Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for December 3 , 2013 ( Tuesday ) , 4 PIA Calabarzon PR , 14 Weather Watch,

8 Reg’l. Watch , 3 OFW Watch, 2 PNOY Speech , 15 Online News , 34 Photonews

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 3 December 2013

Valid Beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure

Analysis for 8 a.m., 3 December 2013

Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind

Analysis for 8 a.m., 3 December 2013

Satellite Image

for 5:30 a.m., 3 December 2013

Synopsis:

Tail-end of a cold front affecting Central Luzon.

Forecast:

Bicol region and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers

and thunderstorms. The regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley will have cloudy skies with light rains. Metro

Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate

to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas.

Tropical Cyclone Update

As of today, there is no tropical cyclone existing within the Philippine Area of

Responsibility (PAR).

GALE WARNING GALE WARNING NO. 32

For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon.

Issued at 5:00 a.m. today, 3 December 2013

Strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central

and Southern Luzon.

SEABOARD WEATHER WIND FORCE

(KPH)/(KNOTS)

SEA

CONDITION

WAVE

HEIGHTS

(meters)

The seaboards of Northern

Luzon

(Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan,

Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Cagayan,

Ilocos Sur, La Union and

Pangasinan )

Cloudy skies with

light rains

(52 - 68) / (28 - 36) Rough to very

rough

3.4 to 5.0

The eastern seaboard of Central

Luzon

(Aurora)

Cloudy skies with

light to moderate

rainshowers and

thunderstorms

(52 - 68) / (28 - 36) Rough to very

rough

3.4 to 5.0

The eastern seaboard of

Southern Luzon

(Eastern coast of Quezon

including Polillo Island,

Camarines Provinces and

Catanduanes)

Cloudy skies with

light to moderate

rainshowers and

thunderstorms

(52 - 63) / (28 - 34) Rough to very

rough

3.4 to 4.5

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are

alerted against big waves.

The next update will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.

1. Weather Watch

2 hours ago

REGION-8: Families with missing members are advised to report the same to the local police for proper

documentation. RDRRMC Chair Rey Gozon said the management of the missing persons due to Yolanda has

been placed to the PNP. Thus, the police record will serve as the official document for the missing persons.

2. Weather Watch

2 hours ago

PIA-4B/PALAWAN: Kasalukuyang nasa bayan ng Coron sina DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, DSWD Sec. Dinky

Soliman, DND Sec. Voltaire Gazmin at DOTC Sec. Joseph Abaya upang personal na masilayan ang mga lugar

sa Calamianes Group of Islands na lubhang sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda.

3. Weather Watch

3 hours ago

NDRRMC, 6AM update: Patay kay 'Yolanda', umakyat na sa 5,680; 1,779 nawawala pa rin | via @DZMM

TeleRadyo

4. Weather Watch

5 hours ago

PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong on DZMM:

-Patuloy na naaapektuhan ng tail-end ng cold front ang Bicol region, Aurora at Quezon.

-Dahil dito, makaaasa pa rin ng maulap na may kasamang hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-

pagkulog ang mga naturang lugar.

-Hindi gaanong nagbago ang saklaw ng tail-end ng cold front na magdadala ng pag-ulan.

-Dahil naman sa Amihan o northeast monsoon, ang Ilocos Region, Cordillera at Cagayan Valley ay magiging

maulap rin na may mahinang pag-ulan.

-Pulo-pulong pag-ulan naman ang aasahan sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa.

-May gale warning pa rin sa Hilagang Luzon at silangang bahagi ng Luzon.

-Wala pa ring namamataang sama ng panahon sa susunod na 2-3 araw na papasok sa PAR.

5. Weather Watch

15 hours ago

DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson on DZMM:

-Ang hinahabol namin ngayon is to be able to finish about 3,000 to 4,000 bunk units for families na makatira

doon bago mag-Pasko.

-Hopefully continue at a phase of 4,000 a month. Temporary houses lang ito.

-Until we are able to move & start constructing the permanent houses.

-Ang bunk houses can accommodate 24 families, better than stay in tents 9 square meters.

-May comfort room, may sariling kuwarto.

-Nag-umpisa na kami ng trial distribution of construction materials.

-We will be distributing the materials thru DSWD & LGUs.

Re: Sen. Ping Lacson as rehabilitation czar

-Napakalawak ng rehabilitation task ni Sen. Ping.

-Nandyan ang shelter, reconstruction on damage & infrastructure, livelihood, social services, peace & order

issue.

-I would imagine siguro it will take 3 years to recover. Iyong shelter program.

-Ang mga kalye, kayang tapusin in a year.

-Hindi pa kami nagkakausap ni Sen. Ping.

-Mayroon sigurong kanya-kanya agency that will be in the implementation.

-Ang importante may nagkukumpas na full time. Mas madaling matapos ang rehabilitation.

-Kami sa DPWH we employ workers for the construction.

-We ask TESDA & DOLE na mag-umpisa na ng crash course on carpentry, construction related activities.

Re: Kailangang pondo

-Sa shelter excluding permanent together with NHA, we are hoping to move our work 'yong pre-fabricated.

-About P15B for shelter kasama na ang assistance sa mga nasiraan.

-Not everybody will have a new house, puwede namang i-rebuild ang nasira nilang bahay.

-Mayroon kaming defined na no build zone, 40 meters easement but outside of that they will be allowed. Batas

ito.

-Nais naming ibalik ang bakawan.

6. Weather Watch

15 hours ago

DZRH: Maraming residente mula sa President Roxas, Pilar at Pontevedra, Capiz at bayan ng Pandan, Antique

ang pumunta sa kabundukan at matataas na lugar matapos makatanggap ng impormasyon kung anong oras

mangyayari ang tsunami at mayroon ding katulad na report mula sa northern Iloilo. Agad namang umikot ang

mga pulis upang ipaaalam sa mga residente na walang katotohanan ang kumakalat na alert at nilinaw ng

PHIVOLCS na wala silang ipinalabas na tsunami alert dahil wala namang nangyaring lindol.

7. Weather Watch

15 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Naging maulan sa Metro Manila ngayong araw dahil sa epekto ng buntot ng cold front na

magdadala rin ng maulap na panahon sa Central Luzon bukas. Ang cold front ay ang pagsasalubong ng mainit at

malamig na hangin. Palakas na rin ang Amihan kaya inaasahang papalo sa 14°C ang temperatura sa Baguio City

bukas. Asahan din ang paglamig ng panahon sa Baguio sa last week ng December at first week ng January.

Samantala, asahan naman ang maulap na panahon sa Northern Luzon, Aurora at Quezon bukas habang ang

Metro Manila ay makakaranas ng magandang panahon na may manaka-nakang pag-ulan pagdating ng hapon.

Magandang panahon din ang dapat asahan sa Visayas at maliit ang tiyansa ng pag-ulan bukas. Sa Mindanao,

asahan din ang magandang panahon habang maulap naman sa Dipolog. Wala ring nakikitang bagyo na mabubuo

sa susunod na dalawang araw.

8. Weather Watch

16 hours ago

GMA: Kasunod ng pag-ihip ng hanging Amihan ay naitala sa Metro Manila ngayong araw ang 21.8 degrees

Celsius na temperatura habang kaninang madaling araw ay nasa 14 degrees Celsius ang temperatura sa Baguio

City. Ayon sa PAGASA, tuwing Enero at Pebrero nararanasan ang pinakamalamig na klima.

Philippines's photo.

5 hours ago

Mga hakbang sa paggawa ng ligtas na inuming tubig, ayon sa Kagawaran ng Kalusugan: #YolandaPH

Basahin sa govph: http://www.gov.ph/crisis-response/paano-gumawa-ng-ligtas-na-inuming-tubig/

9. Weather Watch

16 hours ago

GMA: Patuloy si Rep. Manny Pacquiao sa pag-iikot at pamimigay ng tulong sa mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda sa mga

lugar sa Samar at Leyte. Tuwang-tuwa naman ang mga nasalanta nang makita si Pacman.

10. Weather Watch

16 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Balik klase na ang mga estudyante sa Tacloban City. Bagamat hindi lahat ay pumasok, isinailalim ang mga

estudyante sa stress debriefing. Hindi rin lahat ng eskwelahan ay nakapagsimula ng klase dahil sira ang mga silid-aralan

habang ang iba ay ginagawang evacuation center.

11. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

DZMM: Nakakaranas na ng malnutrisyon ang ilang batang nasa mga evacuation center sa Tacloban City. Sinabi ng

NDRRMC, sa isinagawang screening sa mahigit 7,000 mga bata, 12 sa mga ito ang nakitaan ng malalang malnutrisyon

habang 81 ang may mother acute malnutrition. Para matugunan ng problema nagpadala na ang DOH ng mobile clinic at

mga medical equipment sa nasabing syudad.

12. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

DZRH: Inihayag ni NDRRMC Usec. del Rosario na nasa 98% na raw ang debris cleaning sa Tacloban City at welcome sa

NDRRMC ang pagtatalaga kay dating Sen. Lacson bilang Rehabilitation czar.

13. Weather Watch

17 hours ago

DZRH: Inihayag ni NDRRMC Usec. del Rosario na nasa 98% na raw ang debris cleaning sa Tacloban City at welcome sa

NDRRMC ang pagtatalaga kay dating Sen. Lacson bilang Rehabilitation czar.

14. Weather Watch

18 hours ago

DZRH: Inihayag ni Defense Sec. Gazmin na nagpaabot na ng kanilang pasasalamat sa pamahalaan ang mga residente ng

Bohol na sinalanta ng 7.2 na lindol. Si Gazmin ay kasama ni PNoy na bumisita sa nasabing lalawigan at nakita ang

kalagayan ng mga Boholano na umano'y unti-unti ng bumabalik sa normal ang sitwasyon. Aniya, ang hindi lang totally na-

restore sa Bohol ay ang elektrisidad at may nagawa ng temporary bridges sa mga tulay na nasira ng lindol dahil gagawa

ng mas maganda at mas angkop sa lugar.

Weather Watch

December 3 , 2013 ( Tuesday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE : Sunny LAGUNA : Cloudy BATANGAS : Fair Weather RIZAL : Sunny QUEZON : Cloudy

PIA Regional Watch

1. PIA Regional Watch 4 hours ago

PIA-IV-A/CAVITE: City of Bacoor officially welcomes the Christmas season with openning of 'Paskuhan

sa Lungsod ng Bacoor' last December 1 at the Talaba junction (besides Shakeys restaurant. One of a kind

products at factory prices, and fun games at the mini carnival until January 2014.

2. PIA Regional Watch

21 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isinasagawa ngayon ang graduation ng 20 katao na nagtapos ng computerized

numerical control machine tool programming and operations sa lungsod ng Batangas. Ang programa ay

magkatuwang na itinataguyod ng DOST,TESDA, Metal Industry Research and Development Council at

Metal Working Industries Association of the Philippines na layong makapagbigay ng dagdag trabaho sa

mga Batangueño.

3. PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago

PIA-4A/RIZAL: UP-ISSI Professor Nestor Raneses is currently serving as the resource speaker for the DTI

Rizal Entrepreneurial mindset and Business Life for Entrepreneurs at the SM Taytay Event Center this Dec.

2. The activity initiated by DTI-Rizal to cater to local entrepreneurs and aspiring businessmen in enhancing

their way of thinking, business sense and motivation.

4. PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Ipagkakaloob ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Tanauan ang 20 motorsiklo sa mga

miyembro ng anti-crime group na binuo at sinanay sa lungsod upang maging katuwang ng PNP sa

pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at katahimikan sa lungsod. .

5. PIA Regional Watch

22 hours ago

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Nagkaloob ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Tanauan ng mga medical kit para sa mga

barangay health workers mula sa 48 barangay sa lungsod upang mas makapagbigay ang mga ito ng maayos

na serbisyo sa mga residente sa kanilang barangay.

6. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday

PIA-4A/QUEZON: Quezon 2nd district Rep. Vicente Alcala has requested the office of President Aquino

through DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson for the immediate release of fund for the construction of Sariaya by

pass road. District engineer Cely Flancia said the proposed road is about 7.12 km and will start from

barangay Sampaloc 2, Sariaya, Quezon to barangay Isabang, Lucena City with an estimated amount of

P820.20M. The Sariaya by pass road will decongest almost 40 percent of the traffic volume in Sariaya thus

benefit the social and economic development of the locality as well as the neighboring provinces.

7. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday

PIA-4A/LAGUNA: The Coconut Scale Insect Task Force (CSI Task Force) recently held a meeting and

media forum at the DA-BAR Network Conference Room, U.P., Los Banos, Laguna. The activity aims to

inform stakeholders what the CSI Task Force is doing to address Coconut Scale Insect infestations in some

of parts of Laguna and Batangas.

8. PIA Regional Watch

Yesterday

PIA-4A/BATANGAS: Isinagawa ng Provincial Health Office ang pagdiriwang ng World Aids Day sa

pamamagitan ng motorcade mula pamahalaang panlalawigan patungong San Jose Municipal Hall at

pagkakaroon ng info dissemination ukol sa HIV-AIDS.Layon nitong maipaalam sa mga tao ang mga

impormasyon ukol sa naturangsakit gayundin ang mga paraan upang ito ay maiwasan.

