PIA Dispatch - Tuesday, February 24, 2009

PGMA matches Pangasinan town’s school board’s outlay for school improvement projects

BINALONAN, Pangasinan – To demonstrate her appreciation of this town’s efforts to provide quality education for its children, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today pledged to match the Binalonan School Board’s budget for school improvement projects this year with an equal amount.

The President made the commitment during the inauguration of the newly constructed 2-storey 4-classroom school building of the Binalonan South Central School (BSCS) here today (Tuesday).

Under the Local Government Code, local School Boards are allotted a Special Education Fund share from one percent of real property tax revenue which is primarily intended for the improvement and development of school facilities.

Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico, in a meeting with the President and the Binalonan School Board before the inaugural program, said the BSCS’s Special Education Fund for this year stands at P3.5-million.

“I waited for this program to announce that whatever the local school board will allocate for school improvement and implement the pre-school curriculum, I will give Binalonan an equivalent amount,” the President said to the rousing applause from her audience.

The President said the government is able to put up such matching fund counterpart for noble school projects and programs as a result of her administration’s financial reform agenda such as the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) law which has also shielded the Philippines from the global recession currently sweeping countries around the world.

“The people of Binalonan have reasons to feel optimistic despite the worsening global economic recession. The structures that enable us to improve our lives had been started even before anyone noticed that a global recession would occur. We had our shields ready; we had installed programs that would increase our yields and allow us to help other provinces even more,” the President said.

President Arroyo thanked the people of Binalonan for their unwavering support and wished them success for their upcoming town fiesta.

“Let us commit ourselves to helping our townmates, our provincemates and the rest of our countrymen who are not as fortunate as the professionals that abound here in Binalonan,” she enjoined the local folks.


President Arroyo bares initiative to set up forward-looking national education program

BINALONAN, Pangasinan, (PNA) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced here that her administration has begun this year the initiative to create a forward-looking national education program

In a speech following the inauguration of a two-storey, four-room school building she built for the Binalonan South Central School here, President Arroyo stressed this is being done because of the need “to generate more social impact from education”.

This program, she said, involves the consolidated efforts of the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

President Arroyo was accompanied here by Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon.

She said the Presidential Task Force on Education which she organized sometime ago submitted a recommendation seeking to improve the state of the main education highway, from pre-school education—includes elementary, high school, pre-college for some courses, college, masteral and doctoral education.

The President stressed that her administration showcased educational reforms in pre-school education when she signed Executive Order 685 seeking standardization of the pre-school curriculum for five-year old children with the goal of increasing the participation rate for grade one.

She also reiterated the determination of her administration to bring down the drop out rate in school to five per cent by 2010, and went on to challenge Education Secretary Lapus to bring this closer to reality in line with millennium development goal called "universal primary education".

“But even if the world may not be able to achieve it, with all our efforts here, we will be able to achieve it," the President confidently said.

She likewise stressed the importance of the local school boards in every town, city and province, chaired by the mayor and district supervisor with members from the ranks of key local officials and representatives of the Parents-Teachers Associations and others.

The President reminded that the Local Government Code allots a special education fund of one percent on real property to the local school boards to be spent for projects related to school improvement and development.

In the hometown of her late mother, the former First Lady Evangeline Macaraeg Macapagal, President Arroyo announced that whatever the local school board will allocate to implement the pre-school curriculum, “I will give Binalonan the equivalent amount”.

On the other hand, Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, vowed that the local school board of his town will be active in pursuing the program of improving the participation rate of pupils which he promised to reach 94 per cent by 2010.

He said he will rally local school boards throughout the country to support the program to bring back out-of-school youth to the classroom.

While in Binalonan, the President also inaugurated an e-library and a separate library hub of the Juan Macaraeg National which contains 35,000 volumes of storybooks with different titles to be lent to 458 elementary and 101 high schools of the town.


PGMA calls for greater efforts to increase social impact of education on Filipino youth

BINALONAN, Pangasinan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rallied today agencies and individuals in the education sector to make “targeted and consolidated” efforts to increase the “social impact” of education on the Filipino youth.

