Government offices urged to lead in job generation
Government agencies will be opening doors to the unemployed.
Under Executive Order No. 782, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered offices to temporarily fill up vacant plantilla positions with workers who were affected by global financial crunch.
She exhorted government offices to show leadership in motivating other sectors to contribute in job generating activities.
To support the hiring of displaced workers and their dependents, government agencies will have to allocate one and half percent of their budget for their operating expenses.
The President also approved the hiring of temporary workers in agencies whose rationalizing plans are still pending at the Department of Budget and Management.
Likewise, the agencies must encourage private companies under their supervision to hire new employees even in temporary and short term basis.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) reported previously that some agencies have committed to implement high impact projects such as construction of farm to market roads, repair of irrigations, road overlays, etc. that would create employment.
These agencies include the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Department of Educations.
Meanwhile, government increased investments in emergency employment program.
The fund for the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) has reached to Php 10-billion from the previous Php 9-billion.
CLEEP, a program which is part of government’s Economic Resiliency Plan, was responsible for giving employment to more than 64,000 workers and 580 households since January and estimated to generate more than 824,000 jobs.
Mga tanggapan, hinikayat manguna sa paglikha ng mga trabaho
Bubuksan ng mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan ang kanilang mga pintuan para sa mga wala at nawalan ng trabaho.
Sa ilalim ng Executive Order No. 782, ipinag-utos ng Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ng pansamantalang punan ang mga bakanteng plantilla position.
Hinikayat niya ang mga tanggapan ng pamahalaan magpakita ng liderato sa paghikayat sa mga sektor na makilahok sa paglikha ng mga bagong trabaho.
Pinayagan din Pangulo ang mga ahensiya na may naka-pending pang rationalization plan na tumanggap ng mga manggagawa.
Hinimok din ang mga ahensiya na pangunahan ang paghikayat sa mga kumpanya or orghanisasyon na nasasaklaw ng kanilang superbisyon na makiisa sa mga gawaing makapagbibigay ng mga trabaho o oportunidad sa kabuhayan.
Iniulat kamakailan ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) na ilang mga ahensiya ang nangakong magpapatupad ng mga high impact project tulad ng pagtatayo ng mga farm-to-road road, road overlay at pagkukumpuni ng irigasyon at iba pa na magbubunga ng mga trabaho.
Kabilang sa mga ahensiyang ito ay ang Department of Public Works and Highways, ang Department of Agriculture, ang Department of Transportation and Communications at ang Department of Educations.
Samantala, dinagdagan ng pamahalaan ang pamumuhunan nito sa emergency employment program.
Umabot na sa Php 10 bilyon mula sa dating Php 9-billion ang pondo ng Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).
Ang CLEEP ay bahagi ng Economic Resiliency Plan ng pamahalaan at naging responsible para magkaroon ng trabaho at kabuhayan ang mahigit sa 64,000 na manggagawa at may 580 pamilya.
Tinatayang aabot sa 824,000 trabaho ang malilikha sa ilalim ng CLEEP.
Anti-corruption reforms improve government services
Reforms in government services have strengthened the Arroyo administration’s drive against corruption.
In his weekly column, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said records would show that government is not tolerating hoodlums in the service.
Since 2001, some 121 high-ranking government officials have been penalized: 71 dismissed, 23 suspended, seven reprimanded, and 20 got accessory penalties.
These anti-corruption measures include the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program; the Run After the Smugglers (RATS) program; the Lifestyle Check program; the establishment of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force (PASTF); the Integrity Development Review; the government’s Electronic Procurement System; the Pro-Performance System; the Contractors Performance Evaluation; and the Electronic New Government Accounting System.
Remonde also mentioned the Philippines Business Registry Project (PBRP), the Electronic Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certification System (ESPCS) at the Department of Agriculture and the One-Stop Shop Centers (OSSC) which rationalize processes and discourage opportunities for corruption at the same time.