1. PIA OFW Watch

6 hours ago

GMA: Pinayuhan na ng DFA ang mga kababayan na iwasan muna ang mga "non-essential travels" sa bansang

Thailand sa gitna ng nangyayaring political unrest sa nasabing bansa. Sinabi ni DFA spokesman Raul

Hernandez na mismong ang Thai government ang naglabas ng "request" sa publiko na manatili muna sa

kanilang mga bahay at iwasan ang pagtungo sa mga lugar na sentro ng demonstrasyon. Muli ring tiniyak ng

DFA official na patuloy na nakatutok ang embahada sa Bangkok para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga Pinoy sa

Thailand.

2. PIA OFW Watch

16 hours ago

DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson on DZMM:

-Ang hinahabol namin ngayon is to be able to finish about 3,000 to 4,000 bunk units for families na makatira

doon bago mag-Pasko.

-Hopefully continue at a phase of 4,000 a month. Temporary houses lang ito.

-Until we are able to move & start constructing the permanent houses.

-Ang bunk houses can accommodate 24 families, better than stay in tents 9 square meters.

-May comfort room, may sariling kuwarto.

-Nag-umpisa na kami ng trial distribution of construction materials.

-We will be distributing the materials thru DSWD & LGUs.

Re: Sen. Ping Lacson as rehabilitation czar

-Napakalawak ng rehabilitation task ni Sen. Ping.

-Nandyan ang shelter, reconstruction on damage & infrastructure, livelihood, social services, peace & order

issue.

-I would imagine siguro it will take 3 years to recover. Iyong shelter program.

-Ang mga kalye, kayang tapusin in a year.

-Hindi pa kami nagkakausap ni Sen. Ping.

-Mayroon sigurong kanya-kanya agency that will be in the implementation.

-Ang importante may nagkukumpas na full time. Mas madaling matapos ang rehabilitation.

-Kami sa DPWH we employ workers for the construction.

-We ask TESDA & DOLE na mag-umpisa na ng crash course on carpentry, construction related activities.

Re: Kailangang pondo

-Sa shelter excluding permanent together with NHA, we are hoping to move our work 'yong pre-fabricated.

-About P15B for shelter kasama na ang assistance sa mga nasiraan.

-Not everybody will have a new house, puwede namang i-rebuild ang nasira nilang bahay.

-Mayroon kaming defined na no build zone, 40 meters easement but outside of that they will be allowed. Batas

ito.

-Nais naming ibalik ang Bacawan.

3. PIA OFW Watch

16 hours ago

DZBB: Pinag-iingat ng DFA ang mga Pilipino sa Thailand kaugnay ng nagaganap na political turmoil doon.

Nanawagan din ang DFA na iwasan munang bumiyahe sa nasabing bansa kung hindi naman kinakailangan.

A. QUEZON

1

B. CAVITE

1.

C. LAGUNA

1.

D. BATANGAS

1. Tagalog news: P12.5M gusaling pampaaralan, pinasinayaan; 1,100

armchairs ipinagkaloob sa mga iba’t ibang paaralan

BY: MAMERTA P. DE CASTRO

Monday 2nd of December 2013

LUNGSOD NG TANAUAN, Batangas, Dis. 2 (PIA) --Pinasinayaan ang dalawang

palapag na gusaling pampaaralan na nagkakahalaga ng P12.5 milyon sa Balele

elementary school sa lungsod na ito kamakailan.

Sinabi ni Mayor Thony Halili na ang naturang proyekto ay bahagi ng Tangible

Heartfelt Opportunities to Nurture the Youth (THONY) program na layong makatulong

upang maitaas ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa lungsod at maibigay ang mga

pangangailangan ng mga kabataan sa usapin ng pag-aaral.

“Sa bagong gusali, mas magiging maaliwalas at maayos ang pagpasok ng mga mag-

aaral,” wika ni Halili.

Kasabay ng inagurasyon ang pagkakaloob ng may 1,100 armchairs sa mga sumusunod

na paaralan sa lungsod: Balele elementary school, 370 armchairs; Tanauan City high

school, 240; Hanopol Oriental elementary school, 100; Bernardo Lirio national high

school, 200; at Bernardo Lirio central school, 200.

Ang mga upuan ay tinanggap ng iba't-ibang opisyal ng mga nabanggit na paaralan at

inaasahang magbibigay ito ng ginhawa sa mga mag-aaral upang mas lalong

mapagtuunan ng pansin ang kanilang pag-aaral.

Hangad ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Tanauan na matugunan ang mga programang nais

isulong ng administrasyong Aquino partikular ang edukasyon na isa sa prayoridad

upang tuluyang malabanan ang kahirapan sa bansa. (PIA Batangas)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=681385956000#sthash.Iqa2MHGs.dpuf

E. RIZAL

1. DTI issues price ‘freeze on basic

commodities’ in Rizal

Wednesday 27th of November 2013

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, Nov. 27 (PIA) --In the wake of Typhoon Yolanda, DTI

imposes a nationwide price freeze for basic necessities consequent to Presidential

Proclamation No. 682 and the Price Act (Republic Act No. 7581).

DTI enjoins all establishments to comply with the specified prices per province and

reminds retailers that non-compliance entails a penalty of imprisonment of not less than

five years nor more than 15 years; or a fine of not less than P5,000 nor more than P2-

million.

In Rizal, prices of canned sardines (155g) ranges from P12.50 to P13.80; powdered

filled milk (150g, Bear Brand, Alaska, and Birch Tree brands) from P45.00 to P72.50

(Nido Fortified Full Cream); instant coffee refill packs, P16.75 ~ P19.95 for 25-gram

packs, and P33.5~P39.50 for 50-gram packs; detergent bar/laundry soap (420grams)

from P18.05 to P20.50; and loaf bread from P46.00 to P50.00 for 400g, and

P49.50~P62.00 for 600g.

Rizal‟s price freeze values were determined on the prevailing prices of commodities

before Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit the country and will be effective from November

11, 2013 to January 9, 2014.

The Price Act (RA 7581) defines that prices of basic necessities in areas under state of

calamity are controlled, or on a „freeze‟, for 60 days.

Consumers are advised to carefully check the weight and price tag of products before

purchase. For inquiries and/or complaints, visit DTI Rizal Provincial Office or contact

telephones +632.695-1711; +632.470-8824; and +632.570-4178; email:

dti_rizal@yahoo.com, or call the National Price Control Council Secretariat, DTI-

Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection (BTRCP) at +632.751.3233.

(Charlie S. Dajao, DTI Calabarzon/PIA-Rizal)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2261385606651#sthash.hnpqviWV.dpuf

02 DECEMBER 2013.

World Health Organization needs 20 volunteer nurses in Tacloban City

President Aquino receives six new envoys

President Aquino declares December 5 as special non-working day in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija in

celebration of its 48th Foundation Day

DSWD clarifies: Vulnerable families will still receive relief goods

New US Ambassador assures Philippines of continued support in 'Yolanda' rehab

US reaffirms support for code of conduct in Asian region

Palace exec: No politics in Lacson appointment as 'reconstruction czar'

Philippines will have more say on International Maritime Organization's global program, Palace says

President Aquino designates former Senator Lacson as ‘Yolanda’ rehabilitation czar

President Aquino accepts resignation of Customs Commissioner Biazon

World Health Organization needs 20 volunteer nurses in Tacloban City

(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) The World Health Organization (WHO) is in dire need of 20 volunteer nurses to help in the immunization of residents affected by Typhoon Yolanda in this city. In an inter-agency meeting here Monday, Department of Health assistant regional Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco said volunteer nurses will be working for WHO for 10 days. "WHO is starting to pull out their nurses so they are needing volunteer nurses from our town," Sydiongco said. Each volunteer worker will receive P1,500 for their service.

The deadline for submission of application is on Wednesday. Volunteers are expected to start right after the orientation on Thursday. Interested applicants can contact WHO coordinator Maricel Castro at 0947-889-9177. PND (jb)

TOP

President Aquino receives six new envoys

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday received six new ambassadors to the Philippines.

The six envoys presented their credentials to the President at simple ceremonies in Malacañan Palace.

With the President in receiving the envoys was Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

Presenting their credentials to the President were:

Austria: Josef Muellner, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Belgium: Ronald Van Remoortele, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Myanmar: U Ye Myint Aung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Vietnam: Truong Trieu Duong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Canada: Neil Reeder, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

United States: Philip Goldberg, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. PND (jl)

TOP

President Aquino declares December 5 as special non-working day in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija in celebration of its 48th Foundation Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared December 5, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in the city of Palayan in the province of Nueva Ecija in celebration of its 48th Foundation Day. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 687 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on November 20 to give the people of Palayan the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. On June 19, 1965, the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 4475 creating Palayan City as the new capital of Nueva Ecija. The city government of Palayan was constituted on December 5, 1965 with then Governor Eduardo L. Joson as its Ex-Officio Mayor while the Board Members Constituted its first City Council. PND (js)

TOP

DSWD clarifies: Vulnerable families will still receive relief goods

(TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday clarified that distribution of relief goods will continue for vulnerable families even beyond December 31, 2013.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Vilma Cheche Cabrera issued the clarification, during an inter-agency briefing here, following reports that the government will stop providing relief goods to typhoon Yolanda affected families by December 31.

"I'd like to correct that. The government would still continue (with the relief distribution) but in another modality," Cabrera said.

She referred to the cash-for-work and food-for-work programs the DSWD has launched to help Yolanda survivors to stand on their own feet.

She said families with abled and adult members will be obliged to participate in the two assistance programs and will no longer be given relief goods.

Only those "highly-vulnerable" families, meaning those with children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities will

be assisted by the DSWD.

"For those that have the capacity to engage in either cash-for-work or food-for-work, we will be assisting them to be able for DSWD to still continue with cash support for them," said Cabrera.

Cabrera said out of the reported 526, 289 affected population, the DSWD is still providing basic necessities of 273,782 vulnerable families.

As of November 30, the DSWD already distributed 2,322,051 food packs to the affected population.

Additional 42,191 food packs were delivered last December 1.

The DSWD has also distributed 294,314 liters of water and 244,444 packages of high-energy biscuits. PND (jb)

TOP

New US Ambassador assures Philippines of continued support in 'Yolanda' rehab

New United States Ambassador to the Philippines Goldberg on Monday reassured the Philippines of his country‘s continued support in efforts to recover from super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan). Goldberg, who presented his credentials to President Benigno S. Aquino III, said that while there may be a decrease in military presence, the US civilian presence will remain. ―I had a chance to make the same kind of expression to President Aquino that the United States will remain with the Philippines as you move from the relief period into reconstruction. And the United States will take the lead of the Philippine government in areas that are most urgent for rehabilitation and reconstruction,‖ he said at a media briefing. He added the US has been "very involved" in all aspects of the initial relief effort due to its unique capabilities. "But also our civilian efforts, which will be ongoing and continue even with the decrease in our military presence, and we take our lead from the Philippine government," he said. He added he had seen for himself the extent of the destruction when he visited some of the affected areas, including Tacloban City and Palo town in Leyte, last week. Goldberg also cited the people-to-people ties between the Philippines and the US, which he said symbolize the relations between the two countries. He also vowed to work for a future "that is also filled with cooperation for mutual prosperity, for mutual security, both for this region and for the whole world because it is based on shared values and people-to-people ties." "We will work with the government of the Philippines and the people of the Philippines as it becomes more competitive and hopefully continues these great growth rates in its economy and be helpful in any way we can," he said. Meanwhile, Goldberg said the US will cooperate with the Philippines not only in security but also on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. He said his priority as ambassador to the Philippines is "to broaden and deepen what has already been a very fine relationship, a great relationship, a historic relationship in the economic and commercial area, in the security, and in those people-to-people ties." "We want to further that effort and be able to help even more as we move towards a framework agreement where the United States and the Philippines can move to the next level of its relationship," he said. PND (jl)

TOP

US reaffirms support for code of conduct in Asian region

The United States on Monday reaffirmed its support for a code of conduct that will ensure free navigation in the Southeast Asian region.

New US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said that while the US does not take sides in disputes in the region, such a code of conduct will ease tensions in the area.

―We don‘t take sides and we are not a claimant state on any of these territorial features. But at the same time, we strongly support the countries of this region coming together for a Code of Conduct, which will help set out the rules of the road or the rules of the sea, as it will be a way for tensions to decrease,‖ he said at a media briefing, after presenting his credentials to President Benigno Aquino III.

He said the same is true of ―any legal recourse that the Philippine government has taken.‖

Goldberg said the US had expressed its concern, both to the Chinese directly and through media, about China‘s declaration of an air defense identification zone.

Such a move may not build confidence but may instead create tension, he added.

