Aguinaldo Shrine

Pagsanjan Falls

Taal Lake

Antipolo Church

Lucban Pahiyas Feast

PIA Calabarzon 3 PRs ( May 6-7 , 2013), Dispatch for May 7 , 2013 (Tuesday),
, 9 Weather Watch, 4 Regl.Watch , 4 OFW Watch , 15 Online News

Weather Watch
Sunday PAGASA: An annular solar eclipse will occur on May 10, 2013. It will be visible from Central Pacific Region, most of New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia and the southern parts of Philippines. In the Southern Philippines, the event will be observed as a partial solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partially obscuring the image of the Sun as viewed from the Earth. An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon's apparent diameter is smaller than the Sun, causing the Sun to look like an annulus (ring), blocking most of the Sun's light.

Weather Watch shared Dost_pagasa's status.

52 minutes ago THUNDERSTORM WATCH Issued at 10:00 AM, 07 May 2013 Thunderstorm is more likely to develop over Metro Manila within 12 hours. All are advised to monitor updates.

Weather Watch
4 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines PAGASA weather forecaster Samuel Duran on DZMM: -Ang mga rehiyon po ng SOCCSKSARGEN at Zamboanga peninsula ay makakaranas ng mahina hanggang katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog dahil sa ITCZ. -Malayo ang ITCZ ngunit dama na ang epekto nito sa Southern Mindanao. -Magiging maaliwalas naman ang lagay ng panahon sa Metro Manila at nalalabing bahagi ng bansa ngayong araw. -Bagama't patuloy pa ring makakaranas ng pulo-pulong pag-ulan o pagkulog-pagkidlat lalo na tuwing hapon o gabi dahil sa easterlies o hanging mula sa Karagatang Pasipiko. -25-35 degrees Celsius pa rin ang aasahang agwat ng temperatura ngayong araw.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago ABS-CBN: Makakaranas ng pag-ulan ang ilang bahagi ng Mindanao dahil sa ITCZ. Magiging maulap naman ang ilang bahagi ng Luzon, kabilang ang Aurora, Quezon, Naga at Legazpi dahil sa easterlies. Magiging mainit bukas sa Metro Manila sa 35C na may 50% chance of rains. Makakaranas naman ng mahinang ulan sa hapon sa Visayas. May 60% chance of rains ang Boracay habang mas malaki naman ang tsansa ng pag-ulan sa Bohol, Cebu at Siquijor. Magiging maulap naman panahon sa buong Mindanao bukas dahil sa ITCZ at posibleng makaranas ng light to moderate rains.

Weather Watch
14 hours ago PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier on DZBB: - ITCZ ang nakakaapekto sa Katimugang Mindanao at easterlies naman ang nakakaapekto sa silangang bahagi ng Luzon at Kabisayaan. - Ang Mindanao ay makakaranas ng maulap na kalangitan na may mahina hanggang sa katamtamang pag-ulan at pagkidlat-pagkulog. - Ang Metro Manila at ang nalalabing bahagi ng bansa ay magkakaroon ng bahagyang maulap na kalangitan na may pulu-pulong pag-ulan o pagkidlat-pagkulog lalo na sa dakong hapon o gabi.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago GMA-7: Tinatayang hindi bababa sa 200 bahay ang napinsala ng ipo-ipo sa Paniqui, Tarlac nitong Sabado. Samantala, patay naman ang dalawang binatilyo sa Santiago City, Isabela matapos silang tamaan ng kidlat.

Weather Watch
15 hours ago GMA: Posibleng makaranas ng ulan ang malaking bahagi ng Luzon, partikular na ang Gitnang Luzon bukas. Mayroon ding posibilidad ng pag-ulan sa Metro Manila lalo na sa hapon o gabi. Magiging makulimlim naman na may pag-ulan ang ilang bahagi ng Visayas habang posible namang makaranas ng katamtaman hanggang sa malakas na pag-ulan ang Mindanao dahil sa pag-iral ng ITCZ.

Weather Watch
18 hours ago GMA News TV: Malaki ang tsansa na magkaulan sa silangang bahagi ng bansa bukas. Ayon sa PAGASA, patuloy kasing umiiral ang easterlies. Posible namang umabot ng 37C ang temperatura sa Pangasinan. Magiging mainit din ang panahon sa Visayas habang mas malalakas na ulan naman ang posibleng maranasan sa Mindanao.

Weather Watch
18 hours ago GMA News TV: Binayo ng malakas na ulan na sinundan ng buhawi ang limang barangay sa Paniqui, Tarlac. Ayon sa NDRRMC, hindi hihigit sa 200 bahay nasira ng buhawi habang higit 1,000 katao ang naapektuhan nito. Ilang araw matapos ang kalamidad, bakas pa rin sa lugar ang epekto ng trahedya. Patuloy ang cleanup operation doon sa naging pinsala ng buhawi. Namigay na rin ng relief goods ang local government pero humihingi pa rin ng tulong ang ilang apektadong residente na nawalan ng bahay.

Weather Watch

May 7 , 2013 (Tuesday) CAVITE LAGUNA BATANGAS RIZAL

2 hours ago : : : :

QUEZON

Partly cloudy

PIA

Regional Watch

PIA Regional Watch

about an hour ago PIA-4A/RIZAL: Pinalitan kamakailan bilang hepe ng pulisya ng Antipolo City si Supt. Manuel Placido na inilipat sa bayan ng Montalban. Kasalukuyang nagsisilbing hepe ng Antipolo ang dating hepe ng Montalban na si Supt. Arturo Masungsong dala ng nakaraang kaso ng pamamaril o election related violence sa siyudad.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines PIA-4A/BATANGAS: May karagdagang 121 police commissioned officer at 136 police non commissioned officer mula sa camp crame ang dumating sa lalawigan ng Batangas upang tumulong sa pagbabantay sa katahimikan ng halalan sa Mayo 13.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines PIA-4A/RIZAL: Ginawaran kamakailan ang pinuno ng Antipolo City Human Resource Management Office at pinuno nitong si Amelie Quezada sa Search for the Best human resource management practitioner sa region 4 kung saan 500 mga opisina ang lumahok. Naparangalan ang Antipolo CHRMO dahil sa mga natatanging programa nito.

PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago near Quezon City, Philippines PIA-4A/QUEZON: 400 bamboo trees were planted along the riverside of Dumacaa River in Lucena City. The activity is part of Rivers Resuscitation Program which aims to rehabilitate the Iyam and Dumacaa Rivers in the city.

PIA OFW Watch

15 hours ago DZMM: Inaalam pa rin ng DFA ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga nasawi ng pagkakasunog ng isang sasakyan sa San Francisco, California USA. Ayon kay DFA Asec. Raul Hernandez, kinukumpirma pa rin nila ang report kung kabilang ang isang Pinoy sa nasabing aksidente.

PIA OFW Watch

16 hours ago GMA News TV: Isang Pilipina na nakatakda sanang umuwi ng Pilipinas para sa kanyang kasal ang nasawi sa limousine accident sa California.

PIA OFW Watch

17 hours ago DZBB: Umapela ang DFA sa lahat ng mga Pinoy sa Saudi Arabia na huwag magsagawa ng anumang demonstrasyon dahil labag ito sa batas ng nasabing bansa. Ginawa ni DFA Asec. Raul Hernandez ang pahayag matapos ang insdente sa Riyadh noong May 4 kung saan may dalawang Pilipino ang naaresto matapos magprotesta sa konsulada ng bansa. Aniya, bagama't napalaya agad ang dalawang naarestong Pilipino ay posible pa ring malagay sila sa alanganin dahil sa maaaring ikaso ng Saudi government sa mga lalahok sa anumang demonstrasyon.

PIA OFW Watch

17 hours ago DZMM: Ayon kay Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Consul General Uriel Garibay, parating na sa bansa ang limang overstaying na mga Pinoy roon. May 63 Pinoy pa ang naendorso nang makauwi sa Pilipinas. Gobyerno rin ang gagastos sa kanilang pasahe sa ilalim ng repatriation program.

A. QUEZON

B. CAVITE
1. Maynilad to build pumping station in Bacoor

Monday 6th of May 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite, May 6 (PIA) --The Maynilad Water Services, Incorporated (Maynilad) will construct a P166.5-million pumping station to increase water pressure in Bacoor City. In a statement posted in their website, Maynilad revealed that once completed, the construction of a 10million liter per day pumping station along Molino Boulevard is expected to increase water pressure to 6,900 households in the city thus, providing water to an additional 13,159 households. Through this infrastructure investment, we hope to enrich the lives of our current and future customers in the South, Ricky Reyes, Maynilad president and chief executive officer, said. The facility will be equipped with Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) and high-efficiency electric motors, which enables the adjustment of operation speed depending on customer water consumption, making it more energy efficient. This year, Maynilad will invest approximately P7.63 billion to improve and extend its services in Paraaque, Muntinlupa, Las Pias and Cavite. Maynilad is owned and managed by DMCI-MPIC Water Company, Inc., a joint venture between Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and DMCI Holdings, Inc. Aside from Bacoor, Maynilad also serves the towns of Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite/mayniladwater.com.ph)

C. LAGUNA
1. Tagalog news: 27 lingkod bayan ng San Pablo, pinarangalan
By Alan C. Ortillano Tuesday 7th of May 2013

LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO, Laguna, Mayo 7 (PIA) -- Bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng 73rd Foundation Day ng lunsod ng San Pablo ngayong ika-7 ng Mayo, binigyang pagkilala kahapon, Mayo 6, ang 27 kawani ng pamahalaang lungsod na naglingkod sa pamahalaan mula 25 hanggang 40 taon. Tinaguriang government service awardees, ang nakapaglingkod ng 25 taon ay sina Ma. Lourdes Ticzon, Levy Alimagno, Liberty Bondad ng Assessors Office; Stella Romero at City Population Officer Victoriano Mercado ng Population Office; Benedicto Catapang, Mario Garcia at Melvin Deza ng Engineers Office; Sandra Bondad ng OSWD; Celso Mercado ng Sanggunian; Rustico Baliton ng Health Office; Evelyn Cometa at Ma. Victoria Barleta ng Treasurers Office at Risha Biglete ng Accountant Office. Sa 30 taon naman na paninilbihan sa pamahalaan, pinarangalan sina Eduardo Manilay ng CPDO; Percival Alvero ng Mayors Office; Lorna Bundalian at Manuel Danila ng Engineers Office; Maribel Devanadera ng Sanggunian; Herman Race ng OBO at Leona Maghirang ng Health Office. Thirty five years in service sina Ma. Elenita Rubi Diaz ng Assessors Office; Cristina Samiano ng CPDO; Isidro Garcia ng GSO at Concordia Rivera ng Accountant Office. Tatlo naman ang nagserbisyo sa loob ng 40 taon na kinabibilangan nina City Planning Coordinator Rolando Bombio, Asst. City Assessor Yolanda Catipon at Violeta Gamaro ng Treasurers Office. Tumanggap ng sertipiko ng pagkilala at cash prizes na P2,500 para sa 25, 30 at 35 years sa government service at P3,000 para sa 40 years government service. Ang pagkilala sa mga pinarangalan ay pinangunahan nina Mayor Vicente Amante at mga miyembro ng Association of San Pablo City Government Department Heads and Assistants, Inc. sa pamumuno ni City Accountant Lolita Cornista, president at City Human Resource Officer Elvira Celerio. (CIO-SPC/ACO, PIALaguna)

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL

Tagalog news: Antipolo CHRMO, nagkamit ng parangal mula sa Civil Service Commission
By Gideon Gapayao Tuesday 7th of May 2013 TweetFacebookYahooEmailShareThis

