PIA Dispatch - Wednesday, January 28, 2009

PGMA leads delivery of basic services to the poor of Koronadal City

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo motored here today to deliver basic social services to the poor residents of this city, as part of the government efforts to provide quality health and medical assistance to less fortunate Filipinos.

The President just came from her peace consultation with the stakeholders and local government executives from the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat which was held at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XII conference room.

Upon her arrival in this city, the President proceeded to St. Anthony Parish Church gymnasium of the Christ the King Cathedral to observe the ongoing medical and dental mission being conducted by the Office of the President People’s Government Mobile Action (PGMA) team organized by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

She also led in the distribution of bowls of “arroz caldo” to 100 malnourished elementary pupils aged 7-11, and food packs to 1,000 indigent residents.

She also witnessed the awarding by representatives of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) of 125 scholarship certificates to qualified beneficiaries through St. Anthony Parish priest, Fr. Bonifacio Ampoyas.

The TESDA scholarship certificates under its Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) is part of the ongoing program of the administration which aimed to develop skills and competencies of unemployed and underemployed individuals thru training programs for pre-employment, skills upgrading and productivity enhancement.

The President was assisted by Diocese of Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, Fr. Ampoyas. Also present were South Cotabato Vice Governor Eligardo Ojena, South Cotabato 2nd District Representative Arthur Pingoy Jr., and Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel.


PGMA releases P10M for repair of damaged Baobo irrigation project

BARANGAY SINUBONG, Veruela, Agusan del Sur -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo handed over a check for P10-million to Agusan del Sur Gov. Ma. Valentina Plaza for the repair of the damaged Baobo National Irrigation Project in the municipality of Veruela.

The P386.9 million Baobo National Irrigation Project in this southernmost part of the province, was damaged last Jan. 16 when heavy rains caused massive flooding in the area.

“I was told that because of the flooding, the irrigation project was damaged,” the President said when she came in this barangay this morning to inspect the extent of damage.

The President told the more than 2,000 residents who waited eagerly for the first Philippine President to visit their place, that the repair of the irrigation system must be used as an opportunity to create jobs for the residents.

“This is labor intensive. There must be emergency hiring,” the President stressed.

The President, who spoke in the Visayan dialect, said the irrigation project must be completed the soonest so the farmers can produce enough rice not only for their community but for the whole province and region.

The irrigation project, funded by the Asia Development Bank, will be completed and operational by the end of May this year.

It will be partially open on Feb. 15 to irrigate 600 out of the 1,600 hectares targeted by the project when fully operational.

The project, which was conceptualized 30 years ago, was only realized in 2004 under the Arroyo administration.

Five barangays of Veruela -- Sinubong, Sampaguita, Magsaysay La Fortuna and Poblacion, comprising 984 farming households stand to benefit from the project.

When fully operational, the project will allow farmers to have a good harvest even during the dry season.

The 11-kilometer road component of the project which is now being utilized by the farmers, has made the transport of farm produce easier, faster and at less costly.

Farmers used to transport their palay harvest to the market with the use of a carabao sleigh where they pay P1 for every kilo they load.

Indeed, the irrigation project holds the most promise of uplifting the lives of the farming communities here.

Although the President stayed for about 30 minutes only, the Veruelans were very happy to see her.

They expressed their gratitude to the President by warmly welcoming her to their humble place, unmindful of the scorching sun, as they waved their blue banderitas and shouted “Gloria.”

The President was welcomed by Veruela Mayor Solimar Mondejar, Governor Plaza, among others.


DDB stands pat on random drug testing for secondary, tertiary students

Backed by Malacanang, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) is standing pat on its policy of random drug testing for secondary and tertiary students as a vital step to protect students from dangerous drugs as well as provide the victims with the assistance to stop them from further use of the illegal substance.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, in his regularly week press conference in Malacanang this afternoon, said that the random drug tests should be viewed as an purely health issue designed to stop students from falling into the trap of substance abuse.

Ermita was reacting to criticisms that the DDB random drug testing policy violated human rights.

Clarifying the issue, the DDB said that the random testing for students is an “entirely ‘health’ issue (which) aims to provide services to those who will be tested positive for drug dangerous drug use, that will help the student stop further use and abuse of the substance.”

