Japanese Prime Minister.

“I have just arrived in the Philippines and travelled to this school (PNSB) from the airport,” Mrs. Abe said.

Mrs. Abe went to the school’s Grade 11 class where she was presented with paper artwork made by the students. She later interacted with them after giving a brief message.

Mrs. Abe’s visit to the PNSB aims to show her support to Filipino children with physical challenges and to encourage them to further their education.

“I believe every single person has his own mission. You have a lot of talent,” Mrs. Abe said as she told the class of Grade 11 students to study very hard and unleash their potential despite their visual impairment.

The 30-minute visit of the Japanese First Lady likewise aims to promote the advocacy project of Mrs. Yukari Ishida, Project Manager of Free The Children Japan, in cooperation with Konkokyo Peace Activity Information Office, Inc. (KPACIO) on the rehabilitation of the PNSB dormitory for the benefit of its in-house students and the provision of a school vehicle.

Mrs. Edna Calixto, wife of Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto, and Mrs. Corazon Salvador, Office in-Charge of PNSB, led the government officials who welcomed Mrs. Abe and her official party. (PNA)

Japan to assist PHL in improvement of drug rehab facilities
By Jelly F. Musico

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A month after the Japanese government sent a team to the Philippines to explore possible aid to the latter’s war on drugs, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday said Japan will help in the improvement of drug rehabilitation facilities in the country.

"We want to work together with the Philippines to think of relevant measures of support," Abe said in a joint statement after a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacanang Palace.

Abe is in the Philippines for a two-day official visit that will also include a historic visit in President Duterte’s hometown in Davao City.

The Japanese leader said Japan will tap private sector to assist the Duterte administration in the improvement and formulation of treatment programs amid a strong campaign against illegal drugs in the Philippines.

"For our part, Japan will tap among others, knowledge of the private sector to assist in the improvement of related facilities, formulation of treatment programs and in other areas," Abe said.

President Duterte, on the other hand, welcomed Japan’s interest to support measures to address the tremendous social cause of drug addiction.

"We both agreed to work together in pursuing a comprehensive approach in the war against the illegal drug trade," Duterte said.

"As the Philippines pursues its campaign to destroy illegal drugs trade apparatus, we welcome the expressed interest of Japan to support measures to address the tremendous social cause of drug addiction, this includes rehabilitation," he added.

President Duterte’s war on drugs for the last six months has yielded positive results, prompting one million drug pushers and users to surrender to the authorities.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) data, over 44,000 arrested drug personalities have been arrested while 2,212 were killed in legitimate police operations.

Unfazed by a tremendous job to solve illegal drugs that has contaminated 4 million Filipinos, President Duterte vowed not to stop his campaign until the last drug addict is out of the streets. (PNA)

Coco levy fund row settlement seen to boost coconut industry

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) expects an increase in coconut yield and doubling exports in the next few years amid plan of a group of coconut farmer’s organizations to withdraw its petition before the Supreme Court (SC) that resulted in a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the utilization of PHP75-billion coco levy funds.

“I am extremely happy for the coco farmers and the industry that it serves with the development that one of the seemingly major stumbling block to the early disposition of coco levy fund is hopefully and finally resolved with the CONFED (Coconut Farmer’s Organizations of the Philippines) declaration of withdrawal of the TRO,” said PCA Administrator Billy Andal.

Andal said the group is gearing up to withdraw the petition before the SC next week.

“With these development, President Rodrigo Duterte can now dispose without much legal impediment considering that he promised the electorate, the farmers in particular, that he will release the coco levy fund in 30 days,” he added.

Andal stressed that CONFED believes in the Duterte administration and that the PCA has the legal mandate to manage the coco funds as part of its job to oversee the coconut industry.

“We, in CONFED, believe that we have at last a government that means business for the benefit of coconut farmers and the development of the industry. We are willing to withdraw our Petition before the Court to give PCA a freer hand in governance,” said CONFED Executive Director Spokesperson Ka Charlie Avila.

The CONFED is the unified group of coconut farmer’s organizations nationwide and their many allied farmers’ groups representing all together more than 95 percent of the organized coconut farmers sector in the country.

“We, the coconut farmers, believe that the coconut industry is one of the major industries that support the national economy. It is the State’s concern to make it strong and secure source not only of the livelihood of a significant segment of the population, but also export earnings the sustained growth of which is one of the imperatives of economic stability,” said CONFED Chairman Efren Villasenor.

Andal said they will directly pay coconut farmers who could show receipts that they paid levy.

For those without receipts, he added that members of farmer associations in their respective areas will benefit as the coco levy funds will finance their coco enterprise development projects.

The PCA chief expects registered coconut farmers nationwide reaching 1.9 million by end of February.

The coco levy funds were taxes paid by coconut farmers from 1973 to 1982.

It can be recalled that the SC issued a TRO that prevents the effectivity and implementation of two executive issuances by President Benigno Aquino relevant to the use of the assets.

The TRO in favor of CONFED orders the implementation of Executive Order Nos. 179 (Providing the Administrative Guidelines for the Inventory and Privatization of Coco Levy Assets) and 180 (Providing the Administrative Guidelines for the Reconveyance and Utilization of Coco Levy Assets for the Benefit of the Coconut Farmers and the Development of the Coconut Industry) both issued on March 18, 2015. (PNA)

Tokyo pledges PHP434-B development aid to Manila
By Cielito M. Reganit

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Japan on Thursday pledged to provide JPY 1 trillion (PHP 434 billion) in development aid to the Philippines and help its partner overhaul its infrastructure as the two countries seek ways to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made the pledge in a joint press briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

"For the further development of the Philippines, we will create business opportunities through ODA (official development assistance) and private sector investments which together will be of the order of one trillion yen over the next five years," the Japanese leader said.

For this, a joint committee on economic cooperation and infrastructure will be launched through which both the private and public sectors will provide a strong underpinning for nation building.

"We will also leverage Japanese technology and know-how to the fullest extent to positively cooperate for the improvement of infrastructure in Metro Manila and the whole of the Philippines," he said.

"Japan will continue to provide positive support for the peace and development of Mindanao. A decision has been taken to start studies for the urban development and flood control of Davao City," Abe said.

Tokyo, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has been helping Manila study the feasibility of building railways that will connect the capital to nearby provinces and the first-ever rail system in Mindanao.

The Japanese Prime Minister, who visits Davao City Friday, will also be the first head of state to be hosted by President Duterte in Davao.

For his part, Duterte said that Manila and Tokyo have instructed their respective agencies to seek new areas of collaboration as well as to work on fulfilling the agreements signed in Tokyo last year during his state visit.

The President secured about USD1.85 billion in investment pledges during his visit to Japan last October.

"As part of those efforts, we are encouraging our business sectors to intensify two-way trade and investments. In fact, later today and in Davao, Prime Minister Abe and I will meet with the key business leaders," Duterte said.

Prime Minister Abe is in a two-day official visit to the Philippines upon the invitation of President Duterte.

Abe is the first head of state to visit the country under the Duterte presidency. The Philippines is also the first country visited by the Japanese leader this year.

Abe said “this is a testament to my primary emphasis on our bilateral relationship with President Duterte and the Philippines. (PNA)

Abe welcomes closer PHL-China ties, affirms importance of peaceful resolution to South China Sea dispute

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to improve ties with China and affirmed the importance of the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

“I welcome the fact that President Duterte is making efforts to improve China-Philippine relations in light of the arbitral award,” he said during a joint press briefing with Duterte in Malacañang.

“The significance of the rule of law, peaceful resolution of disputes and non-militarization has been confirmed at ASEAN-Related Meetings last year. Keeping in mind this year’s ASEAN-Related Meetings, we affirmed the importance of these,” Abe said.

In July 2016, the Hague-based United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal invalidated China's so-called "nine-dash line" claim to the resource-rich West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

But despite the ruling, President Duterte has made efforts to forge closer ties with China stressing that a peaceful resolution to the dispute is the more logical solution.

Abe acknowledged that “the issue of the South China Sea is linked directly to regional peace and stability and is a concern to the entire international community.”

An estimated USD5 trillion worth of goods are transported through South China Sea shipping lanes each year, including more than half the world’s annual merchant fleet tonnage and a third of all maritime traffic worldwide.

Japan, while not a claimant to West Philippine Sea, relies on the unimpeded passage through the disputed waters that China is entirely claiming as its own.

It also has a territorial dispute with China in the East China Sea.

However, the Japanese leader said that he agreed to support a rule of law-based peaceful resolution to regional disputes after a firm exchange of views with Duterte.

“We agreed to elevate cooperative relations to a higher level to address not only bilateral issues but also to work toward a resolution of regional challenges,” Abe said.

In the meantime, Duterte said the Philippines will continue with its efforts to advance the rule of law in order to secure the waters in the region even as it seeks to build its maritime capacity and assets through its collaboration with Japan.

“As maritime nations, the Philippines and Japan have a shared interest in keeping our waters safe and secure from threats of any kind. Capacity-building and assets acquisition and upgrading will be a centerpiece of this collaboration,” he said.

The President said that they will fast-track the delivery to the Philippine of key assets already in the pipeline and the acquisition of new ones.

“As we seek these new innovations to the Philippines’ capabilities, we will continue to forge ahead with our efforts to advance the rule of law in order to secure the waters in our regions,” he said.

“I am humbled by this demonstration of friendship and look forward to working closely with Prime Minister Abe on all matters of mutual interest,” Duterte said. (PNA)

Abe vows 'maximum support' for PHL's hosting of ASEAN 2017 meetings

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised on Thursday to provide maximum support to make East Asia Summit and the ASEAN-related meetings ‘a tremendous success’ this year.

Abe made the assurance in a joint statement with President Rodrigo Duterte after the summit meeting held at the Malacanang Palace shortly after the Japanese leader arrived for a two-day official visit in the Philippines.

"We support the ASEAN in its attempt to strengthen unity and centrality and to develop as a free and open community," Abe said.

"From such a perspective, we will provide maximum support to make the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN-Related Meetings a tremendous success," he added.

The East Asia Summit (EAS) meetings are held after the annual ASEAN Leaders’ Meetings which the Philippines will host this year.

The Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2017 coincides with the celebration of 50th anniversary of the 10-nation ASEAN.

ASEAN countries include the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, Myanmar, Singapore, Cambodia and last year’s ASEAN Summit host Laos.

Aside from ASEAN countries, EAS members are Japan, Australia, China, India, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and United States.

During the summit meeting, Abe and President Duterte agreed to cooperate “hand-in-hand for the stability and prosperity of the region.”

Last Wednesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said the ASEAN 2017 will serve as perfect occasion to promote the Philippines.

Andanar said over 100 summits and conferences will be held nationwide including the ASEAN Ministers meeting in April; ASEAN Head of States Summit in August; and the ASEAN Head of States Plus Three in November.

Andanar said at least PHP15.9 billion will be spent for the hosting of the ASEAN Summit 2017.

The kick-off event of the ASEAN 2017 will be held on January 15 at the SMX event center in Davao City where delegates from ASEAN member countries will attend. (PNA)

Anti-red tape bid gaining traction - DOF exec
By Joann Santiago

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Duterte administration’s drive against red tape has been in place early on and the public is now benefiting from it, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.

In a statement Thursday, Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said the DOF has made big strides towards addressing red tape by reducing documentary requirements and lessening procedures in at least eight frontline services, initially of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC).

Beltran, who was named anti-red tape czar by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, said seven of the 12 required documents for the processing of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) have been removed within the first three months of the current administration.

He said BIR now accepts, as an alternative document, the Occupational Tax Receipt (OTR), usually for those registering as self-employed individuals. Government-issued identification cards are now accepted in lieu of National Statistics Office-issued birth certificate.

Cancellation of TIN or private entities’ registration documents can now be done after submitting four of the previous eight documents, he said.

Documents required by the PDIC for the settlement of claims for deposit insurance and claims of closed bank creditors have also been lessened, he said.

The statement said the government also got the support of German development bank KfW Group, which is funding the Inter-Agency Business Process Interoperability (IABPI) program targeted to streamline the process in the issuance of permits for imports and exports from two weeks to at least three days.

Beltran said the program will not only improve the delivery of frontline services but also boost revenues, regional trade links and entry or expansion of foreign businesses in the country.

Part of the bid to streamline government services is the coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to establish the government’s automated and citizen registry system.

Beltran said the DOF and DICT have yet to determine what data to gather from the different government agencies for the automated business and citizen registries. (PNA)
FPV/JSV/EDS

PLDT to further improve mobile services amid stiff competition in telco industry
By Aerol B. Pateña

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- PLDT Inc. has vowed to further improve its mobile services amid tough competition due to the rise in the number of subscriptions of its rival mobile communications firm, Globe Telecom.

PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said the company is focused on minimizing its churn rates or the percentage of subscribers who discontinued their subscriptions to their services last year.

He said that PLDT conducted a clean-up, which accounted for the decline in the number of its subscribers in 2016.

“We have found out that quite a number of our subscribers were inactive. So we needed to conduct a clean-up in the course of 2016. We need to reflect on the true number of subscribers for the wireless group,” Pangilinan said in an interview with reporters Thursday.

Moreover, he said, they need to assess the number of subscribers who are active on their broadband, fixed line and wireless network, among others. “We need to determine how active our subscribers are on our network. If they are not active, they are not quality subscribers,” he added.

PLDT records show that its average churn rate for the first nine months of 2016 was 7 percent for prepaid mobile subscribers, compared to 6.9 percent for the same period in 2015. For its postpaid subscribers, the churn rate was at 5.7 percent, compared to last year’s 3.6 percent.

Pangilinan acknowledged that the industry has evolved to the extent that its subscribers are not at a preeminent stage compared to previous years.

He said that it is important to focus on the growth of the local telco industry and the convergence of fixed, mobile and broadband services being offered to the consumers. “Revenues and profits are not as important as before on my view. What is important is to look at the total telco revenue now. Everything is converging,” said Pangilinan.

Globe Telecom has overtaken PLDT’s mobile unit Smart Communications as the largest mobile operator in the country, gaining more than 10 million subscriptions for the fourth quarter of 2016.

Globe finished 2016 with 66.6 million subscribers, compared with Smart’s 62.1 million, giving it a 52 percent market share, according to GSMA Intelligence.

The mobile operator has steadily edged on its rival firm when Globe registered 12.2 million net additions and Smart lost nearly 5 million mobile customers. Globe had been slowly gaining on the market leader since 2012 when it had a 32 percent market share while Smart’s market share since Q4 2015 fell from 61 percent to 48 percent by end-2016.

Both companies have faced slowing growth, with PLDT’s service revenue for the first nine months of 2016 declining 3 percent to PHP119 billion (USD2.4 billion), and with cellular services falling 8 percent to PHP66.6 billion. Globe’s revenue for the July-September period was flat at PHP29.5 billion, with increases in home broadband and corporate data offsetting a 2 percent decline in mobile service revenue to PHP2.25 billion and a 10 percent drop in fixed-line voice to PHP898 million.

The two operators, temporarily setting aside their rivalry in an attempt to slow the entry of a third player, in May purchased the telecom assets of San Miguel Corp. and both have rushed to roll out base stations on the 700MHz band to expand coverage and boost capacity. (PNA)
CVL/ABP/EDS

Nat’l Privacy Commission urges appointment of data protection officers in public and private sector
By Aerol B. Patena

MANILA, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has reiterated the need for data protection officers (DPO) in public and private organizations to deter future incidents of data breach and to ensure security of personal information.

NPC Chairman and Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro said the appointment of a DPO signifies the commitment of organizations to comply with the data privacy law and ensure the protection of personal data.

The DPO would be accountable for ensuring compliance with everything related to data privacy and security.

"Personal data handling is a public trust, and carries with it a burden of accountability. No amount of ignorance or legal naiveté can erase that accountability," Liboro said.

"The Data Privacy Law of 2012 is about making sure those we entrust with our personal data are actually trustworthy by compelling them to do everything they can to protect it," he added.

For his part, NPC spokesperson Atty. Rashy Rellosa said the data protection officer would help minimize the damage from theft of personal data and guarantee that the system cannot be breached.

The DPO’s job is focused on protecting data --- from collection, to storage, to sharing and destruction. Part of this job includes providing data subjects with access to their personal data, and instructions on how they can object to processing and obtain relief when needed.

A DPO must be an advocate for the protection of the right to data privacy of the people through showing his/her willingness to understand information security and privacy principles and the capability to monitor compliance.

The DPO is expected to facilitate compliance with the privacy act, which requires the following: adherence to data privacy principles, implementing organizational, physical and technical security measures and upholding the rights of data subjects.

“For MSMEs that process personal data, the DPO can even be the business owner, what is important is developing a culture of privacy within their organization and ensuring their employees are aware of data privacy principles,” according to Liboro.

The NPC recently recommended the filing of criminal charges against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista on the breach of voter data that occurred between March 20 and 27, 2016.

In its decision dated December 28, 2016, the privacy body said COMELEC has failed to designate an accountable officer for data privacy, as required under Section 21 of the Data Privacy Act of 2012. In Section 21 of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the DPO is defined as an "individual or individuals who are accountable for the organization’s compliance" with the privacy law, so designated by the organization in the exercise of its duty as a "personal information controller" (PIC).

This requirement is echoed in the law's implementing rules and regulations (IRR), under Section 26, which states that such individuals "shall function as data protection officer" and would "be accountable for ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations for the protection of data privacy and security."

The National Privacy Commission is a regulatory and quasi-judicial body organized by virtue of RA 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012. Headed by one commissioner and two deputy commissioners, the agency is mandated to uphold the right to data privacy and ensure the free flow of information, with a view to promoting economic growth and innovation. (PNA)
FPV/ABP

Sandiganbayan convicts AFP supply officer for unlawful sale of PHP1.2M worth of generators

MANILA, Jan. 13 (PNA) -- The Sandiganbayan has convicted a supply officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for the unlawful sale of four generators worth PHP1.2 million.

Engr. Dante Senen, Supply Accountable Officer of the AFP Military Supply Unit based in Cebu City was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, and malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Senen was meted the penalties of six to ten years imprisonment for graft and 10 to 18 years for malversation.

The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) charged Senen before the Sandiganbayan in 2005 along with then Philippine Air Force (PAF) Brig. Gen Vladimir delos Trino, Maj. Antonio Jason Garcia and Antonio Ularte of Eduard Enterprises for the unlawful sale of four power generators valued at PHP1.2 million.

In a 20-page ruling written by Associate Justice Samuel Martires, the Sandiganbayan said that “the evidence presented is sufficient to prove the guilt of the accused as his actions from the time of the disposal of the generators amount to gross inexcusable negligence.”

“If accused Senen is indeed innocent or unaware of the grand plan of accused Delos Trino and Garcia, he should have immediately reported the incident to his commanding officer to properly address the same or prevent the disposal of generators,” Martires said.

Senen was also perpetually disqualified from holding public office and ordered to indemnify the government the amount of PHP1.2 million.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of PHP1.2 million.

Senen remained at-large during the trial, and was only arrested on Nov. 21, 2011 in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, or about six months after the Sandiganbayan convicted Delos Trino and Garcia.

Ularte remains at-large.

Senen was the accountable officer in charge of the generators which were found to have been sold to Ularte for only PHP800,000 without the benefit of public bidding, giving unwarranted benefit to Ularte to the prejudice of the government.

The proceeds of the sale remain unaccounted for.

In May 2011, the Sandiganbayan convicted Delos Trino and Garcia of graft.

In the 2011 ruling, the Sandiganbayan said that “the prosecution was adequately able to establish that through the illegal sale of the four generators, the PAF of the AFP lost PHP1.2million in revenue.” (PNA)

5 agreements signed during Japanese PM’s visit to PHL
By Jelly F. Musico

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A total of five agreements have been signed between the Philippines and Japan following a summit meeting attended by President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzu Abe on Thursday at Malacanang Palace.

The agreements signed during the two-day state visit of Prime Minister Abe to the Philippines include:

-- Exchange of Notes (EN) on the economic and social development grant worth JPY 600 million (PHP258 million) for high speed boats and other counter-terrorism equipment for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG);

-- Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on the Low Carbon Growth Partnership/Joint Crediting Mechanism which will promote investments and the use of technologies, products, systems, services and infrastructure to achieve low carbon growth in Philippines;

-- MOC between the PCG and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) which involves the maritime cooperation to promote maritime safety, security and marine environment protection through joint exercises, visits by patrol vessels and aircraft, and capacity enhancement;

-- MOC between the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) of the Philippines and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) of Japan for proof of concept and testing of road traffic information system through data broadcasting; and,

-- Loan Agreement and Guarantee Letter for Harvesting Agribusiness Opportunities through Robust and Vibrant Entrepreneurship of Peaceful Transformation.

The HARVEST Project is a five-year project of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), which is a financial intermediary of HARVEST, that shall finance eligible investments of agribusiness enterprises, farmers’ organizations or cooperatives, and Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) in support of agriculture and fisheries production and related services in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

On the other hand, the MOC between PCOO and MIC will involve the signing of the ICT Pilot project to test the effectiveness of the cloud-based ISDB-T Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting for Road Traffic Information System to be broadcast by the People’s Television Network (PTV).

The MOC is part of the mother MOC signed during a three-day official visit of President in Japan in October last year.

Prime Minister Abe is in a two-day official visit to the Philippines upon the invitation of President Duterte.

Abe is the first head of state to visit the country under the Duterte presidency. The Philippines is also the first country visited by the Japanese leader this year. (PNA)

Duterte, Abe agree to enhance maritime, security cooperation

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzu Abe agreed on Thursday to enhance maritime and security cooperation including counterterrorism between the Philippines and Japan.

"As proven defense and long time partners, the Philippines and Japan are committed to further expand and deepen our relations across a broad range of areas. We had an active discussion on enhancing of maritime and security cooperation," President Duterte said in a joint statement after a summit meeting at the Malacanang Palace.

"As maritime nations, the Philippines and Japan have a shared interest in keeping our waters safe and security from threats of any kind," he added.

Abe, along with his wife Madame Akie Abe, is in the country for a two-day official visit that also include a historic visit in Davao City, the hometown of President Duterte, on Friday.

As a result of Abe’s first visit in the Philippines under Duterte administration, the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) which involves the maritime cooperation to promote maritime safety, security and marine environment protection.

The MOC will be done through joint exercises, visits by patrol vessels and aircraft, and capacity enhancement.

The Philippines and Japan also signed Exchange of Notes (EN) on the economic and social development grant worth JPY 600 million (PHP258 million) for the purchase of high-speed boats and other counter-terrorism equipment for PCG.

"Capacity-building and assets acquisition and upgrading will be a centerpiece of this collaboration. We hope to fast-track the delivery of the Philippines of key assets already in the pipeline and the acquisition of new ones," President Duterte said.

"As we seek these new innovations to the Philippines’ capabilities, we will continue to forge ahead with our efforts to advance the rule of law in order to secure the waters in our regions," he added.

For his part, Abe emphasized the importance of strengthening counter-terrorism mechanism to assure safe and peaceful society.

"We will strengthen cooperation in the area of counterterrorism in order to realize a society in which it is possible for youths to entertain hopes," Abe said through an interpreter.

President Duterte described his meeting with Abe as ‘productive’ where the two leaders discussed ways for further strengthening bilateral ties.

"By any measure, this visit is historic and sets the bar for constructive engagements. If my visit to Tokyo defined the solid and strategic partnerships of the Philippines and Japan then Prime Minister Abe’s visits to Manila and Davao renew the commitment to further strengthen the solid and strategic partnership toward greater peace, progress, and prosperity," Duterte said.

"I am humbled by this demonstration of friendship and look forward to working closely with Prime Minister Abe on all matters of mutual interest," he added.

Abe said he looks forward to also further enhance friendly ties between the Philippines and Japan and “to cooperate towards regional stability and prosperity.” (PNA)

PHP up on investors disappointment on Trump's presscon, PSEi down

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Philippine peso improved against the greenback Thursday but the local stock market ended on the red on investors’ disappointment on the first press conference of US president-elect Donald Trump.

The local currency gained PHP0.14 and finished the day at 49.48 from 49.62 Wednesday, which a trader said is in line with counterparts in the region.

Investors were disappointed on Trump’s press conference because he was not able to elaborate his trade and tax cuts policies, the trader said.

The peso opened the day’s session almost unchanged at 49.54 from 49.55 in the previous day.

It ranged between its closing level and 49.59, thus, the 49.53 average for the day.

Volume of trade reached USD588.7 million, higher than the USD529.9 million Wednesday.

The currency pair is forecast to stay between 49.50 and 49.70 Friday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) slid for the second consecutive day this year to 7,264.55 points, down 57.27 points or 0.78 percent from the previous day.

All Shares followed with a 0.64 percent, or 28.29 points drop, to 4,379.98 points.

This trend was mirrored by the sectors, with Services leading the pack with 2.11 percent decline followed by Property, which fell 1.44 percent.

