The Sangguniang Kabataan national federation has taken a lead role in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Green Philippines Agenda which seeks to clean up coastal areas of thrash and debris, restore the country’s forest.
President Arroyo herself will personally preside over the formal launch of the SK program initiative titled “Sama-sama para sa Kalikasan” in Tagbilaran City, Bohol today.
Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde, in a radio interview with John Manalili of DZRB this morning (Wednesday), said the youth environment project also aims to focus national attention on the critical need to protect the world’s ecosystem and address the threat of global warming and climate change.
The SK program, Remonde said, is in response to President Arroyo’s earlier call for drastic reduction of the country’s green house gas emission by as much as 50 percent within two years.
The Chief Executive’s call was embodied in Executive Order 774 issued last December 2008 which also directed government agencies including local government units to undertake clean up of degraded rivers and coastal areas, proper waste segregation, disposal and management, reforestation of denuded forest areas.
Remonde said the President’s close monitoring of local governments’ waste management systems and Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF) forms part of her comprehensive environment conservation program that also seeks to address the threats of global warming and climate change.
In another interview the Press Scretary, popular radio anchor Rey Langit urged Metro Manilans living along the Pasig River banks to refrain from making the Pasig river their garbage dump and further degrading the waterway’s viability.
Langit recalled that the previous Saturday, he and his friends crossed the Pasig River and personally encountered not only floating dirty plastic materials but also dead fishes.
Remonde re-echoed Langit’s call and stressed that environment protection and conservation is a common responsibility of all citizens and other stakeholders in Philippine society.
PGMA signs RA 9547 for student employees
Manila, April 1 (PNA) – President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday signed into law an amendment to an existing act that expands the employment opportunity of poor students to the mainstream workforce.
Under RA 9547, poor but deserving students between 15 to 25 years old should be paid a salary not lower than the minimum wage for private employers and the hiring rate for national and local government agencies.
”For purposes of this act, poor but deserving students refer to those whose parents' combined income, together with their own, if any, does not exceed the annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six,” it said.
”The amount of the education voucher shall be paid by the government to the educational institution concerned within 30 days from its presentation to the officer or agency designated by the Secretary of Finance,” it said.
PGMA creates new national service patterned after U.S. Peace Corps
Manila, April 1 (PNA) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has signed an executive order creating a new national service corps that will take the lead in promoting the spirit of community and volunteerism in the country.
“Today, in front of the youth of our country, I have just signed an Executive Order for a new national service. This targets 18 to 24 year-olds. This national service shall be composed of a National Service Corps and a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC),” she said.
“During these trying times, the Philippine spirit and commitment to caring should prompt each of us to count our blessings and give back to those who are less fortunate. Our nation needs us all pulling in the same direction. Volunteering time, skill and resources is a noble undertaking we should all take seriously,” she said.
The Chief Executive said the National Service Corps shall be like a domestic “Peace Corps” composed of the unemployed or underemployed skilled youth or college graduates. They will undergo a two-year training on volunteer service focused on their contributions to education and community service programs.
On the other hand, the President said the Youth Conservation Corps or YCC shall be composed of unskilled or less-educated youth who would be utilized to undertake environmental and infrastructure projects.
“Now is the time for pulling together and focusing on family and the community. We must initiate a new era of volunteerism and community spirit. This should include the government, religious and civic groups and non-governmental organizations harnessing our people to engage in coordinated volunteer activities,” the President said.
SK President Cajes earlier proposed the putting up of a data bank on areas that need the most attention such as critical watersheds, denuded forests, damaged coral reefs. The President said can be implemented in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local government units (LGUs).
Cajes said that the amount was the biggest received by the SK in its 10-year existence for its nationwide mobilization and environmental campaign such as tree-planting, building parks, coastal clean-up and information and education drives.
SUCs ordered to finds ways to reduce college drop-outs
Malacanang has tasked state colleges and universities (SUCs) to find solutions to discourage students from dropping out of school.
The President also instructed the Student Assistance Funds for Education (SAFE) administration to expand its coverage to include the granting of monthly stipend to students that will subsidize transportation fares, laboratory research and book allowance.
“My father was born into abject poverty. But because a philanthropist gave him a scholarship to finish school, he became number I in the bar examinations, he was able to work in a good law office, he became congressman, vice president, and president. I want all the youth to have the same chance,” said the President.
Palace wants talks on release of ICRC hostages hastened
Malacañang wants negotiators for the release of three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers to speed up talks with the Abu Sayyaf.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita stressed that negotiations is still government’s “primary effort” to effect the ICRC workers’ release.
