Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 1 PR ( March 5 ,2013),Dispatch for March 6 , 2013 (Wednesday),

6 Weather Watch, , 4 Regl.Watch / 3 OFW Watch , 15 Online News

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's photo.

4 hours ago

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued at: 5:00 AM 06 March 2013 SYNOPSIS: Northeast Monsoon affecting Luzon. FORECAST: The regions of CARAGA, Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies with light rains. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and the eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao. The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas. GALE WARNING: Strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

Weather Watch
13 hours ago

DZRH: Nakita ng mga astronomical observer ng New Zealand ang pagdaan ng comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4). Batay sa
report ng NASA, ngayong araw ang itinuturing na pinakamalapit na lokasyon ng naturang kometa sa planet Earth. Ayon sa mga eksperto, ang comet Pan-STARRS ay nasa layong 1.1 Astronomical Unit (AU) o katumbas ng 149,597,871 kilometers mula sa ating daigdig. Inihayag ni Manawatu, New Zealand sky watcher Michael White na naispatan nila ang comet PanSTARRS sa southwest ng horizon kung saan ang nucleus nito ay kitang-kita ng mga mata ng tao at ang buntot nito ay nakitang pabaligtad. Tinatayang magiging pinakamalapit naman ito sa araw sa darating na Marso 10, 2013 sa layong 0.3 AU o 44,879,361.2 kilometers.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

GMA: Patuloy na umiiral sa Luzon ang hanging Amihan kaya asahan pa rin ang bahagyang malamig na panahon sa umaga
habang hindi naman gaanong maalinsangan sa tanghali. Mababa naman ang tsansa ng pag-ulan sa Metro Manila buong araw bukas. Mayroon namang posibilidad ng pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas, partikular na sa eastern section nito. Mayroon ding kalat-kalat na pag-ulan sa malaking bahagi ng Mindanao, partikular na sa Cagayan de Oro at General Santos.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Patuloy na nakakaapekto ang Amihan o Northeast Monsoon sa Luzon. Maganda naman ang panahon sa Metro
Manila. Kanina ay naitala sa Metro Manila ang 30.3 degrees Celsius habang naitala naman sa Baguio ang malamig na temperaturang 12.8 degrees Celsius.

Weather Watch
18 hours ago

DZBB: Sinabi ni PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz na posible pa rin umanong magkaroon ng bagyo sa panahon ng tag-init
sa bansa. Aniya, batay sa kanilang record mula noong 1948 hanggang 2012 sa buwan ng Marso ay may 24 na bagyo ang naitala nilang pumasok sa bansa kung saan pito sa mga ito ay pumasok sa Palawan at Visayas. Gayunman, kung mamamayani aniya ang easterlies na kanilang mino-monitor ay maaaring mas mainit na panahon ang mararanasan ng publiko ngayong mga natitirang araw sa buwan ng Marso.

Weather Watch
18 hours ago

NDRRMC OPCEN: (05MAR2013-04) SPECIAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR COMPOSTELA VALLEY AND DAVAO ORIENTAL
issued at 10AM today. Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley will be mostly cloudy with isolated light to moderate rains today and cloudy with moderate to heavy rains tomorrow. Winds will be moderate to strong northeasterlies with moderate to rough seas. EXTENDED WEATHER OUTLOOK: Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental will experienced cloudy with light to moderate rains on Thursday (March 07) and partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated moderate to heavy rains on Friday (March 08).

BATANGAS : CAVITE : LAGUNA : QUEZON : RIZAL :

Fair weather Sunny Cloudy Partly cloudy Partly cloudy

PIA Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isang medical mission ang isinasagawa ngayon sa lungsod ng Tanauan.Ito ay bahagi ng programang
KKK o Karunungan,Kalusugan,Kabuhayan na layong mapangalagaan ang aspetong pangkalusugan ng mga mamamayan.

PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA 4A/RIZAL .: DTI Rizal is currently conducting the Promoting Food Industry Competitiveness Training Program - Basic
Course for SMEs. The activity is being held at the DTI Rizal Provincial Office, Circumferential Road, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City.

PIA Regional Watch

15 hours ago

PIA-4A/CAVITE: The municipality of General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) will be celebrating this coming March 7 the
Women's Month celebration starting at 8 am with several activities to honor the achievements made by women in the community.

PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial gender and development council (PGADC) will conduct validation visit to 12 towns that
are joining the search for outstanding municipal gender and development council (MGADC). The search will recognize the best MGADC with exemplary programs on gender and development.

PIA OFW Watch

PIA OFW Watch

13 hours ago

DZBB: Patuloy na aayuda ang gobyerno sa tatlong Pilipino na sina Sergio Syjuco, Cesar Ubaldo at Arjyl Revereza na
napatunayan ng isang korte sa California na guilty sa ilegal na importasyon ng mga matataas na kalibre ng baril. Ayon sa DFA, magbibigay pa rin ng consular assistance sa tatlong Pinoy ang Consulate General ng bansa sa Los Angeles.

PIA OFW Watch

14 hours ago

GMA: Tinanggal na ng POEA ang employment ban laban sa Iraq at Yemen kasunod ng pagbuti ng sitwasyon sa dalawang
bansa.

PIA OFW Watch

17 hours ago

DZRH: Nilinaw ni DoLE Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz na pawang mga regular deportee at hindi konektado sa gulo sa Sabah ang 289
na OFWs na dumating noong Linggo ng gabi na tinulungan ng DoLE. Aniya, ang gobyerno ng Malaysia ang sumagot sa gastusin sa transportasyon sa mga nabanggit na Pilipino. Aabot na aniya sa 897 ang kabuuan na bilang ng pinauwi galling sa Sabah mula January 2013.