Financials gave up 0.34 percent; Holding Firms, 0.30 percent, Mining and Oil, 0.23 percent; and Industrial, 0.10 pe

Some 2.68 billion shares worth PHP5.95 billion were traded during the day.

Losers led gainers at 113 to 69 while 61 stocks were unchanged. (PNA)

Social welfare dept launches SHIELD to help end child labor
By Leilani S. Junio

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will pilot test its Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood and other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) program to help combat child labor in the country.

SHIELD will be tested beginning this year in the Calabarzon, Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions, where a high number of children are found working in deep-sea fishing, mining, quarrying and agriculture, DSWD Social Technology Bureau director Thelsa Biolena said Thursday during the launch of initiatives targeting to decrease child laborers by 1 million by 2025, held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in Quezon City.

“The SHIELD project aims to strengthen the capacity of local government units (LGUs) in the prevention and elimination of the worst forms of child labor,” Biolena said.

Under SHIELD, the DSWD will help LGUs establish a local child labor registration system that will identify child laborers in the community and monitor their cases; and a barangay (village) help desk that will offer services for child laborers and their families, as well as facilitate rescue operations when necessary.

Project SHIELD will be implemented in partnership with the LGUs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the departments of labor, education and interior, Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Biolena noted that poverty is the main reason why families make their children work.

Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod meanwhile said that certain economic policies and labor practices drive parents to make their children work, among them contractualization, minimum wage laws, and such practices as the “pakyawan system ”, under which a worker is paid after he or she completes a short-term project.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, in a message delivered by DSWD Protective Service Bureau director Alicia Bonoan, said that even though various sectors have been campaigning against child labor for decades, the number of child workers continues to rise.

“Many work in palm plantations, in the mining industry, as unpaid labor for sweatshops and family and community-based backyard industries,” Taguiwalo said.

A 2011 survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that some 5.492 million children aged 5-17 years are already working, 54.5 percent of whom are working in a hazardous work environment.

The DSWD Listahanan database meanwhile showed that 85,570 child laborers have been found in the agriculture sector, and more have been found in the construction, manufacturing, deep-sea fishing, domestic work, and mining sectors.

The DSWD chief added that anti-child labor laws could be used to analyze the conditions of child laborers, such as Republic Act 9231 (An Act Providing for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor and Affording Stronger Protection for the Working Child, Amending for This Purpose Republic Act No. 7610, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act”).

“This problem on child labor continues as this is anchored on poverty. As long as the number of poor families increases, the number of children forced to work to augment their families’ meager incomes will also increase. It is our duty to protect these children, and show that the state cares for their welfare,” Taguiwalo said.

Aside from SHIELD, the DSWD also has the Family Development Session Module on Child Labor as another set of interventions. (PNA)

Officer killed, 4 troops hurt in latest clash with ASG bandits in Basilan

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) --- An officer from the 19th Special Forces Company was killed while four other troopers were wounded following an encounter with Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits under sub-commander Furuji Indama in Sumisip town, Basilan on Thursday morning.

The clash took place 7:10 a.m. at Barangay Cabcaban of the above-mentioned locality, Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said.

The abovementioned troops were on combat operations when the encounter took place.

Tan said an officer was killed and another four wounded in the fighting.

The WMC spokesperson said the wounded troops were evacuated by UH-IH "Huey" helicopters while artillery units are now preparing for "indirect fire" missions against the bandits.

Aside from artillery fire, airstrikes are now being conducted on the encounter area with troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, 64th and 68th Infantry Battalions now conducting blocking and pursuit operations against the bandits. (PNA)

PHL bolsters fight against child labor

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The government intensified its fight against child labor on Thursday by launching three major initiatives -- a comprehensive project to set up help desks for child laborers, a new project on child labor in gold mining, and a new child labor module in the conditional cash transfer program.

The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and BanToxics launched the programs in Quezon City.

According to a 2011 survey on children, the country has some 2.1 million child workers. Findings of the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) in 2015 revealed that the Philippines has made significant advancement in efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor. Despite progress, however, the enforcement of child labor laws remains a challenge.

“Child labor is complex and deeply rooted in poverty. Children suffer and risk their health or even their lives to work for their family’s survival. Ending child labor requires strong commitment and collective effort,” said Khalid Hassan, director of the ILO Country Office for the Philippines who also managed projects to address child labor in Africa and Asia.

The Strategic Helpdesks for Information, Education, Livelihood and other Developmental Interventions (SHIELD) is the first comprehensive project of the DSWD on child labor. It will strengthen efforts at the local level, which will include help desks and a local registry on child labor for referral and support services. SHIELD will give priority to areas with a high incidence of child labor to create an impact and to make services more accessible to children and their families. Interventions will be based on data from the Child Labor Local Registry.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the conditional cash transfer program of the DSWD, will also launch and integrate a new module on child labor.

The 4Ps has a reach of about 4 million households from the poorest of the poor, who are often forced to involve their children in work to augment the family income. The 4Ps contributes to putting children in schools through its conditionality on education.

Being in school, however, is not an assurance that children will not engage in child labor. The child labor module will be part of the Family Development Sessions to raise awareness on child labor and the role of the family to prevent or end child labor, especially its worst forms.

CARING Gold is a new project implemented by the ILO and BanToxics, together with the DOLE and DENR and funded by the USDOL.

Child labor in mining is considered as a worst form of child labor but remains unregulated and unmonitored.

The project will address child labor in mining at its root cause, which is poverty and vulnerability. Interventions will include improving working conditions and providing support to establish models for operation that are legal and viable, as well as compliant with labor, environmental and health standards.

These initiatives support the Philippine Program against Child Labor 2017-2022 to withdraw one million children from child labor, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which calls to end child labor in all its forms by 2025.(PNA)

Social welfare dept creates module on child labor for 4Ps beneficiaries
By Leilani S. Junio

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has created a module on child labor for the beneficiaries of its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The department presented the module during the launch of initiatives aiming to decrease child laborers by 1 million by 2025, held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) in Quezon City Thursday.

The module will be discussed with 4Ps beneficiaries during their Family Development Sessions (FDS).

“We will focus on educating poor families about the long-term effects of allowing their children to work at an early age,” Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said in a message delivered by DSWD Protective Service Bureau director Alicia Bonoan.

Taguiwalo said the module will explain to the 4Ps beneficiaries the negative effects of child labor on children and their families and teach them how to combat it in their own homes and communities.

She however stressed the “need for all of us to converge all actions, systems and processes if we want a holistic response that will stand the test of time”.

The social welfare chief noted that the participation of different partners from national government agencies and civil society organizations, both local and international, indicate that they are on the right track.

“The laws that criminalize child labor should be enforced more stringently. We need to rescue children who have become child laborers and help them and their parents build more stable and safer lives,” she said, urging everyone to do his or her part in helping poor people fight child labor.

“Children belong to school. We must help them enjoy the rights that all children should enjoy,” she said.

Meanwhile, DSWD 4Ps director Leonardo Reynoso said the module was designed to guide the Pantawid Pamilya City/Municipal Links and implementers in conducting three FDS sessions to discuss the module, to make them instrumental in putting a stop to child labor.

The FDS is a monthly gathering of Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries where parents can learn how they can best carry out their roles and fulfill their responsibilities to their children. Attendance is required for the beneficiaries to remain in the program.

In 2015, an average of 9,252 Pantawid Pamilya children beneficiaries were not able to meet the required school attendance because they were working.

“We must unite with the national government and other concerned agencies in their efforts to respond directly to poverty and we must provide an appropriate intervention to put a stop to this social ill of making children work for their family's needs. These numbers prove that things still need to be done in the campaign against child labor,” Taguiwalo said. (PNA)

GSIS releases cash benefit to members Jan. 6 to 31

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has started releasing last January 6 a total amount of PHP185 million in cash benefit for its members.

“The total cash benefit this year is far lower than the PHP848 million GSIS released last year due to the decreased net income from PHP140 billion in 2014 to PHP47 billion in 2015,” Officer-in-Charge and concurrent Senior Vice President for NCR Operations Nora Malubay-Saludares said.

OIC Saludares added that GSIS’s income was affected by the decline in the Philippine stock market in 2015.

Members whose compulsory life insurance policies have been in force for at least one year as of December 31, 2015, are entitled to cash benefit. Also eligible are active members whose policies matured within 2015 and whose employers were suspended as of December 31, 2015.

In July 2013, GSIS restored the loan and cash benefit privileges of members working in suspended agencies.

Meanwhile, GSIS members whose policies lapsed in 2015 are ineligible to receive the benefit. Similarly, policyholders whose policies were terminated due to death, retirement, or separation as of December 2015 are ineligible to the benefit.

Members with outstanding consolidated loan balances or unpaid premiums for at least 12 months as of December 31, 2015 are also excluded.

GSIS has begun electronically crediting the cash benefit of qualified GSIS members to their GSIS eCard or unified multipurpose identification (UMID) card, which is expected to be completed by January 31, 2017. Crediting of the benefit is done by batch or cluster to maintain orderly withdrawals.

For inquiries on the grant of cash benefit, members may call the GSIS Contact Center at 847-4747 or email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph. They may also visit the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph. (PNA)

Diocese of Caloocan appeals for aid to Navotas fire victims

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Diocese of Caloocan on Thursday appealed to the faithful to help the victims of a fire that engulfed a residential area in Navotas City.

Caritas Caloocan head Fr. Benedict John Cervantes urged the public to send donations to the hundreds of families that were left homeless by the blaze at the Navotas Fish Port Complex on Tuesday morning.

“We are still in need of water, mattresses, clothes, food, and medicine for the children,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.

With this, he noted that the people may coordinate with the Caritas Caloocan or directly to the San Lorenzo Luiz Parish, for their donations.

The priest also acknowledged the help of donors including other parishes in the Diocese as well as Caritas Manila and Quiapo Church.

"There have been parishes that already responded by sending goods directly to the affected parish, which is the San Lorenzo Luiz Parish,” Cervantes added.

At least 1,200 families were left homeless when a fire broke out in Barangay North Bay Boulevard North.

The Caloocan diocese is composed of Caloocan City-South, Malabon City, and Navotas City. (PNA)

Pulse on martial law is 'proof spirit of freedom is thriving'

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Filipinos live and breathe freedom.

This is the main reason why survey results of Pulse Asia showed that majority of Filipinos found that imposing martial law today is unnecessary, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said Thursday.

Results of the Pulse Asia survey showed that 74 percent of 1,200 survey respondents disagreed with the statement: “Candidly speaking, it may be necessary now to have martial law to solve the many crises of the nation.”

Meanwhile, 12 percent agreed, and 14 percent were undecided. The survey was conducted last December 6 to 11, 2016.

“Bagama’t hindi pa rin natin nakakamit ang kalayaan mula sa kahirapan, kakulangan ng kita at pagkakataong umangat ang pamumuhay, ipinagdiriwang natin ang kalayaang patuloy nating bakahin ito para maabot ang ating potensyal bilang mga indibidwal at bilang isang bansa,” Pangilinan said.

(“Although we have yet to achieve freedom from poverty, lack of livelihood, and opportunities to raise our way of living, we continue to celebrate freedom which we continue to fight for until we reach our potential as individuals and as a country,” Pangilinan said.)

"This survey proves that we, as Filipinos, have not forgotten how the dictatorship killed the spirit of freedom," he added.

Meanwhile, Pangilinan also shared the sentiment of US Pres. Barack Obama in his farewell address on Wednesday that there are many threats to democracy.

"Democracy is never easy. But it's what makes freedom possible. It ensures that we have a say in how our government perform its sacred duty to fulfill all our rights as people and citizens so that we may achieve our fullest potential as individuals and as a nation," he added.

Under the Martial Law regime in the Philippines, which was imposed by the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos in Sept. 21, 1972, several human rights abuses including torture and killing were cited in various reports.

The Supreme Court (SC) voted in favor of the burial of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) despite opposition of several anti-Marcos groups. (PNA)

National artist Virgilio Almario inducted as NCCA chair

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario also know as “Rio Alma” on Thursday was officially inducted as chair of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Almario, who will chair the NCCA board of commissioners until 2019, will be replacing former chair Felipe de Leon Jr.

Sen. Loren Legarda, who administered oath of the newly-appointed chair, welcomed his induction as an honor for the NCCA.

“To the new NCCA Chair, Virgilio Almario, I am extremely happy because you were assigned to head the agency. It is an honor for the NCCA to be headed by a National Artist," Legarda said in Filipino.

She also expressed excitement on his future plans and looked forward to working with him.

