PCOO ONLINE NEWS 29 OCTOBER 2013 DBM kicks off new features on PDAF website Govt springs to post-quake aid with P3.5-B in funds DOLE expands package of productivity programs At the Southern Tagalog RTIPC Convention, Baldoz said competitiveness must not be built around low wages Investment goods top imports in August 2013 UN calls for nomination for the 2014 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) ASEAN, Japan Prepare for Commemorative Summit Schedule of registration for new Respiratory Therapists set November 14-15, 2013 (2013 Resolution Nos. 11-14) October 2013 Customs Broker Licensure Examination results released in two (2) working days PDIC to sell 690 closed banks’ properties at 8th Housing Fair PDIC to bid out assets worth P90-M on November 19 DSWD sends add’l goods to Bohol US turns over 6,000 hygiene kits for quake victims TESDA trains future events guru POEA cancels recruiter’s license for contract substitution ________________________________________ DBM kicks off new features on PDAF website Source: dbm.gov.ph In its continuing drive to implement budget innovation and reforms, the Department of Budget and Management has introduced new features on the electronic Transparency and Accountability Initiative for Lump Sum Funds (e-TAILS) website (pdaf.dbm.gov.ph), installing a feedback mechanism to monitor and report on the spending of Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) allocated to lawmakers. Launched in 2011, e-TAILS keeps track of use of PDAF by showing information on the breakdown of releases to legislators, where and when the funds were released, the projects that a legislator endorsed for PDAF support, as well as the project beneficiaries. The new features allow citizens to download the yearly report of PDAF releases, post comments and upload photos or videos as feedback on PDAF-funded projects, as well as find key information on how PDAF works. “The rationale behind the e-TAILS website is to make sure that information on PDAF releases and the projects they support are presented in an accurate and user-friendly platform, so that the public can gain quick access to PDAF information and give feedback on the projects endorsed by legislators. With its new features, the eTAILS website strengthens the DBM’s commitment to increase citizen awareness and engagement, specifically with respect to PDAF use and management,” DBM Undersecretary and Chief Information Officer Richard Moya said. “Although the new features are already up and running, we’re continually improving the site post-launch so it better responds to the needs of those who visit it,” he added. According to Moya, citizens can now click on a specific project and post a comment using their Facebook account, or post a photo or video to show the implementation status and result of ;PDAF-supportec projects. The homepage also leads site visitors to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on PDAF, besides featuring a step-by-step guide in navigating the new features on the website. “We’re keeping pace with an audience that uses the internet as their main information resource. More important, however, is the fact that we’re also giving concerned citizens an interactive online venue where they can give honest feedback on PDAF projects,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad said. “Altogether, e-TAILS has been improved to empower the Filipino people by giving them easier access to information. This is also a very well-timed development, given the growing clamor for better transparency and accountability in government, a call that the Aquino administration is responding to by creating spaces for dialogue and public participation in the budget process,” he added. |TOP| ________________________________________ Govt springs to post-quake aid with P3.5-B in funds Source: dbm.gov.ph/ In the wake of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked several parts of Visayas and Mindanao, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad gave reassurance that the Aquino administration is prepared to provide quick relief to quake-stricken areas, adding that P1 billion from the 2013 Calamity and Contingency funds are ready to support the aid requirements of all affected families and communities. Abad added that approximately P2.3 billion in Quick Response Funds (QRFs) under various implementing agencies can also be mobilized to provide immediate assistance and support to all displaced and affected families. QRFs under the Office of Civil Defense and Office of the Secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) amount to P554 million and P326 million, respectively, while the departments of Education and Agriculture have respective QRFs amounting to P455 million and P196 million. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has roughly P200 million remaining in its QRF. DBM records also show that QRFs under the Department of Public Works and Highways—including those under Continuing Appropriations—amount to roughly P600 million. “We are completely attuned to the urgent plight of families and communities in areas damaged by the quake. The Administration is already tapping the proper fund sources to provide quick and sufficient assistance to those affected by this disaster. Besides the Contingency and Calamity funds that can be used for this purpose, QRFs under agencies will likewise allow us begin rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts at the soonest possible time,” Abad said. The Budget chief also reported that a request has been sent to President Benigno S. Aquino III to draw additional calamity funds from government savings. “We have identified sources in our savings to efficiently augment both our Calamity and Contingent funds to provide additional support as needed. This request will still require the President’s approval. As far as funding the relief and rehabilitation operations in Bohol and Cebu is concerned, we shouldn’t meet any problems, as the government is fully prepared to deliver swift relief assistance wherever it’s needed,” Abad added. Abad said that the Contingency and Calamity funds—with remaining balances of P824 million and P176 million, respectively—are designed to implement urgent projects and services to support relief and rehabilitation efforts to communities and areas affected by natural calamities, disasters, or humanitarian emergencies, among others. QRFs, on the other hand, are standby allocations that represent pre-disaster funds to immediately provide assistance to disaster-stricken areas. These are built-in appropriations in the budgets of implementing agencies, namely, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of National Defense (DND), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). |TOP| ________________________________________ DOLE expands package of productivity programs Source: dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz last week bared that the DOLE, through the National Wages and Productivity Commission, has effectively expanded its package of productivity programs consistent with the strategy to further strengthen DOLE capacity to assist firms towards the road to productivity. In her keynote address at the awarding ceremonies of the 2013 Productivity Olympics at the Century Park Hotel in Manila--where the DOLE and the NWPC recognized micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the agribusiness, industry, and services sectors for their best productivity improvement practices--Baldoz announced she had instructed the NWPC and its Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) to upgrade and expand the package of productivity programs so that more MSMEs could avail of these. This is in relation to the strengthened implementation of DOLEs wage policy reform, which advocates for a tighter link between pay and productivity, she said, emphasizing that what makes the DOLEs strategy more unique from the rest is that all our productivity advocacy and capacity building interventions are offered free to the MSMEs. She said that in 2010, the DOLE had first consolidated all training programs, and developed and deployed improved modules on quality and productivity technologies to strengthen productivity advocacy. We have also expanded coverage of the value-driven ISTIV Productivity Awareness Program to include constructive and cooperative worker and employer relations modules from ILO’s Succeeding in Business Program. The module is now called ISTIV Plus, she said. I-S-T-I-V stands for Industrious, Systematic, Time-conscious, Innovative, and Strong Value for work. Baldoz also said the Service Quality for Hotels and Restaurants Industry Program towards zero-error in attending to customers needs now also covers the tourism value chain, which includes airports/ports; gift shops; transport service; tourist guides; and local police. Preliminary demonstration of this enhanced module was done in Dapitan and Dipolog Cities, and Boracay Island. We are currently expanding our partnership agreement on Service Quality with the Department of Tourism to cover the value chain of the tourism industry. In recognition of providing quality service as a strategy to attract more tourists, the DOT has adopted a modified accreditation system, which requires tourist service providers, such as hotels, restaurants, and resorts to demonstrate quality service in order to secure DOT accreditation. The DOT has institutionalized this arrangement, Baldoz explained. Other reforms the DOLE is implementing: (1) Expansion of the training approach from the enterprise to the value chain to ensure a more holistic and seamless approach to training and to create a viral effect on the other industries in the chain. This is relative to the implementation of the 2nd tier or productivity-based incentive scheme. (2) Launching of the DOLEs green productivity program dubbed, Green ME (My Enterprise) Program, a strategy to enhance productivity performance and environmental sustainability. (3) Provision of a productivity perspective in the development of training modules relative to the shift in new labor standards enforcement framework towards voluntary compliance. The newly-recruited 372 labor law compliance officers--who have been trained to advise, assist and guide enterprises towards voluntary compliance and, eventually, continuous improvement, growth, and competitiveness--will implement the new labor law compliance system using a mix of developmental and regulatory approaches to benefit MSMEs. (4) Convergence of labor management cooperation schemes (NCMB) and productivity improvement programs (NWPC) to tighten the link between the promotion of LMC and capacity-building on productivity. MSMEs interested to avail of the new Integrated Productivity Program, or the ladderized approach, to productivity must