PIA Calabarzon 1 PR ( March 5 ,2013),Dispatch for March 6 , 2013 (Wednesday),

6 Weather Watch, , 4 Regl.Watch / 3 OFW Watch , 15 Online News

A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE

C. LAGUNA

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL
Tagalog news: Serbisyong panlipunan uunahin sa ika-apat na anibersaryo ng paglipat ng Kapitolyo
By Gideon Gapayao Tuesday 5th of March 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis
LUNGSOD NG ANTIPOLO, Rizal, Marso 5 (PIA) -- Nagpalabas ng direktiba si Rizal Gob. Jun Ynares III sa mga tanggapan ng pamahalaang lalawigan na sa halip na magkaroon ng malaking pagdiriwang hinggil sa ika-apat na selebrasyon sa paglipat ng Kapitolyo ay unahin ang pagsasagawa ng mga serbisyo publiko sa buong probinsya. Sa mismong araw ng paglilipat ng pamahalaang lalawigan ng Rizal noong Marso 4, 2009, sinabi ni Provincial Health Officer Iluminado Victoria na may bagong narating o milestone ang probinsya sa pagbabasbas at pagpapasinaya ng pangpitong bagong ayos na Rizal

Provincial Hospital System Antipolo Annex. Nakikita itong isang malaking tulong sa pagsusulong ng mga serbisyong medikal sa lugar. Kasabay ng inagurasyon ng ospital, ang pagsasagawa ng ibat ibang medical services tulad ng cataract screening, digital rectal exam, breast exam, ECG examination, prostate screening, breast ultrasound, pap smear, anti-pneumonia vaccination for senior citizens, free eyeglasses distribution at iba pang serbisyo ay ipinagkaloob sa mga mamamayan nang libre. Bukod sa mga serbisyong ito, ang Provincial Social and Welfare Development office ay nagsagawa din ng supplementary feeding programs sa mga daycare children na may 6-17 buwang taon. Ang mga Barangay Health Workers at Nutrition Action Officers ay tumulong sa mga gawaing ito upang magbigay ng technical assistance. (CPG/Rizal PIO)

05 MARCH 2013.

Aquino declares March 8 as special non-working day in Compostela Valley in celebration of 15th Foundation Day President Aquino appoints Contreras as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals Palace says Sabah standoff not a stumbling block to ASEAN integration
Aquino declares March 8 as special non-working day in Compostela Valley in celebration of 15th Foundation Day President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared March 8, which falls on a Friday, as a special non-working day in the province of Compostela Valley in celebration of its 15th Foundation Day. The Chief Executive issued the declaration by virtue of Proclamation No. 553 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on February 21, to give the people of Compostela Valley the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occassion. The province, called Comval for short, used to be part of Davao del Norte until it was made independent in 1998 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8470. The law was subsequently ratified through a plebiscite conducted in the 22 municipalities of the province. PND (js) TOP President Aquino appoints Contreras as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Roxas City regional trial court (RTC) judge Edward B. Contreras as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA), a Palace official said. Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda announced the appointment of Contreras during the regular press briefing at Malacanang on Tuesday. Contreras replaced Associate Justice Abraham I. Borreta. Born in Panay, Capiz, Contreras obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1979 from the University of the Philippines-Iloilo. In 1987, he graduated Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sto. Tomas. He was admitted to the Bar in 1990. His career in the Judiciary started when he worked as Pasig RTC court interpreter from 1984 to 1986. He served as the confidential assistant at the CA (1988 -1989) and court attorney at the Supreme Court (1990-1993). Contreras was appointed as the provincial administrator of the Capiz Provincial Capitol from 1993 to 1997. He was

designated as the Presiding Judge of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court from 1997 to 1999 and the Municipal Trial Court in Cities-Roxas City from 1999 to 2002 Contreras served as presiding judge of the Roxas City RTC Branch 17 since 2002 until he was named as CA Associate Justice. He taught corporation law at Filamer Christian College from 1996 to 1997 and Administrative Law at the Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion from 2001 to 2002. The Chief Executive also appointed Julianito G. Bucayan Jr. as Transportation and Communications Undersecretary, coterminus with the appointing authority. He obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (major in Operations Analysis) from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, United States of America (USA) in 1985 and Master of Science in Computer Science from the Ateneo Graduate School in 1995. He worked as Division Head of the Information Systems Division, Armed Forces and Police Mutual Benefit Association (June 2008-June 2011), Department Head/Assistant Department Head, Management Information Systems Department, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Retirement and Separation Benefits System (June 1998-May 2008), member of the Technical Working Group, Philippine Navy Modernization Board (Sept. 1996-June 1998) and the Office of the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff for Intelligence, AFP-Philippine Navy (1993-1998). He served as the vice president of Business Development, Philcox Philippines, Inc. from July 2011 until his appointment to the Department of Transportation and Communications. PND (js) TOP Palace says Sabah standoff not a stumbling block to ASEAN integration The Aquino administration doesnt see the ongoing standoff in Lahad Datu in Sabah a hindrance for the realization of a single community by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by December 2015. The regional grouping agreed last year during a summit in Cambodia to realize the ASEAN Community by 2015. President Benigno S. Aquino III and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak have been in touch with each other on the Sabah crisis and both are working to resolve the issue at the soonest possible time, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday. Hindi po magiging sagabal ito [Sabah]. Nakita natin at the highest level, nag-usap na si Prime Minister Najib at saka ang Pangulong Aquino. Hindi namin ito nakitang isang obstacle, Lacierda told reporters. Lacierda said the administration doesnt believe the Sabah issue would be an obstacle to the ASEAN's goal of achieving a single community by 2015. The Presidents perspective is much broader and he cares not only for the 180 people holed up in Lahad Datu, the Palace spokesman said. He cares not only for the 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah, he also has to be concerned with the interest of the 95 million Filipinos here in the Philippines. We have a national interest to protect and to promote. The ASEAN Community will be based on three pillars, namely, a security community, an economic community and a sociocultural community. PND (as) TOP