LUNGSOD NG ANTIPOLO, Rizal, Mayo 7 (PIA) -- Nakamit kamakailan ng city human resources management office (CHRMO) sa pangunguna ni Amelia Quezada ang karangalang 2013 search for best human resource management practitioner (HRMP) program na ipinagkaloob ng Civil Service Commission (CSC). Ang parangal ay naglalayong kilalanin ang husay at galing ng mga tauhan ng tanggapan ng pamahalaan sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa mga taong bayan na pinaglilingkuran nito. Humigit kumulang sa 500 personnel offices at mga hepe nito mula sa buong rehiyon ng Calabarzon ang nagtunggali sa paligsahan. Sinabi ni Quezada, na isang tagumpay ng Antipolo na maging pinakamagaling sa pagtupad ng kanilang tungkulin dahil sa buong suporta ng mga opisyales ng pamahalaan at sipag ng kanyang mga tauhan na ipatupad ang mga proyekto na kanilang binabalangkas. Naging mahusay ang pagtupad sa tungkulin ng HRM ng Antipolo dahil sa kanilang patuloy na pagsusulong ng mga programa na kinabibilangan ng annual sports fest, Gawad Serbisyo Publiko, Master in Public Administration scholarship grants, pagbibigay ng mga insentibo at benepisyo na naaayon sa batas at polisiya gaya ng Magna Carta for Public Health Workers, Veterinarian at Social Workers. Ang parangal ay ipinagkaloob sa ginanap na pagdiriwang kamakailan ng 29th Annual Conference of the Regional Council of Personnel Officers. (Antipolo PIO/PIA-Rizal)

06 MAY 2013.

Better interest rates on car loans part of benefits from Philippine credit ratings upgrade Malacanang cites S&P credit upgrade for strengthening peso
Better interest rates on car loans part of benefits from Philippine credit ratings upgrade

A Palace official said on Sunday that Filipinos who avail of car loans can expect to pay lower monthly installments after international credit rating firm Standard and Poors raised the Philippines credit rating to investment grade recently. In a press briefing aired over government run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said better interest rates on car loans are just part of the myriad of benefits the

country and the Filipinos can expect from the credit upgrade. At least, for those who avail of the car loans, you would know that you would be able to get a better rate on the interests on the loans that you take out because of the credit rating upgrades po natin. And thats just one of those things that you canthat the ordinary Filipino can feel, Valte said. In a statement, S&P said it increased the countrys rating from BB+ to BBB -, the minimum investment grade, on account of the countrys improving macroeconomic fundamentals. It said that the upgrade on the Philippines was due to its strengthening external profile, moderating inflation, and the governments declining reliance on foreign currency debt. Valte said the credit upgrade will most definitely improve the investment climate in the country as it encourages and it inspires more confident foreign investors to come and to see the country. and it gives them more confidence at least to invest and put their money here and we all know that would create more jobs, Valte said. The upgrade in the countrys credit rating came after S&P raised its growth forecast for the Philippines for this year from 5.9 to 6.5 percent. PND (rck) TOP Malacanang cites S&P credit upgrade for strengthening peso

Malacanang cited international credit rating firm Standard & Poor's (S&P) recent credit upgrade of the Philippines for the strengthening peso. In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that with the credit upgrade, the Philippine Peso now ranks third on the list of best performing currencies in the world. "Yung isa pa hong good news natin, the Philippine peso ranks third in the list of best performing currencies in the world, of course, according to Standard and Poors rating services," Valte said. She added that this development, together with the 28th record close for the Philippine Stock Exchange index and the inclusion of the PSEi as the fifth in the list of "hottest" stock markets in the world has greatly improved the investment climate in the country. In a statement, S&P said it increased the countrys rating from BB+ to BBB -, the minimum investment grade, on account of the countrys improving macroeconomic fundamentals . It said the upgrade on the Philippines was due to its strengthening external profile, moderating inflation, and the governments declining reliance on foreign currency debt. PND (rck) TOP

06 MAY 2013 Bahagi ng benepisyo sa Philippine credit ratings upgrade ang bumabang interes sa hinuhulugang mga kotse Paglakas ng piso, bunga ng S&P credit upgrade, ayon sa Malacanang Bahagi ng benepisyo sa Philippine credit ratings upgrade ang bumabang interes sa hinuhulugang mga kotse

Makaaasa ang mga Pilipino na kukuha ng hulugang kotse nang higit na mababang buwanang hulog pagkaraang itaas sa investment grade ang credit rating ng Standard and Poors, isang in ternational credit rating firm. Sinabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte aa pulong-balitaan sa dzRB Radyo ng Bayan na ang higit na mainam na interess sa pag-utang ng kotse ay bahagi ng mga biyayang matatamo ng bansa at ng mga Pilipino sa credit upgrade. Para sa mga kumukuha ng kotseng hulugan, higit na mababang interes ang magiging pakinabang nila sa ating credit rating upgrades. Isa lamang iyan sa mga pakinabang na makukuha ng karaniwang Pilipino, sabi pa ni Valte. Ayon sa pahayag na inilabas, sinabi ng S&P na ang pagtaas ng rating ng bansa sa BBB- buhat sa BB+, na minimum investment grade dahil sa bumubuting macroeconomic fundamantals. Idinugtong nito na ang tumaas na rating ng Pilipinas ay dahil sa paglakas ng external profile, mo derating inflation at nabawasang pag-asa na lamang ng gobyerno sa foreign currency debt. Binigyang diin ni Valte na ang credit upgrade ay tiyak na magpapabuti ng investment climate sa bansa dahil mahihikayat nito at mapasisigla ang ibayong pagtitiwala ng mga dayuhang imbestor upang magsadya upang makita ang bansa. Ang karagdagang puhunang dayuhan ay magiging daan ng paglikha ng mga bagong trabaho bunga ng bagong lagak na puhunan, wika pa ni Valte. Ang pagtaas ng credit rating ng bansa ay bunga ng ginawa ng S&P na pagtataas ng tinatayang pagsulong ng Pilipinas sa taong ito na 6.5 mula sa 5.9 porsiyento. PND (rck/zaf) TOP Paglakas ng piso, bunga ng S&P credit upgrade, ayon sa Malacanang