“I am excited about your plans for culture and arts. I know you will greatly contribute to continue significant programs of the agency given your wide knowledge and experience in culture,” she added.

Legarda, meanwhile, reiterated her proposal to establish a Department of Culture that will ensure the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture.

Prior to being NCCA chair, Almario was previously Executive Director of the NCCA from 1998 to 2001. He also serves as chair of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino.

He is also a poet, literary historian and critic having published 12 books of poetry including Makinasyon and Peregrinasyon, and the trilogy Doktrinang Anakpawis, Mga Retrato at Rekwerdo and Muli, Sa Kandungan ng Lupa. (PNA)

Ombudsman dismisses 9 PDAF, Malampaya scams respondents

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has ordered the dismissal from the service of nine executives from the National Council for Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and a Chief for Political Affairs for their alleged involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Malampaya scams.

Found guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service were NCMF officials Mehol Sadain, Fedelina Aldanese, Galay Makalinggan, Sania Busran, Aurora Aragon-Mabang, Olga Galido and Michael Benjamin, the political affairs chief of former Senator Gregorio Honasan.

The Ombudsman also ordered their perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The Ombudsman said that Sadain, et. al. “participated in the preparation, processing and approval of the Memorandum of Agreement and the PDAF documents governing the project implementation and fund releases to Focus Development Goals Foundation, as NGO partner.”

In its in-depth probe, the Ombudsman found that in April 2012, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released PHP30 million as part of Honasan’s PDAF with the NCMF as implementing agency.

The fund was intended to finance small and medium enterprise/livelihood projects for the benefit of Muslim Filipinos in communities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Zambales province.

Documents showed that in June 2012, Honasan indorsed Focus Development as NGO-partner without compliance with procurement regulations.

The Ombudsman said that the check dated May 30, 2012 and disbursement voucher approving the payment “were prepared by public respondents in favor of Focus even before the NGO was informed that it was found qualified to undertake the project on June 4, 2012; that the MOA was signed by the Office of Senator Honasan, NCMF and Focus; and that Honasan authorized the release of funds to Focus.”

Honasan, et.al. facilitated and approved the payment in favor of Focus via two tranches totaling PHP29.1 million.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said that “the respondents were not performing ministerial acts when they signed the disbursement vouchers and checks for the release of funds to Focus.”

In a separate ruling, the Ombudsman also ordered the dismissal from the service of Teresita Panlilio and Ronald Venancio, both from the DAR.

Panlilio and Venancio were found guilty of grave misconduct and ordered perpetually barred from holding public office.

Panlilio and Venancio are among the 25 respondents facing two counts of plunder and multiple graft and malversation charges after the Ombudsman established their indispensable acts of participation in the illegal diversion of PHP900 million from the Malampaya funds.

The PHP900 million was then downloaded to the DAR and distributed to 12 NGOs backed by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles.

Napoles is the alleged “brains” behind the PHP10-billion pork barrel and the PHP900-million Malampaya fund scams.

Ombudsman probers found that the fund was used to implement “ghost projects” as the documents were all fictitious and there were no deliveries of agricultural kits or packages.

The respondents also allegedly manufactured the lists of farmer-beneficiaries and forged the signatures of the recipients. (PNA)

Code of Conduct in disputed waters possible by mid-2017, Yasay says
By Sammy F. Martin

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The long-delayed framework for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea may be finally completed by the middle of the year, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said on Wednesday.

In a press briefing, Yasay said the Philippines, as chairman of this year’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will intensify efforts to fast track the discussions on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and eventually complete the COC.

In fact, discreet discussions are currently underway and China has been “very cooperative” in the process, he said.

“The formulation of the COC is precisely being discussed right now. I don’t want to preempt anything by revealing further information but I hope that it will be achieved by mid-2017,” Yasay said. “There is now a convergence of national interest to come up with the COC and we are fortunate to have gotten this level.”

The COC has been in the works since 2002 but “intervening events,” as Yasay called, prompted years of delays and prevented it from moving forward.

He said that the COC might “open the door to speed up bilateral engagement” with China to eventually enforce the ruling of an international arbitral tribunal in the disputed waters.

The framework, Yasay disclosed, will include key elements and principles for the legally-binding COC.

“I hate to think a party not to be bound by it or deviate from it. I’m sure that they will be bound by it,” he said, pointing out that the COC should be agreed by all the parties unanimously.

The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration last year nullified China’s excessive claims in the contested waters as it upheld the Philippines’ rights to areas within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Apart from the Philippines, other ASEAN countries that have overlapping claims in the South China Sea are Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia. (PNA)

Traslacion 2018 should avoid narrow streets, says task force chief

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Traslacion 2018 could replicate this year’s peaceful and orderly procession and zero death if it is rerouted to avoid narrow streets, head of Task Force Manila Cleanup 2017, Che Borromeo, has said.

“The procession had to pass through narrow and constricted roads, that’s why it took longer to reach Quiapo Church than it should have,” Borromeo said, noting that it was difficult for the ‘andas’, the carriage bearing the image of the Black Nazarene, and the millions of devotees following it, to pass through narrow streets.

“The procession should only be limited along main roads, in wider streets so that it would be easier to accommodate more people and cleaning up afterwards would be easier and faster," he said.

Borromeo said that Mayor Joseph Estrada has heaped praises on the city’s street sweepers and cleanup crews, whom he described as “behind-the-scene heroes”, for spearheading the post-Traslacion cleanup efforts.

Monday’s Traslacion lasted 22 hours and 19 minutes, the longest in the annual procession’s history, and was participated in by a record 3.5 million, based on estimates of the Manila Police District (MPD), he said, adding that unfortunately, the procession also left 12 truckloads of waste in the streets, also a new record.

“We have more garbage now as compared to recent years because of the huge number of devotees who participated in the procession. The procession itself lasted 22 hours, so the longer the procession, the higher the volume of garbage it leaves,” he pointed out. (PNA)

Pacquiao fight in Philippines may have bigger impact than Miss Universe

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A travel expert on Thursday said that senator-boxer Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao should consider holding his next boxing fight in the Philippines as it would provide a bigger tourism impact than the upcoming Miss Universe pageant.

"If he is really patriotic, he should fight here. This would have a bigger impact than Miss Universe," Marciano Ragaza, Vice-Chair of the Philippine Travel Agencies Associations (PTAA) said in a press conference in Quezon City.

"Whether you like him or don’t like him, he’s an attraction," he added noting that the boxer-senator has created "some sort of cult following."

Ragaza made this remark after it was reported that Pacquiao is set to fight Australian boxer Jeff Horn on April either Australia or United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ragaza said that the best place to hold the fight in the Philippines would be in the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, the same venue for Miss Universe.

Last year, the House committee on Tourism unanimously voted in favor of the motion of Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales to turn Pacquiao as the official endorser of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo described this development as a “knockout” win.

She said that the tourist arrivals in the country, particularly in Mindanao, could tripe with Pacquiao as the face of tourism.

Pacquiao, who hails from General Santos in Soccsksargen, has personally expressed his desire to promote tourism being a worldwide boxing icon and politician.

Teo, however, said that all Filipinos should strive to be ambassadors and promote Philippine tourism in their own ways. (PNA)

PHP100,000 bounty out for kidnappers of S. Korean businessman
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The family of a South Korean national who was kidnapped in Angeles City, Pampanga last year offered PHP100,000 for any information that may lead to the arrest of suspects as well as the whereabouts of her husband.

In a press conference held at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, Choi Kyunghin, wife of Jee Ick-joo, 53, who was forcibly taken on Oct. 18 from his residence and has not been located until now, appealed for help from the public in finding her husband.

”Let the public known because it's already been three months since my husband was kidnapped. Hope with the help of media will know the investigation will go faster and the case is still ongoing,” Choi said through her South Korean interpreter.

She added the armed men took their personal property, passport and black Ford Explorer, noting that she heard her husband complaining of breathing difficulty at the time of abduction.

Choi together with her lawyer Atty. Brian Bantilan went to NBI-National Capital Region (NCR) Chief Ric Diaz to ask for help to tracking down his husband despite the PNP- Anti-Kidnapping Group's (AKG) take over of the probe on the case due to the alleged involevement of a former anti-narcotics policeman in the kidnapping incident.

The PNP-AKG refused to reveal the identity of the said policeman.

Diaz said they will still continue to investigate and look for any angle, including carnapping or robbery, noting that they will also identify other perpetrators of the crime.

”The case was brought last November despite efforts of my unit, we cannot locate the whereabouts of her husband Jee-Ick, who is legit businessman (and) he was once with Hanjin, top executives. A policeman identified as one of the abductors. We are investigation for carnapping and robbery and identify perpetrators using the war on drugs to extort money,” Diaz told reporters.

For his part, Bantilan said that they already filed a case of kidnapping and serious of illegal detention before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the eight suspects including the former cop.

Bantilan said out of the eight respondents, three were identified and DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre already assigned a prosecutor who will handle the case.

The lawyer said that the incident has been reported as a kidnapping-for-ransom case after the victim’s wife said that she had already paid PHP5-million ransom last Oct. 31 but the abductors had demanded, and that the suspects were reportedly asking for another PHP4 million.

Bantilan said the family already asked the help from authorities since the suspects are asking again for ransom aside from the initial PHP5 million ransom that they paid.

On Wednesday, PNP Chief, Police Director General Ronald M. Dela Rosa has mobilized PNP operating units for manhunt operations against a former anti-narcotics policeman who is believed to be involved in the kidnapping of a South Korean businessman in Angeles City .

Dela Rosa directed the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) to vigorously pursue the case and arrest the suspects, with the help of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

He also directed the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) to organize manhunt teams to locate and bring to restrictive custody the AWOL policeman identified as a former member of the PNP-AIDG who has since been reassigned with the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PHAU) of the Headquarters Support Service effective Nov. 21, 2016.

AKG investigators have identified the suspects from security camera footages taken during the victim’s alleged kidnapping. (PNA)

CA junks plea for TRO vs levy on oil transshipment

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the petition filed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) seeking for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the imposition of a 10-centavo per liter levy for every delivery and transshipments of oil by petroleum marine transport companies.

In a six page-resolution penned by Associate Justice Maria Elisa Sempio Diy, the CA’s Special 12th Division said that under Rule 58 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, the requisites for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and TRO are : the applicant must have a clear and unmistakable right to be protected, there is material and substantial invasion of right, there is an urgent need for the writ to prevent irreparable injury to the applicant, and no other ordinary, speedy and adequate remedy exists to prevent irreparable injury.”

The appellate court also said that petitioners failed to establish all the requisites necessary for the issuance of injunctive relief.

“Here, there is no showing of a clear right which was violated or what ‘irreparable injury’ petitioners would stand to suffer aside from their general allegation that prevention from discharging their duty and responsibility under R.A. 9483 would cause ‘public inconvenience’ or result in ‘public mischief’ at the expense of the environment,” the CA said.

The CA directed earlier the respondents petroleum marine transport companies to show cause why the prayer for a TRO and/or a writ of preliminary injunction by the petitioners should not be granted within 10 days from notice.

In its order issued on July 25, 2016, the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 216 presided by Judge Alfonso Ruiz II granted the motion filed by respondents â€" Philippine Sea Transport Association, Herma Shipping and Transport Corporation, Islas Tankers Seatransport Corporation Corporation, MIS Maritime Corporation, Petrolift, Inc., Golden Albatross Shipping Corporation, Via Marine Corporation and Cargo Marine Corporation -- for declaratory relief with prayer for the issuance of a TRO and/or a writ of preliminary injunction.

The QC RTC directed the DOTr, Marina and PCG to cease and desist from enforcing Section 22, paragraph (a) of Republic Act 9483 and Section 1, Rule X of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. No. 9483 or the Oil Pollution Compensation Act of 2007.

The said provision basically imposes a 10 centavo levy per liter for every delivery and transshipment of oil, which will go to the Oil Pollution Management Fund.

It also ordered the petitioners to pay a bond in the amount of Php5 million to answer for any damage that respondents may suffer as a result of the order. (PNA)

Repairs of Rancudo Airfield, construction of Pagasa port to take a backseat

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- With the thawing of the ties between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China, repairs on Rancudo Airfield, Pagasa Island and construction of a new port might take a backseat.

This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año when asked whether the country has lifted its moratorium on improving Filipino-held positions in the West Philippine Sea.

"(The moratorium was lifted) but because of the warming relationship with China, we better not make any aggressive action in the West Philippine Sea," he added.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has earlier allocated the sum of PHP800 million for the repair of Rancudo Airfield those forward edge is slowly eroded by the sea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

With this, the situation there is now on "status quo".

