PCOO ONLINE NEWS 22 OCTOBER 2013 On the wake of 7.2 magnitude quake in Bohol Baldoz orders OWWA to assist and care for families of OFWs DOLE-led Convergence towards Social Protection Flow for informal sector workers Baldoz urges workers displaced by Bohol quake to apply to 9,000 local and overseas job vacancies in PhilJobnet DepEd, IP communities celebrate Indigenous Peoples month DepEd signs deal for classroom construction under PPP Phase 2 Roxas to Bohol Mayors: Use powers to re-open stores DSWD accepts donations for quake victims in Central Visayas Sans court order, transferred BOC officials must now report to CPRO BSP Grants Regulatory Relief to Banks Affected by Typhoon Santi 2nd Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation Winning Philippine Team in Australian Solar Car Race Visits Philippine Consulate General in Sydney DAR Completes Hacienda Luisita Distribution DA leads 1st Philippine Organic and Natural Products Expo DOTC: MCIAA donates P2-Million to earthquake victims DTI-Cebu holds orientation on the Philippine Quality Awards ________________________________________ On the wake of 7.2 magnitude quake in Bohol Baldoz orders OWWA to assist and care for families of OFWs Source: dole.gov.ph Days after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated large areas of Bohol and some parts of Cebu, Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz reported that the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), working quickly to locate families of OFWs who were affected by the earthquake, had identified a total of 15,494 members who would need immediate assistance. On this note, Baldoz yesterday instructed OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon to care and provide them all forms of appropriate help until such time their lives return to normal. Baldoz issued the directive as she visited Cebu to meet with DOLE regional officials, employers, and workers to direct DOLE interventions for victims of the tragedy and to get first-hand information on the progress of the DOLEs emergency employment program and the job fairs she instructed to be conducted by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Bureau of Local Employment. The regional welfare offices of the OWWA in Bohol and Cebu have already identified 3,426 active and 12,078 inactive OWWA members in 28 Bohol towns classified by the Regional Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Management Council (RDRRMC) as badly-hit municipalities, so the OWWA is under instruction to already farm-out rehabilitation and relief assistance to these OWWA members, Baldoz said in a media release. The OWWA members are in the municipalities of Loon, 933; Tubigon, 1,256; San isidro, 95; Carmen, 711; Inabanga, 601; Tagbilaran City, 4,512; Antequerra, 346; Sagbayan, 387; Butuan, 267; Corela, 168; Maribojoc, 515; Cortez, 404; Calape, 664; Clarin, 501; Danao, 174; Dagohoy, 211; Sikatuna, 174; Trinidad, 371; Alicia, 385; Sevilla, 219; Sierra Bullones, 476; Balilihan, 249; Catigbian, 370; Buenavista, 247; Lila, 378; Loboc, 455; Getafe, 96; and Bilar, 329, or a total 15,494. You should prioritize stabilizing the lives of these OFWs in coordination with local government units and regional disaster and relief management officials. You should provide care and assist members of families of OFWs who were dislocated and distressed by the earthquake, Baldoz ordered, adding: There is no time to be wasted in the effort because Christmas is coming and we dont want our OFW families, or any Filipino worker for that matter, to be gloomy. The labor and employment chief said a fast response is needed at this hour, and explained that the OWWA might need to do emergency relief operation, just like what it did in the aftermath of Typhoons Pablo and Sendong. Also yesterday, Administrator Dimzon reported she had already relayed Secretary Baldozs directive to the OWWA field offices in Cebu and Bohol which are now doing the necessary preparation for its intervention. Initially, the OWWA can do a welfare mission to bring food, water, medicines, and other basic necessities. It should also provide counseling services, Baldoz said. She explained that if Dimzon needs to go to the OWWA Board of Trustees to get authority to disburse some funds for the OWWA members, she should do so at the earliest time. Baldoz is the chairman of the OWWA Board. Baldoz said the OWWA can also implement a livelihood restoration program, in coordination with the DOLE regional office and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs, to get devastated business of OFWs up and running again. If necessary, we can look for ways on how to replace destroyed equipment, restore production facilities, or provide other implements for OFW businesses. We need to re-connect them to their markets, she said. |TOP| ________________________________________ DOLE-led Convergence towards Social Protection Flow for informal sector workers Source: dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday commented that one of the core strategies to eradicate extreme poverty is convergence among all social actors to uplift the plight of informal sector workers. Baldoz made the comment as the Department of Labor and Employment joins the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) and other sectors in the ongoing observance of the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty (NWOEP) from 17 to 23 October 2013. The week-long observance, on the theme, “End Poverty Now: Towards a World Without Discrimination, Building on the Experience and Knowledge of People in Extreme Poverty,” is an occasion that dovetails with DOLE