Lumakas ang piso dahil sa ginawang credit upgrade sa Pilipinas kamakailan ng international credit rating firm na Standard & Poor, sang-ayon sa Malacanang. Sa pulong-balitaan ng dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, sinabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte na dahil sa credit upgrade ay pangatlo na ang Piso ng Pilipinas sa talaan ng best performing currencies sa daigdig. Ang Isa pa pong magandang balita, pangatlo na ang piso ng Pilipinas sa hanay ng best performing currencies sa mundo at iyon nga ay alinsunod sa Standard & Poors rating services, dagdag pa ni Valte. Idinugtong niya na dahil sa pangyayaring ito, kasama ang 28th record close ng Philippine Stock Exchange index at ang pagkahanay ng PSEI bilang panlima sa listahan ng hottest stock markets sa daigdig. Sa inilabas na pahayag, sinabi ng S&P na itinaas nito ang rating ng Pilipinas sa BBB- buhat sa BB+ na minimum investment grade dahil sa bumuting macroeconomic fundamentals ng bansa. Binigyang diin pa na ang pagtataas ng grado ng Pilipinas ay dahil sa paglakas ng external profile, moderating inflation at sa nabawasang pag-asa ng gobyerno sa foreign currency debt. PND (rck/zaf) TOP

ONLINE NEWS

06 MAY 2013 Daylight - Good News about the Philippines and Pinoys - Vol. 3 Issue 13 NEDA sees Casiguran's economic potential as agro-aqua, ecotourism zone DTI: arangkada na ang diskwento caravan para sa balik-eskwela at ang libreng negosyo training DOJ scored a conviction of accused in the killing of media professional Philippines elected to UN SIAP governing council DPWH construct access road to amazing rock formation in Ilocos Norte Roxas tells Mancao to return to fold of law PNP deploys 30 thousand personnel for upcoming May 2013 polls Coat the town green with DOSTs smarter, dirt-proof paint technology Rich coral reefs take center stage at Ph Ocean Month celebration Philippine Textile and Garment Industry featured at New York Fashion Institute of Technology panel Phl Embassy in Bangkok, Phl trade representative host investment seminar program for Thai companies SSS offers bigger Educ-Assist loans, eases eligibility terms TESDA Davao opens new training hub DTI warns public against biz scam soliciting money while posing as Secretaries Domingo and Ochoa NEDA sees Casiguran's economic potential as agro-aqua, ecotourism zone Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph MANILA The establishment of an agro-aqua and ecotourism zone in Casiguran, Aurora can promote growth and development in the area and its adjoining municipalities, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Referring to the development of Casiguran under the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), a report by NEDA said that the area has intrinsic economic potential as an ag ro-aqua and ecotourism zone" given that the activities proposed are going to be well supported by the resources of the area. Apparently, APECO, the manager and operator of the zone, has veered away from the original plan of establishing a freeport zone, based on the findings of the study conducted by NEDA to assess the economic potential of the controversial project. The study team assessed the project as a potential agro-aqua and ecotourism zone, and not as a freeport zone as originally conceived by its developers, after observing developments at the site. The report noted that developing the area for agribusiness and ecotourism was appropriate given the existing resource base. A well-defined market for outputs within and outside of the ecozone as well as the abundant agri-aqua raw materials and human resources in the area serve as a strong draw for locators, according to the NEDA assessment. This new plan would generate employment and spur development not just in the catchment area of Dilasag-Casiguran-Dinalungan in Aurora, but also in the nearby provinces. Local stakeholders note that for so long government had neglected the municipality (i.e Casiguran). They believe that the employment generation effect of the ecozone will also serve to preserve the forests which are now being exploited because of lack of livelihood opportunities in the lowland. APECOs plan is to promote forest preservation in San Ildefonso, except for a 200 ha. area for bamboo culture and production. Access by land to the zone is via the almost completed Baler-Casiguran national road, which is part of the governments national road network development initiative. LGU officers in the Casiguran and nearby municipalities of Dilasag and Dinalungan noted that before APEFZ came along, they never thought that national government would pay attention to the area, which only merited national attention when calamities struck. Given the amount of public funds already spent, NEDA is of the view that giving up on developing the area will be more wasteful. The area has to have the minimum facilities to attract locators and undertake operation. The critical facilities required are a stable source of power supply, access to safe and clean water supply, and facilities for proper solid waste management. However, NEDA is not recommending immediate implementation. Further investment support for the installation of all these additional facilities will be contingent on APECOs completion of its master plan, and other essential corporate business plans and policies in place, including its land use plan, according to NEDA. Partnership with local government units and other national agencies through dialogues and consultations would truly make the effort supportive of inclusive growth. In December, the President instructed NEDA to undertake an assessment of the economic potentials of the APECO project, which had become controversial. The evaluation of the legal issues surrounding the project was not part of the terms of reference, however. NEDAs task was to determine if it made economic sense for the Government to continue to invest in the project, and how much additional investment is needed to make the project operational. The economic evaluation followed established principles of benefit-cost analysis. But future investments will have to be conditional on transformational interventions that have to be done to ensure the successful achievement of a sustainable development of the area, according to the NEDA assessment.