As this develops, he also said that he plans to visit Pagasa Island along with Año but no firm date of the visit is set yet.

Pagasa, with an area of 37.2 hectares, is the largest of the seven islands and three reefs being controlled by the Philippines in Spratly Island Group.

Other Philippine possessions in the Spratlys include Likas Island which measures 18.6 hectares, Parolo Island, 12.7 hectares, Lawak Island 7.93 hectares, Kota Island, 6. 45 hectares, Patag Island, 0.57, Panata Island, 0.44, Rizal, Balagtas and Ayungin Reefs. (PNA)

President Duterte leads official launch of PHL's ASEAN 2017 chairmanship on January 15 in Davao City
By Sammy F. Martin

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) --President Rodrigo Duterte will officially launch the Philippines chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Davao City on January 15.

In a press briefing Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said under the chairmanship of the Philippines, ASEAN will also formally mark 50 years of existence in August 2017.

“A lot of countries will be looking at the Philippines for its leadership as we spearhead commemorative activities and face present and future challenges of ASEAN’s integrated efforts amid significant geopolitical shifts in our region and the rest of the world,” Yasay told reporters.

He said ASEAN has come a long way since it was founded in 1967, from a small group of five founding members â€" Malaysia, Singapore Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, motivated by a common desire to preserve an advance mutual peace and economic prosperity amongst themselves.

Yasay further said ASEAN has transformed itself into a 10 member community that stands on three pillars, namely, political security, economic community and socio-cultural community.

“While the three community pillars are accorded with the same importance, the political security pillar has impact on the success or failure of the two others,” he explained.

“Without peace and stability, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for our community to firmly establish the other two pillars," he added.

The chief diplomat claimed that for these reasons, the Philippines has included regional peace and stability and maritime security and cooperation in its systematic priorities for each chairmanship of ASEAN.

“As we aimed at further strengthening an integrating ASEAN as a regional force, the Philippines as chair will spearhead efforts to solidify even more as well as enhance the standing, goodwill and credibility of ASEAN in the international community,” he pointed out.

“As we pursue this goal, the Philippines will work closely with fellow ASEAN members states to ensure ASEAN speaks with a unified voice in the international fora especially on matters related to regional, political and economic security,” he added. (PNA)

Pres. Duterte had 'very intimate' meeting with mayors

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Malacanang said on Thursday President Rodrigo Duterte met with at least 1,400 mayors in a “very intimate manner” last Wednesday night in Malacanang.

"What I can tell you is that it was a heart-to-heart talk between the President and the mayors," Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.

Andanar said the meeting was 'highly confidential' and held in three batches from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

"It is at the closed door meeting and the President just wanted to talk to the mayors in a very intimate manner," Andanar said, refusing to reveal the agenda of the meeting.

When asked if the President cussed the mayors allegedly linked to illegal drugs, Andanar said the President was just amplifying his message and the policy on illegal drugs.

"President Digong is very straight forward when it comes to talking to people specially officials. So what have been discussed of course, we are getting varied reports from different mayors also who were connected to the media," Andanar said.

"We know that this is the priority of the President and the enormity of the problem is huge so the President had to talk to them," he added.

Andanar said he will ask Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella to come out with official statement about the meeting with mayors.

In his previous speeches, President Duterte had shown a five-inch thick list of individuals including barangay officials, mayors, governors, lawmakers and policemen allegedly linked to illicit drug trades.

Andanar said the narco list by the President is “a developing list”.

"In battling crime, you need the support of No. 1, the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, the public and the local government executives. So it make things easier. It makes the war more manageable if all the stakeholders are involved," Andanar said.

President Duterte said the drug menace has contaminated four million Filipinos, prompting his government to declare strong campaign against illegal drugs.

Based on the latest PNP data, the war on drugs yielded one million surrenderees, over 44,000 arrested drug personalities and death of 2,212 drug pushers and users in legitimate police operations. (PNA)

SC: No TRO vs RH Law
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Supreme Court on Thursday clarified that there is no temporary restraining order stopping the implementation of programs under the Reproductive Health (RH) Law.

SC spokesman Theodore Te said that there is no TRO against the RH law but explained that the Aug. 24, 2016 decision of the high court that sustained the TRO earlier issued against the acquisition by the Department of Health (DoH) and distribution of contraceptive products Implanon and Implanon NXT to the public does not refer to the RH law.

The reports on the TRO came as President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 12 that mandates aggressive government action in providing universal access to RH programs.

Te noted that the high court gave a deadline for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to comply with the ruling and suggested that RH advocates should instead follow up such compliance with the said agency.

The SC has likewise ordered the DOH, for its part, to formulate rules for purchase and distribution of the said products and also to generate the complete list of government's programs and services under the RH law for distribution to all health care service providers.

Te said the DOH should likewise be asked about its compliance with such order.

The said ruling issued by the high court's second division rejected the bid of the DOH to proceed with the procurement and distribution of contraceptive implants.

The SC also struck down the certifications and re-certifications issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 77 contraceptive drugs and devices - including Implanon and Implanon NXT - for violation of constitutional requirement of due process.

The Court has found that the agency certified and administered 77 contraceptive drugs and devices "without the observance of the basic tenets of due process, without notice and without public hearing, despite the constant opposition of petitioners."

"The Court is of the view that the certifications and re-certifications and the distribution of the questioned contraceptive drugs should be struck down as violative of the constitutional right to due process," read the ruling penned by Associate Justice Jose Mendoza.

While the SC sustained the TRO and voided the certifications, it has remanded the case to the FDA for processing of new certifications. (PNA)

Sandiganbayan resets ex-Sen. Revilla’s plunder trial to Feb. 9

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Sandiganbayan on Thursday reset the first day of trial of the plunder charges against former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. to Feb. 9, 2017.

This after the prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) asked the anti-graft court for more time to amend their pre-trial brief.

The cancellation of the trial was made even if the former senator was already inside the courtroom, accompanied by his wife, former Cavite congresswoman and now Bacoor, Cavite Mayor Lani Mercado, and his battery of lawyers.

Revilla left the Sandiganbayan courtroom after the trial was cancelled.

Before the hearing was cancelled, former Department of Justice (DOJ) Minister and erstwhile Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza, one of the lawyers of Revilla, told the Sandiganbayan that, "There are many (prosecution) witnesses. The case will probably stand forever."

For his part, former DOJ Undersecretary Atty. Ramon Esguerra, another lawyer of Revilla, told the court that he wanted to push through with today's trial because Revilla has been in detention for more than 2 years now at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

He faces the non-bailable offense of plunder for allegedly receiving millions in “kickbacks” from businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, whose fake non-government organizations (NGOs) were allotted proceeds of the PDAF of the former lawmaker.

The Sandiganbayan said the draft of pre-trial order is already 830 pages long.

The prosecution will also present 199 witnesses on Revilla's plunder trial, including 77 beneficiaries.

On the other hand, Ombudsman Prosecutor Joefferson Toribio said they were only informed by the court today about the need for corrections in the pre-trial order.

”This number (of witnesses) only bloated because of the number of beneficiaries and bank representatives,” Toribio told the court.

He said that 119 witnesses was "bloated" because of the 77 beneficiaries who allegedly did not receive Revilla's PDAF (priority development assistance fund) project.

The prosecution asked the court for time to correct discrepancies in the 830-page pre-trial brief.

Because of this, the Sandiganbayan also set the preliminary conference between the defense and the prosecution panels on Jan. 19, 2017.(PNA)
FPV/PTR/EDS

Comelec to appeal NPC ruling on hacking of poll body's website

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to appeal the decision of the National Privacy Commission (NPC) in connection with the hacking of the former's website in March 2016.

According to Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista the commission was set to file the motion for reconsideration (MR) thru the Solicitor General on Friday, January 13.

With this, he noted that the Comelec would designate a data protection officer as required under the Data Privacy Act or Republic Act 10173, as pointed out by the NPC in its ruling.

"Designated acting data protection officer in the person of Executive Director Jose Tolentino. We have until January 27 para magappoint ng permanent data protection officer," said Bautista in an interview after attending a Mass at the Manila Cathedral with some 200 poll body employees who expressed their support to his leadership.

He reiterated that the recommendations of the NPC were going to be implemented.

"Mga recommendation ng NPC para palakasin ang website ng Comelec are all well taken. Ipapatupad naming talaga lahat yan," the poll body chief added.

He also expressed disappointment over the recommendation to file a case against him.

"Ang akin lang kinasasama ng loob ay bakit may recommendation pa na criminal fact-finding. Pero andyan na yan. Sa buhay may kanya-kanyang hamon. May kanya kanyang krus na pinapasan. So ang hamon sa atin ay pasanin ang krus na ito ng may dangal at pananampalataya," Bautista said.

Likewise, he announced that they would conduct a workshop on Jan. 18-20 to discuss Comelec rules in connection with the NPC's implementing rules.

"Itong workshop ng Comelec is to discuss our own rules in respect of NPC's implementing rules, nagimibita din kami ng mga resource persons from NPC para maliwanag kung ano ang gusto nilang ipatupad dito sa batas," Bautista added.

At the same time, he admitted that he was surprised with the support given by the employees.

In its 35-page decision, the NPC said Comelec has violated Sections 11, 20, and 21 of the Data Privacy Act when it failed to protect the privacy of the voters’ data in its role as “personal information controller”.

The ruling also recommended the criminal prosecution of Bautista due to his "willful and intentional disregard of his duties as head of agency, which he should know or ought to know, is tantamount to gross negligence".

Hackers group, Anonymous Philippines, hacked the website of the Comelec and defaced its contents last March 27, 2016.

Another group, LulzSec Pilipinas, leaked online millions of voter registration data, including names, addresses, and birthdays, among others. (PNA)
RMA/FGP/EDS

SBMA foils attempt to smuggle Php 8-B worth of Thai Sugar

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has prevented the smuggling of sugar imported from Thailand amounting to Php 8 billion after it found that the shipment appeared suspicious and lacked proper documents.

SBMA said the shipment of some 200,000 metric tons of refined white sugar from Thailand was scheduled to arrive on Friday, Dec. 23, at the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman Martin Diño has already directed Trade Facilitation & Compliance Department officer-in-charge Robert Bana to recall the certificate of eligibility and admission permit issued in favor of Subic Bay Free Trade Center, Inc., an SBMA locator and importer of the prime commodity.

“Let me emphasize that I will have zero tolerance for any form of smuggling during my watch here at SBMA. Don’t mess with me. This is more than what a local sugar refinery can produce in one milling season,” said Dino of the 200,000 MT of refined white sugar from Thailand by a locator that has no capability to store the commodity.

Dino said that under the prevailing landed price of Php 2,000 per sack, the shipment of some 4 million sacks would easily be worth Php 8 billion in the domestic market.

Dino dismissed the claim of the importer that the sugar was meant for transshipment, pointing out that smuggling syndicates had operated with impunity in previous years, thus depriving the government of much-needed resources for economic and social development.

Dino, a former chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), said he would go after smugglers operating in the freeport. “Smuggling is pure and simple economic sabotage. The Duterte administration needs all the revenues it can raise to fund an aggressive infrastructure development program and more efficient delivery of vital social services, especially education and health, to the disadvantaged sectors of the population," he said.

He warned unscrupulous SBMA personnel that he would not hesitate to dismiss them if found to have participated in shenanigans at the Freeport. Dino said he had already ordered an investigation to get to the bottom of the smuggling attempt and to file the corresponding charges against all those responsible for the illicit operation.

"President Duterte is determined to stamp out not only the drug menace and criminality but also the scourge of corruption. We need the full support of everyone in bringing about real change in Philippine society in the years ahead," he added. (PNA)

2 lanes of R10 in Manila now open to motorists

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has opened the additional two lanes of the Radial Road 10 or R-10 Road in Manila, that can be used as an alternate route by motorists traveling from north to south and vice versa.

"The opening of the additional two (2) lanes along Radial Road 10 or R-10 Road on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 between Pacheco Street to Zaragoza Street in Tondo, Manila will further improve vehicular traffic,” said DPWH Mark Villar.

The DPWH Chief led the opening of the newly improved and widened national road which traverses the cities of Manila and Navotas.

The R10 is also an alternate route for motorists from Monumento in Caloocan City going to the airport and South Luzon Expressway.

"The 24/7 operations will be maintained until the full six (6) concrete paved lanes along R-10 Road northbound is fully completed. We hope that by April 2017, the public could access all phases of the project,” Villar said.