Mga repormang pangotra sa kurapsyon, pinag-ibayo ang mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan
Pinagbuti ng mga reporma ng Administrasyong Arroyo ang mga serbisyo sa gobyerno lalo sa kampanya kontra-korapsyon.
Sa kanyang lingguhang pitak sa isang pahayagan, sinabi ni Press Secretary Cerge Remonde na hindi pinapayagan ng administrasyon na maghari ang mga hoodlum sa pamahalaan.
Mula noong 2001, binigyang diin ni Remonde na mayroon nang 121 na mataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan ang pinarusahan: 71 ang sinibak, 23 ang sinuspinde, 7 ang binigyan ng reprimand at 20 and ginawaran ng accessory penalties.
Kabilang sa mga repormang ipinatupad ng Administrasyong Arroyo ay ang mga sumusunod: Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program; ang Run After the Smugglers (RATS) program; ang Lifestyle Check program; ang pagtatag ng Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force (PASTF); ang Integrity Development Review; ang Electronic Procurement System ng pamahalaan; ang Pro-Performance System; ang Contractors Performance Evaluation; at ang Electronic New Government Accounting System.
Binanggit din ni Remonde ang Philippines Business Registry Project (PBRP), ang Electronic Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certification System (ESPCS) sa Department of Agriculture at ang mga One-Stop Shop Center (OSSC) na hindi lamang isinaayos ang mga proseso kundi inalis ang mga oportunidad para sa korapsyon. #
Arroyo administration has the most number of anti-corruption initiatives -Remonde
The Arroyo administration has instituted the most number of anti-corruption initiatives in the history of the country.
Thus pointed out Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in his latest weekly column.
Entitled “Anti-corruption measures,” Remonde’s piece stressed, thus: “If you think that the Arroyo administration has been insincere in its fight against graft and corruption, take note: Records would show that this administration has the most number of anti-corruption initiatives that this country has ever seen before, during, and after the Marcos regime.”
Remonde further pointed out that the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “also has the most notable achievements in the fight against shenanigans in government.”
The Press Secretary enumerated eight such initiatives, among others, namely: the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program; the Run After the Smugglers (RATS) program; the Lifestyle Check program; the establishment of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Task Force (PASTF); the Integrity Development Review; the government’s Electronic Procurement System; the Pro-Performance System; the Contractors Performance Evaluation; the Electronic New Government Accounting System.
“In the fight against corruption, the Arroyo Administration has been focused on punitive and preventive measures, as well as in the promotion of zero tolerance for corruption,” added Remonde.
“It (the Arroyo administration) has also gone into partnerships with vigilant non-government institutions and media in exposing, detailing and prosecuting cases of corruption,” he said.
The administration’s vigilance in its anti-corruption efforts has so far penalized some 121 high-ranking government officials since 2001: “A total of 71 officials were dismissed, 23 were suspended, seven were reprimanded, and 20 given accessory penalties.”
Remonde also cited three anti-red tape and institutional development measures which have so far improved government services delivery: (1) the Philippines Business Registry Project (PBRP) which harmonizes business registration processes; (2) the Electronic Sanitary and Phytosanitary Certification System (ESPCS) which allows regulatory agencies under the Department of Agriculture (DA) to automate applications through on-line forms, and allows importers to track the status of their applications; plus (3) One-Stop Shop Centers (OSSC) all over the country which “simplify rules and reduce reportorial requirements.”
The Press Secretary also stressed that the “performance of government frontline services has also been enhanced through the reduction to half the number of signatures, days/hours of processing, and/or steps/procedures.
“For instance, business registration and licensing take only 7-9 days from 45-60 days,” he said, pointing out that the increase in the number of reported cases of corruption stems from the people’s increased vigilance in reporting such cases, “mainly because of the various measures and reforms the government has laid down to bring culprits to justice.”
“As you can see, we are well-armed in the fight against corruption, but if we just leave the fighting to government without the full cooperation of the people, then the war would take a little longer,” he added.
Under the government’s RATE program, 90 cases have been filed, 67 of which are now pending with the Department of Justice (DOJ); 13 are pending before the courts; four have been referred back to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for further evaluation; and six have been dismissed.
