LAS NAVAS, Northern Samar, June 15 (PNA) -- Firming up her commitment to celebrate socio-economic development in the countryside, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate tomorrow (Tuesday, June 16) the Las Navas bridge, a vital component of the government’s infrastructure program located at the heart of the Samar Island.
The Chief Executive, upon her arrival here, will unveil the project marker to signal the formal opening of the new P143.5-million bridge across the Catubig River linking the municipalities of Catubig and Las Navas.
After the opening ceremony, the President will take a ceremonial drive-through 121.35-lineal meter span.
DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr will brief the Chief Executive on the project file of the Las Navas bridge, which started on September 18, 2006 and completed on May 25, 2009.
The bridge consists of four spans, 7.32-meter wide, with pre-stressed on concrete girder resting on bored pile foundation.
Las Navas Mayor Arlito Tan said the new bridge will provide relief, short, safe, convenient and faster movement of people and agricultural products and services in the area.
”Without the bridge, access to Las Navas is only through the Catubig river by pumpboat. Kaya, napakalaking tulong sa aming bayan ang bagong tulay na ito (This bridge is indeed a big help to our municipality),” Tan said.
He said some 30,000 residents in 53 barangays of Las Navas stand to benefit with the construction of the new bridge, majority of whom are in agricultural sector.
Las Navas, which is a fourth class municipality, is basically an agricultural area with rice production as a major activity.
Of the 210.6 square kilometers total land area, 47.33 square kilometers are planted with rice, while 32.75 square kilometers are devoted to coconuts. The remaining areas are planted with abaca and root crops.
The President has put in place a strong agricultural and rural infrastructure program in the country until 2010, including the construction of additional roads and bridges she has pledged to complete to help link up the strategic parts of the country.
The Las Navas bridge is one of the component projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under the Help for Catubig Advancement Project (HCAAP) and funded by the foreign-assisted project of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
HCAAP is an agricultural and rural development project designed to initiate sustainable agricultural and economic development in the Catubig Valley and the whole province of Northern Samar.
It is multi-sectoral project comprising of five components namely: irrigation and drainage facilities covering about 4,550 hectares of potential service areas; rural infrastructure facilities such as national and farm-to-market roads, potable water supply and ferry land racks; schistosomiasis control and health components and agricultural support services and institutional development.
The project aims to alleviate poverty by raising income level of farmers, generate employment opportunities and improve the social infrastructure and services of the target areas in Catubig and Las Navas, Northern Samar.
Duque reports 33 more A(H1N1) cases sent home over the week-end while confirming community outbreak in one barangay in Jaen
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III announced on Monday that 33 more A (H1N1) patients have been sent home over the weekend after recovering from the said illness. To date, the country has already 71 fully recovered cases.
Meanwhile, Duque also reported that there were 46 more confirmed mild A (H1N1) cases over the weekend, thus bringing the total figure of positive cases since to 193 (including the 36 confirmed cases reported Sunday) since May 1.
The 46 new confirmed cases involved 27 females and 19 males with an age range of 9-47 years old. All of the new cases are Filipinos.
On the other hand, after falling ill with flu-like symptoms, 19 individuals from a barangay in Jaen, Nueva Ecija were tested for the novel virus. Eight of them turned out positive for A (H1 N1). Duque said that the said figures are all community cases.
The local executives in the said province declared an outbreak over the weekend. Regional health officials said that the 8 confirmed cases are all mild in nature and are all responding well to their treatments.
“It’s an outbreak of mild A (H1N1) cases,” Duque said.
Duque also reiterated that not only school authorities but barangay leaders and heads of offices, as well, across the country should continue reporting to their respective local government executives any unusual occurrence of flu-like symptoms among their students, constituents and employees, respectively, especially those who travelled last summer from countries affected with the A (H1N1).
”This effort is part of the readiness of the Department of Health (DOH) to shift from containment to mitigation”, Duque said.
In a breaking news, 8 confirmed A (H1N1) cases out of 18 samples from Candelaria Elementary School in Candelaria, Bulacan were also reported by Duque today in his briefing with De La Salle University Officials. Details of these cases are being confirmed.
Bulacan elementary school suspends classes after A(H1N1) flu hits 49 students
Keneth Tirado, communication unit chief of the Department of Education (DepEd), confirmed the suspension of classes in Doña Candelaria Meneses Duque High School, in Bulacan, Bulacan for 10 days.
He also said that the Department of Health was conducting mapping out operation while school officials took the necessary precaution and measure to address the problem.
The suspension of classes in Candelaria National High School, in Bulacan followed DOH declaration of a community outbreak of A(H1N1) in Hilera village in Jaen Nueva Ecija after 92 people showed symptoms of carrying the virus.
Earlier, reports said 11 students from Hilera Elementary School were confirmed to have contracted the novel virus, prompting school officials to suspend classes.
He also urged parents and school officials to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the Department of Health (DOH) on the A/H1N1 response alert level system.
He also said that there was a need to further intensify the information drive being done in public schools nationwide so as to dispel fear and educate the public about the new influenza virus.
4 big firms in Cordilleras recovering from economic slump, rehiring retrenched employees
DOLE regional director Ana Dione said one of them is the Texas Instruments (TI), a foreign company producing semi-conductor products at the Loakan export processing zone.
Dione said some mining firms have also reported rehiring retrenched workers as early as January this year "when the prices of precious metals in the global market started to rise a bit again."
MIMAROPA’s RLAs observe 111th Independence Day
The affair was spearheaded by Cong. Rodolfo G. Valencia of the First District of Oriental Mindoro, together with Gov. Arnan C. Panaligan and Calapan City Mayor Paulino Salvador C. Leachon.
A noise barrage led by the Department of Education and students from the public schools signaled the opening program of the day’s affair.
A flag raising at around 8:30 a.m. was hoisted by the Philippine Army with the assistance of the Regional Heads of the national government agencies and heads of different departments of the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro and City Government of Calapan. The singing of the national anthem was conducted by Arlene R. Dela Vega, Education Supervisor II of DepEd IV-B.
It was followed by reciting the Panunumpa sa Watawat ng Pilipinas led by Bianca Infantado, SSG President of the Jose J. Leido, Jr. Memorial National High School.
Likewise, Leachon thanked the participation of all government employees especially the head of the regional line agencies of the MIMAROPA Region.
After Mayor Leachon’s message, the Provincial Tourism Office interpreted through action drama the singing of Pilipinas Kong Mahal.
Cong. Valencia and Gov. Panaligan gave their Kalayaan Messages before heads of the national government agencies where emphasis of speeches of both leaders focused on the importance of commemorating the Philippine independence.
The second part of the program was the awarding ceremonies on employment contracts/appointments, training vouchers, and livelihood assistance to beneficiaries of the programs of the national government agencies and the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro. The beneficiaries were awarded by Cong. Valencia, Gov. Panaligan, Mayor Leachon and Regional Directors of concerned agencies. Dir. Josefino L. Torres of DOLE, IV-B gave his closing remarks after these ceremonies.