"We should speed up talks as much as possible.” Ermita stressed.
The Executive Secretary said the military troops pulled out from the vicinity of the Abu Sayya's lair a few days ago as demanded by the bandits for the release of one of the three hostages, but no hostage was released by the bandits.
Instead, Ermita said the bandits demanded a total pullout of troops from Jolo Island.
"They even sent out threats. We just want to show that government is not without the necessary measures to undertake in order to resolve the issue," he said.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno is now in Sulu for further negotiations.
Gov’t appeals anew to ASG to release ICRC hostages
In his regular Wednesday press briefing in Malacañang, Ermita said the Abu Sayyaf, led by Albader Parad, should free their hostages Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary Jean Lacaba because the Red Cross volunteers are just doing their jobs, including helping poor Muslims.
If they are truly a militant group who believe in Allah, they should know human compassion, Ermita told reporters.
Parad and his group have threatened to behead one of their three hostages earlier unless the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) pull out its troops from the ASG’s immediate vicinity.
The AFP bent backward and obliged but the bandits did not honor their promise to release one hostage.
The terrorists instead set a 2:00 p.m. deadline yesterday (Tuesday) but authorities stood pat even as they intensified their efforts to convince the terrorists to release their captives.
The latest update as of noon Wednesday indicates all the three captives are still alive.
Ermita stressed that the hostage crisis committee under DILG Secretary. Ronaldo S. Puno and Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan, remain in active negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf terrorists to ensure the lives of the ICRC hostages.
Tan has declared a state of emergency in Sulu but Ermita said the government, per orders by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is doing everything to resolve the hostage crisis the soonest possible time.
“The president always sees to it that every situation is handled properly, and negotiation is still the primary effort,” Ermita stressed.
Based on the latest reports, the Abu Sayyaf has not contacted anyone yet to confirm whether their three hostages are still alive.
Ermita also said there is no need for United States troops to interfere with the Sulu crisis situation, adding that the issue is an internal matter which Filipinos can handle by themselves.
The AFP troops who were partially pulled out from where the ASG bandis are, have been ordered anew to hunt the terrorists, jointly with police operatives to rescue the hostages and capture Parad.
In a related development, Sen. Richard Gordon, who also chairs the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), said he has not received any proof of life from the Abu Sayyaf to indicate that the kidnapped ICRC workers are still alive.
DILG says fresh hopes dawn for Sulu hostages
Zamboanga City, April 1 (PNA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno expressed optimism that a new wave of negotiations for the safe release of the three International Community of the Red Cross captives will open new hopes that the Sulu hostage crisis will gain positive results soon.
The DILG secretary confirmed that Parad was wounded in a prior clash with the military and too weak to speak, hence Dr. Abu posed as Parad talking to government officials and the media.
Puno, in a press conference with local newsmen at a downtown hotel here, said, however, his team is awaiting a “proof of life” among the three hostages despite reports that no beheading took place as the 2 p.m. ultimatum for total military pullout in Sulu, Tuesday lapsed.
Government officials remain without contact with Abu Sayyaf as of this writing.
Meanwhile, Puno said following the declaration of “state of emergency” by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan in the island province, government forces are back to their normal security positions and regular patrol routines as they strengthened their approach in dealing with the hostage situation.
DILG chief: Hostaged ICRC personnel alive and well
He made the announcement in a press conference he held upon his arrival this afternoon in this city from Jolo, Sulu where he met with top military and police officials as well as the Task Force ICRC headed by Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan created to address the kidnapping problem.
“We have a high level of certainty that they (hostages) are still alive,” Puno added, but refused to elaborate how they obtained the confirmation.
The Abu Sayyaf bandits headed by Al-Bader Parad had threatened to behead one of the three hostages if there would be no total pullout of military troops in Sulu by 2 p.m. of Tuesday.
In just two hours, Puno said the troops that were pulled out last Saturday were back to their original position surrounding the lair of the Abu Sayyaf holding hostage the ICRC personnel in Indanan town.
Puno disclosed that Abu Sayyaf bandits’ emissaries went to Tan Tuesday and discussed possible ways on how to find peaceful solution to end the hostage crisis.
He said the Abu Sayyaf bandits have not left the area where they are holed out together with the hostages in Indanan even though the troops were pulled out since they are near a source of potable water.
He viewed the move of the bandits as a tactic to avoid detection from the government forces, citing the latest communication they received was through text message early Tuesday.