―We believe in free navigation whether it‘s in the air or on sea. That‘s where the United States stands, and we will continue to press those beliefs, and we will support the peaceful and legal, diplomatic efforts underway to resolve tensions,‖ he added. PND (jl)

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Palace exec: No politics in Lacson appointment as 'reconstruction czar'

Malacañang on Monday maintained there was no political consideration in the appointment of former Senator Panfilo Lacson as super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) reconstruction czar. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told a media briefing Monday afternoon the main goal is to bring back the affected areas to their feet soonest. ―I think the whole drive towards reconstruction is to bring back the affected areas on its feet. There‘s no issue, there‘s no politics here. Gagawin ang lahat para maiangat uli ang kabuhayan at katayuan ng mga naapektuhang lugar (We will do everything to restore the livelihood of the people in the affected areas). I think this is something that we look forward to in helping the affected citizens in those affected areas,‖ he said. On Sunday evening, Lacson said he had accepted President Benigno Aquino III‘s offer to head reconstruction efforts in areas affected by Yolanda. Yolanda barreled through parts of Visayas and Southern Luzon, leaving behind more than 5,600 dead and more than P30 billion in damage. Lacierda said the Palace needed someone to handle the reconstruction efforts fulltime. ―What we need really is somebody to handle the reconstruction efforts fulltime, given his national stature... and given that he‘s also a senator he knows how to deal with all the different building blocks for reconstruction efforts,‖ he added. On the other hand, Lacierda said there is no expected major change in the functions of the Cabinet in the rehabilitation work. He said the Department of Energy will be in charge of restoring electricity in the affected areas, while the Department of Interior and Local Government will be in charge of local government and the police. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will still be in charge of services such as stress debriefing and providing relief and assistance. ―There‘s no change in the situation. In fact that‘s the reason why we have to have a rehabilitation czar, so the Cabinet secretaries could focus on their mandates,‖ he said. PND (jl)

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Philippines will have more say on International Maritime Organization's global program, Palace says

Malacanang welcomed the International Maritime Organization‘s (IMO) move to give the Philippines greater influence in driving the world program of the organization. In a press briefing on Monday, Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Filipino maritime seafarers would be benefited by this development. ―This is an honor for the Philippines. We are one of 40 elected member-states out of 170 member-states, more or less,‖ Lacierda said. Filipino seafarers comprise around 30 percent of the total international maritime seafarers, or about almost 400,000 Filipino seafarers, he said. ―Whatever the policy that the IMO Council will adopt will greatly impact the Philippines,‖ Lacierda said. The IMO is the United Nations‘ specialized agency with the responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. The organization is also a forum that is involved in the formulation and adoption of international standards for

maritime safety, maritime security, marine environmental protection, and seafarers‘ qualifications among others. PND (as)

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President Aquino designates former Senator Lacson as ‘Yolanda’ rehabilitation czar

President Benigno S. Aquino III designated former Senator Panfilo Lacson as the ‗rehabilitation czar‘ or the man in charge to oversee the overall efforts being undertaken by the national government in reconstructing the areas destroyed by super typhoon ‗Yolanda‘ in the Visayas region. Presidential Communications Operations Office Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a text message that President Aquino thanked the erstwhile legislator for accepting his invitation for him to assume a lead role in overseeing the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the deadly storm. ―The full scope of his duties and responsibilities will be embodied in an executive order that will be issued shortly,‖ Coloma added. In an interview over the state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan last Sunday, Coloma said Lacson was qualified enough to take on the responsibility given his track record in public service, which include a stint at the Philippine National Police as director general and being a member of the Philippine Senate for two terms. Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, meanwhile, explained that Lacson‘s designation as rehabilitation czar was necessary given the magnitude of the disaster and the immense reconstruction efforts that will be required. ―The President felt that there should be an individual (working) full-time to handle the reconstruction efforts; hence, there was a need to look outside the Cabinet and, for that reason, Senator Lacson was offered the position of rehabilitation czar,‖ he told reporters during a press briefing. PND (hdc)

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President Aquino accepts resignation of Customs Commissioner Biazon

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepted the resignation of Customs Commissioner Rozzano Rufino ‗Ruffy‘ Biazon after the two met with respect to the latter‘s inclusion in a graft case filed by the National of Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before the Office of the Ombudsman recently. In a statement published in the Official Gazette, President Aquino said Biazon submitted his ―irrevocable resignation‖ to him as he ―believes that the proper thing to do is to defend himself without compromising his past record or the ongoing reforms in the bureau.‖ ―In his letter to me, and in our conversation, he explained that it would be best to provide the Secretary of Finance the widest leverage and flexibility to steer the future direction of the Bureau of Customs, in light of the controversy brought about by Commissioner Biazon‘s inclusion in the complaint of the National Bureau of Investigation before the Ombudsman,‖ the President said. Biazon, in his previous capacity as representative of Muntinlupa City, was among the list of former lawmakers facing charges of malversation, direct bribery and graft and corrupt practices based on the Department of Justice‘s investigation on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam. On dealing with this matter, President Aquino said Biazon is ―especially concerned with protecting his family, in particular his children, from the effects of a public controversy.‖ The President added that he has given Biazon until the end of the week to wind up his affairs in the Bureau of Customs in order to ensure an orderly transfer. ―I thank him for his years of service to our administration and the nation. I wish him nothing but the best as he returns to private life,‖ he concluded in his statement. Biazon was appointed by President Aquino as commissioner at the Bureau of Customs in September 14, 2011. PND (hdc)

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02 DECEMBER 2013

Volunteer nurses kailangan ng World Health Organization sa lungsod ng Tacloban

Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang anim na bagong embahador

Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Disyembre 5 na ika-48 taon ng pagkatatag ng Lungsod ng Palayan sa Nueva Ecija

Tatanggap pa rin ng tulong ang ‘vulnerable families’— DSWD

Tiniyak ng bagong Embahador ng Estados Unidos ang patuloy na suporta sa Pilipinas

Inulit ng Estados Unidos ang suporta sa 'code of conduct' sa rehiyong Asyano

Walang pulitika sa paghirang kay Lacson bilang 'reconstruction czar'

May higit na impluwensiya ngayon ang Pilipinas sa 'global program’ ng 'International Maritime Organization,' sabi ng Malacanang

Itinalaga ng Pangulong Aquino si dating Senador Lacson bilang 'rehabilitation czar' ng bagyong 'Yolanda'

Volunteer nurses kailangan ng World Health Organization sa lungsod ng Tacloban

(LUNGSOD NG TACLOBAN, Leyte) Kailangang-kailangan ng World Health Organization (WHO) ang 20 boluntaryong nars upang makawaksi sa pagbabakuna sa mga mamamayan ng lungsod na ito na apektado ng bagyong "Yolanda." Sa pulong ng inter-agency rito Lunes, sinabi ni Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco, katulong na punong pampurok ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan dito, na ang mga nars ay maglilingkod sa WHO sa loob ng 10 araw. ‗Sinimulan na ng WHO na pauwiin ang kanilang mga nars kaya kailangan nila ang mga boluntaryong nars buhat sa ating bayan,‖ paliwanag ni Dr. Sydiongco. Bawa‘t boluntaryong nars ay tatanggap ng tig-P1,500 sa paglilingkod na gagawin nila. Miyerkoles ang huling araw na itinakda sa paghaharap ng aplikasyon at inaasahang Huwebes naman sila magsisimula ng pagtatrabaho pagkatapos ng orientation nila. Ang mga aplikante ay maaaring makipag-ugnayan kay Maricel Castro, tagapag-ugnay ng WHO, sa 0947-889-9177. PND (jb/zaf)

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Tinanggap ng Pangulong Aquino ang anim na bagong embahador

Tinanggap ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Lunes ang anim na bagong embahador sa Pilipinas. Sa simpleng seremonya sa Palasyo ng Malacanang ay iniharap ng anim na embahador ang katibayan ng pagiging sugo ng kanilang mga bansa sa Pilipinas. Kaharap sa pagtanggap ng Pangulo ng katibayan ng mga bagong embahador si Kalihim Albert del Rosario ng Ugnayang Panlabas. Ang mga nagharap ng katibayan nila sa Pangulo ay ang mga sumusunod:

Austria: Josef Muellner, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Belgium: Ronald Van Remoortele, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Myanmar: U Ye Myint Aung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Vietnam: Truong Trieu Duong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Canada: Neil Reeder, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

United States: Philip Goldberg, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. PND (jl/zaf)

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Idineklara ng Pangulong Aquino na pista opisyal ang Disyembre 5 na ika-48 taon ng pagkatatag ng Lungsod ng Palayan sa Nueva Ecija

Idineklara ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Disyembre 5, natapat sa araw ng Huwebes, bilang pista opisyal sa Lungsod ng Palayan sa lalawigan ng Nuweba Esiha upang ipagdiwang ang ika-48 taon ng pagkatatag ng nasabing lungsod. Ang deklarasyon ay inilagda ng Pangulo sa pamamagitan ng Proklamasyon Blg. 687 na nilagdaan ni Kalihim Tagapagpaganap Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. noong Nobyembre 20 upang bigyan nang lubos na pagkakataon ang mga mamamayan ng Palayan na ipagdiwang nang angkop ang araw ng pagiging lungsod ng kanilang bayan. Hunyo 15, 1965 nang pagtibayin ng Kongreso ng Pilipinas ang Batas ng Republika Blg. 4475 na lumikha ng Lungsod ng Palayan bilang bagong ulung-lungsod ng Nueva Ecija. Ang pamahalaang Lungsod ng Palayan ay nabuo noong Disyembre 5, 1965 sa ilalim ng noon ay Gobernador Eduardo L. Joson bilang Ex-Officio Mayor, samantalang ang mga bokal naman ng lalawigan noon ang naging unang Sangguniang Lungsod. PND (js/zaf)

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Tatanggap pa rin ng tulong ang ‘vulnerable families’— DSWD

(LUNGSOD NG TACLOBAN, Leyte—Patuloy na tatanggap ng relief goods ang mga vulnerable families kahit lampas na ang Disyembre 31, 2013, alinsunod sa paglilinaw na ginawa Lunes ng Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran (DSWD). Inilaas ni Vilma Cheche Cabrera, Katulong na Kalihim ng DSWD, sa pulong ng inter-agency dito sa liwanag ng mga ulat na titigilan na ng pamahalaan ang pagbibigay ng relief goods sa mga biktima ng bagyong "Yolanda" pagkatapos ng Disyembre 2013. ―Ibig kong liwanaging itutuloy pa rin ng pamahalaan ang pamimigay ng tulong sa mga biktima ng bagyo,‖ sabi ni Cabrera. Ang ibang tulong ay ang mga programang cash-for-work at food-for-work na inilunsad ng DSWD upang tulungan ang mga nakaligtas sa hagupit ni Yolanda na makatayo sa sarili nilang mga paa. Ang mga pamilyang may anak na nasa wastong gulang at may kakayahan ay palalahukin sa dalawang programang ito at hindi na bibigyan ng relief goods. Tanging ang mga pamilyang kasama sa highly vulnerable na ang ibig sabihin ay may mga anak na paslit, nakatatandang mamamayan (senior citizens) at mga taong may kapansanan ang tutulungan pa ng DSWD. ―Para sa mga may kakayahang sumali sa alinman sa cash-for-work o food-for-work, bibigyan sila ng gawain na ang suweldo ay manggagaling sa DSWD,‖ dagdag ni Cabrera. Sinabi ni Cabrera na sa 526,289 apektadong populasyon, patuloy pang pinagkakalooban ng DSWD ng pangunahing pangangailangan ang 273,782 vulnerable families. Hanggang Nobyembre 30, nakapagbigay na ang DSWD ng kabuuang 2,322,051 food packs sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda. Disyembre 1 ay nagbigay pa rin ang DSWD ng 42,191 food packs. Bukod dito, ang DSWD ay nakapagpamigay rin ng 294,314 litro ng tubig at 244,444 high-energy biscuits. PND (jb/zaf)

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Tiniyak ng bagong Embahador ng Estados Unidos ang patuloy na suporta sa Pilipinas

Tiniyak ng bagong Embahador ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas ang patuloy na suporta ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas upang makabangon sa matinding pinsalang idinulot ng napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda."

Iniharap ni Embahador na Katangi-tangi at May Lubos na Kapangyarihan ng Estados Unidos Philip Goldberg sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang kredensiyal niya Lunes. Sinabi ni Goldberg na kung bagaman nabawasan ang mga tauhang militar nila sa bansa, nananatili ang mga sibilyang tauhan nila sa Pilipinas. ―Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong sabihin sa Pangulong Aquino na ang Estados Unidos ay mamamalaging kabalikat ng Pilipinas sa panahon ng pagtulong hanggang sa rekostruksiyon. Aagapayanan ng Estados Unidos ang Pilipinas, lalo na sa mga pook na kailangang-kailangan ang rehabilitasyon at rekostruksiyon,‖ wika pa ng bagong Embahador ng Estados Unidos. Idinugtong niya na ‗laging kaisa‘ ang Estados Unidos sa una pa lamang paghahatid ng tulong sa mga nasalanta dahil sa pambihira nitong kakayahan. ―Subali‘t ang aming pagsisikap na sibilyan ay magpapatuloy kahit mabawasan ang mga tauhan ng militar,‖ dugtong pa ni Goldberg. Sinabi ng Embahador na nasaksihan niya ang lawak ng pinsala nang dalawin niya ang ilang pook na sinalanta ng bagyo, lalo na ang Lungsod ng Tacloban at ang bayan ng Palo sa Leyte noong nakaraang linggo. Binanggit ni Goldberg ang ugnayang tao-sa-tao ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos na sumasagisag sa magandang samahan ng dalawang bansa. Nangako rin siya na sisikapin sa hinaharap ―ang lubusang pagtutulungan para sa kasaganaan at ukol sa kapanatagan sa reyhiyong ito, gayundin sa buong daigdig dahil ito ay nakasalalay sa magandang samahan at unawaan ng tao-sa-tao.‖ Ayon kay Goldberg, ang Estados Unidos ay makikipagtulungan sa Pilipinas, hindi lamang sa kapanatagan, kundi para rin sa humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Sinabi rin ni Goldberg na bilang embahador sa Pilipinas, sisikapin niyang ―lalo pang lumawak at mag-ibayo ang tunay nang napakagandang samahan, mainam na ugnayan, makasaysayang pagsasama sa larangan ng ekonomya at kalakalan, kapanatagan at mabuting pagtitinginan ng dalawang lahi.‖ ―Ibig naming pag-ibayuhin pa ang pagsisikap upang sa gayon ay makatulong na lalo pang gumanda ang samahan habang patungo tayo sa framework agreement upang ang Estados Unidos at ang Pilipinas ay lalong gumanda ang samahan,‖ wika pa ng Embahador. PND (jl/zaf)