ARCHIVE 2013 05 MARSO 2013 Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Marso 8 na special non-working day para sa Compostela Valley para sa ika15 Anibersaryo ng Lalawigan Itinalaga ng Pangulong Aquino si Contreras sa Court of Appeals Hindi balakid ang Sabah standoff sa integrasyon ng ASEANMalacanang Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino ang Marso 8 na special non-working day para sa Compostela Valley para sa ika-15 Anibersaryo ng Lalawigan Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Marso 8 na natapat sa araw ng Biyernes, bilang special non-working day sa lalawigan ng Compostela Valley dahil sa ika-15 Taon ng Pagkatatag ng lalawigan. Inilagda ng Pangulo ang deklarasyon sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 553 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Pebrero 21 upang bigyang pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Compostela Valley na lubos na makalahok sa mga seremonya at palatuntunang idaraos kaugnay ng anibersaryo ng lalawigan. Ang lalawigan na kilala rin sa tawag na "Comval" ay dating bahagi ng Davao del Norte at sa pamamagitan ng Batas ng Republika Blg. 8470 ay naging hiwalay na lalawigan noong 1998. Ang naturang batas ay pinagtibay ng mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng plebisitong ginanap sa 22 bayan ng lalawigan. PND TOP Itinalaga ng Pangulong Aquino si Contreras sa Court of Appeals

Itinalaga ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na Mahistrado ng Hukuman sa Paghahabol si Hukom Edward B. Contreras ng Regional Trial Court ng Lungsod ng Roxas. Sinabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong-balitaan Martes sa Malacanang na si Contreras ang ipinalit kay Associate Justice Abraham I. Borreta. Si Contreras ay isinilang sa Panay, Capiz at nagtapos ng Bachelor of Arts sa Pamantasan ng Pilipinas sa Iloilo noong 1979, at ng pagka-abogado noong 1987 sa Pamantasan ng Santo Tomas. Taong 1990 nang makapasa siya sa Bar. Nagsimula siyang maglingkod sa Hudikatura bilang interpreter sa Pasig RTC. Naging Hukom siya ng Municipal Trial Court at naglingkod na presiding judge ng RTC Branch 17 ng Lungsod ng Roxas mula noong 2002 hanggang mahirang na Mahistrado ng Hukuman sa Paghahabol. Nagturo siya ng corporation law sa Filamor Christian College at ng Administrative Law sa Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion. Samantala, hinirang naman ng Pangulo si Julianito G. Bucayan, Jr. bilang Undersecretary ng Kagawaran ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon na co-terminus sa naglagay sa kanya sa tungkulin. Tapos si Bucayan ng Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (major in Operations Analysis) buhat sa Naval Academy ng Estados Unidos sa Annapolis, Maryland noong 1985 at ng Master of Science in Computer Science sa Ateneo Graduate School noong 1995. Naglingkod siya bilang puno ng Information Systems Division, Armed Forces at Police Mutual Benefit Association, gayundin bilang Department Head/Assistant Department Head, Management Information Systems Department ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas, kagawad ng Retirement and Separation Benefits System, kagawad ng Technical Working Group ng Modernization Board ng Lakas na Pandagat ng Pilipinas at sa Tanggapan ng Katulong na Pinuno ng Naval Staff for Intelligence ng Lakas na Pandagat ng Pilipinas. Naging pangalawang pangulo siya ng Business Development, Philcox Philippines, Inc. mula noong Hulyo 2011 hanggang matalaga siya sa Kagawaran ng Trasportasyon at Komunikasyon. PND TOP Hindi balakid ang Sabah standoff sa integrasyon ng ASEANMalacanang Hindi balakid ang nagaganap na standoff sa Lahad Datu, Sabah sa pagsasakatuparan ng single community ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) sa Disyembre 2015, alinsunod sa Malacanang.

Nagkasundo ang pampurok na samahan sa ginanap na summit noong isang taon sa Cambodia na isasakatuparan ang ASEAN Community sa 2015. Ang Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III at ang Punong M\inistro Najib Abdul Razak ng Malaysia ay nag-ugnayan tungkol sa krisis sa Sabah at kapuwa nila sinisikap na malutas ang isyu sa lalong madaling panahon, sabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Martes. Hindi po magiging sagabal ito (Sabah). Nakita natin na nag-usap na si Punong Ministro Najib at ang Pangulong Aquino. Hindi namin ito nakita bilang isang sagabal,dugtong ni Lacierda. Sinabi ni Lacierda na hindi naniniwala ang administrasyon na ang isyu ng Sabah ay magiging sagabal sa mithiin ng ASEAN na maging iisang komunidad sa 2015. Idinugtong ng Tagapagsalita ng Palasyo na higit na malawak ang pananaw ng Pangulo at hindi ang inaalagata lamang niya ay ang 180 kataong nagkukuta sa Lahad Datu. Hindi lamang ang 800,000 Pilipino sa Sabah ang pinagmamalasakitan niya, kundi lalo na ang kapakanan ng 95 milyong Pilipino na narito sa Pilipinas. May pambansang kapakanan tayong dapat pangalagaan at isulong,dagdag pa ni Lacierda. Ang ASEAN Community ay nakasalig sa tatlong haligi ---mapanatag na komunidad, komunidad ng ekonomya at panlipunan at pangkalinangang komunidad. PND TOP

ONLINE NEWS
BOI OKs tourism projects More trade and investments in 2013; cites initiatives Statement of Sec. Balisacan at the Second National Consultation on the Post-2015 Development Agenda Philippines: Conditional Cash Transfer program on track to meet goals of keeping children healthy and in school OWWA Region VI opens application for ICT summer classes OWWA NCR teams up with banks to standardize financial literacy seminars for OFW beneficiaries Roxas reiterates DILG policy on personnels practice of profession Secretary Del Rosario meets with Malaysian Foreign and Defense Ministers on Lahad Datu incident PHL Consul General to L.A. addresses Kern County Board of Supervisors Working inmates to get SSS protection despite imprisonment DA launches PRDP logo contest DA to construct P65-M agri-infra in Quezon Ombudsman dismisses charges vs. CCP officials, artist over Kulo exhibit Private hospitals laud PhilHealth Region 6 for speedy claims processing Secretary Coloma Speaks in World Summit on Information Society in UNESCO, Paris BOI OKs tourism projects Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph The Board of Investments (BOI) has approved the applications of Boracay Seascapes Resort, Inc. for the construction of a five-star resort hotel in Boracay, Aklan and the Talipanan Infinity Paradise Resort, Inc. for the establishment of a triple A class resort in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