efforts to ensure substantial intervention to uplift the condition of the most disadvantaged sectors, including workers in the informal sector. While the observance focuses the limelight on the role of the NAPC, the DOLE, together with the its tripartite partners, including the civil society, is mindful that all social actors need to converge their resources, expertise, and energy to lick poverty among rural workers, the fisher folk, laborers and migrants, women workers, and victims of child labor to achieve inclusive growth, Baldoz said. She recalled that at the Informal Sector (IS) Labor Day celebration on 15 May this year, the DOLE, NAPC and 19 other agencies of government joined the informal sector, organized labor, and employers in signing a “Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the National Convergence Program for Establishing a Social Protection Floor for Workers in the Informal Sector”. In support of the observance, Baldoz issued Administrative Order No. 413, Series of 2013, enjoining all DOLE bureaus, services, regional and provincial offices, and attached agencies to participate in the national observance “in line with the NAPC’s conduct of the national convergence activity. She directed the DOLE’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns to be the focal bureau for the DOLE’s participation. She also directed the DOLE to recite the “Universal Prayer” and “Panalangin ng Bayan” in the Department’s flag raising ceremony to mark the national observance. The “Panalangin ng Bayan” was adopted from the “Universal Prayer” led by Fr. Joseph Wresinski who launched the first World Day for Overcoming Poverty in Paris, France on 17 October 1987. Secretary Jose Eliseo M. Rocamora of the NAPC, voicing his agency’s all-out support to the DOLE-led program said informal sector workers, while vulnerable, are too important to be left alone. Itong programa ay napakahalaga dahil binibigyan ng realidad yung tinutulak ng President na convergence kung saan magtutulungan ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno para sa informal sector, Rocamora said of the MOU. Citing the convergence program for the poor, especially informal workers, Baldoz said: “It is a fitting occasion to congratulate the NAPC, which formally marks its 15th Anniversary this year, on the ongoing observance.” The observance of the National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty finds basis in the International Charter of the United Nations which proclaimed the “World Day for Overcoming Poverty” on 17 October 1987. Subsequent Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines had issued Proclamation No. 269 Declaring October 17 of Every Year as the National Day for Overcoming Poverty on 13 October 1993, while Proclamation No. 717 dated 18 October 2004 likewise declared the weekly observance from 17 to 23 October each year. (For any questions about this good news, please call the BWSC at tel. no. 527-5857.) |TOP| ________________________________________ Baldoz urges workers displaced by Bohol quake to apply to 9,000 local and overseas job vacancies in PhilJobnet Source: dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday urged workers in Cebu and Bohol who may have been displaced by the recent earthquake to consider and apply for any of the 5,193 local and 3,365 overseas job vacancies posted by employers in the PhilJobNet, the governments job search and job-skill matching online facility. All of the local vacant jobs are in Cebu and Bohol, while the overseas jobs are offered by Cebu-based recruitment agencies licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, said Baldoz who is in Cebu to meet with workers, employers, and DOLE regional officials to look into DOLE interventions for workers displaced by the quake. The other day, Baldoz had ordered the POEA, Bureau of Local Employment, and the DOLE Regional Office No. 7 to mobilize resources, partners, and allies and conduct overseas job fairs for workers in earthquake-stricken Bohol and Cebu. She also ordered the POEA to mobilize licensed recruitment agencies, and the BLE to enlist the participation of local employers, particularly those in the Visayas, for the job fairs. She said the job fairs should be held simultaneous with governments rehabilitation efforts in Cebu and Bohol, particularly in areas where workplaces were hit the hardest and where there could be large concentration of displaced workers. Baldoz said the local jobs with the most number of vacancies are positions for customer service assistants and technical assistants; counter clerks; driver-couriers; food servers; factory workers; service crew; accounting clerks; buyers; baggers; cashiers; auto service technicians; assistant store officers; department store sales personnel; rceiving clerks; maintenance crew; sales clerks; chemical process engineers; electricians; high speed sewers; human resource development assistants; merchandisers; quality control assistants; computer programmers; customer relations officers; documentation clerks; non-voice IT specialists; executive assistants; network administrators; outbound sales representatives; and sales officers. There are also plenty of vacancies for field auditors; test technicians; automotive mechanics; tally clerks or checkers; human resource management clerks; trade marketing specialists; mechanical engineering technicians; quality assurance staff; accounts developers; process engineers; production engineers; mold and dye designers; production technicians; industrial technicians; sales engineers; warehousemen; construction managers; construction engineers; food repackers; dealer