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Garduce gears up for wind-raked Vinson - The Philippine Star » News » Sports

2011-08-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

Garduce gears up for wind-raked Vinson

MANILA, Philippines - Romi Garduce has yet to reach his peak as a mountaineer.
In fact, even as he prepares for his next stop, the 16,067-foot Vinson Massif in the Antarctic Region, the Pinoy icon can’t help but look forward for more.
“It’s the itch,” he told a small group of scribes Thursday evening.
Garduce described Vinson Massif as colder than when you’re inside a cold storage facility, and where you can’t expose even one centimeter of your skin for a second.
“In a matter of seconds, you get frost bites,” said Garduce of the only remaining obstacle in his bid to conquer the top summits of all the seven continents.
So far, he’d conquered the rest, Africa’s Kilimanjaro in 2002, South America’s Aconcagua in 2005, Asia’s Mt. Everest in 2006, Europe’s El Brus in 2007, North America’s McKinley or Denali Peak in 2008, and Australia’s Kosciuzko in 2008.
“Then I slept for two years and scaled Indonesia’s Carstenz last month,” said Garduce, who considered the Indonesia rock wall as one of the toughest summits.
“So, to me there are eight and not just seven,” he said.
Garduce’s next climb is set in December, and once again he will have GMA-7 covering the expedition every step of the way, just like how it went during his historic Everest climb.
“This is going to be tough. Vinson is where the strongest wind was ever recorded,” he added.
But he doesn’t see any major obstacle in his next project. In fact, he will give the public his own impression and expectations on GMA-7’s “Born to be Wild,” a pioneering environmental and wildlife program which Garduce is hosting.
In this special, Garduce will also recall his Everest climb, and Carstenz, which he did with Levi Nayahangan, and talk about his Seven Summits “promise.”
He was asked what’s in store after Vinson Massif.
“I think it’s endless because you will never run out of mountains or walls to climb,” said Garduce.
“Once you’re done with the Seven Summits, there’s what they call the “Triad,” a deadly combination of Mt. Everest, South Pole and North Pole.
“No Filipino has ever done the South Pole, which I think is more doable than the North Pole. And it doesn’t end there, because you still have the 14 highest mountains to climb for you to complete the Grand Slam,” he said.
“They’re all in the Himalayas and so far I’ve only completed two. I don’t think I can ever finish them all,” he said.
But that’s getting ahead of the story of Garduce’s next stop: Vinson Massif of the Antarctic Region.

Pinoys 'victimized' by cargo forwarders in UAE - Pinoy Abroad - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News

2011-08-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

Pinoys 'victimized' by cargo forwarders in UAE

Where are our balikbayan boxes?

This was the question asked by many frustrated Filipinos who fell victims to two blacklisted cargo forwarders in the United Arab Emirates.

Dozens of containers full of such balikbayan boxes are stuck with the Customs Bureau in Manila due to non-payment of fees by the two cargo forwarders, according to a reporton Gulf News.

Blacklisted by the Philippine Shippers Bureau were Dagupan Cargo Packaging Services and Express Link Cargo Services.

One Filipino expatriate said Al Ain-based Express Link Cargo picked up his box last Jan. 27 but never delivered it to its destination. “I was supposed to get it on March 15," he said.

He added a visit to the Customs office in Manila was useless because his cargo would not be released until payment was made.

Unable to do much more, irritated customers could only air their frustrations on social networking site Facebook.

“It’s painful to think we’re being duped by fellow Filipinos. I’ve been promised a thousand times by Dagupan people… but it has not been delivered," said Chrissie, a Filipina in Dubai.

“There’s nothing else we can do but wait. Actually, one of the two boxes sent in December already arrived [in July]. But the other box is still somewhere out there," said another customer.

Forwarders’ claims

Gulf News quoted Express Link Cargo official Gilbert Malvar as saying the containers landed Feb. 27 and March 12, but Customs held them over unpaid fees.

“We are also the victims here. The storage fee goes up for each day the cargo stays in the Customs’ yard," Malvar said.

On the other hand, Yancy Soriano, the new owner of now-renamed Dagupan Cargo LLC, said they were not aware of Dagupan Cargo Packaging Services’ liabilities when they took over the firm.

Soriano claimed only two containers out of the original 12 are left unsettled since he took over Dagupan’s management.

“We are trying to sort out all the pending problems of the old company. We’re working with our customers to prevent the contents of the remaining two containers from being auctioned off by Customs in Manila," he said. — JE, GMA News

The 2011 State of the Nation Address Technical Report | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

2011-07-27T04:23:00.000-07:00

The 2011 State of the Nation Address Technical Report | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines

INTRODUCTION

“Tuwid na Daan” or the Straight Path is a phrase repeatedly mentioned by President Benigno S. Aquino III to pertain to his governance direction for the country.

Essential to this concept of “Tuwid na Daan” is the battle cry “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap.” The administration believes that corruption is the root cause of the country’s woes, and eliminating corruption will necessarily lead to renewed investor confidence, eventual growth and development, poverty reduction, and attainment of peace.

The straight path, however, does not only pertain to the President’s anti-corruption campaign. It also encompasses a way of doing things right, where the process is participatory; the programs are holistic; growth is sustained; the peace policy is comprehensive; and development is sustainable. Through the living examples of our leaders, led by the President, this re-awakened sense of right and wrong continues to be translated to economic value.

It is in this light that the accomplishments of the Aquino Administration, since the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2010, are being highlighted:

A. GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ANTI-CORRUPTION

Taking the initial step in the achievement of “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap”, where eradicating corruption is seen as the key approach to development, President Aquino laid the foundations for a clean, transparent, and responsive government. Key reforms continue to be instituted to reduce red tape, enforce anti-corruption and anti-red tape laws, and penalize those who violate these laws. The government is also fixing the incentive structures to recognize merit and reward good performance with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of the Aquino reform agenda. These and other initiatives are presented below:

1. Institutionalizing Public Accountability

1.1. Reforming the budgeting and project identification processes

1.1.1. Government’s prudent expenditure management was a result of the use of the Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) approach in 2010. The ZBB enables the government to identify and terminate programs that are no longer delivering intended outcomes. The savings generated from these terminated programs were channelled to programs that are performing well and to other priority programs to address critical gaps in education and health. As part of the ZBB approach, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is also gradually transferring Special Purpose Funds back to the departments for greater accountability and making the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) more transparent.

Due to the prudent management of public funds, the government has been able to provide P12 billion in funding for other key social and economic services that were not included in the 2011 General Appropriations Act, including:

P850 million for the salaries of 10,000 registered nurses hired and deployed to poor rural communities in the country;
P4.2 billion to build 20,000 houses for the military and the police; and
P423 million for the acquisition of the US Hamilton-class cutter, which will help strengthen the perimeter security within the Malampaya area

1.1.2. In an effort to address issues about the quality of road projects, the Road Board strengthened the identification and selection of projects funded by the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge through the proper use of the Highway Development Management version 4 (HDM-4), a planning tool that prioritizes or selects projects based on actual needs and economic considerations.

The Road Board also implemented standard unit costs nationwide that is 30% lower than previous cost estimates; and clearly defined the design and specification of its projects to make these conform to international standards, where previously, Programs of Work were not required.

1.1.3. The President directed the DBM to establish a comprehensive database of government manpower through an enhanced Government Manpower Information System (GMIS). The GMIS shall provide a complete and accurate database of all positions, incumbents, and authorized compensation in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches of the government, including Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), and Constitutional Offices. The GMIS shall also be linked with the personnel information systems of concerned agencies such as the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

1.1.4. To eliminate wasteful spending and fund conversion in the military, the DBM changed its previous policy of releasing Personnel Services (PS) allotments in full to agencies. Now, releases of PS are done for filled positions only. This means that no amount is released to the agencies on top of their actual PS requirement.

1.1.5. Moreover, the DBM launched on 20 July 2011 the Electronic Transparency and Accountability in Lump-sum Fund System (eTAILS). The eTAILS is a management information system that digitizes the processing of lump-sum funds and supports the timely disclosure of lump sum fund release information on the DBM website. This helps the government keep track of information on the release, while enabling the public to scrutinize how their money is being allocated.

1.2. Upholding transparent and competitive bidding

Allegations of collusion in the bidding of public works projects are being addressed through transparency reforms and strict adherence to public bidding rules. The DPWH now posts all projects on its website. The DPWH has also simplified bidding procedures by reducing the required 20 documents to just five (5) documents. It has also adopted a new cost structure for determining the approved budget cost (ABC), which minimizes leakage by reducing the allocation for indirect costs by as much as 8%. To cite an example, the DPWH was able to bid out the 7.53-km Plaridel By-pass Road Contract Package No. 2 in Bulacan for only P543 million in 2010, at one-third of the cost of the slightly longer 7.93-km Contract Package No. 1 that was bid out in July 2008. While the two projects are of the same road specifications, the cost of Contract Package No. 1 was 8.5% above the approved agency estimate while Contract Package No. 2 cost 23% lower than the agency estimate, saving a total of P163.2 million.

As a result of these reforms, the DPWH generated savings of P2.51 billion in taxpayers’ money from the 3,692 projects (civil works, goods, and consultancy services) from July 2010 to June 2011. The DPWH expects total savings of roughly P6 to P7 billion by the end of this year as a result of transparent and competitive bidding. The savings can then be utilized for other priority development projects.

The P2.51 billion savings generated by the DPWH includes the P1.07 billion saved from the review and bidding of contracts under the Post-Ondoy and Pepeng Short-Term Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (POPSTIRP).

On 26 May 2010, the DPWH was granted a loan by the JICA worth P5.05 billion for 79 contract packages under the POPSTIRP. Of these contracts, 19 were cancelled due to lapses in the process. The 19 contracts were approved and signed even prior to the release of the Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the project, which is against government procurement laws.

Likewise, the government has conducted open and competitive bidding for the reinsurance needs of the National Power Corporation (NPC), the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), and the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC). This generated savings amounting to over US$8 million or about P370 million from the lower bids of the winning re-insurers compared to the approved budget for the contract and last year’s premium. Moreover, the insured agencies get improved coverage by having lower deductibles that allow them to claim for losses or damages at lower participation limits.

1.3. Ensuring transparency and accountability in local governance

1.3.1. The DILG’s full disclosure policy, issued in August 2010, required all Local Government Units (LGUs) to be transparent to the public by posting in local bulletin boards, newspapers, and websites information on the utilization of government funds and the implementation of projects. As of 31 May 2011, a total of 1,473 LGUs (68 provinces, 119 cities and 1,286 municipalities) or 86% of the 1,714 LGUs nationwide have fully complied with this policy. For purposes of transparency, the DBM also posted the annual internal revenue allotment (IRA) from 2006 to 2010 per region from the provincial down to the barangay level on its website.

1.3.2. The DILG also awarded the LGU Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) to LGUs that have earned the Seal of Good Housekeeping. These LGUs have exhibited strong performance along the four (4) core governance areas, as follows:

Sound fiscal management, i.e., growth in local revenues over three (3) years, and no adverse report from the Commission on Audit (COA);
Transparency and accountability, i.e., strict adherence to the full disclosure policy, transparent procurement process, compliance with Anti-Red Tape Law, and functioning local special bodies; and
Valuing of performance monitoring, i.e., use of performance monitoring tools and regular reports to the public.
Good planning, i.e., having a comprehensive development plan and an Executive-Legislative Agenda;

In 2010, 30 or 4.85% of the 619 4^thto 6^th class municipalities successfully obtained the Seal of Good Housekeeping.

Beginning 2011, the coverage of the PCF was expanded to all provinces, cities and municipalities. Assessment is now ongoing and is focused on the COA audit opinion for CY 2010 and the posting of local budget and finances, bids, and public offerings. As of 17 June 2011, 13 or 46.43% of the 28 4^th to 5^th class cities and 218 or 35.22% of the 619 4^th to 6^th class municipalities subjected to assessment may now be conferred with the Seal and have the chance to get the PCF.

1.4. Providing quality service lanes to fast-track the provision of frontline services

1.4.1. In 2010, the Citizen’s Charter of the PNP was recognized by the CSC as one of the fully compliant government agencies implementing RA 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007.[1]

Also, the DILG Project Comprehensive Response to Eliminate (CURE) Red Tape in the LGUs is successfully being implemented at the local level wherein 94% or 1,613 LGUs (consisting of 75 provinces, 121 cities, and 1,417 municipalities) of the 1,714 LGUs nationwide have their respective citizen’s charters, public assistance or complaint desks, one-stop shops and/or courtesy lanes, thus improving the efficiency and effectiveness of LGUs in the delivery of basic goods and services.

1.4.2. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also improved its mechanisms for redress. From 2010 until the first quarter of 2011, 91,828 consumer complaints were received by its Consumer Welfare Desk, 90,577 or 98.7% of which were resolved.[2]

2. Addressing Graft and Corruption

2.1. Addressing allegations of corruption in the military and implementing reforms in the AFP.

2.1.1. In order to ensure transparency in the use of funds, apart from regular audits, the AFP has conducted five (5) unprogrammed or special audits on cash examinations and retiring special disbursing officers. Three (3) of these are on-going, one (1) report is being drafted, and one (1) completed.

The AFP-Office of Ethical Standard and Public Accountability (OESPA) noted 100% compliance with accountability measures, such as the filing of SALNs.[3] In compliance with the rules and regulations to minimize discretion on government deposits, particularly in line with the provisions of Executive Order (EO) No. 338, the AFP transferred a total of P159 million of the residual UN Reimbursement Fund (UNRF) to the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) on 28 February 2011. To date, the total UNRF amount deposited with the BTr is P426 million. Moreover, all reimbursements from the UN are now directly being deposited to the BTr by the DFA.

2.1.2. From July 2010 to June 2011, the AFP filed cases before the Sandiganbayan against 31 AFP officers for corruption-related charges while the cases of 21 AFP officers are with the Office of the Ombudsman.

2.1.3. The government also pursued the cleansing[4] of the AFP Retired and Veterans Pension Lists, which resulted in fund recoveries amounting to P4.685 billion. This amount was used to pay government’s current pension obligations and arrears to the veterans and pensioners. Moreover, through the anti-fixer campaign, three (3) Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) employees have been dismissed, 27 cases have been filed, and three (3) cases resolved.

2.1.4. On 14 June 2011, the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (ODESLA) formally charged Ombudsman Special Prosecutor Wendell Sulit with acts and/or omissions constituting graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust. The case involves her entering into a Plea Bargaining Agreement with Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, wherein Gen. Garcia was allowed to plea to the lesser offense of indirect bribery and facilitating money laundering. The Ombudsman also ordered Gen. Garcia to restore to the government the amount of P135 million despite being accused of plundering P350 million.

Special Prosecutor Sulit was placed under preventive suspension for 90 days. The Office of the President will form a panel that will conduct the formal investigation on the case.

2.2. Addressing abuses and irregularities in government agencies

2.2.1. Arrested the abuses and funds misuse in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). An Audit of the ARMM Office of the Regional Governor covering the period January 2008 to September 2009 revealed that the funds received by the ORG for its operations were not properly utilized and managed and that transactions amounting to P1.003 billion could not be considered as valid and legitimate. Also, a total of P866.51 million in cash advances, or 80% of total disbursements made by the ORG, were released to the disbursing officers, in violation of the general rule that payments must be made by check.

As a result of these findings, the current ORG stopped the payment order against all checks drawable against the bank accounts of the ARMM Regional Government, terminated all contractual and co-terminus employees hired by the previous Regional Governor, conducted inventory reports on personnel and assets, and posted bids and awards and the ARMM budget on the ARMM website.

Likewise, the DILG recommended the filing of administrative charges against some ARMM officials and personnel for dishonesty, abuse of authority, gross misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. The DILG also recommended the filing of criminal cases because of the abuse of regional government resources.

An audit of the Province of Maguindanao had similar findings: that financial transactions amounting to P865.88 million were considered to be fictitious, as these were either denied by suppliers or supported with spurious documents.

Meanwhile, the DPWH-ARMM failed to properly utilize, manage, and record public funds amounting to P1.12 billion. Moreover, the COA found that the utilization of funds and implementation of programs and projects by the ARMM Social Fund Project – Project Monitoring Office (ASFP-PMO) fell short of the desired improvements as the purpose intended was not maximized and the implementation was found deficient.