Moreover, the final event in the commemoration of the 111th Independence Day was the opening of jobs and livelihood fairs in the Provincial Capitol Grounds. Local and international job openings were showcased during the jobs fair in coordination with the Public Employment Office to local and international employers. Jobs fair for employment in government agencies and Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) was also highlighted during the event.
The whole day event was participated in by the following regional line agencies: DTI, DOH, DSWD, DPWH, DENR, DepEd, DOLE, PIA, DA, DILG, DOST, TESDA, NEDA, DAR, DOT, PNP, PA, NSO and also department heads and employees of the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro and City Government of Calapan. (Louie T. Cueto/PIA-Calapan City)
DBP flies home stranded OFWs from Middle East
Over 100 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) stranded in the Middle East are coming home today as part of the corporate social responsibility efforts of state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and San Miguel Corporation. The OFW’s will be welcomed by members of the DBP Board of Directors at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. DBP president & chief executive officer Reynaldo G. David said the OFWs were mostly domestic helpers who ran away after being abused by their employers in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Jordan, and Oman. The OFWs who couldn’t afford to pay for their plane fare, were forced to stay at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) office in Dubai prior to their repatriation.
David said the assistance shows the other side of DBP -- that of banking with a conscience. “Our image as a strong and stable financial institution belies our deep concern for important sectors like our migrant workers.
He added that the repatriation of the OFWs was also coordinated with the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Bank of the Philippine Islands.DBP performance remains strong.
Meanwhile, David reported that DBP continues to post impressive financial numbers this year, with its net income hitting P1.54 billion for the first four months of 2008, or an increase of 24% from last year’s P1.24 billion.“ DBP has maintained a strong financial position this year despite the global economic slowdown. We are in a better position to finance the various strategic programs of the national government,” David emphasized.
David said DBP’s gross income jumped by 20% from P5.35 billion during the same period last year to P6.43 billion this year, which is due to the bank’s improved retail lending operations and investment transactions.
Past due loans dipped from P3.38 billion during the same period in 2008 to P2.56 billion this year. Non-performing loans also decreased from P3.11 billion in the first four months of 2008 to P2.54 billion as of end of April this year. Deposits from the private sector also grew substantially from P17.33 billion during the first four months of 2008 to P32.34 billion in the first four months of 2009 as DBP embarked on an aggressive deposit generation campaign earlier this year.
Overall, total deposits stood at P110.29 billion, up by 9.93% from last year’s P100.36 billion.
ON THE INCREASE IN SELF_EMPLOYED
Many Pinoys opt to be self employed amid crisis
By Mediatrix P. Cristobal
MANILA, June 10 (PNA) -- Amid uncertainties surrounding multinational companies, many Filipinos struggle to survive by opting to go self employed to avoid being part of statistics of those hounded by global economic crisis.
Teresa Peralta, head of the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES), an attached agency of Department of Labor and Employment, said at least 50 percent or over 16 million of the country's workforce are now in the informal sector or “self-employed”.
Initial study conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that about half of the total 33 million working population or 16.5 million Filipino workers are now in the informal sector or self employed.
“Napakalaki ng employed sa informal sector and our initial findings is that we have at least 50 percent of the total employed now are self employed,” Peralta said during a press briefing for the Kalayaan Jobs Fair in celebration of the 111th anniversay of the country's Independence day.
The number of self employed has increased as many companies here opted to shut down and retrenched their workers citing as reason the global economic meltdown, she said.
“We have large important economy and it is during this crisis that our informal sector comes into force,” added Peralta.
Peralta, however, said while the country's informal sector ballooned, it yielded positive impact on the country's unemployment.
She noted the government is expecting unemployment in the first four months of 2009 to be within the same level or within the 7.7 percent rate.
“If we would base it to the 7.7 percent, [we project that] it would remain at that level this April and we do not expect any significant changes,” Peralta said.
DoLE is conducting mega jobs fair this Friday making available over 105,000 jobs in the National Capital region alone.
Of the 105,000 jobs, 75,000 jobs will be overseas, according to POEA administrator Jennifer Manalili.
Overseas jobs will include construction workers, engineers, driver, surveyor, operator and countries includes Middle East, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Bahrain.
The fair will be held on June 12, 13 and 14 for government jobs, private sector hiring and overseas employment, respectively, to be held at the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, Rizal Park, Manila.
The DoLE urged jobseekers to register at http://phil-job.net for the Kalayaan job fair via the PhilJobnet system as this will give them the opportunity to be prioritized by firms and agencies that would participate in the three-day job fair.
This would enable the job fair participating private firms and government agencies to pre-screen applicants and subsequently hasten the selection and on-the-spot hiring of those who are qualified during the three-day mega event.
Capiz MSMEs have good news to tell
ROXAS CITY, June 6 (PNA) -– Horticultural entrepreneurs in Capiz belonging to Capiz Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inc. (CMPCI) have kept their export market for cut foliage in Japan and hope to break into the South Korean market.
The group has been shipping cut foliage to Japan since 2006.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) office here reported that the operations of the village-level coconut oil mill in Barangay Ondoy, Ivisan, Capiz have revved up after soft copra prices and inventories stopped the smoke coming out of the mill’s chimney early this year.
Local coconut farmers would be able to earn additional income from copra by planting glutinous corn intercrops, which the PCA would be introducing to them soon.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has ongoing Basic Entrepreneurship Seminars to produce new entrepreneurs under the government’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).
Conducted every Tuesday at their provincial office here headed by Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentes, the seminars have attracted more than 1,000 participants composed mostly of students, housewives, micro- entrepreneurs, farmers, and the unemployed.
These were some of the positive developments in the micro, small and medium enterprises sector that were reported during the meeting of the Provincial MSME Development Council held June 5 at the Provincial Capitol.
The council is assessing and formulating the provincial MSME development plan in line with the thrust of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote and develop the sector as source of investments, jobs and livelihood and as driver of economic growth in the countryside.
The President has been complementing this domestic effort by reaching to other countries to encourage their businessmen to invest or have business with the Philippines.
Making a pitch among South Korea’s businessmen recently, President Arroyo pushed the Philippines as the best investment haven in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) owing to its stable economic environment.
“We are among the Best Values for Investment in the Region in areas like mining, energy, bio-fuels, technology, tourism and business process outsourcing,” said the President.
The Capiz PMSMED Council is also making preparations for the celebration of MSMED Week on July 6-12, 2009, which will be highlighted, among others, by a One Town, One Product (OTOP) Congress that will showcase successful MSMEs and their contributions to the community and its economy.
(Special Report)
OFWs: fighting global recession through sheer hard work and efficiency on their jobs
By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, June 11 (PNA) - Filipino overseas workers are winning the battle against the wordwide economic downturn for their families and their country, thanks to their sheer efficiency, superb work ethic and excellent command of the English language.
And with this attributes, it is no wonder why Middle Eastern employers, especially those in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), continue to give preferential hiring treatment to our overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs).