5 MARCH 2013

Boracay Seascapes Resort, Inc. will construct the Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay. The project is approximately more than P2B investments and is situated on a 2.9-ha. land in Barangay Yapak, Boracay. The hotel will have almost 200 guest rooms, banquet facilities, several food and beverage outlets, kids club, swimming pool, game room, water sports facilities, gym, spa, chapel, and salon. The ground breaking is targeted during the first quarter of 2013 and commercial operations are targeted at latest in December 2017. The manpower complement is approximately 285. The FDC Hotels Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), is the majority owner of Boracay Seascapes Resort, Inc. FDC through affiliated companies, owns and/or manages three other hotel properties namely Crimson Resort & Spa, Mactan, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila and Quest Hotel & Conference Center in Cebu. Talipanan Infinity Paradise Resort, Inc. will be establishing a 70-room resort located in Talipanan, Poblacion in Puerto Galera called the Talipanan Infinity Paradise Resort. The project, with a total project cost of P 419.3M, will begin operations in December 2013 with a complement of 88 personnel. With the marked increase in tourism projects, the government is confident that it could generate more than 7M tourismgenerated jobs and achieve 10M tourist arrivals by 2016. These targets are based on the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP). In May 2012, the Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) in a bid to expand its share in economic growth. The NTDP called for investments amounting to P 265B spread over five years. The government has committed to infuse P 74B for the duration of the plan, with the biggest share towards improving infrastructure, by building roads and modernizing airports. Private investments call for the construction of over 50,000 hotel and resort rooms from 2012 to 2016. |TOP| More trade and investments in 2013; cites initiatives Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) expressed optimism for the Philippine economy in 2013 as sustained key initiatives and ongoing reforms in the areas of trade and industry will enhance the countrys business climate and attract more investments. DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo during the recent Arangkada Forum projected a 7% GDP growth for this year. Domingo said that such growth is sustainable due to the diverse achievements in different sectors and noted the manufacturing sectors performance, which surpassed the services sector in the 3rd and 4th quarters of last year. Thats a very good indication that manufacturing is back and when you go to Laguna, Batangas and Cebu, youll see manufacturing plants, huge ones that are being built and some operating already, Domingo said. We are in the good spot, Domingo added, referring to the recent statements of the 3 major ratings agencies Moodys, Fitch and S&Ps that the Philippines is one notch below investment grade. Domingo likewise noted the latest JETRO survey where the Philippines is considered one of the most profitable business locations in Asia. The same survey showed that recruiting general staff is easiest in the Philippines, with a stable labor environment and with labor costs increasing steadily and quite predictably, he said. Domingo sees a more vigorous year for investments than the record-setting 2012 where BOI-PEZA approved investments reached P672.3 B (USD 15.9 B). Based on the foreign inbound missions and the plans that we have been informed about by various companies and embassies, 2013 will be a much better year for investments. So expect more good things to come this year, he said. On the trade front, 2012 merchandise exports rebounded, reaching a record USD 52B, the highest recorded export earnings in Philippine history. Domingo noted that in the last 5 years, 60% of total PH exports went to our ASEAN and East Asian neighbors compared to 10 years ago when 50% of PH exports went to the US and the EU. He credits this to the diversified and balanced geographic markets and the big improvement in the non-electronics exports as well as the pursuit of active trade relations and free trade agreements (FTAs). We are further intensifying participation in trade negotiations and constantly on the lookout for opportunities brought about by FTAs, he said. To increase the level of global competitiveness of local industries, the DTI, together with the JFC, PCCI, FPI and the NCC have crafted 19 industry roadmaps, with 9 more underway. The sectors involved in this initiative represent the global competitive advantage of our country and will play a critical role in the development of strategic and job-generating industries, Domingo stated. The DTI is also pushing for the revision of laws and policies such as the Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL), the rationalization of incentives, the mining act, among others. Domingo is looking at filing the draft bills at the start of the new Congress and hopes to pass some of this by the end of 2013. |TOP| Statement of Sec. Balisacan at the Second National Consultation on the Post-2015 Development Agenda

Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph Good morning ladies and gentlemen. As the 2015 MDG deadline fast approaches, the Post-2015 activities become all the more crucial as we move forward to collectively craft the future we want. This is an opportune time for all of us to reassess the MDGs successes as well as limitations for us to more ably respond to the new challenges that lie ahead of our country. Despite favourable economic conditions of our country in recent quarters, we are mindful of the critical issues we face as a nation. We know that progress has remained relatively uneven across regions of the country, and we still face continuing gaps on poverty, hunger, health, gender equality, water, sanitation, among others. We understand the urgency to deal with these issues with actions and mechanisms consistent with our country's commitment under the Rio+20. In defining our post-2015 development agenda, we must continually engage the different development stakeholders in an inclusive discussion and healthy debate in order to collectively craft our path forward. Extensive consultations will enable all sectors across the country, especially the poor and most vulnerable sectors of society, to share their views and substantially take part in the post-2015 agenda from the earliest stages of the process. During the First National Consultation held last December 3, among the key presentations were the results of a study on lessons learned from achieving the MDGs in the country, focus group discussions with poverty groups, broad-based survey, key informant interviews, civil society perspective and PHL position in the recently concluded Rio + 20 Conference. It is noteworthy that during the Focus Group Discussions conducted with the 4Ps beneficiaries and basic sectors, the constant priority of the beneficiaries had been on decent employment, source of permanent income/livelihood, and education. From the wealth of inputs you have generously provided during the breakout sessions of the First National Consultation, we were able to develop the Building Blocks of the post-2015 framework and identify five themes most relevant to the Philippines. The five (5) themes are: (1) Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion; (2) Accountable, Responsive and Participatory Governance; (3) Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change and Disaster Preparedness; (4) Peace and Security, and (5) Fair and Stable Order based on International Rule of Law. The Second National Consultation aims to validate these Building Blocks and substantiate the five thematic papers, in order to support the framework for a Post-2015 agenda from the Philippines perspective. Let us not forget that human rights, sustainability, equity, and good governance must be at the core of each priority theme. The theme papers should also lay out a proposed timeline with goals, targets, indicators, monitoring mechanisms as well as enablers for the achievement of these goals. MDG targets which our country has yet to realize, specifically maternal mortality and education, should still be part of the Post-2015 framework. Again, let me thank everyone who came here today to be part of this significant consultation. The promise of greater things ahead lies in store for us through your active commitment. I feel more optimistic that through your participation and engagement in this consultation, we will come up with a Post-2015 Development Framework, which reflects our shared vision of the future we all want for ourselves and for our children. Maraming salamat po. A pleasant day to all of us. |TOP| Philippines: Conditional Cash Transfer program on track to meet goals of keeping children healthy and in school Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph Pantawid Pamilya, the countrys conditional cash transfer (CCT) program, is on track to achieve its objectives of promoting investments in the health and education of children while providing immediate financial support to poor families. These are the main findings of the recently completed assessment of the CCT the first in a series of evaluations being done on the program presented today by the World Bank in a public forum held in Quezon City led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with support from AusAID and the ADB. Titled Philippines Conditional Cash Transfer Program, Impact Evaluation 2012 the report confirms that children of PantawidPamilya beneficiaries are enrolling and attending schools, with improved health due to regular visits to health stations, and pregnant mothers getting proper care. (see the report) I am pleased to know that the children of poor families are indeed enjoying better and improving access to education and better health services through Pantawid Pamilya, said DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman. Along with other government programs aimed to reduce poverty, Pantawid Pamilya ensures that no one gets left behind in terms achieving holistic and inclusive growthAmong the Pantawid barangays (villages) surveyed, the report lists the following findings comparing enrolment and school attendance between beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries: In Pantawid barangays, 76 percent of preschoolers are enrolled in daycare, compared to 65 percent in non-Pantawid barangays; Among school children at age 6-11, 98 percent of children in Pantawid barangays are enrolled in school, as against 93 percent in non-Pantawid barangays; and Children in Pantawid barangays from age 6-14 also have higher school attendance (95-96 percent) as compared to children in