Signed by DDB Chairman Vicente C. Sotto lll, the “clarificatory” guidelines on the random drug testing affirmed that the privacy and dignity of the students will be fully protected.

Adverse findings, he said, would not used in any criminal proceedings.

“Proper information shall be disseminated by supervising agencies prior to the conduct of the drug testing activities to allow students to appreciate intentions of the activity. This includes a written notification to parents as a provided for by the DDB regulation,” the DDB guidelines said.

The DDB said that under no circumstance will the random drug test be used to “discriminate any student for further legal action which may result in having administrative/criminal records and/or incarceration.”

The DDB will hold special lectures in schools to explain the dangers of drug addiction, adding that “testing is a screening tool that ultimately aims to provide treatment and not incarceration. This may also include information on Court rulings regarding the constitutionality of drug testing.”

The drug testing program is designed to determine the prevalence of drug users among students, assess the effectiveness of school-based and community-based prevention programs, deter the use of illegal drugs, facilitate rehabilitation of drug users and dependents, and strengthen collaboration efforts of identified agencies against the use of illegal drugs and in the rehabilitation of drug users and dependents.

Under the DDB guidelines, the drug testing coordinator “shall ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the random drug testing to the students, teachers, administration and personnel of the school.”


FFCCCI vows assistance to Filipino workers displaced by global crisis

The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) has vowed to help the government find new jobs for Filipino workers displaced by the current global economic crisis.

This was announced today by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who said that the FFCCCII and the Department of Labor (DOLE) have forged an agreement that the two parties would “cooperate in the placement of displaced workers among FFCCCII member-firms nationwide.”

Ermita said the agreement was signed by Labor Secretary Marianito Roque and FFCCCI President John K. Tan last week.

In a press statement, Roque described FFCCCII’s cooperation with the government as a “huge gain in the national efforts to mitigate the impact of the financial crisis on workers.”

The FFCCCII has 170 member-organizations all over the country.

Under the agreement, FFCCCII, through its affiliate organizations, will accept for placement workers referred to it by the DOLE, which will provide training or re-training of the displaced workers prior to their employment.

The DOLE will also provide the chamber with the needed technical assistance in skills matching and work arrangements.

Roque also reported to Malacanang that South Korean government has activated a safety measure to help any overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in that country affected by the global crisis.

He said he was informed by the Philippine labor attaché in Seoul that the Korean ministry of labor has assured him that OFWs would be given priority employment in new job openings under its Employment Permit System (EPS).

The labor secretary said that thus far, only 74 OFWs out of the thousands of Filipino workers in Korea, have lost their jobs in the midst of the worldwide economic meltdown.

In a related move to help displaced Filipino workers, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) launched Monday an easy lending program for OFWs as part of President Arroyo’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program.

Under the lending program, OWWA will directly lend to a displaced OFW up to P50,000 to start or expand a livelihood project.

The money is available at a low 5 percent interest per annum at no collateral and payable over 24 month installments with a grace period of 90 days, interest free.


PGMA orders GRP peace panel to start consultations

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PNA) –- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday directed members of the government panel tasked to negotiate peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to launch more consultations on the peace process in the coming weeks with various stakeholders in Mindanao.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon, Jr. said the President issued such directive during a briefing and consultation here this afternoon with local government officials of Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao regarding the area's volatile security condition and the proposed reopening of the formal peace talks between the government and the MILF.

"While we seek for the resumption of the peace talks with the MILF, we will continue these consultations with all the stakeholders -– the local government units, religious groups and other peoples of Mindanao. That's our marching orders (from the President)," Razon said following the meeting held at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) compound here.

The President was accompanied by Razon, incoming Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and members of the peace panel.

During the meeting, Razon said local government leaders of Region 12 pledged their support to the government's peace agenda and the immediate resumption of the peace talks with the MILF.

Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of Koronadal, General Santos, Tacurong, Cotabato and Kidapawan.

Razon said the President and members of the peace panel took note of their consensus and other inputs regarding the handling of the peace process.

"They have shown their full support and they were very happy that for the first time they were consulted (about the peace process)," he said.

Razon said the members of the peace panel will next consult the stakeholders of North Cotabato and the neighboring areas on Feb. 5.