Engineer Richello Serrano, 31 and a project supervisor at WAHAH, a Saudi-electrical firm, said their company is still hiring our OFWs as engineers and technical support workers due to their excellent technical aptitude.
”Our Arab employers prefer Filipinos over other nationalities due to our ability to work as a team in very technical engineering projects. Our employers also seemed to like the fact that we can get along with almost any nationalities in the worksite,” added Serrano, who is based in Teresa St. Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Serrano, who is working for WAHAH for the last five years, also stated that their Arab employers seem more incline to give OFWs raises and other incentive just so that they will extend their contract to the company.
”My employers at WAHAH told me that should I decide to stay with them for the next couple of years, they would allow me to bring my wife Lourdes and daughter Richelle in Saudi. They also paid for Richelle’s schooling and help my wife find work in their other affiliates,” he further stated.
He added that his wife agreed on WAHAH’s proposal and flew to Saudi last May with their daughter to join him there where they all now happily settled.
Serrano attributes the spectacular success of Filipinos in the Middle East to the fact that most of their employers are well aware of the Philippines' excellent engineering schools like the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), University of the Philippines (UP) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) which all offer quality engineering courses in their curriculum.
Serrano also said that Arab employers are particularly impressed with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)’s program of providing out-of-school-youths (OSYs) with free skills trainings in automotive, electrical and cellular telephone repair.
The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) earlier said that the national government is already fast-tracking the training some 809,800 unskilled Filipino workers for jobs as call center agents, welders, electricians, machine operators, massage therapists, mechanics and clerks through the "Pangulong Gloria Scholarships Program" of the TESDA.
"The on-going program is undertaken by TESDA under the leadership of Secretary Augusto Syjuco, and is in line with the basic objectives of President (Gloria Macapagal) Arroyo’s Economic Resiliency Plan and our poverty reduction policies," it further stated.
”They are very impressed with that kind of project TESDA is offering to our OSYs. I have heard that they are seriously thinking of implementing a similar program to give Arab youths some technical and automotive proficiency,” the engineer further stated.
Serrano also belies reports that OFWs are already experiencing difficulties in finding jobs abroad, particularly in the Middle East, as his two younger brother, Roderick, 29 and Renan, 27, have all recently flown in Saudi Arabia to find work at the Sameer Air-conditioning Plant and Al Jazed Center for Education.
”My brother Roderick is now working at Sameer Airconditioning as a member of its planning support staff while Renan is working as an English instructor at Al Jazed. They both told me that they are settling in nicely,” Serrano said.
”Getting your employer to like you in the Middle East is very easy. You only have to do good and efficient work to earn your place in your company. And for majority of our OFWs that is a very simple task,” he further concluded.
Serrano also stressed that their dollar remittances at home is very instrumental in keeping their families here in the Philippines afloat in these economically challenging times.
As a testimony to the consistency of the global demand for OFWs, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently announced that both the global deployment of overseas of overseas Filipino workers and their their dollar remittances to the country's economy have continued to increase notwithstanding the global financial downturn.
DOLE, citing the latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), reports stated OFW remittances from more than 190 host countries worldwide reached more than USD1.265 billion in January 2009, representing a positive 0.1 percent growth from the same period in 2008.
It also added that the number of documented OFWs reached a robust growth of 165,737 in January this year, up worldwide by 25.3 percent, from 132,285 in the same period last year.
"This resoundingly affirms the sustained global preference for our skilled and semi-skilled overseas Filipino workers, and their productive role in staving off the adverse effects of the global slowdown in the greater portion of the world's economies,” DOLE further said.
It also added that in 2008, a record 1.376 million documented OFWs have been deployed in more than 190 host nations globally, while they remitted some USD16.4 billion to the country, the highest in history so far. .
DOLE attributes the continued growth of OFW deployment to the strength of the country's bilateral relations and agreements for assuring sustained employment opportunities for OFWs, particularly those entered into by the RP government with major host destinations such as Canada, Australia, Japan - alongside the vibrant outlook of Middle Eastern economies such as Qatar in industries which prefer our skilled and semi-skilled OFWs like health care, education, real estate, power and energy.
Serrano’s sentiments on working hard and efficiently is echoed by Norberto Toribe, a native of Imus, Cavite and a chief mate, presently working in a large tanker company operated by a European principal.
He also stated that despite the global financial crisis affecting the rest of the world, European and Japanese ship-owners maintained their preferrence to hire Filipino seamen on the account of their superior seamanship skills and proficiency again in English aside.
Toribe attributes the Filpinos’ success in the global manning industry to the fact we can easily be friends with people in another culture and make the necessary adjustments to be accepted by them as a member of the team.
”Filipinos can get along with anyone and with our superior seamanship skills, that is a sure fire way for success,” he further stated.
He also attributes the Filipinos’ talent for running and manning modern ships to the excellent training being given in the country’s maritime centers and continuous government efforts to upgrade our seafarers’ quality.
The Filipinos’ bright prospects in the maritime field is further affirmed when the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ) recently announced that Japanese ship managers and owners still prefer them over other seafaring nationalities.
IMMAJ representative Capt. Takao Manji, said that this preference for Filipino sailors can be attributed to the fact that these mariners are “completely disciplined, hard-working, flexible and reliable.”
”That is the reason why we like (Filipino seafarers) not because they are cheap,” the IMMAJ chair further stated.
An average Filipino seaman is paid between USD1,000 to USD1,250 monthly while officers are paid around USD2,500 to USD3,000 a month depending on their area of specialization.
Over 50,000 Filipino sailors or 65 percent of Japan ’s maritime personnel is currently deployed on the country’s 3,000 merchant ships.
Manji pointed out that Filipino seafarers have played a crucial part in reaffirming the dominant global position of Japan in shipping.
”We truly appreciate the efforts of the Philippines in expanding the Japanese shipping industry,” the IMMAJ added.
And to reciprocate the efforts of the Filipino mariners, Manji said that the Japanese shipping industry is pouring vast amounts of money to bankroll the training that will insure the competency of the Filipino sailors.
”The Japanese shipping industry has put up a training levy to fund the training of cadets, their instructors and acquisition of cadet training ships,” the IMMAJ further stated.
He also stated that seafarer competency makes up for a stable business establishment afloat aside from better profit margins.
Filipno seafarers picked to join Japan’s merchant marine fleet are given substantial salaries which are tax-free, good accommodations on board ships, free communication privileges with their families and two months paid vacations.
”We believe that happy crews makes for a safe ship,” Manji further stated.
Recently, two Japanese shipping giants, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and “K”-Line, announced that it will be hiring more Filipino seamen to man their ships.
”K”-Line shipping will be hiring around 3,2000 officers and sailors for its shipping expansion of around 280 vessels that will be joining its fleet of 420 ships within the next four years.
While MOL is planning to increase the number of Filipino sailors in its employ from 14,000 to 17,800 this 2009.
MOL said that the propose increase in RP sailor employment is based on the company’s plan to increase its current fleet from 700 ships to 900 vessels by 2010.