The study was conducted drawing from documents available from various sources and interviews with stakeholders. These were validated by several field visits to the area by the NEDA. |TOP| DTI: arangkada na ang diskwento caravan para sa balik-eskwela at ang libreng negosyo training Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph Sisimulan na ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ang Balik Eskwela Edition ng Diskwento Caravan ngayong araw sa Makati City. Ito ang hudyat ng mga Diskwento Caravan para sa Balik Eskwela ng mga opisina ng DTI sa labing-anim na rehiyon ng ating bansa. May tatlumput tatlong manufacturers ang kasali sa caravan sa DTI Main Office sa Makati sa ika -06 at ika-07 ng Mayo. Eksakto ito sa mga magulang at mag-aaral na naghahanda na para sa pasukan sa Hunyo. Mula 15% hanggang 50% ang discount na ibibigay ng mga manufacturers sa kanilang mga school supplies, uniform, bags, shoes; mga processed meat, gatas, health drinks, breads, instant noodles, soap at detergent, sandals, atbp. Samantala, may mga libreng Micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) Briefing Sessions itong Mayo sa DTI Main Office rin tuwing Martes at Biyernes. Kasama sa mga topics ang how to start a business, integrated business licensing, financial statements made easy, consumer markets and their behavior, retail management, disaster management, improving quality and productivity in your workplace, service excellence for your business at direct and online marketing. Para sa karagdagang kaalaman, tumawag sa DTI Direct (02) 751.3330 o sa 0917.834.3330. |TOP| DOJ scored a conviction of accused in the killing of media professional Source: http://www.doj.gov.ph The National Prosecution Service (NPS) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) scored a conviction for the murder of Legazpi City media personality, ROWELL ENDRINAL, commentator of radio station DZRC and a newspaper publisher of Bicol Metro News in Legazpi City, Albay. In the November 26, 2012 Decision penned by Judge Frank E. Lobrigo of Branch 3 of Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Legazpi City, CLARITO ARIZOBAL a.k.a. "BOY ZAPANTA" was found guilty of the crime of murder and was sentenced to serve the penalty of reclusion perpetua. From the evidence presented by the Prosecution, it was establishedthat on 11 February 2004, in a basketball court in Barangay Oro Site, Legazpi City, the accused Arizobal and an unknown companion, shot the victim Endrinal, who was also a resident of the area. A local pancit vendor and neighbor of the victim, would later identify the accused in open court, as one of the persons who had frequented her pansitan on the week before the incident took place. Several minutes after eating at the pansitan, Arizobal walked a short distance from the eatery and was then observed by some locals squatting by the side of the road with a .45 caliber pistol tucked in his pants. He then walked towards radio commentator and newspaper publisher Endrinal and fired five shots at the latter who was then engaged in his routine morning exercises. The autopsy report of the NBI Medico-Legal Officer later found that the victim sustained a total of eight gunshot wounds, two of which were fatal, while the others would have collectively achieved the same fatal result. At the time of Arizobal's apprehension for the killing of Endrinal, Arizobal was already adjudged guilty of a different crime of Robbery with Homicide but jumped bail and was a fugitive from justice. Upon his apprehension for the Endrinal case, Arizobal was turned over to the Nalional Penitentiary and the trial of the case was transferred from Legazpi City to the RTC of Muntinlupa which had jurisdiction over the New Bilibid Prison where Arizobal was imprisoned. Due to his conviction, Clarito Arizobal was also ordered to pay PhP50,000 in civil indemnity; PhP35,000 in actual damages; and moral damages of PhP50,000 to the heirs of the slain commentator and newspaper publisher. Assistant State Prosecutor Dale Dick M. Liban of the DOJ helped secure the successful prosecution in said media killing. |TOP| Philippines elected to UN SIAP governing council Source: http://www.nscb.gov.ph The Philippines was elected on April 30 to the governing council of the United Nations Statistical Institute of Asia and Pacific (UN SIAP). In a keenly contested election, 16 of the 41 member countries vied for a position in the eight-seat governing council. India and Australia led the election with 30 votes each, while Indonesia, China and Korea got 26 votes each. The Philippines, Russia, and Thailand completed the list with 22 votes each. These countries, together with Japan which has a permanent seat in the council, will serve a two-year term from 2013 to 2014. The UN SIAP is a Tokyo-based training center for government statisticians from developing countries in the Asia

Pacific region. It was established in 1970 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and 20 founding member countries which included the Philippines. In 1995, the SIAP became a subsidiary body of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). The UNESCAP established the Governing Council which reviews the operations of SIAP and endorses SIAPs annual and long-term work programs. At present, the Institutes focus areas include providing knowledge and skills for monitoring and evaluating national development strategies with respect to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); training for economic statistics coordination; and building capacity for the application of information and communications technology (ICT) in national statistical systems. National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) Secretary General Jose Ramon G. Albert says that election of the Philippines to the SIAP Governing Council is an important achievement for the Philippine Statistical System (PSS). He expects that the PSS will vigorously contribute in guiding the Institutes capacity-building programs. The election of the Philippines also confirms the growing prominence of the PSS in the international community. Since the Institutes inception, the Philippines has been one of its most active members and has particularly benefitted from its numerous training programs. |TOP| DPWH construct access road to amazing rock formation in Ilocos Norte Source: http://www.dpwh.gov.ph The amazing white rock formation in Burgos, Ilocos Norte will soon be more accessible as the Department of Public Works and Highways undertakes the construction of a road leading to this tourism destination. In his report to DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, DPWH Region 1 Director Veniedo Reyes said that works are in full progress for the concrete paving of 3.466 kilometers access road to the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. Reyes during his inspection, has directed DPWH Ilocos Norte 1st District Engineer Nestor Pasion and Project Engineer Angelito Dian to take advantage of the summer season to facilitate completion of the project as scheduled by October 2013 for a five (5) months construction period. Also integrated in the P70 Million fund for the concrete paving works of carriageway and shoulder are construction of line canal, installation of box and pipe culverts, slope protection works, provision for coconet or the installation of coco fiber erosion control net, and safety devices such as guardrails and warning and informative signs. Listed as one of the projects under the so-called Convergence Program for Enhancing Tourism Access of the DPWH and Department of Tourism, the construction of Kapurpurawan Road will make adventure to the white creamy colored limestone structures and products of a weathering and sedimentation a lot more fun. The whole formation has a smooth curving iconic shape head, cradle and the resting dragon. Kapurpurawan actually comes from the Ilocano word puraw which means white. The place can be reached an hour and a few minutes travel north of Laoag City and offers a breathtaking view of the different rock shapes that can completely amaze tourists who visit the place. Meanwhile, Secretary Singson said that more key infrastructure will be put in place in order to support the development in the tourism sector as the Aquino administration place importance to tourism as a key factor in helping re-distribute the wealth from those in the upper class who frequently travel down to the medium and lower class who makes a living in the tourism trade to realize the inclusive growth vision. This move is also expected to generate job opportunities living in these tourism destinations. To further boost tourism by making road travel more fun in the Philippines and confident of the DPWHs capability to realize completion of key infrastructure projects nationwide based on the National Tourism Development Plan at the right cost, right quality and right on time, the government continues to provide ample investment for vital access roads for tourism areas, airports, and seaports, and other infrastructure requirement pouring P7.987 Billion in CY 2012, P11.950 Billion in 2013 and will rise to whopping P18 Billion in CY 2014. |TOP| Roxas tells Mancao to return to fold of law Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph Manila, Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Friday/May 3 called on former Police Senior Supt. Cezar Mancao to return to the fold of the law, saying that as a fugitive, he is more prone to be easy target for those wanting to get him killed. If it is safety that he is concerned of, then safety is clearly best secured while under government custody, Roxas said in a statement. Mancao, accused of murder for the 2000 killings of public relations agent Salvador Bubby Dacer and his driver, Emmanuel Corbito, bolted from the National Bureau of Investigation jail Thursday, claiming he feared for his safety. In phone interviews with the media, Mancao accused former Sen. Panfilo Lacson as being behind the move to transfer him from the custody of the NBI to the Manila City Jail, where, he said, his life could be in danger. He also cried of injustice. Lacson is former chief of the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), some of whose agents allegedly killed Dacer and Corbito. Natakot siya sa proposal na ipadala siya sa Manila City Jail after other suspects wanted equal treatment, Roxas explained. So how can he be a victim of injustice when in fact, he is a beneficiary of special treatment because he was not put in jail with everybody else? Roxas pointed out that if Mancao wants protection from the state, he should put himself under the custody of the law.