salesmen; electronic assemblers; bookkeepers; copy writers; junior salesmen; medical assistants; sales managers; tele-marketers; forklift operators; and carpenters. For overseas, most vacancies are for Qatar, Bahrain, Canada, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia for positions of air condition technicians; cake decorators; general carpenters; civil engineers; cooks; crane operators; graphic designers; heavy equipment mechanics; metal and iron workers; receptionists; restaurant managers and supervisors; plasterers; factory workers; sales supervisors; steel fabricators; service crew; store managers and store assistants; pipe fitters; electrical technicians and electricians; office secretaries; company nurses; cleaners; Overseas vacancies are also for hospital attendants; laborers; medical equiment technicians; physical therapists; printing technicians; midwives; surveyors; safety engineers; safety officers; swimming instructors; medical gas technicians; waiters and waitresses; telecommunications technicians; material controllers; safety engineers; mechanics; hydraulics engineers; electronics technicians; chefs; chocolate makers; cleaners; and many other vacancies. Baldoz urged displaced workers in Bohol and Cebu to visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices in their municipal hall and find out more information on the vacancies, particularly the companies that offer them. They can also go to an internet café and browse the site dole.gov.ph, or poea.gov.ph, or ble.dole.gov.ph for more information on these job opportunities. They can also visit the PhliJobNet website at phil-job.net. If they want to avail of the job opportunities, they should upload their personal data sheet or bio-data by registering to the PhilJobNet website because employers are visiting the site everyday to find qualified applicants for their vacancies, said Baldoz. |TOP| ________________________________________ DepEd, IP communities celebrate Indigenous Peoples month Source: deped.gov.ph PASIG CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) hosted a National Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) gathering at the DepEd Central Office, bringing together some 140 representatives from Indigenous Peoples Organizations/IP Communities, representatives from civil society/non-government organizations (NGOs) with IPEd Programs, IPEd advocates, and other government agencies that have a stake in strengthening mutli-sectoral support for DepEd’s IPEd Program and K to 12. Organized by the Department’s Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPEO), the program included statements from representatives from DepEd, House of Representatives, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), civil society, and elders, leaders, and youth representing IP communities. A painting depicting elements and the education vision of IPEd was also symbolically unveiled by the participants at the start of the program. Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo gave DepEd’s message to the various IP representatives “Tuloy-tuloy po ang ating pakikipag-usap sa mga katutubong pamayanan, para sa ganoong paraan, maging tama ang tugon ng DepEd sa usapin ng edukasyon at maging sensitibo tayo sa kanilang kult ura.” Also present were Rep. Nancy Catamco, Chair of the House Committee on Indigenous Peoples, Leonor Oralde-Quintayo, Chair of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Commissioner Alice Panares of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), ARMM Deputy Governor for Indigenous Peoples Timuay Hilario S. Tanzo, and Nemia Gareza of the Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples. The event intends to increase awareness on DepEd’s IPEd Program and the educational vision of K to 12 and strengthen linkages among the various stakeholders towards the realization of a culture-responsive and contextualized education for IP communities. It was also a promotion of respect and appreciation for the cultural diversity of our communities and learners. The Department has been pursuing these advocacies in line with the National IPEd Policy Framework (DepEd Order No. 62, s. 2011) |TOP| ________________________________________ DepEd signs deal for classroom construction under PPP Phase 2 Source: deped.gov.ph PASIG CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) represented by Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC signed a Build-Transfer agreement with representatives of Megawide Construction Corp. and the BSP and Co. Inc. and Vicente T. Lao Construction Joint Venture. The agreement, which is under the second phase of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP 2) will make way for the construction of 4,730 new classrooms – with toilets, furniture and fixtures – in 1,735 schools in Regions I, II, III, CAR, X, and CARAGA. “We are putting up structures where our students will be able to be in an ideal learning environment. It’s not any ordinary building, it’s about ensuring that these spaces will allow young people to flourish, learn in whatever school situation they find themselves,” Luistro said. He also reminded the two companies of two particular target dates: end of 2013 and the start of the new school year in 2014. “I will harass you no end because this is a commitment to our Filipino children, Luistro said adding that “It is important that these structures are strong because these buildings will be for young people and for children. It behooves us to give them the best.” Manuel Ferrer of Megawide Construction stated his company’s commitment to deliver high quality classrooms for the learners.