non-Pantawid barangays (91 percent). The assessment is based on a the analysis of poor 1,418 households eligible for the Pantawid program from a survey covering 3,742 households in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, and Occidental Mindoro. (Currently, there are more than 3 million poor families with more than 6 million children benefitting from the program). Pantawid Pamilya provides cash grants to poor households to encourage them to keep their children of age 0-14 in school and have regular health checks. Also, pregnant mothers are required to avail of proper medical care and their deliveries attended to by health professionals. Mothers are also required to attend family development sessions where they discuss topics on parenting and accessing social services in the community. In health, the study found that: 64 percent of pregnant mothers in Pantawid barangays had antenatal care as against 54 percent in non-Pantawid barangays; 85 percent of children in Pantawid barangays age 6-14 have undergone deworming as against 80 percent in non-Pantawid barangays; 81 percent of children in Pantawid barangays at age 0-5 have taken Vitamin A supplements as against 75 percent in nonPantawid barangays. According to Ms. Junko Onishi, World Banks social protection specialist, Pantawid Pamilya has contributed to reduction in the severe stunting among poor children 6-36 months of age in Pantawid barangays. Stunting in the first two years of life is known to cause irreversible damage later in life including lower educational attainment, reduced adult income, and decreased offspring birth weight. Therefore, reduction in severe stunting among poor children at this age will have long-term benefits, Ms. Onishi said. This reduction in severe stunting indicates that CCT is enabling families to better care for their children, said Ms. Onishi, who presented the highlights of the impact evaluation during the forum. More parents in Pantawid barangays (villages) are feeding their children with high-protein food including eggs and fish, leading to improved nutritional status. Poor households under the program spend 38 percent more in education per capita and 34 percent more on medical expenses per capita than their non-Pantawid counterparts. This trend indicates a shift in the spending pattern among CCT beneficiaries towards greater investments in health and education of their children, said Mr. Nazmul Chaudhury, World Banks country sector coordinator for human development, and one of the authors of the report. The study recommends that coordination among health service providers needs to be strengthened to ensure that beneficiary mothers and children get the services they require and to ensure continuity of care. Also, the study suggests exploring the possibility of extending coverage from the current five years, increasing the grant amount for older children, and improving school facilities and services. The impact evaluation study was funded by the World Bank and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). The study was led by the World Bank and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with AusAID and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The study aims to present empirical evidence on the key outcomes of Pantawid Pamilya. Contacts: World Bank Manila: Dave Llorito, (632) 917-3047, dllorito@worldbank.org Washington: Chisako Fukuda, (202) 473-9424, cfukuda@worldbank.org; Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldbank Be updated via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/worldbank For our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank Department of Social Welfare and Development Pantawid Pamilya National Project Management Office Telefax: (632) 951-6827; T-line (632) 931-8101 local 401 Email: 4ps-pmo@dswd.gov.ph Website: http:www.pantawid.dswd.gov.ph] Twitter: https://twitter.com/dswdserves |TOP| OWWA Region VI opens application for ICT summer classes Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph In line with the thrust of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in advocating unlimited potential programs for OFWs and their dependents, the Regional Welfare Office VI recently announced the start of the submission of application for its summer sessions on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills training this March. The ICT Programs main aim is to bridge the communication gap through the use of internet between the OFW and his/her family. It is given for free to interested OFWs or OFW beneficiaries. Training offers include 24 hours of basic computer fundamentals covering MS Word, MS Powerpoint, and MS Excel and

