PIA Dispatch - Monday, February 16, 2009

PGMA acts on low resolution of drug cases

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gathered today all government drug enforcement agencies to review and institutionalize the components and details that form the enforcement pillar in the campaign for a drug-free Philippines.

The conference on “Effective Prosecution of Drug Cases” held this morning at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall was attended by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the military and police.

“The events of the past couple of months have highlighted the need for offices in the law enforcement pillar against illegal drugs to share vision and harmonize their operations so that the syndicates and peddlers of illegal drugs are brought to justice and penalized in accordance with law and the procedures of the law,” Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Vicente Sotto III said.

Sotto said the conference/seminar was organized for the law enforcement agencies to “hear what it is that judges look for when they hear and decide cases” to achieve a higher percentage of conviction on drug cases filed in court.

DDB data showed that of the 99,754 illegal drugs cases filed from 203 to 2008, only 22 percent was resolved. Of the total resolved cases, only 32 percent resulted in convictions, 31 percent in acquitted, 27 percent in dismissal and 11 percent provisionally dismissed.

Sotto has noted that there has been low resolution rate of cases thus, a need to review “buy-bust operation,“ a specific area of concern “where lapses and technicalities are prone to be pointed out by defense lawyers.

Justice Lucas Bersamin gave a special lecture on “RA 9165: Enforcement of the Law Through Successful Prosecution of the Offenders” to ensure that law enforcers build up and document their cases in accordance with law and proper procedure to assure prosecutors that the accused brought before the courts are probably guilty of the crime charged.

Bersamin discussed effective buy-bust operations, warrantless arrest, consented search, preservation of evidence that are admissible in court, among others.

“The judiciary is very attentive to evidence,” Bersamin stressed.

It is expected that after the seminar, law enforcers will harmonize their actions and win the war against the peddlers of illegal substances.


PGMA to sign into law amendments to Philippine Cooperative Code in Malacanang tomorrow

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will sign into law the proposed Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 in simple ceremonies in Malacañang tomorrow (Tuesday).

Sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, chairman of the chamber’s committee on cooperatives, and in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ernesto C. Pablo, the bill was passed in Nov. 2008.

The new law (Republic Act (RA) No. 9520) amends the 1990 Cooperative Code of the Philippines or RA No. 6938.

The new cooperative legislation gives cooperatives greater opportunities to serve their members, not only in term of financial assistance, but also in undertaking more productive activities geared toward the upliftment of their members.

The new cooperative code outlines in greater detail the requirements in professionalizing the management and operation of cooperatives, while providing a monitoring and evaluation tool for the cooperatives to conduct self-assessments in terms of its managerial, financial, and social objectives.

The end result of the enactment of the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 is the utilization of the cooperatives for social justice and sustainable economic development.

The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) had reported that the number and types of cooperatives registered since 1990 are: 4,812 savings and credit cooperatives; 1,369 consumer cooperatives, mostly in public and private offices and schools; 1,409 producers cooperatives: 911 marketing cooperatives; 1,806 service cooperatives providing power distribution, potable water and irrigation system, public and private transportation service; and 60,000 registered agricultural and non-agricultural cooperatives.

The entire cooperative sector generated 1.636 million jobs in 2006, 1.563 million jobs in 2005 and 1.498 million jobs in 2004.

An estimated 500 leaders, representing almost 24,000 cooperatives all over the Philippines, are expected to attend the signing ceremony.


American stimulus package bill presents new opportunities for more WWII Filvet benefits 

The US stimulus package bill could spawn more benefits for Filipino WWII veterans, a top Philippine veterans affairs advocate said.

Assistant Secretary Jerry Adevoso of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Veterans Affairs (OPAVA) explained in a TV interview that the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestments Act of 2009 does not rule out any additional ameliorations. 

By the way it was written, Adevoso said authors of the stimulus package could be thinking of giving Filvets educational, medical or burial assistance in the future.