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Inulit ng Estados Unidos ang suporta sa 'code of conduct' sa rehiyong Asyano

Inulit ng Estados Unidos Lunes ang suporta nito sa code of conduct na titiyak sa malayang nabigasyon sa rehiyon ng Timog Silangang Asya. Sinabi ng bagong Embahador Philip Goldberg ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas na bagaman walang pinapanigan ang Amerika sa sigalot sa rehiyon, ang Code of Conduct na ito ay magpapahupa ng tensiyon sa pook na ito. ‗Wala kaming kinakampihan at hindi kami bansang umaangkin ng alinman sa mga teritoryo rito. Subali‘t, sinusuportahan naming mabuti ang mga bansa ng rehiyon na nagsama-sama sa lilim ng isang Code of Conduct na makatutulong upang mabalangkas ang mga tuntuning sa daan o tuntunin sa karagatan sapagka‘t mababawasan ang tensiyon dahil dito,‖ wika pa ni Goldberg sa pulong-balitaan pagkatapos niyang iharap sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang katibayan ng pagiging Embahador niya ng Estados Unidos. Idinugtong pa niya na iyan din ang katotohanan ―sa alinmang legal na paraang ginawa ng pamahalaang Pilipino.‖ Ayon kay Goldberg, nagpahayag ang Estados Unidos ng pagkabahala sa tuwiran at maging sa pamamagitan ng media na ginawa ng Tsina kaugnay ng deklarasyon ng Tsina sa isang air defense identification zone. ―Ang hakbang na ito ay hindi magiging daan ng pagtitiwala at sa halip pa nga, malamang na maging dahilan ito ng tensiyon,‖ sabi pa ni Goldberg. ―Naniniwala kami sa malayang nabigasyon maging sa himpapawid o sa karagatan. Ito ang paninindigan ng Estados Unidos at patuloy naming isusulong ang pananalig na ito, at susuportahan namin ang mapayapa, legal at diplomatikong pagsisikap na malutas nang maayos ang tensiyon,‖ wika pa ni Embahador Goldberg. PND (jl/zaf)

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Walang pulitika sa paghirang kay Lacson bilang 'reconstruction czar'

Walang bahid ng pulitika ang pagkahirang kay dating Senador Panfilo Lacson bilang reconstruction czar sa mga pook na malubhang sinalanta ng napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda." ―Ang pangunahing pakay ng pagtatalaga kay Lacson ay makabangon agad sa lalong madaling panahon ang mga iwinasak ng bagyo,‖ sabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong balitaan Lunes ng hapon sa Malacanang. ‗Palagay ko, ang tunay na pakay ng rekostruksiyon ay upang makabangon agad ang mga napinsalang mga bayan at lungsod. Walang isyu rito, walang halong pulitika ito. Gagawin ang lahat para maiangat uli ang kabuhayan at katayuhan ng mga naapektuhang lugar,‖ dagdag pa ni Lacierda. Noong Linggo ng gabi, tinanggap ni Lacson ang alok ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na pamunuan ang pagsisikap na gagawin para maayos agad ang mga pook na sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda na Kabisayaan at Timog Luzon at nag-iwan ng may 5,600 patay at mahigit na P30 bilyong pinsala sa ari-arian. Sinabi ni Lacierda na kailangan ng Palasyo ang isang mangangasiwa nang puspusan sa gagawing rekostruksiyon ng malawak na pinsala ng bagyo. ―Kailangan natin ang totohanan at puspusang mangangasiwa sa rekostruksiyon. Sa katayuan niya at dahil naging senador pa, alam niya kung paano haharapin ang iba-ibang maaring maging hadlang sa gagawing rekostruksiyon,‖ wika ni Lacierda. Sa kabilang dako, sinabi ni Lacierda na walang inaasahang malaking pagbabago sa gawain ng Gabinete kaugnay ng gagawing rehabilitasyon sa mga nasalantang pook. Idinugtong niyang ang Kagawaran ng Enerhiya ang bahala sa panunumbalik ng koryente sa mga pook na nasalanta, at ang Kagawaran ng Interyor at Lokal na Pamahalaan ang mangangasiwa sa lokal na pamahalaan at sa pulisya. Bahala naman ang Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran sa serbisyong tulad ng stress debriefing at pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga biktima ng bagyo. ―Walang pagbabago sa kalagayan. Ang totoo, ito ang dahilan kaya tayo mayroong rehabilitation czar upang ang mga kagawad ng Gabinete ay makapagbuhos ng panahon sa pagsasagawa ng kanilang mga tungkulin,‖ pahayag pa ni Lacierda. PND (jl/zaf)

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May higit na impluwensiya ngayon ang Pilipinas sa 'global program’ ng 'International Maritime Organization,' sabi ng Malacanang

Nagalak ang Pilipinas sa pagbibigay ng International Maritime Organization (IMO) nang higit na impluwensiya sa pagpapakilos ng pandaigdig na programa ng kapisanan. Sa pulong balitaan sa Malacanang Lunes, sinabi ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda na makikinabang nang malaki sa pangyayaring ito ang mga magdaragat na Pilipino. ―Karangalan ito ng Pilipinas. Tayo ay isa sa 40 nahalal na kasaping bansa buhat sa kabuuang 170 bansang kasapi humigit-kumulang,‖ wika ni Lacierda. ―Ang mga magdaragat na Pilipino ay 30 bahagdan ng kabuuang pandaigdig na magdaragat o halos 400,000 ang mga Pilipinong magdaragat,‖ dugtong ni Lacierda. ―Ano mang patakarang itatakda ng Sanggunian ng IMO, malaki ang epekto nito sa Pilipinas,‖ dagdag ni Lacierda. Ang IMO ay ahensiya ng Bansang Magkakaanib na may sagutin sa kaligtasan at kapanatagan ng pagbabapor at pag-iwas sa polusyong dulot ng mga bapor. Ang samahang ito rin ang naghahanda at nagpapatupad ng mga pamantayan sa pandaigdig na kaligtasan ng pagbabapor, pangangalaga sa marine environment at pagtatakda ng mga kuwalipikasyon ng mga magdaragat. PND (as/zaf)

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Itinalaga ng Pangulong Aquino si dating Senador Lacson bilang 'rehabilitation czar' ng bagyong 'Yolanda'

Itinalaga ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III si dating Senador Panfilo Lacson bilang ―rehabilitation czar‖ o taong mangangasiwa sa gagawing puspusan at pangkalahatang pagsisikap ng pamahalaang pamansa upang maayos at magawa ang lahat ng iwinasak ng napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda" sa Kabisayaan. Sinabi ni Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. sa isang text message na pinasalamatan ng Pangulong Aquino ang mambabatas sa pagtanggap ng anyaya sa kanyang pamunuan ang pangangasiwa sa rehabilitasyon at rekostruksiyon ng mga pook na malubhang sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda.

―Ang kabuuan ng magiging tungkulin at pananagutan niya ay ilalagay sa isang Kautusang Tagapagpaganap na ilalabas sa madaling panahon,‖ sabi ni Kalihim Coloma. Sa panayam sa himpilang dzRB Radyo ng Bayan noong Linggo, sinabi ni Coloma na may kakayahan si Lacson upang balikatin ang gawaing ito dahil sa rekord bilang pinunong bayan na tulad ng pagiging direktor heneral ng Pambansang Pulisya at dalawang terminong pagiging Senador. Ipinaliwanag naman ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda na ang pagtatalaga kay Lacson sa tungkuling ito ay dahil sa lawak ng pinsala at sa malawakang pagbabagong tatag na gagawin. ―Minarapat ng Pangulo na magtalaga ng isang taong ibubuhos ang lahat ng panahon sa gagawing rekostruksiyon. Kaya minabuti niyang ang piliin ay hindi kagawad ng Gabinete na may kanya-kanyang trabahong puspusang ginagampanan. Dahil dito, si Senador Lacson ang inalok niyang maging rehabilitation czar,‖ sabi ni Lacierda sa mga reporter. PND (hdc/zaf)

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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech at the 150th Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio Bonifacio National Monument, Caloocan City

30 November 2013 Sa umagang ito po, nagtitipon tayo upang ipagdiwang ang ika-150 anibersaryo ng kapanganakan ni Gat Andres Bonifacio. Kasabay nito, ipinagbubunyi rin natin ang ika-80 anibersaryo ng pagpapasinaya ng monumentong ito—na hindi lamang nagsisilbing tanda ng kabayanihan ng Supremo, kundi simbulo rin ng paninindigan nating panatilihin ang kasarinlan ng Inang Bayan. Marahil, wala na ngang mas aangkop pang panahon upang sama-sama nating kilalanin ang kadakilaan ni Andres Bonifacio kundi sa pagkakataong muling sinusubok ang katatagan ng Pilipino, at ang pagmamahal ng bawat isa sa tinubuang lupa. Nitong buwan lamang, humarap sa isang pambihirang hamon ang ating bansa. Sa lakas ng hagupit ng bagyong Yolanda, tila pinaluhod ng Inang Kalikasan ang kalakhang Kabisayaan. Sinakop ng ulan at ng rumaragasang alon ang mga komunidad, tinangay at winasak ang mga estruktura‘t kabahayaan, at binawi ang buhay ng marami sa ating mga kababayan. Sa pananalanta ng bagyong Yolanda, hindi lamang naitala ang isa sa pinakamalakas na bagyo sa kasaysayan— ipinararanas din sa atin ang isa sa mga pinakamatinding pagsubok sa ating bayan. Kung babalikan ang mga pahina ng nakaraan, hindi na bago sa naratibo ng lahing Pilipino ang mga dambuhalang hamon. Bago natin nakamit ang kalayaan mula sa mga mananakop, mahigit 300 taong iginapos at ipiniit ang Inang Bayan sa kamay ng mga dayuhan. Pinayuko tayo ng mga banyaga, at pinaniwalang mas mababang uri ang ating lahi. Inilalarawan ng mga imahen ng monumentong nasa aking likuran ang buod ng paghihirap at sakripisyong dinanas ng ating mga ninuno noong Himagsikang Pilipino ng 1896—mga ina‘t anak na naghihinagpis habang nakikidigma ang Katipunerong ama; ang mga martir na Padre Gomez, Burgos, at Zamora na buong-loob na hinarap ang kanilang mapait na tadhana; at sa gitna, ang nakatindig na Ama ng Katipunan na si Gat Andres Bonifacio. Kung mapapansin, sila ang kumakatawan sa karaniwang Pilipino—nakayapak, nakarolyo ang manggas, at hitik sa pawis ang mga bisig—sila ang

tumugon sa panawagan ng Inang Bayan upang magkaisa at maghatid ng makabuluhang pagbabago sa bansa. Hindi nalalayo sa mga bantayog na ito ang mga Pilipinong tumindig at nag-alay ng kanilang bisig para sa kapwa nitong nagdaang bagyo. Nariyan ang mga kawal, pulis, at bumberong nagtaya ng kanilang sariling buhay sa pagsalba sa mga nasalanta, at araw-gabing nagtipon sa mga labi ng nasawi; mga nurse at doktor, na nagtayo ng mga sariling tolda upang makapaghatid ng agarang-lunas at makapagbigay-kalinga; mga volunteer sa loob at labas ng bansa, mula sa pribado at pampublikong sektor—naka-barong man, unipormado, estudyante, may titulo o wala—na nag-alay ng donasyon at kapit-kamay na nag-impake ng relief goods para sa mga pamilyang nabiktima. Tunay po: sa panahong itong humaharap tayo sa dambuhalang pagsubok, marami sa atin ang nagpaka-Pilipino. Ito nga po ang diwa ng bayanihan: Mga bayani mula saanmang antas ng pamumuhay na nagkakaisa upang magpamalas ng malasakit, paninindigan, at pagkamakabayan. Ipinakita nating hindi lamang ito salita o konseptong nakaukit sa bato, kundi tunay na nakatatak sa pagkakakilanlan ng Pilipino. Pinapatunayan nating walang hindi kayang ihakbang pasulong, walang pangarap hindi kayang abutin, kung ang bawat isa ay handang mag-alay ng kanilang braso at balikat upang makiambag sa pagbubuhat ng pasanin ng buong bayan. Sa bayanihan, hindi iisa ang bida, bagkus, bayani ang bawat isa. Di po ba, ganito rin natin kinikilala si Andres Bonifacio bilang isang bayani? Kinakatawan niya ang tapang, tatag, at determinasyon ng karaniwang Pilipino sa pagharap o paglaban sa anumang hamon o hadlang. Sa murang edad ay naulila siya; dinaan niya sa kayod at pagsusumikap ang kakulangan sa pagkakataong umunlad— nagtinda siya ng abaniko‘t baston sa lansangan at namasukang bodegero para maitaguyod ang kinabukasan nilang magkakapatid. Kahit kapos ay hindi siya naubusan ng dahilan upang makakalap ng karunungan—natuto siyang magbasa at nakapagsulat ng mga sariling tula. Sa kalaunan, naging kasapi siya ng La Liga Filipina ni Jose Rizal, at naging isa sa mga tagapagtatag at pinuno ng Katipunan. Nilipon niya ang puwersa ng kanyang mga kababayan dahil batid niyang hindi niya kakayaning nag-iisa ang malakas na hukbo ng mga Kastila. Ang natitiyak niya: Nariyan ang kanyang mga kalahing handang lumaban para supilin ang pang-aalipin at makamit ang matagal nang inaasam na kalayaan. Nariyan ang mga Pilipinong, tulad niya, ay dumaan din sa sanduguan, at hinirang na mga Anak ng Bayan, hindi ayon sa kanilang rehiyon, kulay ng balat, o tangos ng ilong, kundi sa dedikasyong itaguyod ang isang marangal, payapa, at maunlad na bansa. Sabi nga po sa Sampung Utos ng mga Anak ng Bayan ni Andres Bonifacio: ―Lahat ng iyong mabuting hangad ay magwawagi kapag ikaw‘y may hinahon, tiyaga, katwiran, at pag-asa sa iyong inaasal at ginagawa.‖ Sa kanyang ika-150 taon, ipinapaalala niya sa sambayanang Pilipino: Anumang tayog ng hamon, laging may pag-asa, laging may solusyon sa mga problemang kinakaharap sa lipunan. Ang kanya lamang panawagan sa atin ngayon: Ituloy lang natin ang laban. Hindi kailangan pang hintaying maharap muli ang bansa sa isang malaking problema o sakuna, bago tayo kumilos at magkaisa. Araw-araw ay may mga kababayan tayong nakikipagtuos sa hirap ng buhay, nakikidigma sa gutom at kahirapan para lamang may harapin pang kinabukasan. Ang mga ganitong mukha ng pagdurusa ay dapat magtulak sa atin upang araw-araw ding iangat ang ating kapwa. Hangga‘t mayroong nananatiling nakatindig na bantayog ni Andres Bonifacio, hangga‘t may bandila tayong matayog na nakapaskil sa kalangitan, ituloy natin ang laban para sa mas makabuluhang kinabukasan ng buong sambayanan. Magandang araw po. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Speech during his visit to Bohol Province of Bohol