President Arroyo earlier directed the government peace panel, which is headed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, to work for the immediate resumption of the stalled peace talks with the MILF to end the decades-old Mindanao conflict.

To achieve peace in Mindanao, the national government adopted fresh approaches for the peace process that includes "inter-faith dialogue, authentic consultations with the communities and the principle of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration for armed rebel groups." (PNA)
scs/RGR/AVE/


DOLE gets cooperation of Fil-Chinese group for re-employment of displaced workers

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has moved to get the cooperation of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) in the re-employment of workers who would be displaced by the global economic slowdown.

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said the DOLE entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the FFCCCII providing for the two parties' cooperation in the placement of displaced workers among FFCCCII member-firms nationwide.

Roque said the FFCCCII consists of a network of 170 member-organizations all over the country, noting the cooperation of the chamber in the re-employment of displaced workers is a huge gain in the national efforts to mitigate the impact of the financial crisis on the workers.

The DOLE Chief signed the MOA with FFCCCII president John K. Tan last week. He said the DOLE is set to enter into similar agreements with other employers' groups as part of the efforts to facilitate and ensure the re-employment of displaced workers and, thus, mitigate the adverse impact of the crisis on them.

Under the MOA, the DOLE shall coordinate with FFCCCII in the placement of displaced workers among the latter's member companies nationwide which have vacancies and in need of skilled or semi-skilled workers. It shall likewise provide the chamber with technical assistance in skills matching and work arrangements.

Meanwhile, the FFCCCII shall accept workers referred by DOLE for placement among its member-firms. It shall also ensure that the referred workers who are employed by its members are paid the prevailing wage rates and provide other labor standards benefits. It shall ensure that its member-firms observe occupational health and safety standards.

To facilitate placement of displaced workers among FFCCCII member firms, the DOLE shall profile the affected workers and provide information concerning the workers' skills, age, work, and worksite preferences.

The DOLE shall also provide training or re-training of the displaced workers should the need arise prior to their placement. It shall also afford FFCCCII firms flexibility in the engagement of displaced workers such as fixed-term engagement and temporary or project-based work arrangement as may be allowed by law. (PNA)


Gov’t anti-hunger drive creates 1.4-M new jobs for the poor

The government’s anti-hunger program has yielded new job opportunities for nearly 1.4 million unemployed or underemployed poor folk.

National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Domingo Panganiban on Wednesday said new jobs were created through the expansion of micro-finance services, construction and maintenance of farm infrastructure, coconut inter-cropping and aggressive rice seeds subsidy and skills training programs.

The figures were based on the 2008 accomplishment report of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) on its Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP).

"The creation of jobs for hungry folk is among the primary objectives of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) and we are pleased to say that our efforts to ensure jobs for the poor have been successful," said Panganiban.

He made the announcement even as government moves to strengthen its anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs in the face of the global economic meltdown.

NAPC will lead a "Forum on Hunger Mitigation, Population Management and Poverty Reduction" at the Institute of Small Scale Industries at the University of he Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City Thursday to assess the government’s pro-poor and anti-hunger policies and targets for 2009.

Key government officials, the basic sectors, and representatives from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Population Fund are expected to attend the forum.

"The intent of the forum is to build on our accomplishments in the fight against poverty and hunger, improve program policies and implementation structures, and ensure that all of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s pro-poor and anti-hunger targets for 2009 are met," said Panganiban.

For her part, NAPC Assistant Secretary Dolores de Quiros Castillo said that the government’s micro-finance program had already created over a million new jobs for the poor as of July last year.

"Another 292,372 poor folk were trained for higher paying jobs through the government’s various skills training programs," she added.

Around 38,507 rural workers also found new earning opportunities through the "Coconut Inter-cropping Program" of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Another 10,761 more workers were hired for irrigation projects while some 26,326 Filipinos were put to work on roadside maintenance projects.

"The President has issued clear orders for all agencies to fast track and intensify government anti-hunger measures and pro-poor programs this year. She has emphasized the need for more jobs for hungry Filipinos," the NAPC chief said. (PNA)


PGMA to inaugurate 4 bridges in Pampanga on Thursday

SAN SIMON, Pampanga (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to visit Pampanga on Thursday for the formal inauguration of four bridges constructed in the towns of San Simon, Minalin and San Luis under the Bridge Program of the President, known as “Tulay ng Pangulo.”

