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Infosys set to announce earnings results

Global consulting, technology and outsourcing firm Infosys is set to announce the results for its Q3 ended 31 December. The announcement will take place on 13 January 2017, according to a press statement. During the earnings release, senior management will discuss the company's performance and answer questions from participants. Following the release of its Q3 results, the leadership team of Infosys will be part of a common television interaction and address questions from the media. Its competitor, Cognizant, earlier said it expects full year revenue growth of just 8.5-9% this year, less than half the growth seen in 2015.

Unisys names new chief marketing officer

IT outsourcing firm Unisys has hired Ann Sung Ruckstuhl as senior vice president and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), leading all of Unisys' marketing and communications functions. Ruckstuhl was recently CMO at SOASTA, the leading digital performance management platform used by Fortune 1,000 companies. She also worked as CMO at LiveOps, head of marketing at Symantec's NortonLive Services and vice president of marketing at Sybase. At Unisys, Ruckstuhl will be based in Silicon Valley and will report directly to Peter Altabef, president and CEO of Unisys. Unisys is a global information technology company that specializes in providing industry-focused solutions integrated with leading-edge security to clients in the government, financial services and commercial markets. Unisys also operates an outsourcing center in the Philippines.

Axiom BMP celebrates 12th year in industry

Global outsourced services provider Axiom BPM has marked its 12th year of industry experience and business operations. The company offers outsourced services for accounting, BPO & back office support, and software development to its clients. A spokesperson for Axiom said the company will continue to provide high quality technology and outsourcing services at a significantly lower cost. Axiom's mission is to provide high quality technology and outsourcing services at a significantly lower cost. The company, according to the spokesperson, is determined to leverage offshore development and operations centers for its services. Headquartered in India, Axiom also operates dedicated centers in the Philippines.

Xerox names new board directors

NYSE-listed Xerox has announced that Joseph Echevarria, former chief executive officer of Deloitte LLP, and Cheryl Krongard, former senior partner with Apollo Management LP, will be joining its Board of Directors effect 1 January 2017. Xerox Corporation, which comprised of the company’s Document Technology and Document Outsourcing businesses, and Conduent Incorporated, a business process services company, now has 11 directors at its board with the new additions. In a statement, Xerox Chairman and CEO Ursula Burns said the company will benefit from the international business knowledge of Echevarria and the institutional asset management expertise of Krongard.

Qualfon names Colin Conner VP for business development

Global outsourcing firm Qualfon has announced the appointment of Colin Conner as Vice President of Business Development, leading Qualfon in driving revenue growth. In a statement posted on its website, Qualfon said Conner will be tasked to drive revenue growth in the healthcare and property and casualty verticals. Before joining Qualfon, Conner was managing director at Global Secured Investments, president of Level2Direct LLC and director of call center operations at Health Plan One. Dough Hoffschwelle, chief sales and marketing officer at Qualfon, said Conner's consulting background and experience in the healthcare and P&C industries make him a valuable addition to the Qualfon family.

WNS Limited to release Q3 results

Global business process management firm WNS Limited is releasing its fiscal 2017 Q3 financial and operating results on 19 January. The release will be followed by a management call, which will see CEO Keshav Murugesh, CFO Sanjay Puria, and COO Ronald Gillete reviewing the results of the fiscal 2017 Q3 ended 31 December on the teleconference. As of September 30, 2016, WNS had 31,719 professionals across 42 delivery centers worldwide including China, Costa Rica, India, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and the United States. WNS services global clients by combining operational excellence with deep domain expertise in key industry verticals including travel, insurance, banking and financial services, manufacturing, retail and consumer packaged goods, shipping and logistics, healthcare and utilities.

Accenture encourages female students to code

Global outsourcing firm Accenture is encouraging female students in the Philippines to be exposed to technology, specifically to code. Having female students interested in technology will establish a balanced pool of highly skilled information technology talent for the IT-business process management industry. Code is the language that powers technology, said Ambe Tierro, Accenture Delivery Centers for Technology Lead in the Philippines. For the second year, Accenture in the Philippines has enjoined more young girls to raise more awareness and interest in technology. Internationally, Accenture had 196 cities participate in 56 countries for the Code.org’s event and completed more than 12,000 hours of coding.

ADB chief not worried about Philippine BPO's future under Trump

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Takehiko Nakao expressed confidence that US President-elect Donald Trump's America-first policy will not affect the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the Philippines. Nakao said US companies might need to resort to such services as BPO from the Philippines if they want to do more manufacturing business at home to stay competitive. He also stressed that he is not worried about the prospects for the BPO industry in the Philippines as the industry continues to grow at a fast rate. Nakao also said the country's economic growth is becoming more solid, providing an ideal home to the ADB. The ADB head expects the Philippine’s growth to be 6.8% in 2016 and 6.4% this year.

Australia is top foreign investor in the Philippines in 2016

Australia emerged as the top foreign country investor in the Philippines in 2016, with investments worth P30.5bn, according to government data. Australia was followed by Singapore with P13.6bn worth of investments, The Netherlands (P13.1bn), Japan (P6.8bn), and South Korea (P6.4bn).

For the entire 2016, approved investment projects in the Philippines grew 20.4%, reaching P441.8bn from P366.7bn registered in 2015.

The aggregated investment approvals in 2016 were generated from 377 projects and are expected to generate about 67,615 in new jobs when these investment projects become fully operational. The rise in investment pledges in 2016 underscores the continued confidence of investors with the country's sustained strong macroeconomic fundamentals, said Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon Lopez.

Provinces will face lack of qualified BPO talent â€" Leechiu

Provincial locations will continue to face the challenge of sourcing enough qualified talent for the BPO sector for the next six years, according to Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC). This will result in oversupply of office space in the provinces, said LPC CEO David Leechiu. A total of 1.43 million square meters of new office space will be created in the provinces between 2016 and 2022, which could result to oversupply based on the projected employment demand from BPO firms. The provincial BPO industry reported a total of 361,573 full-time employees as of Q4 of 2016. The figure is forecast to rise to 496,320 full-time employees by 2022. But LPC said that would mean an office space demand of just 730,100 square meters, resulting to an oversupply of about 700,000 square meters.

Offshore gaming firms lift office space demand

A surge in inquiries from offshore gaming companies has also raised demand for office spaces in the country, according to property consultant Colliers International Philippines. Last year, Colliers said over 80,000 square meters of office space was taken by offshore gaming, with each company requiring 10,000 sq m of BPO space. The office market is poised to deliver a record of more than 800,000 sq m of space this year, after a minor setback in 2016 when the sector suffered some delays. Colliers also believes BPOs will continue to drive the office market with a shift to higher value services and provincial locations envisioned to drive growth.

Global IT, BPO providers investing more in onshore locations

Leading global IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) providers are increasing their investment in onshore locations rather than offshore locations, according to research firm Everest Group. Onshore location expansion did decline in 2013 and 2014 due to a global slowdown, but rose to 52% during 2015 and H1 of 2016, the report noted. Global firms, such as IBM, Accenture, Xerox, Dell, Infosys, Wipro, and HCL, have set up onshore centers in the past year and-a-half, according to Anurag Srivastava, vice president of global sourcing for Everest Group. The total number of new onshore delivery center openings more than doubled from 22 in 2014 to 52 in 2015 and the first half of 2016, Everest Group said.

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Widening of vital QC-Caloocan-Valenzuela road set
By Severino C. Samonte

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to widen a nine-kilometer long national road connecting the old Novaliches Poblacion in Quezon City with portions of North Caloocan and Valenzuela City in the northernmost wing of Metro Manila under the Duterte administration’s "Golden Age of Infrastructure" program.

The DPWH under Secretary Mark Villar said the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board chaired by President Rodrigo R. Duterte has approved the appropriation of PHP2.8 billion for the improvement and widening of the old Novaliches-Polo Road, which has been renamed after Gen. Luis Malinis, one of the closest aides of Katipunan founder Andres Bonifacio during the early phase of the 1896 Revolution against Spanish rule in the Philippines.

This street is the only direct link from MacArthur Highway in Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Quirino Highway marking the center of the former Novaliches town, which has been divided between Quezon City and Caloocan City since 1948.

Gen. Luis St. traverses at least nine big and populous barangays in the three cities -- Novaliches Proper or Poblacion, Nagkaisang Nayon, Caybiga, Bagbaguin, Paso de Blas, Canumay, Fortune Village, Maysan and Malinta.

Located along both sides of the narrow road -- with just one lane each way -- are numerous subdivisions and manufacturing plants, aside from schools, shopping malls, banks, drug distribution outlets and residential houses.

As there is no other crossing road along its entire nine-kilometer length except for the North Luzon Expressway midway in Barangay Paso de Blas, Gen. Luis St. is used 24 hours a day by all kinds of vehicles -- buses, passenger jeepneys, taxicabs, trucks, motorcycles and tricycles.

As a result, travel speed by buses, jeepneys and other motor vehicles along certain sections of this road, particularly from Barangay Caybiga, North Caloocan to the NLEX in Barangay Paso de Blas, Valenzuela, is sometimes four kilometers or more per hour.

Truck ban is not imposed along the road by either the local governments of the three cities or the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) since it is designated as route of cargo trucks coming from Quezon City and MacArthur Highway bound for the NLEX.

NEDA Director General Ernesto Pernia has been reported as saying that the project will ease the perennial heavy traffic in the northernmost portion of the adjacent cities of Quezon, Caloocan and Valenzuela.

Of this road’s total length of nine kilometers, one-half belongs to the jurisdiction of Valenzuela City (formerly Polo town of Bulacan) and the other half is shared by Caloocan and Quezon City.

Pernia said the project aims to expand the carriageways of the road network, and rehabilitate three short bridges along it in Malinta, Maysan and Paso de Blas.

According to the NEDA, the project is expected to be implemented in one year -- from January 2018 to January 2019.

Three decades ago or until the 1980s, when both sides of the nine-kilometer road were still dotted by rice fields, travel time from Valenzuela to Novaliches, and vice versa, was only 10 minutes.

At present it takes one-hour-and-a-half to reach either destination.

It also takes the same length of time or more for bus travelers from Novaliches to reach Blumentritt, Quiapo or Sta. Cruz, Manila, or Cubao, Quezon City. (PNA)

Diplomatic Corps expresses best wishes, 'solidarity' with Filipino people

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Diplomatic Corps in the Philippines on Wednesday expressed best wishes to the nation's leaders and its solidarity with the Filipino people as the country faces various social and economic challenges on its road to progress and prosperity.

In his speech during the traditional New Year Vin d’Honneur at Malacañang Palace, Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, expressed the deep gratitude and best wishes of the chiefs of the various diplomatic missions and international organizations in the country to President Rodrigo Duterte and the Filipino people.

“In their name, I convey to you, Mr. President… the most heartfelt wishes for a 2017 full of achievements in trade and especially in cooperation in the vast and complex area of technology that is gaining more and more interest,” he said.

Pinto noted that there is no nation nor people that does not long for tranquility and security as these open the way to development.

However, devastating natural phenomena, like Typhon Nina which affected millions of Filipinos in Southern Luzon during the Christmas season, could set back the achievements obtained with great sacrifices and stretch the resources of the nation, he said.

But while there are generous assistance from local and international communities, the Papal envoy acknowledged that the answer to recovery “lies first of all in the Filipinos themselves and in their ability to shape their future again and again, in their enthusiasm for community life and their passion for giving and receiving support.”

“Mr. President, the word ‘solidarity’ means much in this country and we, members of the Diplomatic Corps, feel that we were a part of the Filipino people, of its hospitality and its determination to face the challenges of the adversities brought about by forces of nature or arising from events that take place,” the dean of the Diplomatic Corps said.

He also expressed the Diplomatic Corps’ best wishes of good health and success to the President, to the leaders of Congress and members of the Cabinet.

“Let us now raise our glasses for a toast to a new year of hope and peace, of greater progress and prosperity for the Filipino people, and for the well-being of Mr. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. May God abundantly bless us in this new year 2017,” Pinto said. (PNA) JBP/CMR/ZOE DEL ROSARIO (OJT)

Senate energy panel to tackle PHP750-M electric coop disaster fund

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Senate Committee on Energy led by its chair, Sen. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian, is set to discuss a measure meant to provide assistance to electric cooperatives during disasters next week.

Senate Bill No. 1253, otherwise known as the Electric Cooperatives Disaster Management Fund Act, proposes the establishment of a PHP750 million fund which would provide financial assistance to electric cooperatives for restoration and rehabilitation of power facilities and infrastructure damaged during typhoons, earthquakes, and other instances of natural calamities and fortuitous events.

The fund will also be used to finance disaster prevention, preparedness, and mitigation projects to be undertaken by electric cooperatives, including disaster vulnerability risk assessments and institutionalization of emergency response plans.

Moreover, it is meant to equip electric cooperatives with the resources they need to minimize damage caused by future storms and other natural disasters through the exercise of foresight and diligence.

Gatchalian, principal author of the bill, said that without a dedicated funding source for disaster repairs and rehabilitations, electric cooperatives have no choice but to seek interest-bearing calamity loans.

These calamity loans can take as long as two years to be converted into grants, and sometimes the loans are not converted at all due to budgetary constraints.

He said that under the current system, electric coops often have no choice but to pass on the costs of these calamity loans to consumers.

This, in turn, will result in higher power rates for people who are already struggling to put their lives back together in the wake of a calamity.

“Essentially, it's like handing out relief goods to calamity survivors and then asking them to pay for them later. This is a problem that needs to be addressed," Gatchalian said. (PNA)
JBP/ANP

Pulse Asia survey results on Martial Law mean people want new solutions to PHL's problems

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- A Senator on Wednesday said that the survey results of Pulse Asia which showed that majority of Filipinos found that imposing Martial Law today is unnecessary meant that people wanted ‘new solutions’ to the country’s problems on crime and terrorism.

"I think nandoon pa rin ang mga problema natin…Ang mga Pilipino naghahanap na ng bagong solusyon, na huwag na tayong bumalik sa mga gawain na nakasama naman sa ating bayan (I think our people are looking for new solutions…People want new solutions so that we won’t have a repeat of pursuits that could damage our country)," Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV told reporters in an interview.