As a fugitive, anybody could harm him. This is not a threat. This is a possibility, he said. The DILG Secretary assured that every effort is being exerted to find Mancao. Right now, he is a fugitive like all other fugitives and so we will be placing him in the sam e watch list and in the same process and procedures like all other of these fugitives, Roxas said. |TOP| PNP deploys 30 thousand personnel for upcoming May 2013 polls Source: http://pnp.gov.ph The Philippine National Police will deploy 50% or 21,885 PNP personnel performing administrative jobs and undergoing training to augment troops in the field as part of its maximium deployment of uniformed personnels duties for the synchronized National and Local Elections on May 13, 2013. Recently, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Hon Mar Roxas, annouced the launching of OPLAN Last Two Weeks that needs full administrative and operational PNP functions to further intensify the security coverage before, during, and after the election day. The implementation of maximum deployment includes the activation of the PNP Reactionary Standby Support Force (PNP-RSSF) composed of 1,230 uniformed personnel from the Directorial Staff (D-Staff), 2,689 National Support Units (NSUs) and 6,273 Regional Headquarters (RHQs) administrative personnel. As well, 718 PNP uniformed personnel undergoing training at the Philippine Public Safety Collee (PPSC); 1,046 from National Police College (NPC); 9,549 from Police National Training Institute (PNTI); and 143 from PNP Intelligence Training Group (ITG) who are undergoing schooling, and the 237 newly graduates of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) 2013 also joins the additional PNP force for the election duty detail. Meanwhile, PNP Chief Director General Alan La Madrid Purisima said that the deployment of personnel of the Special Action Force (SAF), being a specialized unit of the PNP, will be based on its own deployment plan in coordination with the PNP Directorate for Operations (DO). In addition, as a Specialized Reactionaty Support Force, SAF personnel shall be mobilized under a strategic arrangement to be determined by DO in coordination with the SAF Director. The PNP will mobilize all of its uniformed personnnel who performs administrative functions to supplement the number of police personnel in the field, especially in the fifteen (15) identified election hotspots, starting on May 8 up to May 16, 2013. The deployment of the 50% uniformed personnel performing administrative duties will be specifically detailed in different Municipal and City Police Stations nationwide as supplementary personnel in the conduct PNP patrols, checkpoints and anti-criminality operations. Police Director Catalino S Cuy, PNP Director for Personnel and Rescords Management (DPRM) and Commander of Task Group Human resource of Task Force SAFE 2013 said that the deployment personnel is covered with Special Orders for their temporary detail. |TOP| Coat the town green with DOSTs smarter, dirt-proof paint technology Source: http://www.dost.gov.ph Smarter technologies are beginning to move into Filipino households as the Department of Science and Technology ushers in its Smarter Philippines program. In fact, local experts are busying themselves developing technologies for smarter living. So how about a recently-developed paint that makes your house bright and even rids out dirt and other microbial elements? Put your brush up to the DOST - Industrial Technology Development Institutes (DOST -ITDI) self-cleaning paint. The polymer paint is acrylic based and has the ability to prevent water and dirt from seeping into its surface. When applied on a concrete surface, it repels water and dirt, effectively cleaning itself. The self-cleaning paint has titanium oxide and locally sourced silica which when exposed to ultraviolet ray exhibits its photocatalytic property. This means it breaks molecules of emission gases on its surface. This protects the paint from any discoloration due to organic microbes from gas emissions and oils. It also repels water and lets liquid just flow on its surface without seeping into the paint, consequently carrying dirt such as dust particles, lipophilic dirts, and others. The paint technology mimics the lotus and gabi plant leaves that have complex structures such that water droplets that land on the surface pick up particles as they flow out, minimizing adhesion of dirt on the leaves. Such characteristic is called the lotus effect. Through nanotechnology, DOST-ITDI enhances this functional capability as it develops said environment-friendly paint. This innovation also prolongs the luster of the paint. This emerging paint technology is already in the market for some time in some countries. However, the premium price makes it unaffordable to most people. According to Dr. Araceli Monzada of the Materials Science Division of DOST-ITDI, the locally developed selfcleaning paint will be more affordable than the commercially available paints when it reaches its commercial stage as it uses locally available additives. The paint technology is expected to cut down annual maintenance costs significantly in buildings which will no