Puno said the person who claimed to be Parad and talked to Senator Richard Gordon was Abu Sayyaf leader Umbra Jumdail, alias Dr. Abu Pula.
He said the state of emergency declared by Governor Tan will remain in place until such time it is needed to ensure the stability of peace and order in Sulu.
Hostaged teachers get as much gov’t attention as kidnapped ICRC workers
Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde today assured the government is giving as much attention to the case of the six teachers kidnapped in Zamboanga as the three workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) being held hostage for ransom by the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Remonde said it’s perhaps the media that have not given the kidnapped teachers’ plight as much focus because their case does not offer as much sensational value as the foreign ICRC workers.
He explained that where the media train its focus, that is also where public attention usually directed.
“Pantay po ang pagtingin at concern ng ating pamahalaan sa mga kasong iyan,” (our government accords the two cases the same degree of attention and concern, Remonde stressed.
In the same interview, Remonde said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed Philippine National Police to check on the revelation by crime watch leader Teresita Ang-See that kidnap-for-ransom cases have again increased.
He said Malacanang has given the PNP it marching orders on the Ang-See report and is presently awaiting an update on it.
Over 70,000 jobs created by CLEEP as of February 2009 -- Remonde
Malacanang today reported that as of February 2009, a total of 70,377 jobs have been generated by the Comprehensive Livelihood Employment and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) with P588 million already obligated for the projects under CLEEP.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the emergency employment programs have benefited 64,034 individuals and 580 households in 26 micro small and medium enterprises in 1,368 barangays and 150 cooperatives.
Remonde, citing the report submitted by lead convenor, Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban, of the National Anti Poverty Commission, said the total CLEEP program of the Arroyo administration aims to generate close to 500,000 jobs worth P9.8 billion.
CLEEP involves projects being undertaken by the Cabinet members assigned in different regions of the country such as: Botika ng Barangay and repair and rehabilitation of health facilities of Health Secretary Francisco Duque in Ilocos region; the cash for work, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, livestock dispersal, tamang abono, One Town One Product (OTOP), non OTOP and oyster/roadside maintenance of Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral in CAR and ARMM.
Other CLEEP projects assigned to the Cabinet members include: the rehabilitation of irrigation systems, livestock dispersal, organic fertilizer production program; OTOP and non-OTOP, bantay gubat and oyster/roadside maintenance, land surveys and watershed management of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap in all provinces; Labor Secretary Marianito Roque’s projects in Bataan, Bulacan and CAMANAVA; Education Secretary Jesli Lapus’ projects in Pampanga and Tarlac such as hiring of utility workers for schools, soap making project and non-OTOP, oyster/roadside maintenance;
The hollow blocks making, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, livestock dispersal, organic fertilizer production, OTOP, oyster/roadside maintenance of Public Works and Highways in Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Zambales and Cavite; the microfinancing program for the spouses and immediate family members of PUV drivers and conductors of Transportation and Communication Secretary Leandro Mendoza including the MRT-LRT route; the roadside maintenance works in the entire province of Batangas of Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto;
The Laguna Livelihood Emergency Employment Accelerated Program (LEAP) Water Lily, OTOP livelihood project (bayong development) and entrepreneurship programs of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila in Laguna and Cavite; the microfinance assistance program and road maintenance program of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno in Quezon and Rizal;
Projects assigned to Vice President Noli de Castro includes: hollow blocks making and proposed tourism projects (souvenir/handicraft making, pasalubong items, pumpboat for tourists, buhay dagat diving and marine sanctuary, firefly watching in Iwahig and Palawan; hollow blocks making, technical education and extension program, mud crab fattening, smoked fish (tinapa making), seaweeds farming, fish cage culture, sea cucumber culturing, mariculture project, roadside maintenance and non-OTOP projects in the Mindoro province.
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya is assigned similar projects in the province of Masbate, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur; Sorsogon; Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales is assigned to projects in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo; Finance Secretary Margarito Teves for projects in Negros Occidental, Oriental and Siquijor; Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano for the GREET street lighting project in Panglao Island, bantay dagat projects (waste collection and segregation), roadside maintenance and OTOP and non-OTOP livelihood projects in Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Agusan del Norte, Agusan Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao Sur, Dinagat Island, Biliran, Eastern and Northern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Samar.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita is assigned to botika ng barangay project, fisherfolk livelihood assistance, organic fertilizer production, restoration/repair, roadside maintenance, OTOP and non-OTOP projects in Zamboanga City, Sur and Norte; Social Security System Chairman Romulo Neri is assigned in Camiguin, Iligan, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Oriental, Oroquieta City, Bukidnon for projects like goat production, mariculture production, roadside maintenance, microfinance innovations in coops, rehabilitation of flood prone areas and repair of health facilities and botika ng barangay, expansion of seaweed growing among poor families, coconut and corn intercropping, agroforestry, bantay gubat.