A DILG-proposed roadmap aims to bring ARMM to the sustainable path of good governance. This entails the strengthening of bureaucratic reforms, sustained transparency and performance, improved ORG oversight and assistance to LGUs, stricter COA and Civil Service Commission (CSC) oversight on ARMM and LGU implementation of development projects, stepped up peace and order initiatives, and reforms in the electoral process.

The postponement of the August 2011 ARMM elections (as mandated by RA 10153) will provide an opportunity for ARMM to pursue this roadmap.

2.2.2. Suspended Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) officials. The Office of the Ombudsman found the LWUA Chairman and two other officers of the LWUA guilty of Grave Misconduct and of violating Republic Act (RA) No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) for the alleged unlawful investment of LWUA funds in the amount of P780 million in Express Savings Bank, Inc. (EXSBI),^[5] without securing prior approval of the Monetary Board. On 4 July 2011, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of the LWUA Chairman and the two LWUA officers.

Administrative complaints were also lodged with the Office of the President against five members of the LWUA Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, for grave misconduct arising from the acquisition of shares of stock of EXSBI. The Office of the President placed the members of the Board of Trustees on preventive suspension for 90 days.

2.2.3. Rationalized GOCC bonuses. Early in the term of President Aquino, the administration discovered that officers and board members of several GOCCs enjoyed questionable bonuses and allowances. For example, a COA report disclosed that Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) employees received more than P150 million in improperly authorized allowances and bonuses in 2009. Also, the current Board of the PNCC has reviewed actions by the previous members of the Board who allegedly benefited from undue privileges and bonuses during their tenure. The current PNCC Board has also reduced manpower, terminated unnecessary positions, and rationalized administrative and support services. These cost-saving measures and reforms have resulted in the reduction of monthly expenses from about P22 million to P11 million.

The President thus ordered a comprehensive review culminating in the signing of the GOCC Governance Act of 2011. The Act strengthens government’s oversight of GOCCs through the creation of a Governance Commission for GOCCs.

As a result of the Department of Finance’s (DOF) better oversight, GOCCs remitted a total of P34.47 billion to the national government, inclusive of P27.29 billion in dividends, as of May 2011. This is one of the highest remittances made by GOCCs to date. In contrast, GOCC remittances in 2010 amounted to 26.99 billion.

2.2.4. Reforming the National Food Authority (NFA). The Food Staples Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program and NFA Roadmap were formulated to attain self-sufficiency in the country’s staple and to implement fundamental reforms in NFA Operations. NFA’s role is focused at maintaining buffer stocks of rice (30 days) and providing price support to small farmers. Stocks for buffer stocking are accumulated by increasing domestic procurement while reducing the volume of importation by encouraging the private sector to participate more on importation. NFA’s policy of “buy high-store long-sell low” has shifted to a policy where NFA selling prices of rice are gradually increased to approach market levels with social welfare agencies handling subsidized rice if needed but buying stocks from NFA at market prices.

A system audit was conducted with the help of the private sector in order to evaluate the previous administration’s unusually large NFA rice importations and evaluate the agency’s legacy problems, with the end in view of not only ferreting out the truth but to recommend prescriptive measures to rehabilitate and strengthen the NFA.

2.3. Investigation of Disadvantageous Projects and Contracts

2.3.1. Addressed PCSO’s exorbitant spending for advertisements. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) overspent its advertising budget by more than P2.14 billion from 2004 to 2010.[6] To conceal the expenses, parts of the amounts were debited to different accounts. Despite COA’s repeated recommendations to cut PCSO’s advertising expenses, the former PCSO Board still authorized more advertising expenses during the campaign period. The PCSO also sponsored concerts and produced a full length movie. These were done despite having unrecorded payables to TV, radio, and other media companies in the amount of P740 million. As a result of these anomalies, the current PCSO Board stopped the production of the television dramas, which saved P110 million; and, reduced its 2011 advertising budget by 40.8% from P928.3 million to P549.02 million. The current PCSO board was also able to obtain a 25% discount on all outstanding and valid advertising contracts. The savings from these reductions can now be rechanneled to more meaningful charitable projects.

The PCSO also spent an estimated P325 million for its intelligence funds from 2008 to 2010. The intelligence funds were allegedly used to pay for anti-jueteng operations, blood money, and for other discretionary uses. This practice has been discontinued by the present Board.

2.3.2. Cancellation of the Laguna Lake Rehabilitation Project. On 17 June 2011, the President cancelled the P18.5 billion Laguna Lake Rehabilitation Project (LLRP) due to inconsistencies between the project components and its intended objectives; and the lack of transparency in the review and approval of the project. A DENR study found out that due to heavy deforestation and erosion, the areas to be dredged would end up being silted again in three (3) years without massive rehabilitation of the watersheds. The DENR further noted that the approval of the supply contract was done without any thorough review. In addition, the Project’s Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) of 7.04%, which considers only the project’s quantified economic benefits, does not meet the 15% minimum hurdle rate or the minimum acceptable rate of return. In the end, despite the laudable objectives, the questionable project components of the LLRP justified its cancellation.

2.3.3. Reviewed the anomalous procurement of second-hand helicopters for the PNP Special Action Force. In 2009, the PNP procured three (3) Light Police Operational Helicopters (LPOH) for P104.99 million on the assumption that these were brand new. However, in 2011, the PNP Directorate for Logistics discovered that two (2) helicopters supplied by the Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) were previously owned by Asian Spirit, which leased the same to Lion Air, Inc. The PNP further discovered that two (2) helicopters, which were supposedly brand new, were used for five (5) years prior with flying times of 536.3 hours and 489.9 hours, respectively.[7]

The PNP Procurement Office also failed to recognize that MAPTRA was not an eligible supplier because it was just a newly-registered corporation at the time it transacted with the PNP. Thus, it had no record yet of completing a single contract similar to the contract to bid and of good standing as a supplier, which are requirements set by the law.[8] There was also an absence of authorized observers during the entire procurement process.[9] Lastly, the members of the inspection and acceptance committee (IAC) failed to exercise their duties with diligence as they did not possess the technical qualifications to perform the duty of the IAC that resulted in the acceptance of inferior goods.

2.4. Increasing Civil Society Participation in Governance

2.4.1. Implemented participatory budgeting. Six (6) national government agencies and three (3) GOCCs have piloted participatory budgeting with civil society organizations (CSOs), namely: the Department of Agriculture (DA); the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR); the Department of Education (DepEd); the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); the Department of Health (DOH); the DPWH; the National Housing Authority (NHA); the NFA; and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC). Participatory budgeting helps increase governance transparency by engaging CSOs in the determination of the expenditure priorities of government.

The DPWH conducted its first CSO budget consultation for FY 2012 on 28 April 2011. CSO participation included the review, assessment, and evaluation of DPWH projects programmed for 2012. A Budget Partnership Agreement (BPA) was signed between the DPWH and “Bantay Lansangan” (Roadwatch) on 15 March 2011 to ensure a continuous budget consultation process with the private sector. As of May 2011, at least 46 CSOs had been accredited as partners of the DPWH, while 52 others had pending accreditations prior to their submission and completion of the required documents.

2.4.2. Forging an integrity pact between government and the private sector. A private sector initiative to forge a pact of integrity between the government and the private sector is rapidly gaining momentum. As of June 2011, ten (10) agencies have signed on to the Integrity Initiative, namely: DTI, DBM, DepEd, DOF, DOLE, DND, DPWH, DOT, DOE, and DOTC as well as 550 private companies. The Integrity Initiative aims to reduce corruption in the public and private sectors through the voluntary enforcement of good governance norms based on a mutually agreed code of conduct. Agencies will soon ask suppliers and bidders to sign on to their agency integrity pacts.

On 22 February 2011, the DepEd forged an integrity pact with more than 80 of its suppliers and civil society partners to promote ethical, clean, and transparent business transactions, particularly with regard to the procurement of basic education goods and services.

2.4.3. Entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with civil society groups and non-government organizations (NGOs) on the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program. As of 22 July 2011, 222 national and local non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) signed a MOA with the DSWD to empower their active participation in the implementation of the CCT Program to ensure good governance and transparency.

2.4.4. Invited CSO participation in monitoring infrastructure projects. The DPWH has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a broad coalition of CSOs, NGOs, church organizations, and the academe for the purpose of monitoring the implementation of DPWH projects.

3. Professional, Motivated, and Energized Bureaucracy and Armed Forces

The government is committed to support the combat readiness and effectiveness of the Armed Forces; recruitment and retention of quality personnel; and upliftment of soldier morale and family wellness.

From July 2010 to June 2011, a total of P21.37 million was used to repair and maintain various AFP housing units; P39.60 million was also released for the housing assistance of AFP battle casualties; another P15.19 million has been released to support AFP battle casualties; and a total of 4,535 dependents of killed in action/wounded in action were awarded educational assistance.

3.1. The President committed to provide at least 20,000 housing units for the AFP and PNP in 2011. In this light, Administrative Order (AO) No. 9 “Directing the National Housing Authority to Formulate, Implement and Manage a Housing Program for the Military and Police Personnel” was issued on 11 April 2011, which authorized the NHA to adopt the Community Initiative Approach Program (CIAP) to implement the housing program.

Under the NHA’s Socialized Housing Program, a soldier with a rank of Private, receiving a P400 monthly quarters allowance, will now be able to acquire a housing unit in any of the twelve (12) housing project sites in Brgys. (1) Buena Vista and (2) Biclatan in Gen. Trias, Cavite; (3) Brgy. Conchu, Trece Martires, Cavite; (4) Brgy. Timbao, Biñan City, Laguna; and Brgys. (5) Looc and (6) Kay-Anlog in Calamba City, Laguna; (7) Brgy. Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; (8) Brgy. San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan; and Brgys. (9) Batia and (10) Tambubong in Bocaue, Bulacan; and (11) Brgy. Pinugay, Baras, Rizal and (12) Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal. A housing beneficiary is required to pay the housing unit for 30 years, with a monthly amortization of at least P200.00 for the first five (5) years. The Aquino Administration will subsidize P35,000.00 for each housing beneficiary.

The ground breaking of the AFP-PNP Housing Project in Barangay Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan was held on 23 May 2011. The first 4,000 Certificates of Land Entitlement and Lot Allotment (CELA) were awarded and 90 housing units were turned over to AFP and PNP personnel in Brgy. Looc, Calamba City, Laguna; Brgy. Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan; Brgy. Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; and Brgy. Pinugay, Baras, Rizal on 15 July 2011.

3.2. The President signed EO No. 15 on 20 December 2010, which increased the current combat duty pay of soldiers from P240 to P500 effective January 2011.

3.3. To further unify and strengthen the AFP, the President issued Presidential Proclamation No. 75 granting amnesty to individuals who participated in the 25 July 2003 Oakwood Mutiny, the February 2006 Marines Stand Off, and the 29 November 2007 Manila Peninsula Hotel Incident.

4. Revenue Generation Enforcement

In his first SONA, the President pledged that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) would file weekly cases against tax evaders and smugglers. Through the implementation of the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) of the BIR and the Run After the Smugglers (RATS) of the BOC, the leaks in the government’s coffers continue to be plugged. Moreover, the DOF’s Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) investigated allegations of corruption in the DOF and its attached agencies.

4.1. The current administration intensified the implementation of its RATE program that in just one year, the tax evasion cases filed with the DOJ reached almost half of the 129 cases filed during the previous administration. From July 2010 to 07 July 2011, the BIR was able to file 55 tax evasion cases, involving a total taxable amount of over P22 billion.

4.2. As of 19 July 2011, filed with the DOJ 39 criminal cases involving 179 suspected smugglers with a total dutiable value of P54 billion. Of the 39 cases, one (1) has been filed in court, 21 have been submitted for resolution by the DOJ, seven (7) are under preliminary investigation, while 10 are up for preliminary investigation.

4.3. As of 19 July 2011, the DOF has filed 86 cases against allegedly corrupt government employees before the Office of the Ombudsman since 2003. A total of 53 officials have been suspended since the beginning of the RIPS program in 2003, 17 were suspended under President Aquino’s watch. A total of 19 officials have been dismissed from the service since 2003, three (3) of whom were dismissed under the term of President Aquino.

5. Making the Country an Attractive Investment Location.

5.1. Streamlined business name registration. The DTI successfully implemented measures to reduce the time span of business name registration from an average of 4 to 8 hours to within 15 minutes. The Enhanced Business Name Registration System (EBNRS) simplified the application process by reducing the required information fields from 36 to 18, resulting in the reduction of the application form from nine (9) pages to a single page.

5.2. Streamlined issuance of local government business permits. The DILG also signed a Joint Memorandum Circular with the DTI to streamline the Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) of 480 priority cities, capital towns, and municipalities from 2010 to 2012. Out of these 480 priority LGUs, 18% or 86 LGUs have already streamlined their BPLS. Meanwhile, for all 1,634 cities and municipalities in the country, at least 21% are ready for the streamlining of their BPLS.

As a result, LGUs utilizing the new and improved BPLS offer better service to applicants for business permits in their respective areas of jurisdiction. LGUs are encouraged to use a single or unified form in every transaction, with a maximum of five (5) steps and five (5) signatories. The outcome is a “Business Friendly LGU” that offers reduced processing time for business permits and licenses, i.e., 10 days or less processing time for new applications and five days for license renewals.

5.3. Developed an electronic payment system. The PEZA has completed the development of an Electronic Payment System for four (4) out of five (5) selected transactions of PEZA enterprises. PEZA’s E-payment System is a cashless payment solution that allows clients to pay for transactions with PEZA online, 24 hours a day, and from anywhere. This system promotes greater transparency and efficiency.

5.4. Promoted competition. The President issued EO 45 on 9 June 2011, designating the DOJ as the Competition Authority. This will encourage competition and open markets. EO 45 mandates the DOJ to conduct investigations, enforce competition laws, and prosecute violators. It also authorizes the DOJ to supervise competition in the markets; monitor and implement measures to promote transparency and accountability in the markets; and to call on government agencies to submit reports and provide assistance to the agency. With this EO, the government will be able to strengthen its enforcement of existing antitrust laws and policies to promote a level playing field, while Congress deliberates on the pending antitrust bills.

B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. Sustaining Economic Growth and Employment

In the first quarter of 2011, real GDP grew by 4.9%, slower than the 8.4% growth in the same period in 2010 but very close to the 5.0%-6.0% forecast of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) for the year. Furthermore, this growth is within the NEDA’s forecast for the first quarter of 4.8%-5.8% and higher than the growth rate of Malaysia, Korea, and Thailand[10] for the same period. The strong performance of the industry and agriculture sectors, increased investments in capital formation, and increased household final consumption expenditure boosted growth.

In April 2011, the unemployment rate went down to 7.2%, significantly lower than the 8.0% rate in April 2010 due to stronger growth of agricultural employment. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 228,000 from 3.099 million in April 2010 to 2.871 million in April 2011. Employment level grew by 4.0% in April 2011, translating to a net addition of 1.408 million employed persons in the private sector.

1.1. Expanded Trade and Investments. Crucial to the goal of generating jobs is the promotion of key investment areas and expansion of trade and investment activities where the country could be globally competitive (e.g., tourism, business process outsourcing and information technology, among others).

1.1.1. Increase in Philippine Exports. Exports increased by 33.7% from $38.4 billion in 2009 to $51.4 billion in 2010, even surpassing the $50.27 billion record set in 2007. The 2010 export growth is the highest in 11 years since 1999. Exports grew by 7.5% from US$19.2 billion from January to May 2010 to US$20.6 billion in the same period in 2011.

1.1.2. Increase in Investments. For the period July 2010 to May 2011, the BOI and PEZA approved a total of P535.19 billion worth of investments, a 73% increase compared to the P309.87 billion approved investments in the same comparative period in 2009 and 2010. The P535.19 billion investments are expected to generate 137,118 employment opportunities once fully operational.

The larger part or 68% of the total investment approvals during the period July 2010 to May 2011 came from local investors with committed investments worth P366.62 billion, 95% larger than the P187.53 billion in July 2009 to May 2010. Foreign investors contributed a total of P168.57 billion or about 32% of the total.

