Wednesday 23 July 2014

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, July 20, 2014

Government imposes mandatory repatriation for Filipinos in Gaza Strip

The Philippine government is now imposing a mandatory repatriation of Filipino citizens in Gaza Strip, as the tension between Israel and Hamas escalates, a Palace Official said on Sunday.

In a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said the Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the warning to Alert Level IV.

Under Alert Level IV a mandatory repatriation of Filipino citizens is in effect.

“Ayon sa DFA, ang mga embahada ng Pilipinas sa Cairo, Tel Aviv, at Aman ay handang ilikas at tulungang makauwi sa bansa ang mga Pilipinong nasa Gaza. Ito ay sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad ng mga bansang Israel, Egypt, Jordan, at United Nations,” Coloma said.

Meanwhile, DFA also issues Alert Level II or restricted phase on areas in approximately 15 kilometers away from the conflict zone. Alert Level I or the precautionary phase is raised in the West Bank and other parts of Israel.

“Patuloy na tinututukan ng DFA ang mga kaganapan,” Coloma added.

Malacanang also joined other nations that called for a cease fire in the conflict area.

“Nakikiisa ang bansa sa mga panawagan ng United Nations hinggil sa tigil putukan at tigil karahasan para huwag nang hantungan pa ng pagbubuwis ng buhay ng mga inosenteng tao,” said Coloma.

Israeli troops are on the offense against Hamas militants who are launching rockets and indiscriminately targeting cities in Israel . PND (ag)


Typhoon Glenda's damage cost 7.6 billion pesos

Total damages to infrastructure and agriculture by typhoon Glenda has reached 7.6 billion pesos, Malacanang announced on Sunday.

Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., told reporters in a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan the cost includes the damages on public buildings, infrastructures, schools and agriculture.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) typhoon Glenda is officially out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of Sunday morning.

Coloma reported that the death toll has reached 94 casualties and injured 317 others.

He said the concentration of the casualties is located in the Southern Tagalog Region with a total of 62 confirmed deaths: 21 from Quezon Province, 17 in Laguna and 13 in Batangas.

Meanwhile, Coloma also reported that there are regions that reported zero casualties.

“Sa mga rehiyon at lugar na direktang tinamaan ng bagyo, ang mga lalawigan ng Albay, Camarines Norte, at Masbate ay walang naiulat na nasawi o nagkaroon sila ng zero casualty. Hinggil diyan, mapapansin din natin na sa buong National Capital Region, natamo rin ang zero casualty sa maraming lungsod,” Coloma said.

“Kaya po natin sinasabi itong mga lugar na nakatamo ng zero casualty ay ipinupunto lang dito ang kahalagahan ng maagang preparasyon at ang pagtutok ng mga awtoridad sa pakikipagtulungan ng local government at mga civil society organizations, non-government organizations, at mga mamamayan na napakahalaga po sa pagtiyak sa kaligatasan ng buhay ng mga mamamayan,” Coloma added. PND (ag)


Malacanang asks the public to brace for typhoon 'Henry'

Typhoon Henry will hit the Visayas region with a projected entry through Guiuan, Eastern Samar, a Palace official said on Sunday.

In a press briefing over radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) warned that the typhoon will be 370 kilometer from Eastern Samar by Sunday night.

“Ang bagyong ‘Henry’ ay nagtataglay ng hangin na aabot sa 120 kilometro bawat oras malapit sa gitna at pagbugso na 150 kilometro bawat oras,” said Coloma.

Heavy rain is expected with thunder storms in Eastern Samar, island of Siargao and Surigao del Norte as Typhoon Henry makes landfall.

Coloma also said that the storm may cause flash floods and landslides and warned fishermen to refrain from heading to sea particularly in the eastern part of the country.

“Ipinaaalala rin sa mga mangingisda na huwag nang maglayag mula sa mga silangang baybayin patungong karagatan ng Bicol, Visayas, at Mindanao,” said Coloma. PND (ag)


President Aquino to inaugurate 'world's largest indoor arena' Monday

President Benigno S. Aquino III will inaugurate on Monday (July 21) Iglesia ni Cristo’s (INC) Ciudad de Victoria (City of Victory), a 50-hectare tourism enterprise zone located at Bocaue, Bulacan established by the congregation in time for its centennial celebration on July 27 (Sunday).

President Aquino along with INC executive minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo will lead the unveiling of the marker at the gazebo, signaling the formal public opening of the state-of-the art architectural complex to the public.

The President will then deliver a speech inside one of the site’s major construction, the Philippine Arena, which is considered as "the world’s largest indoor stadium" given its reported 55,000-audience capacity.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and other INC officials will accompany the President at the inauguration ceremonies with around 50,000 INC members expected to witness the event.

Manalo once said during the groundbreaking of Ciudad de Victoria in August 2011 that the arena and its other massive architectural marvels had been designed to bring glory to God and honor to the country.

Other major structures expected to be completed in the area in the near future are the Philippine Stadium, New Era University, Eraño G. Manalo Medical Center, and some soon-to-rise shops, hotels, and leisure parks.

Meanwhile, Malacañang has declared July 27 as a special non-working holiday by virtue of Joint Resolution No. 2 signed by President Aquino to commemorate the 100th founding anniversary of INC.

INC is considered as the third largest religious denomination in the Philippines with its members comprising 2.3 percent of the population based on the census of Year 2000 conducted by the National Statistics Office. PND (hdc)


President Aquino signs five new laws

Malacanang announced on Sunday that President Benigno Aquino III has signed into law five bills aimed at economic growth, consumer protection, and enhancing the drug abuse law.

“Noon pong nakaraang Biyernes, ipinahayag ni Secretary (Manuel) Mamba ng PLLO (Presidential Legislative Liaison Office) ang paglagda ng Pangulong Aquino sa limang bagong batas,” Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said in a press briefing over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Sunday.

The laws targeting economic growth are R.A. 10641: An Act Allowing the Full Entry of Foreign Banks in the Philippines, Amending for the Purpose R.A. 7721 and R.A. 10644: An Act Promoting Job Generation and Inclusive Growth Through the Development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

Among the new laws for consumer protection are: R.A. 10642: An Act Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Purchase of Brand New Motor Vehicles and R.A. 10643: An Act to Effectively Instill Health Consciousness through Graphic Health Warnings on Tobacco Products.

While Republic Act 10640 is for the amendment of the a provision of R.A. 9165 to strengthen the law for drug enforcement. This is entitled An Act to Further Strengthen the Anti-Drug Campaign of the Government, Amending Section 21 of R.A. 9165, otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.


“Maaaninag sa mga bagong batas na ito ang pagpapatuloy ng mga reporma sa larangan ng ekonomiya at kabuhayan, paglikha ng mas marami pang hanapbuhay, at pangangalaga sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng mga mamamayan,” noted Secretary Coloma. PND (ag)