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.

"It’ a complete rejection of this type of leadership, that type of governance na masyadong nakakiling sa violence o nakakiling sa martial rule (that encouraged violence or martial rule)," Aquino added.

Aquino said that it was problematic how the government would usually think that the solution to crime and violence is increased military and police presence.

"Parang iyon na lang lagi ang mga solusyon na ibinibigay sa atin. I think iyong taumbayan, habang naghahanap sila ng lunas sa mga problema, naghahanap din sila ng bagong solusyon mula sa gobyerno (It seems like it [martial law] is the solution they continue to give us. I think that the people, while looking for other remedies to our problems, want newer solutions),” he further said.

Aquino meanwhile said that the decision of the Supreme Court to deny the petitions against the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) was expected.

“Ang sabi ko nga, hindi na talaga legal ang pag-appreciate sa mga nangyari during the Marcos burial issue. Magiging historical na talaga iyan (I said before, appreciating what happened during the Marcos burial is not a legal issue. It’s a historical issue),” Aquino said.

“History will judge these times na nilibing natin ang isang diktador sa Libingan ng mga Bayani (when we buried a dictator in the Libingan ng mga Bayani),” he added. (PNA)

Camp Crame hit by two bomb scares
By Perfecto T. Raymundo

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The National Headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame, Quezon City was hit by two bomb scares on Wednesday.

The first bomb scare happened when a suspected dynamite with wirings was found by garbage collectors along 4th Avenue, Barangay Bagong Lipunan, Crame, Quezon City.

Supt. Edwin Eleazar, of the Philippine National Police-Explosive and Ordnance Division (PNP-EOD) officer-in-charge, said that the suspected bomb was made to look real but it was not an explosive.

Eleazar saw no "criminal intent" in the suspected bomb having been found in trash.

He noted that the suspected bomb was composed of rolled cupboard, wirings and digital timer, but it was not capable of exploding.

Eleazar said that the suspected bomb was negative of explosive component which was found near Camp Crame.

The dynamite-shape material with wirings and digital timer was found by a garbage collector at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Personnel of the PNP-EOD immediately responded to the area.

The PNP-EOD official termed it as "inert" which is used as a training aid in the conduct of lectures.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said that the QCPD operatives were now conducting "follow-up operation" to determine who disposed the suspected "bomb" in the garbage.

Eleazar added that also being investigated was the area where the suspected bomb was found.

The second bomb scare occurred when a suspicious object inside a plastic bag was found inside Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon.

The area where the object was found was immediately sealed off by Camp Crame authorities.

Experts from the PNP-EOD inspected first the suspicious package and immediately detonated the same.

The second suspected "bomb" was "disrupted" by the PNP-EOD.

The PNP-EOD personnel detonated the suspected bomb placed inside a trash can in Camp Crame.

After using a "disruptor", the result was negative on the suspected package inside Camp Crame.

Three boxes full of cable wires were found after the suspected bomb was disrupted near the PNP General Hospital in Crame Crame. (PNA)

PHP, PSEi retreat ahead of Trump presscon

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) - Profit-taking reigned in the currency and equities markets Wednesday, reversing the gains of both the peso and the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi).

The local unit finished the day at 49.62 from 49.50 Tuesday, which a trader attributed to investors’ wait-and- see stance ahead of the press conference of US President-elect Donald Trump.

The trader said investors took advantage of the recent peso surge and book profit.

Concerns on what the US president-elect would discuss in his press conference made the markets jittery but the peso opened little changed against the dollar at 49.55 from 49.58 in the previous session.

It strengthened to as much as 49.52 but also weakened to 49.63 making the day’s average stayed at 49.56.

Volume of trade totaled to USD529.9 million, lower than the previous session’s USD669.5 million.

The currency pair was forecast to trade between 49.50 and 49.70 Thursday.

The same trend was seen on the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi), which fell 0.58 percent, or 42.52 points, to 7,321.

This was its first slide since the start of 2017.

All Shares slipped by 0.20 percent, or 8.86 percent, to 4,408.27 points.

Most of the sectors ended the day on the red, led by the Holding Firms, which declined 0.79 percent followed by Services, 0.67 percent; Property, 0.42 percent; and Financials, 0.28 percent.

On the other hand, Industrial rose 0.36 percent and Mining and Oil, 0.25 percent.

Volume of trade involved 1.74 billion shares amounting to Php 7.15 billion.

Decliners led losers at 99 to 88 while 52 stocks remained unchanged. (PNA)

SSS urged to address inefficiencies amid pension hike

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Amid controversies hounding the PHP1,000 hike in the monthly pension of all pensioners under the Social Security System (SSS), a senator on Wednesday urged the state-run pension fund to address operational inefficiencies particularly increasing the contribution of SSS members.

Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian said the 24.3 percent expenses-to-income ratio of SSS was far larger than that of comparable social insurance institutions within Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This includes the local Government Service Insurance System (10.1 percent), Malaysia's Employees' Provident Fund (3.21 percent), and Singapore's Central Provident Fund (2.51 percent).

Gatchalian further said that SSS is not meeting the high standard of financial management and operational efficiency set by similar institutions within the region.

"It even earns less than half of the annual income of GSIS despite spending more money. Simply put, SSS is being left behind by its peers," said Gatchalian.

He stressed that the SSS management also failed to provide the kind of results its pensioners deserve and threatened to look for more capable leaders to replace them.

The neophyte senator estimated that SSS could generate an additional PHP6 to 9 billion per year in savings and revenue by reducing operating expenses and minimizing collection leakages.

He meanwhile urged SSS to correct its over-exposure to short and medium-term member loans, which according to the 2015 COA Audit Report amounted to 15.3 percent of its reserves, well above the 10 percent cap imposed by the SSS Law.

In the same audit report, COA assessed the value of delinquent member loans to be PHP41.9 billion, PHP22.4 billion of which had been delinquent for five or more years.

Gatchalian, who had earlier filed a Senate bill seeking to implement an across-the-board increase in SSS pensions by PHP2000 per month, however, commended President Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for approving the increase despite previously indicating that he would not support it.

"While I commend President Duterte for coming to a compromise on this issue, it is also critical that we do not let the management of SSS take the easy way out by simply increasing contribution levels," Gatchalian said.

"The SSS needs to put its house in order to make sure that it does not waste contributors' money," he added.

The release of the pension would come in two tranches -- the initial PHP1,000 increase this month will be the first tranche while the additional PHP1,000 in 2022 or earlier will be the second tranche.

Pres. Duterte approved a pension hike for SSS members along with a corresponding increase in contributions on Tuesday (January 10). (PNA)

MMDA to establish integrated terminals for provincial buses to decongest traffic in EDSA
By Aerol B. Patena

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA News Feature) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) plans to establish a common terminal for provincial buses to further ease traffic congestion in EDSA and other major roads in Metro Manila.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos reiterated that provincial buses should not traverse through major thoroughfares as this further contributes to the heavy traffic condition in the metropolis.

He said that a major challenge on the implementation of the nose in nose out policy for provincial buses is the lack of movable spaces for terminals. The policy mandates these buses to only enter or exit at terminals outside Metro Manila and not to load or unload passengers in major roads.

The MMDA reported that nine bus terminals lacked the garage space to comply with the policy.

In a recent consultation with bus operators, two bus companies agreed to demolish a wall between their terminals while four others agreed to transfer their bus fleets to a common terminal in Cubao, Quezon City.

“It is urgent that a common terminal that will provide shared facilities for provincial buses is established as a way to further ease traffic congestion,” Orbos said in an interview with reporters.

The MMDA will coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for the establishment of the common terminal for provincial buses.

The agency intends to install two integrated terminals for provincial buses coming from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

It plans to put up the terminal for buses from SLEX at the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) complex in Taguig while it is scouting a place for the integrated terminal for buses coming from NLEX.

Meanwhile, the MMDA, in coordination with the DOTr, is responsible for the development of the Southwest Interim Transport Terminal at Coastal Mall in Paranaque for provincial buses from the south of Metro Manila entering via Coastal Road and/or Manila-Cavite Expressway.

The MMDA hopes to rationalize the operations of provincial buses along EDSA through the eventual removal of bus terminals along EDSA and banning them from plying the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), said that all bus terminals along EDSA must be relocated to strategic areas outside the metropolis to decongest major roads.

Data from the MMDA show that there are 85 provincial bus companies whose terminals are in Metro Manila, 46 of which are along EDSA, specifically in Cubao and Balintawak in Quezon City and in Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

Around 3,300 provincial buses and 12,000 city buses ply along EDSA daily. (PNA)

Militant solon lauds Pres. Duterte's approval of SSS pension hike

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- A militant lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Wednesday commended President Rodrigo Duterte for approving the PHP1,000 increase in the monthly pension of all pensioners under the Social Security System (SSS).

In a statement, Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Ariel Casilao also applauded President Duterte for morally heeding the calls of SSS pensioners, their families and all those who supported to assert the increase on their monthly pension.

“It’s a combination of militant assertion and collective actions of both the pensioners and their supporters that compelled the president to take side with the people,” Casilao said.

Malacañang announced on Tuesday that the President 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.

Casilao expressed gratitude for the increase but said that the fight will continue until the second tranche of PHP1,000 will be given to the pensioners.

The progressive solon also urged SSS members to demand significant reforms in the institution such as improving its collection rate and coverage, getting rid of huge salaries and bonuses of executives and risky investments in the private sector.

These reforms are meant to counteract the planned 1.5-percent increase on the members’ monthly contributions, Casilaod said.

In December 2015, the delinquency in premium contributions and penalties of employers pegged up to PHP4.845 billion in the National Capital Region.

Also in the same year, the Commission on Audit upheld its decision ordering SSS to return the PHP71 million worth of illegal bonuses.

"The potential and significant losses are due to how the institution is managed, but the burden is being passed on its members, hence, we urge the people to be vigilant and to intensify mass actions pressing reforms beneficial to SSS members," Casilao said. (PNA)

CAAP probes PAL incident in Kalibo Int'l Airport

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Wednesday said it has dispatched its investigators from the office of Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) to conduct inquiry on the incident that happened at Kalibo International Airport Tuesday evening (January 10).

Initial reports from Area Manager Vl Efren Nagrama cited that an Airbus A320 operated by Philippine Airlines coming from Cebu-Mactan to Kalibo International Airport experienced engine problem upon landing Tuesday night at around 10:50 p.m.

"The plane landed safely with no injuries reported. The aircraft is now parked on ramp awaiting mechanic from Manila," CAAP said. (PNA)

American wanted for murder nabbed in Subic

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday arrested a 28-year old American wanted by federal authorities for murder and other serious offenses in Zambales.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente identified the foreigner as Yoshikoson Umeko Haddon who was arrested in Subic by agents of the bureau’s fugitive search unit (FSU).

The arrest was made through the mission order issued by the BI chief after the US embassy informed them that the fugitive’s passport was already revoked by the State Department, thus making him an undocumented alien.

"US authorities have described him as a dangerous felon, thus his continued presence here poses a serious threat to public safety,” he said in a statement.

The American is now detained at the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa while awaiting deportation.

Morente said that a US district court in Virgina issued a warrant for Haddon’s arrest in September last year.

He was reportedly charged with capital murder, killing for hire and solicitation of adult to commit felony.

Once deported, the foreigner will be placed in the immigration blacklist to prevent him from returning to the Philippines. (PNA)

Executive Order on Zero Unmet Need signed

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The joint efforts of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) andthe Department of Health (DOH) to push further the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (RPRH Law) has been realized with the signing of the Executive Order (EO) on “Zero Unmet Need for Family Planning” last January 9, 2017.

This order aims to intensify and accelerate the implementation of critical actions necessary to attain and sustain “zero unmet need for modern family planning” for all poor households by 2018, and all of Filipinos thereafter.

It also enjoins three key national governmentagencies DOH, Commission on Population (POPCOM) and Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) and all local government units to accelerate mechanisms and strategies to attain the said purpose through the strict implementation of the RPRH Law.

Mandated to support the EO are eight national government agencies namely: DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Youth Commission, NationalEconomic and Development Authority, DILG, Philippine Commission on Women, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and POPCOM.

“The TRO affects 7.3 million Filipino women, most of which belong to the lowest wealth quintile with high unmet need for Family Planning,” POPCOM Executive Director Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has been vocal about the need for Family Planning program in the country and even stressed the full implementation of the RPRH Law in his first State of the Nation Address.

"The implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law must be put into full force and effect so that couples, especially the poor, will have freedom of informed choice in the number and spacing of children they can adequately care and provide for, eventually making them more productive members of the labor force,” he said.

The EO defined unmet need as “couples and women who are fecund and sexually active and want to limit or space their children but are not using any modern method ofcontraception.” (PNA)

Additional 500 troops deployed to Davao City to secure launch of ASEAN Chairmanship 2017

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Around 500 troops from the Army, Navy and Air Force were flown to Davao City to augment the Philippine National Police (PNP) contingent tasked to secure the launching on Jan. 15 of the ASEAN chairmanship 2017.

These uniformed personnel consists of explosive ordnance disposal experts and K-9 units and their handlers, were flown Wednesday, said AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

Arevalo said these troops will be subordinated to Eastern Mindanao Command's Joint Task Force Haribon which will is the premier military anti-terrorist unit in the area that is also tasked to support the PNP in securing the ASEAN Summit 2017.

He added additional troops will be deployed if needed.

Aside from terror threats, Joint Task Force Haribon is also tasked to respond to disaster incidents and internal security operation.

Despite these preparations, the AFP official said that they are still to detect any direct threats for the ASEAN Summit 2017. (PNA)

Social welfare dept takes a firm stand against child labor, to join Makiisa#1MBatangMalaya campaign

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday will launch a program that aims to combat child labor in the country.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo noted that due to widespread and deep-seated poverty in the Philippines, many children are forced to give up their childhood and become workers in factories, mines and plantations, so they could earn meager wages they can give to their parents.

To end child labor, she said, comprehensive actions must be done to help the parents of these children.