advance fundamentals. The Advance Program shall include 15 hours of Photoshop training, 30 hours of programming, and 15 hours of movie editing. Availees can pick any from the following time schedules: Basic Course 8:00 AM 11:00 AM (Monday-Friday) 1:00 PM 4:00 PM (Monday-Friday) 5:00 PM 8:00 PM (Monday- Friday) Advance Courses 8:00AM 11:00 AM (Monday-Friday) 1:00 PM 4:00 PM (Monday-Friday) 9:00 AM 4:00 PM (Saturday) Any OFW beneficiary or vacationing OFWs themselves can enroll in the said training program. Children aging eight years old and above are also allowed to enroll in the basic computer fundamental course classes. Graduating high school students or college students registering in any of the advance courses shall be given priority. The ICT summer classes will start on April 1, 2013. OWWA RWO VI will issue a Certificate of Completion only to applicants who will be able to finish their chosen training course. Interested individuals can now get applications forms at OWWA RWO VI, Room 206, AJL Building, General Luna Street, Iloilo City. |TOP| OWWA NCR teams up with banks to standardize financial literacy seminars for OFW beneficiaries Source: http://www.owwa.gov.ph To intensify saving consciousness among OFW families The OWWA RWO-NCR will intensify its campaign on financial literacy for the OFW beneficiaries beginning first quarter of 2013 through a simple, comprehensive standardized module to be drafted jointly by bank institutions that conduct the seminar within Metro Manila. The proposal to draft the module was agreed on January 31, 2013 by OWWA RWO-NCR officials and representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Metrobank. Complementing the eighth point of the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar, Mag-ipon dahil ang iyong kinabukasan ay nakasalalay dito, for outbound OFWs, RWO-NCR Director Emma V. Sinclair believes that aggressive promotion on savings consciousness for the OFW beneficiaries will not only address the lean months when remittances do not arrive on time and for unexpected emergencies such as untimely repatriation. It will also help prepare the OFW financially to integrate back to the mainstream most especially in ensuring the familys future once the OFW decides to stay in the country for good. To come up with the standardized module, Director Sinclair challenged the bank representatives to do away with sophisticated concepts of life stage and spectacular figures and instead focus on the basic questions, how to save, how to prepare for the future in the simplest terms. In infusing the concept of investment, in view of the scams that prey on OFW beneficiaries, she also advised the bank representatives to present the truthful, legal way of investing by answering the what, when, where, and how in picking the right venture. To start the process, Director Sinclair requested the bank representatives to submit the presentations used during Financial Literacy seminars for thorough review and to identify the common points that answer the basic questions. These points will be consolidated, refined, and later on deliberated and tested for simplicity and ease of presentation with OFW Family Circles as first audience. Financial Literacy is part of the capability building under the OWWA program Family Support and Reintegration Services. The regional office aims to conduct 10 trainings this year with 60 participants per training, or a total of 600 OFWs and dependents financially literate to handle remittances with conscientiousness. |TOP| Roxas reiterates DILG policy on personnels practice of profession Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph Manila, Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has reiterated the departments policy that its officials and personnel are not allowed to engage directly in any profession without the written permission from the Secretary or his authorized representative. In a recent memorandum, Roxas said the Guidelines on the Authority to Practice Profession and Conduct of Lectures covers all officials and personnel including those of the attached agencies in the departments local government and interior sectors. We want to make sure that all our personnel are available and ready to serve our people, especially during office hours. This is our mandate as public servants, and this is in line with the good governance advocacy of President PNoys Daang Matuwid program, Roxas said. In his directive, Roxas said officials with the rank of Undersecretary down to Director or their equivalents are totally prohibited from practicing their profession because their entire time should be at the disposal of the government and of the Department.

He pointed out, however, that such officials and all other officials or personnel may be allowed to teach in a college, university or educational institution outside of regular work hours. For officials or personnel below the rank of Director who are members of the Bar, they may be granted authority to practice their profession only as Notaries Public, Roxas said. But in no case shall they be authorized to appear as counsel before any court of law or a tribunal except to prosecute or defend a case involving themselves or their immediate family members, he said. Officials and personnel who are members of the medical profession may practice their professions even during official hours or work only on occasions of emergency and during medical missions sanctioned by the Department, provided there is no monetary compensation. The same guidelines also provide that those who are invited as resource persons by virtue of the mandate of his office and the Department, or whose expertise was acquired through a government scholarship grant in any activity conducted by the government, are prohibited from receiving honorarium or charging a fee. Those who may be granted authority to practice and who need to leave during regular office hours are required to file a leave of absence or secure a written Permission to Leave from office approved by the head of their respective operating units. The said permission to leave shall not be granted more than twice per month, he said, adding that the head of the operating unit concerned must ensure that the efficiency of the concerned official or personnel will not be impaired in any way. Roxas said no government time, vehicle, personnel, funds or supplies shall also be utilized in the pursuit of ones profession except when the official or personnel concerned is defending the interest of the government. In case of conflict of schedule, the duties and responsibilities of the official or personnel concerned in the Department of the Interior and Local Government must take precedence over the authority to practice granted to him, Roxas said. |TOP| Secretary Del Rosario meets with Malaysian Foreign and Defense Ministers on Lahad Datu incident Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 05 March 2013--Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato Sri' Anifah Aman and Defense Minister Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Zamid Hamidi midnight Monday, March 04, in Kuala Lumpur and discussed ways on how to peacefully resolve the incident in Lahad Datu. Present during the meeting were Philippine Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya (leftmost), Malaysian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahman and other officials from the Embassy and the Malaysian Foreign and Defense Ministries. The Foreign Affairs Secretary flew to Kuala Lumpur Monday early evening. |TOP| PHL Consul General to L.A. addresses Kern County Board of Supervisors Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 5 March 2013 - Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles Maria Hellen Barber De La Vega visited the Board of Supervisors of Kern County, California last February 19 to establish links with the county as part of the Philippine Consulate Generals economic diplomacy activities. She was warmly welcomed at a Council Session held at the Countys Administrative Center. Developing closer cooperation between the Consulate and mainstream American Chambers of Commerce is a joint effort of the Consulates Economic Diplomacy Section led by Vice Consul Mary Joy Ramirez and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Los Angeles headed by Trade Representative Archimedes Gomez. |TOP| Working inmates to get SSS protection despite imprisonment Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph The Social Security System (SSS) has expanded the reach of its microsavings scheme called "AlkanSSSya" to include jail inmates earning a living from making handicrafts while inside a correctional facility. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. said an initial batch of 80 female inmates will benefit from the AlkanSSSya unit launched by SSS inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Quezon City Female Dormitory on February 26. "Inmates have proven that they can still be productive despite incarceration by creating bags, rags and other handicrafts. With the AlkanSSSya program, they can now save even when in prison and look forward to getting social protection from SSS in the future," he added. SSS Assistant Vice President for NCR Central Division Alberto Alburo, SSS Diliman Branch Officer-in-Charge Leonora Nuque and QC Female Dormitory Officer-in-Charge J/CInsp. Elena Rocamora signed the AlkanSSSya agreement.