Filipino seafarers accounts for 30 percent of the one million strong crew manning the world’s merchant navy.
50,000 gov't posts offered in Kalayaan jobsfair
By Mediatrix P. Cristobal
MANILA, Jun 9 (PNA) - Want to work in the public sector? Kalayaan jobfair opens 50,000 slots as part of its efforts to fill the vacuum in some government agencies where manpower is severly lacking and, at the same time, provide employment to the public.
Department of Labor and Employment Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte said both plantilla and emergency employment positions, will be available on June 12 with 10,000 jobs in the National Capital Region (NCR) alone.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources opens doors to some 6,000 applicants, while the Department of Education will be needing 8,000 workers. The Department of National Defense, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry and Metro Manila Development Authority will also allot employment slots at the three-day event.
About 30,000 emergency jobs nationwide will also be provided to displaced and other unemployed workers under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).
CLEEP includes jobs in environment and tourism industry, among others, which is being implemented in all 16 regions in the country.
Trasmonte said applicants must have civil service eligibility to qualify a position while CLEEP applicants may bring their resume.
Government-owned corporations and state schools along with local government units and other government offices will also partipate in the fair.
The DoLE has set up pre-registration website where jobseekers could register, at the PhilJobNet (http://phil-job.net) and urged them to sign up, while walk-in applicants are also welcome at the event site, Trasmonte said.
The pre-registration system would enable the job fair participating private firms and government agencies to pre-screen applicants and subsequently hasten the selection and on-the-spot hiring of those who are qualified during the three-day mega event.
A total of 70,000 jobs in the private sector will be opened on June 13, the second day of the three-day event.
Among the available positions are those for baristas, account executives, store managers, mechanics, tellers, call center agents, to name a few.
Meanwhile jobs overseas will cap the big event where 50,000 sea-based and land-based jobs, mostly in services and sales industry and skilled sector.
Half of job orders from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Hong Kong, Russia and Bahrain, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Deputy Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac said.
About 101 recruitment agencies will be participating in the event. The jobs in the Middle East involve land-based overseas employment, while service workers are required in Canada.
The fair is in commemoration of the country's 111th Independence Day.
(Special Report)
P14.7-M worth of livelihood projects turned over to recipients to mark 111th Independence Day in Western Visayas
By Perla G. Lena
ILOILO CITY, June 12 (PNA) – A total of 81 livelihood checks worth P14.7 million for various livelihood projects was awarded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), highlighting the 111th commemoration of the Independence Day here in Iloilo City, the site of the regional celebration in Western Visayas.
The DOLE released P9.464 million to 24 livelihood projects which are expected to benefit some 2,556 workers from the municipalities of Alimodian, Lambunao, Janiuay, Balasan, Barotac Nuevo, Ajuy, Barotac Viejo, Pavia, Estancia, Dumangas and the Western Institute Teaching and Non-Teaching Employees Association.
The DSWD, for its part, released P903,000 worth of checks to four Self Employment Assistance–Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program associations to benefit some 110 workers.
The DOST also turned over P1.8 million worth of community based livelihood projects to its partner agencies to include the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Aklan State University and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Foundation.
The projects are expected to directly benefit 180 workers.
Meanwhile, close to 2,896 workers have benefited from the Kalayaan 2009 livelihood fair.
Fifty displaced overseas Filipino workers received their livelihood loans from the OWWA with a total amount of P2.5 million at P50,000 each.
The distribution of livelihood checks was led by Chief Presidential Legal Counsel at the same Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency and Employment Program (CLEEP) steward for Western Visayas Raul Gonzalez Sr, Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias and Iloilo City lone district Rep. Raul Gonzalez Jr.
It was held simultaneous with the opening of the three-day mega jobs fair at the Amigo Plaza Mall here.
Secretary Gonzalez, in his message before the distribution, cited that the occasion manifested "the desire of the government to showcase small but significant things which this government administration has done in order to share and make people feel that they are not left behind."
“This is not to boast what the government has done but to show what it has been doing to illustrate the fact that the government is not sleeping on its job. This is a nationwide activity because the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would like to the best efforts that it can do especially to the marginal Filipinos,” he said.
“Count your blessings instead of feeling as if we have been left behind because of the fault of others," Gonzalez added as he also urged Filipinos to help themselves as the government is doing everything within the limits of its resources.
(Special Report)
Thousands avail of government's employment, livelihood and educational assistance
By Catherine J. Teves
MANILA, June 12 (PNA) - Government awarded Friday to over 3,000 beneficiaries certificates of emergency employment, livelihood funding exceeding PhP10 million and educational assistance that will help them win the war against poverty.
Beneficiaries received these certificates during a program the government held in Manila's Rizal Park as it opened the June 12-14 nationwide Kalayaan 2009 Mega-Jobs Fair marking the country's celebration of the 111th Independence Day.
"We're heading towards freedom from poverty," noted Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Jose "Lito" Atienza who handed the certificates to representatives of beneficiaries several public agencies have identified for assistance.
These agencies are DENR, Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached offices, National Historical Institute, Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Department of Energy, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Other agencies which extended assistance also include the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Pag-ibig Fund, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Tourism, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Education and Department of National Defense (DND).
Jobs cited in the employment certificates that beneficiaries received are part of the government's Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).
"Government already made available as of June 10 this year some 146,000 CLEEP jobs nationwide and we're still counting," said National Anti-Poverty Commission chief Secretary Domingo Panganiban, who is monitoring the program.
Panganiban, DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro, DOLE Undersecretary Lourdes Trasmonte and National Parks Development Committee Executive Director Carlito Fajardo assisted Atienza in awarding the certificates.
This awarding reflects the job fair's theme "Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan," Atienza noted.
Authorities decided to hold this fair simultaneously on the same days in over 20 other areas around the country so more people can avail of jobs which DOLE said some 1,000 local and foreign employers are offering.
These areas are Baguio City (Cordillera Administrative Region); San Fernando, La Union (Region 1); Tuguegarao City (Region 2); Malolos City and Baliuag (Region 3); Calamba City and Kawit (Region 4A); Calapan City (Region 4B); Legazpi City (Region 5); Iloilo City (Region 6); Cebu City and Dumaguete City (Region 7); Tacloban City (Region 8); Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay (Region 9); Cagayan de Oro (Region 10); Davao City (Region 11); Koronadal and General Santos City (Region 12); Butuan City (CARAGA) and Shariff Aguak (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao).
"People are seeking work so holding a simultaneous fair will help facilitate their search," Panganiban said.
The fair's Day 1 will feature government agencies needing additional personnel while Day 2 will have head hunters from local private companies.
Recruitment agencies for international land- and sea-based jobs will be offered at the fair on Day 3.
New graduates find the fair a practical way of bringing together employers and job seekers.
"It's like a one-stop shop where we can apply to several employers," said Gaddy Ramos, a 2009 marketing graduate from University of Caloocan City.
He hopes to be hired as a contractual administrative assistant of DENR.