“There are already ongoing efforts to help parents to secure gainful and sustainable employment, and these efforts should be complemented with programs to help their children,” Taguiwalo said.

The DSWD is already carrying out the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which helps some 4 million households from the poorest families in the country, send their children to school. Being in school, however, is not an assurance that children will not engage in child labor. “We should all work together to bring an end to child labor and help children recover their childhood,” the social welfare chief said.

The department’s event on Thursday, dubbed the “Makiisa #1MBatangMalaya: One with Children in Ending Child Labor”, will launch the SHIELD Project or the Strategic Help Desks for Information, Livelihood and other Development Interventions against Child Labor.

SHIELD aims to strengthen efforts at the local level by opening help desks and a local registry on child labor for referral and convergence of support services. It will focus on areas with a high incidence of child labor to create an impact and make services more available to children and their families. Interventions will be based on data from the Child Labor Local Registry.

SHIELD will target children engaged in the Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL), as well as their families and communities in the pilot areas. Three target areas have been chosen -- deep-sea fishing communities in Catanuan, Quezon in the Calabarzon region; mining and quarrying communities in Labor, Paracale and Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte in the Bicol region; and commercial agriculture areas in Kananga and Ormoc in the eastern Visayas region. (PNA)

PN to sign recruitment MOA with 3 schools, Manila, Quezon City LGUs

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- As more modern ships are acquired and commissioned, the Philippine Navy (PN) is needing more and more qualified men and women to man these vessels so vital in protecting the country's vast waters.

In line with this, the PN will sign memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Adamson University, Mapua Institute of Technology, Technical University of the Philippines, and the local governments of Manila and Quezon City this Jan. 12 to beef up its recruitment efforts.

PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the MOA will formalize the PN's collaboration efforts with these institutions and ensure the naval force will have a vast manpower pool for its crewing needs.

Newly-acquired ships of the PN are the BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17), BRP Tarlac (LD-601) and the BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR-702) and the five "Balikpapan" landing craft heavies.

Expected to arrive in the near future are the BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the sister ship of BRP Tarlac, and the two-missile-armed frigates which will be constructed by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The MOA signing will be held at PN headquarters in Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

Expected in the 9 a.m. signing ceremonies are Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, the presidents of the above-mentioned schools and PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph S. Mercado. (PNA)

Duterte affirms commitment to free PHL from drugs, corruption, criminality during Vin d’Honneur
By Cielito M. Reganit

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday affirmed his commitment to free the Filipino people from the evils of drugs, corruption and criminality as he addressed the Diplomatic Corps during the traditional Vin d’Honneur at Malacañang Palace.

“When I assumed the presidency six months ago, I pledged to lead my country and my people. I vowed to address three basic evils that subjected my people, especially the poorest and the disenfranchised to the most unbearable burdens of slavery, or millions of them, to drugs, corruption, criminality and a revolution in the south,” he said to honored guests during the traditional New Year reception.

He said that his sacred vow has remained unchanged and stressed that he would certainly stay true to the mandate reposed on him as the nation’s leader.

“The administration will remain firm in its resolve to hold the corrupt accountable for their deeds. We will make criminals responsible for their actions and we will work very, very hard to finally break the apparatus of the illegal drugs trade,” the President said.

“In so doing, we affirm and renew our commitment to bring about the change that my country and people deserve,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, he said that all efforts are also being made to bring about just and lasting peace in Mindanao and to finally bring to an end one of the longest-running communist insurgencies in the world.

Alongside these efforts is the determination to bring about a stronger Philippine economy, he said.

“Already, we have started the process of genuine reform to encourage more trade and investments, to intensify commercial activities, to ramp up investment and much-needed infrastructure, to increase revenues to make communities more resilient, and to improve basic social services,” he said.

“These changes are vital to make the Philippines a stronger republic. It is on the basis of this political, social and economic reforms and the Philippines will be able to take on an even more active and more influential role in the community of nations,” Duterte said.

In the meantime, the President also vowed to cooperate in addressing the common challenges faced by the international community such as the menace of terrorism, natural and human-induced calamities, transnational crimes, hunger and poverty and international disputes.

“Indeed, as we thrive to be stronger at our core, we hope to do more not just for our own people but for our region and for the world,” Duterte said. (PNA)

PHL Embassy in Canberra launches 'OFW Helplines in Australia'

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Philippine Embassy in Canberra and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) launched the “OFW Helplines in Australia,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.

A pocket brochure containing important contact information for Filipinos working in Australia and useful tips during their stay were distributed to remind and guide OFWs.

Beginning this year, POLO-Canberra started to provide Filipino workers in Canberra with the brochure which can be kept in the wallet for easy access at all times.

The brochure is a joint initiative of the Philippine Embassy and POLO-Canberra to ensure that Filipinos in Australia have the necessary information on hand in cases of emergency and workplace-related problems.

The brochure can be downloaded from the Philippine Embassy in Canberra’s official website (www.philembassy.org.au) and Facebook page (@phembassyau).

The brochure will soon be available through the Philippine Consulate in Sydney and Honorary Consuls General in Darwin, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart and Melbourne. (PNA)

BIR to probe tax liabilities of Lam's illegal online gaming business -- Aguirre
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue will soon to start investigating the tax liabilities of the properties of online gambling operator Jack Lam.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II made the statement Wednesday, stressing that the government might sequester the properties of Lam in Fort Ilocandia and the Fontana Leisure and Resorts in Clark, Pampanga if he fails to settle his obligations with the government.

Aguirre said if the BIR investigation proves that Lam did not pay taxes and failed to settle liabilities, the government will sequester his properties.

“The President said that there will be sequestration of Jack Lam’s properties, what he meant is that if there will be no settlement of the obligation to the government, the BIR will come into play dahil marami siya liability the BIR (will) investigate how much this tax liabilities and make assessment for him to pay, then it could be enforced through the BIR by investigating on the non-payment of taxes and if it is proven that there is tax liability, then there will be a restraint or levy on the said properties and if there is still no payment despite the restraint, then it will be sold at public auction,” he told reporters .

The DOJ chief explained that the sequestration would be pursued should Lam fail to return to the country and settle his tax deficiencies, which was one of the conditions set by President Rodrigo Duterte before the Chinese tycoon could be allowed to return to the country and continue his businesses here.

Aguirre also bared that Lam's camp sent feelers to the office of the President and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) but so far this year, Lam has not sent again feeler to the DOJ that he would comply with the conditions set by the President.

He added that if Lam wants to go back in the country he must settle the taxes with the government, legalize his online gaming operation by applying for a license with the PAGCOR, face the cases against him and undertake not to corrupt officials here.

Lam, who allegedly bribed some officials of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in exchange for the release of 1,316 Chinese workers arrested in illegal online casinos at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga last November.

Reports showed that the BI deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles received five paper bags allegedly containing PHP10 million each (a total of PHP50 million), from Lam's middleman, former police officer Wally Sombero, at the City of Dreams hotel and casino in Paranaque City, which was caught on CCTV.

The resulting controversy generated by the alleged extortion/bribery led to the relief of BI deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles as well as BI intelligence chief Charles Calima and technical assistant for intelligence Edward Chan.

Argosino, Robles returned the PHP30 million cash while Calima also returned the PHP18 million cash were they respectively received from Sombero, who also surrendered PHP2 million.

Aguirre said the NBI is still conducting its probe on the extortion scandal and has summoned Argosino and Robles, as well as Calima, BI commissioner Jaime Morente and former police chief superintendent Wally Sombero, who supposedly served as Lam's middleman.

Calima has filed plunder charges against Argosino and Robles before the Office of the Ombudsman. Argosino and Robles, on the other hand, filed criminal charges of corruption of public officials and violation of anti-wiretapping law before the Parañaque prosecutor's office against Calima, Sombero and Lam.

Last Dec. 23, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) filed charges against Lam and four other people before the DOJ accusing them of circumventing the 40 percent foreign ownership requirement for businesses in the Philippines in relation to his interest in Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel in Laoag City, where he runs a casino that was recently shuttered by the government.

The VACC said Lam violated Section 2-A of Commonwealth Act 108 or the Anti-Dummy Law. (PNA)

ASEAN Summit is perfect occasion to promote PHL -- Palace

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) â€" With over 100 summits and conferences to be held nationwide, the Philippines’ hosting of the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit 2017 will serve as perfect opportunity to expose the country to the world, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

"It will be a perfect for us because the media exposure is free for the Philippines and there are so many delegates,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Martin Andanar said in an interview with ABS-CBN Network’s morning showing Umagang Kay Ganda.

Andanar said tourism will benefit more with the Philippines' whole year round chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit 2017.

He said the ASEAN 2017 will also be a good occasion to show to the world how the Philippines' 7 percent gross domestic product (GDP) became one of the fastest in the world.

"Tourism-wise and also because our GDP is 7 percent. It’s time to show to the delegates from around the world why we have 7 percent GDP," Andanar said.

Aside from mini summits and conferences, the Philippines will host three major ASEAN events that include: ASEAN Ministers meeting in April; ASEAN Head of States Summit in August; and, the ASEAN Head of States plus United States, Russia, China and Japan.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has sent invitation to the world leaders from US, China, Japan and Russia.

"This is a big event considering that this year is the 50th anniversary, golden anniversary of ASEAN," Andanar said.

Andanar said the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea’s maritime dispute will be tackled during the ASEAN 2017.

"So everybody is monitoring this issue, on what to do and what were the rules and regulations discussed during the last year’s ASEAN Summit in Laos because it is being pushed by Singapore and Malaysia and other ASEAN countries," he explained.

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

He said a 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.

ASEAN is compose of the Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

President Rodrigo Duterte formally accepted the chairmanship of ASEAN during last year’s ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos. (PNA)

Health dept delivers assistance to 'Nina'-affected towns in Mimaropa region

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Mimaropa’s regional health office recently extended financial assistance and medicines to municipalities in Oriental Mindoro and Marinduque that were affected by Typhoon Nina.

Director of the Mimaropa regional health office, Dr. Eduardo Janairo, reported on Wednesday they provided PHP3 million in financial assistance to the municipalities of Calapan City and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, and PHP2 million each to Boac, Buenavista, Torrijos, Mogpog, Sta. Cruz and Gasan in Marinduque.

“We are continuing our monitoring and assessment as to the extent of damage caused by the typhoon and provide the necessary preparation for another low-pressure area that is currently affecting areas of Mimaropa,” he said. Mimaropa covers the island provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

Janairo noted that health facilities in the region were placed under Code Blue during and in the aftermath of ‘Nina’, requiring all medical personnel to be ready to treat casualties 24 hours.

He also guaranteed that additional medicines will be sent immediately if needed and assured that the Regional Health Emergency Management Service (RHEMS) will closely coordinate with local government units for the immediate provision of medical support.

The DOH Central Office has provided the Mimaropa health office a total of PHP30 million for the purchase of medicines and financial assistance to calamity-stricken areas in the region.

“Other affected municipalities will also be provided with assistance, accordingly,” Janairo assured. (PNA)
CVL/LSJ/EDS

Villanueva eyes special hospital for OFWs, dependents

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Sen. Joel Villanueva on Wednesday sought for the creation of a special hospital for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Villanueva filed Senate Bill No. 1282 that seeks the creation a special hospital that will be known as Bagong Bayaning Filipino Hospital (BBFH) that will serve as the primary medical facility for the hospitalization, confinement, medical treatment and medical care of OFWs and their dependents.

He said that the BBFH will be under the supervision and control of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The bill also mandates regional hospitals to establish an “OFW Ward” as the facility for the hospitalization and medical care of OFWs and their dependents residing outside the NCR. Each ward will have an initial capacity of at least 50 beds.

Also included in his bill is that services of the special hospital for OFWs should complement the existing package of medical and health care services and benefits to migrant workers so as to include preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative programs.

Villanueva, in a statement said that despite the growing number of OFWs and the steady stream of remittance flows, social services -- especially health care -- remain out of reach for them and their dependents.

"Other than the expansion of skills training and education benefits and on-site services, the government should also expand its medical assistance program for OFWs who are at risk of diseases and dreaded illnesses while on their job abroad," Villanueva said.

The neophyte senator cited a recent consultation meeting with OFWs in Taiwan, where he learned that four out of ten repatriated OFWs need medical attention or hospital confinement.

He said that many of them suffer from heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, cancer, kidney ailments and other illnesses requiring medical procedures and preventive and longtime care.

However, the existing package of services under the Medical Care Program for OFWs and their dependents is only limited to curative medical services.

"As bagong bayani (modern-day heroes), our OFWs deserve more benefits, especially, access to a complete and quality health care,” Villanueva said.

"We want to recognize all the efforts and sacrifices of our modern-day heroes who have worked hard not only to provide a better living for their families, but also for their contribution to the national economy,” he added.

According to the 2015 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF), overseas workers who worked abroad at any time during the period April 1 to Sept 30, 2015 was estimated at 2.4 million.

The total cash remittances sent by OFWs during this period was estimated at PHP180.3 billion. (PNA)

PHL seeks deeper, more meaningful engagements with int'l community

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines is seeking a deeper and more meaningful engagements with the rest of the world as he addressed the Diplomatic Corps for the first time during the traditional Vin d’Honneur at Malacañang Palace Wednesday.

“Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the Philippines contends with the realities that are our own. We value partners as we seek strengthened existing friendships even as we pursue new ones,” he said during the New Year reception.

"We believe that friends help each other and utilize constructive engagement to achieve common goals," the President said.

He also stressed that the Philippines has and will continue to build on the friendships founded on a common objective, shared values and time honored principles of international law.

“In a world that recognizes our interconnectedness and respect for each other’s sovereign independence, the horizons and frontiers of cooperation are virtually limitless. I wish for deeper and more meaningful engagements with our partners and friends. May our relationships continue to prosper for the greater benefit of our peoples,” Duterte said.

The President likewise called on the support of the international community as the Philippines hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

“This New Year, the Philippines takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship with renewed fervor, a sense of purpose,” he said.

“It is valor opportunity to exercise leadership to advance the regional development agenda of forging a rules-based community that puts citizens’ welfare at the heart of every initiative. The Philippines counts on your full support,” Duterte said.