Aside from inmates who are newly-covered SSS members, the AlkanSSSya participants also include those who stopped contributing to SSS after entering the correctional facility. There are currently about 500 female inmates with pending cases who are housed in the QC Female Dormitory and who could potentially join the AlkanSSSya program. The AlkanSSSya, which derives its concept from a piggy bank, is a large cabinet with secure individual compartments in which members can put their savings for monthly SSS contributions. Each AlkanSSSya unit can store the SSS savings of up to 160 members. "AlkanSSSya members can contribute a minimum of P312 per month, which translates to just a little over P10 a day. We are heartened that the program continues to gather support from informal sector workers nationwide because it really makes saving for SSS membership more convenient and affordable for them," de Quiros noted. The QC Female Dormitorys participation came about after SSS presentation on the AlkanSSSya program to various heads and representatives of Quezon City agencies during an Executive Committee meeting headed by City Mayor Herbert Bautista last November 7, 2012. Hundreds of garbage pickers from the Payatas dumpsite joined the AlkanSSSya program last December 3, 2012 as a result of the same meeting, which was also attended by Col. Jameel RM Jaymalin, Director of the Payatas Poverty Alleviation Foundation Inc. (PPAFI). "We are thankful to the Quezon City government for their support for the AlkanSSSya program. Hopefully, AlkanSSSya will be adopted by more prisons and correctional facilities around the country to give hope to inmates, both male and female," de Quiros said. |TOP| DA launches PRDP logo contest Source: http://www.da.gov.ph Any new product needs a trademark. It should be simple and distinct. That is why the forthcoming Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) of the Department of Agriculture is launching a logo-making contest that will capture the programs essence, objectives and goals. All logo entries must reflect the theme Towards inclusive, value-chain oriented, and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries development. The winner will take home P20,000 cash, and the winning logo will be a part of the DAs legacy to the Filipino people. Four other finalists will be honored and will each receive P5,000 cash, and a certificate. The PRDP is considered one of the DAs biggest foreign-assisted projects, worth $670 million or P27.5 billion, funded by the World Bank. It will run for six years, and targeted to start third quarter this year. The PRDP will complement current major programs of initiatives of the DA, aimed at attaining sufficiency in rice and major staples. All DA family employees and non-employees are invited to join the contest, as long as they are Filipinos, 18 years old and above. Contestants should submit original, digitally-created entries with resolution of at least 300 dpi and the width and the height of the logo must have a resolution of at least 700 pixels. Each entry must have color settings for both RGB and CMYK modes and should predominantly use the colors green and blue with white, golden yellow or black as trimmings, strokes or highlights. Contestants are required to include a description of the logo-design and colors, in not more than 350 words. Entries should be emailed to: prdplogodesign@gmail.com, on or before March 25, 2013, with the accomplished information sheet and rationale. Winners will be announced on April 15, 2013. For more information visit www.da.gov.ph or www.damrdp.net. |TOP| DA to construct P65-M agri-infra in Quezon Source: http://www.da.gov.ph The Department of Agriculture will construct several agricultural infrastructure projects in Quezon province, initially amounting to P65 million (M), to further prop up the productivity and incomes of farmers, ruralfolk and entrepreneurs. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the projects include a P45-M farm-to-market road (FMR), a P15-M rice processing complex, and a P5-M small water impounding project (SWIP) in Bgy. Ibabang Talim, Lucena City. The FMR forms part of a

planned agro-industrial estate in Quezon. While in his home province, on February 27, 2013, the DA chief also led the provincial launch of the National Year of Rice or NYR advocacy campaign, starting with a 6-a.m. holy mass at St. Ferdinand Cathedral officiated by Bishop Emilio Marquez. He also dialogued with thousands of farmers, ruralfolk, students and local government officials during a series of farmers forum in Lucena, Atimonan and Lopez, where he urged farmers to adopt modern value-chain technologies, from production, processing and marketing. He cited the success of the Sentrong Pamilihan in Sariaya, Quezon, a wholesale farm center, where farmers are enjoying increased productivity, incomes and standard of living, as several vegetable farm-families have afforded themselves of amenities like new or renovated houses, school tuition fees for their children, and new transport and 4x4 vehicles. He also urged farmers to open up and develop new areas in partnership with the DA and DSWD through the cash-for-work program. The DA chief also dialogued with the officers and members of the newly-formed Quezon provincial federation of Small Water Impounding Systems Associations (SWISAs), in Lucena City. He acknowledged their continuing efforts and contribution in transforming the province into a major producer of rice, vegetables and other high-value crops. He said the DA will provide needed assistance and training to further strengthen them. During the farmers forum, he instructed Philippine Rice Research Institute director Eufemio Rasco, Jr. to field-test salt-tolerant varieties which could be planted in several coastal towns in the province. On the issue of cutting old coconut trees, Philippine Coconut Authority administrator Euclides Forbes said it could be allowed, provided local government units approve and adopt a municipal resolution to that effect. During the farmers forum in every site, Secretary Alcala handed over and raffled off to farmers P2.7-M worth of hand tractors, knapsack sprayers, water pump engine sets, rice harvester-cutters, threshers, draft animals with implements, and AngloNubian breeder bucks. (Bethzaida Bustamante, DA Information Service) |TOP| Ombudsman dismisses charges vs. CCP officials, artist over Kulo exhibit Source: http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales dismissed the criminal complaints filed against artist Mideo Cruz and 10 officials of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), as well as the administrative complaints filed against the CCP officials, arising from the Kulo art exhibit containing Cruzs controversial artwork entitled Poleteismo. Aside from Cruz, absolved were members of the CCP Board of Trustees Emily Abrera, Raul Sunico, Florangel Rosario-Braid, Jaime Laya, Isabel Caro Wilson, Zenaida Tantoco, Maria Cristina Turalba, Antonio Yap, Carolyn Espiritu, and CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division Head Karen Ocampo Flores. Cruzs Poleteismo a wall college consisting of religious statuettes, religious icons, graduation photos, calendars, maps, and images of actors, politicians, sports stars and pop celebrities was among those shown in the Kulo exhibit from June 17, 2011 until it was prematurely closed down on August 9, 2011 that featured the artworks of select alumni from the University of Santo Tomas. The case started when Manuel Dayrit filed an administrative complaint against the above-named CCP officials for violation of Section (a), (b) and (f)1 of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Public Officials and Employees). Eusebio Dulatas, Jr. followed suit by charging Abrera and Sunico for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Unbecoming of a Public Officer or Employee. Dayrit and Dulatas also filed separate criminal complaints for violation of paragraph 2(b), Article 2012 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) against Cruz and their respectively impleaded respondent-CCP officials. In a 34-page Joint Resolution and a 30-page Joint Decision, both signed on February 28, 2013, Ombudsman Morales found neither probable cause to indict respondents nor substantial evidence to hold them administratively liable, respectively. In the criminal aspect of the case, the Office found no sufficient ground to engender a well-founded belief that a crime under paragraph 2(b), Article 201 of the RPC has been committed by respondents. The Joint Resolution stated that paragraph (2) of Article 201 which punishes the showing of immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows applies only to live shows or moving images since the provision uses the phrase whether live or in film. It added that the medium used in Poleteismo may be covered by paragraph (3) of Article 201 (e.g., films, prints, engravings, sculpture or literature) but to constitute a violation thereof it must be offensive to morals and not merely offensive to religion. Citing People v. Go Pin, the Joint Resolution found that the context of Poleteismo as part of the Kulo exhibit that aimed to showcase the artists contribution to the discourse in art and social reality in line with Jose Rizals 150th birth anniversary was intended to provoke thought and discussion on the perception that society has adored the gods of money, personalities and sex; as to consideration, the exhibit was not for profit or commercial gain, since the artworks were not for sale and no entrance fee or venue fee was collected from the public or participating artists; and as to audience, it was intended primarily for people interested in the art, and it was placed at the far end of the gallery with an exhibit advisory that some artworks may not be fit for viewing by minors as well as Poleteismos accompanying text explaining idolatry and deconstruction of neo-deities.

