MikeLigalig.com

Bosch seeks to raise head count for BPO arm

German engineering firm Bosch said it is looking at head count growth for its business process outsourcing (BPO) arm called Bosch Service Solutions. The company said it remains bullish on its prospects in the Philippines and expects its BPO line to take a bigger part of its local operations. Bosch Philippines Managing Director Andrew Powell was quoted as saying that the company expects to increase its workforce in the Philippines by more than double its current size of over 400 employees over the next four years. Bosch earlier announced that the Philippines is currently among the fastest growing markets in the Southeast Asian region for the global brand.

Panasiatic teams up with Bacolod City to bridge BPO talent gap

Call center firm Panasiatic Solutions Inc seeks to bridge the talent pool gap in the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector by partnering with the Bacolod City government. Panasiatic Solutions is implementing the Barangay Achieve program, where barangay officials help source from their respective areas people who have the potential for a call center job. Panasiatic has the resources and training modules to polish these people and accommodate their different needs, said Siony Hijara, general manager and site director. Call center companies in Bacolod have been challenged by the depleting source of workers for the last couple of years.

Teleperformance stages thanksgiving party in Pasay City

Global business process management firm Teleperformance recently staged its biggest thanksgiving celebration at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The party celebrates the triumphs and accomplishments of Teleperformance and its employees in 2016, which also marks the company's 20th anniversary in the Philippines. Teleperformance Philippines managing director Travis Coates said the event was really just about thanking and celebrating the company's success in 2016. Energetic song and dance performances engulfed the four halls of the SMX Convention Center. Over 12,000 Manila-based Teleperformance employees attended the party that night.

Existing law cannot end contractualization - Bello

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said contractualization in the country cannot be put to an end because of an existing law that allows it. Until there is a law that repeals the existing law, Bello said everyone will comply with the provisions of the law that allows legitimate contractualization. He added that President Rodrigo Duterte wants to end illegal contractualization, but cannot end those that allowed under Philippine laws. Under the existing law there are jobs that can be sourced out by the company, including security and janitorial services. Under the new order, tentatively called DO 30, core services like those made by sales girls will be banned and these employees should be regularised.

ePerformax to become first BPO locator in Palawan

American outsourcing firm ePerformax is set to be the first business process management (BPM) locator in Palawan as it plans to open a center in Puerte Princesa City. This was revealed by Wilfredo Sa-a Jr, managing director at Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (Cedfit). Sa-a said ePerformax will soon be opening in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and Roxas City, Capiz. A number of BPO firms that have already established a presence in Cebu are also planning to expand outside of the city. Teleperformance, a big player in Cebu, already expanded in Cagayan de Oro City while eBusiness BPO is also headed for CDO, Sa-a said.

High-skilled tasks present real opportunity for IT-BPM growth

Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA) president Jonathan De Luzuriaga said the real opportunity for IT-BPM growth lies in mid-skilled and high-skilled tasks. With this, De Luzuriaga said there is a huge need to upgrade low-skilled employees to mid-skilled workers and mid-skilled workers to high-skilled employees. He said the industry needs people who have strong analytical skills and a strong grasp of logical reasoning. The drivers of growth in the Philippines are its cost competitiveness, service-oriented culture and growing market demand, De Luzuriaga said. He dispelled the notion that the IT-BPM industry will be affected by the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential race. De Luzuriaga added that the figure projected by the Road Map 2022 will not be achieved if talents are not developed.

Teleperformance's CSR program gets recognition

Global outsourcing firm Teleperformance has received this year’s Frost & Sullivan 2016 Company of the Year Award for Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility Leadership. The award was based on Frost & Sullivan’s recent competitive CSR analysis of the contact center outsourcing market. Frost & Sullivan analysts independently evaluated major industry BPO players on two key factors â€" Quality of Corporate Social Responsibility Programs and tangible Business / Customer CSR Impact â€" to determine the winner for the Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Leadership Award. Since 2006, Teleperformance's top management has brought teams together to aid those in need globally through its "Citizen of the World" (COTW) charitable activities.

Forrester cites Wipro as BPM leader

Independent research firm Forrester has recognized Wipro Limited as "Leader" in business process management (BPM) service providers for Q4 2016. Forrester evaluated 12 of the most significant BPM services providers across 21 criteria and Wipro scored highest among all the service providers. The Forrester report recognized Wipro for bringing cutting edge design practices to large-scale process transformation, innovative methodology, 22 experience-design centers across the globe, and acquiring the award-winning strategic design firm Designit that provided Wipro with an instant infusion of top design talent to help extend its BPM consulting engagements. Wipro Senior Vice President Hiral Chandrana said the company will continue to enable its clients to go beyond traditional BPM programs and embrace holistic digital transformation.

Philippine growth to ease in 2017 - UBS

Global financial services firm UBS said growth in Philippine gross domestic product this year could hit 6.6% but this could dip to 5.6% in 2017. The Swiss bank attributes the slower expansion to the expected lower government spending and tighter global monetary conditions. UBS's 2017 forecast is lower than the government target range of 6.5% to 7.5% for next year. In a report, UBS said growth in the Philippines is set to slow having accelerated sharply this year. The growth drivers this year, which include election-related spending, large fiscal stimulus, and loose monetary conditions that fueled credit growth, may no longer exist next year. UBS added that the Philippine economy will regain some pace at 6% in 2018.

ICT group seeks talent development deal with Negros government

The Bacolod-Negros Occidental Federation for ICT (BNEFIT) has proposed to Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr a possible major talent development partnership to address the talent supply gap in the province. BNEFIT executive director Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said the proposal, which was based on the request of the government, seeks a more industry-led intervention to ensure the talent supply requirement in the ICT-BPO sector in the province is addressed. The talent gap, according to Batapa-Sigue, can be attributed to the implementation of the K to 12 program that resulted to the absence of high school graduates for two years. The association has expressed interest in partnering with the local government to offer teacher-training for more schools in the province, Batapa-Sigue said.

Sudden changes in BPO flows could hurt local banks

Philippines banks remain strong in their operations despite several waves of financial market volatility this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said. However, Fitch Ratings Financial Institutions Director Elaine Koh told the BusinessMirror that sudden changes in business process outsourcing (BPO) flows and an unforeseen deterioration in remittance inflows could spell uncertainty and volatility for banks. The local banking industry posted a 16.7% overall growth in terms of net profits for Q3, up from the P98.4bn net profit in end-September 2015 to P114.8bn this year. Banks’ total assets also grew double digits at 11.7%, from P11.5tr in end-October in 2015 to P12.9tr in October 2016, already surpassing the P12.09tr total assets recorded in December 2015.

Stefanini has good year despite Brexit, Brazil crisis in 2016

For the Brazil-headquartered business process outsourcing (BPO) firm Stefanini, 2016 was a challenging year for the industry due to Brexit and the economic crisis in Brazil. But Global CEO Marco Stefanini said the company managed to thrive and even reaped awards in 2016. Stefanini won three awards in Romania - Best BPO Firm, IT Services Firm of the Year and ITO Company of the Year. Stefanini also expanded its global reach, with presence in eight of the world's best outsourcing locations - India, the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Poland. It was also in 2016 when Stefanini made three acquisitions. These included a deal to merge its associate company VANguard with Scala IT, one of IBM's top software partners. It also acquired the Colombian company Sysman.

BPO to boost power sales volume this year - Meralco

Power retailer Manila Electric Co expects electricity sales volume to rise 3.5% this year, slower than the estimate 8.1% growth in 2016. The business process outsourcing (BPO), real estate, retail trade, and hospitality industries supported last year's demand from commercial customers, which grew 9% year-on-year. The same industries are expected to boost sales volume this year, Meralco said. However, Meralco senior vice president and head of customer retail services, corporate marketing and communications Al Panlilio said the growth figure in 2017 would be slower as the company is coming from a big volume in 2016. Meralco, the largest power distributor in the Philippines, has 6.1 million customers in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

Accenture employees pledge to complete 8,000 hours of coding

Thousands of Accenture employees around the world have committed to complete nearly 8,000 hours of code during the Computer Science Education Week. The pledge comes as Accenture teams up with Code.org to support global participation in Hour of Code, one of the world's largest educational events. Hour of Code was designed to prove anyone can learn the basics of coding. It brings together more than 350 partner organisations and students around the world. The goal is to get young people excited about computer science long before they enter college. It is expected that by 2020, there will be 1.2 million jobs requiring computer-related skills in the US alone.

Cebu, Bacolod top viable alternative BPO locations - Colliers

Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Pampanga and Davao will continue to be the most viable alternative locations for growth in terms of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. This was the forecast of Joey Roi Bondoc, research manager at Colliers International Philippines. Bondoc said the BPO industry will continue driving the office market in the country. He said provincial locations will also continue to drive the industry's growth, given the talent pool, business competitiveness, and local government and ICT Council support. Colliers also does not see the trend slowing down in the knowledge process outsourcing sector. In 2016, major players that defined the market include Google, Towers Watson, Wells Fargo, Pharmaceutical Product Development, among others.

New Cebu bus route caters to BPO workers

Workers of business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Cebu will soon find it easier to commute to work with the opening of a new bus route in the city. Vallacar Transit, operator of Ceres buses, and Cebu Holdings Inc have agreed to deploy buses to the Cebu Business Park (CBP) and the Cebu IT Park (CITP) to address the transportation needs of call center workers. The buses ply the Cebu South Bus Terminal-CBP-CITP-CBP-Cebu North Bus Terminal route and vice versa. The buses will have a 15 to 30-interval and will collect P25 for the first five kilometers and additional P1.60 per succeeding kilometer, according to Dale mark Carangan, administrative manager of Vallacar Transit. The long term plan is to extend the route to Carcar City in the south and Danao City in the north.

DICT to submit National Broadband Plan this month

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) intends to submit the proposed National Broadband Plan (NBP) to President Rodrigo Duterte this month. DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima said he wants to start the new year with a proposed national broadband plan for greater internet access and improved delivery of government services in the country. The NBP seeks to interconnect government offices and promote greater internet access particularly in remote areas to stimulate economic growth. Once the proposed NBP is approved by President Duterte, Salalima said the plan could be implemented within one to three years. Telco players in the Philippines fully support the DICT's move to come up with the NBP.

BPO firms exempted from new DOLE order

Business process outsourcing (BPO) firms are exempted from the new Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) order that aims to put an end to contractualization. Labor Undersecretary Dominador Say said BPO firms are exempted from the order because they hire their employees directly. The order seeks to further regulate the operations of labor contractors. Under the new department order, labor contractors need to be legitimate and must have capital of P5 million before they will be given a license to operate. It also requires the contractor to find a job for its workers within three months once it finishes its contract with its principal. Labor groups have asked President Rodrigo Duterte to reject the new department order.

Manila's office space rental rates will continue rising

Metro Manila will continue to see office space rental rates increasing in the next two years, according to CBRE. The uptrend in office rental rates will happen despite the surge in new stock in 2017, indicative of the robust demand still expected from the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector. The range of increase in the next two to three years will depend on the type of requirement of its clients, according to CBRE vice chairman Joey Radovan. He said all areas will see an uptick and this will be dictated by the types of demand - for headquarters, front office, or BPO. CBRE said Central business districts, such as Bonifacio Global City and Makati will continue to see the fastest increase. The bulk of the demand for office space will still be driven by US clients, CBRE said.

China aircraft carrier conducts drill in S. China Sea

ABOARD LIAONING AIRCRAFT CARRIER, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- A naval formation consisting of aircraft carrier Liaoning has conducted take-off and landing drills in the South China Sea on Monday, a military source said on Tuesday.

The formation, which is on a "cross-sea area" training exercise, involved J-15 fighter jets, as well as several ship-borne helicopters, the source said without giving specific numbers.

Complex hydrological and meteorological conditions in the South China Sea as well as a cold front in area have posed some challenges, but the source said the drill provided important experience in the build-up of combat capability of the aircraft carrier formation. (PNA/Xinhua)

4 children dead, 6 others hospitalized in Texas gas poisoning

HOUSTON, Jan 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Four children aged 7 to 17 years old died Monday from gas poisoning in Amarillo, a city in the northern part of the US state of Texas.

Six others were hospitalized after the accident, which occurred after a chemical reaction when one person tried to wash off a pesticide that had been sprayed at the victims' home, according to local TV station ABC13.

When mixed with water, the chemical creates phosphine gas, which can cause respiratory failure and in severe cases a pulmonary edema.

Fire Department officials in the city confirmed the accident, saying in a statement that one child died at the scene and three others died later at a hospital. The six others, the mother, father and four other children, are not out of danger yet. (PNA/Xinhua)

Cambodia expels 3,376 illegal immigrants in 2016

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Cambodia deported 3,376 illegal foreigners, including 738 females, to their birth countries in 2016, a senior immigration police official said Tuesday.

The illegal immigrants of 63 nationalities had been arrested and expelled from Cambodia last year after they lived and worked here without passports or valid visas, Major General Uk Heisela, chief of the investigation department of the General Department of Immigration (GDI), told Xinhua.

"Some 2,453 (or 72 percent) of them are Vietnamese," he said.

According to the official, since the establishment of the GDI in April 2014 until the end of 2016, Cambodia had deported a total of 11,661 illegal immigrants of 72 nationalities, 84 percent of them are Vietnamese.

Under the kingdom's immigration law, any alien living in the country without valid documents such as passports, visas, or work permits are subject to deportation. (PNA/Xinhua)
JBP/SSC

First trial for impeached S.Korean president ends in 9 minutes in non-attendance

SEOUL, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- The first trial on a parliamentary motion to impeach South Korean President Park Geun-hye ended just in nine minutes on Tuesday with Park, the principal of the trial, not in attendance.

The first hearing, which kicked off at 2:00 p.m. local time (0500 GMT), was wrapped up at 2:09 p.m. as President Park refused to appear in the constitutional court, according to local media reports.

The second date for pleading was set on Thursday and the third was scheduled for next Tuesday.

By law, the court is allowed to continue the legal proceedings in the next hearing if the principal refuses to appear.

Four former presidential secretaries will appear as witnesses on Thursday, while two senior presidential advisors as well as Choi Soon-sil, President Park's longtime confidante at the center of the influence-peddling scandal, will be summoned in next week's third trial.

Attending the first trial were nine justices on the bench, three lawmakers of the National Assembly's impeachment committee and nine defense counsels for Park.

The three lawmakers, assisted by 11 counsels, have played prosecutors' role as the impeachment bill is on trial in the constitutional court, not in a court of law.

Park was impeached in the unicameral assembly on December 9. The court has up to 180 days to deliberate, but the judges are widely forecast to rule as early as late February to shorten the period of power vacuum.

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn temporarily assumed presidential power, acting as a caretaker president. (PNA/Xinhua)

Airstrike kills 10 IS militants in Afghanistan

JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- A total of 10 militants loyal to the hardliner Islamic State (IS) group were killed as air forces target the hideouts of the armed outfit in Deh Bala district of the eastern Nangarhar province Monday night, an army spokesman in the province, Hamdani Shirin Aqa said Tuesday.

The aircrafts of the security forces, according to the official, raided the hideouts of IS insurgents in Shabi and Gorgori villages of Deh Bala district Monday night killing 10 rebels on the spot and injuring few others.

There were no casualties on security forces and civilians during the strikes, the official contended.

Parts of Nangarhar province with Jalalabad as its capital 120 km east of Kabul has been the scene of IS activities over the past nearly two years. (PNA/Xinhua)

Japan to upgrade air traffic control system, discard paper strips

TOKYO, Jan. 3 (PNA/Kyodo) -- Upgrading of Japan's air traffic control system is set to commence in March, with a new digital monitor to be introduced for all planes in the air and paper strips to be eliminated, government officials said Tuesday.

The new system will help airlines draw up more efficient flight plans as major airports plan to increase arrival and departure slots, and build more runways ahead of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo, they said.