undergo the foundational courses of Productivity 101 on basic productivity concepts and measurements, values awareness, and the 5S of good housekeeping. These are requirements for the more advanced productivity training programs, Baldoz further elaborated. Finally, she said the RTWPBs have been tasked to monitor post-implementation of productivity improvement programs as part of their strategy to tap potential Productivity Olympics nominees. With our expanded menu of productivity improvement programs, I hope many more MSMEs will embark on their own productivity journey for the country to attain competitiveness, progress, and inclusive growth, she said. |TOP| ________________________________________ At the Southern Tagalog RTIPC Convention, Baldoz said competitiveness must not be built around low wages Source: dole.gov.ph Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz last week told over 300 delegates composed of the DOLEs tripartite partners and members of the National Wages and Productivity Commissions Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards attending the 6th Regional Tripartite Industry Peace Council of the Calabarzon Region at the Batis Aramin, Lucban, Quezon, that the Philippiness competitive advantage lies in competitive industries sustained through improved technology, productivity, and quality. I will not tire in repeating that our competitive advantage must be built not around low wages, but around clusters of competitive industries whose high earnings and must be sustained through improved technology, productivity, and product or service quality that improves workers standards of living, Baldoz said in her convention speech. I am happy to note that our tripartite partners in Region IV-A stand committed to this and to the “regional brand” of being the countrys “productivity champion” not only in the implementation of the “two-tiered wage fixing system”, but more so in spreading the productivity movement through the regional Productivity Olympics, Baldoz. The occasion was also the awarding of the regional winners in the 2013 Productivity Olympics. Baldoz said what the country needs at this stage in its effort to transform the lives of Filipinos is to elevate the quality of tripartism and social dialogue and to enhance national productivity. We need to seriously embrace productivity as an instrument to attain inclusive growth through decent and productive work; to grow our economy without anyone being left behind and all enjoying the fruits of progress, including those who are in the margins of society, she said. The labor and employment chief explained that the business perspective of ensuring good return on investment is a given and that no one would go into business just to lose money, or without a perspective of expanding and getting more and more productive and competitive. But a critical balance has to be maintained, as business growth should not be done at the expense of workers rights and benefits, she emphatically said. This is why we are working on reforms that will respond to the need of business to remain competitive because it is only by being competitive that they can create more jobs and enhance the quality of jobs, she said. The two-tiered wage system and our productivity improvement schemes, which you support, will ensure the attainment of this critical balance, she added. Under this reform track, Baldoz said that no wage order shall allow exemption from minimum wage coverage and that productivity and performance-based pay shall be an integral part of any wage order that the regional wage boards shall issue for the next three years. She also said that for the next three years, the DOLE shall develop a corps of productivity champions to implement sustained productivity improvement programs to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to become growth businesses producing quality products, creating market niches, and generating productive and decent jobs. We are almost done with our one-year program to train DOLE personnel, together with employers and workers of MSMEs to develop Philippine Productivity Professionals. The training was organized by the NWPC and funded by Singapores Temasek Foundation, at the Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore’s premier technical-vocational education and training institution. The second phase of the program is being developed by the NWPC for implementation in 2014. Baldoz said the challenge is to popularize productivity schemes and to make it easy to understand for more buy-ins from both workers and employers. Productivity is the way to move out of the minimum wage trap that characterizes our workers’ compensation schemes for so long–-working for 10 or more years on a minimum wage pay, or just a little bit more-–without unnecessarily draining the company’s resources, Baldoz said finally. |TOP| ________________________________________ Investment goods top imports in August 2013 Source: neda.gov.ph MANILA—Merchandise imports grew by 6.9 percent in August 2013 from the same period last year, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). “For this period, 44.7 percent of the country’s inward shipments from the top ten import sources can be classified as “investment goods” or goods with productive uses,” said NEDA officer-in-charge (OIC) and Deputy Director General Emmanuel F. Esguerra. “This shows buoyant economic activity for the