“Under the RATS program, 46 new lawyers were hired to beef up the legal services of the Bureau of Customs (BOC). As a result, 78 criminal cases have been filed against 349 respondents covering shipments valued at P1.7 billion.
Remonde also cited the hiring of additional field investigators for the Office of the Ombudsman for the increase in its annual conviction rate for criminal cases from 19 percent in 2006 to 77 percent in 2007.
No turning back on poll automation -- Palace
Malacañang said today there is no turning back on the full automation of the 2010 elections.
After the expected signing by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the P11.3-billion supplemental budget for poll automation approved by Congress, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the next step would be to ensure that the procurement of the election automation machines pass without any hitches the test of full transparency.
In an interview at noon today (Sunday, March 8) over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, Remonde stressed that the “transparency ng government procurement is really one of our principles, one of our programs, so therefore, any move to ensure that there will be transparency in the procurement, especially of… the machines for poll automation, ‘yun po talaga ang gusto ng Malacanang.”
“’Yun po talaga ang gustong mangyari ng Malacanang,” he pointed out, adding that “insofar as the details are concerned, such as whether the procurement process should be televised or whatever, let us leave that to the implementing arm, the Commission on Elections (Comelec).”
“But as far as the principle of transparency is concerned, ‘yan po talaga ang nararapat – at dapat,” he said.
Asked what measures the Arroyo administration is taking to ensure clean and credible elections, Remonde said that’s the reason “why ang ating mahal na Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ay talagang nanindigan for poll automation.”
“Because, precisely, that is really one of the most important concerns of the President. Kasi nga yung 2010 elections, when it becomes fully automated, ma-minimize na yung mga irregularities (kaya) magkakaroon talaga ng honest, orderly and peaceful elections,” he said.
Remonde explained that “ang magkaroon ng modern elections ay isang adhikain ng Pangulong Arroyo na dapat suportahan ng lahat ng sambayanang Pilipino because that is central to our democracy.”
A fully automated elections will also end once and for all, the Philippine phenomenon where “after the elections, there are only two candidates – the winner and the (others who claim that they were) cheated.”
Earlier Saturday, Remonde called on the administration’s allies in Congress “to respect and consider the President’s position that we want full automation of the 2010 elections.”
He issued the appeal after some pro-administration solons proposed a “hybrid” type of elections using both manual and automated processes even after both Houses of Congress had passed the P11.3-billion supplemental budget for the automation of the presidential elections next year.
The Palace had announced that the President would sign the supplemental budget for the full automation of the 2010 presidential election once it is submitted to Malacanang.
Government sincere in solving Aquino Galman Case
Government is sincere in resolving Aquino-Galman Double Murder Case.
But unless Captain Felipe Valerio is located and returned to the Philippines, government could not re-open the case, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo told reporters in a briefing in Malacanang today.
“We cannot file a case against him until he is finally here,” said Undersecretary Fajardo.
She maintained that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued the order not to appease the Aquino Family but out of the President’s sincerity to give justice to Former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr.
Valerio, a former officer of the Philippine Airforce, is one of the suspects in the assassination of Aquino in 1983.
He and fifteen other soldiers were convicted in the killing of Aquino and his alleged gunman Roland Galman.
Thirteen of the convicted were pardoned: three died in detention while the rest were released recently. #
Pamahalaan desididong resolbahin ang Aquino-Galman Double Murder Case
Subalit hangga’t hindi nakikita at naibabalik sa Pilipinas si Captain Felipe Valerio, sinabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokersperson Lorelai Fajardo na hindi mabubuksan ang kaso.
Binigyang diin ni Undersecretary Fajardo na hindi ipinag-utos ng Pangulo ang paghahanap at pagpapabalik sa Pilipinas kay Valerio para lamang payapain ang kalooban ng pamilyang Aquino kundi desidido ang punong ehekutibo na mabigyan ng katarungan ang pagkakapaslang kay dating Senador Benigno Aquino Jr.