Just looking at the first five months of 2011, the strong business confidence, particularly from local investors, was evident as overall domestic investments soared by 258% to a total of P224.57 billion from the P62.78 billion level posted during the same period in 2010. The bulk of these domestic investments went into manufacturing (e.g., refined petroleum products, metals, and electronic products), power, and real estate activities, among others.

1.1.3. Investments in Major Sectors. The following major investments in key sectors form part of the approved investments for the period July 2010 to May 2011:

Manufacturing. The manufacturing sector tops the list of sectors with the highest committed investments worth P283.07 billion during the period July 2010-May 2011, a 131% increase compared to the P122.30 billion posted in the same period in 2009-2010.

Electronics. The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI) reported that electronics investments in the country broke an all-time record high as fresh capital expanded by 369% from $484 million in 2009 to $2.27 billion in 2010. This is also the 7^th year the industry hit over $1 billion in investments. As a result, 24,552 direct jobs will be generated. Of the 100 companies, which registered in 2010, 10 are expansions while the rest are new projects. The industry hopes to double its exports in six (6) years from $22 billion in 2009 to $50 billion in 2016. The industry is bullish for 2011 as its exports are expected to hit over $31 billion noting that the electronics sector will continue to be the driver of growth of Philippine exports.

Information Technology – Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO). A total of 30,198 IT-BPO jobs were created for the first quarter of 2011. At least 84,000 more jobs are expected to be generated in the BPO industry within 2011. The BPO industry includes call centers, legal and medical transcription, accounting services, software development and animation, and other services for overseas principals. To help fill up the projected vacancies, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will offer free six-month training courses for prospective BPO workers. Graduates will be absorbed by the BPO companies. TESDA has allotted a total of P20 million for the free training of workers.

Shipbuilding. Investments in shipping increased because of foreign investors’ access to 100% ownership of companies engaged in shipbuilding and repair.

Mining. The mining and quarrying sectors recorded the highest increase in approved FDI, from P0.6 billion in 2009 to P 6.0 billion in 2010. The 2010 investments in mining are about nine times larger than the 2009 mining investments.

Mass Housing. Investments are huge at P59.02 billion. These investments, which represent about 50,000 units, are also expected to generate around P900 billion[11] worth of investments in related industries.

Energy. On 30 June 2011, the DOE launched the fourth Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR4), the biggest of all contracting rounds, in which 15 blocks with a total area of more than 10 million hectares were offered. The PECR4 is envisioned to address the country’s energy supply through the exploration of local indigenous resources. This will help the country meet its daily demand and reduce the importation of petroleum and petroleum products.

The PECR4 road shows have attracted at least 140 independent and large-scale international exploration companies expressing their interest to tender bids in the offered blocks. The DOE expects around US$300-500 million for each service contract[12]. Interested investors will have until December 2011 to signify their intent to bid while the contracts are expected to be awarded next year.

1.2. Improved fiscal consolidation

1.2.1. The government deficit in 2010 was at P314.40 billion, 3.23% lower than the P325 billion programmed deficit for the year.[13] The lower deficit was due to the implementation of measures to improve collections and spend wisely.

1.2.2. For the first five months of 2011, the government posted a deficit of P9.54 billion, 94.11% lower than the P162.107 billion deficit in the same period in 2010. However, excluding interest payments on debt, the National Government (NG) incurred a primary surplus[14] of P108.26 billion as of May 2011 due to increased revenues and sound spending, along with the strict observance of the principles of zero-based budgeting.

1.2.3. Revenue collection increased to P1.21 trillion in 2010, 7.5% higher than the P1.12 trillion in 2009. The BIR’s collections increased from P750.30 billion in 2009 to P822.60 billion in 2010. The BOC’s collections increased by 17.7% from P220.30 billion in 2009 to P259.2 billion in 2010.

1.2.4. Revenues grew by 16.30% from P500.01 billion in the first five months of 2010 to P581.50 billion in the same period of 2011.

1.2.5. The government lowered its disbursements by 10.73% from P662.12 billion in the first five months of 2010 to P591.04 billion in the same period of 2011 due to more prudent planning and sound spending of agencies. Government disbursed P1.52 trillion in 2010, or about 94% of the P1.62 trillion programmed for that year.

1.3. Other important initiatives to improve the fiscal position include the following:

1.3.1. Congress’ prompt enactment of the 2011 General Appropriations Act (GAA) on 27 December 2010, the first budget passed on time since the 1999 National Budget. The P1.65 trillion 2011 national budget is in favor of the poor and the vulnerable, as social services were allotted the lion’s share (34%). The budget is based on the principle of zero-based budgeting, the objective of which is to cut wastage.

1.3.2. The 2012 Budget preparation is ahead of schedule, again, the first budget prepared ahead of schedule since 1998. As early as 30 December 2010, the DBM had already issued National Budget Memorandum (NBM) No. 107, s. 2010 providing all heads of departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, commissions, state universities and colleges, and other instrumentalities of the national government the overall policy framework and thrusts for the FY 2012 Budget. The NBM also set specific guidelines for the budget preparations.

1.3.3. Liability Management. Various upgrades in the country’s ratings were obtained. Debt watcher Standard & Poor’s revised its long-term foreign currency credit rating for the Philippines upwards to BB stable from BB- last November, reflecting the country’s strong fiscal fundamentals. The Moody’s Investors Service and the Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. also raised their outlooks for the Philippines from “stable” to “positive” in January and April 2011, respectively. The upgraded outlook from Japan “reflects greater possibility that the Philippine economy will resume momentum for the improving trend of its fiscal position after successfully weathering the challenges of the world financial crisis.” For the second time in 2011, Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded the Philippines’ Ba3 foreign and local currency long-term bond ratings to Ba2, with a stable outlook, on the back of sustainable fiscal consolidation process of the Aquino administration. On 23 June 2011, Fitch Ratings upgraded the Philippines’ Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB+’ from ‘BB,’ with a stable outlook, just one notch below investment grade. This rating was last achieved in 1997 just before the Asian financial crisis. With the upgrade, the country is now one step closer to attaining an investment grade rating, which is crucial in further lowering borrowing costs and attracting more foreign direct investments.

The Aquino administration moved early in executing its first Global Exchange last September 2010 wherein a total of US$2.29 billion worth of short-term, high coupon U.S. dollar bonds were exchanged into less costly but longer dated Republic of the Philippines (ROP) global bonds. This represented one of the largest liability management exercises from an emerging market issuer at the time and was immediately followed by the P199 billion domestic bond swap in December 2010, which offered 10 and 25-year securities to holders of maturing bonds.

Debt exchanges and the issuance of longer-termed securities increased the average maturity of government debt to 8.8 years in December 2010 from 7.9 years in June 2010.

The debt-to-GDP ratio dropped from 57% in 2009 to 55.4% in 2010, well within the 2010 target of 56.5%. This means that the Philippine government is in a better position to settle its liabilities.

The government decreased debt servicing by 2.14% year-on-year from P339.34 billion in the 1^st quarter of 2010 to P332.07 billion in the first quarter of 2011 as the Aquino government cut down on interest payments.

1.4. Ensuring Monetary and Banking Stability

The government maintained an effective balance on policies to preserve price stability and support economic growth. As a result, inflation for 2010 averaged at 3.8%, which was within the Government’s 2010 inflation target of 3.5%-5.5%. The inflation rate for the first five months of 2011 averages at 4.2%, which was likewise, within the Government’s target of 3%-5%.

1.4.1. Government also ensured a stable, market-driven peso. The peso appreciated by 6.8%, from P47.46/US$1 average in July-December 2009 to P44.45/US$1 in July-December 2010. The peso appreciated by 4.8%, from P45.66/US$1 average in January to May 2010 to 43.55/US$1 average in January to May 2011. The sustained foreign exchange inflows of portfolio and direct investments, overseas Filipinos (OF) remittances, receipts from exports, BPO, and travel continued to support the peso’s strength.

The country’s international reserves were built up, taking advantage of the strong inflows of foreign exchange to cushion the economy from external shocks. As a result, the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) grew by 44% from US$47.7 billion in end-May 2010 to $68.8 billion as of end-May 2011.[15] The country is expected to achieve the 2011 GIR target level of $70 billion as it anticipates sustained foreign exchange inflows from portfolio and direct investments, OF remittances and receipts from exports, BPO and travel.

1.4.2. The government continued to pursue reforms and implement new regulations to maintain the soundness and stability of the banking system. The total resources of the banking system rose by 9.4% to P7.1 trillion as of end-March 2011, spurred by the robust growth in bank deposits which grew by 9.3% to P5.0 trillion.

Asset quality continued to improve with the non-performing loan ratio[16] of universal and commercial banks falling to 2.95% as of end-April 2011. This is well below the pre-1997 crisis level of 4%. The banking system’s overall capitalization also remained strong, with a 17% capital adequacy ratio (CAR) [17] as of end-September 2010. This is way above the BSP regulatory requirement of 10% and the Bank for International Settlement (BIS) standard of 8%. With stability and ample liquidity in the banking system, banks continued to perform their critical function of channeling credit to the productive sectors of the economy. Bank lending grew at a healthy pace of 14.2% as loans for production activities increased by 15.7% in April.

1.4.3. Stock Market. Since the start of the Aquino Administration, the Philippines Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) hit all-time high levels on seven (7) different occasions: on 20 July 2011 at an all-time high of 4,507.04 points; 19 July 2011 at 4,485.65 points; 18 July 2011 at 4,476.01 points; 15 July 2011 at 4,458.74 points; 5 July 2011 at 4,439.61 points; 4 July 2011 at 4,421.56 points; and 4 November 2010 at 4,397.30 points. Mining and Oil, holding firms, and industrial sectors are among those industries that outperformed their own previous performances in the stock exchange.

2. Ensuring Vital Infrastructure and Energy Sufficiency

2.1 Improved infrastructure support to sustain economic growth. The following are some of the major infrastructure projects completed during the first year of the Aquino Administration:

Name of Project	Amount	Completion Date
Valderrama Bridge and Approaches, Antique (UK-ODA)	P53.07 million	28 March 2011
Bugo Bridge and Approaches, Antique (Austria-ODA)	P148.17 million	31 March 2011
Estrella–Pantaleon Bridge and Approaches, Makati and Mandaluyong City (GOP and Austria-ODA)	P189.32 million	15 January 2011
Butuan City Bypass Road (Bonbon-Banacasi Airport Section and Lemon-Antongalon Section), Agusan Del Norte	P177.96 million	30 April 2011
Butuan City-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Road (Agusan-Misamis Road), Agusan del Norte	P105.12 million	26 October 2010
Tiniwisan-Maguinda Road (Lemon-Pigdaulan Section), Agusan del Norte	P335.03 million	23 April 2011
Metro Iloilo Radial (R4) Bypass Road and Iloilo City-Sta.Barbara Road	P1.21 billion	23 April 2011

ODA and partnerships with the private sector augment government’s infrastructure spending to ensure the timely and full completion of our infrastructure priorities. The DPWH’s management philosophy of “Doing the right projects at the right cost and right quality” also resulted in increased savings.

The DPWH aims to use these savings for prioritization of other development projects. For 2011, P16.20 billion or 24.3% of the total DPWH Capital Outlay has been allocated for infrastructure development in Mindanao. This will help facilitate economic growth in the region.

2.2 Upgrading the quality and safety of national roads.

2.2.1 Strictly enforced the anti-overloading program pursuant to RA No. 8794 (MVUC Law). The DPWH deployed additional mobile weighing stations to augment the 22 weighbridge stations nationwide. Out of 92,279 weighed trucks in the 22 weighbridge stations nationwide, 37% or 34,026 trucks were overloaded and apprehended from January to May 2011, while 4,188 trucks or 3% of 143,928 weighed trucks in the 13 mobile weighing stations in Metro Manila were apprehended from February to May 2011.

2.2.2 Enhanced road safety and minimized traffic congestion on major roads. A total of 757,809 violators of transport laws and regulations were apprehended for the period July 2010-April 2011. This is 45.79% higher than the DOTC’s target to apprehend 519,780 errant drivers for the same period.

2.3 Working Towards Energy Sufficiency

2.3.1 Energy Efficiency and Conservation. The DOE took the following initiatives to promote the conservation and efficient utilization of energy resources:

2.3.1.1 Established the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Visayas, which immediately stabilized electricity supply and eliminated the manual load dropping of customers. WESM Visayas has also provided good market signals for investors. Currently, there are already 180 market participants for the integrated Luzon and Visayas market. On the other hand, the Effective Settlement Price (ESP) in the WESM for both Luzon and Visayas from January to April 2011 ranged from a high of P3.33/kWh in February to a low of P2.30/kWh in March 2011. These prices are lower than the NPC regulated price of P4.6727/kWh. This is a big reduction from the 2010 ESPs which ranged from a high of P10.63/kWh in March 2010 to a low of P3.63/kWh in August 2010. This means that the more players in the market translate to a more stable and reliable supply of electricity, as well as better power pricing for the benefit of consumers.

With the commercial operations of the WESM in the region, power outages were eliminated as it allowed even the power plant’s generating capacity not covered by bilateral contracts to be dispatched by trading its capacity in the power spot market. This kind of set-up provides better market condition and structure to entice more investors to address future power needs.

2.3.1.2 Increased the Visayas generation capacity by 610 MW with the commissioning of new power plants in the Visayas region. These power plants are the 246 MW coal-fired power plant of the Cebu Energy Development Corporation (CEDC), the 164 MW clean coal-fired power plant of the Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC), and the 200 MW coal-fired power plant of the KEPCO Salcon Power Corporation. This gave the Visayas surplus power of about 600MW. Increased and constant investor interest, in turn, will provide a long-term solution in terms of power sustainability for the region.

2.3.1.3 A Shareholders’ Agreement was recently signed to develop a 600-MW circulating fluidized bed coal-fired power plant project within Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The project consists of two (2) 300-MW generating units. The total cost of the project is estimated at US$1 billion and its commercial operations is scheduled in October 2014 (for the first 300-MW unit) and April 2015 (for the second unit). Said power plant will use an environment-friendly clean coal technology known worldwide to cut down environmental impacts of operating a coal fired plant. The power facility is expected to augment generation capacity of the Luzon Grid.

2.3.1.4 Promoted the “Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards”^[18], whose recipients, including some 61 industrialized, commercial, and transport companies, were able to post total savings of 156 million liters of oil amounting to P5 billion, and reduced carbon emissions equivalent to 269,000 tons.

2.3.1.5 Conducted 12 energy audits^[19] for industrial, commercial, academe, and government buildings to ensure the efficient use of energy. Total energy savings reached P24.6 million after the conduct of such audits.

3. Achieving Food Security for More Equitable Economic Growth

The country has been highly dependent on the importation of food staples. To lessen the nation’s dependence on imports, Government has placed top priority on agricultural development.

3.1 The Agriculture sector (Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing) grew by 4.2% in the first quarter of 2011 from a negative growth of 1.08% in the first quarter of 2010. The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) reported a 4.04 million metric ton (MT) palay production in January to March 2011, 15.6% higher than the 3.49 million MT produced in the same period in 2010.

The yield per hectare is estimated to reach 3.8 MT from January to June 2011, a 4.3% improvement from the 3.64 MT per hectare in the same period in 2010. As such, the farmer’s profit per hectare would reach P14,782.00 from January to June 2011, a 4% improvement from the P14,159.00 profit per hectare in the same period last year.

Expansion in palay harvested area, availability of irrigation water and services, and aggressive advocacy of the DA in the implementation of its Rapid Seed Supply Financing Project, which distributes high quality seeds to qualified palay farmers, contributed to the increase in palay output.

3.2 Completed projects to strengthen the agricultural sector

3.2.1. Under the continuing regular fund from the DA, a total of 1,814 kilometers of Farm to Market Roads (FMRs) were completed from July 2010 to May 2011, out of the targeted 2,567 kilometers. In addition, 687 kms more FMRs were completed under the locally-funded and foreign assisted projects. Overall, a total of 2,501 kms of completed FMRs provide better access to markets and social services and boost economic activities by allowing goods and products to flow in and out of the barangays. FMRs also help reduce transport costs, spoilage and deterioration of quality of agricultural products, and facilitate delivery of farm inputs.