longer require annual washing and periodic repainting to retain its luster. In Singapore, the cost of washing a building once a year is at SGD10,000 to SGD50,000 (P330,000 to P1.65M) and in some malls, washing is normally done quarterly. Because of the long retention of the paints luster, users save water to be used in washing. The less frequent washing will also minimize surface damages on the buildings caused mainly by strong detergents and high water pressure from water jets. Currently, the paint is available only in white, but DOST-ITDI is set to develop other colors. Dr. Monzada also added that with the importance of this innovation, the institute plans to design the paint for use in the automotive industry. |TOP| Rich coral reefs take center stage at Ph Ocean Month celebration Source: http://www.denr.gov.ph The richness of the countrys coral reefs is the main focal point of the observance of the Mon th of the Ocean (MOO) this May, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje announced today. Paje said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has lined up various activities for this years celebration, which falls under the theme Ang Bahura ay Kagubatan sa Karagatan, Ating Pangalagaan! (The Coral Reefs are the Forests of the Seas, Let Us Protect Them). The focus on coral reefs highlights the premium that we put on our coral reefs, which protect our coastlines naturally and give tremendous economic benefits to millions of Filipinos particularly through fisheries and tourism, said Paje, who represented the Philippines at the Sustainable Ocean Summit held in Washington, D.C. from April 22 to 24. He said the iconic species of MOO 2013 is the thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) that can be regularly seen in Monad Shoal in Cebus Malapascua Island. Classified as a vulnerable species, this predators presence is an indicator of the reef ecosystems good health, Paje said. The Philippines is home to Palawans Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, which was declared as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention. The country is also home to the Apo Reef Natural Park in Occidental Mindoro, considered the second largest contiguous coral reef system in the world, next to Australias Great Barrier Reef. These two world-renowned reefs, along with the other coral reefs in the countrys 240 million hectares of water, and the biodiversity that thrives within them, provide food security to Filipinos, who source 80 percent of their protein requirement from the oceans. One of the highlights of the month-long celebration will be the launch of the DENRs Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program (SCREMP) on May 20. The SCREMP is a national program where the protection and rehabilitation of the coral reef ecosystems will be conducted with a strategic, sustainable and ecosystem-based approach. The program includes the awarding of winners of a photo competition featuring the underwater beauty of the Philippines coral reef ecosystem. The Coastal Law Enforcement Manual, a guidebook for multisectoral groups enfor cing laws to protect the countrys coastal and marine resources, will also be launched. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the promotion of responsible diving will be signed between the DENR and the Reef-World Foundation during the SCREMP launch. A separate MOA, with the local government of Boracay as additional signatory, will be signed on May 30 to launch the implementation of the foundations Green Fins project on the island. The MOO will also see diving enthusiasts and coral reef advocates participat e in the Linis Bahura: Sisid para sa Kalikasan 2013, where they will collect crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) from the coral reefs along the Verde Island Passage in Pagkilatan, Batangas. This kind of starfish is known to destroy entire coral reef populations by feeding on live coral tissues. Information materials on the richness of coral reef ecosystems, their economic importance, and the various ways to conserve and sustain them will be displayed or posted at all MRT-3 stations along EDSA for the whole month of May. A group of artists from the Dolphins Love Freedom group will restore the year-old Biodiversity Mural Wall of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC) in Quezon City. The Wall was painted last year during the celebration of MOO 2012. For one month starting May 15, an interactive walking tour promoting 22 ecotourism sites established under the DENRs Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP) will be exhibited at the NAPWC. On May 19, coral reef advocates will hold a bike parade from Quezon City to Roxas Boulevard to drum up awareness on the state of the countrys coral reefs. Finally, on May 29-30, the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion (SSME) Sub-committee on Marine Protected Areas