This is why Adevoso strongly believes that the government's advocacy for Filvets benefits must continue.  
Malacanang lauded the passage of the stimulus package bill recognizes the service and grants lump sum payments to Filipino WWII veterans.

US-based Filvets stand to get US$15,000 while those residing in the Philippine will receive US$9,000 once President Obama signed the stimulus package bill into law.  

The Philippines will be setting up help desks that will assist Filvets in claiming lump sum payments from the US government.


US stimulus package bill, magbibigay-daan sa mga panibagong benepisyo para sa mga Filvet.

Hinikayat ng isang veterans affairs advocate ang pamahalaan na ipagpatuloy ang pagsusulong mga benipisyo para sa mga Filvet o sundalong beterano ng ikalawang digmaang pandaigdig.

May nakikitang oportunidad si Assistant Secretary Jerry Adevoso ng Office of the Presidential Assistant for Veterans Affairs o OPAVA sa panukalang American Recovery and Reinvestments Act of 2009 para magdagdagan pa ang mga benepisyong tatanggapin ng Filvets.

Kung pagbabatayan ang pagkakasulat ng panukalang batas, sinabi ni Adevoso na posibleng iniisip ng mga umakda na bigyan ng mga karagdagang tulong ang mga Filvet tulad ng educational assistance, medical assistance o kaya ay burial assistance.

 Alinsunod sa ilang probisyon ng panukalang American Recovery and Reinvestments Act of 2009, bibigyan ng kompensasyon ang Pamahalaan ng Estados Unidos ang mga Filvets biglang pagkilala sa kanilang serbisyo noong ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig.

 Labing limang libong US dollars ang maaring matanggap ng mga Filvets na mga US citizen samantalang siyam na libong US dollars naman ang makukuha ng mga hindi US-citizen na Filvets sa sandaling malagdaan ni Pangulong Obama ng Amerika ang panukalang batas.

Pinapurihan ng Malakanyang ang pagpasa ng US Congress sa nasabing panukalang batas noong nakaraang linggo at itinuturing na isang uri ng pagtutuwid sa kasaysayan.


PGMA directs Cabinet members, other officials of executive branch to lead anti-corruption drive

MANILA (OPS) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed Cabinet members and other officials of the executive branch to take the lead in the government’s anti-corruption campaign and immediately set up their respective agency-specific Moral Renewal Programs (MRP) to ensure “zero tolerance for corruption.”

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde told a Radyo ng Bayan program today (Sunday) that the President’s order is contained in Administrative Order (AO) 255, which contains explicit instructions to officials of the executive branch to “lead by example.”

In AO 255, which she issued early this year, the President directed all Cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies to “adopt and implement a Moral Renewal Program in their agencies” with the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) as the national anti-corruption framework.

The presidential order calls for “the strict observance by all public officers of the principle of moral leadership by example, especially by Cabinet Secretaries.”

The AO states that moral renewal “refers to values formation and ethical behavior for government officers and employees, as well as the strengthening of people’s values to achieve zero tolerance for corruption.”

Under the AO, all bureaus, regional offices and attached agencies of executive departments nationwide are directed to “adopt and implement the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) which is the National Anti-Corruption Framework for the Executive Branch.”

The Moral Renewal Program also calls for the “expansion and strengthening of the membership of the Integrity Committee in every department, agency, bureau and office”; plus the “formulation, promulgation and adoption of an agency-specific Code of Conduct, or the updating of existing Codes of Conduct to reflect the IDAP.”

The President has instructed all agencies to join the values formation activities of the Presidential Council on Values Formation, and to “enlist the participation of religious, civil society and civic groups through consultations, program development, promotion and implementation of their Moral Renewal Program.”

Aside from zero-tolerance for corruption, the AO also directs the promotion of the Filipino values embodied in the Preamble of the 1987 Constitution, in particular the values of being “maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-bayan and maka-kalikasan.”