Under the current system, air traffic controllers suggest routes after analyzing flight plans only once prior to departure and use paper strips to keep flights arriving, departing and passing over airports in order. (PNA/Kyodo)
CVL/SSC

Indonesia arrests captain of tourist ferry after deadly fire

JAKARTA, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Indonesian police have detained and declared as a suspect the captain of a tourist ferry that caught fire on New Year's Day, leaving 23 dead and 17 missing, police said here Tuesday.

The Zahro Express ferry, carrying more than 200 people and heading to nearby Tidung resort Island, caught fire on Sunday about 20 minutes after departing from a seaport in Muara Angke of Jakarta.

Mohamad Nail, captain of the vessel, was accused of alleged negligence, Senior Commissioner Hero Hendrianto Bachtiar, director of the Jakarta marine police said.

"The captain navigated a vessel which was not appropriate for sailing that caused the deadly incident," Bachtiar said.

According to the local search and rescue office, the number of people on board was about double the figure in the manifest.

The captain could face a 10-year jail term if found guilty, according to the police officer.

Besides, the transport ministry also threatened to lift the captain's license for sailing, said Tony Budiono, director general for marine affairs at the ministry.

The captain was blamed for escaping responsibility during the incident, the director said.

"The captain jumped first when the incident started. Actually he is now a captain. He must be the last person escaping the incident, like the captain of the Titanic ship. We will lift his license," said Budiono.

Search for the missing persons continued on Tuesday, involving about 20 divers, according to local search and rescue office.

The national transport safety committee has launched an investigation into the incident. (PNA/Xinhua)

1st LD: Key Taliban commander killed in blast in northern Afghanistan

TALUQAN, Afghanistan, Jan 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- A key Taliban commander has been killed and two of his bodyguards sustained injures as their explosive device went off accidentally in the northern Takhar province on Tuesday, an army spokesman said.

Taliban's notorious commander Qari Hakim, known as Mullah Omar, was killed early Tuesday in a mine blast when he was planting the device on a road in Ashkamish district to target a security forces' convey, Abdul Khalil told Xinhua.

Qari Hakim was a key commander of the Taliban in Takhar and also served as deputy governor of Ashkamish district, Khalil said.

His physical elimination could prove a major setback to the Taliban militants operating in Takhar and neighboring Kunduz province, according to the official.

Taliban militants have yet to confirm the report. (PNA/Xinhua)

Urgent: Parts of Bangladesh jolted by Indian earthquake

DHAKA, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- A moderate earthquake measuring 5.5 magnitude on the Richter scale hit India and jolted parts of Bangladesh, including capital Dhaka on Tuesday, rattling nerves and causing panic. (PNA/Xinhua)

16 people killed in road accidents during New Year celebrations in Laos

VIENTIANE, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- At least 16 people were killed and some 225 others were injured in road accidents during the four days of New Year celebrations, Lao Traffic Police Department said Tuesday.

Only on Dec. 31, 53 road accidents were reported, leaving eight people dead and 97 others injured.

Lao police said road accidents doubled compared with the same period last year, though a number of police officers were stationed at areas prone to road accidents and alcohol checkpoints were set up.

"They attributed the increase in road accidents to the additional days of the celebration this year," said the Lao News Agency on Tuesday. (PNA/Xinhua)

Cambodia selected as chair of Least Developed Countries bureau at WTO

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Tuesday the country has been selected as chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"As the head of the government, I'm very happy when Cambodia was unanimously chosen as the chair of the coordinating group of the LDCs at the WTO on Nov. 14, 2016 for a one-year term from February 2017 to February 2018," he said in a message to compatriots.

As a LDC, Cambodia became a WTO member on Oct. 13, 2004, he said, adding that since then, the country has enjoyed robust growth and the growth for 2016 was around 7 percent.

The trade volume between Cambodia and foreign countries was valued at around USD30 billion in 2014, up from USD13 billion in 2011, Hun Sen said.

Poverty rate declined to 11.5 percent in 2015 from 53.2 percent in 2004, he said.

"With the positive outcome of socio-economic development, Cambodia has become a role model for other LDCs," the prime minister said.

As the chair, Cambodia will coordinate with other LDCs to promote trade negotiations at the 11th WTO ministerial conference on Dec. 11-14, 2017 in Buenos Aires.

Bangladesh is the current chair of the LDC coordination bureau. (PNA/Xinhua)

Cebu City officials give President Duterte high passing mark for first six months in office

CEBU CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Cebu City Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella led other local officials in giving a passing mark to President Rodrigo Duterte for his first six months in office.

Labella, who joined Duterte's party PDP-Laban a few months after he won as the city’s vice mayor in the May 9, 2016 elections, said the President deserves a passing mark.

He assumed as acting mayor after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena went on vacation abroad.

"In peace and order, he is very effective and very encouraging. In the fight against illegal drugs, in the fight against criminality, in the fight against lawlessness, I give him a very high passing mark. Hope it will continue," Labella said.

Labella said he considers the fight against illegal drugs and criminality and maintaining peace and order as Duterte's greatest achievements.

"The very basic thing of fighting against illegal drugs has been successfully undertaken by the president," he said.

Labella said he believes the President must strengthen the country's foreign policies and programs that would create more jobs.

He also said the President must solve the traffic congestion in the urban areas of the entire country.

"We cannot have this done overnight. These are the areas of concerns that he should do more in the years to come," Labella said.

Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia said President Duterte’s fight against illegal drugs is “phenomenal considering that it is felt throughout the country.”

”Of course, a lot of government agencies have improved their services, as well. Also, many innovative ideas have been implemented like the driver’s licenses and passports, among others. Infrastructure projects have started in Luzon in Mindanao. However, I have yet to see major projects in Cebu. Hoping to see them by 2017," he said.

Both Cebu City Councilors Nendell Hanz Abella and James Anthony Cuenco commended the government's fight against illegal drugs.

Cebu City Association of Barangay Councils president Phillip Zafra said he is impressed with what the Chief Executive has done so far, but he looks forward to how is he going to address other concerns such as education vis-a-vis the K to 12 program, mass transport, infrastructure and the economy. (PNA)
LAP/EB/NOD

Former Davao City vice mayor joins Duterte admin as new member of DBP board
By Alexander Lopez

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Former Davao City vice mayor Luis Bonguyan has joined the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte as new member of the board of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

Bonguyan, who was Duterte’s vice mayor in early 2000, told reporters during the regular Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City on Monday that DBP’s mandate for this year is to focus its support to the local government units (LGUs), the electric cooperatives and water districts in the country.

Since he assumed post, Bonguyan said around 350 LGUs have already proposed to avail of the services of DBP especially on its loan facility.

DBP will also extend support to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its medium and long-term loans, he added.

He said that for this year, DBP’s loan portfolio is estimated at PHP140 to PHP150 billion while the bank’s over-all asset is around PHP550 billion.

“Our income decreased last year compared to 2015,” Bonguyan pointed out, saying that in 2015, DBP had an income of PHP4.7 billion that went down to PHP3.8 billion in 2016.

He said they attributed the decrease in the banks’ income to the non-selling of its acquired properties.

“We received a letter and memorandum from the Department of Finance last year to set aside the selling of our acquired assets pending re-appraisal,” he added.

Bonguyan believed that the bank will be able to increase its income once the re-appraisal by the DOF is completed.

He also called on the LGUs in Davao region to visit the nearest DBP branches and inquire on how they can avail of the bank’s services. (PNA)

Pagadian City police chief sacked for taping cops’ gun muzzles
By Hirohito D. Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Jan. 2 (PNA) -â€" The local police chief has been relieved from his post for disobeying orders from the highest official of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Relieved as city police chief was Supt. Michael Palermo. He was replaced by Supt. Kiram Jimlani, the former deputy provincial director for operations and chief of the intelligence division.

Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre, provincial police director, on Monday told the Philippines News Agency that Palermo was relieved as he ordered the taping of the gun muzzles of policemen contrary to the order of Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa, the PNP chief.

Dela Rosa has stopped the taping of the gun muzzles before Christmas Day, citing such practice did not prevent indiscriminate firing of guns by policemen in past Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Dela Rosa decided to forgo the tapping of the gun muzzles to show to the Filipinos that the policemen are more disciplined under his stewardship.

Ecaldre said Palermo ordered the taping of gun muzzles of the local policemen despite the directive from Dela Rosa, thus, he was relieved from his post effective December 31, 2016.

Jimlani has assured the residents of this city that he will continue to implement the programs of the PNP, especially the war against drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte.

He commended the local police force for the efforts against the sale of illegal firecracker that resulted in zero firecracker-related injury during the New Year revelries. (PNA)

Davao region generally peaceful on New Year’s Day

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Davao region was peaceful during the New Year celebration with no major untoward incident reported in provinces and major cities in the area.

In a phone interview, PNP PRO-11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said 95 percent of the police force in the region was in the field on Saturday until Sunday, January 1 in designated checkpoints and rendered police visibility patrols.

Mobilizing the full force of PNP personnel in the region is part of the directive of PNP Chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to ensure the safety of residents during the New Year’s celebration.

Dela Cerna said PNP Chief dela Rosa, together with PNP PRO-11 Regional Director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, conducted inspections in provinces, cities and other strategic areas in the region and Davao City since Saturday.

“As of 12:00 noon Sunday, January 1, we have negative report on stray bullet incident as well as cases of indiscriminate firing in the region,” dela Cerna pointed out.

She added that no burning or fire incidents due to firecrackers were recorded in Davao region since the start of the merrymaking on New Year’s Eve until noon of Sunday.

“Davao region is generally peaceful,” dela Cerna stressed.

She, however, took note of arrests made by the PNP over violation of the law on the selling and possession of firecrackers.

Firecrackers were reportedly confiscated by authorities in Panabo City, Davao del Norte on Saturday evening as well as in Davao del Sur province.

No further details were given by dela Cerna as to the volume of firecrackers and the number of persons apprehended in said areas.

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) also arrested a couple of minors in possession of banned “piccolo” and “kwitis”.

The minors were already turned over to their parents, she added.

A 29-year-old man will be facing charges after he was arrested selling firecrackers in Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City around 1:00pm on December 31.

SPO1 Rizalito Lerios Clapis III, investigator from the San Pedro Police Station, identified the arrested person as one Hamid Dimakuta, a resident of San Pedro Extension Barangay 6-A, this city.

Dela Cerna said the PNP in the region will continue to ensure the security of the public by conducting check points and police visibility patrols. (PNA)

Bomb scare rocks Dagupan, but no IED found

DAGUPAN CITY, Jan 3 (PNA) -- A bomb scare rocked the city at past 8 p.m. Monday (Jan. 2) when a box believed to be an improvised explosive device (IED) was found in front of Paseo de Belen, a nightly crowd-drawer in the city beside the Judge Jose R. de Venecia Sr. Expressway.

This caused panic among residents especially after the incident was posted in social media, even as police had yet to verify on whether the box contained an IED.

After the box was isolated and inspected, police said no IED was found inside, said Supt. Neil Miro, police chief of Dagupan City.

"There was no IED, only a suspected EID as this turned out to be just a mere empty box," Miro said.

The Dagupan Police acted swiftly by closing the entire stretch of De Venecia Expressway aside from preventing persons from entering the site while awaiting the result of the inspection conducted by an IED team.

More police will be deployed at the Paseo de Belen until Jan. 7, Miro said.

He also advised against spreading unverified reports that would cause panic among residents. (PNA)

PNP-12 unveils modern training facility

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- In a bid to enhance the performance and capabilities of its personnel, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12 unveiled a “state-of-the-art” training facility at the regional headquarters here.

Chief Supt. Cedrick Train, Region 12 police director, said Tuesday the new facility will mainly serve as “incubator” of police commissioned and non-commissioned officers in the region who have high potentials of assuming leadership roles or positions in the future.

Dubbed Makatarungan Training Complex, the facility was formally inaugurated on Monday in a ceremony joined by Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, local government officials and other stakeholders in Region 12.

Train said called the training complex as the “regional incubator for police excellence.”

He said the facility is considered “a first in the entire” in terms of the implementation of the “incubation program.”

“We will train our police personnel there on various competencies and skills to further develop their potentials for higher responsibilities, as well as improve their performance,” he said.

The police official said the facility, which was constructed within the PRO-12 compound in Barangay Tambler here, features a firearms training simulator donated by the United States Embassy in Manila.

He said it also hosts a classroom and a mini-theatre that are outfitted with various modern equipment.

Train said the training facility was constructed through pooled local resources and without any funding from the Philippine National Police central office.

He said they received material and funding support for the project from concerned private individuals and local government units (LGUs).

These include the LGUs of Cotabato City, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.

For the construction works, he said they utilized their personnel who have backgrounds in engineering and those who are skilled in carpentry, masonry and building electrical systems.

“Labor was free and we did not purchase a single hollow block as they were all made by our personnel,” he said.

With the opening of the facility, Train said the PRO-12 could now conduct the regular personnel trainings required by their central office.

In the previous months, he said they did not accomplish a number of trainings due to the lack of facilities and equipment.

“We usually rent venues for our trainings and conferences so this is a major relief in terms of our operational budget,” he said.

Sec. Sueno lauded the PRO-12 for pursuing the project despite the lack of funding from the national government.

He also cited the regional police for continually focusing on the training and upgrading of the capabilities of its personnel.

“We don’t have enough funds to build all these facilities so this is a huge accomplishment,” he said.(PNA)
LAP/AVE

South Cotabato pushes amendments in selection process for provincial workers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- In a bid to ensure the hiring of competent and competitive workers, the provincial government of South Cotabato is pushing for more reforms this year in its selection process for prospective employees.

Alex Basco, provincial human resources office chief, said Tuesday the provincial selection board is currently working on the implementation of additional requirements for the hiring of new workers.

He said these requirements will be included in the amendments that it will introduce to the existing provincial ordinance governing the selection process.

“The board is also pushing for the stricter compliance by the applicants of the necessary requirements,” he said.

Basco said the proposed amendments include the mandatory neuro-psychological examination for new applicants of plantilla positions.

Previously, applicants were only required to undergo drug tests as well as skills and competency examination, he said.

For applicants in job order positions, Basco clarified that they will not be required to undergo the neuro-psychological exam.

He said they will be subjected to drug test and skills or competency exam by the concerned offices.

Applicants for driver positions and workers of projects under the Provincial Engineer’s Office are required to present National Certificates II or NC-II and other related documents requirements from the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, he said.

Basco said applicants for positions under the Provincial Security Unit and Provincial Jail are required to present their security licenses.

The official said the board will come out within the week with a resolution detailing the proposed amendments for approval by South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes.

The amendments will later be sent to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for concurrence and to the Civil Service Commission for final approval.

Basco said the continuing reforms in the selection process are in line with the provincial government’s promotion of the “Integrity in Jobs” or I-4J Project.

“We would like to ensure that all applicants who are hired are physically, mentally and emotionally competent to work,” he added. (PNA)
LAP/AVE/FKA

Antique OIC optimistic to start construction of legislative building by middle of 2017

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Antique OIC Governor Edgar Denosta expressed optimism that the construction of the proposed PHP75 million legislative building will start middle of this year.

Denosta said, in an interview Tuesday, January 03, 2017 that this was discussed with Senator Loren Legarda last year the fund requirement has been included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

He said that the lady senator, whose roots hail from Antique and worked out for the inclusion of the funding in the GAA, advised that the frontage of the old capitol building where the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) now holds office should be preserved because of its historical significance. It was built during the American period.

“We are so thankful for the funding,” Denosta said.

Meanwhile, Denosta was thankful to capitol employees for their services rendered in 2016 as he hoped that they would work harder in 2017 with the forthcoming holding of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) meet next month and the Palarong Pambansa on April.

“We have a lot of things to do in 2017 but we can do it with your support again,” Denosta said.

Meanwhile, board members Fernando Corvera and Pio Sumande, in today’s flag-raising ceremony said that 2017 2017 marks a long journey for the capitol employees.

Corverva hoped that the executive and legislative offices will join efforts in order to achieve more awards this 2017 following the province’s 6 Excel Award for 2016 in Environmental Governance given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Let us be strict as civil servants,” he said. Corvera said that coming early to work should be one of the New Year’s resolution of the employees.