The traditional Vin d’Honneur reception is hosted by the President at Malacañang Palace twice a year -- one in January and the other during the country's Independence Day celebrations on June 12.

It is attended by the Diplomatic Corps, leaders and members of Congress, members of the Cabinet, heads of international organizations and other honored guests. (PNA)

Drilon lauds SSS pension hike but says contribution increase is illegal

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- While the decision of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to approve the PHP1,000 hike in the monthly pension of all pensioners under the Social Security System (SSS) is “commendable”, Senate Pres. Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said that raising the monthly contribution of members is illegal.

"The President's move to help our aging SSS pensioners is laudable, but the executive branch must also ensure that this pension hike will not be used as an excuse to enforce higher contributions from SSS members," Drilon said.

Drilon, a lawyer and former justice secretary, cited Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8282, which prohibits SSS to recommend increase in benefits that would require an increase in contribution.

"The SSS is not allowed to raise the premium rates so it can increase benefits," Drilon said.

He explained that the increase in benefits of pensioners should not come from a similar increase in the burden shouldered by current SSS contributors.

The senator said that SSS can only implement an increase in the benefits of its members, subject to the approval of the President, "if such increase is based on the actuarial soundness of the reserve fund" and as "such shall not require any increase in the rate contribution."

Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV for his part, said that he was “surprised” by reports about the rise in the contributions of members noting that there were more members compared to pensioners.

“Nagulat rin kami na mayroon palang increase in premiums na ipapataw sa 34 million Filipinos. Dalawang milyon po kasi iyong SSS pensioners natin at sumuporta naman tayo sa pag-increase ng pension nila (We were surprised by the increase in premiums that will be imposed on 34 million Filipinos. There are 2 million SSS pensioners and we support the increase in their pension),” Aquino said.

“Pero I think marami ring nagulat, pati na rin ang business community, iyong mga employer nagulat sa pagtaas ng premium na 1.5 percent (But I think many were surprised, including the business community, employers were surprised by the increase in premium by 1.5 percent),” he added.

Aquino said that senators have previously proposed to instead increase the efficiency of collecting contributions.

“I think what we need to do is increase the efficiency of collecting contributions not increasing the premium of members,” Aquino stressed.

He meanwhile expressed hope that the SSS would hold consultations with employers and employee organizations regarding the increase in contributions of members.

SSS Chairman Dean Amado Valdez earlier said that implementing the pension increase with a corresponding contribution hike will eventually benefit the population who look forward to their own SSS pensions at the time of retirement.

The release of the pension would come in two tranches -- the initial PHP1,000-increase this month will be the first tranche while the additional PHP1,000 in 2022 or earlier will be the second tranche.

Pres. Duterte signed approved a pension hike for SSS members along with a corresponding increase in contributions on Tuesday (January 10). (PNA)

Makati taxpayers laud fast, convenient processing of permits, tax payments at City Hall

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Taxpayers in Makati have expressed satisfaction with the fast and convenient processing of tax payments and renewal of business permits at City Hall beginning this month, attributing it to certain innovations put in place by the current administration.

Among the innovations are the strategic positioning of all concerned frontline offices at the ground floor lobby of City Hall Building II, highly visible signage showing the step-by-stop processes for each type of transaction, and special lanes dedicated to senior citizens and persons with disability.

Some clients who agreed to be interviewed noted that “transactions were being done more systematically and quickly”, as compared with their experience during the renewal period last year.

Sari-sari storeowner Tirso Lagasca said aside from speedy transactions, he also appreciated the provision of a comfortable waiting area where clients can take a seat while waiting for the release of their papers.

“Unlike last year, we no longer have to crowd in the same area while transactions are taking place. The setup now is more organized and efficient,” Lagasca said.

A first-timer in renewing business permit, Jong Gomera, said he has not encountered any problem while renewing his employer’s business permit. “As long as the requirements are complete, transaction is fast,” he said.

Another client, Boyet Cruz who works in a foundation, noted that steps and procedures are visible in the area.

“All we have to do is follow the step-by-step instructions, and we would complete our transaction with ease,” he said.

Atty. Maribert Pagente, head of the city's Business Permit Office (BPO), said that with the new setup, clients have been relieved of the burden of going from one building to another at the City Hall complex in renewing their permits and making payments.

Pagente also urged business owners to prioritize the renewal of their permits to avoid penalties.

Earlier, the city extended its working hours to accommodate taxpayers and business permit transactions. Satellite tax realty payment centers have also been opened to serve clients from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on scheduled dates in 31 barangays of the city.

This week, BPO and other frontline offices will be open to serve clients until 10 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The deadline for the payment of realty tax in the city is on January 20.

The remaining schedule for realty tax payment in the barangays is as follows: La Paz, Sta. Cruz, Singkamas, Tejeros, and Kasilawan (Jan. 11); Carmona, Olympia, Valenzuela, Poblacion, and Guadalupe Viejo (Jan. 12); Guadalupe Nuevo, Pinagkaisahan, Pitogo, Cembo, and South Cembo (Jan. 13).

Payment centers in barangays West Rembo, East Rembo, Comembo, Pembo, and Rizal will be open on January 16.

The following are the requirements for the renewal of business permits: Notarized Application Form (triplicate copy) with the following, Gross Declaration/Receipts of the Preceding Year, Number of Employees and Capital Investment; Previous Year Mayor’s Business Permit, Billing Assessment and Official Receipt; Audited Financial Statement and/or Income Tax Return for the year 2015.

For Consolidated Financial Statement, attach breakdown of gross sales/receipts and proof of payments from other Cities/Municipalities. For Fiscal Year Financial Statement, attach breakdown of gross sales/receipts from January to December.

Other requirements include Barangay Clearance for Business; Community Tax Certificate A & B for Sole/Single Proprietorship, C & C1 in case of Corporation or Partnership; and Comprehensive General Liability Insurance (Exempted: Sari-Sari Store, Carinderia and Lessor, except Building).

The requirements for new business application are the following: Locational Clearance; Contract of Lease between the lessor and the lessee (If leased, attach Mayor’s Permit of the building owner/landlord as a real estate lessor. If not, Contract of Lease between the lessee and sub-lessee with conformity of the building owner or building administrator. If owned, Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) or tax declaration);

Business Name Registration with the DTI, if sole/single proprietorship; Approved Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Partnership; Barangay Clearance; Public Liability Insurance (CGL); Inspection Report; and other pertinent information, documents and data that may be required. (PNA)

Social welfare dept lauds LGUs' quick response during onslaught of ‘Auring’

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Wednesday commended the local government units (LGUs) that quickly responded to help victims during the onslaught of Tropical Depression Auring, which dumped heavy rains over northeastern Mindanao and Western Visayas over the weekend.

“We would like to acknowledge the efforts made by the LGUs when ‘Auring’ hit the country, starting from the preparation to the actual relief distribution, which did not require much assistance from the DSWD. This demonstrates that LGUs are indeed the prime responders in times of emergencies,” said Secretary Judy Taguiwalo.

Taguiwalo said that before ‘Auring’ made landfall in northeastern Mindanao, LGUs held a pre-disaster meeting at the Office of the Civil Defense of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) of the Caraga region and led the preemptive evacuation of residents living in low-lying areas. They also distributed family food packs (FFPs) to families in evacuation centers.

She said the Negros Island region alerted its quick response teams (QRTs) and city/municipal action teams (C/MATs) to assist in disaster operations, and readied its emergency tracking services to transport the prepositioned FFPs in the region. The Central Visayas region similarly alerted its QRTs early and evacuated residents affected by flooding in Barangay Poblacion, Carmen, Cebu.

According to the 4 a.m. report on Wednesday of the DSWD-Disaster Response Operations and Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), ‘Auring’ affected 9,132 families or 38,950 individuals from 167 barangays in Central Visayas and Caraga. Some 873 families or 3,655 persons are still staying in 20 evacuation centers in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte.

To date, PHP1.82 million worth of relief assistance has been provided to the affected families, consisting of PHP1.60 million from the LGUs and PHP219,231 from the DSWD.

The department assured that it is ready to send additional resources to the LGUs when needed, as part of its role to provide additional assistance to the vulnerable sector in times of calamities and disasters.

Taguiwalo reiterated that the LGUs are the first responders during natural and man-made calamities, as stated in Republic Act (RA) 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 also stipulates that LGUs have the responsibility to undertake rescue operations, provide immediate relief assistance, and set up and manage evacuation centers when disasters occur.

“The DSWD works hand-in-hand with the LGUs to ensure the provision of compassionate service to victims of disasters, helping them to bounce back and eventually lead normal lives again,” the social welfare chief said. (PNA)

Senator Hontiveros wants better HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment plan

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- As the number of cases of HIV and AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome) continue to rise, Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday filed a measure proposing a new treatment and prevention plan to address this problem.

Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, filed Senate Bill No. 376 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Bill to introduce an evidence-based, human rights-informed, and gender-transformative HIV prevention and treatment plan.

Her bill seeks to formulate a six-year National Multi-Sectoral HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, which will incorporate a prevention program that will have a strong focus on education and accessibility of reproductive health services.

It also seeks a comprehensive, inclusive and localized response towards HIV-AIDS. If passed, it will repeal Republic Act 8504 or the Philippine HIV AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998.

In a press conference in Quezon City attended by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups, Hontiveros said that from 6,015 total cases in 2010, HIV/AIDS incidence in the country rose to a total of 33,419 during just the first quarter of 2016.

She stressed that the quick rise in the last six years shows that HIV is expanding in urban centers of the country, affecting disproportionately marginalized and vulnerable sectors including young Filipinos, gay and bisexual men, transgender people, and drug users.

The neophyte senator meanwhile stressed that the importance of the foundation of curbing HIV being based on the protection of human rights.

She further said that new developments in prevention and treatment are available and must be maximized by the government.

“Early diagnosis leads to early treatment and saves lives. Prevention, early detection and treatment must be made available by the government”, Hontiveros explained. (PNA)
JBP/ANP

Stiffer penalties vs fake beauty products sought

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The House committee on Metro Manila development has formed a technical working group (TWG) which will draw up a bill providing stiffer penalties for the proliferation of fake beauty products and the granting of police powers to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to a statement on Wednesday, Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, committee chairman, said that implementing stricter penalties and granting FDA police powers will protect the interests of consumers and beauty and health companies, and the government as well.

Castelo said that about 80 percent of the Metro Manila population has been buying counterfeit beauty products.

“Time and again we have been receiving reports and complaints about the proliferation of (fake) beauty products and these have been compromising the health of our constituents,” said Castelo.

Castelo raised the alarm on the selling of fake cosmetics as it causes losses to the government and also compromises the revenues of legitimate health and beauty companies.

“Thousands of Filipinos have been employed in beauty and health businesses. If these companies are compromised because of the continuous proliferation of fake beauty products, the government will lose more revenues and the livelihood of thousands of Filipinos employed under this industry will be affected,” said Castelo.

For his part, Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines, Inc (CCIP) president Silliman Sy said the beauty industry also faces this problem with fake Chinese cosmetics.

The CCIP, according to Sy, is the biggest cosmetic association in the Philippines with about 145 members who include manufacturers, distributors and those in allied industries such as packaging, raw materials, and testing centers.

He said the CCIP is working hand in hand with the FDA by providing the agency with information and product samples of fake products.

“But I believe the problem is that the FDA does not have enough people to police the proliferation of fake beauty products,” said Sy. (PNA)

Duterte gov't eyes 70% contraceptive prevalence rate in PHL

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- With the signing of Executive Order No. 12 by President Rodrigo Duterte, the government is hoping to reach 70 percent contraceptive prevalence rate in the Philippines by year 2022.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) director general Ernesto Pernia said the Philippines has only 40 to 45 percent contraceptive prevalence rate while Thailand and Bangladesh reach up 75% each.

"So we really need to wrap up our contraceptive prevalence rate to around 70%, 65 at least, better 70% in order to achieve zero unmeet need for family planning,” Pernia said in a Palace press briefing.

On the other hand, Commission on Population Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III predicted that population growth rate might go down from 1.6 million to 1.4 million per year if the EO No. 12 on “Zero Unmeet Need for Family Planning” will be fully implemented in the next six years.

"If this program is fully implemented by up to 2022, we predict that the population growth rate might go down around 1.4," Perez said.

The joint efforts of the NEDA and the Department of Health (DOH) to push further the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act (RPRH Law) has been realized with the signing of EO NO. 12 last January 9.

This order aims to intensify and accelerate the implementation of critical actions necessary to attain and sustain “zero unmet need for modern family planning” for all poor households by 2018, and all of Filipinos thereafter.

In 2012, Congress has approved RPRH Law but temporary restraining order (TRO) filed at the Supreme Court (SC) has prevented the government from implementing it for the last four years.

Pernia said if the RPRH law will be fully implemented, the government will not be able to meet the poverty reduction from 22 percent to at least 13 percent by the end of the Duterte administration.

"The government cannot continue to tolerate this delay in judgment because time is of the essence as far as the implementation of the RPRH law is concerned. Everyday about 11 women die from complications of pregnancy and delivery," Pernia said.

"As you know, teenage pregnancies have been rising. In other countries, teenage pregnancies are diminishing but in the Philippines, it’s rising," he added.

For his part, Perez said the TRO affects 7.3 million Filipino women, “most of which belong to the lowest wealth quintile with high unmet need for Family Planning.”

President Duterte has been vocal about the need for Family Planning program in the country and even stressed the full implementation of the RPRH Law in his first State of the Nation Address.

Perez said EO defined unmet need as “couples and women who are fecund and sexually active and want to limit or space their children but are not using any modern method of contraception.”

"SC’s TRO only covers the use of subdermal implant," he said.

Pernia said families are encouraged not to have more children than they can afford to take care of and provide for under the EO.

The Philippines’ population is 104 million as of December last year, according to the Commission on Population. (PNA)
JBP/JFM

Arroyo pushes for public health care reform

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Former president now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to rationalize and modernize the government health care system delivery in the country.

Arroyo has filed House Bill No. 4143 to address the deterioration of government hospitals amid the devolution of health services to local government units (LGUs), noting that the lack of funding from the LGUs marred the delivery of health care in these state-run facilities.