second half of the year the NEDA official added. In terms of value, imports increased to US$5.5 billion in August 2013 from US$5.2 billion in the same period in 2012. “Spending for imported mineral fuels and lubricants (26.5%), capital goods (11.0%), and consumer goods (2.3%) mainly backed the growth in imports for the period,” Esguerra said. The growth in imported mineral fuels and lubricants was due to higher spending for petroleum crude (54.3%) and other mineral fuels and lubricants (0.4%). “Volume expansion of imported petroleum crude (50.9%) and other mineral fuels and lubricants (5.4%) led to high values for these products even as the price of crude in the international market declined,” said Esguerra. Meanwhile, the growth of imported capital goods was mainly supported by year-on-year gains in payments for aircraft, ships and boats (778.9%) and power generating and specialized machines (23.2%). “This was largely due to the delivery of Philippine Airlines’ brand-new Airbus A321-200 as part of its comprehensive fleet renewal program,” he said. Esguerra added that overall, the robust purchases of capital goods during the period may be accounted for by the continuing positive outlook of businesses in the third quarter of 2013 “This outlook can be seen specifically in the number of firms with intentions to expand operations in the current and the next quarter of the year, which has remained at favorable levels,” he said. Meanwhile, total trade-in-goods deficit narrowed to US$5.6 billion in January to August 2013 from US$5.7 billion in the comparable period in 2012. But the total value of merchandise imports decreased slightly by 0.9 percent from US$41.0 billion in the same period last year to US$40.6 billion. In terms of imports source, the People’s Republic of China was the top market for the fourth consecutive period since May 2013, with 13.1 percent share in the total value of inward shipments. USA was the second top source of imported goods in August 2013, recording a 9.5 percent share of imports followed by Taiwan (8.6%), Japan (8.3%), and Saudi Arabia (8.2%). Esguerra, who is Deputy Director-General for Planning and Policy, is OIC of NEDA from October 22 to 27, 2013, while Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Arsenio M. Balisacan is on official business abroad. |TOP| ________________________________________ UN calls for nomination for the 2014 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) Source: https://dfa.gov.ph 29 October 2013 – The Philippine Mission to the United Nations in New York reiterates the call of the United Nations (UN) for nominations for the 2014 United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA). Through an annual competition, UNPSA promotes the role of professionalism and visibility of public service. With an ongoing thrust to actively promote, recognize and learn from world-wide public organizations who have improved the quality of life of citizens through innovative practices, UNPSA encourages exemplary public service and recognizes that democracy and successful governance are built on a competent civil service. UNPSA, the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service, started accepting nominations last 18 September. It will continue to accept nominations until 18 December 2013. The 2014 UNPSA Awards will be bestowed in four (4) categories: (1) improving the delivery of public services; (2) fostering participation in policy-making decisions through innovative mechanisms: (3) promoting whole-of-government approaches in information age; and (4) promoting gender sensitive public service delivery. For submission rules, the online application form and for more information about the UNPSA application process, please visit unpan.org/applyunpsa2014. |TOP| ________________________________________ ASEAN, Japan Prepare for Commemorative Summit Source: https://dfa.gov.ph 25 October 2013 – Senior officials from ASEAN Member States and Japan met in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for the 28th ASEAN-Japan Forum. Senior officials discussed preparations for the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit to be held in Tokyo, Japan on 14 December 2013 to celebrate 40 years of ASEAN-Japan relations. They also reviewed the progress of ASEAN-Japan cooperation in the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural fields, and exchanged views on regional and international issues. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Evan P. Garcia was lead speaker on human rights and democracy, as well as on economic cooperation, which he described as two crucial pillars upon which an even stronger ASEAN-Japan partnership could be built. Undersecretary Garcia also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation on maritime security, peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, the rule of law, and good governance. Both sides agreed that ASEAN and Japan play an important role, not only in the regional context, but also in the larger, global perspective as long-term partners for peace and prosperity. Officials looked forward to the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in December as a milestone to further enhance mutually beneficial and comprehensive relations. |TOP| ________________________________________ Schedule of registration for new Respiratory Therapists set November 14-15, 2013 (2013 Resolution Nos. 