Sumande said that he expects Antique to shine in this 2017 with the many possibilities and opportunities that would come like the regional and national sports events.

In fact, Sumande considers 2017 as a banner year for the province. (PNA)

ABC will prioritize barangay merging in Baguio City

BAGUIO CITY, Jan 3 (PNA) --City Councilor and Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Michael Lawana said the merger of villages in the city is the ABC’s priority considering that the barangay elction was postponed to October 2017.

Lawana said the association will take advantage of the one-year extension in the rule of incumbent barangay officials to drum up awareness to the merger plan.

The campaign will enumerate the merger’s advantages and disadvantages and hopefully, gain the needed support, Lawana said.

He explained that under the scheme, the city will reduce the number of barangays from 128 to just 40-60 by merging adjoining ones.

Earlier, City Mayor Mauricio Domogan agreed that the resetting of the barangay polls will buy time to prepare the merger scheme and implement the same after the October 2017 election.

Domogan said it is high time to consider the scheme to address problems on the financial and administrative stature of some barangays which fall short based on the criteria and requirements under the Local Government Code of 1991.

The merger was first proposed in 2003 but only reached the level of consultations.

Pro-merger advocates said the plan would lead to the professionalization of the service and standardization of salaries of barangay heads and councils which will redound to benefits for the constituents.

Those who opposed the merger cite concerns on the chances of smaller barangays to get a seat in the barangay councils and to get a share from the budgets.

Domogan offered a solution to the issue of representation, saying that merged barangays should be divided into puroks and each purok will have a representative in the barangay council as kagawads.

That way, all puroks will be represented and only the barangay captain will be elected at large, Domogan added. (PNA)

Pangasinan to observe 72nd anniversary of Lingayen Gulf landings

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The province of Pangasinan will commemorate the 72nd Anniversary of the Landing of the Allied LIberation Forces in the Lingayen Beach on January 9, an observance which coincides with the celebration of the 10th Pangasinan Veterans' Day.

Governor Amado Espino III will lead the activity to start off with a Thanksgiving Mass at 7:00 a.m. and wreath-laying as well as a commemorative program at the Veterans' Memorial Park behind the provincial capitol honoring the sacrifices and heroism of World War II veterans.

The event will commemorate the fateful day on Jan. 9, 1945 when allied liberation forces led by General Douglas Mac Arthur, stormed the beaches of the Lingayen Gulf from San Fabian in the north east to Sual in the west, to begin the final liberation of Luzon from the Japanese.

Among those making a sentimental visit to Pangasinan for the Lingayen Gulf landing are Filipino, American, British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand veterans who saw action in that historic landing and participated in the liberation of Luzon from the enemy. (PNA)
LAP/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

Zambo Sur town mayor, companions unscathed in ambush-try

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 3 (PNA) -- The police are conducting an in-depth investigation to unmask the gunmen behind the ambush slay-try of a town mayor and his companions in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Supt. Rogelio Alabata, Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9) information officer, on Tuesday disclosed the incident took place around 6:30 p.m. Monday along the national highway in Barangay Basalem, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Unscathed during the incident were Mayor Eugenio Salva Jr. of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur; Rico Ranido, driver; PO2 Markwin Caylan, police security; and a companion, Roger Brazil.

Alabata said Salva told the police investigator that they heard gunshots but did not mind believing it was only firecrackers explosion while they were traversing Barangay Basalem, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said Salva and his companions were en route to Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur at the time of the incident.

He said the mayor noticed a bullet hole and recovered a deformed slug inside the passenger door of the vehicle.

The slug was turned over to the police in Buug town for ballistic examination.

Alabata said that Salva is puzzled as to who could be behind the incident since the mayor has no known enemies. (PNA)

Classes resume for 1.5M students in Bicol despite damaged schoolbuildings due to 'Nina'
By Jorge Hallare

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- A ranking official of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Bicol said classes of around 1.5 million students in public elementary and high schools in the region have resumed today despite the heavy damage suffered by schoolbuildings in major parts of Bicol due to the onslaught of typhoon Nina.

Roy Bañas, information officer of DepEd-Bicol, said classes have resumed today for 1,576,345 students from kindergarten to senior high schools despite the havoc wrought by typhoon Nina on their school buildings, especially in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay and some other parts of the Bicol region which were badly hit by the typhoon.

“It is our mandate to resume classes as it was scheduled long before the Yuletide vacation,” he said.

Bañas, however, said even if classes have resumed on Tuesday DepEd Regional Director Ramon Fiel Abcede gave leeway to all local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils for localized suspension of classes.

“This is to give more time to the community to clean and have minor repairs in their schools,” Abcede said.

He ordered all DepEd personnel in the affected areas to conduct emergency school maintenance or an early “Brigada Eskwela,” the clean-up campaign involving members of the community that is usually held before the start of the schoolyear.

Most classes in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and some parts of Albay were scheduled to open on January 9.

Bañas said reports received by DepEd-Bicol showed that as of January 1, there were 625 classrooms which were reported totally damaged or in need of replacement in 3,827 public schools from elementary to senior high school in the Bicol region. The damage was estimated at Php750 million.

He said there were 1,082 classrooms in the region, which were partially damaged and in need of major repairs, estimated cost of which is Php378 million.

Bañas added that there were 988 classrooms, which were partially damaged and in need of minor repairs, the cost of which will amount to Php14.82 million.

He said Camarines Sur recorded the biggest number of totally damaged classrooms that are in need of major repairs at 301, estimated cost of which is Php361.2 million.

Albay has 186 totally damaged classrooms whose cost of major repairs will reach Php223.2 million; Ligao City Divisionâ€"35 at Php42 million; Sorsogon City-26 at Php27.6 million; Iriga City Division-23 at Php26.4 million; and Tabaco City Division-22 at Php26.4 million.

Bañas said DepEd Secretary Leonor M. Briones has ordered construction of TLS or temporary learning spaces made of light materials in all affected areas so the schoolchildren could go back to their normal lives in schools. (PNA)
LAP/GVR/JH/CBD

POPCOM to strengthen advocacy on family planning to decrease fertility rate in Western Visayas

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Commission on Population (Popcom) in Western Visayas will strengthen its advocacy on family planning to decrease the fertility rate in the region this year.

Popcom-6 Information Officer III Roilo Vincent Laguna, in an interview on Tuesday, pointed out that the region has 3.8 fertility rate in 2013 based on the results of the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).

With this, he said that Western Visayas is among the top three regions in the country with highest fertility rate, along with Bicol region, which has 4.1 fertility rate, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with 4.2 fertility rate.

Women of reproductive age, which is 15 to 49 years old, in the region have an average of three to four children.

“We will strengthen our advocacy through conducting responsible parenthood and family planning classes in barangays,” he said.

Laguna added that they will also focus on women with “unmet needs” or those women who do not have access to family planning services of the Department of Health (DOH).

As of 2015, Western Visayas had a total population of 7,536,383, including Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.

While the population in the country is projected to increase to 105 million, Laguna said that they are projecting an increase in the population in the region of 36,879 in the end of 2017.

Teenage pregnancy contributes to the increase in population. As of 2015, Popcom-6 recorded that in every 1,000 live births in the region, 23 were by teenagers.

A nine-year-old child is the youngest who got pregnant while a 12-year-old child is the youngest victim of maternal death in Western Visayas. (PNA)
LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

CENECO deploys team to Oriental Mindoro to help restore power lines

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) here sent a team to Oriental Mindoro, one of the hardest hit during Typhoon Nina, to help restore the power lines of Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO).

Sulpicio Lagarde Jr., general manager of CENECO, said in a statement Tuesday, the deployed Task Force Kapatid is composed of seven personnel headed by commander Engineer Mark Santiago.

He said their crew are expected to stay in Oriental Mindoro for two weeks after they left on New Year's Day.

Joining Santiago in the assignment are linemen Teddy Castillo, Ronie Villamor, Anthony de la Vega, Charlie Baño, Garie Ermio, and Rogelio Casaig.

CENECO covers the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Talisay and Silay, and the municipalities of Murcia and Salvador Benedicto.

The onslaught of Typhoon Nina in the last week of December toppled down power lines across Oriental Mindoro, which was placed under Signal No. 3.

At least five areas, including the capital city of Calapan, were battered by the typhoon’s wrath, displacing thousands of residents and resulting to at least PHP56 million in agricultural losses.

The Oriental Mindoro Provincial Board declared a state of calamity in Calapan City and in the municipalities of Baco, San Teodoro, Puerto Galera, Naujan, and five coastal villages in Pola town.(PNA)

More than 28,000 drug users, pushers in NIR surrender through Oplan Tokhang

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The war on drugs of the Duterte administration led to the surrender of 28,277 drug users and pushers in Negros Island Region (NIR) since July 1 last year.

The latest figures released by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-18 showed that under Oplan Tokhang, 26,275 drug users and 2,002 drug pushers in both Negros provinces yielded to authorities towards the end of December.

Of the total number, 13,248 drug personalities surrendered to Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO); 11,378 yielded to Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO); and 3,651 turned themselves in to Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).

The NORPPO registered 12,320 users and 928 pushers; NOCPPO, 10,578 users and 800 pushers; and BCPO, 3,377 users and 274 pushers.

A total of 25,565 newly-identified drug personalities were recorded, including 24,269 users and 1,296 pushers.

Since June 30, anti-drug operatives of PRO-18 have visited 16,929 houses of identified drug personalities.

Personnel of NORPPO visited 6,708 houses; NOCPPO, 8,130; and BCPO, 2,091.

Records further showed that 19 drug personalities were killed, mostly in police operations, since the implementation of Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Doble Barrel on July 1.

One user and two pushers killed were listed while two users and 14 pushers killed were not listed.

A total of 883 drug personalities were arrested. Of the 883 arrested, 344 were users and 539 were pushers. There were 37 who were listed, and 603 not listed.(PNA)

5 firecracker-related injuries reported in Antique

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Five firecracker-related injuries were reported in Antique as of Tuesday.

Antique Provincial Health Officer Ric Noel Naciongayo today said that the injuries were monitored during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebration. However, they are still expecting hospitals in the province to submit their reports so they could get the exact figure of injuries.

Naciongayo said that health personnel in the province are on White Code alert since December 21, 2016 up to January 5 as per directive from the Department of Health (DOH).

He said that the Iwas Paputok campaign has really raised public awareness on the firework hazards.

He could not remember the number of cases last year but he surmised it’s lower this year because of the continuous campaign.

No less than DOH6 Assistant Regional Director Paz Corrales last December 19, 2016 called for a concerted effort of the Antiqueños to prevent firecracker-related injuries by supporting the Iwas Paputok campaign and adopt a community-based fireworks display.(PNA)
PGL/AJPETINGLAY

Antique government recognizes media contribution in development

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The provincial government of Antique through its Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) recognized the role of the media in development, Tuesday.

Antique PSWDO Lazaro G. Petinglay said that media in the province have really contributed much in the promotion and advocacies, particularly on social development.

Certificates of appreciation were handed to managers of the radio stations, cable televisions, publishers and editors of newspapers by OIC Gov. Edgar Denosta, Board Members Fernando Corvera and Pio Sumande together with PSWDO Petinglay.

Rev. Fr. Edione R. Febrero, station manager of the Catholic owned DYKA, Philippine Information Agency Manager Vicente “Totei” Villavert and Philippine News Agency Satellite Bureau Chief Annabel Java-Petinglay were on hand to receive the certificates.

Denosta conveyed his thanks to the media for being the provincial government's partner in 2016. (PNA)

Boracay targets 2-M tourists for 2017

BORACAY Island, Aklan, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Aklan Provincial Government is targeting around two million foreign and local tourists this year 2017.

Niven Maquirang, Jetty Port Administrator, said Tuesday that they have reached the projected 1.7 million or 1, 1,724,125 tourists registered for 2016.

First in the list of top 10 foreign arrivals are still South Korea with 292, 869; China, 259, 439; Taiwan, 53, 208; Malaysia, 24, 465; United States of America, 21, 274; Australia, 14, 883; United Kingdom, 14, 397; Australia, 11, 978; Russia, 9,834 and Singapore, 9,724.

Maquirang said they anticipate an influx of tourists coming this year as Boracay is considered an official venue for the 50th year ASEAN Summit in the first quarter. Report said around four meetings of both senior and ministerial officials are being allocated.

"Boracay also remains to be considered a cruise ship tourist destination in Asia-Pacific," said Maquirang. (PNA)
PGL/AJP/JNAGUIRRE

Top Negrense leaders push for ‘culture of excellence,’ more achievements in 2017

BACOLOD CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -â€" top officials of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City called on their respective local government employees Tuesday to deliver a better performance for the public that they serve this 2017.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia of this city said he wants Bacolod to have the kind of growth and development that is inclusive.

He added that he also wants to see Bacolod become a premier city, not only in the country, but also in Southeast Asia.

“We hope to create a culture of excellence among our people, particularly, among others, with our academe, labor force, professionals, and government workers,” Leonardia said.

Moreover, the Bacolod mayor said he wishes to “see that business confidence is restored” in the city.

“(I also) wish that a climate conducive for business and industry to grow and prosper is established,” he added.

For his part, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredoo Marañon Jr. urged the Capitol employees to work harder to make the province more progressive in 2017.

Speaking at the flag-raising rising rites held at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, Marañon thanked the employees as well for their “collective efforts that contributed to the betterment of the province.”

“Life is short but with all our prayers, we can achieve more,” he added.

Marañon also noted that Negros Occidental is one of the most progressive provinces in the country and more investors are still coming in.(PNA)

2015 bar topnotcher is 'Dungganon nga Antiqueno 2017' awardee

SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Atty. Irene Mae B. Alcobilla, who topped the 2015 Bar exams, will be conferred with a 'Dungganon nga Antiqueno' award by the organizer of The Ten Outstanding Pupils and Students of Antique (The TOPS), Inc.

TOPS Antique Inc. chairman Emeritus Dr. Egidio P. Elio, in a phone interview on Tuesday, said that Alcobilla was chosen in recognition of her inspiring feat of academic excellence as 2015 bar topnotcher.

Alcobilla, a native of San Remigio town, this province, was school valedictorian of St. Vincent’s High School. She attended law school at San Beda College-Manila. She had her training at the Office of the Solicitor General before taking the bar examinations in October 2015.

She would often say that she only wanted to be a Bedan lawyer and her topping the bar was a miracle.

She will receive the TOPS’ “Dungganon nga Antiqueno Award 2017” on February 25, this year at the Antique National School.

The awarding of the pupils and students who made it to TOPS will likewise be done on the same date and venue. (PNA)

Passengers still crowding at various bus terminals in Dagupan

DAGUPAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Passengers are still crowding at various terminals in Dagupan City Tuesday as they head back to where they came from after the long holiday in a bid to catch up with their respective works and classes.

Tuesday (January 3) is the first working day of the year and also the first day of the resumption of classes for pupils and students.

Passengers queued since Monday at the terminals of Victory Liner, Five Star, Solid North and Dagupan Bus and at the terminals of passenger vans at the Dagupan City Vehicle Holding area.

But because of their sheer number, they cannot all be accommodated by available buses at one time.

These passengers were vacationers who spent Christmas and New Year with their relatives in Pangasinan and are now going back either to Manila, Baguio and Zambales and some to Isabela.

Observers said buses are leaving their respective terminals in Dagupan City at almost 15-minute interval but because there are many passengers wanting to go back home, the number of buses available is not enough.

Bus dispatchers said it may take till early Wednesday yet for all the terminals to be decongested from waiting passengers in view of the big number of vacationers who came to Pangasinan this past Yuletide season.

With vacationers now leaving or have already left, traffic is now almost normal in most streets of Dagupan especially with its three installed traffic lights already functioning. (PNA)

Iloilo Liga ng mga Barangay to push for total ban of firecrackers

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Liga ng mga Barangay (LMB) in Iloilo is planning to push for a total ban on the use of firecrackers.

LMB president Pablito Gemarino, in an interview on Tuesday, said that he will convene all village chiefs and the president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in the province to consult their sentiments with regard to the total ban.