“We intend to complete with best quality possible because we know that we are making a difference in thousands of school children who are the future of our country,” Ferrer said. Ben-Azel Ponio of the BSP-VT Lao JV meanwhile stated that the project will not only benefit them but also the contractors, workers, and even local hardware stores in areas where the classrooms will be built. When asked about the recent earthquake, which affected around 30 schools in Central Visayas, Luistro said that future classrooms should have better “structural integrity.” New buildings for learners, including the ones under this program, should meet the new specifications required and should be able to withstand earthquakes, floods, and typhoons. |TOP| ________________________________________ Roxas to Bohol Mayors: Use powers to re-open stores Source: dilg.gov.ph MANILA, Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has directed the mayors of Bohol province to exercise their executive powers in order to help normalize the flow of trade and commerce, particularly the retail selling of basic necessities, in areas devastated by the killer quake that struck Central Visayas last Oct. 15. Roxas explained that although the province has an ample supply of goods, the non-resumption of retail trading has prevented access of affected residents to basic necessities such as food, water and fuel. “Inaatasan ko ang lahat ng mayors sa Bohol na gamitin ang lahat ng kapangyarihan na ibinigay sa kanila ng batas para siguruhin na magbubukas ang lahat ng tindahan na nagbebenta ng pagkain, tubig at gasolina,” Roxas said. “Walang dahilan para manatiling sarado ang mga tindahan, partikular iyong mga istruktura na matitibay at hindi nagiba ng lindol,” he added. The DILG chief issued the order after the regional office of the Department of Trade and Commerce (DTI) reported to him that a big number of establishments engaged in retail trade have not resumed their operations in Bohol. The DTI office cited in particular the 12 gasoline stations in Bohol that remained close as of Sunday, Oct. 20, despite the availability of stock supply. “Ayon sa report ng DTI, may 78 na gasoline stations sa Bohol pero 66 lamang dito ang nagdesisyong magbukas matapos ang malakas na lindol. Kailangang makumbinse ang mga nagosyanteng ito na magbukas na rin kung wala namang napinsala sa kanilang istruktura at may suplay pa silang natitira,” Roxas said. He stressed that the Bohol mayors should take the lead in convincing retail traders to resume business operations in order to ensure availability of food, water and other basic necessities to residents affected by the quake. “Kung hindi sila magbubukas ng mga negosyo, maaaring gamitin ng mga mayors ang kapangyarihan para ipasara ang kanilang mga tindahan at bawiin ang kanilang permit sa pag-nenegosyo,” the DILG chief explained. Roxas noted that personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Provincial Engineering Office have been working almost 24 hours a day to ensure that all roads remain inter-connected and that no municipality is isolated from the major highways. “Sa kasalukuyan, lahat ng munisipyo sa Bohol ay mararating ng mga sasakyan na may dalang pagkain, tubig at iba pang supply. Medyo dumoble nga lang ang oras ng biyahe dahil sa mga nasirang tulay pero nakahanap na ang probinsiya ng mga alternate routes para maabot ang mga munisipyong dati ay hindi marating ng mga sasakyan,” he said. Last Saturday, Roxas himself drove the lead vehicle of a convoy that visited the towns of Sagbayan, Clarin, Tubigon, Antiquera, Maribojoc, Catigbian, Balilihan and Corella to check the condition of the roads, bridges, and evacuation centers. The convoy, which included DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman, Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, and other local officials, travelled 250 kilometers within six hours through reopened and alternate roads. “Sinigurado namin na bukas lahat ang mga daan patungo sa lugar na grabe ang epekto ng lindol kaya walang dahilan para sabihin na hindi ito mararating ng mga pagkain, tubig at iba pang pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan,” Roxas said. |TOP| ________________________________________ DSWD accepts donations for quake victims in Central Visayas Source: dswd.gov.ph Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)- Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Operations Director Restituto Macuto (center) accepts the P210,000 check donation from Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation (PMPC) President Nobuo Yasuhira (third from left) for earthquake victims in Central Visayas. Aside from the check donation, the company also donated 35 cases of Panasonic Portable LED light, six (6) cases Torchlight, three (3) cases Torchlight Krypton, 151 cases of D size Alkaline Batteries, and Size AA Panasonic Alkaline Torchlight, amounting to P 1 million. In accepting the donation, Director Macuto expressed his gratitude to PMPC saying that, “ this donation will go a long way in helping our countrymen in Central Visayas.” Witnessing the turn over of the check and goods donation at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City are (from left) DSWD-Cash Collecting Officer Fe Catalina Ea, DSWD-Warehouse Management and Donation Facilitation Division Chief Administrative Officer Roel Montesa, PMPC Director Miguel Castro, PMPC Team Leader Lorenz Magsingit and DSWD-Knowledge Management Division Chief Elvira Nazaret. |TOP| ________________________________________ Sans court order, transferred BOC officials must now report to CPRO Source: dof.gov.ph Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino Biazon stated that officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) who had been transferred to the Customs Policy Research Office (CPRO) must immediately report to that office following the decision of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) denying a motion to block their transfer to the CPRO. As no court order prevents the implementation of Customs Personnel Order (CPO) No. B-189-2013, transferring 27 Collectors of the BOC to the CPRO, Biazon pointed out that the affected officials must comply with the agency’s order, in accordance with existing policies for all civil servants. “Just as we had upheld the rule of law in respecting and observing the Temporary Restraining Orders issued by the courts, it is proper for the petitioners to likewise respect and observe the order issued for them to report to the CPRO since the court has not hindered its implementation. By the statements issued by both sides, there is no doubt that we are all on the side of the Rule of Law. So at this point, it is clear that the Rule of Law calls for the implementation of the CPO on the assignment of Collectors to the CPRO,” said Biazon. In a four-page decision, Judge Felicitas Larion-Cacanindin of Manila RTC Branch 17 ruled that the petitioners’ argument that their rights as tenured civil servants were violated was doubtful and that there was no clear damage done to them with their transfer to the CPRO. The Court furthered that it cannot prevent the BOC from performing an act within its authority. “We welcome the decision of the Manila RTC to deny the application for the issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction against the CPO assigning 27 BOC collectors to the CPRO. While this issue may have caused a temporary setback in the reform efforts of the Department of Finance and the BOC, it has also shown that the initiatives can withstand legal challenges. We hope that this resolution will compel all parties to move in the same direction towards reform in the BOC,” Biazon added. “The CPRO is a crucial part of the reform initiative for the Bureau of Customs. It is necessary to ensure that we have sustainable, relevant and effective changes at the bureau to enhance trade facilitation, border security and public safety. As the Philippine economy continues to grow, we want and need a Bureau of Customs that serves as a vital agent for the continued progress of our country.” The Petition for Writ of Preliminary Injunction was filed before the lower court last September following the implementation of CPO No. B-189-2013. The latter directs 27 collectors of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to be transferred to CPRO, an office under the DOF created by virtue of Executive Order 140. Fifteen (15) of the 27 BOC officials filed the petition before the courts. However, of these 15 officials, four have withdrawn from the case; namely, BOC Collectors Carmelita Talusan, Arifeles Carreon, Edward Dela Cuesta and Imelda Cruz. Talusan, Arifeles and Dela Cuesta have since reported to the CPRO, along with 12 other BOC officials, including Cebu Port Collector Ricardo Belmonte, younger brother of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., and have been dutifully attending to their work at the new office. On the other hand, Cruz, who holds the rank of Collector V at the Port of Manila, has tendered her irrevocable resignation last October 2, 2013. |TOP| ________________________________________ BSP Grants Regulatory Relief to Banks Affected by Typhoon Santi Source: bsp.gov.ph The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is granting regulatory relief measures to banks to enable them to similarly assist and ease the financial burden of bank customers adversely affected by Typhoon “Santi” which devastated several parts of the country from 11 to 13 October 2013. Eligible for the relief measures are those in the following areas identified by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on 14 October 2013: Region I : Pangasinan Region II : Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino Region III : Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales Region IV-A : Laguna and Rizal Similar relief measures were extended by the BSP to thrift and rural/cooperative banks in cities/provinces that were affected by previous typhoons such as Sendong, Pedring, Mina and Juaning in 2011, and Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), typhoons Helen, Gener, Pablo, and tropical depression “Quinta” in 2012, and typhoon “Labuyo” and Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Tropical Strom “Maring” in 2013. As approved on 17 October 2013 by the Monetary Board, the BSP’s policy-making body, the temporary relief measures include: For Thrift Banks/Rural Banks/Cooperative Banks a) Excluding existing loans of borrowers in affected areas from the computation of past due ratios provided these are restructured or given relief; b) Reducing the 5 percent general loan loss provision to 1 percent for restructured loans of borrowers in the affected areas; c) Non-imposition of penalties on legal reserves deficiencies with head office and/or branches in the affected areas; d) Moratorium on monthly payments due to BSP for banks with ongoing rehabilitation programs; e) Subject to BSP approval, booking of allowance for probable losses on a staggered basis over maximum of five (5) years for all types of credit extended to individual and businesses directly affected by the calamity; f) Non-imposition of monetary penalties for delays in the submission of supervisory reports; For All Banks