Dropping poverty levels in the midst of global financial turmoil are motivating government to work harder to fight poverty.
“This is a confirmation that the anti-poverty programs of Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Press Secretary are working and right on target,” said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.
Remonde was reacting on the Social Weather Stations February 2009 report that the “Self-Rated Poverty has been on a generally downward trend since mid-2008, declining from 59% in June 2008, 52% in September, 52% in December, to 47% in February 2009.”
In Mindanao, SWS reported that the Self-Rated Poverty declined by 14 points from 59% in December 2008 to 45% in February 2009.
In Visayas, however, It stayed at 60% over the past two quarters barely changing from 59% in September.
For his part, Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) has generated 75,000 jobs nationwide based on the report of NAPC Secretary Ding Panganiban.
“This is an addition to the mandate of DPWH Secretary Ebdane to create 500,000 jobs,” said Bello.
As far for solving local unemployment, Bello said, quoting the DOLE report, the prospects are good.
“Ang sabi ni Secretary Roque, there was a displacement of about 30,000 plus, out of this nagkaroon ng re-hiring ng 12,000 plus,” said Bello.
Bello said the cabinet will be monitoring the status of the programs on employment especially in Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicolandia.
He added these are the areas where the number of laid off workers was high especially in Laguna and Cavite.
Suspension of police officers in Etong Case necessary in investigation, says Palace
The suspension of police officers implicated in the alleged “overkill” arrest of the Etong household members will help the investigation, according to a ranking Malacanang official said.
“If found innocent later on, yung naman suspension nila ay magkakaroon ng kabayaran. So tanggap ng mga kasamahan natin sa gobyerno (If found innocent later on, their suspension ay will be compensated. So our colleagues in government accept [the preventive suspension], ” Bello said.
For his part, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde expressed confidence that the NBI will handle the Etong case effectively.
Since then, Remonde said Secretary Puno decide to turn over the investigation to the Department of Justice.
Lawyer Vimar Barcellano said his clients were merely performing their duties and their reactions were normal after being mobbed during the arrest.
On the hand, police investigators will undergo refresher course to prevent the commotion during the arrest of the Etong relatives.
Verzosa added that the refresher course will also help officers learn the latest ways in investigating cases.
Palace commends police for rescuing a plantation worker kidnapped in Basilan
Malacanang hailed the Philippine National Police for saving another kidnap victim from the hands of bandits in Basilan.
Authorities found Chavez in Albarka town who taken along with Cosme Aballes last Good Friday during a raid in Lamitan.
The rescue of Chavez comes closed with the successful recovery of ICRC worker Andreas Notter.
Authorities believed the Abu Sayyaf are still holding six more hostages including a Sri Lankan peace volunteer and three Filipino teachers.
“This latest success against kidnappers reinforces our efforts to find a long term solution to this problem. The rescue of Notter and Chavez by our law enforcers is certainly heartwarming. We pray and remain optimistic that the bandits will eventually released Dr. Eugenio Vagni whom the Abu Sayyaf still holding hostage in Sulu,” said Remonde.
Dole proposes measures to reduce risks in seafaring
Government assured that safety of Filipino workers comes first especially in the case of Somalia.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Department of Labor and Employment is working out with maritime partners the parameters to ensure the safety of seafarers.
“DOLE will not oppose on the ban on deployment of Filipino seafarers to dangerous Somali waters,” said Remonde, “government always has to balance the economic interest and the safety of our people. If would be irresponsible for us to just send and send people abroad to earn dollars without regard for the safety of our overseas worker.”
Quoting the DOLE’s report, Remonde said the department and other labor stakeholders agreed to adjust and refine policies to minimize the risks seafarers are facing in a tripartite maritime industry meeting Monday.
Among these initiatives include the following: (1) The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration will issue policy that will require vessels with Filipino seamen to transship only within the maritime security patrol area; (2) to require ship owners and managers to submit vessel security plans and train their crews on how to avoid, react and cope with piracy incidents;(3) manning agencies to report, as soon as possible, piracy incidents and share experiences in handling these cases;(4) to coordinate with and attend to the welfare of the families of seamen victimized by pirates; (5) counseling and medical assistance to crew members after their release; and (6) the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs will elevate Philippine concerns to United Nations and to the International Maritime Organization or ILO.
Remonde assured that the proposal will have “no impact on remittances according to the Department of Labor and Employment” as it will only require ships to transship within the maritime security patrol area.
Biggest job fair to be held in May 1
The Department of Labor and Employment is preparing for the biggest job fair next Labor Day
Information and Publication Service Director Jay Julian urged the public to take advantage of such events that aims to reduce the impact of the global financial crisis and unemployment.
Julian said displaced workers and the new graduates are most welcome in the job fair.
To date, skilled workers and call center jobs and other Information Technology related employments are still the leading in demand job openings.
In the meantime, DOLE is inviting the public to watch for their Job Mobile Hiring program.
The department is fielding labor personnel in buses in various places to show the public available jobs openings.
DPWH fast tracks major infra projects in Region 8
Tacloban City (April 21) – Major infrastructure projects in Region 8 are on the roll this summer.
Director Angelito Twano assured that DPWH is keeping its promise to expedite the implementation of road projects particularly in Eastern Samar.
The sorry state of the Eastern Samar national road network had been the subject of complaints describing it as the biggest calamity confronting the province and the people of Eastern Samar.
With summertime coming in, the work in the road projects has been sped up, the DPWH Director said.
Aside from the Eastern Samar national highway, the DPWH is also fast tracking the completion of the Calbayog-Gatanguit Road project which is part of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s SONA commitment.
The project is aimed at rehabilitating and improving the economy of Calbayog City and the other municipalities in Samar province.
The project consists of improvement and widening of road; upgrading and widening road tracks and shoulders; building better drainage facilities and slope protection; and building road safety devices alongside the existing 52.7 kms road, along Maharlika Highway.
The road project also includes replacement of two (2) bridges and rehabilitation of thirteen (13) more bridges located along the Calbayog- Gatanguit.
The Calbayog-Gatanguit Road Section is under Package III of the Arterial Road Link Development Project and entails the improvement and upgrading of about 52.7
kilometers of existing road.
The project, Director Twano said started in November of 2006 and is scheduled to be completed by August of 2009. (PIA 8)
Leading exporters looking for niches in local market
Exporters are looking inward to survive the global financial glut
The Department of Trade and Industry- Bureau of Export Promotion announced that more than 100 exporters are participating in tiangge type exhibit dubbed “Exporter’s Expo 2009” at the Philippine Trade Trading Center (PTTC) from April 28 to April 30.
The export quality-products, mostly current inventories, will include export quality products like jewelry, Christmas and holiday decors, fashion accessories, arts and crafts, furniture and garments.
DTI said manufacturers-exporters decided to sell their products locally, under marked down prices, after their buyers abroad cancelled their orders.
The department believed that locals should support exporters to preserve jobs in the sector.