"The problems brought about by devolution led to the deterioration of health services particularly in far-flung areas where services are needed most. Only one-third of the total number of hospitals and about half of hospital beds are public," Arroyo said.

"Out of the country’s 41,000 barangays, only one-fourth have a barangay health station. These government health facilities have been notoriously described as “death stations” for their lack of equipment, medicines and able staff," she added.

In her bill, Arroyo asserted the need to improve health care infrastructures through a program extending technological, financial and administrative assistance to LGUs with inter-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation.

She said the Department of Health should provide each LGU competent physicians to assist the local chief executive as may be appropriate in the monitoring of health care delivery functions and enhance the capability of hospitals.

Doctors deployed in remote areas should also be given more incentives and benefits such as hazard allowance, subsistence pay, automatic promotion, scholarships to their legitimate children in state colleges and universities as well as free legal representation and consultation, she noted.

Arroyo’s bill also pushes for the establishment of diagnostic centers with modern and quality equipment in all provincial hospitals.

Arroyo earmarked a PHP1 billion annual funding support to implement the provisions in her bill.

"Notwithstanding the devolution of health services in 1993, the deterioration of health facilities and equipment remains deplorable, something which has been admitted by the department," Arroyo said, citing that LGU funds financing devolved health services were inadequate based on a 1995 DOH study.

"This bill humbly attempts to respond to such an urgent need to effectively address pressing health issues in order to rationalize the health care delivery system in our country," she stressed. (PNA)

Rumors on Commissioner Faeldon’s replacement a hoax -- BOC

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Customs (BOC) on Wednesday denied rumors that Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon has been or will be replaced as head of the bureau.

"There is no truth to rumors that Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon has been or will be replaced as head of the Bureau of Customs," it said in a statement.

"BOC denies the rumors as mere fabrications to undermine his outstanding accomplishments in revenue collection, in anti-corruption and in the fight against drugs and merchandise smuggling," the statement added.

The statement is in response to unverified text messages have been circulating that a certain “Victorino”, who is said to be close to the Palace, has been named as Faeldon’s replacement.

"The rumor began to circulate (about Commissioner Faeldon’s possible replacement) after reforms in BOC was felt especially in revenue collection, anti-corruption, and anti-smuggling campaigns," the BOC said.

"This issue has been circulating since last year, and a lot of names have been dropped to take the BOC chief’s post. But they all remained to be mere disinformation," it added.

The bureau is confident that "Faeldon still enjoys the trust and confidence of the leadership," citing the bureau's performance such as the increase in total revenue collection for 2016 that hit 97 percent and 100.2 percent revenue collection for the month of December 2016.

Meanwhile, the bureau asked the public to be cautious against dishonest individuals who are allegedly extorting money from stakeholders.

"We urge the public to be vigilant and not to be victims of these unscrupulous individuals and group said to be part of a scam to extort money from BOC stakeholders," it said.

With this, the BOC also requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the matter.

"BOC through its intelligence department, has already requested the NBI to investigate this matter," the statement added. (PNA)
BNB/FGP/EDS

Trial on slain anti-crime crusader transferred from Mindoro to Manila
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) â€" The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the transfer from Mindoro to Manila of the murder case of anti-crime crusader Zenaida Luz, who was killed by riding-in-tandem perpetrators last Oct. 9 in Oriental Mindoro.

SC spokesman Theodore Te said the magistrates, during their regular en banc session, granted the Petition for Prohibition and Mandamus with Application for Injunctive Writs dated December 21, 2016 filed by Edward Christopher Luz, son of Zenaida, Asosasyon ng Komentarista at Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (AKAP) and Citizens Crime Watch (CCW).

The SC granted the transfer of venue of the trial from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro to Manila or Makati City including the direct assault with multiple attempted homicide trial from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro to Manila or Makati City as well as the transfer of detention from Oriental Mindoro to the National Bureau of Investigation or Camp Bagong Diwa of the accused.

“The Court granted the request for transfer of venue of trial in the referenced cases from Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro to the Regional Trial Court of Manila. The Executive Judge of the RTC of Manila is directed to cause the raffle of this case for trial before the specific branch of the RTC of Manila,’ the SC said.

As to the inclusion of witnesses-petitioner Christopher Luz and his co-witnesses in the Witness Protection Program, the SC directed them to address their request to the Secretary of Justice instead of the high court.

Luz, member the CCCW, an anticrime civic organization, and headed its Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (Mimaropa) chapter.

Luz, who was gunned down on Oct. 9 in front of her rented apartment that also served as CCW’s office in Barangay Maligaya in Gloria town, Oriental Mindoro. Her attackers were two pairs of motorcycle-riding gunmen, according to witnesses.

The first pair of attackers managed to flee the crime scene but the second was cornered by responding policemen in the nearby town of Pinamalayan where they were later identified as Sr. Insp. Magdaleno Pimentel Jr. of the Police Provincial Public Safety Company and Inspector Markson Almeranez, the police chief of Socorro town in the same province.

The two were both graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy with Almeranez even awarded as outstanding police officer by PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa a month before the killing.

The victim’s family filed a case of murder against Pimentel and Almeranez before Branch 42 of the regional trial court in Pinamalayan while a separate case of direct assault and frustrated homicide was filed at the municipal trial court by the responding policemen who were wounded when the suspects engaged them in a firefight while trying to escape the crime scene. (PNA)
RMA/CLTC

Lacson 'apologizes' to colleagues for his anti-pork stance

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Still firm on his stand against the existence of pork barrel in the 2017 national budget of PHP3.35 trillion, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson apologized to his colleagues for insisting on what he believed was right.

"I'm sorry if I put my colleagues on the spot. My advocacy against pork in whatever form, shape and design stands taller than camaraderie," Lacson said on his Twitter account.

Lacson’s Tweet came after his colleagues Senate Pres. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Senate Pres. Pro-Tempore Franklin Drilon assured that the 2017 budget was free from pork.

Pimentel stressed that an allocation is only regarded as pork when lawmakers intervene after the passage of the law or post-enactment.

"As a lawyer, I will limit myself to what the Supreme Court (SC) said that was is unconstitutional is the act of intervention by lawmakers so that the budget can be implemented after its passage in the law -- that is the act we should guard against," Pimentel said.

"The act we should guard against is the post-enactment intervention of lawmakers so that the budget law can be fully implemented," he added.

Drilon, echoed Pimentel, noting that there was a difference beween the allocation systems then and now.

Last January 4, Lacson lamented how huge cuts in the Calamity Fund have allowed around PHP8 billion worth of allocations to return to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the 2017 national budget after initially being allotted for free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

Lacson however promised to continue scrutinizing the misuse of public funds as soon as he gets hold of budget books.

He is also considering questioning the national budget before the Supreme Court (SC). Pork barrel or priority development assistance fund (PDAF) was declared as unconstitutional by the SC in 2013. (PNA)

Malolos RTC dismisses election protest filed against Bocaue mayor

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- A Regional Trial Court of Malolos, Bulacan has dismissed the election protest filed against Bocaue Mayor Eleonor Tugna for insufficiency in form and substance.

The decision dated November 11, 2016 by Regional Trial Court, Brach 81 of Malolos, Bulacan, presided by Judge Hermenegildo Dumlao II, (which was officially released on December 27, 2016 and received by the parties on January 5, 2017), junked the petition.

The election of the local chief executive was decided by a coin toss after she and her rival got equal number of 16,694 votes after the elections on May 9, 2016.

Valerio filed the election protest when he 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” and that the vote counting machines (VCMs) “in certain precincts did not print the required receipts and therefore did not function correctly.”

When required by the court to answer, Tugna, through her lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Antonio Carlos Bautista asked the court to “summarily dismiss the election protest for being insufficient in form and substance for 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.”

It also sustained respondent's argument that the petitioner “failed to give a detailed description of the acts or omissions complained of as required by Section 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.”

"Valerio did not indicate in his protest the particular acts or omissions which amounted to fraud or irregularities committed in the conduct of the election”, the decision said.

The Court added that Valerio’s “election protest did not make mention of 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 irregularities complained of.”

Valerio can still file an appeal before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

"If he wants to he can go to Comelec for appeal...decisions of RTCs in municipal officials are appealable only to Comelec," Macalintal added. (PNA)

PAGASA: Most parts of PHL to experience rains on Wednesday

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The low pressure area (LPA) last eyed at 165 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan will continue to bring rains and thunderstorms on Wednesday, state weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its 4 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides will be experienced over Bicol, eastern Visayas and the provinces of Aurora, Quezon and Palawan.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Caraga and the rest of Mimaropa and Visayas.

Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley and the rest of central Luzon and Calabarzon will have cloudy skies with light rains.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced over the rest of Luzon, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of Mindanao.

Weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said northeast monsoon or amihan will continue to bring rainy weather in northern and central Luzon. (PNA)
JMC/MCCA

Deployment of troops in communities to continue under DSSP 'Kapayapaan'

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Deployment of military units in communities, especially those which has requested for a protective presence, will continue under Development Support and Security Plan (DSSP) "Kapayapaan",

This was disclosed by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo in response to the question on whether the new strategy will allow for troop withdrawals.

"We don't see any problems with our troops deployed in communities, their presence their was requested by the people to be there (to secure them) and help the local government and empower our people, so their presence their is meant to serve the people. Military presence should not be an issue as it is requested by the people," he said in Filipino.

Militant groups have been demanding for pullout of troops due to alleged human rights abuses and militarization complaints.

AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año chief stressed that missions under DSSP "Kapayapaan" are purely to sustain the peace, ensure security and maintain public order.

He added that four strategic concepts of the latter are the following:

-Sustained military operation to defeat the foreign and local terrorist organizations

-Contribute to the promotion of peace

-Active support to law enforcement in war against drugs

-Contribute to nation building.

"The leftists have nothing to worry about. In fact we expect them to cooperate with us so that we can work out the attainment of a permanent and lasting peace," Año said.

The AFP chief said that while DSSP "Kapayapaan" is focused on the primacy of the peace process, terror groups like the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), Maute Group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines and other lawless groups will feel the full brunt of the military's combat power.

"While we are addressing the ASG (threat and other lawless elements), we apply the full forceof the AFP, in fact in the Western Mindanao Command area where the ASG and other terror groups (are known to be operating), 51 battalions are already deployed to (conduct focused military operations against them," he added.

Año said this is the biggest ever troop deployment for the AFP as they are making sure that the campaign against the ASG and other lawless and terror groups will be significantly defeated and their capabilities to wreck havoc or terror reduced to the very minimal.

He added efforts to combat these threats will be evaluated this coming June to determine whether the strategies being implemented against them are taking effect.

When asked what initiatives the AFP are taking against these lawless and terror groups, Año said the military has intensified our intelligence operations and engagements with the local communities so local residents will report to authorities presence of suspicious-looking individuals in their respective areas. (PNA)
BNB/PFN

Ombudsman orders filing of graft raps vs. 7 DA-Davao City execs on PHP-15M bidding scam

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has ordered the filing of multiple graft charges against seven officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Unit XI in Davao City for mishandling the utilization of the PHP10-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of then Davao Oriental Rep. Joel Mayo Almario in 2005.

Facing multiple counts of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, are Roger Chio (Former Regional Executive Director), Romulo Palcon (Former Regional Technical Director), Alma Mahinay (Chief, Finance Division), Godofredo Ramos (Administrative Officer), Onofre Nugal (Chief, Agricultural Engineering Division), Jamie Bergonio (Former Chief Agriculturist) and Isagani Basco (Former Chief Administrative Officer).

In three separate resolutions, the Ombudsman found that Chio, et.al. facilitated the procurement and payment of the following items in 2005:

-- 100 units of multimedia system with computer set worth PHP10 million;

-- water system materials worth PHP2,591,435.40; and

-- 81 units of personalized 10 x 20 livelihood tent with framing worth PHP2,496,582; for a total of PHP15,088,017.40.

The funding for the water system materials was sourced from Almario’s share from the GMA Rice and Corn Program.

Ombudsman probers found that the respondents failed to comply with the required bidding procedure as they did not conduct any pre-procurement or any pre-bid conferences for the projects.

The respondents also failed to publish any invitation to bid as required under RA No. 9184, or the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

They did not dispute that the procurement requirements were not complied with but raised the common defense that “they did not have any involvement in the bidding process.”

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said that “this is untenable.”

“The wanton disregard of a plain and simple policy of the law that defeated the principle of transparency and competitiveness in the procurement process is sufficient to establish that respondents acted with evident bad faith, manifest partiality or gross inexcusable negligence,” Morales added. (PNA)

Gordon welcomes Pres. Duterte’s SSS pension hike decision

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon on Wednesday lauded the decision of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to approve the increase of PHP1,000 in the monthly pension of all pensioners under the Social Security System (SSS).

Gordon, chair of the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, proposed the resolution for the SSS pension increase in the Senate. It was approved last December.

The release of the pension would come in two tranches -- the initial PHP1,000-increase this month will be the first tranche while the additional PHP1,000 in 2022 or earlier will be the second tranche, he said.

“I hail the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to approve the PHP2,000 increase in the monthly pension received by pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) in two tranches,” Gordon said in a statement.

Gordon said that it is “very much welcomed” by the 2.18 million pensioners.

The senator meanwhile vowed to continue to provide appropriate legislation necessary to strengthen the SSS and to assist it in preserving the sustainability and life of its funds.

“It is our duty in the Senate to provide laws that would improve our people’s lives,” Gordon said.

SSS previously mentioned releasing the PHP2,000 pension increase in two tranches to avoid putting the SSS funds at risk. SSS Chairman Dean Amado Valdez earlier cautioned that immediately implementing the full PHP2,000 pension increase would threaten the SSS funds. The PHP1,000 initial pension increase he said, “is more doable.” (PNA)

Governor's Ball kicks off 65th Miss Universe competition charity drive

MANILA, Jan 11 (PNA) -- One the most exclusive events that are part of the run-up to the Miss Universe Competition will happen at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on January 16.