a) Allowing banks to provide financial assistance to their officers and employees who were affected by the calamity including those assistance that may not be within the scope of the existing BSP-approved Fringe Benefit Program; For All Rediscounting Banks a) Granting of a 60-day grace period to settle the outstanding rediscounting obligations as of 13 October 2013 with the BSP of all rediscounting banks in the affected areas; and b) Allowing banks to restructure with the BSP, on a case-to-case basis, the outstanding rediscounted loans of borrowers affected by the calamity. These measures will be in effect for a defined period and covered by additional specific and other prudential conditions. |TOP| ________________________________________ 2nd Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation Source: https://dfa.gov.ph JOINT STATEMENT OF THE SECOND MEETING 1. The 2nd Meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation was held on 21 October 2013, in Manila. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honorable Albert F. Del Rosario, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and His Excellency Salman Khurshid, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India. 2. Secretary Del Rosario and Minister Khurshid held comprehensive discussions on political, defense, security, economic and cultural cooperation, and reviewed the progress of the Joint Working Groups on Trade and Investment, Tourism, Agriculture, Health and Medicine, Joint Committee on Renewable Energy and of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee. They emphasized that the opportunity to meet regularly at high level is important, to reflect their growing and dynamic bilateral partnership. 3. Secretary Del Rosario reiterated the invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino to H.E. President Pranab Mukherjee and H.E. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit the Philippines. Minister Khurshid welcomed the invitations and conveyed that the President of India looked forward to his visit to the Philippines in 2014. 4. The Ministers agreed that the next meetings of the Policy Consultations and Strategic Dialogue will be held in Manila, in 2014. 5. Secretary Del Rosario briefed Minister Khurshid on the GPH-MILF Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and its Annexes. Minister Khurshid expressed India’s support to the Philippine government’s pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Mindanao. 6. Secretary Del Rosario also briefed Minister Khurshid on the developments in the West Philippine Sea. Minister Khurshid expressed support for a peaceful resolution of the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea dispute consistent with freedom of navigation and the rule of law. 7. The Ministers affirmed their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterated their commitment to expand and deepen cooperation in counter terrorism. In this regard, they agreed to convene the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism, in New Delhi, in 2014 to discuss all issues related to terrorism and other transnational crimes. 8. Aware that the rise of transnational crime necessitates increased international judicial cooperation, they agreed to commence negotiations on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters (MLAT) in December 2013 and consider a Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement (TSP). Secretary Del Rosario also committed to push for the immediate ratification of the PH-India Extradition Treaty. 9. On defense cooperation, the Ministers welcomed the convening of the 2nd Meeting of the PH-India Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in November 2013, in New Delhi. They also committed to increase exchanges in military training and education. Secretary Del Rosario thanked Minister Khurshid for the naval ship visits which strengthened relations between Philippine and Indian navy and coast guard forces. Minister Khurshid thanked the Philippines side for assistance to the sailing ship INS Sudarshini, on its voyage to mark the India-ASEAN Commemorative Summit in December 2012. 10. The Ministers agreed to step up cooperation in combating non-traditional threats through exchange of experiences and capacity building in the areas of disaster management, food security and pandemics. The Philippines side welcomed the cash support of US$100,000 provided by the Indian side for disaster relief following the recent devastating earthquake in the Philippines. 11. The Ministers committed to increase bilateral trade and investments between their countries and to fully maximize the potential of the Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment to bring their bilateral trade to an even higher level. Minister Khurshid welcomed the encouragement provided by Secretary Del Rosario to facilitate the expansion of Indian investments in the Philippines to the sectors of textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, tourism, renewable energy and automotive parts. 12. They welcomed the results of the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Tourism and agreed to review the 1949 Bilateral Air Services Agreement. 13. The Ministers agreed to convene the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Agriculture and the 2nd Meeting of the Joint Working Group in Health and Medicine at an early date. 14. They welcomed the convening of the first meeting of the Joint Committee on New and Renewable Energy in July this year, and called for the adoption of its Action Plan. 15. Noting the phenomenal growth and symbiotic relationship of Philippine and Indian Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) companies, the Ministers committed to conclude at the earliest the proposed Memorandum of Understanding in Information and Communications Technology. They also agreed that the 1987 Agreement for Cooperation in Science and Technology must be tapped and implemented through a Program of Cooperation (PoC). 