28 November 2013 Binabati ko po si Secretary Mar Roxas; Secretary Procy Alcala; Secretary Voltaire Gazmin; Secretary Ike Ona; Secretary Dinky Soliman; Secretary Jun Abaya; Secretary Icot Petilla; Baka puwedeng tumayo ang mga miyembro ng gabinete para makita ho ng mga kababayan natin. Papunta po kase dito, marami po akong nakitang mga sako na nakasulat ―Salamat PNoy.‖ Sa akin, hindi ho kayo dapat magpasalamat. Ako lang naman ho ‗yong una sa sisihan, kaya ho ako nag-te-thank you sa inyo—thank you talaga sa inyo. Pero naghirap lahat ho nito eh—‘yong mga miyembro ng gabinete—para matupad ang lahat ng pinangako sa inyo. Kaya kung magpapakal na ho ako ng mukha, baka puwede hong palakpakan natin sila ulit. Siyempre, batihin ko rin po ang butihin nating Governor Ed Chatto. Si Governor Chatto, talagang panay ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa national government. Kung minsan ho ‗yata three times a day tumatawag or nagte-text. Talagang masigasig ho siya. Palagay ko lalago ‗yung BPO industry dito sa Bohol. Siyempre, kagalang-galang na kinatawan, Rene Relampagos; nandyan din po si Aris Aumentado; andito rin po ang general manager natin ng National Housing Authority, si Chito Cruz; atin pong mga local chief executives of Bohol present; fellow workers in government; minamahal kong mga kaigsunan: Maadyong hapon.

Talaga pong ibang-iba na nga po ang sitwasyon ngayon dito sa Bohol kumpara nang huli tayong nagkita noong Oktubre. Nang tumungo tayo rito, halos nasa gitna pa tayo ng sakuna, at may mga nakaamba pa ring mga peligro. Niyayanig pa tayo ng mga aftershock, marami pang bitak sa mga kalsada at nagkalat ang mga bakas ng gumuhong estruktura. Balita ko po, hanggang nitong Martes raw ay nakaranas pa ang Bohol ng aftershock na magnitude 4. Kasama ang ating Gabinete, personal tayong rumesponde upang agarang tugunan ang mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Umpisahan natin, nariyan sina Sec. Mar at Sec. Volts upang pamunuan ang ating unipormadong hanay sa pagsagip at pagkalinga sa mga apektadong pamilya. Si Secretary Dinky naman ang nangasiwa sa paghahatid ng mga pagkain, tubig, at agarang ayuda sa mga Boholano. Suma-tutal, mahigit sa 166 million piso na po ang naipagkaloob na relief assistance sa mga apektadong pamilya. Unti-unti na nga pong bumabalik sa normal ang pamumuhay rito sa Bohol. Isang matingkad na halimbawa nito ang pagkakaroon na ng kuryente sa mga apektadong lugar. Saludo tayo rito kay Secretary Icot Petilla, sa National Electrification Administration, sa National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, at sa inyong mga electric cooperatives, pati na ang mga dumamay na iba‘t ibang electric cooperatives. Noon nga pong lumindol, nawalan ng kuryente ang 47 munisipalidad sa Bohol at Lungsod ng Tagbilaran dahil sa pinsalang idinulot ng lindol. Naibalik po ito agad sa normal sa loob lang ng anim na araw, ‗yung pagkakabit po sa grid. Nang humagupit naman ang bagyong Yolanda, nadagdagan ang pinsala sa mga transmission lines, kaya may agam-agam na matagal pa bago bumalik ang kuryente. Pero ang good news po: sa loob lamang ng labing-anim na araw, natugunan na ang problema sa kuryente na dulot ng nagdaang supertyphoon. Humihingi lang tayo ng pag-unawa, nakakaranas kayo ng anim na oras na rotating brownout dito sa Bohol. Makakaasa kayo na ginagawa na po natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para tugunan ito. Alam po n‘yo, bakit tayo nagkakaroon ng rotating brownouts dito? Ang kuryente po dumadaloy sa Leyte. Ang Leyte po may ambag sa ka-Bisayaan ng 520 megawatts. Tinamaan ‗yung geothermal plant. ‗Yong 520, 120 megawatts na lang ang pino-produce. ‗Yong ating Luzon-Visayas na interconnection sa kuryente para ‗yong sobra na Luzon o sobra na Visayas ay mailipat, eh na-damage rin po ni Yolanda. Sa madaling salita po, ang ating inaasahan ay sa Disyembre ay magkakaroon na tayo ng zero rotating brownouts dito. [Applause] Palagay ko ‗yon po ang Christmas gift ni Secretary Petilla sa inyo. Bago ho Pasko; ibig sabihin baka bisperas ng Pasko. Sa ganitong mga panahon ng trahedya, inaasahan ang agarang pagtugon sa mga suliranin. Kaakibat nito ang kalidad at epektibong pagkilos ng inyong gobyerno; ngunit ang totoo, hindi po magiging posible ang tagumpay ng ating mga operasyon kung wala ang pakikiisa ng ating mga kababayan. Salamat sa pakikipagbayanihan ninyo, lalo pong napabilis ang pagbangon ng Bohol, at ng Kabisayaan. Naging malinaw din dito kung ano talaga ang naibubunga ng maayos na kooperasyon at positibong ugnayan ng lokal at ng pambansang pamahalaan. Sa pangunguna po ng ating butihing Governor Ed Chatto at ng ating mga ahensya, natukoy ang mga lugar na mas nangangailangan ng kalinga. Mabilis ang pag-asikaso natin sa rehabilitasyon ng mga paaralan, ospital, at pampublikong gusali, dahil pumaspas ang kakayahan ng estadong arugain ang taumbayan. Nariyan ang NHA na katuwang ng mga pamilya para sa muling pagbuo ng kanilang tahanan. Sa pamamagitan ng Housing Materials Assistance Program ng NHA, mula 5,000 hanggang 10,000 pesos na halaga ng materyales ang ipinagkakaloob natin sa mga pamilya upang maipagawa ang kanilang nasirang bahay. Sa kasalukuyan, naibigay na po natin ang mahigit 65 milyong piso na ayuda para sa pagkukumpuni ng tahanan ng mga apektadong pamilya dito raw po sa Maribojoc at Antequera. Nakahanda na rin ang tulong para sa mga kabahayan sa iba pang priority areas, at matatapos ito bandang second week po ng Disyembre at maihatid na din sa nine priority areas ng ating pong butihing local government. Wala rin po tayong sinayang na sandali para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga kalsada‘t tulay na nagkokonekta, at nagpapabilis sa biyahe‘t komersiyo ng mga komunidad. Bago tayo tumulak dito sa Maribojoc, nadaanan pa natin ang bagong gawang temporary Tagbuane bridge. May haba itong halos 40 metro, at pagkakabitin nito ang Loay at Alburquerque. Ngayon, narito naman tayo upang suriin ang ginawang 120 metrong temporary Abatan bridge, na magdudugtong sa munisipalidad ng Cortes at Maribojoc. Baka po may nagtatanong: Bakit temporary lang ang mga tulay na ito? Sinisiguro po kasi nating ligtas ang lugar, mas matibay at mas mabuti ang kalidad ng permanenteng tulay na ating gagawin. Plano po nating tapusin ang permanenteng Abatan bridge pagdating ng Setyembre ng susunod na taon. Tiyak namang sulit ang ilang buwang paghihintay ninyo, lalo pa‘t nakatutok dito si Secretary Babes. Bukod sa sigurado tayong mahusay ang trabaho ng DPWH, sinanay na tayo ni Sec. Babes na kapag nag-set siya ng target, de-kalidad ang proyekto, mabilis pang makukumpleto, kaya po huwag tayo magagalit sa kanya ‗pag hindi po dumating ang Septembre, tapos na ang tulay, okay na rin ho ‗yon. [Laughter and applause] Pero gusto ko lang po idiin: Marami ho tayong natutunan na leksyon dahil sa lindol na ito. Isa ho sa minumungkahi sa atin, kongkreto ba dapat ang tulay? ‗Yong kongkreto ho matigas. ‗Pag nagkaroon ng earthquake, ‗yong tinatawag hong ―play‖—wala eh, talaga hong matigas eh. So, pag ‗yung talagang malakas ‗yung lindol, mapuputol at mapuputol ‗yan. Baka dapat raw ho bakal. Bakal, at may mga ibang design na sinasabi, para may kaunting puwang, o flexibility, para mas maka-withstand ng ating mga earthquake. Nakita ko rin ho kanina ‗yung buhay na minumungkahi ng Habitat for Humanity, kung saan parte kongkreto, parte kahoy, parte bakal. At parang ito ‗yung mas matibay, mas matibay sa earthquake, mas matibay rin pati sa bagyo. Matapos po nating isaayos ang mga kalsada, sumunod ang mas agarang paghahatid ng ayuda sa mga komunidad. Tinutukan din natin ang rehabilitasyon ng paliparan at ng mga pantalan. Bahagi ng pagbisita natin rito ang pagkamusta sa ipapagawa nating New Bohol Airport na siguradong lalapagan ng mga bagong oportunidad. [Applause] Babalik ko lang po sandali ang tulay. Kasama rin po sa pag-aaral: Dito po ba ang tamang puwesto ang tulay o dapat ba nating suriin ang lupa na para saan ba ang pinakamahusay. Para ‗pag naibalik ang tulay ninyo, hindi tulay lang ang ibinalik, dapat may garantiya na mas mahusay, mas mabuti, mas matatag, mas magagamit maski ano pang dumating. Pero siyempre ho, pag kalaban natin ang kalikasan, mas malakas ho ang kalikasan kaysa sa tao. Importante huwag natin kakalimutan ang dasal.