3.2.2. From July 2010 to June 2011, a total of 65 tramlines were completed connecting remote areas to FMRs. A total of 67 agricultural tramlines were completed since project start-up in 2009, which is 63% of the targeted 107 units to be completed by December 2011. The use of these tramlines cuts the cost of hauling by half from P2 to P1 per kilogram of produce and reduces hauling time significantly from hours to just a few minutes.

Inaugurated on 13 April 2011 at Twin Peaks, Tuba, Benguet, a 400-meter tramline has reduced hauling time from 2 hours to five minutes. Farmers pay P1 per kilo of produce to cover the cost of diesel fuel, engine maintenance and other repairs and allowance for the tramline operator.

On 25 February 2011, a tramline built by DA-Philmech at a cost of P1.6 million was inaugurated in La Paz, Zamboanga City, a barangay located 970 meters above sea level. A 370 meter distance between the barangay and the closest national road used to take 12 hours to traverse. With the tramline, travel time over this distance has been reduced to three minutes. A local group, the La Paz Farmers’ Association operates the tramline collecting a fee of one peso for a load of 350 kilos of corn and vegetables.

3.2.3. All in all, in the first 11 months of the Aquino Administration (July 2010 to May 2011), 11,611 hectares of new areas were irrigated, 40,053 hectares were restored, and 171,910 hectares were rehabilitated both for current and carry over projects. Restoration entails repairing the irrigation facility that is currently not functional while rehabilitation means upgrading or improving the facility, which is currently working but has not attained the maximum or designed irrigation efficiency.

3.2.4. Put up the following post-harvest facilities:

One hundred eighty seven (187) food terminals from July 2010 to April 2011 benefiting 1,155 small farmers and fishers. These food terminals provide affordable basic food commodities to around 457,859 households who are able to save not only from low-priced commodities but also from cuts in transportation expenses and reduction of middlemen costs. The savings on transportation cost ranges from P8–P200 for every trip to the market.

Thirteen (13) or 68% of the targeted 19 Corn Post Harvest Trading Centers (CPHTC) in major corn producing areas nationwide. These centers ensure continuous supply of corn even during the wet season, guarantee premium quality, and open opportunity for other investments in the corn industry.

A total of 1,342 small scale composting facilities in the different regions nationwide, reaching 100% of the target, and generating 5,368 jobs. This forms part of the government’s promotion of organic farming through the Organic Fertilizer Production Project, which will enable farmers to produce their own organic fertilizer to reduce dependence on expensive synthetic fertilizers.

A total of 56 units of flatbed dryers from July 2010 to April 2011, attaining 100% of the target and generating 402 jobs. These will reduce post-harvest losses during the drying stage of palay and ensure quality drying during the rainy season.

Four (4) cold chain facilities[20] from July 2010 to May 2011 would enable farmers of high value crops to store their fruits and vegetables in the appropriate temperature and prolong the quality and shelf life of perishable crops, obtaining for the farmers a better selling price for their produce. These facilities were turned over to three (3) cooperatives in Benguet, Palayan City, and San Jose City, benefiting 139 farmers.

Ten (10) units of Village-Type post-harvest facilities as of June 2011, in key corn production areas and strategic demand sites nationwide. Thirty-one (31) more units are expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2011.

3.3. Fostered a culture of self-reliance

3.3.1 Some of the strategies under the Food Staple Self-Sufficiency program include the termination of direct input subsidies to farmers and front-loading of irrigation investments in 2012 and 2013 to increase output as early as possible, thus decreasing the need to import rice. These actions are already bearing fruit as seen in the bumper crop harvest from January to March 2011.

3.3.2 The country’s rice importation dropped significantly by 80% from an import volume of 2.02 million MT from July 2009 to June 2010 to 386,243 MT from July 2010 to June 2011. The decrease in volume of actual rice import arrivals can be attributed to the good harvest and the comfortable stock position of the country. Likewise, rice shipments were scheduled better. From here on, NFA buffer stocks will consist mainly of palay purchased from local farmers—a long standing demand of the rice farmers. From January to June 2011, the government through the NFA has procured some P7.64 billion worth of palay from all over the country. This is 16% of the NFA stock. The NFA targets to increase this volume from the harvest from the main cropping season later this year.

The total rice imported in 2010 was 2.38 million MT. For 2011, the government shall import 64% less or 860,000 MT, with 200,000 MT imported by the government, and 660,000 MT by the private sector. For 2012, rice imports shall further decline to 500,000 MT, with 100,000 MT imported by the government and 400,000 MT imported by the private sector.

3.3.2. The government was able to increase the average farm gate price of palay by 2.89% within a short period, thereby immediately increasing the farmer’s income. Strategic reserves and placements made it possible for the price of rice to remain stable, thereby assuring the affordability and availability of rice to the public.

3.3.3. Production in the crops subsector was also up by 8.19% and the main contributors were palay, corn, sugarcane, and banana. The country has regained its status as net sugar exporter for the current crop year, having recovered from the sugar shortage in 2009-2010 when the country imported raw and refined sugar.

3.3. Other Agribusiness Interventions

Livestock. Today, the Philippines is both avian flu-free and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) free. The OIE[21], or the World Animal Health Organization, last May 2011 certified the Philippines as “FMD-free without vaccination.” This accreditation opens the gates for the country’s hog raisers to export meat products.

4. Improving National Productivity and Competitiveness

4.1. National Competitiveness Council (NCC). NCC was reconstituted through the issuance of EO No. 44, s. 2011. NCC is working on improving the Philippine standing on competitiveness indicators where the Philippines had the lowest rankings including infrastructure, governance, and ease of doing business.

4.2. Tourism Industry. In 2010, visitor arrivals surpassed the 3.3 million target for the year reaching an all-time high of 3.52 million, 16.67% higher than the 2009 visitor arrivals of 3.01 million. In just the first year of the Aquino administration, a 15.60% increase in visitor arrivals was recorded from 3.2 million arrivals in the period July 2009-June 2010 to 3.7 million arrivals in the period July 2010-June 2011.

More particularly, in the first six months of the Aquino Administration, visitor volume grew by 21%, faster than the first semester of 2010’s 12% growth. Total receipts from visitors increased by 11.3% from $2.24 billion in 2009 to $2.49 billion in 2010. This may be attributed to the confidence in the new administration, as well as the improved economic conditions in tourist source markets.

The continued growth in visitor volume is the result of sustained marketing and promotions efforts undertaken jointly by the public and private sectors in key source markets, such as attendance to travel fairs, invitational programs and very selective advertising.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) granted new permits to operate regular air services to the following: Korean Airlines, Gulf Air, Continental Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, which are expected to provide weekly seat capacity of 12,090 from Korea, Bahrain, Guam, and Palau. The CAB also granted permits to Jin Air, Jetstar Airways, Air Busan, Mandarin Airlines, Air Nippon Airways, and Jeju Air. These airlines are expected to bring in 1,498 and 2,265 tourists weekly from Japan and Korea, respectively.

The DOT further estimates that there will be an additional 37,623 potential Japanese tourists and 56,888 potential Korean tourists in the country with these additional seat capacities.

It may be noted that in 2010, Korean tourists accounted for the biggest chunk of visitor arrivals or 21.04% (740,622) while Japanese visitors accounted for 10.19% (358,744) of total tourist arrivals.

4.3. Pocket Open Skies Policy. EO Nos. 28 and 29 were issued on 14 March 2011, which aims to reorganize the Philippine Air Negotiating Panel and Philippine Air Consultation Panel; and authorize the CAB and the Philippine Air Panels to pursue more aggressively the international civil aviation liberalization policy. The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was approved by the CAB Board and published in Manila Bulletin on 09 May 2011. It is also available in the CAB website.

4.4. Encouraging Local Innovation. The DOST is concentrating its efforts on innovating and promoting technology as economical solutions to exigent socio-economic matters that affect our country. This includes the development of the ovicidal/larvicidal (O/L) trap. This is a simple tool to lessen the incidence of dengue. The O/L trap consists of a tin can containing an organic solution that attracts and terminates the eggs and larvae of mosquitoes. As of May 2011, the DOST distributed four traps per household or a total of 200,000 O/L traps to 50,000 households nationwide.

Another innovation that the DOST is developing is a prototype of the Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) System, a monorail-type rapid mass transit system that employs a rubber tire on concrete form of conveyance. Unlike the common light-rail type train systems available in the country, the AGT System requires less space for its structural support, making it suitable for the narrow spaces that are available in the cities. It is also cost-efficient, Philippine-made, and environmentally-friendly.

Yet another important DOST innovation is the landslide sensor. A landslide sensor is an automated borehole sensor column that is buried in the ground. It gathers data on ground movement and soil moisture content, and sends it automatically to a computer that runs predictive models for landslides called Dynaslope. A landslide sensor is currently deployed in Benguet and there are plans to install more sensors in provinces such as Southern Leyte, Albay, and Bohol within the year.

C. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY REDUCTION

The anti-corruption call “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap” further serves as a means to achieve a higher end, which is to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the Filipino people. It increases investments and advances economic development to further free-up resources for much needed social interventions. Towards this end, a convergence approach has been adopted, with opportunities for education, housing, health care, employment, and livelihood made available. With savings arising from eliminating wasteful and corrupt practices, programs and projects for social intervention can be funded. These include the following:

1. Building Capacities of the Poor and Marginalized

1.1 Expanded coverage of the CCT or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya). The government has reached the targeted 1 million households in 2010, and intends to cover an additional 1.3 million households for a total of 2.3 million households by the end of 2011.

As of 10 July 2011, a total of 2,201,792 household beneficiaries, or 94.12% of the 2,339,241 million households target for 2011, have been registered in the program. The registration for the remaining 137,449 households is on-going.

As of 30 May 2011, the cash grants funded cover 1,619,974 household beneficiaries.

Overall average compliance rate vis-à-vis the program conditionalities in 2010 for household beneficiaries belonging to Set 1[22]and 2[23] is high, as may be observed in the following:

PROGRAM CONDITIONALITY	RATE
Health Visits (for pregnant women and children 0-5 years old)	96.16%
Education (Day Care)	95.40%
Education (Elementary)	96.86%
Family Development Sessions	95.92%

From January to April 2011, high compliance rate to the program conditionalities was also recorded:

CONDITIONALITY	January	February	March	April
Health Visits (for pregnant women and children 0-5 y.o.)	90.82%	91.94%	92.86%	93.72%
Education (Day Care)	90.20%	90.95%	92.82%	not available
Education (Elementary)	90.27%	90.82%	92.69%	not available
Family Development Sessions	96.34%	96.47%	96.64%	96.45%

The high compliance rates with the program’s conditions indicate that the people are responsive to the importance of investing in health and education in order to improve their quality of life. Currently, the DSWD is converging its core social protection programs (i.e., Pantawid Pamilya, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services, and the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran Program) to ensure that poverty reduction objectives of the Aquino Administration are accomplished.

1.2 Empowered communities through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS).

The KALAHI-CIDSS is a strategy for community empowerment and poverty reduction that employs a community-driven development (CDD) approach. KALAHI-CIDSS allows communities to identify, analyze and prioritize the projects that would best solve their immediate needs (e.g., water systems, school buildings, day care centers, barangay health stations, electrification, housing, access roads/trails/bridges, livelihood assistance, environmental protection/ conservation programs, and skills training, among others). From July 2010 to 30 May 2011, the KALAHI-CIDSS projects have been implemented in 10 regions, 25 provinces, 78 municipalities, and 1,759 barangays. The program’s capacity building initiatives have been completed benefitting the 40,112 targeted community volunteers. These initiatives cover the conduct of project development and management, financial management, procurement, development planning, and infrastructure implementation.

As of 30 June 2011, out of the 570 targeted community projects, 490 community sub-projects costing P507.94 million, have been completed, benefiting 133,439 households. The sub-projects include the construction of health and day care centers, pre- and post-harvest facilities, roads, and bridges, among others.

1.3 Enhancing the capacity of the poor for entrepreneurship through the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program. The SEA-K is a capability building and livelihood program that aims to enable poor families to establish and manage sustainable community-based credit organizations for entrepreneurship development.

From July 2010 to June 2011, a total of P120,058,333 was released to 21,296 families as capital seed fund at a maximum of P10,000 per family. Out of which, P40,349,333 has been released to 5,572 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries under the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the DSWD’s Convergence Strategy.

2. Advancing and Protecting Public Health

Universal Health Care or Kalusugang Pangkalahatan is the government’s response to the inequities and lack of access to health care. It envisions providing all Filipinos with quality and appropriate health care whenever and wherever needed.

2.1. Pursued Universal Health Care. The National Household Targeting System for Poverty-Reduction (NHTS-PR) has identified 5.2 million households[24] for enrolment in the Sponsored Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

As of 19 July, all of the 5.2 million families identified by the NHTS-PR are now enrolled in PhilHealth under the Sponsored Program. This represents 100% of the families classified by NHTS-PR as the poorest Filipino families.

Starting August 2011, PhilHealth will offer the poorest of the poor a no-balance billing package covering 22 medical and surgical cases[25]. This means that for the poor patients who belong in the 5.2 million families identified by the NHTS-PR and enrolled in PhilHealth, no payments shall be required by the public health facility or public hospital for the treatment of illnesses such as dengue, diarrhea, pneumonia, typhoid fever or asthma, or for normal or caesarean deliveries during childbirth, among others.

2.2. Upgrading the rural health units and government hospitals. A total of P7.1 billion has been allocated in 2011 for the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP),[26] P5.70 billion of which shall be used for the improvement of rural health units (RHUs) and barangay health stations, while P1.40 billion shall be used for the enhancement of DOH retained hospitals.

A total of P3.70 billion was also released to various LGUs nationwide for the upgrading of health infrastructure. The amount funded a total of 553 projects for the civil works and upgrading of equipment for Basic and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Neonatal Care (BEmONC) in new or renovated health centers and government hospitals.

2.3. Provided more health workers to the unserved and underserved communities

2.3.1. Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RNheals) Program. As of 28 June 2011, the DOH has deployed 9,884 out of the targeted 10,000 nurses to 1,331 municipalities. This program aims to help uplift the health conditions of the poor in the rural and underserved municipalities.

2.3.2. Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) Program. As of 28 June 2011, 83 doctors were deployed to 83 5^th and 6^th class municipalities that had few or no medical practitioners, thereby improving access to quality healthcare.

2.3.3. Rural Health Midwives Placement Program (RHMPP). As of 28 June 2011, 173 midwives were deployed to 15 regions to provide maternal and child health care services in the CCT areas, BEmONC facilities and in the unserved, underserved, and hard-to-reach 5^th and 6^th class municipalities.

2.3.4. Rural Health Team Placement Program (RHTPP). As of 28 June 2011, 44 dentists, 43 medical technologists and 40 nutritionist-dieticians were also deployed to 105 municipalities to provide the community with a complete healthcare package.

2.4 Other health-related accomplishments

The Iligtas sa Tigdas ang Pinas Program. For the period 4 April 2011 to 04 June 2011, the DOH allocated P635 million to procure vaccines and other mobilization requirements for the nationwide door-to-door vaccination of an estimated 18 million children aged 9 to 95 months old. Out of the 18 million target, 15,321,749 children or 82% have been vaccinated.

Government effort on Dengue. Due to intensive public information, preventive measures and collaboration among government and the private sector, as of July 2011, the number of dengue cases is lower by 13.8% with 34,090 compared to 39, 556 last year.

3. Providing Access to Quality Education

3.1. Allocated a bigger budget for basic education. The government allocated P207.30 billion for basic education in 2011, which is 18.46% higher than the 2010 budget of P175 billion. The budget includes P2.30 billion[27] for the 1,193,550 kindergarten students for SY 2011-2012, the start of universal kindergarten under the government’s K to 12 program. The budget also includes P5.8 billion for the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program, which shall benefit 757,806 students for school year 2011-2012, a 9.54% increase over the 2010-2011 period. Furthermore, to ensure that more students from marginalized families benefit from the GASTPE Program, the tuition subsidy for students residing outside Metro Manila was increased from P5,000 to P5,500.

3.2. Constructed more classrooms and toilets. From July 2010 to May 2011, 2,493 new classrooms had been constructed out of the remaining 3,962 classrooms to be constructed using funds from fiscal years 2008 to 2010. The remaining classrooms are expected to be completed from August to October of 2011. The construction of new classrooms, this time provided for in DepEd’s 2011 budget, commenced, with 9,104 out of 11,683 classrooms already in the process of bidding and procurement.