16. They also agreed to discuss a new Executive Program on Cultural Exchange, for the years 2014 to 2016. 17. The Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the forthcoming 11th Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be held in New Delhi, and the India-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit (EAS) in Brunei. 18. The Ministers agreed that the 3rd Meeting of the Joint Commission will be held in 2015, in New Delhi. 19. Minister Khurshid thanked Secretary Del Rosario for the excellent hosting and the hospitality extended to him and his delegation during his visit. |TOP| ________________________________________ Winning Philippine Team in Australian Solar Car Race Visits Philippine Consulate General in Sydney Source: https://dfa.gov.ph 22 October 2013 - The Philippine team in the 2013 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia that took the Bronze Medal in the Adventure Class Category of the race visited the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney on October 16. Composed of faculty and students of De La Salle University (DLSU), led by Director for External Relations and Internationalization Office Alvin Culaba and Chairman of Industrial Engineering Department Mr. Richard Li, the team called on Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis during their stay in Sydney en route to returning to Manila. The group was accompanied by Mr. Romy Cayabyab, a Filipino-Australian media practitioner in New South Wales who covered the competition. Having witnessed the competition, Mr. Cayabyab spoke well of the team’s discipline and unity which contributed to their victory in the race. The team built and drove the solar car Sikat II-A which finished third place in the 3,000-kilometer race from Darwin to Adelaide from October 6 to 11. In the same category, Australia’s Aurora Evolution took the gold medal in the Adventure Class, followed by Chile’s Antakari which got the silver medal. A total of 42 teams from 24 countries took part in the race across three categories, Challenger Class, Cruiser Class and Adventure Class. According to the team, it took them seven months to build and refine the Sikat II-A. They said that the project was supported by Philippine companies such as Energy Development Corporation, First Gen, First Philippine Holdings, SunPower Corporation, Shell Philippines, and UFL. Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis congratulated the team for garnering the Bronze Medal in the Adventure Class Category and urged the team members to continue working and innovating and to sustain their participation in the solar car challenge in Australia. |TOP| ________________________________________ DAR Completes Hacienda Luisita Distribution Source: dar.gov.ph The land in Luisita is now theirs,” DAR Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes declared last friday, as the Department successfully completed the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to farmer beneficiaries in Barangay Mapalacsiao in Hacienda Luisita. It is the last of the ten barangays in the Luisita estate to receive their CLOAs in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling. This was done on schedule, and despite the damage caused by Typhoon Santi to the area, including many of the barangay covered courts where the CLOA distribution activities were previously held. Some 663 of 745 farmer beneficiaries (FWBs) received certified true copies of their CLOAs in simple proceedings held at grounds of the barangay hall of Barangay Mapalacsiao. Data from DAR show that a total of 5,718 CLOAs were distributed to FWBs out of a total of 6,189 ready for distribution, or 92.39% of the CLOAs registered to date. CLOAs of other FWBs are still being registered with the Registry of Deeds or are still not generated pending the signing by some FWBs of their Application to Purchase and Farmers Undertaking. De los Reyes said that the these figures are going up as FWBs who were not able to receive their CLOAs during the scheduled distribution activities in the barangays have actually been going to the DAR provincial office to get their certified true copies. He said that following the distribution of certified true copies of the CLOAs, the DAR is preparing to install the FWBs in their lots. “We will be installing them in their lots as we progress with the ‘monumenting’,” de los Reyes said. He explained that it is quite impossible to do this at this time when many of the lots are still planted with sugarcane, but assured the FWBs that this will be done when harvesting starts this month so that they will be able clear the area where the ‘mohons’ will be placed. De los Reyes also assured the farmer-beneficiaries of the DAR’s continuing support, saying that even now the Department is engaged in testing and determining soil samples to be used as the definitive reference in the customized interventions and menu of support services to be offered to the FWBs, in recognition of the kinds of crops the FWBs may want to plant. The DAR began the distribution of CLOAs on September 30 in Barangay. Pando. In the subsequent weeks, it distributed certified true copies of CLOAs to FWBs in Barangays Motrico, Lourdes, Parang, Mabilog, Bantug, Cutcut, Asturias, Balete, and