“I know that most of our barangay captains are supportive of this move,” he said.

Gemarino pointed out that there is a significant decrease in the number of the firecracker-related injuries in the province as a result of the advocacies of concerned government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to refrain from using firecrackers.

Gemarino said that he has been supportive to the move of the current administration for the total of ban of firecrackers. He said there is a big advantage if people will no longer use firecrackers, especially during Christmas season and New Year’s Eve.

He said that a resolution will be filed before the end of the year.

Records from the Provincial Health Office (PHO)
SHOWED THAT THERE ARE 27 FIRECRACKER-RELATED INJURIES IN THE PROVINCE FROM DECEMBER 22, 2016 UNTIL JANUARY 3 OF THIS YEAR. THE DATA IS LOWER THAN THE 97 CASES ON THE SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR.

ALL VICTIMS ARE MALES, AGE 15 YEARS OLD AND BELOW AND MOSTLY ARE ACTIVE. THREE OF THE 26 VICTIMS ARE STILL ADMITTED WHILE THE REST ARE ALREADY SENT HOME.

PHO MONITORING ON THE CASES OF FIRECRACKER INJURIES IN THE PROVINCE WILL END ON JANUARY 5. LAP/PGL/CBFERRER/CBF

PCG rescues 88 passengers of distressed cargo vessel in Palawan
By Ruth T. Rodriguez

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- A report released Tuesday by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District in Palawan province said it rescued on January 1 around 88 passengers of the distressed cargo ML “Chowe” off the shores of the municipality of Sofronio Española.

The report that was signed and approved for release by Commodore Joselito dela Cruz of the coast guard district in the province claimed ML “Chowe” owned and operated by a certain Mohammad Ain Lukaiya was reported to be “in distress” on the said date after it broke its steering wheel due to “strong winds and rough seas” within the vicinity of Barangay Caramay, Sofronio Española.

It was on its way to Barangay Mangsee, Balabac in southern Palawan after leaving Puerto Princesa on January 1.

The PCG report said none of the crew of ML “Chowe” was injured, and all 88 are safe and temporarily sheltered in Brooke’s Point, where the cargo vessel was towed for safety.

As part of its standard operating procedure, the PCG will conduct an investigation regarding the seaworthiness of the vessel, and if the captain followed safety practices before sailing off Puerto Princesa. (PNA)
LAP/CARF/RTR/SSC

DA-12 releases P75-M anti-poverty funds

KORONADAL CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture in the SOCCSKSARGEN region has released Tuesday PHP75 million worth of funds to be used in bringing poor provinces out of poverty.

Three checks worth PHP25 million each were released by DA-12 officials to provincial local government units (PLGUs) identified as recipients of the government’s Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program.

Under SAAD, the Agri department will focus on top 10 prioritized poorest provinces, in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's thrust to increase food production and to trim down poverty prevalence through the enormous provision of livelihood projects.

“North Cotabato, Sarangani, and Maguindanao were among the three provinces included in SAAD program, and just this month, we were able to hand-over checks to their local chief executives with an initial fund of P25 million each,” Engr. Milagros Casis, DA 12 regional executive director, said,

Casis explained that although Maguindanao is under the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), its fund was downloaded to DA-12.

She said the PHP25-million each received by said local government units (LGUs) was the first tranche of the commitment of the DA per target province.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said other provinces under SAAD program are Apayao, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Northern Samar, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.

“Farmer and fisher groups and local governments not included in this special program are encouraged to still propose for more agri-fishery interventions under our agency’s regular programs,” Casis said.

Piñol led the launching of SAAD program in Kidapawan City and called on the proactive participation of the LGUs and all agri-fishery stakeholders in this poverty alleviation initiative.

The agriculture secretary has also started implementing President Duterte's election promise of free irrigation for rice producers across the country.

SOCCSKSARGEN is compose of the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Gen. Santos City. (PNA)
LAP/NYP/EOF

Eastern Visayas police reports 33% drop in firecracker injuries

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) â€"- The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here has reported a 33 percent decrease in firecracker injuries during Christmas and New Year celebrations in Eastern Visayas.

At least 26 persons were injured for lighting firecrackers and pyrotechnics during holiday revelries from Dec. 16, 2016 to early morning of Jan. 3, 2017, according to police reports.

Northern Samar province has the most cases of firecracker blast at 22. The remaining cases were in Leyte, Tacloban City, and Eastern Samar province.

Last year, the PNP recorded 39 injuries due to firecracker blast or 33 percent more than this year’s celebration.

In a statement, PNP Eastern Visayas Regional Director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar congratulated all policemen in the region for the effective information dissemination on the ill effects of firecrackers, which resulted in the decrease of the number of blast victims.

As of Tuesday morning, the police regional office conducted 18 operations in line with the enforcement of law regulating the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

The police arrested four persons for trading and possessing illegal firecrackers in Leyte province and Ormoc City.

The police also nabbed Antonio Linga of Uguis village in Mahaplag, Leyte and Wilbor Fua of Buenavista village in Rosario, Northern Samar for indiscriminate firing. However, authorities have not recorded a single victim of stray bullet.

“Incidents of firecrackers and indiscriminate firing are obviously much lower compared to last year. This is because of the maximum deployment of policemen during the New Year revelries and community support and cooperation provided to the police,” Beltejar added. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO

Palawan cops to continue ‘Oplan Tokhang’ vs illegal narcotics in 2017
By Celeste Anna R. Formoso

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Palawan Provincial Police Office (PPO) Tuesday said it now has over 4,000 individuals, who were arrested and who voluntary surrendered due to the stringent implementation of the national government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign "Oplan Tokhang".

Police Inspector Ric Ramos, spokesperson of the PPO, said they are still “accounting exact figures” but most in the number were users, who voluntarily sought their help and counseling.

Since July when the PPO implemented the Oplan, the PPO spokesperson stated they made significant triumphs against illegal drugs in the whole province, and will be continuing it with the conduct of “Oplan Takhang.”

“For those who are not familiar, Oplan Takhang is part of the campaign against illegal drugs, and what it does is to talk to the individuals we suspect as drug pushers; and tell them what peddling illegal drugs would do not only to a person but to the community,” he said.

This 2017, Ramos said there will be more partnerships with local government units (LGUs), the Palawan Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), and barangay leaders for the conduct of “legitimate operations” against drugs and other crimes.

“You will see more of us 24/7 in the streets, in the barangays, in municipalities; we will make sure the Palaweño people can rely on us that we will follow the rule of law to fight drugs and crimes,” Ramos said.

He added that the police office in Palawan is always open to welcome those who will voluntary surrender because of drugs.

Ramos also thanked the Palaweño people for the safe and secure celebration of the New Year. (PNA)

New Year celebration in Palawan generally peaceful, says PPO
By Grace Ann N. Belostrino

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The celebration of the New Year in Palawan was generally peaceful and with only less than a dozen firecracker-related injuries, according to the Provincial Police Office (PPO) Tuesday.

PPO spokesperson Insp. Ric Ramos said that except for the isolated Taytay blasting incident that happened on December 28, no other “untoward incident” was recorded in any of Palawan’s 23 municipalities.

“We thank our local government unit officials for their cooperation, and for positively replying to our call for a peaceful and secured celebration of the New Year,” Ramos said, adding no policeman or member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was recorded to have been involved in firing their service firearms.

“We are proud of our police force in Palawan because of the discipline they displayed. Remember that we didn’t do muzzle-taping, and despite that, no one fired his or her service firearm. That’s an achievement for us,” he said.

In related news in Puerto Princesa, seven firecracker-related injuries were confirmed Tuesday by Dr. Louie Ocampo of the Ospital ng Palawan (ONP) to have been recorded.

Ocampo said on December 25, three individuals were brought to the ONP after suffering from premature ignition of the notorious piccolo firecracker.

Four were added to the number shortly on the eve of December 31, also due to piccolo, and one because of Dragon skyrockets, locally known as “kwitis.”

The number, he said, is a big mark down from 2015’s more than a dozen cases recorded.

“This means that the campaign of the DOH (Department of Health) for an incident-free New Year’s celebration was successful here in Palawan,” he said. (PNA)

Batac mayor urges DITC to improve internet services

BATAC CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) â€"- The local chief executive here is urging authorities of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to speed up the delivery of quality, affordable and reliable ICT services to consumers.

In Batac City, consumers here particularly at the Department of Education had been complaining of too slow internet connection due to poor satellite signal.

Teachers in the eastern part of the city, for example, who are expected to send electronic files or download instructional materials from the internet have to travel to the city proper to have a better signal.

“Our consumers are being short changed by internet providers. The national government must have a political will to do something about it,” said City Mayor Albert Chua as he re-echoed the desire of his constituents to have a better internet connection especially in its far-flung villages.

“Our teachers, most specially, are already overworked. Moving their work from the village to the city is already time consuming,” Chua added as he underscored internet providers should also make way to improve their services.

While the DICT is trying to establish a fiber optic connection to Ilocos Norte, Provincial Director Joven Viernes of the Department of Science and Technology said the department has an existing campaign dubbed as “Juan, Konek!” which aims to provide free Wi-Fi in public places.

The technology, however, has yet to be pilot tested in the province as it was first launched in Bohol and Leyte provinces.

The Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in public areas project hopes to bring free connectivity across the country with 256 kilobits per second (kbps) average speed.

Ilocos Norte is composed of 70 percent mountainous terrain which means a fiber optic installation may not be feasible in some parts of the province such as in Isic-isic village of Vintar and in the towns of Adams and Dumalneg.

To resolve this issue, authorities said the DICT may consider to power up satellite installation in Pagudpud town, which is adjacent to these often isolated municipalities during strong typhoon due to landslide.(PNA)

Manila traffic enforcers to wear body cam to record interaction with motorists

MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Starting this year, the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) will require every traffic enforcer to wear a body camera while on duty.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said on Monday that the use of body cameras will deter MTPB enforcers from extorting money when apprehending traffic violators.

“We’ve been thinking of ways to cut down corruption and misbehavior among MTPB enforcers, and we believe the use of body cams is an effective way,” Estrada said, adding that body cameras usually cost from PHP8,500 to PHP12,000 apiece.

Many law enforcement units in other countries use cameras on their body and vehicle dashboard to record their operations and encounters with motorists and criminal elements.

Usually worn on the front of the shirt, a body camera is a video recording system that is typically utilized by law enforcement personnel to record their interactions with the public or gather video evidence at crime scenes, and has been known to increase both officer and citizen accountability.

Last Nov. 28, Estrada terminated the job contracts of 690 members of the MTPB after City Hall was swamped with complaints from motorists concerning their alleged extortion activities.

To fill up the vacated slots, the Manila Police District (MPD) is retraining the first batch of 92 new enforcers whom Estrada said will be more disciplined, competent and incorruptible.

MTPB chief Dennis Alcoreza said he fully supports the idea of equipping traffic personnel with body cameras.

By recording enforcer-motorist encounters, he said they can get evidence of what happens during the actual apprehension instead of relying on hearsay.

“We have to balance it out. For all we know, the apprehended motorist is just making up stories to pin down the hapless enforcer and get away with his violation. We’ll get to see the entire situation," Alcoreza pointed out.

“Our target is one body cam per enforcer, plus a communication radio. We initially plan to procure 100 body cams by April,” he said. (PNA)

Comelec to ask Congress to amend Omnibus Election Code

MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be asking lawmakers to amend the over three-decade old Batas Pambansa 881 commonly known as the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).

“We are hoping that, by the first quarter of 2017, we can already pass (our draft amendments),” said Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista.

He believed that it is high time that changes be made in the 31-year old law.

“I really want to have a new OEC because the BP 881 comes from circa 1985. At that time, we only have manual system in mind and the number of voters was only at 30 million. It is really that outdated,” the poll body chief said.

“This time, we want to make sure that the OEC is relevant to the society. We must make use of the available technology and other modern day conveniences to help our voters. We must make the voting system easier,” he added.

Bautista is also pushing for the amendment in the campaign spending limit to make it more relevant to the present era.

“That is a tricky issue but we have already said in the past that we really need to adjust the spending limit,” he said.

Under the law, candidates for president and vice president are allowed to spend PHP10 for every registered voter in the country and overseas; while candidates for other positions can spend PHP3 for every voter currently registered in the constituency where they are running.

Independent candidates, meanwhile, can spend PHP5 for every voter currently registered in the area where they are running; while political parties and party-list groups are also allowed to spend PHP5 for every voter.

With this, he revealed that a draft OEC amendments has been prepared based on a study conducted by a team they have formed.

“There is already the draft but we still need to ratify them. I think we should copy international best practices. But we also have to make sure that they are adaptable to Philippine setting,” Bautista said.

The team was created after the Senate and House committees on electoral reform and suffrage asked the poll body to submit its recommendations on how to best revise the OEC. (PNA)

PHP2,000 SSS pension hike being studied by Pres. Duterte

MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to study first the proposal to increase the pension of the Social Security Service (SSS) pensioners by PHP2,000 upon the recommendation of his economic managers, Palace Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Monday.

"The President is looking for a win-win solution where he can give pensioners the increase they have been asking for while that SSS will remain solvent at all times," Andanar said in a text message.

"As the President said, he does not want to use taxpayers' money, especially money of non-SSS members, should funding problem arises because of the increase," he added.

According to the reports, the economic managers have advised the President that the SSS might go bankrupt if the PHP2,000 pension hike will be granted to SSS retirees.

President Duterte’s close ally Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III welcomed the President’s decision to study first the pension hike.

"We should always be cautious and be extra careful in spending money raised or collected under mandate of the law (like taxes and SSS premiums). Hence, if President Duterte needs time to study the matter then let us give him the study time he needs," Pimentel said as quoted by Philstar.com report.

According to SSS chairman Amado Valdez, the SSS’s current fund life would be shortened from 2042 to 2031 if half of the PHP2,000 will be given beginning January this year based on the SSS Board’s proposal.

Andanar said President Duterte will again confer and meet with his economic managers to solve the impasse. (PNA)

DFA: No Filipino casualty in the latest terror attack in Istanbul

MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- No Filipino was injured or killed in the shooting at an Instanbul night club that left more than 30 people dead.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said

Two unidentified gunmen wearing Santa Claus costume opened fire on New Year revellers at a packed nightclub on the shores of Istanbul's Bosphorus waterway on Sunday killing 39 people, including many foreigners.

“So far, there are no reports of any Filipino casualty in the Istanbul nightclub shooting,” Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Spokesman and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency.

Jose said Philippine embassy personnel combed all hospitals were victims were rushed including funeral parlor to check whether there were Filipino casualty, which proved negative.

Most of the survivors jumped into the nearby Bosphorus waters to save themselves after the attacker opened fire at random in the Reina nightclub just over an hour into the new year. There are reports that the attackers shouted in Arabic as they opened fire at Reina.

Turkey is part of the US-led coalition against Islamic State and launched an incursion into Syria in August to drive the radical Sunni militants from its borders. It also helped broker a fragile ceasefire in Syria with Russia.

Reports gathered shows that 15 or 16 of those killed at Reina were foreigners but only 21 bodies had so far been identified, 69 people were in hospital, four of them in critical condition.

Nationals of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Lebanon, Libya, Israel and Belgium were among those killed, officials said. French men in the bloody attack were wounded.

The New Year's Day attack came five months after a failed military coup, in which more than 240 people were killed, many of them in Istanbul, as rogue soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets in a bid to seize power.

More than 100,000 people, including soldiers and police officers, have been sacked or suspended in a subsequent crackdown ordered by Erdogan, raising concern both about civic rights and the effectiveness of Turkey's security apparatus.

On Dec. 28, the Nashir Media Foundation, which backs Islamic State, urged sympathizers to carry out attacks in Europe during the holiday period and to "replace their fireworks with explosive belts and devices, and turn their singing and clapping into weeping and wailing".

A month ago, a spokesman for Islamic State urged supporters to target "the secular, apostate Turkish government".

Turkey has seen repeated attacks in recent weeks. On Dec. 10, two bombs claimed by Kurdish militants exploded outside a soccer stadium in Istanbul, killing 44 people.