For the period July 2010 to May 2011, about 6,691 classrooms, or 75% of the targeted 8,871 classrooms due for repairs, have also been rehabilitated. In addition, 2,493 toilets or 71% of the targeted 3,501 toilets have been newly installed in schools.

LGUs and private sector partners have also actively participated in the provision of new classrooms to schools. LGUs have built a total of 1,662 new classrooms in school year 2010-2011 alone. Several LGUs have also responded positively to the Counter-Parting for Classroom Construction Program, which was established early this year. As of June 2011, LGUs have a running commitment of P760.65 million to build 895 new classrooms this school year on top of the DepEd’s regular school building program through the counter-parting scheme.

Meanwhile, private sector groups committed to build 251 new classrooms. The DepEd continues to cultivate its strong partnership with business and civil society organizations through school-building initiatives such as the Bayanihang Pampaaralan, which aims to significantly address the public schools system’s classroom shortage within the next two years.

4. Providing Decent and Affordable Housing

The Aquino Administration is espousing transparency, decisive action to resolve government inefficiencies, preferential action for the underprivileged, and increased partnership with stakeholders for the purpose of affording decent shelter to those in need.

4.1 Closing the housing gap by providing secure tenure and increasing the socialized housing stock. From July 2010 to June 2011, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and its Key Shelter Agencies^[28] (KSAs) focused on the review of housing policies and programs to improve the delivery of housing services. These activities have so far resulted in the provision of decent housing to 104,903 families.

4.2 Pursued a more responsive housing loan policy. From July 2010 to June 2011, amidst the policy reforms being undertaken by the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG) to avoid fraudulent activities and make the lending program more responsive to its members, the agency approved the release of P47 billion worth of loans to a total of 67,660 members for the purchase of new houses.

4.3 Pursued a More Comprehensive Resettlement Policy. The National Housing Authority (NHA) released P3.08 billion for resettlement and other programs from July 2010 to June 2011. This benefitted nearly 25,400 beneficiary-families. The review of the NHA’s resettlement policies is on-going to include the provision of basic social services (e.g., schools, public markets, health care centers) and livelihood opportunities at the resettlement sites.

4.4 Intensified the implementation of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP). Under the CMP, P692 million was released from July 2010 to June 2011 to organized informal settler communities for land acquisition, benefiting 11,413 beneficiary-families. Of this number, 8,880 families benefited in the first half of 2011, which already surpassed the full-year accomplishment in 2010 of 7,109 beneficiary-families.

4.5 Partnering with LGUs in providing housing to the homeless. The HUDCC conducted Pabahay Caravans in Region VII (Cebu), Cordillera Administrative Region (Baguio), Region III (Pampanga), Region IV-A (Tagaytay), Region VIII (Tacloban City), Region IX (Zamboanga City) and Region XI (Davao City). The caravan brought the various housing programs and services of the shelter agencies, to help the LGUs address their housing needs directly to the LGUs.

HLURB and HUDCC offer assistance in the preparation of the LGUs’ respective comprehensive land use plans and local shelter plans, respectively. The Pag-IBIG Fund has devoted a lending window for LGUs with available land for housing but lack funds to build units. For LGUs without land for housing, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) may fund 75% of their housing project cost under the Localized Community Mortgage Program. Under its resettlement assistance program, the National Housing Authority (NHA) is open for joint ventures with LGUs that need to relocate informal settlers. The LGU provides the land while NHA funds the site development.

Stronger linkages with the LGUs have started to bear fruit. The Pag-IBIG Fund has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Quezon City LGU for the housing project in Barangay Payatas for low-income personnel and informal settlers occupying danger areas. Manila and San Pedro, Laguna are also set to enter into a partnership with Pag-IBIG Fund for their own housing projects. These projects are in the assessment stage on technical design of units, specifications and income profiling of beneficiaries.

The SHFC adopted the strategy of expanding partnership with LGUs to have a pro-active identification of areas for CMP. More specifically, it has targeted 70% of its portfolio for cities outside the National Capital Region, prioritizing Highly Urbanized Cities, cities with high population growth rates, and the Metro cities.

4.6 Improved coordination among KSAs and other partners. For the first time in several years, the HUDCC was convened and now holds regular quarterly meetings to discuss policies and enhance coordination not only among government agencies but also with Congress and the private sector. Members of Congress, notably the Chairmen of the respective Houses’ Committees on Housing and Urban Development, have participated in the Council meetings, resulting in a unified position on housing policies and directions for the next six (6) years, which were adopted during the first Council meeting held on 13 January 2011.

On the other hand, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), such as the Gawad Kalinga and the Habitat for Humanity (HfH), have proven that affordable housing and better communities can be developed with the help of concerned private citizens and LGUs. As such, HUDCC involved the participation of NGOs in policy making. It is worth noting that HfH was elected as one of the members of the SHFC Board of Directors.

4.7 Addressing the concerns of informal settler families. Despite the passage of Republic Act 7972 (or the “Urban Development and Housing Act [UDHA]) in 1992, the rampant proliferation of informal settler families (ISFs) remains to be a perennial problem. It has become an unsightly manifestation of urban decay and intergenerational neglect. Despite the government’s clear statutory policy of preventing the propagation of ISFs, while protecting and upholding the rights of ISFs, the conduct of illegal, forced, or unilateral demolitions and eviction activities was still witnessed, especially during the previous administration.

Consequently, as of 2010, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported that there were already 556,526 ISFs in Metro Manila, 102,406 of whom live in danger areas.

Aware of the plight of the ISFs, the Aquino Administration sought the full enforcement of the UDHA by requiring all LGUs to conduct adequate consultation and relocation of informal settlers before any demolition or eviction is carried out. The term “adequate” means that the relocation sites should include basic services and facilities and access to employment and livelihood opportunities, as mandated by law. Moreover, LGU officials were directed to adopt measures to effectively curtail the proliferation and further increase in the number of informal settlers and mendicants in their respective localities,[29] and to create their respective Local Housing Board or a Local Inter-Agency Committee that shall be responsible in eviction and demolition-related activities in their areas. About 56 cities and 102 municipalities have fully complied with the directive.

5. Promoting Opportunities for Decent Employment

5.1 Promoting the welfare of Filipino workers abroad

5.1.1 Institutionalized the One-DOLE Overseas Operations System. For the first time, the DOLE institutionalized an integrated One-DOLE Overseas Operations System in deployment, financial systems, monitoring and reporting, and accountability of the Labor Attachés, Welfare Officers, and Administrative Staff to the DOLE Secretary. Adopted in 2011, this means that support services of DOLE, Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), and Philippine Overseas Employment Association (POEA) for its operating units onsite now follow uniform selection and pre-deployment procedures, joint work and financial reporting system, and uniform operational guidelines on OFW case management and repatriation. This is expected to eventually redound to better selected, trained and matched officers at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), more reliable performance and statistical data on overseas operations, and maximized allocation and utilization of resources especially in POLOs where it is more needed.

5.1.2 Provided assistance through the Legal Assistance Fund (LAF). The DFA provided assistance amounting to P10.21 million to 146 Filipinos in need of legal aid for the period July 2010 to 28 June 2011. Assistance through the LAF may take the form of fees for competent private counsel, bail bonds, court fees, charges and other reasonable litigation expenses, travelling expenses, and communication expenses in connection with the legal assistance.

5.1.3 Provided assistance to OFWs in crisis areas through the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund. From July 2010 to 28 June 2011, assistance amounting to P281,489,716.65 was provided to overseas Filipinos in distress through the ATN Fund. Government repatriated a total of 10,369 overseas Filipinos in four (4) crisis-affected areas (Egypt; Libya; Yemen; and Fukushima, Japan) from 29 January to 28 June 2011.

In response to the Egypt Crisis, 93 Filipinos out of the estimated 6,569 Filipinos in Egypt were repatriated through the timely operations of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) from 29 January to 16 February, 2011. On the Libyan Crisis, a total of 9,951 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were repatriated as of 28 June 2011 out of the estimated 29,823 Filipinos in Libya. The government provided necessary travel documents and immigration assistance, and helped secure temporary visas, food, accommodation, transportation, and connecting flights of Filipinos in transit countries. The government also repatriated a total of 232 OFWs out of 1,422 in Yemen.

In response to the earthquake, tsunami, and reported nuclear leaks in Japan in March 2011, the government initiated mandatory repatriation of Filipinos living within the 50-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. The Philippine Embassy in Japan, through close coordination with the host government, mobilized response teams within 48 hours after the 11 March 2011 earthquake to the affected regions, and conducted multiple deliveries of basic relief goods (water, canned goods, food items, gasoline, blankets, mattresses, etc.) to the affected cities. Of the 17,600 Filipino nationals living in Fukushima Prefecture, a total of 93 Filipinos were repatriated in April 2011. Five consular missions relocated 147 Filipinos to Tokyo and housed them in four relocation centers. The consular missions also provided relief goods to those who did not wish to be relocated.

The government also provided assistance to the 2,000-strong Filipino community in Christchurch, New Zealand who were affected by the earthquake in February 2011 and provided assistance to the families of ten (10) Filipinos who died during the earthquake. The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand was able to deliver emergency supplies and relief goods such as water-sterilizing tablets, canned goods, snack bars, biscuits and other foodstuffs. The team was able to coordinate with the families of the Filipino victims who were traveling to New Zealand from the Philippines for their travel documents and arrangements. The team assisted the next-of-kin of missing persons during the identification of the victims and assisted them in the repatriation of the remains.

5.1.4 HDMF assistance to displaced OFWs. To assist the large number of OFWs who have been displaced due to the natural calamities that occurred in Japan, New Zealand and the wave of unrest happening across the Middle East and North Africa, the HDMF allowed them to avail of a six-month moratorium on payment of contributions and loans; and to withdraw their contributions even prior to maturity of their savings.

5.1.5 Launched the P2 Billion Reintegration Fund. On 06 December 2010, the President directed OWWA to allocate P1 billion to be utilized as a reintegration fund for a loan program with minimal interest. On 7 June 2011, the loan program was launched, with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) contributing P500 million each, thereby increasing the reintegration fund to P2 billion.

Specifically, the OFWs and their families may apply for a loan in any amount from P300,000 to P2 million without collateral, at an interest rate of 7.5% per annum to start and support the development and operation of small enterprises when they return from their overseas jobs. The loans for working capital or purchase of fixed assets are payable within seven (7) years inclusive of two (2) years grace period.

OWWA Regional Offices and National Regional Center for OFWs (NRCO), in coordination with the DTI and DA, have launched the conduct of entrepreneurial development training for OFWs and their families who signified interest in setting up their own businesses.

5.2 The government’s 22-Point Labor and Employment Agenda aims to promote opportunities to obtain decent and productive work while promoting industrial peace. In the same vein, the Labor and Employment Plan 2011-2016 promotes putting the human resource base at the core of all policy reform initiatives to achieve inclusive growth that massively creates jobs and continuously reduces poverty.

5.2.1 Designed the mechanics of the Community-Based Employment Program (CBEP). The CBEP is a system that monitors temporary or immediate employment in government programs and projects of skilled, semi-skilled and low skilled workers. A total of 1,122,852 jobs are projected to be generated from projects enrolled under CBEP for 2011 from 19 Government agencies, of which 706,231 (62.9%) are from the infrastructure and the rest from non-infrastructure components of the CBEP. As of May 2011, a total of 168,083 or 15% of the projected jobs for the year have been generated.[30] This figure is expected to increase significantly in the second half of 2011 because of the implementation of more CBEP-enrolled projects.

5.2.2 Implemented the Special Program for Employment of Students. From July 2010 to May 2011, some 97,619 poor but deserving students had the opportunity to earn under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).[31] The law provides that DOLE pay 40% of the prevailing minimum wage in the form of educational vouchers (checks) while the employers pay 60% of the minimum wage.

On 1 May 2011, the President approved the increase of the SPES budget. From P172.5 million under the 2011 General Appropriations Act (GAA), DOLE will get an additional P168.10 million that will benefit 52,000 more students or a total of 132,000 student beneficiaries for 2011.

5.2.3 Enhanced Phil-JobNet with its integration with the Skills Registry System (SRS). The Phil-JobNet, the on-line government portal for jobs and skills matching used by employers and jobseekers nationwide, was enhanced to assist jobseekers in advertising their skills and qualifications via the SRS, which can be accessed by the employers anytime. A monthly average of 50,000 to 60,000 job vacancies is posted in the PhilJobNet. The Phil-JobNet is used as a system or tool to address labor to market mismatch brought about by the asymmetry of information in both the demand and supply sides of the labor market.

From July 2010 to May 2011, the Phil-JobNet registered a total of 2,392 employers that posted 758,714 job vacancies while 213,782 jobseekers registered covering 1,417 skills available for the employers’ manpower requirements. The continuous accreditation and registration of employers and jobseekers ensure adequate and available supply of labor when needed.

5.2.4 Launched DOLE Online Career Guide. On 18 April 2011, the DOLE launched the Online Career Guide, its newest online labor market information service for high school students and jobseekers, to enable them to make informed decisions about their chosen careers. It features the in-demand jobs/careers viable in the next five to ten years and describes the basic education requirements of a job, skills and competencies, attributes and characteristics, salary/compensation, prospect for career advancement, employment opportunities and cost of education or training. A trainer’s manual, Career Guide for High School Students, is already available in CD-ROM and printed copies.

The online career guide is DOLE’s initiative through its Bureau of Local Employment. It was developed as one of the interventions to respond to the issue on lack of career advocacy.

The DOLE has likewise endorsed to the Department of Education (DepEd) the draft career guidance advocacy course, together with the corresponding draft issuances/guidelines, which proposes the inclusion of mandatory career guidance and counseling to high school students as part of the K to 12 curriculum improvement.

Meanwhile, 1,175 seminar-orientations were conducted for parents and students under the DOLE’s Career Guidance and Employment Coaching program. This is in partnership with the 1,739-strong Career Guidance Counsellors Network. A total of 220,895 students in the tertiary level, tech-voc schools, and secondary institutions, along with parents, attended the DOLE’s career guidance and employment counseling sessions for the period July 2010 to May 2011.

5.2.5 Granted cost of living allowance (COLA) in four regions. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) in the following regions have issued Wage Orders:

NCR – Wage Order No. 16, which granted a P22.00 COLA, effective 26 May 2011, bringing the daily compensation of non-agricultural workers in Metro Manila to P426.00 per day.

Region VIII – Wage Order No. 16, which integrated the P8.00 COLA under Wage Order No. 14 into the basic pay, effective 01 June 2011, and raising the minimum wage to P228. It also provided for an additional P15.00 COLA to be given in two tranches: P10 upon effectivity and P5 effective 01 September 2011.

Region VI – Wage Order No. 19 on 25 May 2011, which granted a P12.00 emergency COLA (ECOLA) for a period of three months.

Region III – Wage Order No. 16, which granted a P14.00 COLA effective 24 June 2011. It also provided for the integration of the P4.00 COLA (under WO-15) by 1 January 2012.

5.2.6 Accelerated the resolution of labor cases with Project Speedy and Efficient Disposition (SpeED) of Labor Justice. Item No. 6 of the President’s 22-Point Platform and Policy Pronouncements on Labor and Employment directs reform in the labor arbitration and adjudication systems by streamlining procedures, removing red tape, and at the same time, restoring integrity and fairness in the system, and ensuring that 98% of all pending labor cases are disposed of with quality decisions by April of 2011.

As of 10 May 2011, the DOLE disposed of 72,221 of 75,407 or 96% of cases pending as of September 2010.

5.2.7 Institutionalized the 30-Day Mandatory Conciliation-Mediation of all labor cases. The DOLE institutionalized the 30-day Mandatory Conciliation-Mediation of all labor cases at the regional and provincial offices effective October 2010. As of 30 May 2011, the DOLE settled 4,504 cases or 29.25% of 15,397 cases.