The President made the call in her speech at the ceremonies formally opening the newly constructed two-storey, four-classroom school building -- the latest addition to the Binalonan South Central School complex here.

“We can generate more social impact from education if the efforts are targeted and consolidated,” the President said.

She said that this year, the government started to “cluster the programs of Department of Education (DepED), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to create a forward-looking national education program.”

This national education program, which is encapsulated in the recommendations forwarded by the Presidential Task Force for Education, sets the guidelines in improving the different states of the main education “highway” --pre-school, elementary school, high school, technical or vocational school, college, masters and post-graduate education.

A key feature of this national education program is the inclusion of five-year-old children in government-run daycare centers to strengthen and expand the DepEd’s pre-school program.

The President said that under Executive Order No. 685 entitled, Expanding the Preschool Coverage to Include Children Enrolled in Day Care Centers, which she issued early last year, the DepEd is directed to strengthen its pre-school program to entice children to stay in school and thereby minimize dropouts in elementary schools.

Before delivering her speech, the President met with the members of the Local School Board of Binalonan and was presented the main features of the new pre-school curriculum by Education Secretary Jesli Lapus.

The new curriculum defines what a five-year-old child should know and be able to do. These are statements that set expectations for learning and development of children on the following: # 1) Values Development, 2) Physical Health and Motor Development, 3) Social and Emotional Development, 4) Cognitive Development, 5) Creative Arts, 6) Reading and Writing Readiness, and 7) Language, Literacy and Communication.

“Earlier today, we showcased our reforms in pre-school education, particularly Executive Order No. 685 on the Standardization of the Pre-School Curriculum for 5-year-olds with the goal of increasing the participation rate for Grade 1,” she said.

After her speech, the President proceeded to a pre-school classroom and observed a demonstration on the preparation of a lesson plan for the first day of school based on the new standardized curriculum.

For this particular demo, the pre-school teacher, Ms. Winnie Fontanilla, discussed “Tamang Pagbasa” which falls under the Reading and Writing Readiness category.

The President then proceeded to the hand-washing and brushing trough area to observe the Essential Health Care Package showcase which includes: teaching pupils proper hand-washing and toothbrushing techniques and administration of oral de-worming tablets/suspension

She gamely joined the pre-schoolers and showed them the proper way of washing the hands to come up with “completely clean hands.”

She then observed the school doctor and nutritionist administer de-worming suspension to pre-school pupils as part of the national launching of the Essential Health Care Package under the “Fit for School” program of the DepEd.

The Essential Health Care Package is implemented in the framework of the WHO-UNICEF’s program “Health Promoting Schools” in public elementary schools and daycare centers.

The program aims to reduce neglected childhood diseases like parasitic infections and dental problems, two principal causes of absenteeism among schoolchildren.


PGMA exhorts Cabalen lawyers to help in cushioning the impact of global economic crisis

CLARK, Pampanga - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today challenged her Cabalen lawyers and judges to adopt the “public responsibility” principle in the practice of their profession as their contribution to the national government’s efforts to maintain the positive momentum of the economy.

The President made the remarks when she addressed the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Pampanga Chapter as it honored its past 17 presidents at the Ballroom 1 & 2 of Holiday Inn Clark here.

“Ikayu mo, bilang abogado at huwes, nanu kaya ing puwede yung agawa para makausap kayu para a sulung taya ing momentum na ning national economy arapan da ring mangabayat a kapagsubukan (Bilang mga abogado at huwes, ano kaya ang inyong magagawa para maisulong natin ang momentum ng national economy sa harap ng mabibigat na pagsubok),” the President said in Pampango.

She also advised them that politicking especially in the midst of economic crisis is not good for the country. Instead, the President rallied them to work together to face the biggest challenge of the present because of the negative impact of global economic slowdown.

During her speech, the President reported that her administration had “rebooted” the economy years before the current financial meltdown “and this economic medicine helps a lot in mitigating the impact of worldwide economic turmoil on the Philippines.