"The concrete paving of 360 lineal meters 3rd innermost lane is also already completed to include 72 lineal meters 4th, 5th and 6th lanes while others are undergoing excavation and base and sub-base course preparation," he added.

The newly-opened portion of the highways was formerly occupied by some 4,000 informal settlers which were relocated, thus, paving the way to the realization of the project worth PHP411.5 million.

“The project has been conceptualized in the 1980s. For the past three decades, the government has been hounded by right of way issues. Proud to report that within six months of the Duterte Administration, in coordination with the local governments of Manila and Navotas, we have peacefully resolved all right of way issues,” Villar said.

The 9.7 kilometers R-10 stretching from Delpan Bridge, Tondo, Manila to the mouth of the Malabon River at Bangkulasi Bridge, C-4 Road in Navotas City is a major cargo trucks and trailers route bound to both north and south ports of Manila. (PNA)

Businesses in Manila's tourist belt won't die despite establishment of Solar City, says Manila mayor

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Business establishments in Malate and Ermita will not die with the coming of the 148-hectare Solar City, which will even boost tourism, as well as the restaurant and entertainment industry, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has said.

“There will be more tourist arrivals once the cruise terminal has been put up, and it will bring more income to the surrounding communities and businesses, aside from billions in taxes the city government will get,” Estrada said.

Manila City Hall is pushing for the development of Solar City on three islands to be reclaimed in Manila Bay, where business centers, residential and commercial properties, and tourism facilities, including an international cruise ship terminal, will be put up.

MANILA Goldcoast Development Corp. (MGDC) vice chair Edmundo Lim said Solar City will never become a competitor to local businesses, particularly to the Ermita-Malate Business Owners Association, Inc. (EMBOA).

“Where do tourists go upon arriving in Manila? It’s usually in Ermita and Malate, and also in Intramuros, and in shopping districts. Businesses in these areas mainly depend on tourists, so our role is to bring in more tourists for them,” Lim said.

“So, can you imagine, if you have two million tourists arriving every year and they go to Intramuros paying only what? PHP100 entrance (fee) per person, it’s incredible, isn’t it? Malaking impact sa Manila (Its impact on Manila is huge),” he added.

The local tourism industry that will be rejuvenated by the operation of Solar City would also create jobs for hundreds of thousands of Manileños, addressing the city’s unemployment problem, said Lim.

Estrada has said that Solar City is projected to generate up to PHP17 billion in taxes every year on top of PHP10 billion in real property taxes, generate 100,000 jobs during the construction phase and up to 500,000 more once it becomes operational. (PNA)

2017 budget funds increase in combat duty and incentive pay of cops, soldiers

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Senator Loren Legarda on Wednesday said that uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will continue to receive their increased combat duty and incentive pay under the 2017 national budget.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said that Php 12.1 billion had been allocated under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund for the said purpose.

“We know very well that our soldiers and policemen deserve to receive remuneration commensurate to their enormous and dangerous task,” Legarda said.

She added that, “We cannot overemphasize the value of the arduous mission they have to undertake in order to protect the people and the State from lawless violence, invasion, rebellion, terrorist acts and other activities that might affect public safety and bring harm to the independence of our nation.”

Only last year, qualified members of the AFP were still receiving Combat Duty Pay worth Php 500 per month and Combat Incentive Pay worth Php 150 per day of actual combat but not exceeding Php 1,500 per Operations Order or Fragmentary Order.

Meanwhile, qualified members of the PNP used to receive a maximum of Php 340 per month as Combat Duty Pay.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s Executive Order No. 3 issued in September 2016 mandates that the Combat Duty Pay of qualified members of AFP and PNP will be fixed at Php 3,000 per month; while Combat Incentive Pay will increase to Php 300 per day but not exceeding Php 3,000 per month. (PNA)

Mison, Vingson appointed to higher rank in AFP

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines announced the appointment of Lt. Gen. Salvador Melchor B. Mison as the AFP vice-chief-of-staff and Rear Admiral Narciso A. Vingson, Jr., deputy vice chief-of-staff Thursday.

Appointment ceremonies took place at AFP general headquarters building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“Rear Admiral Vingson is the concurrent The Inspector General, AFP. He will still head the office until the assumption of a new Inspector General,” AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

The former is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1985.

Prior to his assumption as the Inspector General last December, Vingson served as Naval Education and Training Command head and Philippine Fleet deputy fleet.

“Considered a seasoned sea-dog, Rear Admiral Vingson spent almost twelve years of sea duty aboard various Philippine Navy commissioned vessels. Among the vessels he commandeered were BRP Alberto Navarette (PG-394), BRP Iloilo (PS-32) and BRP Ang Pangulo (AT-25), the Presidential Yacht,” Arevalo said.

As a dedicated surface warfare officer, Vingson took various foreign courses in the United States of America such as Anti-Sub Warfare Course, Amphibious Indoctrination Course, Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer Course, Combat Information Center Course and Instructor Training Course.

He also took his Master of Science in Systems Engineering at Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California, USA.

Vingson is also a recipient of various awards; among them are Distinguished Service Stars, Military Merit Medals, Military Commendation Medals and numerous campaign medals and commendations.

“As the new Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFP, RAdm Vingson will now become the principal conductor of all activities of the AFP Joint, Personal and Special Staff. He is now the nominal Commander of the Technical and Administrative Service, and will also sit as Council Chairman of various board and committees in the AFP,” Arevalo said.

The AFP deputy chief-of-staff automatically assumes as the chairman of the AFP Educational Benefit System, AFP Commissary and Exchange Service, AFP Commissioned Officers Club, AFP Golf Club, and AFP Provident Fund.

On the other hand, Mison has moved up to the second highest post in the AFP.

He took over the position left by former deputy chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda who is now Philippine Army commanding general.

“As the new Vice Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Mison not only takes over the daunting role of being next in command of the AFP, he will also act as an important link between the Chief-of-Staff and the Area Commanders,” Arevalo said.

Aiding the chief-of-staff in the administration and management of the AFP organization, the vice chief-of-staff will also sit as the chairman of various AFP Boards such as the Office of the Ethical Standard and Public Accountability, Selection of Medal for Valor, Housing, Legislative Affairs, and Gender and Development.

“The positions of the Vice Chief-of -Staff and Deputy Chief-of-Staff are vital in influencing the success of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They may be working out of the public’s sight but their duties are equally crucial in ensuring that our efforts as one organization are unified and in line with our overall mission of protecting the people and the nation,” AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo M. Año said. (PNA)

30 members of PMA Class of 2017 board BRP Andres Bonifacio for sea phase training

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A total of 30 members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 2017, who have decided to join the Navy after graduation, have boarded the BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) to start their sea phase training.

Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the above-mentioned training started Thursday and will last until January 31.

The ship, the third Hamilton-class cutter in Philippine service, will also sail to the Visayas and Zamboanga City while these prospective naval officers are undergoing their sea phase training, he added.

The latter is the last phase of training as they join the PN.

Lincuna said this is an opportunity for these cadets to experience being at sea and acclimatize themselves to the Navy environment onboard a warship before embarking to a new commitment as officers of the PN.

Meanwhile, coinciding with the sea phase training, this will also serve as a shakedown mission for the personnel of BRP Andres Bonifacio since its arrival last Dec. 10 after its transfer from the US.

It is a maiden mission that will test the endurance at sea and operability of newly-installed ship’s equipment.

"Further, aboard FF-17 were the Philippine Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Team (PMC, DBT) that will showcase musical performance to local populace of each port of call. Also, the scheduled arrival of BRP Andres Bonifacio is timely to the major festivals of the provinces that they will be visiting that includes Sinulog Festival of Cebu on Jan. 15 and Dinagyang Festival of Ilo-ilo on Jan. 20," Lincuna added.

BRP Andres Bonifacio is an excellent training platform for midshipmen of PMA Class of 2017 as the vessel features relatively modern navigation equipment, damage control paraphernalia and modern engineering facilities that would equip cadets with the necessary knowledge and skills as they are set to operate and maintain modern vessels and aircraft on the pipeline of PN Modernization Program.

This PN endeavor is in line with the PN Human Capital Strategy based on the tenets of PN Sail Plan 2020 which is to develop highly competent and motivated professionals. With this, aggressive recruitment will also be undertaken simultaneously along with the port calls to provincial destinations of the mission. (PNA)

Aftershocks still possible from magnitude 5.1 Virac quake

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Government still expects aftershocks from the magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck off the southern shore of Virac, Catanduanes on Wednesday afternoon.

"Given the earthquake's magnitude and settling of rocks there due to this event, aftershocks are still possible," said John Paul Fallarme, science research analyst at Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

He said Phivolcs recorded the earthquake's first aftershock - a tremblor of an estimated magnitude 1 or 2, at 8:51 p.m. Wednesday (Jan.11).

According to Phivolcs, the 2:24 p.m. earthquake on Wednesday struck 15 kms south 21° west of Virac. It was of tectonic origin and struck at a depth of 9.0 kms.

However, Phivolcs does not expect any damage from the quake."The earthquake wasn't that strong to cause damage," Fallarme said.

Neither has Phivolcs warned about possible tsunami,

"Earthquakes of magnitude 6.4 or more generate such events," Fallarme noted.

Phivolcs said the earthquake was reported at intensity IV in Virac and Panganiban in Catanduanes, and in Albay province's capital Legazpi City.

Based on Phivolcs' earthquake intensity scale, that means people indoors and some persons outdoors felt the earthquake at "moderately strong" intensity like vibration from passing of a heavy truck.

Camarines Norte province's capital Daet City as well as Sipocot municipality and Naga City in Camarines Sur province reported the earthquake at intensity III, Phivolcs said.

People indoors there, particularly those in upper floors of buildings, felt the earthquake at "weak" intensity like a passing light truck's vibration.

Sorsogon province's capital Sorsogon City and Quezon province's Municipality of Guinayangan reported the earthquake at intensity II, Phivolcs also said.

At such intensity, the earthquake was "slightly felt" by few people at rest indoors.

Phivolcs will update its information on the earthquake as soon as data on this event becomes available. (PNA)

Bello awards PHP3.8-M DOLE livelihood assistance to 320 Zambaleños

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has distributed PHP3.8 million worth of livelihood assistance to some 320 people in Zambales over the weekend.

In a statement Thursday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the livelihood assistance was sourced from the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) which includes Negosyo sa Kariton (NegoKart) Projects and DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kits.

The beneficiaries received the government aid at the Rizal Triangle, Olongapo City from the DOLE chief together with Rep. Jeffrey Khonghun and Mayor Raulen Paulino.

Initial distribution of 50 NegoKarts amounting to some PHP750,000 were given. The beneficiaries were ambulant vendors, 25 from Subic town and 25 from Olongapo City, that may engaged in either enhanced or start-up roving cart businesses with add-on items like fishballs, squidballs, kikiam, “kakanin,” and merienda foods.

DOLE Regional Director Atty. Ana Dione said that NegoKarts beneficiaries have underwent the DOLE’s Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) to ensure the proper management of their businesses.

“Each vendor-beneficiary was provided with a total of PHP15,000 in livelihood assistance. This consists of a vending cart and accessory livelihood tools costing PHP12,500, along with a working capital amounting to PHP2,500,” she explained.

Likewise, Bello awarded over PHP2 million livelihood check for 100 NegoKarts to ambulant vendors. Of the said total, the amount of PHP1,500,000 was provided through the Municipality of Subic’s bottom-up budgeting (BUB).

On the other hand, the remaining PHP500,000, will be for starter kits to benefit 100 marginalized individuals.

The kits are start-up carry-on businesses which include slipper retail, manicure, pedicure, foot spa, hair cutting, massage therapy, and other health and wellness businesses.

Another PHP1,050,000 livelihood check, released through the Olongapo City Government’s BUB, will be for 70 NegoKarts to benefit ambulant vendors residing in the city.

At the same time, Bello urged the beneficiaries to manage their livelihood projects in hopes of transforming them into sustainable businesses.

“Ang tulong pangkabuhayan na ibinahagi po sa inyo ng DOLE, tulad nitong mga NegoKarts at Starter Kits, ay isang tuloy-tuloy na hakbang ng gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng alternatibong pagkakakitaan at pangkabuhayan para sa ating mga kababayan upang maitaas nila ang antas ng kanilang pamumuhay at higit sa lahat ay makatulong sa kanilang mga pamilya. Pahalagaan ninyo ito at pagyamanin,” he said in a statement.

For his part, Paulino, on behalf of his fellow local leaders, thanked Bello for personally handing out the livelihood assistance to their respective constituents.