The Office ruled that Poleteismo does not fall under obscene exhibitions. It held that otherwise censoring offensive artworks is a form of prior restraint generally prohibited by the Constitution, there being no showing that it falls under the limited exceptions where an expression (e.g., pornography) may be subject to prior restraint. Applying jurisprudence, it ruled that the artwork neither depicts, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct nor appeals to the prurient interest. Nor was it found to be lacking in serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value as to remove it from the ambit of constitutionally protected expression. In resolving the administrative cases, the Joint Decision ruled that violation of the norms of conduct under Section 4 of RA 6713 does not per se make a public officer or employee administratively liable, citing Domingo v. Ombudsman which held that the law does not provide penalties or sanctions for failure to observe those norms, but observance thereof is relevant in granting rewards or incentives. It also held since they had no legal duty to prohibit the exhibit which was found to be not obscene, the element of clear intent to violate the law or flagrant disregard of established rule is lacking, and thus there can be no grave misconduct on the part of the CCP officials. It added that the non-establishment clause of the Constitution mandates the State to remain neutral in its acts that should neither advance nor inhibit religion. |TOP| Private hospitals laud PhilHealth Region 6 for speedy claims processing Source: http://www.philhealth.gov.ph The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region VI Office has recently been recognized by the Private Hospital Association in Western Visayas headed by its President Elmer Q. Pedregosa, MD, MPH, MHA, and concurrent President of the Philippine College of Hospital Administrators, said that PhilHealth's efforts "resulted in faster processing of benefit claims and also reduced the number of Return-To-Hospital claims thereby contributing to a successful relationship among private hospitals in Western Visayas as partners in the healthcare industry." Despite the marked increase in claims received from an average of 1,200 in 2011 to 1,700 in 2012, claims were processed at an average of five to seven days compared to 130 average processing days in 2011. Turn-around-time of some 15 thousand case rate and nine thousand Fee-for-service claims in October 2012 dramatically shortened from receipt of claims up until check preparation without additional manpower and even without overtime. The said office also successfully reduced its denied claims by more than half from 3,000 in January 2012 to only 1,400 in December of same year. According to Dennis S. Mas, PhilHealth Vice President for Region 6, these achievements are attributed to a series of ICD 10 trainings and regular dialogues with hospitals in the Western Visayas Region. He also said that because of proper coordination with and retooling of some 200 hospital billing clerks, return-to-hospital claims were significantly reduced from 9,000 in January 2012 down to 2,600 in December 2012. In another development, PhilHealth Region VIs local health insurance office in the cities of Bacolod , Kabankalan and Passi also received the Citizens Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence Award by the Civil Service Commission. Last year in celebration of 2012 National Statistics Month, said PhilHealth regional office also bagged the first prize in the Search for Best Statistical Bulletin Board by the National Statistical Coordination Board and the Regional Development Council. |TOP| Secretary Coloma Speaks in World Summit on Information Society in UNESCO, Paris Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 4 March 2013 - Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, Jr. was one of the lead speakers in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) + 10 Review event held from February 25 to 27 at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris. Speaking in the High Level Panel: Towards Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Development, the Secretary highlighted President Aquinos vision of a digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. The Secretary then proceeded to elaborate on a five-year strategy that is being implemented to attain this vision. The WSIS + 10 Review is a high-level global event that brought together UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, the Tunisian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, the Latvian Minister of Environmental Protection and other eminent persons from government, international organizations civil society, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In Paris, Secretary Coloma also participated in the Information for All (IFAP) Special Event and IFAP Bureau meeting held on

February 27 and 28. IFAP is one of the core programs of UNESCO. It is an inter-governmental programme created in 2000 in response to the challenges and opportunities of the Information Society with special commitment to propagate the concept of media and information literacy, information ethics, information for development and multi-lingualism. Through IFAP, governments of the world have pledged to harness the new opportunities of the information age to create equitable societies through better access to information. Secretary Coloma serves as the UNESCO National Commission (UNACOM) Vice-Chair and UNACOM Communication & Information Committee Chair. The Philippines has been a member of the IFAP Bureau since 2009 and Secretary Coloma has been Vice-Chair of the IFAP Bureau since 2010. |TOP|