11-14) Source: prc.gov.ph Manila, October 29, 2013 – The Professional Regulation Commission announces the schedule of the initial registration for those who have qualified to be registered without examination pursuant to Section 19, Article III of R.A. 10024 known as the Philippine Respiratory Act of 2009 and Board of Respiratory Therapy Resolution Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 series of 2013, approved by the Commission.. Registrants are advised to download the Oath Forms HERE and to bring their duly accomplished Oath Forms on November 14-15, 2013 at the PRC-Registration Division. The certificates of registration and professional identification cards will be distributed during the oath-taking ceremonies. Click here to view the list of approved applicants for registration without examination (Resolution No. 11) Click here to view the list of approved applicants for registration without examination (Resolution No. 12) Click here to view the list of approved applicants for registration without examination (Resolution No. 13) Click here to view the list of approved applicants for registration without examination (Resolution No. 14) |TOP| ________________________________________ October 2013 Customs Broker Licensure Examination results released in two (2) working days Source: prc.gov.ph The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 533 out of 1,278 passed the Customs Broker Licensure Examination given by the Board for Customs Brokers in Manila, Cebu and Davao this October 2013. The members of the Board for Customs Brokers who gave the licensure examination are Atty. Ferdinand A. Nague, Chairman; Felipe A. Bartolome and Silverio F. Montalbo, Members. The results were released in two (2) working days after the last day of examination. Registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (ID) and Certificate of Registration will be on November 7 and 8, 2013. Those who will register are required to bring the following: duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal, current Community Tax Certificate (cedula), 1 piece passport size picture (colored with white background and complete nametag), 2 sets of metered documentary stamps and 1 short brown envelope with name and profession and to pay the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2013-2016. Successful examinees should personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals. The date and venue for the oathtaking ceremony of the new successful examinees in the said examination WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. |TOP| ________________________________________ PDIC to sell 690 closed banks’ properties at 8th Housing Fair Source: pdic.gov.ph The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) has 690 properties up for negotiated sale at the 8th Housing Fair organized by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) on October 25 to 27, 2013 at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. The properties are owned by various closed banks and are located nationwide, including key cities and municipalities of the National Capital Region. The PDIC said that it is selling the assets on cash and installment basis at discounted interest rates of up to 20% of the minimum disposal price on cash basis, and up to 10% of the minimum disposal price on installment basis. Inquiries on the assets for sale may be addressed to Mr. Ferdinand M. Beluan who will head the PDIC exhibit booth at the SM Megatrade Hall. Information on the properties for sale may be accessed through the Property Finder in the PDIC website, pdic.gov.ph. The participation in housing fairs is in line with the PDIC’s strategic direction to expeditiously dispose non-financial assets, as outlined in its medium-term Roadmap to 2016. As Liquidator of closed banks, PDIC disposes assets acquired from closed banks to benefit the uninsured depositors and creditors by way of helping enhance recovery of their deposits and investments. |TOP| ________________________________________ PDIC to bid out assets worth P90-M on November 19 Source: pdic.gov.ph The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is set to sell via public bidding on November 19, 2013 152 real properties and six bank premises with an aggregate minimum disposal value of P90 million on an “as-is, where-is” basis. The public bidding will be held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – Legaspi Branch located in Barangay 18, Rizal Street, Cabagñan, Legaspi City, Albay. Opening of bids will start at 2:00 p.m. Up for bidding are closed banks’ assets consisting of commercial and residential lots. The properties are located in the various cities and provinces of the Bicol Region including Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon. Under the “as-is, where-is basis” bidding, prospective buyers are advised to physically inspect the properties they are interested to buy, assess and verify the land titles and other documents, and determine unpaid taxes, fees or expenses before submitting their bids. The PDIC will receive sealed bids only from direct buyers at the bidding venue on November 19, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. No extension will be given for the submission of bids. Bidders are likewise advised to come at least one hour prior to opening of bids for the registration. The PDIC reserves the right to limit the number of attendees/witnesses