A car bomb killed at least 13 soldiers and wounded 56 when it ripped through a bus carrying off-duty military personnel in the central city of Kayseri a week later, an attack Erdogan also blamed on Kurdish militants.

The Russian ambassador to Turkey was shot dead as he gave a speech in Ankara on Dec. 19 by an off-duty police officer who shouted "Don't forget Aleppo" and "Allahu Akbar".

In June, around 45 people were killed and hundreds wounded as three suspected Islamic State militants carried out a gun and bomb attack on Istanbul's main Ataturk airport. (PNA)
FPV/SFM

AFP hopeful 2017 will be the year of real peace

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) strongly supports President Rodrigo Duterte's agenda for a just and lasting peace and is hopeful that 2017 will be the year where it will finally start.

This was disclosed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla who said the entire military is hoping that something positive, concrete, and definite will be announced this year regarding the ongoing peace talks with the New People's Army (NPA) rebels.

"We are all supportive of the President's agenda to have a long lasting and justice with the group and we are looking forward, the year 2016 was a pioneering year for the resumption, it was a good year for the resumption of the peace talks and hopefully year 2017 will start with a good joint declaration," he added.

Armed confrontation between the AFP and the NPA finally ceased after Duterte restored the declaration of ceasefire on Aug. 21 after noting violations from the rebel group.

The President's gesture in restoring the erstwhile unilateral ceasefire declaration effectively reimposed the suspension of military operations earlier issued by the AFP to its field units.

"Further, peace-building efforts were exerted to ensure that line units are aware of the advocacy of the Commander-in-Chief, including the dissemination of the proposed reconstituted JASIG (Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees) list and the release of detained alleged political prisoners. The original JASIG list was meant to identify communist members who will figure in the peace negotiations with the CPP-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front) and will aid in the implementation of the ceasefire with the rebels," the AFP earlier said. (PNA)

4 Filipino women recruited as surrogate moms nabbed at NAIA

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Bureau of Immigration (BI) agents intercepted four Filipino women bound for Cambodia to become surrogate mothers for foreign clients in exchange for a fee close to PHP500,000 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on New Year’s Day.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the four victims and their female recruiter were barred by the bureau’s travel control and enforcement unit personnel from boarding a Thai Airways flight at the NAIA 1 terminal last Sunday.

During interrogation, the women admitted that after arriving in Bangkok, Thailand, they would proceed to Phnom Penh where they will be fetched by a Cambodian who arranged the deal with the foreigners who were supposed to be fathers of the babies they would bear.

“This is a new modus operandi of a human trafficking syndicate that preys on our Filipino women who are enticed to bear children of strangers for a fee because of their poverty. We cannot allow this to happen,” said Morente in a statement.



The victims claimed that they were each promised the amount of USD8,700, USD200 of which will be paid after the first injection of the foreigner’s sperm into their uterus and USD500 will be added upon confirmation of the unborn child’s heartbeat.



The rest of the money will be paid in monthly instalments during their pregnancy and until the baby is delivered and sent to the country of the paternal parent.


The women added that their babies will be fathered by a German, a Nigerian, an Australian, and a Chinese.


The offloaded passengers also bared that another batch of would-be surrogate mothers were scheduled to depart at the NAIA at an undisclosed date, hence the alert order.



A surrogate mother is as one who bears a child on behalf of another woman, either from her own egg fertilized by the other woman's partner, or from the implantation in her uterus of a fertilized egg from the other woman.



With this, the BI chief directed personnel at the NAIA to be vigilante in screening Filipino tourists departing for Thailand and Cambodia.



He also commended the immigration officers who foiled the human trafficking operation. (PNA)

House panel pushes LGBT protection

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- All police stations across the country will soon have dedicated help desks to address the acts of discrimination and violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) sector as the bill gains traction in the House of Representatives.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the House committee on public order and safety, chaired by Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, has approved House Bill No. 2952 seeking to create LGBT help and protection desks in all Philippine National Police (PNP) stations nationwide.

The bill’s author, Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, said in a committee hearing that an amendment of the law will provide full and long-term protection to LGBT citizens.

Santos-Recto said this in response to the proposal to establish the LGBT protection desks through a memorandum order or resolution to be issued by the National Police Commission instead of a new law to be passed by Congress.

“Coming up with a memorandum order with a resolution is good because this will provide urgent response to the discrimination problem faced by the LGBTs. But we have to think long-term. It’s easier to issue a memorandum order rather than amending the law,” Santos-Recto said.

"What we’re pushing for is the full protection of our LGBTs not only in this term. I hope this will be made permanent through a law, not only through a resolution. I hope this committee will support this endeavor," she added.

She argued that while members of the LGBT sector are more open now, there is still discrimination against them which should not be the case.

She also said she will coordinate with the House committee on women and gender equality regarding the title of the bill as well as harmonization of terms, especially in the use of gender-sensitive terms.

Acop said the approval of the bill is subject to the requirement that the PNP, the authorized representative of the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB), and Santos-Recto will see to it that the corresponding amendments to existing laws will be incorporated in the substitute bill.

The proposed LGBT desks shall act on all cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual harassment and committed against members of the LGBT community.

Under the measure, the PNP shall be tasked to ensure gender neutrality of its human resources, from the recruitment and selection, to the promotion and deployment of police officers.

"Ultimately, this bill seeks to create a police organization that is able and eager to respond to any criminal or emergency incident, regardless of the gender orientation of the people involved," said Santos-Recto.

The bill seeks to amend certain provisions of Republic Act 8551, also known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, by adding the LGBT help desks. (PNA)
JBP/FMC

AFP says it has successfully fended off ASG, Maute Group, BIFF threats

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) --- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has successfully fended off security threats coming from the Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute Group and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters during the recently-concluded year.

This was stressed by AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla in an interview Monday.

"The AFP has shown its determined efforts to deal with these groups so as to secure our municipalities and major cities, so 2016 showed and proved that the AFP forces is effectively performing and doing its job following the successful arrests of many of the Davao City bombing suspects," he added.

The AFP spokesperson also said the military performed well in eliminating the threats poised by the three lawless groups.

During the last two months of 2016, the AFP together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) has successfully arrested nine out of the 12 suspects involved in the Sept. 2 bombing in Davao City.

The incident killed 15 persons and wounded 70 others.

The suspects have professed affiliation with the Lanao Del Sur-based Maute Group.

Padilla said the AFP will continue cooperating with the PNP regarding law enforcement operations until threats posed by the ASG, Maute Group and the BIFF are totally neutralized.

"Definitely the AFP rates itself as having successfully dealt with all these local terrorist groups and these efforts of the Armed Forces prevented many violent activities from being conducted within these communities," he added.

"We will continue to conduct focused military operations but at the same time we will work with local government units so that they can effectively reach out to these individuals and perhaps convince them to have a change of heart so that as one nation we can work together for the upliftment of the lives of our citizens instead of having these conflicts," Padilla stressed. (PNA)

PAGASA: Northeast monsoon affects Luzon, Visayas

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over Mindanao on Tuesday, state weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Cloudy skies with light rains is expected over the regions of Cagayan Valley, Bicol, eastern and central Visayas, and of Aurora and Quezon provinces, it added.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains.

In its 24-hour advisory, PAGASA said northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon and Visayas.

Moderate to strong winds will blow from northeast over Luzon, Visayas and the eastern section of Mindanao. Coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

PAGASA said winds will be light to moderate coming from northeast with slight to moderate seas. (PNA)

Manila city gov't to extend capital aid to micro, small businesses

MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- Manila City Hall this year will start providing capital aid to small entrepreneurs under its Capital Assistance Program (CAP) to boost micro and small enterprises in the city.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said over the weekend that he wants to help the city's micro and small businesses experience continuous financial growth, as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the city government’s rapid progress.

“We will give these small entrepreneurs a chance to enhance their businesses, after all, they complement Manila’s economic growth,” Estrada said.

Since 2013 when the CAP was put up, thousands of Manileños have been able to obtain a start-up capital of PHP5,000 to PHP10,000 and open stand-alone stores, food kiosks, and other backyard businesses which earned them extra income.

Estrada however said that this year, he will restructure CAP to include MSMEs that have no sufficient capital to continue their operation or expand their businesses to give them an opportunity to grow and attain financial stability.

”To avail of the capital assistance, would-be beneficiaries should have existing business ventures, regardless of how small they are, and we will help them expand their business operations,” Estrada said.

According to Manila Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) chief Nanette Tanyag, this year’s CAP will be refocused on “enterprise development”.

“Those who make it big can later become cooperatives,” Tanyag said.

Indigent beneficiaries of the current CAP will be shifted to the Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) program, she added.

In February last year, 2,624 poor residents were provided with CAP assistance amounting to PHP13.12 million. (PNA)

More airports being readied for night operations; CNS/ATM system to be operational by mid-2017
By Ma. Cristina C. Arayata

MANILA, Jan. 2 (PNA) -- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said more airports are being prepared for night operations for 2017.

CAAP noted that night operations are vital to solve air traffic congestion, especially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Last year, 19 airports were made capable of night operations: NAIA, Clark, Mactan, Subic, Davao, Laoag, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Kalibo, Zamboanga, General Santos, Bacolod, Laguindingan, Tacloban, Butuan, Legazpi, Dumaguete, Roxas and Caticlan.

The agency also cited that improving the air traffic system will significantly reduce fuel burns and carbon emissions.

CNS/ATM system

Meanwhile, CAAP said that by mid-2017, the Communication, Navigation, Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system will be operational in the country.

”CNS/ATM is a computer-based flight data processing system that will enable aircraft operators to meet their planned schedule of departures and arrivals, as well as to adhere to their preferred flight profiles with minimum constraints and without compromising safety,” CAAP explained.

Furthermore, the CNS/ATM will enable the country to monitor 80 percent of the Manila Flight Information Region, the agency added.

About 500 air traffic controllers will be needed in the next five years once the CNS/ATM becomes operational, CAAP said. (PNA)

Rep. Salceda lists 12 top events driving Philippine optimism for 2017
By Johnny C. Nunez

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Filipinos have witnessed how the latter half of 2016 ended on a positive note, both on socio-political and economic aspects. The Philippines registered its most significant gains in 2016 under President Rodrigo Duterte, as the fastest growing economy in Asia -- a 7.1% third quarter growth, its most robust in three years, which even surpassed China’s 6.7% and Vietnam’s 6.4%.

Looking forward this time, what significant developments could drive Filipino optimism for 2017, as noted in a recent survey report? Noted economist Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, a member of the Duterte economic team, lists a dozen economic developments and events this year, on which the man on the street can brightly look forward to, as growth drivers.

Salceda’s list is topped by the Philippine chairmanship and successful hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) summit which he said “drive the Filipinos’ optimistic outlook for 2017.” The Philippines accepted last September 2016 the ASEAN chairmanship, which has adopted the theme “Partnering for change, engaging the world,” a reference to President Duterte’s campaign slogan, “Change is coming.”

The Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the 10-member regional bloc. “During the Philippines’ chairmanship, we will highlight ASEAN as a model of regionalism and a global player, with the interest of the people at its core,” Duterte stressed.

“We will pursue initiatives and enhance cooperation with global partners to ensure that ASEAN citizens live in peace, stability, security and growth, all the while retaining ASEAN’s centrality, unity and solidarity, that we will maintain for all times,” he added.

Second in Salceda’s list is the completion and launch of 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan (PDP) earlier this year. The PDP will translate AmBisyon Natin 2040 and the administration’s 0+10-point Socio-economic Agenda into strategies, policies, programs, and activities that emphasize “Malasakit at Pagbabago tungo sa Patuloy na Pagunlad” (Concern and change towards continuous growth).

AmBisyon 2040 represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country in the next 25 years.

It describes the kind of life they want to live, and how their country will be by 2040. As such, it is an anchor for development planning across at least four administrations.

Seen as third most important economic event in 2017 is the approval and proper implementation of the proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis plan, that gives Duterte emergency powers to solve the debilitating transport problem and save the country billions of pesos in daily loses.

Fourth is the enactment of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN that will reduce the personal income taxes of ordinary working Filipino families by P156 billion.

Supporting this is the fifth in list; the initial implementation of the Tax Administration Act or TARA, which paves way for the government’s efficient tax collection strategy. Both measures were sponsored by Salceda in the lower house.

Likewise among the top of these 2017 events are the Final Peace Agreement with the National Democratic Front Comprehensive Agreement on SocioEconomic Reforms or CASER, and the creation of Bangsa Moro Authority by legislation. Salceda said these will ease up the government peace and order campaign, resulting to improved economic conditions.

The year 2017 also jumpstarts the “Golden Era of Transportation in the Philippines, the eighth significant event, that includes the rapid development of international airports in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Daraga in Albay, and Panglao in Bohol.

This also includes the kickoff of the Mindanao Railways and the Southline component of the North-South Railways Program; the implementation of the bridges between Matnog, Sorogon and Allen, Samar, and between Leyte and Surigao.

The list puts in ninth the implementation of the 42 Industry Roadmaps, Manufacturing Resurgence Program, Small and Medium Enterprise in Global Value Chain development and the new Investment Priority Plan of the Duterte administration.

In 10th spot are the Business trophy investments from Japan including billion committed by Marubeni and the big-ticket infrastructures funded by loans from China, seen to push further the country’s economic growth.

Capping these developments that drive Filipino optimism for their truly brighter future, is the submission to Congress of the proposed Federal Government set up for the Philippines and the convening of the Constitutional Assembly, which is not only historic but also opens doors to a broad prospects of economic growth.

Salceda stressed that providing solid support to these developments, the 12th in his list is the strong leadership and united front by the Executive, Legislative, Local government units and civil society organizations against poverty and strategic alliance for global competitiveness. (PNA)

DOJ starts initial probe on raps vs 6 suspects nabbed in San Juan drug raid
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday conducted the preliminary investigation on the drug trafficking charges against six suspects including three Chinese nationals who were arrested in a raid in San Juan City which yielded some 500 kilos of shabu worth around PHP3 billion last December 23.

The three Chinese nationals Shi Gui Xiong, 44; Che Wen De alias Jackie Tan, 44; Wu Li Yong alias David Go, 44 and three other suspects Abdullah Jamal, 33; Salim Arafat, 19; and Rasher Jamal, 19, appeared before a panel of prosecutors in Department of Justice (DOJ) for submission of their counter affidavit on the charges of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 filed by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The three Filipino respondents submitted their counter-affidavits while the three Chinese nationals - were unable to submit answers to the charges.

The three Chinese nationals refused to be assisted by Public Attorney Office (PAO) as they opted to get a private lawyer.

During the hearing, the Chinese nationals however still did not have a private lawyer. With this, Assistant State Prosecutors Mary Jane Sytat and Ethel Rhea Suril gave them until the next hearing on Friday to submit their counter-affidavits through the assistance of a public attorney.

Meanwhile, through the assistance of PAO, the three Filipino respondents said in their counter affidavit denied the allegations of manufacture, trading, delivery, distribution, possession and transportation of illegal drugs.

They claimed that they just passed by the area where the raid was conducted and were just asked by an unknown person to drive the running, empty vehicle where they were later on arrested.

The NBI Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) the complainant, served a search warrant to the suspects last Dec. 23 at the 309 Mangga Street corner Infanta in Barangay Little Baguio where they found plastic bags containing shabu.

After one month of surveillance, operatives confirmed the information and applied for a search warrant.

The suspects were caught inside the warehouse which they have been occupying for months.

Operatives found 500 kilos of shabu inside the wareshouse.

The suspects are currently detained at the NBI headquarters. (PNA)
BNB/CLTC

Public servants to get 2nd tranche of pay hike starting January this year -- DBM

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Tuesday that civilian government personnel as well as police and military will receive the second of the four-tranche salary hike beginning January this.

"That is effective January first," Diokno said during the regular Palace briefing, referring to the second tranche salary adjustment.

Diokno said the budget for the second tranche of salary adjustment for government workers was already included in the 2017’s PHP3.35 trillion national budget.

