PIA Dispatch - Friday, June 19, 2009

PGMA witnesses signing of $456-million Japanese ODA loans, grant aid to RP

TOKYO, Japan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso witnessed the signing of two Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan agreements totaling $456 million and a grant aid package after their bilateral meeting Thursday evening (June 18) here. 

The loan and grant agreements were signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura after the bilateral meeting between President Arroyo and Prime Minister Taro Aso at the Big Conference Room of Kantei (Prime Minister’s Office) here. 

The President conveyed her deep appreciation to the Japanese leader and the Japanese nation for the latest assistance and cooperation extended by Japan to the Philippines after the bilateral meeting and signing of the agreements. 

The two ODA loan projects are the Y14.6-billion (P7.77-billion) Agricultural Credit Support Project (ACSP) and the Y30.38-billion (P16.16 billion) Logistics Infrastructure Development Project (LIDP) under the 27th Yen Loan Package.

The grant aid involving Y1.01-billion (P489 million)) will fund the Flood Disaster Mitigation Project in Camiguin Island.

To be sourced from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the ACSP) will be executed by the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), while the LIDP) will be coursed through the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

The two ODA loans will be implemented from 2009-2014 with a maturity of 30 years inclusive of a 10-year grace period at an interest rate of 1.4 percent per annum.

The ACSP will make available short, medium and long-term credit to address the financial needs of key agribusiness players in the Philippines.

In its first five years of implementation, ACSP is expected to have 43,000 beneficiaries from the ranks of small farmers and fisher folk, 220 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and 30 large agri-businesses.

The ACSP will likewise help finance some 43,250 sub-projects and generate about 53,230 new jobs. 

The LIDP, meanwhile, can be accessed by private corporations, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs) to finance infrastructure and support systems for the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH), particularly access/toll roads, bulk grains highway, and cold chain highway.

The soft loan package is part of the multi-billion-dollar facility Japan has committed to help developing countries in Asia cope with the effects of the global financial crisis.

The Flood Disaster Mitigation Project in Camiguin Island, which will be implemented by the Department of Works and Highways (DPWH), involves the construction of two Sabo dams in Pontod River and the reconstruction of the damaged Hubangon Bridge. 

The grant aid project supports the policies and strategies under the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP), particularly in preventing and minimizing loss of lives and properties in times of natural calamities.


RP, Japan to forge Social Security Agreement 

TOKYO, Japan, June 19 – The Philippines and Japan have agreed to convene immediately a joint working group that will draw up a bilateral Social Security Agreement (SSA) to facilitate convenient pension premium and benefit payments by and for both expatriate employers and employees, and further promote closer relations between the two countries. 

The commitment by the two countries forms part of the joint statement signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Prime Minister Taro Aso after their bilateral meeting Thursday night at the Kantei (Prime Minister’s Office) here. 

“On the basis of such elements as the increase of human exchange between the two countries, both governments will hold a working group as soon as possible to examine the possibility of concluding a social security agreement,” the joint statement read. 

The Philippines’ Social Security System (SSS) has studied Japan’s SSA with the United Kingdom and has expressed interest in concluding a similar agreement with Japan. 

In February 2000, the SSA between Japan and UK was signed primarily to avoid double liabilities on pension premium and benefit payments by and for expatriate employers and employees of both countries. 

The possible conclusion of a social security agreement will benefit some 220,000 Filipinos that include nurses, caregivers and seafarers who live and work in Japan. 

Likewise, the Philippines hosts many Japanese investments involving around 20,000 Japanese nationals who live in the country. 

At present, a good number of members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) enjoy benefits granted to them under the RP-Canada and RP-Quebec Social Security Agreement and Supplementary Agreement. 

The principal and supplementary agreements aim to ease the restrictions on the payment of social security benefits abroad and assist migrants in qualifying for certain benefits based on the length of time they have lived and worked in the Philippines and Canada. 

The agreements also eliminated the irksome situation where a worker has to contribute at the same time to the social security programs of Canada and the Philippines for the same work.
 

Palace official cites gains of PGMA's foreign trips

MANILA, June 19 - Deputy Presidential Spokesman for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar justified on Friday the foreign travel expenses of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her delegation, saying such expenditure is minimal compared to the worth of investments, trade and other benefits derived from the economic agreements usually concluded during presidential visits overseas. 

Olivar made this reaction following accusation of United Opposition (UNO) spokesperson Ernesto Maceda that "Malacanang and its allies" continue to use the people's money "to fund their junkets, thinly veiled as official travel." 

Olivar pointed out that the foreign trips of the President are important and rewarding as these usually generate investments and trade agreements that would give long-term benefits for the country, in general, and the Filipino people, in particular, through jobs generation. 

He particularly cited the Chief Executive's official trip to the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation from May 31 to June 6, 2009, wherein the President has secured some US$ 2.2-billion worth of investment commitments and agreements for the country. 

The investments in agricultural, energy, tourism and infrastructure projects form the bulk of commitments from South Korean businessmen. On the other hand, the long-awaited opening up of direct flights between the Philippines and Russia was agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries during President Arroyo's Moscow visit. 

Of the US$ 2.2 billion worth of invstments, $ 12.97 million would be spent for the construction of a rice processing complex in Luzon, to be funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and $ 150 million from the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) to fund wind and alternative power projects in the Philippines. 