Ito po—sa Airport po na ating pinag-usapan kanina—ito po ang papalit sa mas maliit at limitadong kapasidad ng Tagbilaran Airport. Bukod sa lalago ang turismo, uunlad din ang komersyo, at lilikha ito ng trabaho‘t pagkakataon para sa maraming Boholano. Pinag-aaralan na rin ng National Museum, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, at National Historical Commission of the Philippines, ang rehabilitasyon ng mga gumuhong simbahan na ating National Cultural Treasures. Sa pakikipagtulungan po ng gobyerno at pribadong sektor, makakaasa po tayo: Darating ang panahon na maitatayo ang mga ito, at muling ibabantayog ang mayamang kultura at pananalig ng mga Boholano. Hindi lang po siguro ako ang nagugulat sa mga sunud-sunod na pagsubok na pinagdaanan ng ating bansa at nating mga kababayan. Bago ang lindol dito sa Bohol at Cebu, may masasamang puwersang nagbalak at naghasik ng kaguluhan sa Zamboanga. Ilang linggo pagkatapos ng mga ito, sumunod naman si Yolanda, humahabol pa si Zoraida. Sana po‘y wala nang susunod sa panibagong alphabet. [Laughter] Ngunit sa kabila ng mga hamong ito, nagpatuloy sa pagkilos ang gobyerno at ang sambayanan upang tumugon at saklolohan ang mga nangangailangan. Ang pondo nga po para sa rehabilitasyon ng Zambonga at Bohol, naitabi na. Binubuo naman ang mas malaking pondong kakailanganin para sa mga naapektuhan ni Yolanda. Malinaw po: Sa panahon ng trahedya, lalong nag-alab ang kakayahan nating magbayanihan, kumalinga, at kusang magbukas ng palad sa kapwa. Hindi man natin maiiwasan ang pagdating ng mga sakuna, kaya nating maibsan ang pinsalang dulot nito. Wala na po sigurong mas hihigit pang paghahanda kundi ang agarang pagsunod sa mga panawagan ng inyong pamahalaan tuwing may banta ng sakuna. Hindi natin ambisyon na ibalik lang kayo sa dati ninyong tirahan na may kakambal na panganib. Sa abot ng ating makakaya, sisikapin ng inyong gobyerno na mailagay kayo sa mas mabuti at mas ligtas na lugar at kundisyon. Kaya natin itong gawin; dapat natin itong gawin; hindi bukas o sa makalawa, kundi ngayon na po. Siyempre, mas mapapabilis po ang tagumpay sa mga inisyatibang ito sa inyong tulong at pakikiisa. Makalipas nga lang ang mahigit isang buwan, ang dating pangamba at pag-aalala na mababakas sa inyong mga mukha dahil sa mga sakuna, ay napalitan ng aliwalas at hinahon. Patunay lang ito sa katatagan at sa pagbangon ng mga Boholano, at sa mabuting bunga ng ating pagmamalasakit at pagkakaisa. Talaga naman pong sulit ang pagod ng bawat isa sa atin, at sisiguraduhin natin sa darating pang mga pagsubok, walang sinumang maiiwan. Muli‘t muli nating patunayan na walang hamon na hindi natin kayang lampasan, lalo‘t may malasakit ang Pilipino sa kapwa Pilipino. Tulad ng ipinakita ng bawat Boholano, sabay-sabay tayong babangon sa anumang pagkadapa, at sa kahit anumang yanig at pagsubok, kapit-bisig na titindig ang buong bansa. Siguro gusto ko lang ho talagang pagdiinan, noong tayo po‘y nag-campaign noong huling dalaw natin dito, talagang nasa isip ko: Gaano katagal kaya bago bumangon ang mga Boholano? Gaano katagal kaya bago mawala ang agam-agam na sa kanilang tirahan? Sa aking pagbalik po, parang normal na normal kayo dito. Kayo ay nagiging halimbawa sa lahat ng mga lugar na sinalanta ni Yolanda na kakayanin natin talaga. Nanalig tayo sa isa‘t isa, nanalig tayo sa kabutihang-loob ng Poong Maykapal, babangon tayong lahat, at sabay sabay po tayong tutungo sa ‗di hamak na mas maganda. Magandang hapon po, maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

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ONLINE NEWS

02 DECEMBER 2013

02 DECEMBER 2013

1. DBM supports AFP pensioners with P3.03-B release

2. More tents airlifted to E. Visayas

3. Beauty queens find joy volunteering at DSWD warehouse

4. U/KBs continue to post low NPL levels

5. Press Con on 2012 full year Official Poverty Statistics slated on December 9, 2013

6. Balik-manggagawa OEC of Samar and Leyte OFWs available at NAIA

7. Phl, South Korea top up dev't cooperation fund

8. DOE to conduct high-level symposium on Renewable Energy

9. DA convenes stakeholders for a stronger rice industry

10. Yolanda-hit borrowers and businesses get relief in SSS payments

11. TESDA, My Shelter give Yolanda survivors ‘Gift of Light’ for Christmas

12. MMDA holds farewell mass in Leyte

13. Phl has second poorest quality of infrastructure in ASEAN

14. DSWD sets up special place for women at evacuation camps

15. Thank you, Volunteers – DSWD

DBM supports AFP pensioners with P3.03-B release

Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

In fulfillment of the Aquino administration‘s commitment to support the country‘s retired uniformed personnel, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced the release of P3.03 billion to the Armed Forces of the Philippines – General Headquarters (AFP-GHQ) for the pension payments of the remaining 16,295 pensioners. DBM Secretary Florencio ―Butch‖ Abad reported that as of date, the agency has already released P26.74 billion to meet the pension requirements of 104,816 military beneficiaries, with the release supporting the pension requirements for January to November, as well as the partial requirement for December, which amounts to P46.51 million. The release is chargeable against the Pension and Gratuity Fund under the 2013 General Appropriations Act. ―Now that we are nearing the end of 2013, the Aquino administration is even more determined to fulfill its commitment to ensure ample support to all government retirees, including those who served in the country‘s Armed Forces. Because the DBM has introduced a streamlined process of records confirmation, it‘s become easier for us to facilitate the prompt release of funds for our military pensioners and to accomplish that in the most efficient, accountable manner possible,‖ the budget chief said. Altogether, a total of 121,111 claims—comprising 97 percent of the pension list—have already been verified and confirmed. The pension requirements amounting to P29.77 billion for this year were computed based on the pensioners‘ respective years of service, longevity pay, and basic salary. According to the DBM, the roster of pensioners has already been verified and confirmed against Government-Service Bank (GSB) records and the budget department‘s own database of retirees. Aside from establishing efficiency in identifying beneficiaries, the system also weeded out ghost pensioners and invalid entries, ensuring that all retirees are accounted for to receive their respective benefits. Meanwhile, 2,069 roster entries have yet to be verified with bank records and other supporting documents. A total of 1,539 names—which have been determined as invalid entries or ghost pensioners—have also been stricken from the roster to date. ―The one-two punch of recent calamities and the forthcoming holiday season means that our AFP retirees could use all the help that they can possibly get. By ridding the existing database of bogus entries and facilitating the efficient release of our pensioners‘ benefits, the Administration not only recognizes the urgent needs of the men and women who served the country in their capacity as uniformed personnel. It also affirms its commitment of providing the necessary support to our AFP retirees in line with our standards of transparency and accountability,‖ Abad stated.

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More tents airlifted to E. Visayas

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

As the government intensifies its provision of temporary shelter assistance to homeless families in Eastern Visayas, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) welcomes the tent donations of the Australian government. The Royal Australian Air Force in coordination with the DSWD airlifted from Mactan Airbase in Cebu over the weekend an initial 1,000 tents for ‗Yolanda‘ victims in Tacloban City and Ormoc City in Leyte, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar. Each tent has a floor area of 16 square meters and can accommodate a family with eight to ten members. The tents were earlier turned over to the DSWD by Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell. ―Food, water, and the health of people affected by Typhoon Yolanda remain as pressing priorities, but it is also important to focus on providing them temporary shelter,‖ Ambassador Tweddell said. The ambassador explained that while tents are only ―a temporary solution and are just a small part of our overall assistance,‖ these are ―also critical to help people start to rebuild their lives.‖ DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman lauded the Australian government for its continuing assistance to families

affected by the typhoon. ―Aside from the monetary aid that they already have provided, the Australian government is also providing other much needed assistance in the relief operations. We thank them for being always ready to lend a hand to the Filipino people,‖ Secretary Soliman noted. Likewise, the Royal Australian Air Force agreed to transport the 1,300 tents donated by the People‘s Republic of China.

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Beauty queens find joy volunteering at DSWD warehouse

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

A day before repacking activities at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC), the main warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), were terminated on Saturday, three Binibining Pilipinas beauties showed up there to help repack goods for Typhoon Yolanda victims. Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner-Up Ariella Arida, Bb. Pilipinas-International Bea Santiago, and Bb. PIlipinas First Runner–Up Pia Wurtzbach spent their Friday morning repacking goods with other volunteers. Although she had done volunteer work before, Ariella said this is the first time she volunteered at DSWD. She said, ―Masarap sa pakiramdam ang mag-volunteer, lalo na at alam mong nakakatulong ka sa nangangailangan. Nakakatuwa din na nakikita ko na madaming handang tumulong sa Tacloban. Nakakatuwa din na makita na ang mga goods ay handang i-deploy sa mga areas. (It feels good to volunteer knowing that I am able to help. I am also happy to see all the relief goods that are ready for deployment to the [affected] areas.)‖ For her part, Bea shared, ―It‘s very organized here. I love how DSWD conducts the orientation focusing on those which should and should not be done by volunteers.‖ She also said that it is good that there is a log-in and log-out system to keep track of the volunteers. Bea also cited the relaxed ambience at the warehouse. ―I love the pleasant environment with the music. The people are so nice and comfortable to work with. It is as if repacking is just an easy task,‖ she beamed. This was affirmed by Pia who remarked, ―It‘s very organized here. May sistema. Hindi lang basta papasok kung ‗di may briefing sa umpisa para malaman kung ano yung dapat tandaan. (It is very organized here. Volunteers don‘t just come in. They undergo a short briefing wherein they are oriented on what they should do.)‖ Pia commented that they have been to other warehouses but DSWD has the most organized and the biggest repacking center. ―I‘m impressed with the system,‖ she added explaining that without such a system there would be instances that volunteers might miss to include some goods in the plastic bags. She also enjoyed interacting with other volunteers especially the policewomen. Messages of Hope When asked to give their messages for the victims of ‗Yolanda,‘ Arriela said―Nakakatuwa na nagsisimula na ang pagbangon. Sana tuloy-tuloy pa din ang pagtulong. (I am glad that the affected families are now on their way to recovery. I hope that the people will continue helping.)‖ She went on, ―Sa mga kababayan natin sa Visayas, sana patuloy kayong kumapit.Stay strong and positive. Ang daming handang tumulong. (To our countrymen in the Visayas, I hope that you continue to hold on. Stay strong and positive. Many are willing to help.)‖ The beauty queen also expressed her gratitude for the efforts of DSWD and the government in helping the victims of Yolanda. On the other hand, Bea, who is set to leave the country and compete for the Miss International 2013 competition, appealed to all to continue to pray hard. Pia also shared the sentiments of her two colleagues for the victims to remain strong and prayerful. She also thanked the volunteers for giving their time stressing that ―we can all do our share in whatever form.‖ Words of thanks

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman reiterated her expression of gratitude to all volunteers as she encouraged them to continue to share their time also in the repacking centers in Eastern Visayas which are being strengthened after the closure of NROC and other repacking sites. ―Responding to the needs of the affected families is made easier because of the volunteers and donors,‖ Secretary Soliman continued. ‖It is very touching that Pinoys from all walks of life and all ages continue to help – beauty queens, uniformed personnel, students, clergy, government workers, corporate groups, among others. We affirm once again that we are a strong nation, and will rise up to this challenge.‖

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U/KBs continue to post low NPL levels

Source: http://www.bsp.gov.ph

Universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) kept their gross non-performing loans (NPL) low at 2.6 percent of total loan portfolio (TLP) in September this year. The gross NPL ratio stayed low amid a year-on-year decline in soured loans and the continued rise in lending. U/KBs posted Php 102.09 billion in NPLs in September, lower than the Php103.42 billion recorded a year earlier. The banks‘ TLP, meanwhile, increased to Php 3.92 trillion in September from Php 3.44 trillion during the same month last year. The industry also continued to set aside substantial reserves for potential credit losses as U/KBs provisioned for 128.80 percent of their gross NPLs in September. Aside from gross NPLs, which are the actual level of NPLs, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also monitors the NPLs net of specific allowances for potential credit losses. The net NPLs of U/KBs also remained low at 0.45 percent of TLP in September. The U/KBs NPL levels also continue to remain low across economic sectors. This is seen in the financial intermediation, real estate, manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade sectors which together accounted for 62.8 percent of the banks‘ TLP in September. Low NPL ratios and robust loan loss provisioning indicate prudent management of credit risks. The BSP continues to monitor these indicators as part of its objective to maintain the stability of individual banks and of the domestic financial system.

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Press Con on 2012 full year Official Poverty Statistics slated on December 9, 2013

Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph

The National Statistical Coordination Board announces the holding of a Press Conference on the 2012 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics on December 9, 2013 (Monday) at 10:00 a.m. at the NSCB Operations Room, 5th Floor Midland Buendia, Bldg., 403 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City. National Economic and Development Authority Director General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan will be the resource person for the said event.

The press conference will be streamed live on the Internet through the NSCB USTREAM channel http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nscb. Highlights of the press conference will be tweeted live all throughout the duration of the press conference through the NSCB Twitter account @NSCBPhilippines. The hashtag to be used is #PHpoverty.

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Phl, South Korea top up dev't cooperation fund

Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph

MANILA - The Philippines has renewed development cooperation with South Korea, expanding financing assistance for priority sectors in the country, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said. NEDA Deputy Director-General Rolando G. Tungpalan said the government of South Korea is making available a $500-million credit line to the Philippines under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for 2014-2017. ―The topped up EDCF provides additional funding option for items outlined in our Public Investment Program (PIP). This should allow us to ensure execution of priority programs and projects in the next few years,‖ Tungpalan said.

For the period 2011-2013, four infrastructure projects with loan requirements totaling about $335.78 million were committed for funding under the EDCF. These projects are the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project, Stage II, the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project, the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in Low-Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay, and the Baler-Casiguran Road Improvement Project. ―South Korea is interested in infrastructure projects especially in agriculture, energy and transportation. Their expertise in these areas could be beneficial to the country as we address infrastructure backlogs to accelerate development and recovery from recent calamities,‖ Tungpalan noted. The South Korean government, he said, has also expressed interest to fund disaster prevention and rehabilitation projects in light of damages brought by typhoon Yolanda. He added that the sectors in which South Korea has expressed interest on are aligned with the priorities of the updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and are opportunities for further deepening Philippines-South Korea collaboration. Tungpalan emphasized, however, that the revised framework in financing national government projects will maximize the use of ODA for projects requiring foreign content, expertise and technology. Further, ODA will be utilized if there are inherent advantages and value-added from tapping the prospective ODA funding source, and if the said funding source can assure timely project implementation and completion. The government's priority projects are identified in the PIP. Based on this, NEDA determines the projects that require financing in the short- to medium-term and validates their required foreign content, technology or expertise. The Department of Finance, on the other hand, determines the most appropriate financing mode and source for the projects. ―While we appreciate development agencies offering financing assistance, we are firm on focusing these on the identified priority areas or sectors outlined in the PDP. We also would like to make sure we get high-quality, high-impact projects at the least cost‖ Tungpalan concluded.