to the bidding venue. In addition, bids shall be accepted from Filipino citizens only, or from corporations or associations which are at least 60%-owned by Filipino citizens. All bids must be accompanied by a bond or deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the submitted bid either in Cash or Manager’s or Cashier’s Check issued by a commercial bank. The winning bidder is required to pay the balance of the bid price not later than November 28, 2013. Bid documents such as Bid Forms, Conditions of Bid, and acceptable formats for the Special Power of Attorney and Secretary’s Certificate may be downloaded from the PDIC website, pdic.gov.ph. The list of property descriptions, vicinity maps and lot plans are also available at the PDIC website. For further information, interested bidders may contact Atty. Josette Sonia H. Marcilla or Mr. Dominador V. Rodulfo, Jr. of the Asset Management and Disposal Department I at telephone numbers, (02) 841-4750 or (02) 841-4754. The conduct of public biddings is in line with the PDIC’s strategic direction to expeditiously dispose non-financial assets, as outlined in its medium-term Roadmap to 2016. As Liquidator of closed banks, PDIC disposes assets acquired from closed banks to benefit the uninsured depositors and creditors by way of helping enhance recovery of their deposits and investments. |TOP| ________________________________________ DSWD sends add’l goods to Bohol Source: dswd.gov.ph The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will send to Bohol today some 24,000 family food packs, 1,000 water jugs with potable water, 217 shelter box tents, and nine boxes of shelter box tools worth P17.8 million via the Philippine Navy Ship. Likewise, through the partnership with Air21, some 6,000 family food packs were loaded to 2GO Forwarding Services for shipment anytime today to Tagbilaran City. To date, the total assistance given to quake victims in Central Visayas has already reached P37.75 million coming from the combined resources of the DSWD with P24.82 million, local government units with P2.97 million, and non-government organizations with P9.95 million. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that repacking of relief goods at the DSWD National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City is on-going to meet the target of 50,000 food packs. Secretary Soliman said that a total of 40,170 food packs have already been repacked by volunteers as of 12 noon today. She thanked the 1,011 volunteers who went to NROC from October 23 until today to help repack goods. They were provided food by 7-Eleven through a continuing partnership between the convenience store chain and the Department. As of 12 noon today, 303 evacuation centers are still open in Bohol and Cebu. Bohol has 280 evacuation centers providing temporary shelter to 18,387 families or 94,624 persons. Cebu has 23 evacuation centers serving 923 families or 5,009 persons. Some 50,372 families or 255,201 persons who continue to stay in home-based sites are also provided with relief assistance |TOP| ________________________________________ US turns over 6,000 hygiene kits for quake victims Source: dswd.gov.ph Tagbilaran City, Bohol – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the provincial government of Bohol recently received assistance for earthquake-stricken areas in the province in the form of 6,000 units of hygiene kits from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) during the turnover ceremony held at the People’s Mansion. At the said turnover were USAID Mission Director Gloria Steele, USAID Regional Adviser Ben Hemingway, Gov. Ed Chatto, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona, and DSWD Director for Social Marketing Cezario Joel Espejo. Each hygiene kit contains five pieces of toothbrushes, a 75-ml tube of toothpaste, a 120-ml bottle of shampoo, three 90-g bath soaps, three 400-g laundry soaps, 20 pieces of sanitary napkins, 2 combs, and a nail cutter. In his message, Gov. Chatto thanked Dir. Steele and the USAID family who are always part of Bohol’s development since the time they set foot on the Boholano soil years ago. “I am so happy USAID is here with us in good times and in bad times,” Gov. Chatto said.Moreover, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman expressed her gratitude to USAID and other international humanitarian aid partners for helping the country cope with the devastating effects of the earthquake.”USAID has always been our partner in providing assistance to victims of disasters,” she said. She added that DSWD is closely coordinating with the local government units and other partner organizations to continue to provide quick responses to the affected families that need food and non-food relief assistance. Through the World Food Programme, USAID has also been providing logistical assistance to DSWD. Two US military water purification units were also transported to Bohol and are now being operated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) engineers to produce fresh drinking water for the families in the earthquake-hit towns. Over the past five years, the United States, through USAID, has provided a total of P3.4 billion in humanitarian assistance to help the Philippines prepare for and respond to the disasters that hit the country. |TOP| ________________________________________ TESDA trains future events guru Source: tesda.gov.ph