He failed to give the total budget for the salary adjustment but in 2016, Congress has appropriated PHP57.91 billion to cover the requirement to implement the compensation adjustment.

Under the first tranche, the more than 1.5 million public servants also received mid-year bonus equal to their one month salary, enhanced performance-based bonus or PBB, and productivity enhancement incentive.

On the other hand, the hazard pay or combat pay of the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) has increased by at least 200 percent, according to Diokno.

The DBM official, however, clarified that the second tranche of salary adjustment would still require congressional approval considering the first tranche was implemented only through Executive Order No. 201 signed by former President Benigno Aquino III in February last year.

"The previous administration had a downpayment in 2016 and we are going to honor it but there’s maybe a legal defect because it did not go through Congress. It was just incorporated in the budget," he explained.

Diokno said the DBM had already submitted to the Office of the President a copy of the bill.

"Going by the behavior of Congress, they won’t object to a salary increase because it’s a popular move. You can bet Congress will agree to provide," Diokno said.

Meanwhile, Diokno said the take home pay of the military will double by January 2018 if Congress will be able to tax reform measure reducing personal income tax from 32 to 25 percent.

"Your take home pay will increase if we reduce the take home from 32 to 25 percent. So at the latest January 18 and most likely sometime next year, given the tax reform," he said.

Diokno explained that giving the military separate salary adjustment is difficult to do due a law which says that pension of the retired soldiers should be tied to the salary of the incumbent.

"Unless we fix that, there will come a time when maybe 70 percent of the budget of the military will just go to the pension," Diokno said, referring to the law passed during the time of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Diokno said the same salary adjustment for the military also needs congressional approval.

"There will be two types of salary structure for the military. Those who will come in after a certain date and those who are already inside. So that will be the kind of legislation that we have in mind," he said.

In his previous military camp visits, President Rodrigo Duterte repeatedly promised to double the take home pay of the soldiers and police. (PNA)

DOJ files urgent motion seeking HDO vs Marcelino, Chinese companion

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Department of Justice (DoJ) on Tuesday filed an urgent motion before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) which seeks the issuance of a hold departure order against of Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino and his Chinese cohort Yan Yi Shou over the drug case filed by the DOJ against them last September.

“It is most respectfully prayed of his Honorable Court that the urgent motion for the issuance of hold departure order be granted and a HDO be issued against accused Lt. Colonel Ferdinand Marcelino and Yan Yi Shou, directing the Bureau of Immigration to include them in its hold departure list to prevent any possibility of their flight to another country to avoid prosecution of the case against them,” Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon said in a three-page urgent motion filed before Manila RTC Branch 49 Judge Daniel Villanueva.

“The prosecution dreads and believes that both accused may leave the country to escape prosecution and avoid facing up their liability and thus frustrates the end of justice,” it added.

The DOJ stressed the need for the issuance of the HDO considering that both respondents Marcelino and Yan are yet to be arraigned by the court..

Last Dec. 22, the Manila RTC ordered the arrest of Marcelino and his co-accused, Chinese national Yan Yi Shou after dismissing his motion seeking dismissal of the charges of violation of Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) against them.

The court finding prima facie evidence of probable cause in the charges of violating Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in connection with their arrest and the recovery of P380 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” in an apartment in Sta. Cruz, Manila a year ago.

Marcelino and Yan were apprehended by a team from the Philippine National Police-Anti Illegal Drugs Group and the Philippine Drug Enforcement and were subsequently charged before the DOJ.

Marcelino and his co-accused questioned their arrest during a joint PDEA- Philippine National Police operation in Sta. Cruz, Manila last January and their indictment by the DOJ.

Through the Public Attorney's Office, they insisted that they were inside the seized shabu laboratory with nearly 77 kilograms of shabu only because they were conducting an intelligence operation at that time.

Marcelino was in the apartment for a covert surveillance operation as a member of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He even submitted a certification from the Philippine Army Intelligence Group showing that he is sharing information on the alleged involvement of Army personnel in the illegal drugs trade from September to December last year.

Last June, the DOJ through Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva junked all the charges against Marcelino and Yan for insufficiency of evidence, prompting the PNP-AIDG and PDEA to file a motion for reconsideration.

Manila RTC Branch 17 Judge Felicitas Laron-Cacanindin earlier deferred the issuance of warrants and postponed the arraignment of Marcelino and Shou last September 26, citing the motion he filed that there was no probable cause to proceed with the trial of the case.

This came after the DOJ partially granted the motion for reconsideration filed by the PNP-AIDG and PDEA assailing its previous resolution that dropped the complaint against the two suspects. (PNA)

MMDA suspends number coding for provincial buses from Southern Luzon

MANILA, Jan 3 (PNA) -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is suspending the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVRP) or number coding scheme for provincial buses from Southern Luzon today and tomorrow (Jan. 4) in order to accommodate passengers returning to Metro Manila from the provinces for the holiday break.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the suspension of the number coding will enable bus companies to utilize all available units to fetch passengers from the provinces in Southern Luzon back to Metro Manila.

“This way, we can help thousands of passengers to book their trip back to Metro Manila because the earlier returning trips had all already been fully-booked,” Orbos said.

The MMDA chief however explained that the lifting of the number coding scheme will still create traffic as more vehicles will be on the roads.

He appealed to motorists for patience and understanding for the duration of the number coding suspension as people need to return to their workplaces in Metro Manila as soon as possible.

Furthermore, the lack of Manila-bound provincial buses was compounded by the ongoing labor strike by a bus company that services Southern Luzon routes. Workers at the bus company have been on strike for almost a week now. (PNA)

Duterte administration banking on infra program to sustain 7% economic growth

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is banking on its ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure development program and four other factors to sustain 7 percent economic growth rate and become the fastest growing country in Asian region.

"We really need to address our infrastructure gap. We have the worst infrastructure in this part of the world," Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a media briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.

Under the PHP3.35 trillion national budget for 2017, Diokno said the Duterte government has allocated 5.4 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) which has never been done before in the history of the country.

"We intend to ramp it up so that on the final year of President Duterte, that will be something like 7.2, 7.4 percent of GDP," Diokno said.

"So I reckon that we should be spending something like PHP8 to 9 trillion for public infrastructure," he added.

Diokno said if the country will manage to improve economic growth rate at 7 percent, the Philippines will become the fastest growing country in Asian region.

"If we become the fastest growing economy in the fastest growing region in the world and that’s an honor. That would be an accomplishment," he said.

Diokno said the most ambitious infrastructure project that the government has been eyeing is to link Southern Leyte to Mindanao.

"So you can now travel by car from Luzon to Mindanao. That’s an ambitious project and I think we can finance it if we just put our mind to it," the Budget official said.

He said other factors that are needed to sustain 7 percent economic growth include: peace and order, human resources, cost of doing business and competitive tax system.

"Our biggest asset, I think, is our youth. If we don’t convert the youth into a productive, agile, healthy workforce then we fail. So we need to invest in the human resources," Diokno said.

Diokno said the government is already addressing the cost of doing business in the country.

"We need to cut the cost of doing business. We are ranked very low in that regard and if we want to attract foreign investors, we need to do that," he said.

Diokno said the Philippines has poor tax system compared to its Asian neighbors. (PNA)
JBP/JFM

DND allocates PHP4.9-B for acquisition of 6 close-air support aircraft

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- With its Rockwell OV-10 "Bronco" attack aircraft now past its prime, the Department of National Defense (DND) has allocated the sum of PHP4,968,000,000 for the acquisition of six brand-new close-air support planes for the Philippine Air Force.

Funds will be sourced from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Act Trust Fund.

Interested bidders must be able to deliver the aircraft with the corresponding initial logistics support package.

"These aircraft shall be capable of performing close-air support air operations during day and night. The guiding principles for this project shall be based on affordability and sustainability while conforming to the requirements of the Philippine Air Force in furtherance of accomplishing its mission," the DND said in its bid bulletin.

Pre-bid conference is scheduled on Jan. 11, 10 a.m. at the DND Bids and Awards Committee Conference Room, Right Wing, DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Close-air support aircraft are used to help troops in heavy contact with enemy forces.

It is done by providing covering rocket fire to the engaged units or bombing positions of hostile units.

Currently, these missions are being conducted by the OV-10s and sometimes by specially converted SIAI-Marchetti SF-260 trainer planes. (PNA)

Social welfare dept to implement Medicine Assistance Program funded by Pres. Duterte’s Social Fund

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued a memo to mobilize its field offices in Central Luzon, Western and Central Visayas, Davao, and the National Capital Region (NCR) to provide medicine assistance to indigent patients.

Social Welfare Judy Taguiwalo issued Memorandum Circular No. 16 following President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that he will allocate PHP1 billion to the DSWD for medical assistance for the poor.

“President Duterte, very much aware of the high costs of medicines and the numerous indigent patients who cannot afford to buy prescription drugs, allocated PHP1 billion to the President’s Social Fund to enable these patients to access badly needed medicines,” Taguiwalo said, adding that the President instructed the DSWD to formulate and implement the guidelines of the program.

Noting that the Department of Health also has a Medical Assistance Program (MAP) that aids indigents seeking free consultations, rehabilitation and examinations or those confined in hospitals, the social welfare chief said the DSWD’s medical assistance will be under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS).

The AICS will extend assistance to families or individuals who are indigent, vulnerable, disadvantaged or those in the informal sector and poor, based on the DSWD Listahanan; government employees and contract of services workers; and those who are facing crisis situations as determined by DSWD social workers, so they could secure prescription medicines.

Taguiwalo however said that the program does not cover prescription medicine for drug dependents undergoing treatment or rehabilitation. “A separate program is being created for them,” she said.

The DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) will facilitate the release of the medical assistance. The CIU is a special unit of the DSWD that serves as an action center that immediately responds to the needs of individuals and families in crisis situations. The CIU is located at the central office, field offices and satellite offices in the provinces.

“The DSWD has yet to receive the PHP1 billion from Malacanang, but we are willing to foot the bill in the meantime so Filipinos who need immediate prescription medicines can access them ASAP,” the social welfare chief said. “As soon as the fund is available, the DSWD will oversee and manage it and the program. Five percent of the fund will be used for project management.”

She also clarified that beneficiaries will not receive any cash, but referral letters from the DSWD which beneficiaries will take to DSWD partner drugstores and hospital pharmacies. Those who need medicine should bring and submit to the closest CIU the needed original or certified true copy documents, and/or photocopy documents certified by a CIU social worker: the clinical abstract/medical certificate with full name, signature and license number of the attending physician (issued not later than three months); the doctor’s prescription with date and the name of the patient (the prescription should be signed by the attending physician with license number indicated); barangay certificate of indigence or Indigent Card issued by the medical social service of the hospital; and any valid ID of the client.

“If the prescription costs PHP5,000 or less, confirmation by the doctor or his/her duly certified representative of the veracity of the prescription is sufficient for the DSWD to provide the assistance,” Taguiwalo said.

However, a social case study report prepared by the local government unit’s social worker/medical social worker, or a social case summary prepared by a registered social worker may be required by the CIU social worker to support assessment and recommendation of assistance.

“A social case study report is needed as a supporting document for assistance more than PHP5,000,” she said. “A client can avail of the assistance only once within three months.”

Taguiwalo also explained that the DSWD can establish partnerships with service providers to ensure that clients are efficiently and effectively assisted immediately.

The DSWD can forge contracts or enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with qualified service providers.

“As a safeguard, in no case will the implementation of the program be delegated and/or transferred to any kind of civil society organization, regardless of whether it is a non-governmental organization or a people’s organization,” she said.

Taguiwalo said that initially, the DSWD will enter into a MOA with the University of the Philippines â€" Philippine General Hospital in Manila; the Jose B. Lingad General Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga; Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) in Iloilo; Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City; and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City and the Davao Regional Hospital (DRH) in Tagum City.

The hospitals were chosen in the regions with the highest poverty levels and to ensure the representation of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. (PNA)
CVL/PR/LSJ

Manila police establishes ‘incident command system’ for Feast of Black Nazarene

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Manila Police District (MPD) has established an incident command system (ICS) to secure the more than one million devotees who will join the procession of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9, its director, Sr. Supt. Joel Coronel said Tuesday.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has ordered the 4,995-strong MPD to double its security preparations for the annual religious activity, especially after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recently warned that the Maute terror group could send members to Metro Manila to launch diversionary attacks.

"We have made all the proper preparations and final coordination with different agencies involved in the Traslacion. We can say we are ready to deal with emergencies,” Estrada said.

Maute, whose main body is being pursued by the military in Butig, Lanao del Sur, was believed to be responsible for the town fiesta bombing in Hilongos, Leyte on Dec. 28 where 32 people were wounded.

The ICS is a standardized on-site management system that enables effective and efficient incident management by integrating facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating under a common organizational structure. It is used to manage an incident or a non-emergency event and can be used for both small and large situations.

Coronel said the composition of the ICS, as mandated by Republic Act 10121 or “The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010”, has been filled up and all coordination and preparations have been completed.

“We have established our incident command system and our contingency preparation, nag-i-improve pa tayo (we are improving) over time, getting better every year and hopefully, this is not the last of the series of adjustments,” Coronel said, adding that coordination meetings for the Feast of the Black Nazarene began as early as July last year.

“Our coordination is better than ever with different agencies, with the rescue management office, the Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro Manila Development Authority, Philippine National Police and private organizations like the Red Cross,” he added.

Coronel pointed out that each member of the ICS has been assigned specific tasks to do during the event, such as command and control, public safety, crowd control, emergency health response, and planning and logistics, among others.

The MPD chief estimated that about 15 million devotees will participate in the six-day celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, including 1.5 million to two million who will be joining the procession.

“We expect an increase in attendees for this year. If the number last year was around 12 (million), we’ll go with about 15 million this year at the very least, for the six-day Black Nazarene celebration, including those who usually attend mass at the church,” Coronel said.(PNA)

Senator eyes creation of PHL space agency

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- A senator on Tuesday sought for the creation of an agency which will develop space science in the Philippines to make the country more “space-capable” within the next 10 years.

In filing Senate Bill No. 1259 or the Philippine Space Act, Sen. Loren Legarda wants the creation of a Philippine Space Agency (PSA) and a National Space Development and Utilization Policy (NSDUP).

Legarda said that the agency will be an attached agency of the Office of the President for purposes of policy and program coordination to ensure alignment in national policies and priorities.

The agency will focus on space applications that can preserve and enhance the country’s national security and promote development that is beneficial to all Filipinos.

It is also meant to conduct research and development endeavors in vital areas of space science, technology and allied fields.

Moreover, it will also help develop and utilize space science and technology applications to enhance its hazard management and disaster mitigation strategy as well as ensure the nation’s resiliency to climate change.

It will also create a space industry to support the country’s space program through private sector involvement and cooperation; and establish a pool of trained space scientists, engineers and communicators.

Legarda said the Philippines will eventually become a key player in the ASEAN and global space community by providing significant contributions and capabilities on space science and technology applications.

She noted that Philippines is currently lagging behind its neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, with space agencies with satellites devoted to telecommunications or earth monitoring.

“It is unfortunate that due to lack of local support to this field, many of our globally-competitive Filipino space scientists have instead opted to serve in space agencies abroad,” Legarda said.

She explained that space programs and development are not limited to sending astronauts to space and engineering space crafts and technologies.

“Space programs and development address basic needs in our daily lives such as the application of global navigation satellite systems which directly affects industries, transportation management, national security, health management, climate studies and disaster risk management, and the expansion of scientific engineering resources,” she added. (PNA)

4 Cebu Pacific flights cancelled due to bad weather

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- A total of four Cebu Pacific (CebPac) flights have been cancelled on Tuesday due to bad weather.

These were the 5J 373/374 Manila-Roxas-Manila, and 5J 895/896 Manila-Caticlan-Manila flights.