Si Valerio, isang dating opisyal ng Philippine Airforce, ang isa sa mga suspek sa pagpaslang kina Aquino at Rolando Galman.
Si Galman naman ang itinuturong bumaril kay Aquino.
Kasama si Valerio sa labing limang sundalo na hinatulan dahil sa kanilang pagkakasangkot sa Aquino Galman Double Murder Case.
Manila (PNA) --- Malacanang remains firm on its stand not to negotiate with the abductors of the three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said accommodating the demands of the abductors of three ICRC workers will only encourage more acts of kidnapping and terrorism.
"We cannot relax our policy, we have to maintain our policy of not negotiating with terrorists and cordon them off," Remonde stressed.
ICRC workers Mary Jean Lacaba, Eugenio Vagni and Andreas Notter were abducted by suspected Abu Sayyaf members in Sulu last Jan. 15.
One of the abductors' demands is the pullout of government troops in the area.
"If we start giving in to the demands of kidnappers and terrorists, we will encourage and embolden kidnappers and terrorists. Hindi natin pwedeng i-relax ang policy na yan (We cannot relax that policy)," he said.
"Mahirap talaga but talagang ganyan yan, di naman sa Pilipinas even sa US at even the most powerful countries in the world, the moment we yield to terrorism we will embolden them (It is indeed difficult but that's the way it is. It's not just in the Philippines but even in the US and other powerful countries, the moment we yield to terrorists we will embolden them)," he said.
He said there is the local crisis management committee dealing with the matter.
NAIA's terminal 3 capacity upped to 32M passengers a year
Manila, March 8 (PNA) - With the opening of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to commercial operations, the country’s main gateway increased its terminal capacity to 32 million passengers a year, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said.
According to MIAA General Manager Alfonso Cusi, they are committed to become a globally competitive organization for providing airport facilities and services consistent with international standards, expressed continuing progress and milestones gained in 2008.
“The newly opened terminal is now operational, catering to domestic flights to most local destinations and international flights to Asian countries,” he said.
Cusi added the agency has also plans for terminal expansion focusing on capacity building efforts to better handle the increasing passenger traffic and is projected for the next five to 10 years.
“We believe that the increase in passenger traffic is due to the aggressive marketing and promotional ad efforts of domestic airlines and also to the opening of NAIA terminal 3, as we are able to accommodate more passengers because of the added space the new facility provides,” Cusi said.
Aside from the opening of NAIA 3, the MIAA has also embarked on modest but useful improvements aimed at maintaining the prestige of NAIA being the main gateway of the country.
Cusi said the improvements of terminal 1 Arrival Lobby and other renovations to give it more updated look and make it more functional to address the changing operational needs of the gateway.
“Despite limited space for expansion, it has been steadily improved as a facility that is both friendly and useful to its passengers and stakeholders well. This is obviously a provided concern for the NAIA in its continuing effort to be at par with other international airports worldwide,” Cusi explained.
To further manifest, MIAA serious efforts to make the NAIA terminals safe, as metered taxis were introduced form passenger’s safety and convenience and also free shuttle services from and to all three NAIA terminals have also been put into place.
A new security equipment have also been acquired, and other facility upgrades been made and more judicious housekeeping is being practiced.
“I am delighted to receive some positive feedback lately from passengers and users of NAIA who have noticed our humble accomplishments and some improvements. We are joining heads as we are aggressively pursue improvements not only in terms of terminal maintenance but also enhancements in key areas such as passenger safety, security and convenience through it’s new service branding dubbed as the “smiling airport”,” Cusi added.
Moreover, the MIAA is also extending its assistance in the upgrading and construction of Caticlan Airport.
“We promise to share decades of expertise of the MIAA/NAIA personnel in international and domestic airport management and we can only be too glad and willing to extend help for the building of the Panglao and Caticlan airports,” he said.
Cusi added it also boosts passenger traffic within the country which is pursuant to objectives and thrust of the national leadership and will be good for the tourism sectors.