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DOE to conduct high-level symposium on Renewable Energy

Source: http://www.doe.gov.ph

The Department of Energy (DOE), together with the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, will be conducting a high-level symposium on renewable energy (RE) to discuss among stakeholders the developments and challenges in the RE sector. The symposium, ―Time for Renewable Energies to push through – Reaping the fruits of the RE Law‖, will be held on 03 December 2013 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. In line with the 2013 National Energy Consciousness Month, the activity aims to raise awareness and be an avenue for information exchange on the RE implementation and policy regulations, roles of different sectors in the society on RE development, and incentive mechanisms for RE developer, among others. Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said that through public discourses, every sector in the society especially the host communities and RE developers, can learn and eventually embrace the importance of RE development in securing the energy needs of the country. Among the topics that will be discussed is the status of RE development, which will highlight the roles of the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) and Net Metering Mechanisms which are provisions under RE Act of 2008. FIT offers emerging RE sources for electricity guaranteed payments on a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour for energy exported to the distribution or transmission network excluding energy utilized for eligible power plants‘ own use. Meanwhile, the Net-Metering refers to a system, appropriate for distributed generation, in which a distribution grid user has a two-way connection to the grid and is only charged for his net electricity consumption and is credited for any overall contribution to the electricity grid. Participants of the said symposium will include representatives from the DOE and its attached agencies, CCC, National Renewable Energy Board, local government units, other government agencies, the academe, international partners, private companies and other RE stakeholders.

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DA convenes stakeholders for a stronger rice industry

Source: http://www.da.gov.ph

The Department of Agriculture organized on November 29, 2013, the first ever National Grains Traders, Wholesalers

and Retailers Conference in the hope of consolidating information and ideas from stakeholders and come up with a mechanism that will strengthen and uplift the national rice sector. The event, held at the Philippine International Convention Center, served as a venue for rice entrepreneurs to meet with farmers‘ organizations and rice experts and discuss possible collaborations to meet the target of the food sufficiency program of the government. DA, through the leadership of Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, has remained adamant in its mission to provide safe and sufficiency rice supply for the Filipino people. ―We target to be self-sufficient this year, and strengthen national production in the years to come,‖ Alcala announced. ―This conference brings together our longtime partners in the rice fields in the countryside to help us in our mission to feed the every Filipino,‖ he said. Alcala added that aside from conferring with rice stakeholders, the DA continues to set up interventions to attain its key target of raising farm productivity, managing food staple consumption and enhancing economic incentives. The government-support measures include the expansion of irrigation services and the promotion of high quality seeds, as well as an intensified price support program, provision of credit facilities and crop insurance. Assistant Secretary Dante S. Delima added that the Department, through its Rice Program and partner agencies, continue to promote the consumption of alternative staples such as cassava, saba and brown rice and encourage the public to diversify and reduce food wastage.

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Yolanda-hit borrowers and businesses get relief in SSS payments

Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph

The Social Security System (SSS) has announced a moratorium on housing and member loan payments and lower interest rates for borrowers in areas devastated by Super Typhoon ―Yolanda,‖ while calamity-stricken employers are given an extended payment deadline for their monthly contributions. The relaxed payment terms for contributions and loans are among the recent enhancements in the SSS Calamity Relief Package for victims of ―Yolanda,‖ as approved by the Social Security Commission (SSC) on November 27. These cover specifically areas in central Philippines declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) under a ―State of Calamity,‖ such as Leyte, Bacolod, Samar, Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and Cebu. ―Employers are required to remit contributions only for the months that their business has been actively erating. Because of the destruction wrought by Yolanda, we understand that employers in the typhoon-stricken areas have had to stop operations,‖ SSS explained. ―As part of the relief package, the deadline of all employer contributions that correspond to the months of actual operations from October 2013 to March 2014 will be on April 30, 2014. This extended deadline will enable affected companies to use their current resources in fully restoring their businesses.‖ Resumption of regular payment deadlines will take effect for employer contributions on April 2014 onwards. Companies that remain non-operational after March 2014 must submit an accomplished SSS Form R-8 (Employer Data Change Request), along with the supporting documents, to suspend or terminate their membership with SSS. Borrowers affected by ―Yolanda‖ will also get a reprieve from their SSS payments under a moratorium on loan amortizations that fall due on November 2013 to June 2014. The moratorium will benefit only calamity-hit borrowers with housing, salary and other short-term member loans, as well as those paying for acquired SSS housing assets in monthly installments. ―The moratorium gives affected borrowers an eight-month grace period on loan payments due to the adjustment in their due date. This will help them use their limited funds for their subsistence needs and rebuilding expenses, without their worrying about the monthly loan penalty of one percent,‖ SSS added. The interest rate for amortizations within the moratorium period was dropped to one percent per annum --- in line with Malacañang's directive to grant interest-free loans, while still adhering to the SSS Charter's requirement for investments to earn at no less than the average Treasury-bill rate. The applicable interest rate for new salary loans and Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP) availments under the enhanced relief package will also be one percent per annum, lower than the regular rate of 10 percent. Loan repayment will start on the sixth month after the loan grant, instead of the usual two-month grace period before the start of loan amortization. As for loan renewals under the SLERP, deductions from the loan proceeds shall only include the outstanding principal and interest. Accrued penalties, if any, will not bear any interest and may be incorporated into the monthly amortizations of the new loan. Borrowers can directly claim their loan checks from the SSS branch where they filed their application for a quicker loan release. The enhanced relief package also includes the increase in advance pensions to six months from the original three months for calamity-stricken pensioners.

SSS also waived the P300 replacement fee for members who lost their SSS IDs or Unified Multi-purpose Identification System or ―UMID‖ cards during the typhoon. Earlier announced as part of the SSS relief package are the SLERP, which enables current borrowers to renew their salary loans ahead of the prescribed period; the waived one percent service fee for both new salary loan and SLERP applications; and the reduced six percent annual interest rate and waived application fee of up to P3,000 for House Repair and Improvement Loans. The deadline of applications for the SSS Calamity Relief Package for ―Yolanda‖ is on April 30, 2014, while members interested in the special House Repair and Improvement Loan have one year from the issuance date of the SSS circular to file their application.

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TESDA, My Shelter give Yolanda survivors ‘Gift of Light’ for Christmas

Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph

As an early present, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and My Shelter Foundation will distribute several units of solar night lights to some communities affected by powerful typhoon Yolanda to brighten up their Christmas. The joint project plans to initially produce 1,300 solar night lights to be given to Leyte and Samar, and select communities in the country's poorest municipalities. Distribution will continue as production of the lights proceed with available funding. "Light is a basic need. When there is light you can move around, you can be productive," Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, said in an event organized on Friday (November 29) to showcase the production of the solar lights at the TESDA Complex in Taguig City. "The list of what's lacking in tent cities and makeshift shelters of the typhoon survivors is long, but near the top is light. TESDA and My Shelter are doing their share of helping," he said. During the event, the covered court serving as a multi-purpose hall at the TESDA Complex was transformed into a production area to display how the solar night lights were assembled. Trainees from the TESDA Women's Center, several persons with disabilities and students from the University of Sto. Tomas and the Malayan Colleges worked on their solar upgrade kits to produce the lights ready for distribution. A total of 1,000 kits were assembled that day. To spread the use of the technology, hands-on training on how to assemble the solar light was conducted by TESDA trainers side by side the production line. Villanueva and My Shelter Foundation executive director Illac Diaz took part in the activity. TESDA and My Shelter Foundation earlier gave several units of the solar lights to families in Tacloban City, but they said they are aiming for mass distribution soonest. Diaz said the lighting of the homes will be timed with the country's commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, who began the revolution for independence. With the project, the country is now embarking on a new green revolution, he added. Diaz's group earlier started the Liter of Light project that uses bulb and plastic bottles. The design features a solar lamp that uses solar energy to power the lamp that will illuminate the bottle at night. "Rehabilitation of typhoon-damaged provinces is not an easy task, but a flicker of light, in this case, a single solar-powered light, is a good way to start," Villanueva said.

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MMDA holds farewell mass in Leyte

Source: http://www.mmda.gov.ph

TACLOBAN CITY, NOV. 28 - The parish priest of Sto. Nino Shrine here praised the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for its efforts and sacrifice in helping rehabilitate the badly damaged city that was ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda on November 8. In a thanksgiving and departure mass for the MMDA contingent that has been in the city since November 10, parish priest Fr. Gani Petilos said the MMDA workers were the "real heroes" who had been helping city residents recover from the devastation of the typhoon. "Habambuhay ko ipagmamalaki mga taga-MMDA, kahit di ko matandaan mga pangalan at anyo niyo. Ang pagtulong

sa kapwa ay pagmamahal sa Diyos," Petilos said in his homily. Petilos appealed to the media to stop focusing on others in their news reports but instead interview the lowly MMDA aid workers who had been silently working in Tacloban and other typhoon-devastated areas day and night, while enduring the sadness of being away from their own families. "Try interviewing the MMDA workers for real stories of heroism. Their sacrifice in giving aid to their countrymen is immeasurable," the parish priest said. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, who attended the mass along with other agency officials, said the MMDA will always be on hand to give assistance to those in need. "The country can depend on us in serving our kababayans who are victims of calamities and disasters. We at the MMDA are always ready to respond to all kinds of crisis," the MMDA chief said. More than 304 MMDA personnel attended the mass, most of whom had been in Tacloban and other towns in Leyte since November 10, actively taking part in the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations. Tolentino said the MMDA contingent will go back to Manila on December 1. "We may be tired and bruised, but we will go home with a smile and satisfaction that we were able to help thousands of typhoon victims, who were the ones who suffered the most and lost almost everything," he said. After the mass, the MMDA workers hung 50 red and yellow Christmas lanterns around the church's premises to promote the spirit of Christmas. "Even with the devastation, there's still hope. There's still a Christmas to celebrate and thank for," Tolentino said. As of November 28, the MMDA relief and cleanup unit has hauled 64,792 cubic meters of debris, or 92.56 percent of estimated volume of debris and garbage in the streets of Tacloban, and has made a total of 4,952 truck trips.

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Phl has second poorest quality of infrastructure in ASEAN

Source: http://www.pids.gov.ph

Quality of infrastructure in the Philippines is second to the last in the ASEAN region. This was disclosed by Dr. Adoracion Navarro, Senior Research Fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), during the forum "Financing Infrastructure in the Philippines " held at PIDS. In the Global Competitiveness Report 2012-2013 of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines is ranked 98th among 144 countries in terms of quality of overall infrastructure. Philippine infrastructure is worse than Cambodias, Navarro said. In the ASEAN region, the only country the Philippines overtook was Viet Nam that placed 119th, the ASEAN nation with the poorest quality of infrastructure. Ranked first in the region is Singapore, which is second overall among 144 countries. Malaysia was ranked 29th; Brunei Darussalam, 43th; Thailand, 49th; Cambodia, 72th; and Indonesia; 92th. Lao PDR and Myanmar are not included in the ranking. The Philippines got the lowest rank in terms of quality of port infrastructure (120th) and air transport infrastructure (112th). This is clearly worse than Cambodias 69th and 75th ranking in port and air transport infrastructure, respectively. Navarro attributes this poor turnout to underinvestment in infrastructure. In 2012, only 11 percent of the total appropriated budget for infrastructure was spent"a scenario that has not changed since 2010. Navarro said the decreasing reliance on official development assistance (ODA) loans also contributed to the low quality of Philippine infrastructure. In 2012, ODA loans for infrastructure was more than US$5 million, which was relatively smaller than the figure in 2008 which was over US$6 million. As of 2013, there are 21 projects in the pipeline under the Public-Private Partnership scheme. Required investments in 18 of these projects are projected at US$5 billion. Three of the 21 projects do not have cost estimates yet. Navarro challenged stakeholders in the financial sector to take advantage of the liquid financial market given the huge projects costs in infrastructure and the single borrower limits faced by banks in direct lending. Given the maturity of lending capital by Philippine banks (10-15 years) and the long gestation of infrastructure projects (25-30 years), the government could facilitate the creation of credit enhancements for infrastructure bonds that can be issued by private issuers. The government should also organize a group of experts from both the private and public sectors to formulate clear mechanisms and an institutional setup to mobilize bank resources for infrastructure financing, said Navarro.