The President will inaugurate the more than P100-million San Miguel Bridge here, two bridges in Minalin and the P120-million San Luis Bridge.

The San Miguel Bridge in this town is now benefitting thousands of townsfolk and even the people from San Luis, Candaba and as far as from the province of Bulacan.

Nestor Macapagal, a farmer here, said the San Miguel Bridge is now being utilized for the speedy delivery of agricultural produce to the market, unlike before when the bridge was only made of wood.

Jayper Punzalan, a grade six pupil at the San Miguel Elementary School, said the bridge is beneficial to the students as their parents now are confident that the lives of their children would never be put in danger because of the newly-constructed bridge.

Mayor Rodrigo Canlas, who took effort in the realization of the project, has instructed the village chiefs here to conduct a clean-up drive in preparation for the bridge inauguration.

The townsfolk, through the mayor, have extended their gratitude to the President for the construction of the bridge. (PNA) scs/Joel P. Mapiles/ps/mec


GSIS condones 50% of Isabela City’s un-remitted premiums

(Isabela City de Basilan)- Gripped with financial crisis, the City Government of Isabela is committed to comply with its obligation to its people, first and foremost to its employees.

City Employees applauded Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar in Monday’s flag raising ceremony as she announces development on her personal follow up with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) at the central office in Manila on the City’s outstanding arrearages and unpaid interests due to the non-remittance of City employees’ four (4) months premium from March to June 2007, an inherited financial obligation that deprived city employees from availing the loan services of the insurance system, since its suspension at the middle of last year.

The unpaid obligations amounting to Php10, 402,310.45, included the un-remitted premiums, interest and arrearages from 1998 to June 2007, an obligation Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar inherited from her predecessors, the Late Mayor Luis R. Biel, II and the late Mayor Rodolfo Y. Tan.

Early November of last year, Mayor Akbar invited the GSIS Regional Manager for a dialogue with the City Department Heads and employees that resulted to the drafting of a Memorandum of Agreement. The City Mayor decided to bring personally the MOA to Manila and worked hard to condone further the old obligation.

After the first negotiation, the amount was reduced to Php 7,059,161.82. The Lady Mayor was able to convey and convince the GSIS President and General Manager, Atty. Winston F. Garcia to condone the interest compounded for the non remittance of the premium and other unpaid obligations and requiring the Government to enter into a prompt compromise settlement with the GSIS.

In a Memorandum of Agreement entered into by the City Government of Isabela with the GSIS after hearing the appeal and pleading of Mayor Akbar, accepted the condonation of 50% and the amount to be amortized of the total arrearages plus interest into condensed amount of Php 5,385,490.43, allowing Php 178,875.35 to be paid on monthly installment starting February 2009 for a period of 3 years.

The Lady Chief Executive encourages the City Employees to initiate the filing of cases to those responsible in looting their money and further extend the help in providing lawyers to the employees. She also gave assurance to the employees that suspension on loan services with GSIS will be lifted anytime this week.

Meanwhile, on top of her 10 point agenda for better public service, Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar reminded the employees to perform their task according to their position and to serve the public with utmost sincerity and dedication.

“As your Mayor, I have done my part, it is about time that you also do your part”, Mayor Akbar said. (Isabela City IO/PIA-BASULTA)


ES Ermita Press Conference
28 January 2009


On World Bank blacklist

At this point, this is also, as a matter of fact, moto propio, being looked into by the Ombudsman. We have to take the word of our Cabinet members, especially DPWH and DBM. They have instituted measures so they can look into what are the specifics as mentioned in the charges. Second, for the present projects being reviewed as to whether indeed the bidding was in order and whether the projects are being undertaken well by these contractors. And of course, temporarily they have suspended the participation of these contractors until such time that they get the satisfaction of the DPWH and DBM would get the satisfaction that the irregularities they are alluding to are not happening.

At the moment, we can not come up with any specific comments other than wait for this development and of course, because this became the subject of hearing in the Senate, I will not be surprised if there will be a hearing also similarly in the Lower House. Then they’ll be coming up with their own findings. Meantime, the Executive Branch would have to go by the position taken by our Cabinet members as to how this thing is being corrected.