“First time po na mismo ang ating butihing Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Paggawa at Paghahanapbuhay pa ang bumaba para ipagkaloob ang mga NegoKarts at Starter Kits na ito sa mga kababayan namin dito sa Olongapo at Subic, kaya maraming maraming salamat po Secretary Bello sa inyong oras sa pagbibigay pansin sa aming mga kababayan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Luzviminda Gimeo, one of the beneficiaries said the livelihood assistance is the best gift to receive at the start of the New Year.

"Napakalaking tulong po sa amin ang ganitong klaseng proyekto dahil ito po ay makakapagbigay na sa amin ng garantisadong arawang kita mula PHP200.00 hanggang PHP500.00 o higit pa, depende po kung may mahalagang okasyon dito sa aming bayan, kaya maraming maraming salamat po sa DOLE at umasa po kayo na ito po ay aming pagyayamanin,” she added. (PNA)

Task Force on Media Security to investigate killing of Catanduanes publisher Larry Que

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Presidential Task Force on Media Security Executive Director Usec. Joel Sy Egco is personally leading an investigation today into the killing of Catanduanes publisher Larry Que this week.

“I am personally seeing to it that the investigation of this killing moves forward faster as we are treating Que’s case as the first killing of a journalist under the President’s term. Especially in this case where it appears that Que was exposing the short comings of government officials whose vigilance could have thwarted the setting up of one of the largest shabu laboratories uncovered last year. Being a journalist myself, Que’s killing could cause a chilling effect among journalists who are on a mission to expose crime and corruption,” said Egco.

In the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office’s memorandum on Que’s killing, they recommended that ample time be given for the investigation because the complexity of the case may require a thorough look into the victim’s dealings and affiliations.

Que, the publisher of Catanduanes News Now, was shot in the head by one of two armed suspects on Dec. 19, 2016 as he was about to enter the building that houses his insurance office, the Centennial Guarantee Insurance company. He was rushed to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

The NUJP noted that prior to Que’s killing, he had written articles criticizing local officials for supposed negligence which allowed the setting up on the province of a recently raided shabu laboratory that authorities said was the “biggest” so far discovered in the country. (PNA)

PLDT-Smart to provide Filipinos wide-ranging access to 2016 Miss U pageant
By Aerol B. Patena

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Leading Philippine telecom and digital services provider PLDT and its mobile phone and Internet provider subsidiary Smart Communications will provide Filipinos a wide-ranging access, on multiple platforms, to the 2016 Miss Universe pageant.

“With our robust network capabilities and the largest consumer base of over 75 million Filipinos, millions of fans can watch the pageant events via multiple platforms, whether on TV, laptop or mobileâ€"whenever they want, wherever they want. For years, we have been revolutionizing the way entertainment is consumed in the nation, offering our subscribers an extensive entertainment portfolio featuring top digital entertainment partners. Miss Universe is one platform we would not miss out on,” PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan said Thursday during the signing of contract among PLDT,TV5, Solar Entertainment and Miss Universe Organization.

PLDT and Smart Communications partnered with broadcast network TV 5 for the coverage of Miss Universe 2016, utilizing the most extensive fixed line and wireless networks in the country.

Pangilinan added that the PLDT Group will provide exclusive behind the scene access to key events such as the swimsuit and long gown competitions and real-time viewing of the coronation night.

Also, the PLDT Group partnered with the Miss Universe Organization and the official local broadcaster of the event, Solar Entertainment Corporation.

PLDT and Smart will provide mobile and broadband connectivity for the duration of the pageant through its Fibr broadband network which delivers Internet speed of up to 1 gigabits per second (1 Gbps) and its mobile LTE network.

“The Internet and social media will undoubtedly play a substantial role in Miss Universe in the Philippines. Our digital and social media capabilities will enable interaction of the public as we cover events leading up to the pageant,” PLDT and Smart Chief Revenue Officer Eric Alberto said.

“Miss Universe 2016 will be using PLDT and Smart’s services throughout their entire journey, while fans will be able to immerse themselves in not only the coronation night, but also on all the exciting events leading up to it. True to our promise of bringing the ultimate Miss Universe experience, our subscribers will get a chance to witness the coronation night live via free ticket promos,” he added.

For its part, TV 5 will provide viewers access to the preliminary show particularly the swimsuit and long gown rounds. “Filipinos can look forward to watching their favorite contestants compete even before the grand finale, which is something only TV5 can offer,” TV5 President and CEO Chot Reyes said.

“We aim to bring the pageant to life by bringing it closer to the hearts and enthusiasm of every Filipino," Reyes added.

TV5 signed with Solar Entertainment a partnership which encompasses on-air, on-ground, and PR values, the blocktime airing of the Coronation Night on January 30, the exclusive airing of the long gown and swimsuit preliminary competitions on January 28 and 29, which will also be available online on the same day, powered by PLDT and Smart.

Meanwhile, Solar Entertainment expects that it will be able to showcase the wonders and beauty of the Philippines through delivering the optimum broadcast quality coverage of the prestigious event.

“Bringing Miss Universe to the Philippines is one of the top events that we have ever invested in. It is an opportunity that we did not want to miss. For Miss Universe, we have jampacked activities that will be happening at the same time and we’re excited to share it with the viewers,” Solar Entertainment Corporation President and CEO Wilson Tieng said. (PNA)

De Lima reiterates call to address overcrowding in PHL jails

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- As several jails in the Philippines remain extremely overcrowded, Sen. Leila de Lima on Thursday sought for a Senate probe on a current situation of jails to address its current sorry state.

De Lima, on Tuesday (January 10) sent Senate Justice Committee Chairman Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon a letter requesting him to give priority attention to her resolution P.S. Res. No. 97.

The resolution, filed last Aug. 15, seeks “instituting remedial measures that would ensure that the government accomplishes the goals of the penal and detention systems, including the protection of the rights and welfare of persons deprived of liberty.”

Attached to the letter are a series of photographs published by the US’s Time Magazine which captured the country jails’ congestion problem.

De Lima, former Justice Secretary, said she hopes that the panel would make it a priority as inmates continue to add to the already-congested jails which she described as in “unspeakable, uncivilized and inhumane condition.”

She further said that overcrowding encouraged the proliferation of illegal activities among the inmates among other problems.

“This extreme overcrowding of prisoners in jails breeds a number of severe problems in jail management, including illness and poor hygiene among inmates, substandard sleeping accommodation, lack of food provision, among others,” De Lima added.

Moreover, she said that inmates also tend to develop “tension and hostility” against each other which eventually lead to gang wars.

The neophyte senator further said that even if inmates have disobeyed the law, they were “still human beings who deserve to enjoy the basic rights to live decently and with dignity.”

In 2015, data showed that Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) accounts for 93,961 prisoners, which is 398 percent congestion rate in all the 461 jails in the country today. The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) accounts for 41,144 inmates in its seven prison and penal farms.

On the other hand, the Philippines has been ranked 12th in the world with a prison population of 142,168 in 2016, based on the World Prison Brief of the London-based International Centre for Prison Studies

As former Justice Secretary, De Lima pushed for passage of the modernization of BuCor in 2013 as part of the previous administration’s thrust to decongest and improve the facilities of the country’s jail system.

She meanwhile stressed that the state of the country’s jails should be given more attention especially in view of the intensified drive against criminality under the administration under Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. (PNA) JBP/ANP and Jake M. Castillo (OJT)

PHL, UAE ink MOU to strengthen cooperation

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Republic of the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that created a Joint Committee for Cooperation between the two nations at the sidelines of the inaugural political consultation meeting between the Philippines and the U.A.E. earlier this week.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)on Thursday said DFA Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo and His Excellency Ahmad Abdulrahman Al Jarman, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) signed the MOU in behalf of their respective countries.

Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto R. Yasay Jr. witnessed the signing.

The sealing of the MOU is a significant milestone in the 37-year diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the U.A.E.

The DFA said the MOU is geared towards strengthening the cooperation of both countries in various fields such as commerce, culture, economy, judiciary, and security. (PNA)

Duterte respects independence of Congress; leaves fate of death penalty to lawmakers

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte respects the independence of Congress, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar stressed Thursday following accusations that Malacañang is exerting undue pressure to members of the House of Representatives to support the re-imposition of death penalty in the country.

In a statement, Andanar said that although the revival of death penalty is a campaign promise of President Duterte and one of the priority legislative measures of his administration, “the President respects the independence of Congress as a separate co-equal branch of government.”

He also stressed that the President is leaving it up to the collective wisdom of the lawmakers for the enactment of the proposed law.

“President Duterte trusts the wisdom of our lawmakers to see that the enactment of such law would benefit the nation not only by instilling respect for the law among our people but also by ending impunity and ensuring that those who commit heinous crimes are prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” Andanar said.

The Presidential Communications Secretary made the statement after a pro-life lawmaker claimed that congressmen are under pressure to pass the proposed bill to reinstate the death penalty because no less than President is advocating for it.

Buhay Party List Rep. Lito Atienza said the move to revive death penalty is an initiative of the Duterte administration and not of Congress, and thus, members of the supermajority at the House are obliged to follow orders.

In the meantime, House leaders have repeatedly denied the allegations.

The proposed bill’s co-author, Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro, said there is no pressure from the Palace and that the Justice Committee has yet to submit the bill to plenary.

“In fact, the bill has not yet been certified as urgent by the President,” the Capiz lawmaker said.

Earlier, Justice Committee chair Rep. Reynaldo Umali said the proposal to re-impose the death penalty would still be subjected to a long deliberative process.

“It will still undergo a long legislative process. I am certain that what the House will eventually pass will be different from what we have approved in the committee,” the Oriental Mindoro lawmaker said.

House Bill No. 1, which was filed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was passed by the House Committee on Justice before Christmas and will be sent to the plenary when Congress resumes sessions next week.

Under the substitute bill, the following crimes will now be punishable by death: treason; qualified piracy; qualified bribery; parricide; murder; rape; kidnapping and serious illegal detention; robbery with violence; destructive arson; plunder.

Other crimes also to be deemed punishable by death are: importation, selling, and manufacturing of illegal drugs; maintenance of a drug den; possession of illegal drugs; cultivation of plants classified as dangerous drugs; unlawful prescription of dangerous drugs; criminal liability of public officer for misappropriation, misapplication, or failure to account for the confiscated, seized or surrendered drugs; criminal liability for planting evidence; and carjacking.

The bill must pass the House and the Senate before it can be signed into law by the President. (PNA)

Nat'l grid corp. completes power restoration in 'Auring'-hit areas

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines completed Wednesday the energization of areas hit by Tropical Depression Auring, one day ahead of schedule.

According to a statement from the power grid operator, issued late Wednesday, the last two downed lines, the Placer-Madrid 69-kilovolt (kV) line and the Placer Surigao 96-kV line were energized at 7:37 p.m.

The transmission lines, which lost power at 9:47 p.m. Sunday, provide electricity to the Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Siargao Electric Cooperative and Surigao del Sur 2 Electric Cooperative.

The company said the transmission services' normal operations are back.

The NGCP noted that it will continue to take the necessary precautions to minimize the impact of future disasters on its operations and facilities, through its Integrated Disaster Action Plan.

The power firm restored the Puerto-Damilag 34.5-kV line, which provides power to the Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative, at 11 a.m. Monday. (PNA)

Miss Universe candidates arrive in PHL
By Krizia Sandra Palisoc

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The bulk of candidates for the Miss Universe 2016 pageant have started arriving Thursday in Manila in preparation for the series of events leading to the coronation night on January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Miss USA Deshauna Barber was among those who arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

When asked why she should win the prestigious title, she said "I think I have to win because I represent women around the world."

Barber is the first woman actively serving the United States Military Reserve to win Miss USA.

Others who showed up together shortly after the arrival of Miss USA were Miss Canada Siera Bearchell and Miss British Virgin Islands Erika Creque.

Bearchell said she advocates for the empowerment of young women in the society as she cites her experience being bullied in her younger years. "I want to win for every young women," she said.

For her part, Creque proudly promoted her country and expressed her excitement to partake in every pageant activity.

At around dawn, Miss Costa Rica Carolina Duran and Miss Nicaragua Marina Jacoby also arrived.

At least 46 Miss Universe candidates are expected to arrive today from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m..

Earlier this week, four candidates -- US Virgin Islands, Guyana, Brazil, and Sierra Leone -- also arrived.

Over 80 bets are expected to compete in the world’s most prestigious pageant. (PNA) JBP/JMC/Krizia Sandra Palisoc (OJT)

Japanese PM Abe arrives for 2-day visit in PHL

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived on Thursday for a two-day official visit in the Philippines.