Other investment commitments include those of: Korean firms Eco Solution Co. Ltd. and EnviroPlasma Ltd. which have pledged to invest US$ 475 million in alternative fuel projects in the country; Eco Solution and its affiliate, Eco Global Bio-Oils Inc., will invest US$ 175 million on a jatropha plantation project in South Cotabato over the next three years; EnviroPlasma and its local partner, Central Luzon Bioenergy Corp., will invest US$ 300 million on a sugar bioethanol plant in Clark, Pampanga, capable of producing 500,000 liters of bioethanol daily; US$ 1.521 million "tourism package" from Korea's M Castle Corporation for the construction of a resort in Subic; US$ 500 million for various agricultural projects, including US$ 14.9 million or P700 million from KOICA for the expansion of the Molinao Dam in Bohol; US$ 515 million for the construction of a hotel and golf course in Clark, Pampanga; US$ 6.52 million investment for new agricultural projects; US$ 49 million coconut project and US$ 290 million in annual production from Hanjin Philippines Inc.'s ship component production facility in Subic. 

Olivar said that during the President's recent visit to Syria and Egypt, she gained the support of the two countries for the Philippines' bid for observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), boosting the government's chances of attaining lasting peace in Mindanao


DOH reports 15 more recovered A(H1N1) patients discharged
By Bradley De Leon

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III announced on Friday that 15 more recovered A(H1N1) cases were sent home bringing the total number of recovered patients to 262. As of Thursday, the total number of positive cases remained at 344.

“All of these 344 cases were mild in nature, both those who are currently under treatment and those who have been sent home,” Duque said.

Duque also said that although all the said cases were mild in nature, the public should never be too complacent. “We should continue to be vigilant as we, in the government, continue to monitor if there are any changes in its trends and patterns,” Duque stressed.

Duque noted that the age range of these cases is from 1 to 76 years old,with 18 as the median age. He also said that most cases are in the age group 15-24 (171 or 50%), majority of which were male with 187 cases or 54.4 % of the total.


“Task Force on H1N1 in the Workplace” created to prevent infection at work 

MANILA, June 19 - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday created “Task Force on H1N1 in the Workplace” to prevent bigger outbreak amid the spike in the number of influenza A/H1N1 cases in the country. 

Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque said that the task force would monitor the implementation of the DOLE Administrative Order No. 199, series of 2009 in workplaces. 

The advisory asks employers to regularly provide their workers information on H1N1 including its transmission, disease outcome and treatment options. 

Companies are also reminded to regularly clean their work areas and make sure that water, soap and disinfectants are available in washrooms and toilets. 

Delegation of company focal persons who would monitor and ensure that measures against H1N1 are strictly followed at the workplace is highly encouraged. 

Philippine health officials reported 33 newly-confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1 as of Friday, bringing the total to 344 in the Southeast Asian country. 

The DOLE Chief, citing a report from Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte, said the task force would intensively collaborate with labor and employers groups as well as with other government agencies in disseminating information on H1N1 in all workplaces along with issues related to occupational safety and health (OSH) and general labor standards (GLS). 

She added that the task force would also assist workers and employers in plant-level risk assessment as well as in putting in place workplace improvements in order to reduce the possibility of H1N1 transmission at the workplace. 

At the same time, the task force is in charge of conducting capability-building seminars for HINI focal persons in establishments and organizations that would take steps against H1N1, Trasmonte said as she urged labor and management to send their H1N1 focal persons for training at OSHC, with Tel. Nos. 924-2418/928-6690 and web address at www.oshc.dole.gov.ph. 

She said the OSHC has started the conduct of learning sessions on H1N1 in coordination with the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, People Management of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Trade Union of the Philippines and Allied Services and other stakeholders. 

She added that the BWC, on the other hand, would provide information on GLS specifically on the treatment of leave of absence of an employee who is asked to stay at home or is served quarantine order for reasons related to H1N1. 

The worker’s leave credits may be charged to his/her annual sick or vacation leave under the company policy or practice or as stipulated in the CBA. 

"If the worker’s leave credits have been used up, the employer could consider granting leave of absence without pay as the principle of 'no work no pay' applies," she said. 

Roque, however, appealed to employers to exercise flexibility and compassion in granting additional leave with pay to workers suspected or already infected with H1N1. 

Meanwhile, public and private health workers diagnosed with H1N1 may avail of the P150,000 PhilHealth hospitalization benefit, an addition to company healthcare benefits. 

Non-health workers such as managers, call center agents, teachers, clerks, etc., and their dependents who are diagnosed with H1N1 may avail of PhilHealth hospital benefits amounting to P75,000. 

A worker who contracts H1N1 in the performance of his/her work is also entitled to sickness benefits under SSS and employees compensation benefits under PD 626 or the ECC law.


7 NPAs surrendered to 58IB in Surigao del Sur
 
TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR – Seven Militia ng Bayan (MB) from Talakag, Bukidnon peacefully surrendered to 58 Infantry Battalion (IB) here on June 9, 2009. It was successfully negotiated by 58IB Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Benjamin S. Pedralvez, Jr. INF (GSC) PA in first District of Surigao del Sur.

According to the records of the 58IB, the MBs brought along with them eight (8) assorted fire arms composed of 1 Mi Garand rifle; 2 improvised caliber 5.56 rifles; 2 shotguns, 1 homemade shot gun, 1 cal. 357 pistol and 1 homemade cal.38 revolver.

The seven former rebels (FRs) are now housed under the custody of Philippine Army for the assessment and evaluation of their records. It can be recalled that on May 24, 2009, two (2) Communist Terrorists (CTs) and 19 MBs also surrendered to 58IB bringing along with them 20 assorted fire arms. (Nida Grace Tranquilan, PIA Surigao del Sur)