“We took our economic medicine through fundamental economic reform by raising taxes, cutting down on smugglers, and reforming our tax collection system and banking laws. Our reform moves paid off with revenue for investments in human and physical infrastructure,” the President told lawyers, judges, state prosecutors and other members of IBP here.

She said part of her strategy is the acceleration of investment which started in January 2009 to further stimulate the economy, to help majority of the Filipino people, and to sustain the economic growth.

She said since the global financial turmoil has started to spread, the Philippines recorded its 4.5 to 4.6 percent GDP growth and gross national product (GNP) of 6.1 percent improvement during the fourth quarter of 2008, compared to Japan’s GDP declined by 12.7 percent, United States by 5.1 percent, Taiwan by 9.2 percent, Thailand by 4.3 percent, Singapore by 3.7 percent, and Korea by 5.6 percent.

The President told the assembly of lawyers that the $7 billion stimulus spending of the Philippines, in preparation for the world crisis, is bigger than Indonesia’s $6.3 billion, Malaysia $4 billion, and Thailand’s $3.4 billion.

“But it is not meant to break the bank. We have brought forward investments to further stimulate our economy, to help our people and to sustain the growth that has been so important to our economic success,” she said.

In relation to this, the President noted that her administration remains focused on further raising revenues through improvements in tax administration and establishment of a public-private sector fund to support resiliency plan initiatives, provides tax relief for the private sector by reducing corporate income tax from 35 to 40 percent, and by exempting minimum wage earners from personal tax and increasing personal exemptions.

She also said that the national government through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has been processing 3,000 jobs per day as a testament to the government support to all workers here and abroad through retraining programs for them to be more competitive globally.

During the program dubbed as “Aldo Ning Parangal: A Tribute to the Past Presidents of the IBP-Pampanga Chapter,” the President awarded plaques of appreciation to the 17 past presidents of the organization for their valuable contributions to the welfare of the society, particularly in the administration of justice.

Cabinet Officer for Region 3 and Internal Affairs Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, and IBP Pampanga Chapter president Atty. Maria Imelda Q. Tuazon assisted the President in the awarding of plaques.

Those who received a plaque from the President were Silvestre M. Punsalan (1973-1975); Martin M. Roque (1975-1977); Isidro T. Calma (1977-1979); Ernesto L. Pineda (1979-1981); Cesar L. Paras (1981-1983); Eligio P. Mallari (1983-1985); Vicente L. San Luis (1985-1987); Avelino L. Liangco (1987-1989); Atlee T. Viray (1989-1991); Augurio G. Pamintuan (1991-1993); Zoilo A. Andin (1993-1995); Wilfredo I. Untalan (1995-1997); Wilfrido C. Mangiliman (1997-1999); Ruben L. Feliciano (1999-2001); Federico S. Tolentino, Jr. (2001-2003); Orlando R. Pangilinan (2003-2005); Joseph Jepri M. Miranda (2005-2007); and Maria Imelda Q. Tuazon (2007-2009).

Meanwhile, Atty. Tuazon, said the affair was held to “give recognition to the past presidents of the chapter who have each played a vital role in the pursuit of the organization’s three fold objectives.”

These objectives are: 1) to elevate the standard of legal profession, 2) to improve the administration of justice, and 3) to enable the bar to discharge its public responsibility more effectively.

“This is a good time to honor them,” Tuazon said, adding that the chapter has to give recognition to the achievements of their former leaders who have uplifted the standard of legal profession in Pampanga.

Founded in 1973, the chapter with 679 members today was given by the IBP National Office the “Best Chapter Award” under the leadership of lawyers Viray (1989-1991), Untalan (1995-1997), Mangiliman (1997-1999), and Miranda (2005-2007).


Thousands apply at DPWH job fairs 

Thousands of unemployed flocked to the main office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Manila last Monday to try their luck in any of the nearly half a million job openings offered at the job fair.  

Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said the DPWH job fair would open more opportunities for jobless Filipinos affected by the global economic crisis.

The DPWH is spending P60 billion, part of the P330-billion stimulus package, in the first half of the year for construction projects nationwide. The agency hopes to generate 500,000 jobs in the construction sector for 2009.

Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said about 1,500 people found jobs in the construction sector just a few hours after the fair at the DPWH main office opened. Some 30 contractors participated in the fair.

Ebdane said the employment initiative was part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s program to mitigate the effects of the global economic crisis on the Philippines.

The event is cosponsored by the Department of Labor and Employment, National Constructors Association of the Philippines and Philippine Constructors Association.


DOLE team to help OFWs in Korea find alternative jobs, other productive undertakings

MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has sent a three-man team to Korea to help overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in this country find alternative employment and other productive undertakings before the global crisis could hit their current employment.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said the team has been directed to prepare the OFWs before they actually lose their jobs with alternative opportunities which they may undertake to ease the impact of the global crisis on them and their families.

The team consists of personnel from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO).

Roque said that under DOLE Administrative Order No. 42, series of 2009, the team would coordinate with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Seoul in identifying firms in Korea with OFWs workers who could lose their jobs due to the global crisis.

He said the team would immediately meet with vulnerable OFWs in the identified firms to profile their skills for appropriate job matching and referral to other companies, whether on site or in local firms in the Philippines, where their skills are needed.

OFWs who are in need of skills upgrading and retooling, on the other hand, would be issued onsite with scholarship training vouchers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

The DOLE Chief said the TESDA vouchers would enable the OFW-beneficiaries to train immediately upon their return to the Philippines in skills that are needed by industry, thereby, enhancing their prospects for employment locally and overseas.

At the same time, the three-man DOLE team would provide livelihood orientation to OFWs who may no longer want to work in Korea and instead opt to set up their own business enterprises in the Philippines.

Roque said the team would assist said OFWs in organizing themselves for livelihood projects and also in preparing their business proposals.

The Labor and Employment Secretary also said that another DOLE team will be sent to Korea to negotiate for the renewal of the country's participation in the Korean Employment Permit System (EPS) in line with national efforts in jobs preservation and generation for Filipino workers.

The last MOU on the EPS forged in 2006 between the DOLE and the Korean Labor Ministry expired last year.

Roque said the team would meet and discuss with their South Korean Ministry of Labor specifically the conclusion of a new EPS memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and South Korea that would provide for the recruitment and deployment of OFWs to this country in the next two years.

He said that despite the raging global crisis that had displaced 74 OFWs in Korea, the Philippines is keen on renewing its participation in the Korean EPS in view of this country's continuing preference for OFWs.

He cited the initiative of the South Korean government to prioritize OFWs displaced by the global crisis for available new job openings under the EPS. POEA data also showed that in January this year, about 30 OFWs have been offered to work in Korea under the EPS.

At the same time, the DOLE team would confer and explore with the Korean Ministry of Education the prospect of deploying Filipino English teachers to Korea and also with appropriate authorities the prospect of sending OFWs to the Incheon Free Export Zone in Incheon which is a major Korean seaport near Seoul. The export zone is envisioned to become the center of international business, IT, biotechnology, logistics and tourism in
Northeast Asia. 


PGMA`s speech to highlight economic managers` proactive dialogue with investors

MANILA (PND) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will address tomorrow (Wednesday) the ``Philippine Economic Briefing`` to underscore the need to sustain the country’s economic growth and uplift the lives of the poor.

The President will be the keynote speaker of the Briefing with the theme, ``Challenges and Opportunities in a Global Crisis,`` at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

To attract investments and create jobs, the President’s economic managers are conducting a continuing dialogue with domestic and international investors on the state of the country’s public finances and the economy.

Before the President’s speech, her economic managers will conduct separate presentations on the state of the country’s fiscal and economic situation.

Among the presentors are Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ralph Recto, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

An open forum, which will follow the presentations, will be moderated by Investor Relations Office (IRO) Executive Director Claro Fernandez.

In July 2001, the government created the IRO in response to investors` need for a coordinated approach to sourcing macro-economic information from the economic agencies of the government such as the BSP, NEDA, DOF, DTI, and DBM.

Through the proactive investor relations program, the country’s economic agencies provide macroeconomic information needed by analysts and investors in making critical business and investment decisions.