Maka-Diyos “encompasses faith in the Almighty”; maka-tao “includes truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace”; maka-bayan “includes respect for law, the government of the Republic of the Philippines and its instrumentalities, patriotism, promotion of the common good and building a just and humane society”; while maka-kalikasan “involves the conservation and development of our patrimony.”

Agencies are directed to submit their respective Action Plans for their Moral Renewal Program to the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), copy-furnished the President, within 90 days from the AO’s effectivity “after it has been published in at least two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.”

Under AO 255, the PAGC was tasked to monitor and evaluate the implementation and the effectiveness of the MRP of the agencies. These include “surveys of, and feedback from, agency officers and employees of all levels on the manner by which their respective heads have been complying with this AO and adopting the principles embodied herein.”

The PAGC shall then submit regular reports to the President on the progress and status of the implementation of the MRP, copy furnished all religious, civil society and civic groups enlisted for the MRP.


WHO-linked body lauds RP policy on health-workers migration as "worth emulating"

MANILA (PNA) -- The Philippine government's migration scheme for its health-sector workers, where full support is given from pre-departure to reintegration upon return to the Philippines, has received praises from a global health policy advisory council as "a model worth emulating."

The body, called Global Policy Advisory Council of the Health Worker Migration Initiative (HWMI), is a partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Health Workforce Alliance, and Realizing Rights.

HWMI is composed of Ministers of Health and Development from both workers-source and destination countries, as well as leading health, labor and migration experts.

HWMI met early this month in Oslo, Norway, where, according to Philippine ambassador to Norway Elizabeth Buensuceso, other countries hailed the Philippines' multi-pronged endeavor as "a model worth emulating by both (labor) receiving and sending countries."

At the meeting, Norway, forecasting shortages of 50,000 medical workers by 2030, presented its draft strategy which emphasizes eventual self-sufficiency while taking into consideration the arrival of foreign medical workers.

In her recent report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Buensuceso said "participants commented on the great effort expended by the Philippine government to institutionalize structural and societal safeguards that would ensure that health workers who decide to migrate are adequately protected and cared for."

"The meeting expressed admiration at how the Philippines has developed a cycle of management, from the initial stage of providing training and developing expertise in the medical fields, to assistance before departure and while in the destination countries, until their return to Philippine society where they are provided reintegration support such as capital and re-tooling skills," she said.

The participants reacted in particular to the presentation of Dr. Kenneth Ronquillo, director of human resources development of the Department of Health, who detailed the Philippine experience on health workers migration management.

Buensuceso herself underscored the "aggressive stance" of the Philippines "to protect the rights and promote the welfare of its migrant workers as a co-equal pillar of its foreign policy."

Chairperson Patricia Sto. Tomas of the Development Bank of the Philippines completed the three-person Philippine delegation.

Dr. Manuel Dayrit, former Health Secretary, attended the meeting in his capacity as HRD Director of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Oslo meeting also discussed the expeditious adoption of the WHO draft Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel.

The Code seeks to establish ethical norms in the movement of health workers migration and ensures that both sending and host countries abide by these generally agreed upon practices.


PGMA's AO 255 calls for zero tolerance for corruption, promotion of Filipino values

Tacloban City (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Administrative Order 255 calls for the adoption of "zero tolerance for corruption" in the country's anti-corruption campaign, and for the promotion of the Filipino values as embodied in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Administrative Order No. 255 which was recently issued by President Arroyo, calls for the strict observance by all public officials, especially by Cabinet Secretaries, of the principle of moral leadership by example.

In AO 255, which she issued early this year, the President directed all Cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies to "adopt and implement a Moral Renewal Program in their agencies" with the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) as the national anti-corruption framework.

The AO states that moral renewal "refers to values formation and ethical behavior for government officers and employees, as well as the strengthening of people's values to achieve zero tolerance for corruption."

Under the AO, all bureaus, regional offices and attached agencies of executive departments nationwide are directed to "adopt and implement the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) which is the National Anti-Corruption Framework for the Executive Branch."