Education-related events need not be tedious and can be spiced up with the proper management of the activities and the environment. Selected executives and staff of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently went through a training program designed to make them learn the tricks of the trade. ST. CARES (Sectoral Technical Education and Skills Development Capability and Resources Enhancement) for Event Managers: A Capability-building Program on Events Management gathered 30 participants composed of directors, specialists and officers to make them better organizers and handlers of TESDA events. Soon, the participants in the training program are also expected to undergo competency assessment and receive the certification in Events Management NC III to make them certified events managers. Towards the performance of its mandated functions, TESDA organizes inter-agency and multisectoral fora, congresses and conferences to solicit views and recommendations in the formulation or for the improvement of TVET policies and programs, said Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general. The agency also hosts foreign delegations and conducts study tours and training programs for other countries, particularly for ASEAN member countries. ESDA staff not only manages the administrative and technical aspects of the preparation, but also the actual conduct of events. TESDA events have high impact, they could spell the difference between lackluster and successful programs. There is no room for error in this task, Villanueva said. With the training, the TESDA chief said that simple and even bland events can be turned into spectacular gatherings that could boost the image of TESDA and TVET in the country and abroad. The training gave our executives and staff the opportunity to participate in an innovative training experience and gain knowledge and skills that they could apply to their jobs, he added. Topics such as planning and developing event proposals; budget preparation; developing industry knowledge; developing an event programme; selecting the venue; protocol and etiquette; and managing contractors were part of the training program. The training output will be tested when TESDA organizes the 2nd National Technical Vocational Education Congress scheduled next week in Manila. The national congress, which is expected to gather education specialists, heads of TVET institutions, policy makers, industry executives and representatives from international organizations, will focus on improving TVET towards the administrations vision of inclusive growth. |TOP| ________________________________________ POEA cancels recruiter’s license for contract substitution Source: poea.gov.ph Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac recently ordered the cancellation of the license of Allskills Manpower Services Inc. for substituting POEA-approved employment contracts with contracts grossly disadvantageous to the workers it deployed to Saudi Arabia. In separate letter-complaints of seven (7) OFWs forwarded by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh to Administrator Cacdac, the workers alleged that Allskills Manpower issued them two contracts: one was used for processing of their exit clearance at the POEA; and the other one handed to them by the employer upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia. Cacdac said the second contract contained terms and conditions inferior to the first contract. In the original contract, the complainants were supposed to be employed either as nurse or midwife in different hospitals but they ended up working in a dental clinic as clinic nurse or dental technician as indicated in the second contract. He said the workers have signed up for hospitals like Qasseem National Hospital, Mayiez Medical Center, Medical 2000 Polyclinic, Al Fereh Hospital, and Al Ahmadi Hospital but were sent instead to a common employer, Onaiza Dental Clinic owned by a certain Dr. Sulaiman Hammad Al-Atiya. The effectivity of the employment contract was to commence upon the workers’ arrival in the KSA but was changed to “after passing the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties Exam”. Items in the first contract such as salary, transportation allowance, food allowance, and lodging were either reduced or totally omitted in the new contract. “Obviously, there is misrepresentation not only to the complainants but also to the Administration when the agency deployed the workers to an employer and position different from that indicated in the employment contracts submitted to the POEA,” Cacdac said. Allskills Manpower was also found to have collected excessive placement fees from the workers and have not issued receipts corresponding to the amounts paid. In his order cancelling the license of Allskills Manpower, Cacdac said the agency was liable for six (6) counts violation of Section 2b (Charging excessive placement fees) and seven (7) counts violation of Section 2d (non-issuance of receipt), 2e (misrepresentation) and 2i (contract substitution), Rule I, Part VI of the 2002 POEA Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Land-based Overseas Workers. Cacdac also ordered the agency and its surety agency to refund to the complainants the excess amounts collected from them. |TOP|
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 02:28:23 +0000
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