(MPAs) will hold a meeting on initiatives on establishment and management of MPAs within the region. The meeting will also see the launch of the State of the Coral Triangle Report, detailing the state of coral reef ecosystems and resources within the Coral Triangle. The Philippines is an active member of the six-country Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security. The Coral Triangle is known to contain 40 percent of the worlds coral reef fish species and 75 percent of the worlds coral species, 53 percent of these were found to be resilient to climate change. MOO was first observed in 1999 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 57. |TOP| Philippine Textile and Garment Industry featured at New York Fashion Institute of Technology panel Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 6 May 2013 The Philippines took part in a Panel Discussion entitled South East Asia: The Next Engines of Growth organized by the Department of International Trade and Marketing (ITM) of New Yorks Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) on May 03. During the panel discussion, the state of the fashion, garments, and textile industries of Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia, were discussed. The panel was moderated by Tanjila Islam, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tiger Trade. Indonesia was represented by Svida Alisjahbana, CEO of the Femina Group and Founder of Jakarta Fashion Week. Professor Anna Blume of FITs Department of Histor y of Art spoke about the attempts to revive the silk industry in Cambodia. Deputy Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega of the Philippine Consulate General in New York gave the audience an overview of the garments and textile industry in the Philippines, noting how it had grown from a cottage industry in the 1950s to the second leading non-traditional export sector in the country. Innovations in the Philippine fashion and design industry such as the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEMs) Manila Wear were likewise discussed. FIT is one of the worlds leading educational institutions for Fashion and Design and boasts a list of famous alumni, including Calvin Klein, Nanette Lepore, Nina Garcia, Reem Accra, Norma Kamali, and Brian Atwood. |TOP| Phl Embassy in Bangkok, Phl trade representative host investment seminar program for Thai companies Source: http://www.dfa.gov.ph 06 May 2013 - Dr. Lilia De Lima, Director General of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), explained why Thai companies should seriously consider the Philippines as part of their overseas expansion strategy in Asia on May 03. Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia invited Thai companies to look at the Philippines not only as an alternative investment/tourism destination, but also as part of their regional supply chain as the country boasts of abundant natural and man-made resources. |TOP| SSS offers bigger Educ-Assist loans, eases eligibility terms Source: https://www.sss.gov.ph More college and vocational-technical (voc-tech) course students can expect to meet their financial requirements for enrollment as the Social Security System (SSS) further liberalized the guidelines of its educational loan facility called the SSS Educational Assistance Loan Program or "Educ-Assist". SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. said members earning P25,000 and below per month are now eligible for Educ-Assist loans, replacing SSS former limit of P15,000 on the monthly income needed to qualify under previous guidelines. "Members can now borrow up to P20,000 per semester or trimester, up from the previous limit of P15,000 for college degrees. For voc-tech courses, we likewise increased the maximum loanable amount to P10,000 from the previous cap of P7,500 per semester or trimester," he noted. The P7-billion SSS Educ-Assist fund allotment consists of P3.5 billion in national government (NG) subsidy and P3.5 billion in SSS counterpart funding. The loans must be used to pay for tuition and miscellaneous fees and are intended to help students from low-income families. Loan beneficiaries can be the SSS members themselves or their children, while unmarried members can designate their siblings, including their half-brother or sister. No substitution of beneficiary is allowed. Under the new guidelines, a married SSS member can now designate up to two loan beneficiaries, who can be the member himself or herself, his or her spouse or legitimate or illegitimate children. Unmarried members remain entitled to one loan beneficiary. "It is now possible for a married couple, who are both qualified borrowers, to support the education of up to four children through Educ-Assist loans. Meanwhile, unmarried members can use the loan to help their siblings pursue their studies and lighten their parents financial burden at the same time," de Quiros said. Another significant change is the relaxed contribution requirement, under which SSS members with a minimum of

12 posted contributions, including at least one paid contribution within the past three months prior to the date of application, are now allowed to borrow. Members without any contribution for the past three months can pay and present the proof of payment to SSS. In the past, a member must have at least 36 monthly contributions, three of which should be within the 12-month period before the application date, to qualify. "The SSS has disbursed over P195 million so far in Educ-Assist loans to thousands of student-beneficiaries all over the country. We have already earmarked about P590 million, or 11 percent of the total fund allocation, for these students so that they can complete their chosen course, and we expect availment to increase further as a result of the revised guidelines," de Quiros said. Loan repayment is also not burdensome as it will only start one year after the beneficarys graduation or the date of last loan release. Borrowers for college degree programs have five years to repay the loan, while those who borrowed for voc-tech courses are given three years, he added. Half of the loan amount will be taken from the NG share and the other half from SSS. The SSS portion carries an interest rate of six percent per annum based on diminishing principal balance until full payment while the NG share has zero interest, for a "blended" annual interest rate of about three percent. The college must be accredited by the Commission on Higher Education while the voc-tech course must be at least a two-year program recognized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Educ-Assist application forms are available at SSS branches or downloadable from the SSS website. |TOP| TESDA Davao opens new training hub Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) recently inaugurated its new office building in Davao City aimed at offering better services to their clients. The building, now owned by the agency, is expected to meet increasing demand of clients seeking skills training and other programs and services from TESDA. Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, witnessed the inauguration of the new office building located at Interior 2, Rimas Street, J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City. "This office building is not only for TESDA regional office but also for Davao City and Davao del Sur. More importantly, this is also for the thousands of youth in the region who are in technical vocational education and training (TVET), and those who want to get into TVET as their path towards employment," Villanueva said. Other TVET stakeholders, particularly the TVET institutions and representatives of industry associations, workers organizations and other groups, he said, welcomed this development. They can better transact business with TESDA in this bigger building. And they will be happier to know that the TESDA regional and provincial offices in this area are now part of the expanded cove rage of TESDAs application for 9001:2008 ISO certification, the TESDA head said with pride. "Through the years, TVET has become not only a fallback for those who cannot go to college, but the first choice for some," Villaueva added. TVET is well and vibrant in Davao City and the whole region, which also hosts a number of industries run by skilled workers such as the business process outsourcing industry. The government of South Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) had also funded a training center in the city that offers various courses. TESDA acquired the newly-inaugurated building through a lease-purchase scheme, which was approved by the agency's board last year. The Amanah Islamic Bank, a former government owned and controlled bank, was supposed to finance the acquisition of the lot, but could no longer do it when it became a private entity. "TESDA spent for the new center optimistic that it is a good investment in the long-run. Any improvement in the education of our youth is always a worthy investment, "Villanueva said. |TOP| DTI warns public against biz scam soliciting money while posing as Secretaries Domingo and Ochoa Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) once again issued a warning to the public against an on-going scam supposedly soliciting funds for the national and local elections on May 13, 2013. The warning came in the light of numerous reports received by the DTI that some unscrupulous groups and individuals are soliciting money for the upcoming elections by namedropping Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa. As a matter of policy, solicitation is not allowed in the Department and sanctions are in order to those found doing

so, said Secretary Domingo. We appeal to the general public to be watchful and discriminating not to fall prey to modus operandi such as these, he said. In the fourth quarter of last year, the DTI issued a warning to the public against reports that some individuals are soliciting items from stores and business establishments by ordering goods on behalf of the Trade Secretary supposedly for the conduct of various functions and events. Aside from stores and establishments, these fraudulent individuals pretending to be the DTI Secretary contacted several Ambassadors for the same purpose. Also last year, a text message scam spread around notifying mobile phone users that they reportedly won cash prizes and that the winners can only claim their prizes by calling a certain individual declaring himself to be Secretary Domingo. Should the public come across similar incidents, the DTI advises to report these to DTI Direct at 751.3330. The public can also verify the legitimacy of promos through www.dtincr.ph. |TOP|

Thank You and God Bless !!!!