5.3 Pursuing Agrarian Reform and Rural Development

5.3.1. Out of the 10 million hectares of the country’s arable lands, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) covers 9.21 million hectares or 92%. DAR is responsible for the distribution of about 5.37 million hectares, while the balance of 3.84 million hectares is under the DENR. The two agencies have distributed around 7.7 million hectares as of December 2010, for a combined accomplishment rate of 83.8%.

From January to June 2010, only 18,635 hectares were distributed. In the first 10 months of the current Administration, 108,989 hectares of agricultural lands were distributed.

5.3.2. The DA, DAR and the DENR, through their joint National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development, are currently implementing the establishment of the Local Agro-Enterprise Cluster in 10 provinces, namely: Antique, Iloilo, Isabela, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Leyte, Quezon, Northern Samar, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte, by adopting the “ridge-to-reef” approach – a sustainable ecosystem-based enterprise planning and management.

The Local Agro-Enterprise Cluster is targeting the development of 253,084 hectares of land involving agricultural productivity zones and environmental protection from 2011 to 2016. Among the crops to be developed are food staples (i.e., rice, corn banana, cassava, livestock) and industrial crops with market demand (i.e., sugarcane, abaca, coconut, forest tress and non-timber species), to be supported with production inputs, appropriate infrastructure, capability building and credit foundation, post-harvest processing and marketing and distribution facilities, and rehabilitation of forest lands through the National Greening Program.

D. SECURITY, JUSTICE, AND PEACE

The government is committed to the pursuit of an honest dialogue to achieve a broadly supported just peace that is guided by the vision “Tuwid na Daan”. This is a turnaround from the disjointed, short-sighted policy of merely reacting to events and incidents. Thus, from merely defeating the enemy, government has shifted its focus to actually winning the peace in the whole archipelago. Government efforts have been focused on ensuring the attainment of a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace – one that brings conflict resolution back to the negotiating table and invests in responsive social programs that will address the root causes of conflict.

The government recognizes the necessity of a whole nation approach, where security and peace and order shall be preserved through the efforts of all government agencies, civil society, and the public. National sovereignty and the general public safety shall be preserved and the rule of law consciously upheld.

1. Protecting our National Territory and Boundaries

1.1. Pursued AFP reforms and modernization. The government continues to pursue reforms and modernization in the AFP, as well as promote the morale and welfare of the Armed Forces.

1.1.1. Since the assumption to office of President Aquino, nine (9) projects under the AFP Modernization Program (AFPMP) have been delivered and completed. These include five (5) requisition projects for the Philippine Army, namely: two (2) Night Fighting System (NFS) projects, Watercraft (Light Support), 1¼ ton Troop Carrier/Cargo Trucks and 2½ ton Troop Carrier/Cargo Trucks. On the other hand, Philippine Navy has four (4) projects, namely: 76mm Ammunition, Completion of Coast Watch Stations, NFS and Hydrographic Equipment.

1.1.2. A Joint Maritime Force (Sea-Air) is being restructured to carry out missions in the West Philippines Sea to protect vital resources and sea exploration activities. At the same time, initiatives are being made to revive the Air Defense Organization focused on the airspace of priority areas in western Philippines.

1.1.3. On 05 April 2011, the Government acquired the US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Hamilton. The acquisition is part of the efforts of the DND and AFP to develop the Philippines’ naval, air, and ground interdiction assets in order to assure the territorial integrity and protection of Philippine waters and resources, particularly in light of energy exploration efforts in Sulu and Palawan. Also, the Philippine Navy has completed Coast Watch Stations in Taganak and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

1.2. Pursued counter-insurgency efforts. Through the Internal Peace and Security Plan or Oplan Bayanihan, the AFP has been able to achieve milestones in reducing the strength of insurgency groups, bringing down the number of communist-affected barangays, decreasing violent activities initiated by threat groups, and promoting human rights.

There was a significant decrease in the number of NPA-initiated incidents in view of the on-going peace process with the CPP/NPA/NDF. For the first semester of 2011, 182 incidents were recorded, a decrease of 17% from last year’s first semester record of 218 CPP/NPA/NDF incidents.

The number of MILF-initiated incidents also decreased from 97 attacks in the first semester last year to 42 in the first semester of 2011.

On the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), while there was a sharp increase in the number of ASG-initiated violent attacks from 17 atrocities in the first semester of 2010 to 43 in the first semester of 2011, the number of ASG elements neutralized increased from 32 in the first semester of 2010 to 58 in the same period in 2011.^[32]

2. Attaining a Just and Lasting Peace

2.1. Initiated peace negotiations and completion of peace talks with rebel groups. The Aquino Administration recognizes that a purely military solution will not adequately address the issues on insurgency; thus, the government is pursuing lasting peace by bringing the resolution of conflict back to the negotiating table.

2.1.1. The Peace Negotiating Panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the MILF formally resumed peace talks in 2011. During the 21^st round of Exploratory Talks held on 27 to 28 April 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the GPH Panel affirmed its commitment to the agreement on security and immunity guarantees, which covers the members of the MILF Central Committee.

2.1.2. Formal negotiations between the GPH and the CPP/NPA/NDF have also resumed in a round of talks in Oslo from 15 to 21 February 2011 after an impasse of seven (7) years. The Panels agreed to an accelerated timeframe to complete the remaining substantive agenda on socio-economic reforms (SER); political and constitutional reforms (PCR); and end of hostilities and disposition of forces (EOH/DOF), in the next 18 months or a maximum of three (3) years.

2.1.3. The GPH, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) conducted the 4th Session of their Tripartite Meeting on 22 to 23 February 2011 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The GPH and the MNLF jointly expressed that they look forward to the early adoption of the drafted Amendatory Bill for RA 9054 (the law which created the ARMM), within the context of reviewing the progress and continuing the discussion towards the full implementation of the GPH-MNLF 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA).

2.1.4. On 04 July 2011, the President witnessed the signing of a MOA between the Philippine Government and the Cordillera Bodong Administration-Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA), which signals the beginning of a closure process to the 25-year Mt. Data Peace Agreement, signed in 1986. The MOA embodies and builds upon the ideals and aspirations of the Cordillera people for peace and development in the spirit of the Peace Agreement. It also lays down the components that will lead to the final disposition of arms and forces of the CBA-CPLA and their transformation from an armed group into an unarmed potent socio-economic force in the region.

2.2. Initiated efforts to address the root causes of conflict. The government is implementing the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program as the peace and development framework to respond to the root causes of conflict. It aims to reduce poverty in conflict affected areas through community infrastructure and focused delivery of social services, improved governance through transparency and accountability, and building the capacities of communities.

PAMANA will cover closure agreement areas, CPP/NPA/NDF areas, and Muslim insurgency fronts, and it will be implemented along the five (5) conflict lines (i.e., CBA/CPLA, Rebolusyonaryong Partidong Manggagawa ng Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade or RPMP/RPA/ABB, CPP/NPA/NDF, MNLF, and MILF).

2.3. Ensuring Peaceful and Safe Communities

2.3.1 For 2010, the PNP was allocated with 10,000 new/additional vacancies for Police Officers 1 (PO1), wherein a total of 9,503 police recruits were appointed and sworn into office. Also, 2,983 out of the 3,000 vacant positions due to attrition were filled in. These increased the personnel strength of the PNP from 132,393 in 2009 to 141,547 in June 2011. The PNP is allocated another 3,000 new positions under the GAA for 2011.

2.3.2 From July to December 2010, there was a reduction in the total crime incidents by 64.86% or 99,676 crime incidents, from 253,333 in the 2^nd semester of 2009 to 153,657 in the same period of 2010. Also, crime incidents decreased by 22.68%, from 141,063 incidents in the period 1 January to 31 May 2010 to 109,065 incidents in the same period of 2011.

2.3.3 Crime solution efficiency (CSE) rate[33] has increased by 8.56 percentage points, from 13.01% in the 2^nd semester of 2009 to 21.57% in the same period of 2010. Likewise, crime clearance efficiency (CCE) rate[34] increased by 7.02 percentage points, from 25.33% in the 2^nd semester of 2009 to 32.35% in the same period of 2010. There was also a 10.15 percentage point increase in the CSE rate from 16.43% in 1 January to 31 May 2010 to 26.58% in the same period of 2011. Similarly, the CCE rate increased by 10.29 percentage points from 27.97% in 1 January to 31 May 2010 to 38.26% in the same period of 2011.

2.3.4 The PNP has heightened its anti-carnapping campaign with the neutralization and arrest of carnapping groups. Carnapping incidents decreased by 54.46%, from 1,010 incidents in the period 1 January to 30 June 2010 to 460 incidents in the same period of 2011. There was also an improvement in the recovery rate, from 17.62% in the period 1 January to 30 June 2010 (178 recovered of the 1,010 incidents) to 75.43% in the same period of 2011 (347 recovered vehicles of the 460 incidents). Under the current administration, the PNP was able to neutralize the Dominguez Carnapping Group, arrest the leaders of the Madrigal Carnapping Group, Bonifacio Carnapping Group, Herrera Carjacking Group, and the Bundol Robbery Gang.

2.3.5 Intensified efforts against illegal recruitment and trafficking-in-persons. The PNP has heightened its monitoring and build-up of cases of reported illegal recruitment and trafficking-in-persons activities perpetrated by organized syndicates to ensure the latter’s conviction.

2.3.5.1 The PNP, together with the NBI and the DSWD, rescued 268 women, including 20 minors who were victims of trafficking-in-persons, in simultaneous raids conducted in Angeles City on 17 September 2010. The drive also resulted in the arrest and filing of charges against 39 persons for violation of RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

2.3.5.2 Per the DOJ, from the enactment of RA 9208 on 26 May 2003 to the first semester of 2010, or a period of seven (7) years, there have only been 26 convictions involving 29 persons in cases related to trafficking-in-persons. On the other hand, the Aquino Administration achieved a total of 26 convictions, with 31 persons convicted in just 12 months or as of 19 July 2011.

2.3.5.3 On 13 May 2011, the DOJ found 20 employees of the Bureau of Immigration assigned at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport guilty of Grave Misconduct, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, Dishonesty and Gross Neglect of Duty, and dismissed them from service.

2.3.5.4 In the United States Department of State’s 2011 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, the Philippines has been upgraded to Tier 2 from Tier 2 Watch List in 2010.

Among ASEAN countries, the Philippines shares the Tier 2 ranking with Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, and Singapore. On the Tier 2 Watch List are Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam; while Myanmar is in Tier 3.

The U.S. Department of State classifies each country in the TIP Report into one of the three (3) tiers as mandated by the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 and based on the extent of government action to combat trafficking.

Tier 1 includes countries meeting the minimum standards for the elimination of severe forms of trafficking; Tier 2 include countries not fully complying with the minimum standards but making significant efforts to meet said standards; Tier 2 Watch List is same as Tier 2 with the following qualifiers: the absolute number of victims of trafficking is significant or is significantly increasing; there is a failure to provide evidence of increasing anti-trafficking efforts; or the determination that a country is making efforts to comply with the minimum standards was based on commitments by the country to take additional steps in the next year; and Tier 3 indicates countries assessed as neither complying with the minimum standards nor making significant efforts to do so.

Under the TVPA, any country ranked under Tier 2 Watch List for two (2) consecutive years shall be downgraded to Tier 3 on the third year, unless their ranking improves or the US President waives application of this provision.

Classification as a Tier 3 country will have a negative impact on the Philippines as it has been agreed with the Millennium Challenge Corporation that they may terminate their U.S.$434 million Compact with the country if it is downgraded to Tier 3.[35] Moreover, the US has committed that they will not provide Foreign Military Assistance, non-humanitarian, and non-trade-related foreign assistance to Tier 3 countries until the latter complies with minimum standards or make significant efforts to do so.

Since 2001, the Philippines has been categorized as a Tier 2 country in the annual TIP Report. The country was ranked under Tier 2 Watch List for two (2) consecutive years in 2004 and 2005, and again in 2009 and 2010.

2.3.5.5 In addition, the US Department of State also cited Assistant City Prosecutor in Zamboanga City, Ms. Darlene Pajarito, as one of the State Department’s Ten (10) Trafficking in Persons Heroes for handling the biggest number of successful prosecutions of TIP cases in the country. After joining the DOJ in 2004, Ms. Pajarito secured the Philippines’ first sex trafficking conviction in 2005 and the first labor trafficking conviction in 2011.

2.3.6 Intensified the campaign against illegal drugs. There was an increase of 43.29% in the illegal drug-related cases filed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), from 3,391 in the second semester of 2009 to 4,859 in the same period in 2010. Also, the number of personalities arrested due to drug-related cases increased by 21.33% from 4,125 in the second semester of 2009 to 5,005 in the same period in 2010. Other major accomplishments of the PDEA from 01 July 2010 to 31 May 2011 are the following:

2.3.6.1 Dismantled six (6) clandestine laboratories (clan lab), which led to the disruption of the local manufacture of shabu and operations of drug syndicates, as well as three (3) shabu tiangges composed of 10 clustered drug dens and 19 independent drug dens;

2.3.6.2 Cleared a total of 130 marijuana plantation sites resulting in the destruction of fully-grown marijuana plants, seedlings and seeds;

2.3.6.3 Neutralized a total of 155 drug groups and personalities while 9,522 persons were arrested, 795 of whom are drug personalities in the watch list and target list;

2.3.6.4 Arrested a total of 21 members of the African Drug Syndicate, rescuing three (3) Filipino drug couriers.

2.3.7 Reduced loose firearms

The PNP is implementing Letter of Instructions 64/2010 “Kontra Boga-Bravo,” the PNP’s intensified campaign to reduce loose firearms especially those in the hands of Private Armed Groups (PAGs). From 1 January to 15 June 2011, 1,108 firearms were confiscated.

2.3.8 Provided humanitarian assistance to internally-displaced persons. The DSWD is providing humanitarian assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through the implementation of the following programs and services: Relief “Pabaon” Package, Cash-for-Work (CFW), Emergency Shelter Assistance, Modified Shelter Assistance, Livelihood Assistance, construction of water projects and/or wells, construction of Day Care Centers (DCCs), construction of temporary shelters, and construction of communal toilets, among others. The DSWD has provided P427 million worth of assistance to the IDPs in Mindanao from August 2008 to December 2010.

The 2011 DSWD budget provided P881 million for the Food for Work Program for IDPs.

3. Strengthening the Rule of Law

Strengthened the Witness Protection Program (WPP). To break the culture of fear and silence, which affects the immediate delivery of justice in our society, the budget of the Witness Protection Program was increased to P151 million (8.6% increase from the 2010 level of P139 million) in the 2011 budget. This budget is projected to protect a total of 640 witnesses and whistle-blowers.

Since the institution of the WPP in 1991 up to 30 June 2010, the program has covered 447 witnesses. An additional 155 new witnesses were admitted to the program from 01 July 2010 to 15 June 2011. This brings the total to 602, reflecting the people’s trust and confidence in the primary witness protection unit of the country. Notably, 25.75% of the total number of covered witnesses was admitted in the last 11 months.

The conviction rate for cases with covered witnesses is presently at the near-perfect level of 92.85%. This rate was sustained since it was first reported during the President’s first SONA. The rate is 3.7 times higher than the national conviction rate, which has been maintained at 25% since 2009. This shows the significant contribution of the program to the successful prosecution of offenders.

4. Advancing and Protecting Human Rights

4.1. Addressed Extrajudicial Killings

4.1.1. On 10 December 2010, the DOJ created a Special Task Force on Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances. The Special Task Force is mandated to review all reported and unresolved cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs)[36] and enforced disappearances (EDs) and recommend measures for and cause the effective and expeditious investigation and prosecution of the said cases. It is also mandated to speed up the prosecution and resolution of cases with sufficient evidence and cause the re-opening of investigations of “cold file” cases.

Since its creation, the DOJ Special Task Force on EJKs and EDs has reviewed 187 cases of alleged EJKs. It currently supervises the handling of 69 cases of extrajudicial killings, 63 of which have already been filed or are currently pending in court. Six (6) are undergoing preliminary investigation.

A total of 27 incidents of possible political killings were reported in the last 12 months, though only ten (10) are confirmed political or media killings. Of these ten (10), five (5) are already undergoing trial.

4.1.2. The PNP’s Task Force Usig (TFU), which is tasked to handle and review cases of alleged EJKs perpetrated since 2001 currently handles 162 extrajudicial cases, 102 of which had already been filed in court, 59 others are undergoing investigation and one (1) case already considered closed.