New office administration graduate Gene Camille Kimhoko agrees this fair facilitates one's search for work.
"I don't have to travel from one office to another," she said, acknowledging being able to apply at DENR and other agencies during the fair's Day 1.
Aside from DENR, other agencies that set up employment booths at the fair included DOLE, OWWA, POEA, DTI, TESDA, PAGCOR, NEDA, DOH, DA, LRTA, HUDCC, DPWH, DSWD, DND and MMDA.
DOLE describes this fair as the biggest of its kind in the country so far with over 150,000 domestic and overseas jobs open to qualified applicants.
Such jobs cover about 50,000 emergency and permanent posts in government, thousands of positions in the local private sector and numerous overseas assignments.
Agri, eco jobs highlighted in Kalayaan jobfair
MANILA, June 10 - The government will open 30,000 agriculture, education, environment and military jobs, and additional 5,000 plantilla positions for jobseekers at the Kalayaan jobfair on June 12.
"The participating government agencies would offer thousands of unfilled regular plantilla positions for jobseekers with civil service eligibility, PRC license and other qualifications," Department of Labor and Employment said in a statement.
This includes medical officers, financial analysts, engineers, legal officers, writers, nurses, researchers to fill up the vacuum of plantilla slots left over the years of freeze hiring in some agencies.
The emergency employment will be offered to the displaced workers, unemployed youth and jobseekers seeking clerical, technical and entry level positions. The second and third day would showcase jobs in the private sector and overseas, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education needs 10,000 new teachers in all region.
"We have to fill up these vacancies fast. Recruitment is ongoing, " Jonathan Malaya, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns, said.
The Department of Agriculture opens employment to 12,000 workers, DoLE offers 2,581 jobs and Department of Trade and Industry with 1,335 jobs.
Representatives from the Armed Forces of the Philippines would also be at the fair to entertain those who want to join the military.
Roque said this would be the first time that government joins jobfair in efforts to widen its search for the best skills and talents who can contribute in running more effective bureaucracy.
ON INVESTOR CONFIDENCE
RP continues to post FDI inflows in Q1 ‘09
By Joann Santiago
MANILA, June 10 (PNA) – Foreign direct investments (FDI) continue to come in to the Philippines amid the global crisis with the amount reaching US$ 44 million in the first quarter this year.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday said positive balances in equity capital and reinvested earnings, at US$ 47 million each, more than offset the US$ 50-million decline in Other Capital accounts.
However, the net FDI inflows in the first three months this year dropped by 83.5 percent against year-ago’s US$ 266 million.
Last March alone, net FDI posted an outflow of US$ 27 million.
BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said that “while investor sentiment continued to be marked by uncertainty and cautiousness given the recessionary conditions in the global economy, the country remained a recipient of equity capital.”
The central bank said equity capital posted net inflow of US$ 47 million from January to March this year, although this is 79.4 percent lower against year-ago’s US$ 228 million.
These inflows, bulk of which came from Japan and US, were placed in the manufacturing, real estate, financial intermediation, and trade/commerce sectors.
BSP, on the other hand, noted that reinvested earnings registered a net inflow of US$ 47 million in the first quarter this year and is better than the US$ 249-million net outflow in the same period last year.
“Investors opted to retain earnings/profits in local banks and enterprises as the country showed signs of stabilization in the midst of the global financial crisis and economic downturn,” the central bank said.
However, the other capital account, which involves intercompany borrowing/lending between foreign direct investors and their subsidiaries/affiliates in the Philippines, posted a net outflow of US$ 50 million during the three-month period to March this year because after local companies decided to pay their loans to their mother companies abroad.
RP benefits from improvement in investors' risk appetite
By Joann Santiago
MANILA, June 12 (PNA) – The Philippines is now benefiting from revival of investors' risk appetite in emerging economies as shown by the net inflows registered by portfolio investments last May.
Monetary officials attributed this positive development to the improvement in US' economy.
Recent reports said the world's largest economy is now churning in good economic figures, which some analysts said can be a sign that the present global crisis must be bottoming out.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. has noted that improvement in investors' risk appetite has benefited emerging markets including the Philippines.
He said that for one, capital flows have been on the rise.
In 2008, foreign portfolio investments (FDI) posted a net outflow of US$ 1.78 billion after the outflows amounting to US$ 10.11 billion surpassed the US$ 8.32 billion inflows.
Monetary officials said the net outflow was due to investors' decision to park their funds to safer havens and away from emerging economies.
However, with the positive news from the US economy starting last May, FDIs in the country also tracked the same path.
FDIs reached US$ 977.59 million last May, a far cry from the outflows of US$ 480.01 million resulting in net inflows of US$ 497.58 million.
Since the start of the year, FDIs have been alternating from turning in net inflows and outflows.
The net inflows in May was the third among these positive monthly figures while the net outflows were registered last February and April.
In the first five months this year, the inflows of US$ 2.67 billion were greater than the outflows of US$ 2.4 billion, resulting in net inflows of US$ 276.31 billion.
Tetangco said the rise in inflows was traced mostly from the bond and stock markets.
In 2007, the domestic economy posted its 31-year best performance of 7.3 percent due to improvements in the country's fundamentals.
Also, the peso appreciated by nearly 19 percent and topped the other currencies in the region while inflation averaged at 2.8 percent.
This year, monetary officials said the continued deceleration in the rate of price increases, with the May 2009 rate at 18-month low of 3.3 percent, that resulted in their positive inflation outlook, the good signs in the US economy can further boost investment climate in the country.
Economic managers have slashed several times their growth targets for the country this year, taking in consideration the global economic situation.
They remain positive that amid the contraction in major economies as well as some economies in the region, the country would still post positive growth.
To date, the inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) growth target for this year is a range between 0.8-1.8 percent.
Investors deposit $ 300-M for Pagcor entertainment complex
MANILA, June 11 (PNA) - The three major investors in the 100-hectare Bagong Nayong Pilipino Entertainment Complex along Manila Bay in Pasay City have deposited US$ 300 million or $ 100 million each in earnest money to Pagcor as an assurance of their commitment to pursue their plans for the development of the property into the country's premier entertainment complex.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Ephraim Genuino said the three investors are SM Group, Genting Group of Malaysia and Aruze Corp. of Japan.
"We want to be assured they are committed to do the project and push through with their plans," Genuino said.
Initial investments for the project are expected to reach $ 6 billion.
About 100 hectares of the 120-hectare track of the Pagcor property are already allotted to these three developers.
He said SM will kick off construction in 60 days with the fencing of the property that it is going to develop.
The first phase of the three-phased development is expected to be completed in two to three years. It would include hotels, sports arena, museum, world class theme park, oceanarium, among others.
Genuino is trying to allay the fears and opposition by some sectors that Pagcor is turning the massive development into the Macau-Las Vegas gambling fame.
"Only three percent of the entire development along the Manila Bay is related to gaming and casinos," he clarified. The Genting Group would be the developer for the casino and gaming portion.