The Governor's Ball, named after former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, is a special gala where members of high society get an opportunity to have a close encounter with the beauty candidates of the 65th Miss Universe in black-tie dinner, which features entertainment by exceptional performances from world-class talents.

Singson's LCS Group will lead the gathering and is expected to be joined by top executives from his major partners at the Miss Universe Competition: Okada Manila, Solar Entertainment Inc., and SM Lifestyle Entertainment Corp.; sponsors: Philippine Airlines and Pass It Forward; and regional sponsors: JPark Island Resort and Waterworld Cebu, and the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio. Select current and former representatives from government are likely to be invited, as well as officials from the Miss Universe Organization (MUO).

An integral component to its operations, the MUO has always advocated worthy causes such as the global fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In keeping with the pageant's traditions, they also encourage pageant winners and host countries to likewise support their chosen charities.

Singson will use the Governor's Ball as a way to bring together his staunchest pageant supporters while rolling out the red carpet for their international guests at a private and very upscale fundraiser.

The Governor's Ball will also be an avenue for campaign awareness of Pass It Forward (PIF), a philanthropic outfit that acts similarly like a charitable "market place," facilitating the engagement between givers (individuals, corporations, and foundations) and receivers (charities) to come together.

"The Governor’s Ball will be an opportunity to showcase to those who attend how they can make a positive change in the community," said Pass It Forward Managing Director Terry Alan Farris. "If we could get 1 percent of the viewers of the Miss Universe to give back and support the nonprofits of the Philippines, think of the impact we can make."

To date, nonprofits like Gawad Kalinga, the ABS-CBN Foundation, Philippine Red Cross, and others have been the primary recipients of the Pass It Forward charities. For years, Singson has been PIF's main benefactor.

"I've maintained a long-term relationship with the Pass It Forward because the idea of building capacities for all nonprofit organizations in the Philippines â€" instead of just focusing on a few â€" appeals to me," said Governor Singson. "I promise the Governor's Ball to be quite an evening, but I'm also hopeful that my friends' generosity will help my advocacy in Pass It Forward be just as successful." (PNA)

Japanese Prime Minister Abe to visit Philippines

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Highlighting the close and deep relations between the Philippines and Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, accompanied by Mme. Akie Abe, will undertake a two-day official visit to the Philippines from January 12 to 13, 2017, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

President Duterte and Prime Minister Abe are expected to discuss a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, counter terrorism cooperation, drug rehabilitation projects, infrastructure development, maritime cooperation, and development projects.

Prime Minister Abe is the very first head of government to officially visit the Philippines this year, and will be the highest ranking official to ever visit Davao, which is home to a large Japanese community.

Previously, the President received Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Davao.

In 2016, the Philippines and Japan commemorated 60 years of the normalization of diplomatic relations.

Japan remains one of the Philippines’ most steadfast economic partners, and people-to-people relations with Japan are among the most dynamic. ((PNA)
FPV/SFM

Aguirre orders NBI to probe killing of QC prosecutor

MANILA, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the killing of Quezon City Prosecutor Noel Mingoa.

”I already asked the NBI to conduct an investigation and apprehend the perpetrator/s of this heinous crime," Aguirre said.

Aguirre said Mingoa was one of his associate lawyers during his private practice prior to becoming a prosecutor wherein he described Mingoa as a good man and a competent litigator.

Mingoa was shot to death early Wednesday morning in front of a restaurant along Commonwealth Avenue.

Mingoa is the second prosecutor killed since October 2016. Mati City Prosecutor Rolando Acido was ambushed by two unidentified men while on his way to the Hall of Justice in Mati City last October 26. (PNA)

Gov’t urged to file charges vs local gov’t officials on ‘narco list’

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- If there is enough evidence to prove that local government officials in the so-called ‘narco list' are involved in the illegal drug trade, Sen. Leila de Lima on Tuesday urged the government to bring the cases to court.

“If they do have evidence, if they are sure about their list, with all the resources of the state, they can always build the cases against these mayors, against these PNP (Philippine National Police) officials involved in illegal drugs,” De Lima told reporters in an interview.

De Lima, former Justice Secretary, made this remark after Pres. Rodrigo Duterte threatened mayors and cops on the narco list to surrender or risk being killed.

She said that there was no need for Pres. Duterte to make verbal threats against them because there is a proper process and forum to prove their culpability.

“…I’m giving it to them, I’m giving it to the President that it is possible that most of the names on the list are actual narco-mayors involved in drugs and are protectors, coddlers or negligent on their functions as mayors that’s why there is a proliferation of drugs in their respective places. But they have to prove it in the proper process, in the proper forum,” De Lima said.

The neophyte senator said that filing charges against them would also give them a chance to defend themselves.

“File those cases against those mayors, give them opportunity to be heard, and then pass judgment on these mayors by the proper authorities. And I’m referring to the courts of law,” she added.

De Lima said that it was possible that most of the names on the narco list could be actually involved in the illegal drug trade, however, said that there were still doubts.

“Most of the names on the narco list could be true but I doubt whether it’s a completely accurate list because they don’t tell us where it came from,” she further said.

She pointed out that earlier narco lists which included some judges were eventually cleared by the Supreme Court in its own investigation. (PNA)

Indians on '5-6' loan can be arrested without warrant of arrest -- DOJ chief
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Department of Justice (DoJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday said that persons especially Indian nationals engaged in lending business more commonly known as “5-6,” will be arrested even without warrant of arrest.

In a press briefing, Aguirre said the interest in the "5-6" lending activity is legal after the repeal of the Usury Law and the removal of interest ceilings.

But the DOJ Secretary said operating a lending business requires permit and other requirements.

”Pinapahuli ni Presidente (Rodrigo Duterte) mga bumbay (Indians) na nagpapa 5-6, kawawa (naman ang) mahihirap (sa) 20 percent na taas (ng interest). They could be arrested without any warrant. When they're doing that they’re committing a crime,” he told reporters.

The government will push for the implementation of the nation-wide micro lending program to address the 5-6 lending business.

Earlier, President Duterte said the 5-6 scheme has become a burden to Filipinos, especially for those who have no other resort.

Many micro, small and medium enterprises usually resort to 5-6 lenders who are usually Indian nationals.

The President said Filipinos had been experiencing such condition but it had not been noticed for a long time. (PNA)

MMDA: Lesser trash collected from Traslacion 2017 routes

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has collected lesser trash from this year’s procession of the Black Nazarene.

MMDA was able to collect 34 truckloads of garbage or 202 tons (718.02 cubic meters) compared to 35 truckloads or 210 tons (739.20 cubic meters) hauled during last year’s Traslacion of the Black Nazarene.

“Lesser trash was collected as there were few street vendors along Roxas Boulevard for the duration of the Traslacion,” MMDA Parkway Clearing Group head Francis Martinez said in an interview with reporters Tuesday.

He said the MMDA is eyeing to ban street vendors along the route of the ‘Traslacion’ in the future to reduce garbage.

Personnel from the Traffic Discipline Office, Road Emergency Group, Public Safety Division, Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group and the Metro Parkways Clearing Group conducted a massive cleanup on the procession routes.

Millions of devotees participated in the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene which took 22 hours as it passed through the Quirino Grandstand early morning of January 9 to the Quiapo Church in Manila.

The route for the traslacion involved 25 streets, mostly in the vicinity of the basilica located along Quezon Boulevard in Manila. (PNA)

De Lima did not stay in Nicolas-Lewis' home

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Sen. Leila de Lima on Tuesday denied that she stayed in the home of Filipino-American billionaire and philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis, who was tagged in the alleged plot of supporters of Vice Pres. Leni Robredo to oust Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.

De Lima came to her own defense after Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre claimed that De Lima did stay in Lewis’ home last December.

“I went to the US to receive that award from the Foreign Policy, so my accommodation was care of the organizers,” De Lima told reporters in a interview.

To recall, De Lima flew to the US last December to receive an award from American magazine Foreign Policy which cited her as one of the 100 leading global thinkers of 2016 for her efforts to probe extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

De Lima was honored as one of the 13 global thinkers in the “Challengers” category under the 100 leading global thinkers for this year.

After her trip to the US, De Lima also flew to Berlin, Germany to discuss human rights in a forum called the Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy.

The neophyte senator meanwhile called Aguirre a “liar” anew. (PNA)

SC denied petitions questioning authority on Marcos burial

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) â€" The Supreme Court on Tuesday denied the petition filed by Atty. Conrado Manicad questioning the authority of the high court and President Duterte on the burial of the remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City.

”The Court denied outright the petition dated November 22, 2016 which questioned the jurisdiction both of the President and the Supreme Court to decide on the issue of the burial of Mr. Marcos Sr,” SC said in en banc decision.

SC handed down the ruling allowing the burial last Nov. 8 in a 9-5 vote, the high court dismissed all petitions seeking to block the said move.

The burial of Marcos proceeded last Nov. 18. (PNA)

No major issue during Traslacion, says health dept

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) reported that it did not encounter any serious issue during Monday’s procession of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.

“Walang serious conditions (There was no serious condition). I think only 12 were referred to the hospitals but they were eventually discharged,” Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial said Tuesday.

Ubial said the 18 medical teams spread by the department along the path of the procession recorded a total of 579 consultations involving minor illnesses.

“Natutuwa po kami na talagang napaka-disiplinado ng mga tao at wala po tayong any major issue during the Traslacion this year (We are happy that the devotees showed discipline and we did not have any major health issue during this year’s Traslacion),” she said, noting that their medical teams’ reports did not include cases handled by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Last year, the health department recorded two deaths -- one from a heart attack and the other from a liver ailment. Both patients were rushed to the hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, the PRC reported that as of 3 a.m. Tuesday, they had served a total of 2,221 devotees, mostly at the Liwasang Bonifacio first aid station. They had eight major cases that included one pregnant woman who felt dizzy. Some 879 devotees suffered a rise in blood pressure, while 479 suffered from toothache, dizziness, stiff neck and allergies, as well as wounds, bruises, abrasions, and body pain sustained from falling, being pushed or crushed by the crowd as they attempted to get to the ‘andas’, the carriage of the Black Nazarene.

A total of 12 persons were taken by ambulance to the Philippine General Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila and Orthopedic Center for hypertension, abdominal pain, bone fractures, breathing difficulties, fainting, seizure, second-degree burns, chest pains, hyperventilation, sprain and bone dislocation.

The PRC also provided three devotees counseling support; helped 92 devotees trace their lost companions; and provided 590 persons psycho-social support. (PNA)

Pres. Duterte OKs PHP1,000 SSS pension hike, contribution increase
By Cielito M. Reganit

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a pension hike for Social Security System (SSS) members along with a corresponding increase in contributions, Palace and SSS officials said Tuesday.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President has approved a PHP1,000 increase for SSS pensioners starting this month.Duterte also approved 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.

“The contribution increase would raise the contribution rate to 12.5 percent from the current 11 percent, bringing the contribution range from PHP15 to PHP740,” Abella said.

The Palace official said that President Duterte approved the measures as he seeks to fulfill a social contract with the Filipino people, especially the elderly and the poor who gave the best years of their lives in service, “while exercising fiscal responsibility to sustain the economic sustainability and protect the gains made by those who have prudently invested in the nation’s future.”

“As the President has emphasized, he is the President of an entire nation and not just a particular social class. In this regard, the funds covering the increase will be through current contributions and investment reserved fund,” he said.

“The President is not amenable to using taxpayers’ money to fund pension increase since the SSS is a private pension fund,” Abella said.

But even with the thousand peso increase, Abella said the Fund life will continue until 2040 by May 2017 when the contribution rate and increase in monthly salary credit is implemented.

In the meantime, SSS chairman Amado Valdez said that while only PHP1,000 pension hike was approved for this month, half of the PHP2,000 package being asked would be given by 2022 at the latest.

He also clarified that the 1.5 percent hike in contributions would be on a yearly basis until the contribution rate reaches the threshold of 17 percent which was the rate approved by the country’s economic managers.

Valdez said that the 17 percent rate contribution could also be lessened once internal reforms are successful.

“Depending on the results of the internal reforms that are being presently instituted, we can give the remaining PHP1,000 as early as 2018 and we could also stop the 1.5 percent yearly contribution hike below the threshold,” he said.

Among the reforms being instituted to ensure sustainability of the Fund include legal action plans to reduce contribution delinquency and Executive interventions needed to improve collections through the issuance of an Executive Order.

The legal action plans include the intensified legal collection on referred delinquent and non-compliant employers; aggressive prosecution, settlement facilitation and speedy disposition of cases; close coordination with the Department of Justice and the creation of additional branch legal departments among others.

“You will see in the following days cases to be filed against erring employers. There will be some contempt charges against employers who do not respond to the summons of the court because the Fund is a social protection,” he said.

“This (SSS contribution remittance) is an obligation under the law. Actually, it’s not just an obligation under the law; it is a moral obligation because you are building social protection,” Valdez said.

Meanwhile, SSS president Emmanuel Dooc clarified that pensioners will have to wait until at least February to receive the increase.

“A slight delay is expected as we only learned of the approved hike Monday night and there will be some re-computations,” he said.

He said that they are also appealing to President Duterte to issue an EO that will mandate all business entities doing business with the government to produce an SSS clearance before a contract would be awarded to them.

An SSS clearance should also be required for those who are applying for and renewing a business permit as well as those who would be renewing their Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) licenses among others.

“This would ensure that businesses and businessmen are regularly remitting the SSS contributions of their employees. This would also ensure the sustainability of the Fund,” Dooc said. (PNA)
JBP/CMR

House OKs bill on campus crime prevention

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- A measure mandating universities and colleges to create a Safety and Security Council (SSC) to protect the academic community from internal and external threats has been approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 4100 or the proposed “Campus Safety and Security Act” directs the establishment of the SSC in every higher learning institution and technical-vocational institution to protect students and other members of the academic community from theft, robbery, rape, and other forms of violence within and outside the campus.

Among the primary duties and responsibilities of the SSC is to recommend to the school, college, or university the conduct of seminars and trainings on crime and drug prevention and control in coordination with the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) regional office, local police station, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The SSC shall also carry out programs and policies concerning the following: use and sale of alcoholic beverages; enforcement of underage drinking laws; possession, use, and sale of illegal drugs; enforcement of drug laws; and a description of any drug or alcohol abuse education program.