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DSWD sets up special place for women at evacuation camps

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Tacloban City, Leyte - Aware of the special needs of women who are presently staying in evacuation centers, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has set-up Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) in its evacuation centers. WFS is a special place for women in evacuation centers where they can breastfeed their children, learn about health and well-being, and receive counseling, among others. The establishment of the WFS is also integrated in evacuation camp management which aims to respond to the effects of displacement and vulnerability of women and children in natural and man-made crisis situations, such as disasters and incidents of armed conflict. Initially, five WFS are installed at the Redemptorist Church, San Fernando Community School, San Jose Elementary School, Rizal Central School, and the Tacloban Convention Center. Alona Bermejo, the focal person of the WFS strategy, said that the project is co-funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She further explains that a WFS can be installed in a classroom, in an office space facility, or in a tent. The WFS concept operates by tapping service providers, not only in providing psycho-social support for the internally displaced women but also medical, reproductive health services and basic food and non-food needs. Beneficiaries of the WFS will become part of the local government unit referral system where they will be accessed to different agencies for livelihood opportunities. J ust this week, the UNFPA had a Reproductive Health Medical Mission at the convention center. Stories of courage The WFS has been a place where women can interact and share their stories as part of their coping to overcome their trauma. They are are guided by social workers who are trained on stress debriefing. In the WFS at Rizal Central School, social workers gathered the women to tell their stories. A lady in her early 30‘s, shared her touching experience with the supertyphoon.She appeared to be a strong person yet she cannot hide the tremble in her voice. Not wanting to be named, she shared in local dialect, ―I was able to get hold of a cable wire while carrying my baby. The determination of my husband pushed me to carry on despite the threat that any minute me and my baby would die. The water was chest-high. Finally, we were able to find shelter in the second storey of a nearby house.‖ Another woman who resides at Pampango District recounted that she and her child were washed away, about ten meters from their home. A banana trunk aided them to safety. She, however, said that it was such an ordeal expressing her fear that she won‘t be able to see her other son again. ―I was trembling with fear and uncertainty. It was all too sudden. I never thought the situation will end up this way because I don‘t know what ―storm surge‖ is. I could also be blamed. My family was advised to evacuate but we didn‘t. Thank God, we were reunited later with my older son. He was rescued by my uncle,‖ she tearfully related. ―Paano kami babangon? Pinag-ipunan namin ang mga gamit ng mahabang panahon. Kailangan namin ng hanapbuhay.(How will we rise again? It took us quite some time to save for our belongings. We need to have livelihood),‖ another woman-survivor said expressing her grief over her lost possessions. ―Masakit, marami akong pinaghihinayangan. Ang ganda pa naman ng Tacloban. (It‘s heartbreaking, Tacloban is such a wonderful place),‖ another evacuee shared.

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Thank you, Volunteers – DSWD

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) extends it gratitude to all the volunteers who helped repack relief goods at its main warehouse, the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City, and in all its satellite hubs in Metro Manila and in the regional repacking centers. The Department reiterated that it has closed the repacking centers in Metro Manila and Cebu and will strengthen those in Eastern Visayas. DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman emphasized that the volunteers contributed greatly to the relief efforts of the government especially in the repacking and delivering around 2.6 million relief packs to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern and Western Visayas.

―I commend and personally thank our volunteers. We could not have done it without you,‖ Secretary Soliman said. The commendation comes at an auspicious time as the nation celebrates today, November 30, the birth anniversary of one of our national heroes, Andres Bonifacio. She added, ―You truly exemplify the essence of modern heroism…‖ She also thanked the employees of DSWD and other government agencies, and the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Marines, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) who provided ―invaluable help and assistance‖ during the relief operations. She also recognized those who provided stress debriefings to mothers and children in the evacuation centers who were traumatized by the typhoon. Since November 9, the day after ‗Yolanda‘ hit the country, until November 29, a total of 151,920 volunteers have enlisted in the different repacking centers in Metro Manila and other regions. DSWD officials will go around the repacking centers today, the last day of volunteer activities, to thank the volunteers and ensure that the closing would be smooth. Relief distribution continues With the repacking to be done in Eastern Visayas, Secretary Soliman assured that relief distribution will continue until December for all affected families. The Department started with the sixth round of distribution yesterday. By January until February, relief distribution will focus on families who are still not capable to earn. These include those families with female heads, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant and lactating mothers, small children, and sick members. Cash-For-Work As part of the early recovery efforts, the Department will continue to provide Cash-For-Work (CFW) for the victims of ‗Yolanda.‘ The CFW is an intervention for disaster victims where they are given cash in exchange for doing community work such as cleaning of roads and canal debris. According to Secretary Soliman, the CFW would help victims return to their normal social functioning in life as they will have some money to buy food and other necessities. ―Working and earning through the CFW scheme will not only help them recover but to also regain their self-esteem and dignity,‖ she shared. Secretary Soliman urged the priority-families to go to their respective City or Municipal Social Welfare Office and provide them with their circumstances to ensure that they will be included in the list of relief recipients. Donors also lauded Secretary Soliman likewise lauded local and international humanitarian aid donors for their generous support. ―Your donations will go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of all typhoon victims,‖ she stated. Among the latest donors are United Pulp and Paper Company, Inc. (UPPC) which turned over to the DSWD a check donation amounting to more than P1.2 million and 10 boxes of used clothes; Clark Development Corporation (CDC) with P1.2 million; and Innovathink Corporation with cash donation worth P54,000 and 40 boxes of canned goods and used clothing. DSWD Assistant Secretary Javier Jimenez received the UPPC donation yesterday on behalf of Secretary Soliman at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City. In receiving the donation, Assistant Secretary Jimenez said, ―We really appreciate your generosity and will be sharing with you our rehabilitation plan so you will see where your donations go.‖ Wichan Jitpukdee, President and Chief Executive Officer of UPPC conveyed the company‘s desire to aid the typhoon victims. On the other hand, Franco Madlangbayan said their donation came from the officials and employees of Clark Development Corporation. ―We want to do our share to help the typhoon victims,‖ he pointed out. For their part, Ferdinand Mesina of Innovathink remarked, ―In response to the crisis, we decided to cancel our traditional Christmas party in the office to help in our own little way.‖ As of November 29, a total of P47,759,770.59 local cash donations and US$13,109,737.27 foreign cash donations were received by DSWD for ‗Yolanda‘ victims.

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Last Updated: 2 DECEMBER 2013 Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Philip S, Goldberg of

United States of America to the Philippines during the presentation of credentials at the Music

Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 02). (Photo by MARCELINO

PASCUA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Neil Reeder of the

Republic of Canada to the Philippines during the presentation of credentials at the Music

Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 02). (Photo by MARCELINO

PASCUA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Truong Trieu Doung

of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Philippines during the presentation of credentials

at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 02). (Photo by

MARCELINO PASCUA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador U Ye MyInt Aung of

the Republic Union of Myanmar to the Philippines during the presentation of credentials at

the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 02). (Photo by

MARCELINO PASCUA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Ronald Van

Remoortele of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Philippines during the presentation of

credentials at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 02). (Photo by

MARCELINO PASCUA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III accepts the credentials of Ambassador Josef Muellner of the

Republic of Austria to the Philippines during the presentation of credentials at the Music

Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 02). (Photo by MARCELINO

PASCUA)

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel

Bautista, troops the line for the full military arrival honors at the commemoration of the

150th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument in

Caloocan City on Saturday (November 30) with the theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at

Kabayanihan.” (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Marcelino Pascua Malacañang

Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of the 150th

Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument in

Caloocan City on Saturday (November 30) with the theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at

Kabayanihan.” (Photo by Ryan Lim / Benhur Arcayan / Marcelino Pascua Malacañang

Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the nation in commemorating the 150th Birth

Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City

on Saturday (November 30, 2013) with the theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at Kabayanihan.”

Also in photo is National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria

Serena Diokno. (Photo by Ryan Lim / Robert Vinas Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III troops the line for the full military arrival honors accorded

to the Commander-in-Chief upon arrival for the commemoration of the 150th Birth

Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City

on Saturday (November 30, 2013) with the theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at Kabayanihan.”

(Photo by Robert Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by National Historical Commission of the

Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan,

Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del

Rosario, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, NHCP executive director Ludovico Badoy,

BSP Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr., Philpost Chairman Cesar Sarino and AFP Chief of

Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, leads the flag-raising ceremony during the

commemoration of the150th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio

National Monument in Caloocan City on Saturday (November 30). (Photo by Roberto Viñas

/ Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III offers a wreath at the Bonifacio National Monument during

the commemoration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan

City on Saturday (November 30) with the theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at Kabayanihan.” Also

in photo are National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairperson Dr. Maria

Serena Diokno and AFP Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista. (Photo by Robert Viñas

/ Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a Bonifacio Commemorative Coin from Bangko

Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr., during the commemoration of

the 150th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument

in Caloocan City on Saturday (November 30) with the theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at

Kabayanihan.” Also in photo is Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan. (Photo by Robert

Viñas / Benhur Arcayan Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a Bonifacio Commemorative Stamp from

Philippine Postal Corporation Chairman Cesar Sarino during the commemoration of the

150th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio at the Bonifacio National Monument in

Caloocan City on Saturday (November 30, 2013). With theme: “Bonifacio: Dangal at

Kabayanihan.” Also I n photo is Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan. (Photo by Robert

Viñas / Malacañang Photo Bureau).

President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the Task Force Yolanda Reconstruction and

Rehabilitation Plan Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace

on Friday (November 29). (Photo by Ryan Lim / (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo

Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads his official family in prayer before presiding over the

Task Force Yolanda Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan Meeting at the Aguinaldo State

Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Friday (November 29). (Photo by Ryan Lim /

Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Bohol residents express their gratitude to President Benigno S. Aquino III and his Cabinet

Secretaries for helping them recover from the devastation wrought by the October 15 strong

earthquake. The Chief Executive receives a warm welcomes from Bohol residents during

his inspection on the newly repaired Abatan Bridge in Barangay Lingkod in the

Municipality of Maribojoc on Thursday (November 28, 2013). (Photo by Benhur

Arcayan/Malacanang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III focuses on the status of rehabilitation efforts in Bohol

during his visit to the province on Thursday (November 28) to inspect roads and bridges that

were damaged during the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month. Also in photo are Bohol

Governor Edgar Chatto, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior and Local

Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Social Welfare and Development Secretary

Corazon Juliano-Soliman. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III focuses on the status of rehabilitation efforts in Bohol

during his visit to the province on Thursday (November 28) to inspect roads and bridges that

were damaged during the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month. Also in photo is National

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo

Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III focuses on the status of rehabilitation efforts in Bohol

during his visit to the province on Thursday (November 28) to inspect roads and bridges that

were damaged during the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan /

Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio

Singson's briefing on the newly repaired Abatan Bridge in Barangay Lingkod in the

Municipality of Maribojoc in Bohol on Thursday (November 28). The Abatan Bridge links

the northern towns of the province to the capital city of Tagbilaran. It was reopened to

traffic after 18 days of infrastructure works. Bohol was rocked by a 7.2 tremor that killed

over 220 and toppled over 2,000 homes and buildings on October 15. (Photo by Benhur

Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the newly repaired Abatan Bridge in Barangay

Lingkod in the Municipality of Maribojoc in Bohol on Thursday (November 28). The

Abatan Bridge links northern towns of Bohol with the capital city of Tagbilaran was

reopened to traffic after 18 days of infrastructure works. Bohol was rocked by a magnitude

7.2 tremor that killed over 220 and toppled over 2,000 homes and buildings on October 15.

(Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the rehabilitation of Tagbuane Bridge in the

Municipality of Alburquerque in Bohol on Thursday (November 28). The province was

rocked by a 7.2 tremor that killed over 220 and toppled over 2,000 homes and buildings on

October 15. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Tagbilaran City Airport in Bohol on Thursday

(November 28) to inspect the status of rehabilitation of roads and bridges damaged during

the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month. Also in photo are Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho

Petilla, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare and Development

Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and Transportation and Communications Secretary

Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III arrives at the Tagbilaran City Airport in Bohol on Thursday

(November 28) to inspect the status of rehabilitation of roads and bridges damaged during

the magnitude 7.2 earthquake last month. In photo are Public Works and Highways

Secretary Rogelio Singson, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Transportation

and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan /

Malacañang Photo Bureau)

The Philippine Army alongside the Japan Disaster Relief-Self Defance Force Units hold

dental and medical missions in Tacloban City, Leyte, Wednesday (November 27). (Photo by

Bong Manabat NIB PHOTO)

Thousands of typhoon victims line up as the Departmetn of Trade and Industry organizes a

Diskwento Caravan in Tacloban City, Leyte Wednesday (November 27). (Photo by Bong

Manabat NIB PHOTO)

President Benigno S. Aquino lll presides over a Cabinet Meeting at the Aguinaldo State

Dining Room in Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (November 27). The meeting with the

members of his Cabinet was held days after super typhoon Yolanda hit the major cities of

the Visayan region. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/ Gil Nartea/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Workers from first Bukidnon Electric Cooperatives (FIBECO) repair power lines damaged

by super typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban City (November 26). (Photo by Exequiel Supera

PCOO NIB)

Residents of Tacloban City work as one in cleaning streets ravaged by super typhoon

Yolanda. (Photo by Exequiel Supera PCOO NIB)

A store owner in Tacloban Citry opens shop before dawn Monday, two weeks after super

typhoon Yolanda hit this city. Businesses have started to reopen as residents recover from

the tragedy. (Exequiel Supera/NIB Photo)

Dr. Sun Tao, the director of the Chinese naval ship Ark Peace, demonstrates the capabilities

of the vessel to treat patients who have various medical conditions. The vessel was sent to the

Visayas to help residents injured by super typhoon Yolanda. (Exequiel Supera/NIB Photo)

Brunei, Philippine and ASEAN officials take part in the ceremonial turnover of food items

from Brunei for victims of super typhoon Yolanda at the Tacloban City port on Monday.

(Exequiel Supera/NIB Photo)

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy's newly commissioned vessel, delivers

construction materials to help residents affected by super typhoon Yolanda rebuild their

homes. The vessel is anchored off Tacloban City. (Exequiel Supera/NIB Photo)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!