The larger chunk of the complex would be composed of tourism, entertainment and leisure, and sports facilities, Genuino said.
Also included in the new entertainment complex is the already developed part along the area spanning about 300 hectares including the sprawling Mall of Asia complex.
The government has been constantly pushing for the development of the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Entertainment City, which Genuino said would create about 200,000 jobs.
The original Nayong Pilipino located near the airports had been closed. It used to showcase the country's pride including famous tourist spots with a touch of history and culture.
Genuino added there are some new foreign operators that have expressed interest to infuse additional investments in the complex.
He said these three foreign groups -an American, a European and a Korean- all have existing gaming operations elsewhere and are currently being investigated and assessed by Pagcor to determine if they could also take part in the development of Pagcor City. He did not give further details.
The Pagcor official said among the requirements to be part of Pagcor City development include a minimum investment of $ 1 billion for the investor's intended projects that should be completed in five years and the submission of a concept plan and design.
It would take between three months to six month before Pagcor could then determine if these potential new investors could finally participate, Genuino said.
The development of the Bagong Nayong Pilipino Entertainment City will allow the state-run firm to shift from mere casino gaming into wholesome, family-oriented recreation and entertainment business.
Details of the Pagcor blueprint showed the entertainment complex will be divided into specialized areas featuring six-star hotels, world-class theme parks, educational and cultural complexes.
It will also have shopping malls, a commercial district, sports stadiums, celebrity-themed restaurants, convention halls, state-of-the-art theaters, gaming facilities, residential villages, and a hospital district.
450 Mindanao investors get SM group's retail bond offering
DAVAO CITY, June 4 (PNA) – About 450 potential investors in Mindanao have displayed interest in SM Investments Corporation’s five and seven-year retail bond offering roadshow worth as much as P10 billion.
Eduardo Francisco, president of issue underwriter BDO Capital and Investment Corp., said these investors from Mindanao have committed to participate in the event.
Francisco said SMIC is offering an initial bond worth P5 billion.
However, they are expecting this will reach P10 billion due to the strong demand from the local financial market.
He described the offer as the first-ever fixed-rate retail bond issue being offered by the SM group.
The bond offering marks SMIC’s debut in the local bond market, Francisco said, adding that the bonds obtained Triple A rating, the highest credit rating from Philippine Rating Services Corp.
He said the five-year portion is seen to profit 7.75 to 8.25 percent per year and the seven-year bonds 8.6 to 8.9 percent.
He added SMIC held its first leg of roadshow in Manila last week where about 500 investors and financiers came.
From Davao City, the SM Group will go to Cebu to hold its last leg.
The roadshows are intended to maximize the distribution of the bonds, he said.
When asked why Davao was included in the venue for the roadshows, Francisco said, the SM Group knows that a lot of investors in Mindanao are looking for good products.
"We are giving Mindanao investors the chance to avail of affordable bonds,” he said.
Nine partner companies and 14 big financial institutions including its various branches have displayed interest to subscribe to SMIC’s bond issue.
Early this week, SMIC has already received reservations from numerous investors, he said.
Francisco said the bonds are being offered at a minimum of P20,000 capital and multiples of P10,000 thereafter.
He said the SM Group principally owned by Henry Sy has reduced the minimum investment requirement to P20,000 to give chance to millions of SM customers including those in the Mindanao area.
Francisco said Sy is confident of the Filipinos’ capability to do business, which is why he is gearing up for more projects such as malls properties and banking services for the Filipinos out of the proceeds of the bonds.
Pricing of the bond is set on June 5 while the signing of Underwriting Agreement on June 8. Period of offering is from June 8 to June 18 and issuance on June 25.
Maturity for the five-year bond is five years plus one day from issue date and the seven years bond, seven years from issue date.
Franchising: a vibrant business venture in Davao Region
By Judy G. Quiros
DAVAO CITY, June 2 (PNA) - Franchising industry has flourished in the Davao Region since last year, and is expected to stay strong despite the global economic crisis, an informal survey among members of the Philippine Franchising Association (PFA) showed.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional director Marizon S. Loreto said with this positive outlook, franchising business can be seen as an opportunity where jobs will be generated from.
Loreto said the returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are among the best prospects to become franchise investors since most of them have the needed capitalization.
Furthermore, she said these OFWs are disciplined workers because of the working environment which they are used to.
“A number of businesses have been enlisted for franchising. The DTI can assist interested OFWs in starting their chosen franchise business,” she said.
Respondents revealed that sales growth last year was at an average of 10 percent.
Notably, the survey said, a certain pizza company which has just begun its franchising operations posted a leap of 50 percent in sales last year.
“Franchising has always been the better investment option because of a proven business formula. With over 90 percent success rate, it has evolved as a business model primarily identified with minimal risk,” PFA chair emeritus Samie Lim said.
“Considering the number of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) who have come home due to the economic meltdown being experienced worldwide, this particular industry can be an option for them to have a new source of income,” Loreto said.
Cognizant to this, she said DTI Davao is preparing for a franchising expo and seminar next month, which may serve as a venue where franchisors and potential franchisees will converge and discuss possible business ties.
“This can likewise be an opportunity for potential franchisees to acquire relevant knowledge in handling a business like this. DTI Davao is presently doing the necessary preparations and planning. We are also coordinating with other agencies and business organizations which can probably help us in the successful conduct of the said activity,” Loreto added.
RCBC’s SME portfolio grows by 38%
MANILA, June 15 (PNA) — Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), the country’s fourth largest bank, reported that its small and medium enterprise lending portfolio has grown by 38 percent or almost P7.9 billion in the past 15 months.
“Successfully rebuilding and preparing RCBC’s SME organization allowed us to smoothly implement our business plan,” said RCBC senior vice president and commercial and SME banking head Reynaldo Orsolino regarding the bank’s rising SME venture in their disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).
“We were able to introduce new policies and put in place the processes necessary to push our SME program forward,” he added.
In 2008, RCBC was able to launch new tools that paved the way for the application of a credit scoring model for SME accounts.
RCBC’s other efforts in the past year were designed to strengthen the SME organization, improve its visibility in the market and effectively expand the loan portfolio which had not grown in the previous two years.
These initial moves also laid the foundation for the second phase of RCBC’s SME initiatives which, in turn, were introduced earlier this year.
Just a few months back, RCBC developed and launched the country’s first loan origination Web Portal (i.e. www.getaloan.com.ph) that is now being used to screen numerous MSME loan applicants nationwide.
The new web portal has been getting hundreds of hits per month since this was first launched in April.
RCBC was likewise able to develop and use a loan application monitoring system that allows it to track loan referrals at each stage of loan processing (either from branches or through the internet) and should help it better manage small business loans.
“For 2009, we will use new technology to further improve our presence amongst local entrepreneurs and increase our small business loans portfolio,” Orsolino said.
RCBC is the country’s fourth largest private universal bank in terms of capital base with 332 branches nationwide.