4.1.3. From 01 July 2010 to 31 May 2011, there were a total of 15 cases of EJKs. Of this number, cases have been filed against the perpetrators of eight (8) incidents of EJKs while seven (7) EJK incidents are still under investigation by the Task Force. Also, the PNP distributed a Handbook on Personal Security Measures for media practitioners to help guide them in protecting themselves against personal threats and danger.

4.1.4. Among the PNP’s significant accomplishments involve the filing of cases in court for the murder of the following: Fernando Baldomero (a coordinator for Bayan Muna); Mark Francisco (a teacher at San Isidro Elementary School in Palanas, Masbate and member of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers [ACT]); Jose Daguio (a radio commentator for Radyo Natin-Tabuk); Edilberto Cruz (the publisher-editor of Salida, a Nueva Ecija community paper); Josephine Estacio (a teacher at Tenejero Elementary School in Balangan, Bataan and member of ACT); Miguel Belen (a radio commentator for dwEB-FM) and Pascual Guevarra (head of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association and the Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid na Nagkakaisa or Almana 3100). The TFU has solved 85% of all work-related cases involving media practitioners and continues to undertake greater efforts to resolve the remaining cases.

4.2. Prosecuted the Perpetrators of the Maguindanao Massacre

4.2.1 The Government is pursuing the delivery of justice for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre. The PNP created and institutionalized the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG)-Maguindanao, which is tasked to handle and review cases on the incident; however, its investigation is being handled by the NBI. As of 10 June 2011, out of the total 196[37] accused in the Maguindanao Multiple Murder Case, 91 or 46.67% have been arrested, of which 59 have been arraigned. The Prosecution has already presented 31 witnesses.

4.2.2 The Prosecution has already moved for the arraignment of all other detained accused who have yet to be arraigned. On 4 November 2010, the prosecution filed the Motion to Arraign all accused. On 1 June 2011, accused Andal Ampatuan, Sr. was arraigned.

4.3. Decongesting the New Bilibid Prison

The inmates of the NBP, particularly those in the Maximum and Minimum Security Compounds are suffering from a very depressing situation, as each of them has only 24 square feet to live in.^[38] To address this problem, the DOJ pursued the immediate re-distribution of the NBP inmates to existing facilities in the other penal farms. Thus, the Secretary of Justice ordered the transfer of 650 male inmates from the NBP and 50 female inmates from the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) to four (4) penal farms in Mindanao and the Visayas.

4.4. Promoted a Code of Conduct in Security Operations

As part of the Government’s effort to institutionalize Human Rights Concepts in its over-all security operations, the AFP launched its Human Rights/International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Handbook early this year. The Handbook serves as the soldiers’ bible in the conduct of operations. This contributed to the decrease in the number of AFP HR violations, from 21 cases reported in 2010 to only one (1) allegation reported this year. The said HR violation is now being investigated at the provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Bicol and at the Provost Marshall Office while on-going investigations are also being conducted in light of the previous HR violations.

5. Harnessing International Goodwill Through Diplomacy and Promoting Philippine Interests Abroad

5.1 Since July 2010, the President participated in four major meetings of world leaders, the 65^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, 17^th and 18^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits, and the 18^thAsia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting to reaffirm the Philippines’ commitment to global efforts towards economic growth, peace and security and development. The APEC is currently working on realizing its New Growth Strategy, which is in line with the President’s inclusive growth approach to governance. The World Bank has commended the President’s commitment to improve the investment climate through the rationalization of the Philippines’ regulatory system and mobilization of the private sector for infrastructure development.

The President also met with the Heads of State and Government of ASEAN neighbours Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and partners in the Asia-Pacific such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to further strengthen bilateral relations. The President also went on State Visits to Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Brunei.

5.2 The Philippines’ re-election for a second three-year term to the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2011 is a clear indication of the international community’s recognition of the country’s strong commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. The Philippines continues its strong advocacy on human rights in various international and regional fora.

5.3 The election of the Philippine COA as External Auditor of the World Health Organization in May 2011 is also a manifestation of the international community’s acknowledgement that the Philippines is a staunch champion of good governance. The Philippines is likewise the External Auditor of the Food and Agriculture Organization. The Philippines, as country coordinator for ASEAN-US relations, led the successful negotiations on the 2^nd ASEAN-US Leaders Meeting Joint Statement that brings the ASEAN and the US to a new era of revitalized relations and welcomes the establishment of the ASEAN-US Eminent Persons Group (EPG).

5.4 The Philippines engaged the ASEAN Member States, China and other relevant parties in the West Philippine Sea issue. In this connection, the government underscored that the maintenance of peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea is of paramount concern to the Philippines and that the full implementation of the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Code of Conduct on the West Philippine Sea is imperative.

The Philippines is committed to the peaceful, multilateral, and rules-based resolution of dispute in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). In this context, the Philippines offered a specific framework to effectively carry out cooperation and, in the process, effectively implement the Declaration on the Code of Conduct. This framework is called ZoPFF/C or the Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation, which seeks to achieve its vision by segregating first the disputed relevant features of the Spratlys from the undisputed waters of the West Philippine Sea in accordance with the UNCLOS. After which, claimant countries would then be enabled to engage in joint cooperation including joint development or establishment of a Marine Peace Park in the disputed relevant features of the Spratlys.

However, if other claimant states are unable to accept this win-win approach, the DFA is also exploring the possibility of bringing the matter of the West Philippine Sea within the dispute settlement mechanisms of the UNCLOS.

These actions are being undertaken to protect the Philippines’ strategic economic and political interests in the area and demonstrate adherence to international law.

E. CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION

Environmental protection is a key plank in our nation’s development. Being a minor emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, the Philippines’ main concern is adapting to climate change by identifying risk areas; practicing responsive disaster risk management planning; improving weather forecasting and information relay; creating awareness on fire prevention; and rehabilitating flood control facilities.

1. Ensuring the Utilization of Natural Resources for the Equal Benefit of Present and Future Generations

1.1. Promoting the National Greening Program. EO 26, s. 2011 was issued, establishing the National Greening Program (NGP) as a national priority program. On 13 May 2011, the DENR launched the program considered to be the biggest reforestation program in the history of the Philippines.

1.1.1. Under the program, 1.5 billion trees will be planted in 1.5 million hectares nationwide from 2011 to 2016 for environmental protection and agro-forestry purposes. Secondary and collegiate students will plant at least 10 seedlings each annually.

1.1.2. For 2011, the target is to produce 50 million seedlings of premium, indigenous, fast-growing, and other forest species and fruit trees, including bamboo in 100,000 hectares.

The DBM has already released to the DENR a budget of P1.3 billion to fund the implementation of the NGP for 2011.

1.2. Protecting and Conserving the Forest through a Total Log Ban. EO No. 23, s. 2011 was issued to impose a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests. It suspended the operations of existing logging operators and the acceptance and processing of new and renewal applications on logging operations and wood processing. This translates to the protection of the remaining forest cover and allows the natural regeneration of residual forests and development of plantation forests.

1.2.1. A National Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force (NAILTF) composed of the DENR as Chair, the DILG, DND, PNP, and AFP as members, was created to lead the anti-illegal logging campaign pursuant to EO 23. The NAILTF conducted intensive Anti-Illegal Logging Campaign in identified illegal logging hotspot areas, e.g., Apayao, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Surigao Del Sur, and Compostela Valley. Among the results of the anti-illegal logging campaign are the closure of 215 wood processing plants/sash factories in Regions 4-A, 10, 11 and CARAGA and suspension of operations of 14 others in CARAGA.

1.2.2. The government confiscated 7.6 million board feet (bd. ft.) of logs and lumber (equivalent to 1,194 ten-wheeler truckloads) valued at P227.9 million. Upon completion of the adjudication proceedings, the confiscated logs were donated to DepEd for chairs and other school requirements. Initially, about 1.28 million bd. ft. of wood products were donated to the DepEd, which were used in the production/construction of 5,265 armchairs, 124 school desks, 37 tables, and 46 cabinets and repair/renovation of 89 school buildings.

1.3. Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Mining. The government has started cleansing the pending and inactive mining applications under the “use it or lose it” policy. To date, a total of 1,463 mining applications (67% of the total target of 2,180 applications for final action nationwide) have been acted upon. Of these, 1,149 mining applications have been denied and only 314 were endorsed for approval. Because of the 1,149 mining applications denied, which cover 3.1 million hectares, additional mining areas were opened for new and serious investors. The acceptance and processing of new mining applications were suspended through DENR Memorandum Order 2011-01 to rationalize mining development only for serious and responsible investors.

1.4. Promoting Renewable Energy. To intensify the use of renewable energy resources, the DOE initiated the following:

1.4.1 Launched the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) on 14 June 2011. The NREP is a 20-year roadmap to fully develop the country’s indigenous renewable sources and further reduce dependence on imported fuels. The NREP is expected to spur investments from the private sector.

1.4.2 Awarded eight (8) Biomass Renewable Energy Operating Contracts, which will provide an additional 75.85 MW of power plant capacity from biomass resources.

1.4.3 Awarded four (4) Certificates of Registration for Own-Use, which will install an additional 24.2 MW of power plant capacity for own-use from biomass resources.

1.4.4 Issued provisional Permit to Energy World Corporation Limited to put up a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) hub, which will increase the country’s natural gas supply by 260,000 cubic meters.

1.4.5 Intensified the campaign for the use of clean, alternative energy fuels. With the implementation of the Biofuels Act of 2006, the government has converted 18,731 taxis to auto-LPG and has put 217 auto-LPG refuelling stations and 31 auto-LPG conversion shops.

1.4.6 Teamed up with the ADB to establish the National Electric Vehicle Strategy (NEVS) to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles. Recently, Mandaluyong received 20 electric tricycles (e-tricycles) for testing and demonstration. The ADB has committed $500 million to support the DOE’s e-tricycle project.

1.5. Improving Air Quality

1.5.1. Implemented higher standards for vehicle emissions. The DENR issued Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2010-23, entitled “Revised Emission Standards for Motor Vehicles Equipped with Compression-Ignition and Spark-Ignition Engines” and DAO 2010-24 or the “Revised Emission Limits/Standards for Motorcycles/Tricycles and Mopeds.” With these two administrative orders, a total of 5,198 vehicles were apprehended from July 2010 to March 2011 in NCR alone.

1.5.2. Strengthened enforcement of air quality standards. In partnership with the Earth Day Network Philippines, the Aquino administration implemented a campaign to make EDSA a “Linis Hangin” zone. This is done through a coordinated enforcement effort to remove smoke belchers and provide compliance assistance for vehicle owners and drivers. Also included in the program is a pollution reporting system or the “Text Usok Program” in which pictures can be taken of a smoke belcher and sent to the DENR and LTO as evidence. The vehicle can then be traced for testing and apprehension. The DENR, LTO, MMDA and other agencies worked together to formulate measures to reduce traffic and ensure compliance with emission testing to reduce vehicular emissions.

1.5.3. All the above efforts contributed to the reduction of the Total Suspended Particulate (TSP) or the amount of dust particles in the air. Particularly in Metro Manila, the TSP was reduced by 20% in the first six months of the Aquino Administration, from 166 micrograms per normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm) in the 1^st semester of 2010 to 133 ug/Ncm in the 2^ndsemester of 2010. It was further reduced by 9% to 121 ug/Ncm as of April 2011. The country is working to achieve the global standard TSP level of 90 micrograms per ug/Ncm.

1.6. Safeguarding Water Resources to provide Clean Water

1.6.1. Initiated the cleaning up of the esteros through the “Adopt-An-Estero Program,” a public-private partnership on the clean-up of esteros and polluted rivers nationwide. The government has forged MOAs with 182 companies and other stakeholders nationwide to clean esteros. The government targets to clean ten (10) esteros per region within the year.

1.6.2. Rehabilitated major priority rivers commencing with the cleaning up of the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando (MMO) River System, considered one of the dirtiest in the world.

1.6.3. Water quality improvements were seen in eight (8) out of 19 major rivers in the country by 30.8% from 25.7 milligrams/liter in the 1^st half of 2010 to 18 milligrams/liter in the 2^nd half of 2010. These rivers are the Meycauayan River, Marilao River, Bocaue River, Calapan River, Anayan River, Iloilo River, Balilili River, and Luyang River. The amount of 18 mg/l is the average reduction of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) level of the priority rivers from 2009 to 2010.[39]

1.7. Reducing Solid Waste through sound Solid Waste Management

1.7.1. The government diverted 33.94% of the 8,841,478.80 cubic meters of solid waste from waste disposal facilities in Metro Manila through re-use, recycling and composting activities and other resource recovery activities. This surpasses the target diversion rate of 25% mandated by RA 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”

1.7.2. The government signed MOAs with eleven (11) Metro Manila LGUs for the establishment of appropriate ecological solid waste management systems for homeowners associations of subdivisions and condominiums. Initially, a total of 4,717 Homeowners Associations (HOAs) in Metro Manila have been identified for assistance.

1.7.3. In Metro Manila, two (2) sanitary landfills and 935 Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) were utilized. To date, only 7,680 out of 42,000 barangays nationwide have MRFs or a compliance rate of 18.28%. In Metro Manila, 685 out of 897 barangays are covered by MRFs or 76% compliance.

1.7.4. Required the Philippine Plastic Industry Association, which is composed of 176 manufacturers and 36 suppliers, to develop a program for the retrieval, collection and recycling of plastics, to save resources and avoid harming the environment.

2. Undertaking all other Measures Necessary to Prepare For and Manage Risk

2.1 Pursued geohazard assessment and mapping. The Hazard Mapping and Assessment for Effective Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (READY) Project addresses the concerns on disaster risk management (DRM) at the local level. It empowers the most vulnerable provinces and communities in the country by enabling them to prepare disaster risk management plans. Under the project, the following were accomplished:

2.1.1. The government has completed the geohazard assessment and mapping of the entire country with a scale of 1:50,000[40]. It covers 1,643 cities and municipalities.

2.1.2. Geohazard maps[41] were posted in the website of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to make geohazard information more accessible to public users. A total of 65,000 geohazard maps were provided to LGUs, national and local disaster management agencies, and other stakeholders. Advisories to barangays in areas that are likely to be seriously affected by landslides and flooding were re-issued.

2.1.3. Multi-hazard maps[42] of 18 out of the 66 hazard-prone provinces in the country were also produced. As of April 2011, a total of 102 multi-hazard maps in a 1:50,000 scale and 17 in a 1:10,000 scale have been completed. Six (6) of these were completed in July 2010. Through these maps, areas prone to floods, landslides, and other geo-hazards have been identified, enabling local government units to better prepare themselves in responding to and mitigating the effects of national calamities and other hazards.

2.1.4. The government also initiated the detailed mapping of 30 cities and municipalities in areas critical to landslides and flooding at a scale of 1:10,000.

2.2 Improved weather forecasting. The President mandated the DOST and PAGASA to improve its typhoon tracking and weather forecasting systems. The following were accomplished:

2.2.1 Implemented hourly weather forecasts and timely reports on significant weather activities through locally-developed and upgraded forecasting tools: Automated Weather Stations (AWS)[43], rain gauges, flood monitoring and warning systems, Doppler radars, and weather buoys for maritime lanes.

2.2.2 In July 2010, Metro Manila was hit by Typhoon Basyang, without any warning from PAGASA. During that time, the country would get weather updates every 6 hours. Thereafter, the government instituted the provision of hourly updates on the latitude and longitude positions of Tropical Cyclones and distance to the nearest community during severe weather conditions, on top of the usual regular reports issued every 6 hours during normal weather situations. The hourly reports enhanced public preparedness and provided the citizens with timely and accurate weather forecasts during times of extreme weather conditions, thereby increasing protection of life, property and livelihood.

2.2.3 Acquired Forecasters’ Workstations to help forecasters and users display, screen, combine multiple windows, animate, overlay, and manipulate available weather data for better weather tracking.

2.2.4 In light of the recent earthquake that triggered the nuclear mishap in Japan, the DOST-Philippines Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) was also able to provide correct information and awareness about the implications of the nuclear leak to the Philippines.