National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro is assigned in goat dispersal, organic fertilizer, restoration, repair and rehabilitation of irrigation systems and roadside maintenance in all provinces and barangay hall, health centers, school building repairs, day care centers and repair and improvement of seawall in Sarangani, Maasim, Kiamba and Sarangani and North and South Cotabato;
Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes oversees projects in microfinance for transport sector in Taguig, Makati, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Paranaque, Pasay, Pateros and all other towns and cities of the National Capital Region except Quezon City; Chairman Bayani Fernando is assigned to projects like buying soil and gravel aggregates in Marikina, Mandaluyong, San Juan and Pasig, roadside maintenance in all areas in NCR except Pasig (which is assigned to Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo) while Science and Technology Secretary is assigned to projects of microfinance for transport, aggregate recycling, OTOP and installation and operation of DOST Styro plastic densifier at Payatas Dumpsite.
Palace says it’s up to DOLE to decide issue on OFWs deployment to Lebanon
Malacanang has left to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) the decision on whether to recommend to the Department of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the lifting of the three-year ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Lebanon following the improved security conditions in that country.
At his weekly press briefing in Malacanang this noon, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the timing of the lifting of the ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Lebanon and Jordan is “very important.”
He said, however, that the ban on the deployment of OFWs to Iraq remains. In view of the unstable situation in Afghanistan and Nigeria, the ban on sending Filipino workers to the two countries remain in force, he added.
The government stopped sending Filipino workers to Lebanon in 2006 when fighting between Israel and Hezbollah forces escalated.
At the time the ban was imposed, an estimated 6,000 Filipino workers, most of them undocumented, were repatriated to the Philippines, but about 26,000 remained in Lebanon.
Many of the 26,000 OFWs, who remained in Lebanon were restrained by their employers from leaving, others feared losing their jobs. Still others had married Lebanese nationals and decided to stay with their families.
Earlier, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said that Filipino workers would not be allowed to go to Lebanon unless that country complies with the labor requirements of the Philippine government.
“Our government wants to make sure the protection and welfare of the OFWs will be assured before we lift the deployment ban,” he said.
Last month, presidential envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu was sent to Lebanon to assess the security situation in the country. He reported that it was already safe for the government to resume the deployment of OFWs there.
DFA reiterates ban on labor deployment to 5 unstable, volatile countries
Manila, April 1 (PNA)- The government ban on labor deployment to Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Nigeria remains in force after it was reassessed that the security situation in the five countries was still either "unstable" or "volatile," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today.
DFA Undersecretary for Migrant Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. reiterated the policy following the death on March 20 of Filipino carpenter Norbert Malana Hobayan inside a U.S. air base in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Both workers apparently defied a ban against traveling to Afghanistan.
“The government maintains and reiterates the ban on labor deployment to these places. We ask the general public to respect the ban. Our purpose is to keep away our overseas workers from harm and avoid further risks to their lives,” Conejos said in a statement to the press.
According to Conejos, the labor and travel ban to Iraq and Afghanistan exists "due to continuing security concerns" rooted in the U.S. alliance's policy of containing insurgency and flushing out remnants of the Al-Qaeda terror group.
The situation in Lebanon and Jordan, though, is encouraging. The Philippine government is "coming closer to signing" bilateral cooperation agreements that are under negotiations with the two Middle East countries, according to Conejos.
There are "some progress in the conclusion of a bilateral labor cooperation agreement" with Lebanon, according to Conejos. The cooperation will ensure the protection of the welfare of Filipino workers, specifically minimum wage, reasonable rest periods and decent working and living conditions.
Ekonomiya ng Pilipinas, mas mainam kaysa sa ibang bansa sa Asya ayon sa ADB
Ayon sa ADB, ang ekonomiya ng bansa ay mas mainam umano kaysa ibang bansa sa Asya. Ito ay bunsod ng inaasahan nitong 2.5% economic growth ngayong taon. Ngunit maliit ito kaysa projection nilang nung nakaraang taon. Kumpiyansa pa rin sila sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas bunga na rin ng malakas na economic policies na ipinatutupad ng pamahalaan na sapat para hindi gaanong maramdaman ang krisis.