Most RP businesses plan to increase wages this year -- Thornton report
Malacanang said today that a worldwide study on employment trends by Grant Thornton has found that employees in the Philippines face better salary-increase prospects than their counterparts in other countries this year.
“In the Philippines, employees are looking at less gloomy prospects as majority of the local PHBs (privately-held businesses) surveyed expect to increase wages this year,” said Grant Thornton in its International Business Report (IBR) 2009.
“Seventy-six percent of Filipino business leaders expect either to increase wages above the rate of inflation or in line with it, while only 2 percent plan to reduce pay…” noted the IBR which revealed that an average of only 10 percent of PHBs worldwide intend to increase the salaries of their employees.
Thornton IBR 2009 added the following good news about the Philippines’ employment situation despite the global economic slump:
“In addition, 35 percent of local PHBs expect to increase their number of employees; (and) 49 percent plan to maintain their current total workforce.”
The Thornton report also pointed out that “while we’re hearing about companies around the world not having enough business to keep all their employees, Filipino business leaders have the jobs…”
The rosy Philippine employment situation is in contrast with the gloomy global situation. “Employees at nearly a quarter of privately held businesses (PHBs) around the world could be worse off in the year ahead,” noted Thornton’s IBR.
“Research from the Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) reveals that 21 percent of businesses plan to offer no pay rise in 2009 while 3 percent of businesses actually expect to reduce pay.
“This is in contrast to only 10 percent of businesses expecting to increase pay above the rate of inflation,” said Thornton.
International Business Report surveys the views of senior executives in privately held businesses (PHBs) all over the world. Launched in 1992 in nine European countries, the report now annually surveys over 7,200 PHBs in 36 economies “providing territory, regional and global trend data on the economic and commercial issues affecting a sector often described as the 'engine' of the world's economy.”
The IBR results were released by audit, tax and business advisory firm Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A), a member.
RP has greatest percentage of women in senior management positions in the world
Here is good news for Filipino women on women’s month: The Philippines – which is headed by a woman President -- holds the world record in the greatest percentage of women in senior management positions.
“The greatest percentage of women in senior management is in the Philippines where women hold 47% of senior positions,” said the Thornton International Business Report (IBR) 2009.
“They (Filipino women) are followed by Russia (42%) and Thailand (38%),” added the Thornton IBR which interviewed senior executives of Philippine private firms and cited figures from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showing that women “have steadily outnumbered men in executive positions.”
“In 2002, the ratio was 1.86 million females to 1.4 males in supervisory and executive positions. In 2006, the ratio was 2.257 million women managers to 1.629 million men.
“By 2007, there were 2.281 million female managers to 1.677 million males,” it added.
The Filipino women’s breaking the proverbial “glass ceiling” for women in management is in contrast to the global reality of women hardly making it to the top of their organizations.
“New research from Grant Thornton International reveals that women still hold less than a quarter of senior management positions in privately held businesses globally,” according to the IBR’s press release about its 2009 report.
The IBR added that only 24 percent of senior management positions are currently held by women – “a figure identical to 2007 and only a marginal improvement from 2004 when only 19% of senior level positions were held by women.”
The Thornton IBR 2009 also lamented that “34% of privately held businesses globally have no women in senior management.”
The Grant Thornton International Business Report is an annual survey of the views of senior executives in privately held businesses (PHB) all over the world.
Launched 17 years ago in 1992 in nine European countries, the report now surveys over 7,200 private businesses in 36 economies providing territory, regional and global trend data on the economic and commercial issues affecting a sector often described as the 'engine' of the world's economy.”
Thornton’s IBR 2009 results were released by audit, tax and business advisory firm Punongbayan & Araullo (P&A), a member firm within Grant Thornton.
PGMA: Gov’t will continue to invest in economy, environment and education
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reiterated anew today the government’s resolve to improve the lives of the poor by continuing to invest in the three E’s ---economy, environment and education – as a strategy to help cushion the impact of the present global financial crunch, especially for those hardest hit by the crisis.