The Moral Renewal Program also calls for the "expansion and strengthening of the membership of the Integrity Committee in every department, agency, bureau and office"; plus the "formulation, promulgation and adoption of an agency-specific Code of Conduct, or the updating of existing Codes of Conduct to reflect the IDAP.."

Through AO 255, President has instructed all agencies to join the values formation activities of the Presidential Council on Values Formation, and to "enlist the participation of religious, civil society and civic groups through consultations, program development, promotion and implementation of their Moral Renewal Program."

Aside from zero-tolerance for corruption, the AO also directs the promotion of the Filipino values embodied in the Preamble of the 1987 Constitution, in particular the values of being "maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-bayan and maka-kalikasan."

Maka-Diyos "encompasses faith in the Almighty"; maka-tao "includes truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace"; maka-bayan "includes respect for law, the government of the Republic of the Philippines and its instrumentalities, patriotism, promotion of the common good and building a just and humane society"; while maka-kalikasan "involves the conservation and development of our patrimony."

Government Agencies are directed to submit their respective Action Plans for their Moral Renewal Program to the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), copy-furnished the President, within 90 days from the AO's effectivity "after it has been published in at least two newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines."

Under AO 255, the PAGC was tasked to monitor and evaluate the implementation and the effectiveness of the MRP of the agencies. These include "surveys of, and feedback from, agency officers and employees of all levels on the manner by which their respective heads have been complying with this AO and adopting the principles embodied herein."

The PAGC shall then submit regular reports to the President on the progress and status of the implementation of the MRP, copy furnished all religious, civil society and civic groups enlisted for the MRP.


Razon optimistic resuming talks with MILF

MANILA (PNA) – Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino I. Razon Jr. Monday said he remains optimistic for the government to resume the stalled peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), saying differences between the two sides can be worked out.

"I believe there is no problem that cannot be threshed out," Razon said as he answered point by point the statement of Khaled Musa, MILF deputy information chief, who said that peace negotiations with the government were not likely to take place soon.

"Every step we take towards peace even how small it may be, is always a step forward to the attainment of a lasting peace in our country," he said.

"We will hasten the peace process because for as long as the peace talks are stalled, our countrymen, especially in Mindanao in insurgency-affected areas continue to suffer," Razon said.

Razon explained that the new paradigm adapted by the government based on constitutionality, authentic consultation, dialogues with the communities to get the public sentiment to ensure the end of hostilities, the comprehensive peace process should contain as a component disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR).

Razon clarified that DDR "is not a condition to restart the peace talks."

DDR is being recognized worldwide in all countries that have had internal conflict as part and parcel of the peace talks, Razon said, citing the statements by foreign peace advocates who were invited recently by the Philippine government to speak thoroughly about DDR.

He said the peace process spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has "achieved many milestone in this endeavor and as eager as all of you to move the peace process forward not only for the sake of our brothers in Mindanao, but for the entire country as well."

"With the Mindanao conflict and the insurgency problem continuously posing serious threats to our country and people, we need to seek new and better ways to address the peace problem," Razon said.

Razon reiterated his commitment to work hard for the country to achieve a genuine and lasting peace.

The government will also intensify its social integration program (SIP) to ensure that former rebels will be given livelihood to become good citizens.

Razon also said that the government is implementing its projects for peace such as construction of roads, bridges, school buildings, irrigation and health centers, among others, particularly in conflict-affected areas.

He said consultations with local stakeholders will continue to be intensified to give them the latest updates on what is going on in the peace process, specifically during the formal talks.

Razon said that with determination, perseverance and creativeness between the parties concerned "by exploring all possibilities to end the twin insurgencies hounding our nation there is no reason why we cannot solve our differences at the conference table and sign a peace agreement."


OFW remittances in 2008 reach USD16.4 billion

MANILA (PNA) -- Remittances from overseas Filipinos coursed through banks reached 16.4 billion US dollars in 2008, which is 13.7 percent higher than the level recorded in 2007.