Q: Ano yung partikular na reaksyon ni Presidente sa pagkaka-link kay FG at would you know kung personally kilala ng First Couple yung contractor na si Mr. Eduardo de Luna?

A: I do not know if those allegations are true. Your question is whether they are personally known to the President. But as far as that particular issue is concerned, the First Gentleman being a private person is in a position to respond to those charges. I understand that yesterday, especially because of the hearing in the Senate, Atty. Rondain, the spokesperson or who works in the Office of the First Gentleman, came up with their own statement. I would rather that this be handled by the Office of the First Gentleman because as you know, he is a private person. Among others, I would just like to say dun sa nadinig ko na bakit parang madaming nakakakilala kay First Gentleman, eh sino ba namang hindi nakakakilala kay First Gentleman? He is the First Gentleman. Even before the President became president, Atty. Arroyo already has a lot of acquaintances, a lot of friends, and given his personal private stature, so marami siyang kaibigan. Ang nangyayari lang ngayon, because he happens to be the First Gentleman, eh lahat ng bagay ay ini-a-attribute sa kanya in the hope that by doing so, this can reach the doors of Malacañang and therefore can prove, try to prove, their own thesis that maybe there are connections but definitely you can be sure that there is no such connection other than the fact that some people just would like to link him unreasonably, unfavorably if I might say, because as we know things need to be proven before we can say what these charges are.

Q: Do you see any need na umattend si FG sa mga invitation ng Senate inquiry on this matter?

A: That is a matter only FG can respond to. I am not in a position to say whether he should or should not. But that is on the judgment of FG.

Q: What’s the latest word on the vacancy at the NPO? Will it be Retired Admiral Danga or the President is choosing someone else?

A: In the first place, I do not know how the name of Admiral Danga came about because my office did not know there has been a recommendation to OP. What is official is right now I have not seen any official document or appointment of Admiral Danga to that position. I will be glad if indeed he will be appointed to that position because I have no question about the qualifications of Admiral Danga. But for the moment I cannot say whether indeed he will be appointed, how soon, because I have not seen any document coming down to let us know that indeed an appointment has been extended to him.

Q: But will the Palace take into consideration the apprehensions of many or the criticisms of some on why he should be placed there (when) he was linked to a controversy in 2004 and the fact that he seems to be ill-fitted for the job?

A: There is a tendency for some people to say that just because a person or an individual had been talked about regarding certain controversies before, anything that happens in the future they try to connect it and then seem to make people believe that the person should not be given a break anymore. Lahat naman ng tao siguro dapat bigyan ng pagkakataon to acquit himself in the proper fora. Other than what has been written about the alleged participation of Admiral Danga in whatever activities they say he had participated in, nothing had been done to put official action on it, file charges, or for that matter if in any hearing done by both houses of Congress, a recommendation or case had been forwarded to the court so that appropriate charges can be filed. Wala naman eh. And so because of that, para bang just because his name came up before, ngayon anything that’s mentioned about him ay hindi na siya puwede. I think it’s unfair. And if it happens to anyone, I’m sure you understand na hindi naman yata tama. Everyone must have their day in court, so to speak. And so I hope people would try to consider that and not put malice on everything that happens to a guy whose name happens to be mentioned in a case before where no official legal action had been taken. I’m just saying it can happen to anybody, let’s be fair to everyone.

Q: Will the RP gov’t extend help to this Filipino worker in Australia who was fired after cleaning himself after using the toilet using water?

A: It is the job of the gov’t through the DFA, through our embassies or consular offices, to extend assistance to our citizens in whatever problem they may have abroad and this is no exception. So we are going to call the attention of the DFA because I’m very sure they have a way of bringing this to the attention, through proper channels, probably through diplomatic channels. But it is a wake-up call also to our friends abroad that they should not treat our compatriots in that manner. What is the golden rule? Do not do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you. I’m sure that they do not wish the RP gov’t or any Filipino to do what has been done to that guy by that Australian. And I’m sure this is taken note of by the Australian ambassador who is representing their country here. So I’ll just go back to the golden rule and for that matter I will inform the DFA to find out what needs to be done if he feels aggrieved, if he feels unjustness in his situation. Let’s find out what the DFA representing the national government can do to look at the interest of this person.