In her message during commemorative program this morning celebrating International Women’s Day in Malacanang, the President said the over-arching goal of the Arroyo administration is to eradicate poverty and protect its people.
“Women’s Day is one of those opportune times when government is reminded that we must continue to invest in what I call the three E’s -- economy, environment and education — and this includes such pro-poor programs as enhancement of access to health care, food, housing and education, as well as job creation,” the President said.
The biggest challenge today concerning the environment, the President said, is how to address climate change. The government, with the support of women organizations, she added, is doing its share in reducing carbon emissions.
“Solid waste management, including recycling, to which the government’s Linis Ganda project plays a big role, is one of our efforts to address climate change,” she said.
Regarding the economy, the President noted that despite the fact that the Philippines is in a better position to weather the deepening global financial crunch due to the tough economic reforms she has initiated, the government continues to improve the economy by “making transformational investments in physical and human infrastructures, not just to ease the blow of a softening economy, but also to prepare ourselves for the rebound.”
“And all the while, we are balancing the need to invest in the country amidst the global slowdown with the longer term fiscal objectives that we have been working hard to achieve over the last eight years,” she stressed.
The President explained that the fiscal stimulus program that will fast-track government spending in infrastructure and agricultural development, is also designed to create new job opportunities for those who lost their jobs as a result of the present economic meltdown.
She assured that safety nets are now in place aside from the enhanced social protection mechanisms installed to assist the poor weather the economic crisis impact. These include tax exemptions for minimum wage earners, doubled cash grant allocations for the poorest of the poor, increased funds for PhilHealth and more funds for skills training and retraining.
On education, the President said milestones have actually been achieved since the Philippines now tops in gender equality in terms of literacy rate and is among several countries leading in female enrolment in primary, secondary and tertiary schools.
“The Philippines we see today is very different than the Philippines I inherited eight years ago. We now have a country that is safer and more secure. We have an economy that is stronger and able to withstand shocks such as what the global financial crisis is throwing at us,” President Arroyo said.
Today, she added, Filipino women have already made great contributions and have more to contribute to government efforts at addressing the global economic crisis and the threats of climate change.
“Napakalaki ng magagawa ng mga kababaihan upang mapagtagumpayan ang pagsubok na hinaharap ng bansa mula sa pandaigdigan krisis ng ekonomiya at climate change (Women can do a lot in our fight against the present global economic crisis and climate change), she intoned as she expressed hope the Filipino women will continue to be partners in development and progress.
International Women’s day is observed March 8 every year throughout the world. It is meant to pay special recognition for the economic, political and social achievements and contributions of women to the further enhancement of human welfare.
Realizing the super regions… PGMA’s port-to-port hi-way now in GAA
TRUE to her promise, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo packed in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) some P372M to realize an ambitious highway through the mountains of Bohol and connects Tubigon to Jagna Ports.
According to sources at the Capitol, this year's GAA reflects an appropriation of P372M, a hundred million more than the President's earlier commitment when she launched the Jagna Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) port two years ago.
The project, which is critical segment of the integrated tourism circuits developed here supports the presidential dream of making the Visayas super-regions as a tourism hub for the country.
The road accents the inter-island mobility and accessibility and completes the port to port access where tourists can easily take the ferries and land trips in between to their favorite destinations via the SRNH-RoRo.
Many Boholanos have earlier said that the president was only making good time with the pronouncement, adding that the project would definitely need an amount the president may not be able to singularly grant.
Doubters need to stand aside now, the GAA is already enough proof that concreting of the Tubigon to Jagna road could be just as close.
The development has elated Governor Erico Aumentado and the provincial officials as they agreed that the president was really meaning what she said.
The Capitol report, which was printed in local papers here cited the funds as the source for concreting specific sections of the junction of Tagbilaran East Road and Jagna-Sierra Bullones Road.
Detailed in the GAA are the P93.37M Canjulao-Boctol-Jagna road section, the P93.2M Sierra Bullones section and the P93.03M Matin-ao- Magsaysay, Villa Garcia Sierra Bullones sections. These all sum up to P372.8M.