State weather agency PAGASA earlier forecasted cloudy skies and isolated rains over most parts of the archipelago on Tuesday. (PNA)

Ombudsman asks Sandiganbayan to reverse ruling junking plunder rap vs ex-DA execs

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has asked the Sandiganbayan to reverse its decision dismissing the plunder case against former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Cito Lorenzo and DA Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante and five others in connection with the alleged misuse of the PHP723-million fertilizer fund.

Ombudsman prosecutors filed the motion for reconsideration (MR) before the Sandiganbayan Second Division seeking the reversal of its ruling on the said case.

The Ombudsman insisted on the existence of probable cause on Bolante's case.

It said that the Sandiganbayan "clearly went beyond its authority at this stage of proceeding (determination of probable)".

The Ombudsman said that “probable cause exists for the issuance of arrest warrants vs. all of the accused in the fertilizer fund scam.”

”The Honorable Court cannot close its eyes to glaring badges of fraud, irregularities committed in release of fertilizer funds,” it said.

”Determining reasonable ground to believe that the accused is guilty and should be put to trial is the function of the Prosecutor,” it added.

The Ombudsman said that “the determination of probable cause for the warrant of arrest is made by the judge.”

The Sandiganbayan acquitted Bolante of plunder case over the alleged misuse of PHP723-million fertilizer fund last December 12.

The anti-graft court said that the prosecution failed to provide evidence that will link Bolante to plunder charges.

Last August, the prosecution submitted a 20-page judicial affidavit of "whistleblower" Jose Barredo, claiming that he was a runner in the fertilizer fund scam.

However, the Sandiganbayan found "nothing substantial" on Barredo's statement.

The Sandiganbayan dismissed the PHP723-million fertilizer fund scam plunder case despite the chance given to the prosecution to amend the case information.

"All that is essentially stated by Barredo is the modus operandi of the scam, the persons who were offered...," the Sandiganbayan said.

"...or had received, and how the "SOP" (Standard Operating Procedure) or commissions were distributed," it added.

The anti-graft court said that "are either local officials who had fund allotments from the DA or DA regional directors..."

It added that "...and none of them are even charged in this case as co-conspirators of Bolante or of the other accused."

The Sandiganbayan said that Bolante was "central key player in the case but there was no proof he acquired ill-gotten wealth.”

"No material representation, other than the release of the funds, could be shown attributable to accused Bolante," it added. (PNA)

Marine officer Marcelino implicated in PHP380M drug-bust now in AFP custody

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino, the Marine officer earlier implicated in a PHP380 million drug-bust in Sta. Cruz, Manila last year, has voluntarily surrendered to the Office of the Provost Marshal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday noon.

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo.

He said Marcelino, accompanied by his sister, voluntarily surrendered to the military.

"We are currently processing all the necessary requirements like fingerprinting, mugshots at physical examination, and then we are filing a petition for custody at the courts so that the AFP will have custody on him," Arevalo said in Filipino.

This means that the military will have Marcelino in its safekeeping while the custody process in ongoing, he added.

"He (Marcelino) is going to be detained at the AFP Custodial Center, he will be detained definetely because he has a standing warrant of arrest, that's why he voluntarily surrendered," Arevalo stressed.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 49 issued an arrest warrant against Marcelino and Chinese co-accused Yan Yi Shou last Dec. 22 after turning down their motion to dismiss the drug charges against them.

The two men were nabbed by anti-narcotics operatives last Jan. 21, 2016 in an abandoned shabu laboratory at the Celadon Residences in Sta. Cruz, Manila where authorities seized 76,697.7 grams of shabu worth over PHP380 million. (PNA)

Russia willing to help PN in combating terrorism, piracy

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Russian Pacific Fleet flotilla deputy commander Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov expressed willingness to help the Philippine Navy (PN) in combating terrorism and piracy.

He made this statement during the sidelights of Tuesday's official welcoming ceremonies for Udaloy-class destroyer/large anti-submarine ship, Admiral Tributs and the Boris Chilikin-class fleet oiler, Boris Butoma, which arrived Monday night at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila.

The former is the head of the Russian naval delegation which is on a six-day goodwill visit to the country which will end on Saturday.

"Of course we will do our best from our side to help you, as I told before one of the main problem is terrorist and piracy, and also these problem take place in the Russia Federation and we have this experience to fight with it and in the future exercises, you will help us, we will take to you our knowledge in this problem, how to solve piracy and terrorist," Mikhailov stressed.

The Russian naval official was referring to repeated incidents of Abu Sayyaf attacks against merchant and tug shipping plying off Sulu and the Celebes waters.

Mikhailov also said Russia can help the PN in acquiring modern equipment for its needs.

"That's why we took our equipment (to show to other) countries, lot of countries buy Russian equipment," he added. (PNA)

DOJ endorses 134 inmates for executive clemency grant

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said on Tuesday that he recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the granting of executive clemency to 134 inmates.

In a press conference, Aguirre said the list of the inmates came from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City and other penal colonies operated by the Bureau of Corrections.

The list was already submitted to the Malacanang Palace two weeks ago, Aguirre said.

“I already sent messages to President Duterte and Special Assistant to the President (Christopher) Bong Go to expedite action on our recommendation,” Aguirre said.

Executive clemency is a power of the President to pardon any prisoner, provided for under Article VII, Section 19 of the Constitution and pertains to reprieve, absolute or conditional pardon with or without parole conditions and commutation of sentence.

Parole on the other hand is the conditional release of a prisoner from a correctional institution after he or she has served the minimum of his or her sentence.

The DOJ chief though defended why the recommendation has yet to be acted upon by Malacanang up to now, adding that the President has a lot of things to work on.

“Maaaring natambakan ang rekomendasyon sa dami ng trabaho ng Pangulo,” he said adding he is confident President Duterte will approve the recommendation since the move was in line with his promise to free inmates aged at least 80 and those who have spent at least 40 years behind bars.

He revealed that the list he submitted to the President included elderly and sickly inmates.

The list included 100 inmates recommended for commutation of sentences, 14 for conditional pardon with parole, 18 for conditional pardon without parole and two for absolute pardon.

The DOJ Secretary also said that he made the recommendations for presidential pardon upon endorsement by the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) after review of the eligibility of the inmates in the list.

He, however, said he could not recall if the list included political prisoners whom the National Democratic Front (NDF) have asked to be released.

The NDF, which is currently engaged in peace talks with the government to end the long-running armed conflict in the country, is seeking the release of all political prisoners.

But Aguirre said there was no prominent inmate in the list.

Last November, the President Duterte granted pardon to actor Robin Padilla, after he was among those recommended by the BPP for executive clemency.

Padilla, Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla in real life, a known supporter of Duterte has applied for absolute pardon for his 1994 conviction for illegal possession firearms where he was sentenced with up to 21 years in prison.

He served three years at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa before being released in April 1997 by then president Fidel Ramos granted over conditional pardon.

Padilla, was granted conditional pardon in 1997 by then president Fidel Ramos after serving several years of the 21-year sentence imposed on him for illegal possession of firearms in 1994.

The BPP earlier said that as of November 2015, it has listed 473 inmates seeking executive clemency.

Under the Aquino administration, only nine inmates were granted clemency. (PNA)

Chinese magazine names Pres. Duterte as ‘Person of the Year’

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Yazhou Zhoukan, a popular Chinese language magazine, has granted President Rodrigo Duterte “Person of the Year” award, according to Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella on Tuesday.

Abella said the famous Chinese magazine picked President Duterte based on the new Filipino leader’s independent foreign policy that consists of his distancing away from the United States and forging closer ties with China.

"The article also praises Duterte’s program of good governance and anti-corruption campaign as a reason for his popularity among the Filipinos," Abella said.

Yazhou Zhoukan is the world’s only Chinese language weekly international magazine with circulation in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Last October, President Duterte received a grand welcome from top Chinese leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, when the Filipino leader visited Beijing.

Duterte, who took office only in June last year, said it’s time to renew the Philippines’ relationship with China.

President Duterte’s four-day trip to China has calmed down tensions brought by the decision of the international arbitral tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands in favor of the Philippines’ arbitration case against China over the disputed West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.

The ruling concluded that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights using a nine-dash line map that covers most of the South China sea which also being claimed partly by Brunei, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia.

President Duterte has said he would not insist the arbitral ruling which China did not recognize.

The President’s recent visit to China has resulted to USD24 billion worth of investments and financing agreements. (PNA)

Trillanes denies hand in Jaybee Sebastian stabbing

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV on Tuesday denied a hand in the stabbing of high-profile inmate and self-confessed drug lord Jaybee Sebastian in a riot in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) which killed one and injured three others last September 28.

This after Department of Justice (DOJ) Vitaliano Aguirre II was reported to have linked Trillanes in the stabbing of Sebastian.

Trillanes described the allegations as “absurd.”

“I categorically deny any involvement in the stabbing incident of JB Sebastian. Why would I even do that? It is totally absurd,” Trillanes said in a text message.

The senator meanwhile urged Aguirre to fact-check since the Senate will soon be conducting a Senate inquiry on the incident.

“Aguirre and his gang better get their stories straight because we will have a full blown Senate inquiry to get the truth out,” he added.

To recall, Trillanes and Sen. Leila de Lima earlier filed a resolution seeking a probe into the alleged riot that erupted inside the NBP involving high-profile inmates.

The resolution directs the proper Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry on the apparent mismanagement and/or incompetence of the national Bilibid Prisons by the Bureau of Corrections and the Philippine National Police (PNP) leading to a brawl.

It also said that the probe will be done in aid of legislation and will have the end in view of enacting remedial legislation that would prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

To recall, the riot erupted after an inmate named Clarence Dongail reprimanded the three Chinese inmates -- Tony Co, Peter Co and Vicente Sy -- after he allegedly caught them in the act of sniffing 'methamphetamine hydrochloride' or shabu.

Tony Co, a few minutes later, reportedly attacked Dongail who happened to be inside the cell of Sebastian, with an ice pick.

DOJ later confirmed the death of inmate Tony Co in the riot while inmates Sebastian, Sy and Peter Co were injured. (PNA)
JBP/ANP

I was in the wrong place at the wrong time during 'Nina' onslaught -- Robredo

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday admitted that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time when typhoon "Nina" (international name: Nock-Ten) walloped Bicol Region, her bailiwick and several parts of the country on Christmas day.

She said that she “felt really bad” while she was in the Unites States while Nina battered Visayas and Bicol Region.

Robredo said her family decided to cut short their trip and decided to return to Manila, but they run out of luck when they found it hard to book return tickets on peak season.

She explained that their scheduled return flight is January 4 but they were able to get tickets for New Year's Eve.

She said they have tried all available airlines bound for Manila but looking for five tickets gives them headache. She was accompanied by her three daughters and her 80-year-old grandmother.

The vice president said her physical absence from relief operations at the height of the Christmas typhoon was just a case of "bad timing."

“It was just a case of bad timing,” she pointed out.

She even recalled that she is always present assisting needy Bicolanos every time a typhoon hits their region even when she was still a private citizen.

She stressed that anyone can asked her constituents who will attests that she is always present during onslaught of typhoons.

She emphasized that the Office of the Vice President announced that Robredo helped in "coordinating relief from the US," she admitted that it was not enough.

"Paglapag ko lang sa US nung pumunta ako, inareglo ko na kaagad yung relief operations... Pero iba din kasi kung ako mismo yung andito," Robredo lamented. (PNA)
JBP/SFM

Russian ships visit to PHL the third time around -- PN

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The arrival of the Udaloy-class destroyer/large anti-submarine ship, Admiral Tributs and the Boris Chilikin-class fleet oiler, Boris Butoma on Monday marks the the third time Russian naval vessels have paid a goodwill visit to the country.

This was disclosed by Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna in a statement Tuesday.

The two ships, headed by Russia Pacific Fleet flotilla deputy commander Rear Admiral Eduard Mikhailov, will stay in the country until Saturday.

The first visit took place in January 2012 when the Admiral Panteleyev, an anti-submarine destroyer; Boris Butoma, the above-mentioned tanker; and Fotiy Krylov, a rescue tug were also welcomed at Pier 15, South Harbor, Manila.

The second visit took place in May 2016 when the Marshall Gelovani, a hydrographic vessel, also berthed in South Harbor, Manila for resupply and replenishment.

Lincuna said the BRP Rajah Humabon (PS-11) rendered customary meeting procedures at the vicinity of Corregidor Island, and escorted the Russian vessels to its designated berthing area.

PN delegates accorded the visiting naval units a welcome ceremony upon arrival followed by a port briefing for security and health aboard one of the Russian Navy vessels.

The goodwill visit include series of confidence building engagements between PN and Russian Navy personnel such as courtesy call to PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Roland Joseph Mercado by the Russian Ambassador to the Philippines, Igor Anatolyevich Khovaev; and Mikhailov together with the ship’s commanding officers.

Likewise, tour to historical places within Manila and Cavite area, wreath laying ceremony, capability demonstration, open house to all civilians, shipboard tour aboard Russian vessels, receptions, goodwill games, and send-off ceremony were also scheduled.

"This visit by Russian Navy and the fitting reception bestowed by PN will foster goodwill which will contribute in the furtherance of friendship of PN and Russian Navy, and enhance the maritime cooperation through naval diplomacy and camaraderie," Lincuna added. (PNA)

PHP, PSEi welcome 2017 stable

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Profit-taking reigned in the local equities market but the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) and the peso remained firm on the first trading day of 2017.

PSEi rose 0.30 percent, or 20.67 points, to 6,861.31 points, which a trader attributed to the rally later in the session after a weak start.

All shares also improved after it went up by 0.25 percent, or 10.49 points, to 4,166.56 points.

Most of the sectors increased, led by the Mining and Oil with 0.83 percent.

Industrial came in second with 0.67 percent followed by Holding Firms, 0.27 percent; Property, 0.17 percent; and Financials, 0.09 percent.

Only the Services lost with a drop of 0.10 percent.

Volume of trade totaled to 664.21 million amounting to PHP2.68 billion.

Advancers led decliners at 89 to 79 while 42 stocks were unchanged.

The peso was little changed against the greenback after finishing the year’s first trading day at 49.77 from 49.72 last December 29, last year’s final trading session.

A trader said the US dollar regained its strength after investors took on a wait and see stance ahead of the release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s meeting last December and the jobs report later this week.

Profit-taking in the local equities market hurt the peso a bit, the trader said.

The local currency opened the year at 49.78, almost unmoved compared with the 49.80 in the previous session.

It traded between 49.82 and 49.76 bringing the day’s average to 49.78.

Volume of trade almost doubled from the USD286.99 million at the end of last year to USD414.8 million.

The currency pair is seen to trade between 49.70 and 49.90 Tuesday. (PNA)

ConGen turns over USD5,000 token to group assisting distressed Filipinos in Los Angeles

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles turned over a USD5,000 check to the Pilipino Worker’s Center (PWC) at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles.

Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz said the money is a token reimbursement for their efforts in assisting Filipino nationals in distress in Los Angeles.

Ms. Lolita Lledo, Associate Director of PWC received the check on behalf of the Center in the presence of Deputy Consul General Ambrocio Brian Enciso, Vice Consul Dyan Kristine M. Pastrana, Malou Villacisneros, Ian Kamus, Myrla Baldonado, Tess Sattar, Amelia Barnachea, Carmen Lee, and Celestina Magallon.

PWC is one of the Consulate General’s key partners in its work on Assistance to Nationals (ATN).

It is a non-profit community organization, which assists Filipino workers in labor-related matters, particularly on Filipinos working in the caregiving and home care industry.

During the meeting, PWC discussed its ongoing projects. PWC also identified the EMPLEO Pinoy Program, manning the hotline 1-877-TULONG1, as a crucial component in addressing the concerns of overseas Filipinos.

The EMPLEO Pinoy program is one of the projects being undertaken by the center in partnership with the Consulate General, US federal agencies, and other non-government organizations.

The Philippine Consulate General aims to strengthen its partnership with PWC in providing much-needed assistance to Filipino nationals in Los Angeles, especially to OFWs in distress. (PNA)

DBM won’t recommend use of taxpayers’ money to fund SSS pension hike -- Diokno

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Tuesday that he won’t recommend the use of taxpayers’ money to fund the proposed PHP2,000 pension hike of the Social Security System (SSS) pensioners.