Q: There is a proposal from Chairman Angeles of CHED making college five years and some sectors say that this would just prolong the agony of the students and their parents.

A: Last week, the Presidential Task Force on Education, created by the President and headed by Fr. Nebres of Ateneo, gave a briefing for the Cabinet on the result as of now of the work of the task force. There, they had a briefing on the so-called roadmap of education from elementary, primary, HS, college, vocational, etc. No mention was made about recommending college to be five years. All I know is that it branches into two – vocational training after HS and the regular four-year college. Now this is supposed to be addressed to the Pres’l TF on Education and because CHED is a member of the TF, then I’m sure they must have considered it but it does not follow that it is already to be adopted.

Q: What makes Admiral Danga qualified for the NPO post and does his qualifications outweigh the political baggage that he will be bringing?

A: As far as qualification is concerned, and I know it will go forward to the question on why are there former military men or retired generals are being tapped by the President for positions in gov’t service, we can always say that you can be definitely sure that he’s qualified for the job because of the experience he has in managerial capacity, in dealing with people, and at the same time because of the sensitiveness of the activity. The NPO is very sensitive because it prints official forms of gov’t and given that Admiral Danga used to be the intelligence officer of the AFP, you can definitely be sure that he can introduce certain measures in order to ensure the security of all the government documents being printed in the NPO. One of the problems in the NPO is there has been so many outside printers who were accredited to do printing jobs and these documents somehow, they violate security measures by having them find their way outside. Official gov’t receipts when sold outside not within the purview of the number and what has been required and requested by certain offices in the NPO can very well be used for other purposed by those people handling it irregularly or in an unauthorized manner. Can you imagine close to home which needs so much security is the printing of ballots? That’s a very, very important document, ballots for election. And because of reports, I recall more than three months or four months ago, Sec Dureza reported to you that, since the NPO is under the supervision of the OPS, he found out that the printing of ballots for the ARMM Election was such that the amount was threefold and if that was not discovered by somebody inside who according to Sec Dureza happens to be someone he has commissioned to look into it, then the gov’t could be defrauded of millions of pesos again. So it’s very important to place people there who can safeguard the printing of official gov’t stationeries, ballots and receipts so that the gov’t would get a fair return on the amount of money they spend for the printing of any official form that they need. Gen Danga, by the nature of his posture in the military especially that he was a retired intelligence officer, is definitely very qualified for the job.

Q: The appointment of Gen Palparan, any update?

A: Gen Palparan was being considered to fill up a vacant position in the DDB. I understand there is one board vacancy. As you thought before it was PDEA, no it’s not PDEA but until now we are looking into the position to be filled up by Gen Palparan because that is supposed to be a position representing private sector or NGO. We would like to find out if he would qualify for that position because Gen Palparan as a retired officer had registered and run for a partylist representing a certain NGO. Now we directed the Search Committee to find out if he would qualify in that appointment. The fact alone that he ran for a partylist position and lost shows that he was representing an NGO but that is something that has to be validated well by the Search Committee.

Q: Ano yung expectations ng Palasyo kay Gen Palparan in as far as what he can contribute to the anti-drug campaign?

A: I hope you don’t mind me having to say that, because I happen to fall under the same category as a retired officer, a retired general, I would link to think that the guy could have not gotten a star if he does not have some special qualification. And among his qualifications is of course is his dedication to duty. He has served for more than 30 years up to the age 56 in the AFP and therefore because of his exposure in addressing our problems, of insurgency especially, because of his training, exposure in the military service for more than 30 years, he can use that as a good enough tool to contribute to the work of the DDB. Among others, for the DDB and PDEA to succeed in their campaign, they need very good intelligence, meaning knowledge about their subjects – drug users, drug pushers, drug traffickers, etc. That alone you can see that the experience of a retired officer, especially a retired general officer, would be very helpful. And he is no ordinary officer because having been a brigade commander, a division commander, of course he knows how to generate good intelligence about the other side. If he has been able to generate good information and intelligence from among the NPA, I think he can also do the same thing from among the drug traffickers and the drug pushers. So that’s a very good qualification. His experience can prove to that.