The composition of the SSC shall be determined by the governing boards of the higher education institutions (HEIs) and the owners, proprietors, and/or administrators of the technical-vocational institutions.

The House committee on higher and technical education spearheaded the passage of the measure, which is a consolidation of House Bill Nos. 572 and 2314, authored by Aurora Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero, respectively. (PNA)
JBP/FMC/EDS

Duterte's 'very good' survey rating inspires

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- A Malacañang official on Tuesday welcomed the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey where the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte received a "very good" net satisfaction rating.

"The 4th Quarter 2016 Social Weather Survey conducted on December 3 to 6 via face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults nationwide with sampling error margins of ±3 points for national percentages and ±4 for Balance Luzon as well as ±6 points each for Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao found 73 percent of respondents satisfied with the national government, 12 percent dissatisfied and 15 percent undecided, yielding a net satisfaction rating of +61 percent, classified by the Social Weather Survey as ‘very good'," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said at a press briefing.

Abella also mentioned the Pulse Asia Survey showing President Duterte as the most trusted government official in the Philippines.

The Palace official noted that the President's high rating "continues to serve as a source of inspiration to the President and his official family."

The survey showed that the President's trust and approval ratings are at a high of 83 percent.

Abella also commended the authorities and Black Nazarene devotees for the safe and successful celebration of the annual religious festivity on Monday.

“The Black Nazarene is back home safe after terror threats. Despite possible threats of violence from various groups, thousands of Catholic devotees guided the centuries-old image of the Black Nazarene safely back to its home before dawn on Tuesday. Doors closed at 3:30 a.m. this morning,” said Abella.

At the same press briefing, Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella urged citizens to conserve energy in light of the scheduled maintenance shutdown of Malampaya gas field from January 28 to February 18.

“Secretary Cusi issued a directive: number one, kailangan ma-ensure ng Department of Energy, in proper coordination with our partners, with the stakeholders involved, that there will be sufficiency of power; and number two, we have to maximize protection to our consumers so that we will avoid any price shock," he said.

Fuentebella also gave an update on the government’s power restoration efforts in those areas affected by the recent typhoons.

The Energy official reported that as of January 9, power was already restored to 76 percent of those affected. Of the 1,700,000 affected households, 1,300,000 have already been restored.

He said to fast track the restoration of power to the residential households and to the commercial areas, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) has coordinated with the distribution utilities.

These include cooperatives and private distribution utilities and the agency mobilized almost 1,000 personnel, technical people, linesmen, and engineers, he said. (PNA)
JBP/PND/EDS

Solo parents receive funding from DSWD, start candle-making business

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Some 25 solo parents from the town of Concepcion in Iloilo province can now provide for their families’ needs after benefiting from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

The beneficiaries are now producing candles, which they supply to the Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church in the same town.

Under the DSWD’s livelihood program, the women were trained on candle-making as well as in business management, sales and marketing. After the training, they formed the Candle Maker’s Association of Concepcion (CMAC) and started their business with a funding of PHP268,000 from the DSWD.

“Solo parent-headed families are oftentimes the most in need of our assistance, especially in their livelihood. We must assist them to enable them to support their loved ones,” Social Welfare Judy Taguiwalo said.

One of the beneficiaries, 42-year-old Rosa Abebenir, said business is doing good. “We have regular buyers now,” she said happily.

Currently, the women have a production center in the municipality. Aside from supplying the candles to the parish church, they also display their products at the Concepcion Kabuhayan Enterprise, and sell them in nearby towns during fiestas and special occasions.

“As a community-based capacity building program, the SLP seeks to increase the economic opportunities of Filipinos through the Community-Driven Enterprise Development Approach. We want the SLP to equip poor Filipinos so they can actively contribute to production and labor markets by looking at available resources and accessible markets,” Taguiwalo said.

The SLP offers two tracks for Filipinos in the program: micro-enterprise development, which supports micro enterprises to become organizationally and economically viable; and employment facilitation, which assists Filipinos to access appropriate employment opportunities.

The department has provided livelihood assistance to 1,556,509 families from 2011 to 2016, with 1,219,725 assisted through microenterprise development and 336,784 through employment facilitation.

The SLP has four key modalities. First is the technical-vocational skills training, where the SLP provides capacity building to equip its partner-participants with the appropriate skills for increased employability or for better management of their micro-enterprises.

Second is the pre-employment assistance fund, where the SLP assists participants in accessing employment opportunities with guaranteed employers by providing financial assistance to enable them to get the necessary job application requirements promptly.

The third is cash for building livelihood assets, where the SLP provides short-term employment to partner-participants for the development, rebuilding, and/or protection of physical and natural assets, which may be used by the participants and their community for profitable and sustainable livelihood projects.

The fourth is seed capital fund, where the SLP provides a capacity-building grant for the micro-enterprise development of its partner-participants so they can set up a credit and savings facility and/or manage an individual or group enterprise.

Taguiwalo said that although millions have already benefited from the SLP, the department acknowledges that many more poor families need assistance.

“The department is doing its best to respond to provide the appropriate services to the poor. Providing the needy with means to earn and eventually enabling them to stand on their own two feet is a priority of the DSWD. This is the kind of genuine public service that we want to provide,” Taguiwalo said. (PNA)
CVL/DSWD-PR/LSJ

Infra buildup to improve connectivity, emergency response system in countryside

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Duterte administration’s ambitious program to ramp up investments in infrastructure is meant not only to improve connectivity and boost economic productivity in the countryside, but also to develop the country's emergency response system and better protect its communities most vulnerable to natural disasters.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar said infrastructure plays a key role in mitigating the effects of natural disasters and man-made conflicts as shown by the lessons learned during the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda and the Zamboanga City siege in 2013.

“In these separate cases, the presence of alternative gateways to city centers, which require intermodal transport systems could have saved more lives and mitigated the effects of these crises on the affected communities,” Villar said.

Infrastructure is also indispensable to a robust economy in the regions, especially those farthest from Metro Manila. Villar pointed out, for instance, the need to build a direct road link between the Caraga region and Bukidnon to enhance trade in Mindanao.

“Improving connectivity in the regions through physical infrastructure is necessary not only to realize the government’s goal of inclusive growth, but also to boost our emergency response systems and reduce our vulnerability to disasters, whether natural or man-made,” Villar said.

“Moreover, gaps in infrastructure that deliver basic services exist and need to be funded. For instance, in the area of solid waste management, only 30 percent of the 42,028 barangays nationwide have materials recovery facilities,” Villar noted.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) has also stressed the need to improve the country’s disaster preparedness to avoid “hindrances” to the economy’scontinuous high growth rate.

According to a statement released by the DBCC following its yearend meeting last December, “government revenues are expected to reach PHP2.913 trillion in 2018 once the taxreform package (submitted by the Department of Finance to the Congress) is passed.”

“The projected proceeds of the tax reform package â€" around PHP206.8 billion under Package 1â€" will fund the government's big-ticket development projects, particularly the infrastructure program,” read the DBCC statement.

The DBCC statement also said that to sustain high growth, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia advised that the government remainvigilant of external risks such as Japan’s fragile expansion, the slowdown of China’s economy, and a possible revival of protectionist policies in the UnitedStates and Europe.

On the domestic front, “the country must intensify its disaster preparedness measures as well as the logistics and infrastructure project coordination to avoid hindrances,” Pernia said.

According to Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno, projects that, the total infrastructure budget--both national and localâ€"will grow from PHP861 billion in 2017 to PHP1.898 trillion by 2022, or from 5.4 to around 7.0 percent of GDP.

“These record levels of spending will align our country with its more vibrant neighbors and put us on track to achieve our vision of eradicating extreme poverty and transforming our economy into a high-income one by 2040,” Diokno said.

Diokno said, though, that this unprecedented infrastructure spending can happen only if the governmentwere to raise a lot more revenues to ensure the financial viability of such an ambitious program.

"This can only be done by implementing broad and deep reforms in tax policy and administration through the enactment of the Department of Finance (DOF)-proposedComprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) now pending in the Congress,” Diokno noted.

The first package of the CTRP was submitted by the DOF to the Congress lastSept. 26.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the DOF welcomes the recent statement of Rep. Dakila Carlo Cua, who chairs the House ways and means committee tackling tax reform, that the first package would be approved by his panel in January this year.

In the medium-term, Dominguez said tax reform is expected to help reduce the poverty rate from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent in 2022, lifting some six million Filipinos out of poverty, and helping the country achieve upper middle income country status where per capita gross national income increases from USD 3,550 in 2015 to atleast USD4,100 by 2022, which is where China and Thailand are today.

If this momentum is sustained, the country would be well on its way to becoming a high-income economy by 2040 with a per capita gross national income of a least USD12,000, orwhere Malaysia and Korea are right now, he added.

Package One of the CTRP proposes to lower personal income tax rates, broaden the Value Added Tax (VAT) base, and increase the excise taxes on oil products and automobiles.

The lowering of personal income tax rates, a promise that President Duterte made during the 2016 poll campaign, will increase the take-home pay of workers and make our tax rates more competitive, Dominguez said.

A broader VAT base will level the playing field and reduce massive leakages, while higher excise taxes on oil products and automobiles will improve the progressivity of the tax system as richer households consume far more of these products, he said.

“For instance, the top 10 percent of households consume around 50 percent of oil products (per 2015 FIES). Higher excise taxes can also help address traffic congestion andpollution,” Dominguez noted.

“Meanwhile, to protect the poor and vulnerable sectors, highly targeted transfers and subsidies will be provided as part of the ramp up of social spending from 37.3 percent of the 2016 budget to 40.1 percent of the 2017 budget,” he said.

According to a report quoting BMI Research, sustaining the country’s high growth path is dependent on the Duterte administration’s ability to roll out big-ticket infrastructure projects.

“Economic growth performance will largely depend on the Duterte administration’s ability to cut through red tape and get infrastructure and investment projects going, as well as to reassure investors of the government’s commitment to maintain and improve the public-private partnership program,” read the report of BMI Researchpublished in the January edition of its Asia Monitor.

Also, the Oxford Business Group has cited a November report of ratings agency Standard & Poor's that said the Philippines was a top performer in Southeast Asia in 2016 partly because of an expansionary fiscal policy that emphasizes public infrastructure.

Other institutions have also said the Philippines can sustain its high growth of above 6 percent and its status as one of Asia’s fastest growing economies, provided that the Duterte administration delivers on its commitment to accelerate spending on infrastructure.

These private and multilateral institutions include the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, Nomura, First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC), Colliers International, Nordic Business Council of the Philippines (NBCP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Goldman Sachs, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Standard Chartered Bank, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp.(HSBC), Sun Life Asset Management Co., AB Capital Securities, Lamudi PHL and the Management Association of the Philippines. (PNA)

DOJ Secretary rejects Sen. De Lima proposal to probe BI bribery scandal
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Tuesday said there is no need to conduct a Senate inquiry into the alleged bribery attempt by Chinese businessman Jack Lam to some officials of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in exchange for the release of 1,316 Chinese workers arrested in illegal online casinos at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga.

This was the comment of Aguirre after Senator Leila de Lima filed under Senate Resolution No. 258, urging the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to inquire into the bribery scandal that has plagued the BI.

Aguirre said De Lima has the right to file but various of government agencies including the DOJ, BI, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Office of the Ombudsman are investigating the incident.

He noted De Lima should focus on the cases filed against her since there are cases also filed at the Office of the Ombudsman against the two former BI Deputy Commissioners.

”She (De Lima) has the right to file resolution pero dami na nag-investigate DOJ, NBI, BI (and) Ombudsman. Dapat magfocus siya sa kaso niya, no need na, sobra sobra na (cases filed). Hayaan na lang Ombudsman," he told reporters in a press conference.

He also said that if De Lima pushes for a Senate inquiry, she should explain and justify the need for it and cite what specific legislation she intends to pursue out of the controversy.

Reports showed that the BI officials received five paper bags allegedly containing Php10 million each (a total of Php50 million), from Lam's middleman, former police officer Wally Sombero, at the City of Dreams hotel and casino in Paranaque City, which was caught on CCTV.

Aguirre also believes that a Senate inquiry would just put "political colors" to the extortion issue and that Sen. de Lima's proposal seemed to be a mere "retaliation" to the string of drug trafficking and graft charges filed against her by the NBI over her alleged involvement in illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, Aguirre said the NBI is still conducting its probe on the extortion scandal and has summoned Argosino and Robles, as well as BI commissioner Jaime Morente, dismissed BI intelligence chief Charles Calima Jr., and former police chief superintendent Wally Sombero, who supposedly served as Lam's middleman.

Argosino, Robles and Calima have all been dismissed from the BI. They surrendered the Php30 million and Php18 million cash they respectively received from Sombero, who also surrendered Php2 million.

Calima has filed plunder charges against Argosino and Robles before the Office of the Ombudsman. Argosino and Robles, on the other hand, filed criminal charges of corruption of public officials and violation of anti-wiretapping law before the Parañaque prosecutor's office against Calima, Sombero and Lam. (PNA)

Education dept seeks to position educational equipment near disaster areas
By Juzel L. Danganan

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Education has proposed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to allow it to enter into supply contracts for educational equipment with firms located near disaster areas.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in a press conference Tuesday that the department has “proposed to preposition school supplies along the regions” that are near typhoon and disaster areas for the quick rehabilitation of schools. This will include textbooks, computers and other equipment.

She further said the department will set an “allowance” for potential losses from natural disasters.

Briones stressed that the department has to address the potential hazards of typhoons with creativity.

The program will be covered by its quick disaster response fund, if approved for transfer by the DBM, and will cost PHP650 million. However, Briones noted that the budget may increase as it also includes the allocation for new school buildings.

She also pointed out that all the schools, which are currently under construction, are designed to withstand a storm of 285 km. per hour. (PNA)

SC orders Sen. De Lima to respond on disbarment complaint
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday directed former Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima to comment on the disbarment complaint filed by lawyer Fernando Perito late last year in connection of her admitted love affair with her former driver Ronnie Dayan.