Mapalacsiao. |TOP| ________________________________________ DA leads 1st Philippine Organic and Natural Products Expo Source: da.gov.ph Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (4th from left) and Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares (5th from left) cut a ceremonial ribbon to open the 1st Philippine Natural and Organic Products Expo, October 17 to 19, 2013, which was held in conjunction with the 10th National Organic Agriculture Congress, at the Philippine International Convention Center, in Pasay City. The three-day organic agri expo and congress—spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture through the National Organic Agriculture Program (NOAP) and Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries and Products Standards (BAFPS)—was attended by 1,000 farmers, organic agriculture advocates, resource persons, product exhibitors, DA family officials and foreign guests. Also shown (from left) are: BAFPS Director Leo Cañeda, Dutch Ambassador Ton Boon von Ochssee, DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, and DA Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service Director Leandro Gazmin. (Photo by Kathrino Resurreccion, DA Information Service) |TOP| ________________________________________ DOTC: MCIAA donates P2-Million to earthquake victims Source: dotc.gov.ph/ Following the aftermath of Tuesday’s temblor, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) has decided to donate P 2-Million to the victims of the earthquake in the provinces of Cebu and Bohol out of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget. The MCIAA Board of Directors met yesterday, 17 October 2013, and approved the release of P 1-Million each to the Provincial Governments of Cebu and Bohol as financial assistance for use in their relief operations. “I commend MCIAA for this generous act at this critical time, and I hope this inspires others to help out as well. I personally visited our kababayans in these areas over the past two days and saw the difficulties they are going through. It is good for them to be reassured that government is here to help them,” said Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya. The MCIAA also reported to the DOTC that the Cebu airport has been back to 100% 24-hour normal operations since the day after the earthquake hit, or on 16 October 2013. This confirmation dispels certain false and irresponsible text messages which have been circulated, claiming that the runway was badly damaged and that the airport was closed. According to the MCIAA, the runway was closed for only 20 minutes right after the temblor hit, in order to allow the Runway Inspection Team to conduct an immediate technical inspection of the runway and taxiway integrity. Having been found to be safe, the runway was reopened for flight operations. Meanwhile, the passenger terminal building (PTB) was evacuated and closed for around three-and-a-half hours on 15 October 2013 as structural integrity was assessed. No major damages were detected, as minor damages such as cracks were non-structural in nature. Passenger and cargo processing were returned to the PTB from separate buildings by around noon of the same day. The riding public is advised to remain on alert and to follow any public announcements that may be broadcast at the airport. Should there be a need to evacuate, they should follow the guidance of airport personnel and head to the nearest exits. The MCIAA is appealing for calm and sobriety as aftershocks occur. The MCIAA reaffirms its commitment to provide the highest level of airport services possible with safety first on its mind, in line with the DOTC’s priority of ensuring passenger safety and convenience. |TOP| ________________________________________ DTI-Cebu holds orientation on the Philippine Quality Awards Source: dti.gov.ph Business organizations and industrial companies gathered last October 3, 2013 at the Quest Hotel in Cebu City for an orientation on the Philippine Quality Awards (PQA). The PQA is the highest national recognition for exemplary organizational performance of private and public organizations in the country. The orientation was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Center for Industrial Competitiveness (DTI-CIC) and in cooperation with the DTI-Cebu Provincial Office. Created under Republic Act 9013, PQA aims to encourage public and private organizations to attain performance excellence and to give recognition for their achievements, thus, contribute to the growth of the economy and improvement in the quality of life of Filipinos. The PQA serves as a roadmap towards global competitiveness for key sectors such as agriculture, industry/services, and the public sector. DTI underscored that the PQA sets the standards on organizational performance comparable to those of leading business organizations worldwide. The PQAs ultimate goal will be to improve competitiveness of local companies and organizations including the public sector into global standards, DTI said. The PQA recognizes organizations that have achieved the highest level of quality and business excellence, thus as a benchmark, would help improve organizational performance practices, capabilities and results. Any organization may apply for the PQA and they will be judged according to their performances in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, measurement, analysis and knowledge management, workforce focus, process management and results. |TOP| ________________________________________
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 02:27:05 +0000
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