The fund, Governor Erico Aumentado said, excludes the cross roads to Alicia, another crucial highway section alternative to the Jagna exit.
During the latest League of Municipalities of the Philippines meeting In Batuan, Gov. Aumentado has directed Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren and Sierra Bullones' Simplicio Maestrado to be on site at all times to supervise the implementation.
Mindanao solon lauds Congress advisory group in GRP-MILF talks
``Our sense is, with a legislative advisory panel in place, there would be greater oversight of the talks, and highly improved feedback not only from Congress, but also from the public,`` said Cotabato Rep. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza.
She said the panel might also be able to recommend proposed legislation that would give meaning to certain government pledges, as new milestones are reached in the fresh bargaining.
``For instance, extra funding might be needed for new social programs meant to create additional employment and livelihood opportunities for some communities. Congress might be called upon to provide the corresponding new appropriations, `` she added.
Talino-Mendoza hoped that Malacanang`s designation of a new chief negotiator ``would put the peace process in Mindanao in a whole new perspective. ``
A veteran diplomat, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis, recently assumed the post of government chief negotiator.
``We are looking forward to the cessation of hostilities, so that residents can go about attending to their farms and shops, and children can go to school without having to fear that they would be caught in the crossfire,`` said Talino-Mendoza.
This developed as the government dropped a crucial precondition to the resumption of formal negotiations with the MILF.
According to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Chief Avelino Razon, the government panel would no longer push for the apprehension of three rogue MILF commanders.
Razon was referring to Abdullah Macapaar (alias Kumander Bravo), Ustadz Ameril Umbra Kato, and Aleem Solaiman Pangalian.
The three were blamed for spearheading raids on civilian communities in Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani shortly after the bungled signing of the proposed Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MoA-AD), which the Supreme Court later declared as unconstitutional.
The attacks in Iligan City, four towns in Lanao del Norte and more than a dozen villages in Cotabato set off full-blown fighting that left nearly a hundred civilians killed and drove more than 500,000 residents out of their homes.
Seguis stressed that military operations to capture the three renegade rebel commanders would continue, despite the decision to drop their arrest as a precondition to the new start of talks.
Talino-Mendoza agreed, saying: ``In the interest of justice, those responsible for past atrocities on civilians should be held to account.
10,000 OFWs register as absentee voters
Manila (9 March) -- More than 10,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have already registered as Overseas Absentee Voters (OAV) worldwide.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James Jimenez revealed in the agency’s online news that, as of March 3, 2009, about 10,824 OFWs worldwide have already registered as OAV.
He said that the COMELEC had started accepting the application for OAV registration since February 1 and will end on August 11 this year.
To encourage more OAV registrants, the COMELEC had already set up special registration centers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for departing OFWs, Jimenez said.
He explained that the move aims to rid the departing land-based and sea-based OFWs of the hassle of going to their respective consulates and embassies abroad when they register. Meanwhile, said office has cited the OFW`s formation in the Middle East for its support in encouraging fellow Filipinos to exercise their right to suffrage by registering as OAV.
Migrante - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chapter recently threw their support for wider voter participation among OFWs as it commended the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah for extending the voters` registration days to accommodate more OAV registrants.
``The Commission commends Migrante KSA for taking an active role in encouraging our compatriots in the region to exercise their right to vote,`` Jimenez said.
He added that ``with their help, the COMELEC is optimistic that even in the arid desserts of Saudi Arabia, Filipinos can and will be enabled to plant the seeds of change in the homeland by way of their votes.``
Jimenez particularly cited the group’s efforts to conduct information drives in the Filipino community and for coming up with their own primer on OAV.
``We are also encouraging other OFW formations throughout the world to follow Migrante`s lead and help us encourage wider voter participation among overseas Filipinos,`` he said.
He encouraged them to join hands in exercising their right of suffrage for the nation’s next set of leaders in 2010. (PIA)