SC spokesman Theodore Te said the Court made the decision during their regular en banc directing De Lima to comment on the complaint within 10 days.

“In the matter of Atty. Fernando P. Perito vs. Atty. Leila M. De Lima, the Court directed respondent De Lima to submit her comment to the complaint-affidavit for disbarment filed by petitioner within 10 days from notice of the Court’s resolution," the SC said.

Perito cited as evidence De Lima's publicly admitting the relationship with Dayan in a television interview aired last November 14.

A similar disbarment complaint against De Lima was filed before the SC by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and former National Bureau of Investigation deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala, who were also complainants in the drug trafficking and graft charges against her at the Department of Justice.

The complainants accused De Lima of gross immorality and violating the Lawyers Oath and the Code of Professional Responsibility.

Last 2012, Perito also filed disbarment complaint against De Lima for her alleged defiance in following an SC temporary restraining order issued in November 2011 when she stopped former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo from leaving the country to seek medical treatment. (PNA)

MMDA starts stricter implementation of nose in, nose out policy for provincial buses
By Aerol B. Patena

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will start Tuesday apprehending violators of the nose in nose out policy for provincial buses traveling along EDSA and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos warned bus operators and drivers that they will be issued traffic tickets in case they were found to have violated the policy.

The nose in nose out policy requires buses to enter and exit their terminals and not to load or unload passengers along major roads in the metropolis which causes traffic congestion.

“We will be strict on implementing the nose in nose out policy as this will ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila,” Orbos said during the inspection of bus terminals along EDSA-Tramo to check their compliance to the nose in nose out policy.

The MMDA chief said that apprehended buses would be checked for possible violations such as lack of valid franchises.

Violators will be issued a Unified Ordinance Violation Receipt for obstruction and disregarding traffic sign, and will be slapped with the corresponding penalty.

The licenses of drivers will also be suspended and bus terminals will be closed in cases of repeated violations.

Orbos earlier said nine out of 16 terminals lacked the back entry or garage space to comply with the policy.

He said he was elated that most of the bus companies have agreed to support the initiative by demolishing walls that serve as hindrances for adjacent bus terminals while others have agreed to rent terminals for their buses.

The MMDA is set to coordinate with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for its proposal for a common terminal for provincial buses. (PNA)

WMC units now tracking suspects who gunned down 8 fishermen off Zamboanga City waters
By Priam F. Nepomuceno

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Western Mindanao Command (WMC) are now tracking down the five heavily-armed men who shot and killed eight fishermen off Laud Siromon, Barangay Dita, Zamboanga City Monday night.

The incident took place 8 p.m. WMC spokesperson Major Filemon Tan said the victims were all aboard a fishing boat, reportedly owned by one Mumar of Sangali, when the suspects arrived out of nowhere and started shooting the fishermen, killing eight before making their getaway.

He added that the seven other fishermen, dove into the water, to avoid the gunfire of the suspects, surviving in the process.

"Motive of the gunmen was said to be personal grudge between two fishing groups and another angle considered is extortion," Tan stressed.

Around 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, Barangay Sangali chair Daud Bakil appeared before the Sangali Police Station with Kervin Banahan, one of the survivors, to report the strafing incident.

The other survivors are currently on Siromon Island in Zamboanga City.

"The Joint Task Force Zamboanga is now closely looking and monitoring the developments in the area. The Marine Battalion Landing Team-11 is also currently in the area to assist the Curuan police as investigations are ongoing," Tan added. (PNA)

PHL 3-yr T-bond auction lures more banks
By Joann Santiago

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Philippine government’s initial three-year Treasury bond (T-bond) offering for 2017 attracted more banks Tuesday, with tenders more than double the Php 15 billion offering.

The auction committee made a full award after tenders totaled Php 37.238 billion.

National Treasurer Roberto Tan said the tap facility would be opened until 3 p.m. Wednesday to cater to the strong demand for the said tenor.

”The auction went very well. (There was) very good demand, very auspicious for the year, very good pricing also so we fully awarded (the paper),” he said.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) opens its tap facility if it received strong demand for the debt paper at a very good price to take advantage of the bids.

Average yield of the freshly issued paper stood at 3.364 while coupon rate is 3.375 percent.

The current average rate of the three-year paper is higher than the 3.169 percent it fetched during the auction of the same tenor on Oct. 20, 2015.

Meanwhile, Tan said the central bank’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) has issued the authority for the government’s 2017 foreign borrowing amounting to about USD2 billion.

”We were informed that it was approved already but we will be expecting the copy of authority soon in the office,” he said.

Tan said USD500 million of the said amount would be new money component, or cash, while the remaining USD1.5 billion will be used to retire old liabilities.

He added that they are now discussing with some banks on how to do the debt issuance and liability management but declined to elaborate. (PNA)

Power restored in 76% of households affected by Typhoon 'Nina'

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday reported that power has been restored to about 76 percent of households affected by Typhoon Nina.

In a press briefing at Malacañang, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said that around 1.3 million of the estimated 1,765, 013 households affected by the typhoon have been re-energized as of January 9.

The Energy official said that all affected households in the provinces of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Sorsogon and Camarines Norte have already been restored.

"The provinces that are challenging as far as restoration is concerned are Marinduque with only 21 percent restored so far; Camarines Sur where we're only hitting at 40 percent; and Catanduanes, 20 percent," Fuentebella said.

He said these provinces bore the brunt of Nina.

Fuetebella said that 982 personnel from 52 participating energy companies and distribution utilities have already been deployed through Task Force Kapatid.

He said these personnel -- composed of technical people, linesmen, and engineers -- would be augmented soon to further fast track the restoration work.

In the meantime, power grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is restoring three more power lines in Mindanao, which were damaged by Typhoon Auring last January 8.

These transmission facilities namely Butuan-Placer 138kV line 1, Placer-Madrid 69kV line, and Placer-Surigao 69kV line are already being restored.

The Auring-affected power lines provide electricity to Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Siargao Electric Cooperative, and Surigao del Sur 2 Electric Cooperative.

However, Fuentebella said that bad weather conditions brought about by the low pressure area spotted off Dumaguete City is posing additional challenges to the restoration process in both Southern Luzon and Eastern Mindanao.

“For both typhoon Nina and Auring, it’s a challenge for us to have good weather, especially so after the weather bureau issued a red rainfall warning advisory for Bicol,” the former Camarines Sur lawmaker said.

Nonetheless, the DOE official said that the restoration process would continue as fast and safely as possible.

"Secretary (Alfonso) Cusi emphasizes that we need to fast track our restoration efforts. However, the priority is safety because when we were out in restoring the damage areas in Northern Luzon because of typhoon Lawin, we lost one of our linemen in Task Force Kapatid," he said.

He said that the fatality was a volunteer Waray lineman who was electrocuted in an accident.

"So we don't want that to happen again," Fuetebella stressed as he emphasized anew the importance of cooperation of everyone concerned in the restoration process.

The DOE has been warning residents in affected areas not to go near toppled power lines to avoid further accidents.

It is also asking residents the cooperation of residents in safeguarding damaged facilities from being stolen.

"We are also reminding our linemen that they should be properly equipped. Let us not rush. Fast is important but safety is primordial," Fuetebella said. (PNA)

AFP to get 10,000 more troops

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- Despite peace negotiations with various insurgent groups, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that 10,000 more troopers are needed to meet the rising threats to the country's national security.

This was stressed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo on what triggered the military to request an additional 10,000 soldiers from President Rodrigo Duterte Tuesday.

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 ongoing security engagements," Arevalo said in Filipino.

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)

DENR adopts stricter policy for ECC issuance

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is adopting a stricter policy in the issuance of environmental compliance certificates (ECCs) to ensure that future development projects will not cause significant negative impact on the environment.

Secretary Gina Lopez said that from now on, the DENR will make sure that specific measures and conditions are first met by project proponents before ECCs are issued to them.

It was a long-standing practice that the ECCs can already be issued even if certain conditions are yet to be complied with by project proponents.

"If any ECC is cancelled now, it has to be withdrawn in the legal parameters at that time. But for the future, we are saying that if any ECC is given, it should not be given unless all the conditions are first met," Lopez said.

The DENR cancelled a total of six ECCs, issued show cause orders against 12 development projects and denied one ECC application.

According to Lopez, the DENR's decision to cancel, deny or grant an ECC is "based on social justice."

"Social justice, in the context of the DENR, means that the use of the land benefits the greater majority, benefits the common good. But, when the environment is destroyed, it is the poor people around the area who suffer,” the DENR chief said.

ECC is a certificate issued by the DENR's Environmental Management Bureau following a positive review of the ECC application. This certifies that based on the application of the proponent, the proposed project or undertaking will not cause a significant negative impact on the environment.

The certificate contains specific measures and conditions that must be met by the proponent before and during the operation of the project. In some cases, conditions are listed to be performed during the project's abandonment phase to lessen identified potential environmental impacts.

One of those cancelled was the ECC issued to Century Communities Corporation for its Nova housing project, which is located on the La Mesa Watershed.

Lopez said the development could affect the reservoir that serves 12 million people in Metro Manila.

"As a matter of principle, that's the watershed of 12 million people, and I cannot see the possibility where a business interest is more important than the water that our people drink," Lopez said.

The DENR also cancelled the ECCs given to Palawan-based mining firms Ipilan Nickel Corp. and Lebach Mining Corp., as well as Davao-based Core Mining Corp. and Austral-Asia Link Mining Corp., and Donggwang Clark Corporation in Pampanga.

Lawyer Maria Paz Luna, the designated DENR undersecretary for legal affairs, said that contrary to its claim, Austral-Asia's mining site is only five kilometers away from a habitat of the endangered Philippine eagle.

"This is a signal that the DENR is no longer to keep on waiting for conditions to be fulfilled until we issue adverse findings," Luna said.

Meanwhile, the DENR has directed Benguet Corp. to explain why its ECC should not be cancelled for its Antamok open-pit mine in Itogon, Benguet in its "failure to rehabilitate the open pit site for 25 years" and "negligence leading to a toxic spill to 1.8-km river in Cordillera."

The agency also issued show cause orders to Sinophil Mining and Trading Corp., LaFarge Mindanao (formerly Mindanao Portland Cement Corp.), Philippine Sinter Corp., Century Peak Corp. (on two projects), Filipinas Systems Inc., Ore Asia Mining and Development Corp., Wan Chiong Steel Corp., Wellex Mining Corp., PhiGold Metallic Ore Inc., and Hantex Manufacturing Corp.

At the same time, the DENR denied the ECC application of Egerton Gold Philippines for its project in Lobo, Batangas due to incompatibility of its operations with the Verde Island Passage, which is considered the "global center of the center of the marine biodiversity of the planet.”

“Yearly, hundreds of new marine species are found in the Verde Passage. Any kind of mining or coal plant would adversely affect the area, which, if maneuvered well, could bring on the uplift of the entire area and be a gift to humanity,” Lopez concludesd. (PNA)
FPV/PR-DENR/EDS

Joint TF Haribon to help secure ASEAN Summit 2017 launch in Davao City Sunday
By Priam F. Nepomuceno

MANILA, Jan. 10 (PNA) --- The anti-terror component of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC), the Joint Task Force Haribon will help secure the launching of the Philippines' chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit 2017 in Davao City on Sunday (January 15).

Joint Task Force Haribon commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay said Tuesday his unit will focus on disaster response, terrorism and internal security operation.

Initially, about 600 personnel from the Air Force, Navy and Army were committed to the more or less 1,000 personnel already deployed to support the security of different activities relative to the launching.

"Our plan is in support to the PNP Plan and we consider different possible scenarios and we are closely coordinating with different concerned agencies particularly the PNP," he said.

Gapay also bared that sea, air and land capabilities and assets will be on standby alert for the ASEAN activities security requirement.

As part of the preparation, table top exercises were initiated by the Joint Task Force Haribon to ensure that all areas will be covered.

Last January 6, a joint exercise was held in Davao Gulf to fine tune naval security measures and enhance inter-operability among committed units.

Furthermore, Joint Task Force Haribon conducted a security forum in Babak, Island Garden City of Samal last January 9 to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders in securing the island, which is one of the potential areas to be visited by ASEAN delegates. (PNA)
FPV/PFN

diha bitaw pud toy actor ug actress nga sikat karon sa philippine movies ang niadto kono sa St. Luke's kay wa mag-ukang. one of the best-kept secrets daw ni sa St. Luke's. ambot unsay tinuod ani.

maayo pa si bai hubagz kung mahubog kay mosamot ka romantic labina ug si bugsay ang kauban sa tagay. hehehe

pagkawalay hinungdan nga pagkabilanggo. maayo unta ug giduslak ug buak nga botelya ang usa ka intsik kay nangilog ug isla sa pilipinas kay naa pay dungog. pero tungod lang kay gibalibaran ug inom? i think some people should perish in hell before they die or rot in jail.

The Key to God's Redemptive Mission

That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:21

God often speaks of human relationships as a part of His mission to redeem a lost world (John 13:20; Matt. 25:40). One reason He gives for a husband and wife to live in unity is so they can produce a “godly seed,” that is, children who love and obey God, who can be used in God’s mission to bring redemption to a lost world (Mal. 2:14-15).  Similarly, the church is the body of Christ.  A church cannot be on mission with the Father in our world if its members are waging war with one another (1 Cor. 12:12). There is a crucial connection between our relationships with others and the salvation of those around us.

We might assume that during Jesus’ prayer before His crucifixion, He would have prayed that His disciples would have courage, or would remain faithful, or would remember what they had been taught. Yet He asked that His followers would remain united in their love for one another. Jesus understood that it is spiritually impossible to love God but not love others.

A test of your love for God is to examine your love for others. Our tendency is to say, “Heavenly Father, the problem is not between You and me. I love You with all my heart. I just don’t love my brother.” And God says, “That is an impossibility. You cannot love Me without loving the ones for whom My Son died” (John 13:34-35). Your life will not convince those around you of the reality of Jesus if you cannot live in unity with your fellow Christians.Henry and Richard Blackaby

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