Aabot lamang sa $53.9 B ang external debt ng bansa nung 2008 na mas mababa kaysa $54.9 B nung 2007. Ayon kay BSP governor Tetangco, nagkaroon ng major improvement sa foreign debt policy nito.
The Department of Labor and Employment has announced that there are 100,000 available jobs for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in oil-rich Qatar. (PNA)
Malacanang urges Reyes to be more involved in explaining oil price hike
Pasang Masda to hold protest rally on oil price hike on Holy Wednesday. (IBC-13)
DOE: Hike in oil products due to Deregulation Law
DOE Sec. Reyes: New oil price hike due to the deregulation law
Pasang Masda to hold protest rally on Wednesday due to continues oil price increase
PCDO ACTO to hold transport strike on Friday (NBN)
Presyo ng Langis, umakyat uli
Nagkaroon na naman ng panibagong oil price hike na 1.50 piso pero ibinaba ang presyo ng LPG ng 2.00 piso kada kilo. Ayon sa oil companies, ang pagtaas ay bunsod ng pagkilos ng presyo nito sa world market.
Pinapa-audit ng Dept. of Energy ang kita ng mga kumpanya ng langis nung 2008. Lingguhan ding magsusumite ng impormasyon ang mga ito sa ahensya bago magtaas ng kanilang presyo. (PBS)
DBP to support future seafarers, skilled workers
State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is eyeing to send more underprivileged but promising Filipino students to school in the second year of its DBP Endowment for Education Program (DEEP) that will focus on maritime and technical/vocation courses.
DBP president and chief executive officer Reynaldo G. David said the initiative is in response to the projected huge demand for Filipino seafarers to man international vessels in the next 15 to 20 years, as well as the continued demand for skilled workers such as cooks, welders, caregivers, lathe machine operators, and electronics technicians.
“We see these technical and vocational courses as providing easier and faster employability to our graduates, to offset and turn the tide of ongoing retrenchments, job losses, displaced OFWs, and a rising
unemployment rate. The relatively cheaper cost of technical and vocational courses likewise means we can support more DEEP scholars,” David said during the signing of a memorandum of agreement for year 2 of the DEEP initiative with 11 maritime and vocational schools last March 27 at the DBP headquarters in Makati City.
Through DEEP, DBP provides financial assistance to qualified and deserving high school students who wish to pursue college studies, as well as short-term technical and vocational courses.
DBP’s assistance under the program will cover the whole range of the scholars’ requirements.
David also said that the Bank is forging partnerships with ship owners who can assure employment to future DEEP Maritime graduates.
DBP is partnering with Norwegian, Japanese, and German shipping companies for the selection of DEEP Maritime scholars in coordination with DEEP partner schools.
He also expressed optimism that DEEP’s shift to short-term courses can help more Filipino families cope with the current economic environment.
“DEEP resources can be best utilized in short-term skills courses to match the precise needs of the job market and help the most number of unemployed.
We will, thus, continue and expand DEEP’s implementation in this direction,” David said.
Chinaman Tsao apologizes on TV for faux pas on Filipinos
Manila, April 1 (PNA) -- The controversial Chinaman and Hong Kong multimedia writer Chip Tsao has apologized on television, admitting that he "had crossed the line" in his attempt to satirize Philippine-China claims over the disputed Spratlys in the South China Sea.
This was relayed to the Philippines News Agency (PNA) by Assistant Secretary Ed Malaya, spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), who said the program was monitored by the Philippine consulate-general (PCG) in Hong Kong. No other details of Tsao's interview were made available.
Tsao belittled the Filipinos' capability to wage a dispute with China, satirizing it as practically a David vs. Goliath confrontation.
Diplomat Li Yongsheng stressed that "everyone knows that the Chinese government and Chinese people have good feelings towards the Philippines and its people" and that Tsao is just by himself.
Much earlier, China's new envoy to Manila, Liu Jianchao, emphasized that the Spratlys claims can be settled peacefully and amicably through diplomatic instruments, mainly by the "ASEAN Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea."
It has also demanded that the apologies of the HK-based Asia City Publishing Group be published and featured prominently.
In its apology addressed to the PCG, the publisher said "many people have read meanings into the column that were never actually intended..." and wish to apologize unreservedly for any offense that may have been caused by the column.
"We wish to assure our readers that we have nothing but respect for Filipinos, both living in Hong Kong and abroad."