The figures are also above the Bangko Sentral Pilipinas' growth forecast of 13 percent or 16.3 billion US dollars for the same year.

Latest data from the BSP show that for the month of December alone, remittances continued to be above the 1 billion US dollar mark at 1.4 billion US dollars.

“Amidst the challenges posed by the global financial market strains and the economic downturn experienced by host economies, remittances from overseas Filipinos remain a dependable source of foreign exchange for the economy,” BSP Governor Amando Tetangco, Jr. said.

Sustained demand for Filipino manpower worldwide, particularly professional and skilled workers, combined with greater access by overseas Filipinos and their beneficiaries to expanded remittance transfer facilities helped shore up remittance flows.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) show that the number of Filipinos deployed abroad in 2008 rose considerably by 27.8 percent to 1, 376, 823 from 1, 077, 623 in 2007.

However, the number deployed abroad in December declined by 5.8 percent to 89, 799 compared to the deployment figure in December of 2007.

While there are expectations that the number of Filipinos deployed overseas could contract in the coming months due to the global economic slowdown, there are favorable developments that provide some reason for optimism.

The POEA indicated that labor demand could remain strong in Canada, Bulgaria, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

The latter in particular could continue to demand foreign workers in the power/energy, tourism/hotel and real estate sectors.

The hiring program for nurses and caregivers in Japan under the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) which will commence by end of April or early May this year also provide opportunities for Filipinos in the field of health and medical care.

Filipino workers could also benefit from the rapid expansion of New Zealand’s dairy industry, spurred by higher milk prices, which created demand for dairy farm workers.

From January to December 2008, the major sources of remittances were the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Canada, U.K., Italy, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.


PGMA leads recognition of breastfeeding models

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underscored today the importance of breastfeeding in the battle against malnutrition and hunger under the National Plan of Action on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) with the presentation of awards to the role models of breastfeeding. 

The President presented the Breastfeeding Queen of the Philippines award to Dr. Susann Roth, a German citizen who has adopted the Philippines as her home country for breastfeeding her two children in tandem from birth to the present.

The Breastfed Prince of the Philippines award was given to the Tagala brothers--- Daniel, David and Jimmy, Jr., Jonathan, who are all winners of national competitions for young musicians while the Breastfed Princess of the Philippines award went to Sierra Isabelle Castillo, a UP college scholar and a soprano in the world-renowned UP Singing Ambassadors, and Mikaela Fudolig, a 16 year-old summa cum laude graduate in Physics from the University of the Philippines.

Studies showed that breastmilk ensures the life-long health and well-being, emotional stability and intellectual development of future generations. 

Based on DOH data, the Philippines is among the countries with high prevalence of deaths among children under five years old. 

The DOH said these deaths could have been prevented if the children were fed exclusively through breastfeeding during the first six months after birth, given appropriate complementary feeding at six months, and continued to be breastfed for at least two years. 

Studies also show that mother's milk is the best food which helps protect the baby against most illnesses at no cost.

Breastfeeding should start within 30 minutes after birth while breast milk is cleaner, easier to digest, has the right temperature and helps babies bond more to their mother.

Colostrum, the initial yellowish fluid that comes out of the breast in the first 2-3 days after a child’s birth, helps protect babies against infection.

The President was also presented a copy of the Memorandum of Agreement among the NGO Children for Breastfeeding, DepED, TESDA, Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) to conduct advocacy seminars for teachers this summer. It will prepare supporting instructional materials, which will be used during the next schoolyear as breastfeeding will be incorporated in the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools.


Malacanang sees speedy processing of Filipino WW II claims for benefits

Malacanang expects the process of identifying the beneficiaries of the additional benefits for Filipino veterans of World War II to get underway as soon as the US Stimulus Bill is signed into law by US President Barack Obama tomorrow (Monday in the US).