Q: What is your reaction on the pending House Bill 2603 that prohibits AFP and PNP retirees from accepting gov’t posts?

A: For one thing, it’s one to be assigned and designated in specific position occupying plantilla positions of gov’t or where they are there designated only for specific tasks. The legal opinion given by the legal officer of the DND is that as long as they are not occupying or not designated to a position with plantilla position, they can be appointed provided they follow certain rules and regulations prepared at the level of DND. I think the keyword there is plantilla position.

Q: What is the Palace’s response to Misuari’s request to negotiate for the release of the ICRC hostages?

A: We have referred his request to OPAPP and I think this is one reason why nobody can really question the qualification of a fellow like Gen Esperon to be OPAPP and now it’s Gen Razon because they are the ones who know the situation in the field. They are the ones in the position also who know the background of Misuari and how he can be useful. So we’re leaving it to OPAPP. It’s still Gen Esperon who is in OPAPP so we’re leaving him to make his own evaluation and to take his own action without having to get approval from OP because that is something that is at the level of OPAPP to act upon.

Q: Is the Palace concerned about the job losses and what is the government doing?

A: Of course the Palace is concerned about unemployment. This is one of the reasons why since last month, during all our Cabinet meetings, the President has been following up the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP). And this is the reason why there are all sorts of programs that we are undertaking. There is EO 777 on the Gulayan ng Masa and on the Integrated Services Livelihood Advancement (ISLA). This is being undertaken by DA and even PAGCOR is being tapped for this so they can set aside a certain amount to develop ISLA and Gulayan ng Masa in areas that are vacant, especially gov’t real estate that are vacant, and have them planted or be model farms so that the others can take some samples from these farms. And also some amount of money is being set aside by PAGCOR for ISLA. They are giving funds for example to UPLB to develop a certain program to help the poor on backyard gardening as well as small fishing industry. And the OWWA is making available P50,000 loan for those who are unemployed for them to start something. The applicants, those interested can just go to OWWA and get some tips and information on how this is being implemented.

Excerpts from DOLE’s position on how we are addressing the unemployment:

As the global economic crisis began to affect the country, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) moved to get the cooperation of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) in the re-employment of workers who would be displaced by the crisis.

There is a One Stop Shop Service Caravan at the Cultural and Convention Center in General Trias, Cavite held Thursday, Jan. 22, to kick off this year's nationwide program aimed at bringing employment and livelihood opportunities and other services to the grassroots, particularly to workers adversely affected by the financial crisis.

Retrenchment reports filed by affected firms with DOLE RO IV-A showed that a total of 10,344 workers in Calabarzon were displaced from October 2008 to January 19, 2009. Of the total, about 1,511 displaced workers were from Laguna, 343 of whom were automotive and electronics workers. Out of the latter, 312 workers came from the Laguna Technopark.

OWWA administrator Carmelita Dimzon said that the money is available, meaning the P50,000 loan to start a livelihood project, at a low five percent interest rate annually with no collateral, and is payable within 24 months with 90 days grace period. This is available at OWWA, under its Easy Lending Program

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that a safety net measure has been activated by the government of South Korea to assist any overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in that country affected by the global financial crisis. Sec. Roque had been to Korea. He sat down with our labor attaché there, Delmer Cruz, who said that the Ministry of Labor (MOL) of Korea has assured assistance to affected OFWs by prioritizing them for available new job openings under its Employment Permit System (EPS).


These are only some of the initiatives of DOLE and also OWWA.

Q: On man in US killing his whole family after he and his wife both lost their jobs.

A: I hope it does not happen to us. Ibang-iba naman ang ating culture eh. I’d like to think that we Filipinos are made up of stronger fabrics than to succumb to such a recourse of eliminating his own family. Given that the Philippines is a highly Catholic country and because of our religiosity, our closeness to God through prayers, I think that will not happen in the Philippines. Somehow we’ll be able to pull through. I happened to be there during the Second World War and I know how it was. Huwag mawawalan ng pag-asa. I think what we should write about is that at the turn of the year, a survey showed that 92% of Filipinos said ‘We are very hopeful that 2009 will be good for us.’ Mas matibay ang kalooban ng Pinoy.