It is a strong player in the remittance business with a wide presence overseas through remittance subsidiaries and tie-ups in North America, Europe and Hongkong.
RCBC is a member of the multi-industry conglomerate Yuchengco Group of Companies.
ON INVESTOR CONFIDENCE
RP posted US$ 498M hot money net inflow in May ‘09
MANILA, June 14 (PNA) – The net inflow of foreign portfolio investments, otherwise known as hot money, reached US$ 498 million in May 2009, outpacing the US$ 276 million net outflow in the previous month, data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show.
The May 2009 net inflow was also significantly higher than the US$ 461 million net outflow in May last year, BSP data also show.
BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said that with the net inflow for the month, “investors exhibited confidence in the economy as evidenced by a substantial Japanese investment in the country’s food, beverage and tobacco sector.”
“On the global front, confidence in the world economy rose for the third month in a row as job losses in the U.S. continued to slow down and global production improved, reinforcing the growing perception that the crisis is bottoming out,” Tetangco said.
Total hot money inflows for the month reached US$ 978 million, up by 125 percent from the previous month’s US$ 435 million, BSP data show.
The central bank said the bulk, or 91 percent, of the investments went to shares listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) while nine percent were placed in peso-denominated government securities.
Hot money outflows reached US$ 480 million in May this year, down 33 percent from month-ago’s US$ 711.37 million, most of which, or 97 percent, were withdrawals from interim peso deposits (IPDs).
The inflows reached almost US$ 2.7 billion in the first five months of this year, down 43 percent from US$ 4.76 billion "as investors remained cautious despite the renewed confidence in the economy.
Outflows, on the other hand, aggregated US$ 2.4 billion in the first five months, down 53 percent from the US$ 5.1 billion a year ago.
The decline in outflows during the first five months signaled an improving investor confidence, Tetangco said.
This resulted to net inflow of US$ 276.31 million.
Of the total, placements in PSE-listed shares accounted for 73 percent at US$ 1.9 billion but 35 percent lower than year-ago’s US$ 3 billion.
Around 30 percent of the investments were placed in food, beverage and tobacco companies, and 28 percent to telecommunication firms, data showed.
Also, combined investments in peso-denominated government securities and short-term peso bank deposits or those with a minimum maturity of 90 days, dropped to US$ 673 million in May this year from US$ 1.7 billion last year while placements in money market instruments went up by US$ 49 million year-on-year.
BSP said 84 percent of the investments came from the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the Netherlands.
ON NPA LOSSES
1 NPA rebel killed, weapons & explosives seized as AFP troops overrun another NPA camp in Southern Mindanao
CAMP PANACAN, Davao City, June 12 (PNA) – The all-out clearing and control operations of the combat troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continue to gain ground as another communist-New People’s Army (NPA) encampment was captured late Thursday afternoon in the jungle of Lantawan, Barangay Napnapan, Pantukan town, Compostela Valley (ComVal) province, said AFP Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMincom) spokesman Maj. Randolph G. Cabangbang on Friday.
Maj. Cabangbang said operating combat maneuvering troops from the 1001st Infantry Brigade engaged the communists for more than 30 minutes fierce firefight after which they (NPA) abandoned their camp and ran away leaving behind their one slain comrade-in-arm and dragging along with them their unaccounted number of wounded companions.
The heavy gun fight started at 2:25 pm, said Capt. Rosa Ma. Cristina Rosete-Manuel, Public Affairs Officer (PAO) of Southern Mindanao 10th Infantry (Agila) Division.
Capt. Manuel said the fleeing rebels were members of guerilla-Front Committee 2 of the CPP-NPA Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC).
The 10th “Agila” Division PAO officer said the operating troops were able to overrun the harbor site of the NPAs which was laid with anti-personnel (pressurized) mines.
Capt. Manuel also said the operating troops also recovered at the encounter site one M16 (Colt) and one M14 (Winchester) rifle, one set rigged C4 Improvised Explosive Device (IED), one set rigged Claymore mine, detonating cords, blasting caps, one ICOM radio with name “Pulang Bagani Command Alex” and one PNP security tag of APEX mining with pass ID #0001.
The said encounter was the result of the continuous pursuit operations conducted by the unit after the troops overran an NPA encampment also in Barangay Napnapan early this week wherein the troops recover three high-powered firearms, added Capt. Manuel.
No reported casualty on the troops while one dead NPA was left by the fleeing rebels, he further said.
Hot pursuit operation against the fleeing communists is still going on in the jungle of Pantukan.
Meanwhile, local residents reported to the troops that they saw more than 10 wounded NPA members being carried along by their comrades using three “habal-habal”, a commuter motorcycle.
Field report revealed that the same group of rebels was responsible in the raid of APEX mining in Maco town last May 29, wherein they were able to seize five high-powered firearms from the mining guards, Capt. Manuel said.
Colonel Romeo Calizo, commanding officer of the Army’s 1001st Infantry Brigade said, “we will continually track down these lazy bandits and make them responsible for the crimes they have committed to the people. They are nothing but band of criminals who make extortion activities as their way of living.”
The 10th Infantry Division early this week also encountered the NPA’s in Cabuley area in Kapatagan of that same province that resulted to the recovery of three high powered rifles, capture of one NPA member and discovery of their encampment.
“The support of the civilians in the area was the key to our success. This simply means that the general public wants peace and progress, not an armed struggle,” also said Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, commanding general of the Army’s Southern Mindanao 10th “Agila” Division.
NPAs topples Globe cell site in Davao Oriental
New People's Army rebels toppled a cell site of the Globe Telecoms in Davao Oriental on the eve of the commemoration of the 111th Independence Day anniversary.
A report from the 10th infantry Division disclosed on Friday that about 10 NPA rebels burned Globe's cell site in Barangay Macangao, Lupon, Davao Oriental at about 11 p.m. Thursday.
"The said burning happened when everyone is preparing for the 111th Philippine Independence Day celebration today," said Captain Rosa Ma. Cristina Rosete-Manuel, public affairs officer of the 10th ID.
The rebels, belonging to Guerilla Front 18 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee forcibly broke in the fenced tower by cutting the wires of the gate and destroyed the padlock, Manuel said.
The rebels did not have a hard time toppling down the communications facility because there were no security personnel at the time of the incident.
"The rebels destroyed the tower equipments and eventually burned it using gasoline”, said 2Lt. Isis Achanzar, the Public Affairs Officer of the 28th Infantry Battalion (28IB) based in Barangay Poblacion in Lupon.
“What they did on the eve of the celebration of our independence only showed that they do not respect it. They also showed that they are against progress in Davao Oriental by destroying million pesos worth of Globe tower. This is a simple away of driving away investors who are providing jobs to the people" said Achanzar.
Globe Communications has refused to heed to the call of the rebels to pay the so-called revolutionary tax, a euphimism for extortion, by the communist movement.