On board an official plane, Abe and his wife Madame Akie Abe arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 2:55 p.m..

Abe, the first head of state to visit the country under Duterte presidency, and his wife received a red carpet welcome from Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Charge d’Affairs of Philippines to Tokyo Eduardo Martin Menez.

From the airport, Abe proceeded to the Malacanang Palace where the visiting Japanese leader received a warm welcome from President Rodrigo Duterte.

After the traditional signing of the guest book, Abe and Duterte are set to hold summit meeting and expanded meeting with Japan and Philippines business delegates.

President Duterte will host a state banquet before the Japanese Prime Minister will fly to Davao City on Thursday evening.

In Davao City, Abe is set to meet business leaders and to visit President Duterte’s house and a Japanese school Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku on Friday.

The Japanese Prime Minister’s visit is his third to the Philippines, having visited the country in 2013 and in 2015 when he attended the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

The visit is in response to President Duterte’s invitation in October last year when the Filipino leader visited Tokyo.

President Duterte’s ‘productive’ visit in Japan yielded a total of 12 business agreements worth USD1.8 billion or roughly PHP86.4 billion.

Last year, Japan also donated patrol ships to the Philippines as symbol of strong partnership between two countries. (PNA)

Laviña to blacklist incompetent contractors

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The National Irrigation Administration will inspect thoroughly its dams and other irrigation infrastructures to check on their structural integrity and safety following earthquakes and typhoons.

This was the statement made by NIA Administrator Peter Tiu Laviña during the 3rd day of the National Planning Conference of the agency held at NIA Central Office on Wednesday.

In one of his interviews, the Irrigation Chief called on the inspection nationwide to ensure the safety of the irrigation systems and communities near and around NIA facilities.

“I will order that the construction of NIA projects should adhere to strict quality standards”, he said.

He noted that he would not hesitate to suspend contractors who use substandard materials or deviate from the designs of the infrastructure projects.

Laviña admitted that there were some contractors who started courting him for future projects in the agency but he insisted the strict compliance to the rules and requirements of public bidding must always be observed.

“Kelangan po qualified kayo, pangalawa kelangan sumali kayo sa bidding. Pag-aralan niyo yung project para talagang yung bid ninyo ang mananalo”, he told contractors.

Laviña also called on NIA projects to be disaster-resilient to prevent the recurrent restoration, repair, and rehabilitation of typhoon-damaged irrigation facilities. (PNA)

Pres. Duterte signs executive order for RH program implementation

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte signed an Executive Order aimed at ensuring that the government meet the needs of Filipino families for appropriate family planning support.

The full title of Executive Order No. 12 is “Attaining and Sustaining Zero Unmet Need for Modern Family Planning Through the Strict Implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, Providing Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes.”

In a press briefing in Malacañan on Wednesday (January 11), National Economic and Development Authority director general Ernesto Pernia said the signing of the EO would allow women of reproductive age to achieve their desired family size and number of children rather than having more children than they want or they can afford and provide for adequately.

He said this is exactly the essence of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law Act (RPRH Law), the implementation of which was hindered by a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC).

With the issuance of the EO, Pernia said they hope that the Supreme Court will act expeditiously in lifting the TRO.

Pernia said that while pro-life groups oppose the use of contraceptives, the government thinks differently, adding that the law is pro-life, pro-women, and pro-economic development.

“So the link between family planning or the implementation of the RPRH law is critical -- the link between family planning and economic development, socio-economic development is quite intimate,” he said.

The government targets to reduce poverty from 21.6 percent as of 2015, to 14 or even 13 percent by the end of the Duterte administration, Pernia said.

Pernia also said that while the TRO is still in effect, the issuance of the EO is beneficial because it allows local governments to get around with the TRO by letting NGOs implement the RPRH Law since the private sector is not covered by the SC ruling.

For his part, Commission on Population (POPCOM) executive director Dr. Juan Antonio Perez said the President is calling on the three major agencies: DOH, DILG and POPCOM to assist local governments in implementing the RPRH Law by mapping out and identifying women who have a need for family planning.

“So there is a plan to, in the next six months for local governments to go out in the field, to do house-to-house visits, identify those in need of family planning, working with all these agencies,” Perez said.

Perez added that President Duterte wants agencies to support at least the two million women in the poorest sector for them to get family planning services and to reach at least six million women by the end of the administration. (PNA)

Bulk of Miss U bets to arrive in PHL Thursday
By Azer N. Parrocha

MANLA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- At least 46 Miss Universe candidates are expected to arrive in Manila on Thursday three weeks before the pageant coronation night at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena on Jan. 30.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said the ladies will be arriving from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Candidates expected to arrive are from the following countries: Nicaragua, Canada, Costa Rica, Myanmar, USA, British V1, Mexico, Namibia, Vietnam, Russia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Singapore, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovak Republic, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Uruguay, India, Cayman Island, Great Britain, South Africa, Australia, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Malta, Spain, Turkey, Belize, Curacao, Netherlands, Indonesia, Japan, Peru, China, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Bahamas, Ecuador, Angola, Haiti, Iceland, and Kazakhstan.

Earlier this week, four candidates also arrived namely bets from US Virgin Islands, Guyana, Brazil, and Sierra Leone.

Over 80 bets are expected to compete in the world’s most prestigious pageant.

Pre-pageant activities will kick off in Boracay on Jan. 14, followed by Vigan on Jan. 15, Cebu on Jan. 17, Baguio on Jan. 18, and Batangas and Davao on Jan. 19. A Governor’s Ball will also be held in Manila on Jan. 16.

The ladies will also be meeting President Rodrigo Duterte in a courtesy call in Malacanang on Jan. 23. (PNA)

Majority of 10,000 new troops to be allocated to Army -- AFP

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) --- Majority of the 10,000 additional troops which the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now authorized to recruit will be given to the Army.

This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in a briefing Wednesday.

Out of the 10,000 additional troops, 8,000 will be allocated to the Army while the remaining 2,000 will be divided evenly between the Air Force and Navy.

He also clarified that the additional soldiers will be used to bring to bring up to strength undermanned units.

"These new troops will be used to reinforce under strength units. We will not be raising any new divisions or battalions despite being allowed to recruit 10,000 more soldiers," Arevalo said in Filipino.

He also clarified that the additional 10,000 troops have been long requested by the AFP but was only granted by the incumbent Chief Executive.

At present, the AFP numbers around 125,000 troops with an 85,000 allocated to the Army and remaining 45,000 split between the Air Force and Navy.

"These additional troops are needed for our various security engagements," Arevalo when asked on the reason for the new troopers when the government is now engaged on peace talks with various separatist groups.

By security engagements, the AFP official is referring to the Abu Sayyaf, Maute Group and other lawless elements.

Besides this, new soldiers are needed to man the brand-new equipment and platforms now being acquired by the AFP.

He added that recruitment of these new troopers is already accompanied by a budget allocation. (PNA)

Sowing Seeds of Righteousness

But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. Proverbs 11:18b

There are many ways to invest our lives, but none offers greater reward than devoting ourselves to the pursuit of righteousness. Every area of our lives should reflect the holiness of God that is ours by salvation: our thoughts, so that nothing we think about would be inappropriate for a child of God; our actions, so that our lives demonstrate that we serve a holy God; our integrity, so that we are above reproach in all our relationships.

Are you taking God’s righteousness in your life for granted? Righteousness is something you must allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Instead of sowing holy thoughts, are you allowing evil and sinful thoughts to grow in your mind? Are you allowing lust to grow unchecked within you? Does enmity, bitterness, jealousy, or unforgiveness remain in your life? Jesus said if we seek first God and His righteousness, everything else will follow (Matt. 6:33).

There is great reward in sowing righteousness. What are you presently doing to plant holiness in your life? (1 Pet. 1:15). How are you putting righteousness in your mind so that your thoughts are holy? How are you cultivating righteousness in your relationships so that you maintain your integrity? Are you instilling righteousness in your activities so that your life is above reproach? If you want to harvest righteousness in your life tomorrow, you must plant seeds of righteousness today. Henry and Richard Blackaby

Philippines in Asian Digital Transformation Index top 10

The Philippines has ranked 10th in the latest Asian Digital Transformation Index, a ranking of countries based on their conduciveness to digital transformation. In the rankings, Singapore took the top spot, followed by South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, China, Thailand, India, and the Philippines. In terms of digital infrastructure, the Philippines also ranked at 10th place, with India taking the 11th spot. The survey showed that the Philippines ranked 9th in both human capital and industry connectivity. It also noted that digital partnerships with other networks, companies or communities have yielded several benefits. About 45% of the respondents were involved in five or more such partnerships, the survey showed.

Westpac picks Accenture as system integrator

Global IT outsourcing and consulting firm Accenture has added yet another major client to its list of global customers following the signing of a deal with Westpac Banking Corporation, one of Australia's ‘big four’ banks. Westpac has selected Accenture as its system integrator as the bank embarks on a major project to roll out a new data integration solution bank-wide. Westpac's new CIO Dave Curran first introduced the plans for a centralised customer service hub in 2014. Oracle has been selected to implement the project, with Accenture as system integrator. The project will take three years in total, it is understood, starting with the bank’s consumer mortgage business line.

Investors bullish on Negros Island Region

A regional official said investors are bullish on the Negros Island Region (NIR) for this year, especially in the region's tourism, business process outsourcing (BPO), construction, and agriculture sectors, said Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc regional director for NIR and Western Visayas Frank Carbon. He expects a steady growth in the influx of BPO investments, being the leading provider of jobs to the younger generation of workforce
e. Carbon added that the NIR will have a boon economy over the other regions of the country starting this year due to the region's 5 million strong population, insurgency-free communities, and paved roads.

Another BPO building to rise in Davao City

A property developer is building a business process outsourcing (BPO) building within the 10-hectare Abreeza Complex in Davao City. The Accendo Commercial Corp, a joint venture firm of Ayala Land and Anflocor, said the BPO tower, which will have about 10 storeys, will be the second corporate center within Abreeza. Although the building project has not officially started, several BPO players have already expressed interest in occupying the tower, said Accendo Commercial Corp general manager Luigi Escano. Together with the BPO building will be a new twin-tower high-rise condominium that will be called "Patio Residences". Escano expects the groundbreaking to take place within the early part of 2017.

Xerox officially separates Conduent

Xerox Corporation has completed the separation of Conduent Incorporated, its business process outsourcing (BPO) business. Xerox CEO Jeff Jacobson said the successful completion of the separation sharpens the company's market focus and commitment to its customers. In connection with the spin-off, Xerox received a cash transfer from Conduent of USD1.8bn, which it intends to use, along with cash on hand, to retire approximately USD2bn in debt. Conduent is set to be a Fortune 500 scale business process services company, with approximately USD7bn in 2015 revenue and 93,000 employees worldwide, including in the Philippines.

TCS hiring 6,000 more employees in the Philippines

India-headquartered outsourcing firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is reportedly hiring 6,000 more workers in the Philippines to increase its headcount in the country to 10,000 from about 4,000 currently. The plan is to hire 6,000 coders in the country. The report, published in Tata group's internal magazine, did not state about the timeline of the hiring and TCS declined to comment on the report. Tata entered the Philippines in 2012 with 400 employees. It has six global delivery centers in the country and plans to add a seventh one. About 70% of the revenue from the Philippines comes from BPO services, the rest comes from IT and IT infrastructure management services.

Labor group wants anti-contractualisation bill prioritized

Labor group Nagkaisa has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent the anti-contractualisation bill, or the Security of Tenure Act. House Bill 44, which prohibits and criminalises contractualization and all forms of fixed-term contracts. The group said Duterte should prioritize the bill instead of abolishing contractualisation. The bill also seeks to secure regular jobs by amending the provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines, which legalizes subcontracting or the practice of outsourcing labor through 3rd party agencies. The group urged Duterte to junk the Department of Labor and Employment order that aims to end the illegal practice of labor-only contracting.

Sutherland to showcase new solutions at Annual Convention in US

Global outsourcing firm Sutherland will showcase its new solutions, including customer engagement management analytics platform, at next week's Annual Convention and Expo in New York, USA. Sutherland will showcase its intelligent retail solutions â€" including artificial intelligence (AI) chat bots, customer experience optimization, big data, predictive analytics, and automation â€" providing customers an integrated shopping experience, building customer loyalty and growing revenue. Sutherland employs over 38,000 professionals and has locations across the United States, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, Estonia, India, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, Slovakia, Sweden, UAE, and United Kingdom.