In a radio interview this morning, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Philippines and the US have already taken initial steps to ensure that the process of identifying the beneficiaries will not encounter undue delays.

The beneficiaries will have to be identified first before they can receive the new benefits under the US stimulus legislation.

Ermita said officials of the US Veterans Administration and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office have made initial contacts on how to go about identifying the beneficiaries. 

The USVA is sending a representative to Manila to sort out the paperwork on the veterans’ claims “upang maumpisahan na agad kung sino ang mga legitimate na mga beterano na dapat makatangap (to start immediately the process of identifying the legitimate beneficiaries of the additional benefits),” he said.

He added, however, that identifying the legitimate beneficiaries should not take long since the US had already come up with a list in Missouri of the Filipino veterans entitled to the benefits.

Of the $787-billion stimulus package approved by the US Congress last Friday, $198 million was provided for a one-time payments to Filipino WW II veterans.

More than 250,000 Filipinos fought side-by-side with the American soldiers to defend the Philippines against the Japanese during the war.

There are now an estimated 18,000-20,000 surviving WW II Filipino veterans, 13,000 of whom are in the Philippines, while the rest are living abroad, mostly in the US.

Under the stimulus package, US-based Filipino WW II veterans are granted $15,000, while those living in the Philippines will get $9,000.


PGMA tells TESDA to prepare retrenched workers of electronics sector for BPO sector

"Prepare all retrenched engineers from the electronics sector for the business process outsourcing sector."

This was the assignment given by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Director-General Augusto Syjuco of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) President Oscar Sanez as the government prepares for the possible retrenchment of licensed engineers in the electronics sector in the face of the worsening global economic crisis.

The new TESDA and BPAP program is part of continuing efforts of the administration to assist displaced workers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the electronics sector to match their skills in BPO- related jobs.

"So, ito ay isang programa na gagawin ngayon ni Boboy (Secretary Syjuco) at ng BPAP to re-tool the retrenched engineers from the electronics sector so that they can be prepared as engineers for the BPO industry," she said.

The President issued the order when she visited TESDA's Training Matching and Job Assistance Fair in Taguig City and discovered that more retrenched workers from the electronics and semi-conductor companies in the CALABARZON area have been given a chance to be re-hired in the BPO industry.

In her conversations with the lucky job applicants, the President explained that the re-hiring by BPO firms of some displaced workers from the electronics and semi-conductor companies was a clear signal that retrenched workers still have a big chance to land jobs in other sectors.

She pointed out that notwithstanding the global financial meltdown, employment opportunities still abound for call centers agents, animation, medical transcriptionists, software developers and other BPO-related fields.

"Hindi lamang call center agents, hindi lamang medical transcriptionists ang kailangan nila (BPO companies), para mas bumilis ang paglaki ng industriya kailangan i-hire yung mga engineers (retrenched from electronics sectors) for their applications," the President said.

Meanwhile, Connie Jucar, a licensed nurse and a victim of the global financial meltdown, who served in continental electronics manufacturing company for 12 years, testified to the President that after undergoing rigid training at TESDA, she was able to get a new job.

She told the President that during the TESDA jobs fair she applied for the position of medical transcriptionist in Xynet, one of the biggest medical transcription companies in the country today. 

She said that Xynet immediately hired her after learning that she completed a crash call center course at TESDA.

Aside from Jucar, former electronics and semi-conductor employees who got new jobs in the BPO industry. They are Marinella Agnes Catindig, former employee of Amkor Philippines; Mary Joy Iladan; former employee of Intel Philippines for 11 years; McDonald Enebrad, Roberto Acosta Vinluan, Victoriano Capico, Maricel Bergartoz, Eileen Espiritu, Nanette Padilla, and Purisima Ogate. 

As of 1:30 p.m. today the number of registrants at the jobs fair totaled 4,645 but more people were on their way to TESDA.

Other government agencies participating in the jobs fair were the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Commission on Information and Communication Technology, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.