"Historically, it is not being done. We don’t burden the taxpayers to support a private fund," Diokno said in a press Palace press briefing.

"It is unfair for us to call on everybody to increase pension of a few. Our tax system is such that even the jobless, they pay taxes in the form of value added tax. Why should you burden them to give benefit to a private pension system," he added.

Diokno said the job of looking for the source of PHP2,000 monthly pension increase should not be given to President Rodrigo Duterte.

"To me, it’s unfair to give the problem to him. In fact, it’s unfair for Congress to have passed that law which, as you know, (former) President (Benigno) Aquino vetoed," Diokno said.

"It should not have reached the President’s desk. The Board of Trustees should have exercised leadership," he added.

The DBM official said the SSS Board of Trustees can find solution to fund the proposed pension hike such as increase the collection efficiency.

"I understand some corporations have been indebted to SSS. Maybe they could call on them. But you know, when you pass the buck and give it to the President, that to me, is unfair for the President," he explained.

He said another solution could be to adjust the contribution of the SSS members.

"What we are proposing is a contribution adjustment, a higher pay but we are not recommending it right now," Diokno said.

"What we’re recommending is maybe to do it after tax reform because in the tax reform, you get more money in your pockets and therefore you are now in a position to contribute a small amount for the pension of those who are already receiving pension. So that’s our solution," he added.

Diokno said even the late former President Ferdinand Marcos did not touch the SSS considering it is a private pension fund.

"You contribute to that fund, and when you retire, you get benefits from that fund," he said.

Last Monday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Andanar said President Duterte is looking for a “win-win solution” without affecting the SSS’ current fund life.

According to SSS chairman Amado Valdez, the SSS’s current fund life would be shortened from 2042 to 2031 if even half of the PHP2,000 will be given beginning January this year. (PNA)

Hontiveros vows to keep campaign promise of prioritizing health bills

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- Sen. Risa Hontiveros has vowed to keep her campaign promise of pushing for the passage of a measure meant to stop the practice of hospitals asking for advance payment before admitting patients in emergency situation among other health bills.

Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, earlier filed Senate Bill No. 216 or the Amendments to the Anti-Hospital Deposit Act that seek heavier penalties on hospitals that continue to violate the law while providing tax incentives to those that will admit indigent or poor patients in cases of emergency.

She said the Senate is set to conduct another hearing on the issue, submit the bill to the technical working group (TWG) and release a committee report as soon as possible as the Senate resumes sessions on January 16.

"The Anti-hospital deposit bill is part of my priority legislative bills this new year. We cannot allow the lives and health well-being of our people to be sacrificed any longer in the name of profit," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros, who also chairs the Senate Committee on Women, said that she will also be pushing for longer maternity leave for women this year.

Under Senate Bill No. 215 or the Extended Maternity Leave Act, Hontiveros seeks to extend the maternity leaves of working women from the current 60 days to 120 days and 150 days for solo mothers.

The neophyte senator said that her committee is already in the process of preparing its committee report on the different versions of the bill.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier expressed support for a longer maternity leave saying mothers should have a longer rest period to give them more time to breastfeed their babies.

Hontiveros also vowed to push Senate Bill No. 935 or the Anti-Discrimination Bill which she filed to penalize discrimination against sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in schools and workplaces, and offer equal protection to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

At present, the bill has already made its way to the plenary and is ready for second reading.

LGBT advocates have said that Hontiveros' proposed measure is the first anti-discrimination bill to reach the Senate plenary. (PNA)

MMDA traffic enforcers receive new hand-held radio phones

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- -- Around 2,000 traffic enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be receiving new hand-held radio phones for efficient traffic management in Metro Manila.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the new communications equipment will strengthen the existing communication assets of the agency for traffic direction and management.

“These hand-held radio phones will be of great help to our traffic enforcers especially in managing traffic flow in Metro Manila,” according to Orbos.

The MMDA chief said that the hand-held radios were donated by an anonymous organization from the private sector.

Furthermore, the personnel of the agency who will be injured or figured in an accident will be insured of hospitalization of up to PHP40,000 which was also donated by two companies.

Orbos said the support to its field personnel is important in boosting their morale as they perform their duties in the field.

“The MMDA leadership wants to assure field personnel that they will get all of the support the agency could give them to ensure that they will deliver quality public service,” Orbos said.

He also stated that support of private companies continues to pour in to show their gratitude and appreciation to the efforts and initiatives of the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT) in easing the traffic congestion in Metro Manila. (PNA)

Beijing's coal use down by 57% since 2013

BEIJING, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- Coal consumption in Beijing has fallen by as much as 57 percent in the past three years, as the city works to curb smog, according to the municipal environmental watchdog.

Statistics released by the municipal environmental protection bureau on Tuesday show Beijing burned less than 10 million tons of coal in 2016, down from 23 million tons in 2013.

Emissions from coal are cited as a cause of the high concentration of breathable toxic particulate matter, known as PM 2.5, which causes smog.

Beijing's 21 million inhabitants used to rely heavily on coal for electricity and winter heating. Across China, coal remains the primary source of energy.

Li Kunsheng, a municipal environment official, said the city's urban districts have completely removed coal-burning furnaces used for heating. Last year, the city ordered 424,000 old vehicles off the road and closed 335 polluting factories. More than 4,000 companies were ordered to reshuffle their production operations to meet environmental standards.

Beijing has suffered from frequent winter smog in recent years, triggering widespread public concern. Government statistics show steady drops in sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM 10, and even PM 2.5, but not enough to end smog for good.

The city has been under thick smog since the beginning of 2017. It is not expected to disappear until January 7. (PNA/Xinhua)

Dense fog disrupts air, train services in Indian capital

NEW DELHI, Jan. 3 (PNA/Xinhua) -- A thick blanket of fog enveloped the Indian capital early Tuesday morning, severely disrupting air and rail services.

More than a dozen flights were delayed and at least two flights were cancelled, while more than 50 trains were delayed and some six were cancelled due to dense fog cover, officials said, adding that vehicle movement on roads in the national capital and its adjoining areas also slowed down due to low visibility.

"At Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, seven international flights and six domestic flights were delayed and two flights cancelled as runway visibility dropped to below normal," a senior aviation official said.

Some 55 trains were delayed and at least six were cancelled due to fog, a senior railway official said, adding that the situation is gradually returning to normal.

Office- and school-goers have also been hit as dense fog slowed down the movement of cars and other vehicles on roads. "Fortunately, there have been no reports of any mishap in the Indian capital due to fog," a senior traffic police official said.

Fog is common in northern India in the intense winter months of December and January, and low visibility often leads to road accidents. (PNA/Xinhua)

Combined efforts needed to protect Davao Gulf: BFAR
By Alexander Lopez

DAVAO CITY, Jan 2 (PNA) -- Unified and cohesive efforts are needed to ensure the protection of Davao Gulf, particularly in maintaining the cleanliness of the sea waters in the area.

This was the call made by Regional Director Fatma Idris of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Davao region (BFAR-11) on Monday during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Davao.

The call was in line with the report that the cause of the death of a sperm whale that was found on the coast of Babak District in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) was due to indigestion as plastics and other forms of garbage were found inside its stomach after a necropsy.

A seven-year-old and 38-feet long juvenile male sperm whale was washed ashore last December 17 in IGACOS.

After its discovery, BFAR and the city government of Samal commissioned Darrell Blatchley, who runs the famous Bone Collector Museum in Davao City, to perform a necropsy on the dead sperm whale and process the preservation of its skeleton.

Discovered in the stomach of the dead whale were lots of garbage â€" mainly plastics, a mug-size plastic basket, parts of fishing net and an almost foot-long 2x2 wood with protruding nail.

Idris pointed out that BFAR-11 and the other government agencies fully support the implementation of the provisions of Republic Act 9003 that provides for the solid waste management program and mechanisms in the LGUs and barangay levels.

“All sectors of the society are mandated not to throw their garbage, especially plastics in drainage systems, rivers and at the sea,” she said, adding that mechanisms such as segregation of wastes during disposals must be followed by communities.

Idris said that fisherfolk in coastal areas of Davao City and nearby towns help BFAR and other authorities in the monitoring and protection of Davao Gulf.

Most of the fisherfolk were beneficiaries of the distribution of 300 fiberglass fishing boats last year.

She said that around 600 fishermen in Davao region are involved in the protection and monitoring efforts at the Davao Gulf.

“Their operations start during close season at Davao Gulf, from June to August every year. They are provided with incentive worth P3,000 per person per month,” Idris stressed.

Close season is being implemented yearly at the Davao Gulf.

Idris added that the Bantay Laot guideline was already signed by Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol and that BFAR-11 is currently collaborating with the fishery office of Davao City to further strengthen the protection and monitoring efforts at the Davao Gulf. (PNA)

Irregularities found in environment inspections in smog-hit China

BEIJING, Jan. 2 (PNA/Xinhua) -- A number of companies were found to have irregularities harming the country's environment protection efforts, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has said.

The irregularities, including unauthorized resumption of production despite a government ban and non-compliance with emission reduction measures, were discovered by 10 inspection teams recently dispatched to local regions by the ministry.

The inspection teams called for local governments and relevant companies to investigate and rectify the situation as soon as possible.

Beijing environmental authorities said Monday the city will maintain an orange alert for heavy air pollution for three more days as heavy smog is set to continue.

The alert, originally effective from Friday to Sunday, will not be lifted until midnight Wednesday, according to the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

A total of 25 cities in China Sunday issued red alerts for smog.

Air quality in Beijing is better on Monday than Sunday because of weak cold air but will return to medium or heavy pollution levels Tuesday and Wednesday, the bureau said.

Under an emergency plan, heavy polluting gasoline-fueled vehicles and trucks carrying construction garbage are banned from roads. A number of manufacturing firms are required to cut production.

China has a four-tier alert system for pollution, with red the highest, followed by orange, yellow and blue.(PNA/Xinhua)

Cebu City resumes dumping trash in north Cebu town landfill

CEBU CITY, Dec. 29 (PNA) -- The Cebu City Government has resumed dumping its garbage in the private landfill in Consolacion town in northern Cebu, six months after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña rejected its use.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera said Thursday the Asian Energy Systems Corp. (AESC), the owner of the Consolacion sanitary landfill, has confirmed that the city’s newly hired private hauler, Jomara Konstruckt Corporation, has again dumped waste in their landfill facility in Barangay Pologan, Consolacion last Tuesday.

Jomara in under contract with the city to clear all garbage dumped at a transfer station in the South Road Properties (SRP) from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31 for a fee of PHP1,375 per ton.

Garganera said the fee turned out to be more expensive than the hauling fee paid to AESC during the term of then mayor Michael Rama that was questioned by Osmeña.

AESC was the private hauler tasked by the Rama administration to collect the city’s trash and dump it into its landfill facility for a tipping fee of PHP700 per ton.

But when Osmeña took the helm of the city government in July, he reopened the Inayawan dump site on the grounds that garbage hauling deal between the city and AESC was anomalous because it was not covered by a contract and that the city paid too much in hauling fee.

Osmena also refused payment for the PHP32 million in tipping fees that AESC was collecting from the city.

Garganera, who heads the city council’s committee on environment, said that even if the city has now ended using the Consolacion landfill again, he still would want to just watch how Osmeña would handle this situation since “they had just started” in solving the city’s garbage dumping problem.

“My concern is that they will stop dumping at SRP,” he said.

Garganera filed the case that led to the permanent closure of the city’s 15.4-hectare landfill which has outlived its usefulness. (PNA)

Looming phase-out of lead-containing paints elates toxics watchdog

MANILA, Dec. 28 (PNA) -- A non-profit watch group on toxic chemicals has lauded the fast approaching deadline for the phase-out of lead-containing architectural, household and decorative (AHD) paints on December 31, 2016 as a “victory for children’s health.”

“We are really excited about the impending national ban on lead-added AHD paints as their removal from trade and commerce would help reduce a major source of childhood lead exposure and result in healthier kids,” said Thony Dizon, Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect.

“We congratulate our paint manufacturers for taking steps to reformulate their AHD paint products in compliance with the government’s Chemical Control Order (CCO) for lead and its compounds. In fact, Boysen and Davies, the country’s top two paint makers have gone ‘lead-safe’ even before the 2016 deadline,” he added.

"We thank the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers and their past and current officers for supporting the industry's shift to more eco-friendly paints with no heavy metals and low volatile organic compounds," he also said.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2013-24, signed by then Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje on December 23, 2013 and submitted to the Office of the National Administrative Register on January 8, 2014, lays the foundation for the country’s shift to lead-safe paints.

Section 4 of the said A.O. states that the “use of lead and lead compounds shall be strictly prohibited in paints with more than 90 parts per million (ppm) threshold limit beyond three years (2013-2016) for AHD applications and six years (2013-2019) for industrial applications.”

“The policy is touted as a milestone in the country’s efforts to achieve sound management of chemicals and uphold the people’s rights to health and to a healthy environment,” Dizon said.

The country’s lead paint regulation is also recognized internationally and is among the four case studies featured in the “Toolkit for Establishing Laws to Control the Use of Lead in Paint,” along with the policies of the European Union, Uruguay and USA. The toolkit is a product of Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, which includes the DENR, Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc., and the EcoWaste Coalition among its partners.

“The CCO for lead and lead compounds is further acknowledged as one of the achievements of the Aquino administration in the arena of priority chemicals policy,” Dizon pointed out, noting that the CCO for polychlorinated biphenyls was promulgated in 2004 during the Arroyo administration.

A CCO is a policy issuance on “priority chemicals that the DENR determined to be regulated, phased-out or banned due to the serious risks they pose to public health, workplace and the environment.”

“The Duterte administration will be remembered for enforcing the 2016 and 2019 phase-out deadlines for lead-containing paints,” Dizon said.

“We thank Secretary Gina Lopez and the entire DENR machinery, particularly the EMB, for ensuring that the phase-out targets are effectively enforced and complied with beginning January 2017,” he said.

According to the “National Report on Lead in New Enamel Household Paints” published in 2015 by the EcoWaste Coalition with IPEN (a global civil society network promoting safe chemicals policies and practices), “while lead exposure is also harmful to adults, lead exposure harms children at much lower levels, and the health effects are generally irreversible and can have a lifelong impact.”

“The younger the child, the more harmful lead can be, and children with nutritional deficiencies absorb ingested lead at an increased rate,” the report said.

“When a young child is exposed to lead, the harm to her or his nervous system makes it more likely that the child will have difficulties in school and engage in impulsive and violent behavior. Lead exposure in young children is also linked to increased rates of hyperactivity, inattentiveness, failure to graduate from high school, conduct disorder, juvenile delinquency, drug use and incarceration. Lead exposure impacts on children’s continue throughout life and have a long-term impact on a child’s work performance, and -- on average -- are related to decreased economic success,” the report further explained, citing various studies.

The World Health Organization has stated: “there is no known safe level of exposure to lead.” (PNA)

Cauayan City police seize illegally transported lumber

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela, Dec. 24 (PNA) -- Cauayan City police confiscated 4,516 board ft. of sawn lumber at a checkpoint in Carabbatan Chika here Friday.

Newly installed Cauayan City Police chief, Supt. Kevin Bulayungan, said they got a tip that a truck loaded with lumber from San Mariano town is set to pass through the city.

Bulayungan said police officers at the checkpoint were alerted, resulting in the confiscation of the lumber and the arrest of the truck driver and his companions for transporting the products illegally.

Meanwhile, chief of the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) office here, Artemio Gavino Jr., said the illegal transport of forest products violates Executive Order 23, which prohibits the cutting of forest products in natural and residual forest. He said the driver and his companions will be charged with violating Presidential Decree 705 or the anti-illegal logging law.

The CENR officer urged city residents to report to the authorities any illegal logging activity they see to stop the depletion of the city’s remaining forest resources.

The confiscated lumber has been brought to the CENR office here for safekeeping as evidence when charges are filed against the truck driver and his companions. (PNA)