Lt Colonel Leo Lazarro Budeng, commander of the 28IB, directed his troops to pursue the rebels immediately after the incident was reported and has set-up checkpoints at strategic areas to block possible route of withdrawal of the rebels. (PNA)
Police points to MILF as behind Globe tower attack
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, June 9 (PNA) – Police authorities on Tuesday tagged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as behind the attacks on a tower of Globe Telecoms and a transmission facility of a local power firm in the coastal town of Lebak in Sultan Kudarat late Sunday night.
Senior Insp. Ricky Zafra, Lebak police chief, said the attacks were reportedly staged by at least 30 “lawless” MILF members who were also responsible for the spate of harassment on civilian communities in the area in the past months.
He said no casualties were reported in the attacks at around 10:30 p.m. last Sunday but it “seriously damaged” the transmitter receiver of Globe Telecom’s cellsite tower and the transformer of Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative’s tower in Sitio Ligi, Barangay Bolebak in Lebak.
He said a security guard assigned at the Globe cellsite identified as Arnel Francisco and companion Marcelino Demetrio survived the incident without injuries.
“These are acts clearly aimed at destabilizing the present government and the authorities. We consider this inhumane act very offensive. We are contemplating much on this incident with our goal to bring back the peace and order in the municipality,” he said.
Zafra said elements from the Lebak municipal police station and the 1st Company of the police Regional Mobile Group (RMG)-12 led by Insp. Jose Marie Simangan recovered from the scene several spent shells of rifle grenades and a rocket-propelled grenade or RPG projectile.
He said they also found empty shells of high-powered firearms, specifically from caliber 5.56, caliber 30 Garand, caliber 7.62 mm and caliber 30 Carbine rifles.
He said they are still conducting an in-depth investigation on the incident and determining the value of the damages to the facilities.
Zafra said they have increased their visibility in various strategic areas of the municipality to prevent similar incidents from happening again in the future.
“We are also digging into the identities of the lawless armed men for subsequent filing of cases against them in court,” he added.
19 NPAs surrender
MANILA, June 8 (PNA) - The Philippine Army continue to gain headway in the fight against communist insurgency as evidenced by the growing number of New People's Army (NPA) rebel-surrenderors and the continuous arrests of its members and neutralization of their guerrilla fronts.
At least 19 NPA insurgents surrendered to government troops in four separate incidents in Surigao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cebu, and Agusan del Sur, an indication of the drastic decline in NPA membership.
In Surigao del Sur, five members of Front Committee 14 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee surrendered to the elements of the 36th Infantry Battalion and the 401st Brigade headed by Lt. Col. Dennis Godfrey F. Gammad and Col. Danilo D. Fabian respectively on June 2.
The troops also recovered three Cal .45 pistol, two Cal .38 revolver, two hand grenades and numerous rounds of ammunition.
In Cebu, nine communist terrorist sympathizers/supporters voluntarily surrendered to the 78th Infantry Battalion bringing along with them various firearms which includes two Cal .30 US Springfield rifles, a Cal .30 Japanese Springfield rifle, two shotguns, a Cal .38 revolver, and several rounds of ammunition.
In a separate incident in Agusan del Sur, four "Militia ng Bayan" members and sympathizers of Front Committee 88, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee operating in San Luis, Agusan del Sur voluntarily surrendered to Lt. Col. Andres C. Centino, commanding officer of the 26th Infantry Battalion in Brgy. San Nicolas, Talagacon, Asusan del Sur also last June 2.
The group also yielded two Cal 45 pistols and a shotgun.
Meanwhile, in Davao, a member of Sentro de Grabidad, Guerilla Front 35, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee voluntarily surrendered to the 60th Infantry Battalion In Brgy. Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
"The Philippine Army continues to urge NPA rebels to join their comrades who have pledged allegiance to the government and live normal lives," said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin N. Bangit recently visited the troops in Mindanao and reminded them to stay focus on their goal, while the leadership in the headquarter take charge of providing the resources, equipment and the needed manpower to get the mission accomplished.
Bangit further emphasized the importance of discipline and obedience in attaining the Philippine Army’s mission in support of the overall AFP’s ISO effort.
Two NPAs slain
MANILA, June 8 (PNA) - Two New People's Army rebels were confirmed killed in a clash between government troops and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Nueva Ecija and Agusan del Sur on Monday.
At around 5:30 a.m., operating troops of Army’s 71st Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division encountered 24 fully armed NPA members of Sangay Partido sa Platun (SPP) Nueva Ecija at Sitio Barrio Site, Brgy. Bantinan, Sta. Fe, Nueva Ecija.
Meanwhile, at 8:30 this morning operating troops of 36th Infantry Battalion engaged in a fierce firefight with an unidentified number of terrorists at Kibantang Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan Del Sur.
Recovered from the scenes were the bodies of two slain rebels and two M14 rifles.
"The encounters are a result of the Army’s heightened internal security and intensified counter insurgency operations which aimed to eradicate the remaining threat of the communist terrorist movement. Troops are still in pursuit of the fleeing rebels," said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said.
"The Philippine Army continues to gain headway in its campaign against insurgency and the soldier’s serious training and discipline is instrumental to this positive development," added Burgos.
3 rebels killed, NPA camp captured as fierce gunbattle erupted in Agusan del Norte jungle
CAMP EDILBERTO EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, June 4 (PNA) – At least three communist terrorists were killed and undetermined number of other rebels were believed critically wounded in a fierce gunbattle between combat maneuvering troops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Opiton Creek, Kilometer 15, Barangay Kasiklan, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, a sketchy report reaching the command and tactical operation center of the military here on Thursday stated.
A flash report received by Maj. Gen. Ricardo A. David Jr., commanding general of the Army’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao Fourth Infantry (Diamond) Division, also stated the rebels abandoned their camp after heavy bombardment by the attacking forces of 30th Infantry Battalion and 23rd Infantry Battalion.
As this developed, Gen. David already deployed air support force as air cover to the pursuing ground troops.
The undetermined number of fleeing communist terrorists were regular members of the “SDG Gabi Force” of guerilla-Front Committee 4-A of the CPP-NPA North-Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC), said regional Army spokesman Maj. Mitchele B. Anayron Jr.
“Our pursuing troops believed inflicted heavy casualties on the fleeing enemy (NPA) side due to the bloodstains found along the rebels escape route by our pursuing troops,” said Maj. Anayron, quoting a flash report from the field.
The pursuing combat maneuvering battalions are tracking down the escape route of the rebels towards northeast direction of Kasiklan, he said.
The attack on the enemy camp started at 7 am, he added.
“The rebels abandoned their camp because of the vantage position of our troops,” Maj. Anayron said.
He said the seized NPA camp has 22 bunkers that can accommodate more than 50 persons, complete with running trenches and training ground, monitoring sites and mini-communal farm.
Maj. Anayron also said operating troops of 30th IB and 23rd also seized inside the camp four sacks of rice, notebooks, wires, one box of dried fish, 10 trays of eggs, other foodstuffs and several subversive documents with high intelligence value.
As of press time, massive pursuit operation against the fleeing communists is still going on in the jungles of Las Nieves town.
No casualty was reported on the government side.