2.2.5 The DOST plans to locally-develop more forecasting tools such as the meteorological buoy, shaker table, landslide sensors, and 3D mapping device as well as enhance the technical capability of the forecasters.

2.3 Provided Assistance to Disaster Victims. The government, through the combined efforts and resources of the DSWD, DOH, LGUs, other government agencies and international NGOs, provided assistance amounting to P178.93 million to disaster victims from July 2010 to April 2011. Also, a total of 60,449 families or 272,158 individuals were evacuated to 1,097 evacuation centers all over the country.

F. LEGISLATIVE-EXECUTIVE PARTNERSHIP

The Executive Branch has forged a close partnership with Congress in working on the passage of legislative measures that are crucial to the realization of the President’s national development goals.

1. Making GOCCs more accountable. On 6 June 2011, President Aquino signed the GOCC Governance Act of 2011, which aims to promote financial viability and fiscal discipline in the GOCCs. The Act also establishes the Government Commission for GOCCs, an agency that will ensure the efficient use of GOCC assets for the full benefit of the national government and the Filipino people. The GOCC law also empowers the executive to reorganize the state corporate sector towards a system that would maximize the potential of all assets. Prior to this, the President issued EO No. 7, series of 2010 and EO 24, series of 2011 to rationalize the classification and position system of GOCCs.

2. Strengthening democratic institutions in the ARMM. On 30 June 2011, the President signed RA 10153 synchronizing the ARMM elections with the national and local elections in 2013. The synchronization of elections is expected to result in a clearer mandate and help do away with command votes that do not reflect the true will of the electorate. It will also provide an opportunity to enhance and strengthen the capacities of interim officials to carry out reforms in the ARMM bureaucracy.

3. Extending lifeline electricity rates for poor consumers. Congress and the Executive Branch worked together to ensure that low-income and marginalized electricity consumers would continue to enjoy subsidized electricity rates for the next 10 years. On 07 June 2011, the Senate and the House of Representatives (HOR) approved the extension of the lifeline rate subsidy by an additional 10 years through Senate Bill (SB) No. 2846, or “An Act Extending the Implementation of the Lifeline Rate, Amending for the Purpose Section 73 of RA No. 9136, Otherwise Known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001.”^[44] The President signed RA No. 10150 on 21 June 2011. The amended law benefits an estimated 4.53 million lifeline customers.

4. Extending the Joint Congressional Power Commission. Together with the passage of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2011 (EPIRA), Congress created the Joint Congressional Power Commission (JCPC) to set the overall framework to monitor and ensure the proper implementation of the EPlRA. The JCPC is also tasked to determine inherent weaknesses in the EPlRA and recommend the necessary remedial legislation or executive measures. The President has given his concurrence to Congress to extend the life of the JCPC, which was set to expire on 26 June 2011, by another 10 years. The JCPC’s continued existence is necessary as key structural changes introduced in the EPIRA have yet to be implemented. The JCPC serves as a catalyst in helping push, sustain and bring into fruition the necessary reforms to be instituted in the power sector.

5. Passage of the Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011. Thousands of infants will no longer be at risk of contracting preventable diseases as a result of the Mandatory Infants and Children Health Immunization Act of 2011, which was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on 08 June 2011 and signed into law (RA No. 10152) by the President on 21 June 2011. The Act, a consolidation of HB No. 4393 (Mandatory Infant-Health Immunization Act of 2011) and SB No. 138 (An Act Requiring Mandatory Basic Immunization Services Against Hepatitis-B for Infants), provides for a comprehensive mandatory and sustainable immunization program for vaccine preventable diseases for all infants and children. The government is thus obliged to conduct free mandatory basic immunization for infants and children up to five (5) years of age against vaccine-preventable diseases, such as Hepatitis-B, at any government hospital or health center.

The Act highlights the Philippines’ commitment to the United Nations 2015 Millennium Development Goal to reduce child mortality. It is a manifestation of the Philippines’ institutionalization of mandatory basic immunization services in accordance with international guidelines set by the World Health Organization Expanded Programme on Immunization.

6 Increasing gender equality in the workforce. Women are allowed to work at night thanks to Senate Bill No. 2701 or “An Act Allowing the Employment of Night Workers, thereby Repealing Articles 130 and 131 of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines.” This measure ensures adequate protection for women workers without diminution in pay and benefits for night workers under existing laws. The bill aims to eliminate gender bias and give equal access to employment opportunities for both men and women. The bill further expands health, maternity and wellness provisions for workers. RA No. 10151 was signed by the President on 21 June 2011.

Prepared by the Presidential Management Staff. Uploaded on July 25, 2011.

Read President Aquino’s Second State of the Nation Address

[1] Sec. 6. Citizen’s Charter. – All government agencies including departments, bureaus, offices, instrumentalities, or government-owned and/or controlled corporations, or local government or district units shall set up their respective service standards to be known as the Citizen’s Charter in the form of information billboards, which should be posted at the main entrance of offices or at the most conspicuous place

[2] Majority of the complaints were on consumer products and service warranties, liability for product and services, and product quality and safety. Resolved means the DTI Consumer Welfare Desks have taken appropriate actions such as settling the complaint or referred/endorsed the concern to the proper agency.

[3] The AFP-OESPA is tasked to strictly monitor and oversee the compliance of AFP personnel with accountability measures

[4] Cleansing of the Pension List is a Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) major thrust aimed at ensuring that pensions, benefits, and other privileges are received only by eligible veterans and beneficiaries. It has three (3) major components, namely: (1) Revalidation Program, a continuing activity to monitor the status and whereabouts of pensioners through a Pensioner’s Update Form (PUF); (2) Direct Remittance Pension Servicing System (DRPSS), which eliminates the mailing of pension checks, instead, all pensions are directly remitted through PVAO servicing banks or financial institutions; and (3) Issuance of PVAO Pensioners’ ID, which is another mode of determining and confirming the identity of pensioners

[5] EXSBI is a Laguna-based thrift bank with an authorized capital stock of P100-million.

[6] From 2004 to 2010, budgeted advertising expenses totalled P4.48 billion while actual expenses amounted to P6.63 billion.

[7] 10-20 hours flight testing is the acceptable range of flying hours for the aircraft to be considered brand new.

[8] Sec. 23.5.1.3, Rule VIII (Receipt and Opening Bids) of RA 9184 provides that the prospective bidder must have completed, within the period specified in the Invitation To Bid, a single contract that is similar to the contract to bid, and whose, value, adjusted to current prices using the NSO consumer price indices, must at least be 50% of the ABC.

[9] Sec. 13 of RA 9184 states that the BAC shall, in all stages of the procurement process, invite at least two (2) observers, one (1) from a duly recognized private group in a sector or discipline relevant to the procurement at hand and one (1) from a non-government organization.

[10] GDP Growth of the following countries: (1) Malaysia: 4.6%; (2) Korea: 4.2%; and Thailand: 3.0%.

[11] According to the study prepared by the Center for Research and Communication, the multiplier effect of mass housing project is 16.6, which simply means that every peso invested in a housing project generates P16.60 of investments in related industries/sectors.

[12] A normal service contract has 3 to 5 well drillings.

[13] The 2010 deficit grew by 5.3% from P298.5 billion in 2009.

[14] Primary surplus is budget surplus without net interest payments from government debt.

[15] This is also equivalent to 10.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 6.0 times based on residual maturity.

[16] Non-performing loan (NPL) ratio is the ratio of NPLs to total loans. NPLs are past due loan accounts whose principal and/or interest is unpaid for thirty (30) days or more after due date.

[17] Capital adequacy ratio refers to the ratio of capital to risk weighted assets computed in accordance with the risk-based capital adequacy framework (patterned after the 1988 Basel Capital Accord) that took into account credit risks.

[18] The awards are given to outstanding companies and energy managers who have undertaken or are responsible for implementing energy efficiency and conservation programs to achieve substantial savings in their energy consumption.

[19] Energy Audit Service is an analysis of the patterns of energy consumption that is employed in buildings offices and establishments. It aims to absorb and measure patterns of energy used in business; to analyse the results to collect energy efficiency data; and identify major cost-savings and corrective measures in lighting, cooling, and other areas of electricity consumption.

[20] Consisting of 2 units of refrigerated trucks and 2 units of cold storage

[21] OIE – Office International de Epizooties with headquarters in Paris, France.

[22] Set 1- Started in 2008

[23] Set 2- Started in 2009

[24] Household refers to an aggregate of persons, generally but not necessarily bound by ties of kinship, who live together under the same roof and eat together or share in common the household food. A person who lives alone is also considered a separate household.

[25] These constitute 11 medical conditions (dengue I and II, moderate risk and high risk pneumonias, hypertension, cerebrovascular accident I and II, diarrhea, typhoid fever and asthma, asthma and neonatal care package) and 11 surgical procedures (caesarean section, dilation and curettage, hysterectomy, mastectomy, appendectomy, cholecystectomy, herniorrhaphy, thyroidectomy, radiotherapy, hemodialysis, and maternal care package [normal spontaneous delivery]).

[26] To date, all 2011 HFEP projects are in the preparatory phase (pre-bidding, preparation of detailed architectural and engineering designs, etc.), which shall be completed by 30 September 2011. Catch-up strategies are being formulated for immediate implementation.

[27] The P2.3 billion budget for the start of universal kindergarten includes the following: P1,732,237,000 for the expansion of kindergarten coverage through different delivery modes (e.g. kindergarten regular programs, and programs for the gifted and CWDs), P500 million for the provision of classrooms with fixtures, among others; P97,500,000 for the support to various kindergarten delivery modes (e.g. conduct of regular monitoring and evaluation; downloading of support funds to regions; institution based training for kindergarten teachers); P9,514,500 for the curriculum model building; and P1,931,550 for kindergarten students for SY 2011-2012, which includes 500,00 kindergarten students who participated in the summer program.

[28] These include the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG Fund), National Housing Authority (NHA), National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC), and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

[29] Section 30 of the UDHA Law provides that the head of any local government units (LGUs) who allows or tolerates the construction of any illegal structure shall be subject to criminal and administrative sanctions provided by law.

[30] Preliminary figures.

[31] SPES is a regular program of the DOLE by virtue of RA No. 7323, or the “Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES)”, as amended by R.A. 9547.

[32] Moreover, per AFP assessment, the increase in the number of ASG attacks is due to the increase in the number of its members being neutralized.

[33] CSE rate is the percentage of solved cases out of the total number of crime incidents handled by law enforcement agencies for a given period of time.

[34] CCE rate is the percentage of cleared cases out of the total number of crime incidents handled by law enforcement agencies for a given period of time.

[35] Article 5. Section 5.1(b) states that the “MCC may, immediately, upon written notice to the Government, suspend this Compact or MCC Funding… if MCC determines that any circumstance identified by MCC… as a basis for suspension or termination has occurred, which circumstances include… (vi) the Philippines is classified as a Tier 3 country in the United States Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report;”

[36] Also known as “political killings” i.e., killings due to political affiliation of the victims; the method of attack; and involvement or acquiescence of state agents in the commission of the killing. The DOJ uses the term “extralegal killings” since we do not have judicial killings.

[37] The 196 is based on Court Records. However, the CIDG and DOJ shall file a motion before the Court to correct this information as suspect Cader Datunot and Datu Nor Kadir are one and the same person. The Court Records will have to be amended first before this can be changed.

[38] It is already considered overcrowded when an inmate has less than 60 square feet of floor space

[39] The standard Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) level depends on the classification of the waterbody. Most of the 19 priority rivers are classified as Class C (w/ a BOD std. of <7mg/l), except for Anayan River which is Class D (w/ a BOD std. of 10 mg/l) and Cagayan de Oro River which is Class A (w/ a BOD std. of <5 mg/l).

[40] If the map is on a scale of 1:50,000, then all the woods, lakes, towns and other entities will be one fifty thousandth of their sizes in the real world or 50,000 times bigger than the map.

[41] Geohazard maps are used to assess the areas for risks of geophysical processes of extreme dimensions (e.g. earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and climate change)

[42] Multi-hazard maps are used to analyse the vulnerability and risks of areas exposed to more than one hazard.

[43] Automated weather stations are stand-alone devices that measure weather-related factors and transmit data remotely on real-time basis. These modern weather tracking devices are outputs of the Development of Hybrid Weather Monitoring System and Production of Weather and Rain Automated Stations Project, which is jointly managed by the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) and the DOST- PAGASA. Other forecasting tools such as meteorological buoys, shaker table, landslide sensors, and 3D mapping device are also being locally-developed by the DOST.

[44] Authored by Senators Sergio R. Osmeña III, Francis Escudero, and Juan Ponce Enrile. SB 2846 was adopted by the HOR as an amendment by substitution to HOR-approved House Bill 4169, as authored by Reps. Henedina Abad, Rufus Rodriguez, and Ben Evardone.

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gulfnews : How long can the expatriates stay in the Gulf?

2011-07-25T04:13:00.000-07:00

"In June, Saudi Labour Minister Adel Fakieh was quoted as saying that work permits of foreign workers who have spent six years in the Kingdom would not be renewed as part of a plan to create jobs for nationals."

How long can the expatriates stay in the Gulf?

GCC countries should bring foreign skilled labour as ‘mentors' to local workforce

By Jumana Al Tamimi, Associate Editor, Gulf News

Published: 00:00 July 25, 2011

Image Credit: Supplied

Foreign nationals constitute, on average, nearly 70 per cent of the labour force in the six oil-rich Arab Gulf countries — a percentage that many economists stress should be brought down.

But how and by when?

Is it feasible for the growing economies of the GCC to decrease the number of expatriates?

According to many economists, it is doable in the long run. However, it is unlikely in the short to medium term.

"It is impossible," responded Saudi Economist Ehsan Bu Hulaiga when asked whether the GCC can afford to cut down the number of foreign workers at present.

"The reason is because the dependence of the GCC on foreign labour, whether skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled, has lasted for decades and grew with time until that dependence became structural," Bu Hulaiga told Gulf News in an interview.

The foreign labour issue has come under the spotlight in the wake of uprisings across the region and as the GCC countries realise the importance of providing their citizens with jobs amid increasing unemployment. There is also a need to preserve their identity amid the number of non-nationals in the GCC region.

The imbalance between the number of jobs available and those taken up by nationals reflects the high level of foreign labour in the GCC job market. This comes as a result of several factors that are common in the six member states of the GCC, economists noted.

"Official figures show that there are many more jobs available in each of the six GCC countries than there are nationals of working age," wrote Farouk Soussa, chief economist at Citibank, in a paper on GCC job markets published earlier this year.

"Taken as a whole, there are twice as many jobs in the GCC than there are GCC nationals between the ages of 15 and 64," he added.

But the reality is GCC nationals suffer from unemployment, and "less than 50 per cent of Bahrainis, Saudis and Omanis of working age are actually officially employed," Soussa said.

The imbalance between available jobs and employed GCC nationals may lead to social friction and potential political instability, economists noted, in apparent reference to protests in both Oman and Bahrain earlier this year. Protesters were demanding not only more political freedom, but also better living conditions and more employment opportunities.

"What's more, the demographic profile of the GCC countries suggests that in the absence of a significant rise in labour participation rates across the GCC, joblessness will increase dramatically in the coming years," Soussa said.

Uncontrolled import

Already, many Arab Gulf states have started taking steps to provide their citizens with job openings.

Last May, the United Arab Emirates announced plans to set limits on the importation of unskilled workers as part of a policy to balance the country's demographic structure.

"Uncontrolled import of unskilled labourers should be limited and replaced by recruitment from within the UAE," the Federal cabinet said.

The UAE will instead focus on bringing in highly skilled workers based on "accredited professional and educational certificates".

In June, Saudi Labour Minister Adel Fakieh was quoted as saying that work permits of foreign workers who have spent six years in the Kingdom would not be renewed as part of a plan to create jobs for nationals.

Only 4 million of 20 million Saudis have jobs and 2.8 million are employed in the public sector, according to Saudi press reports. Fakieh noted that 90 per cent of the private sector workforce was made up of foreign workers and remittances to their home countries totalled $26.7 billion (Dh97.98 billion) a year.

But less than 24 hours later, a ministry spokesperson explained in a statement carried by the Saudi official media that the rule will be applied only to expats working for companies that do not meet new Saudisation criteria.

Saudi Arabia began a "Saudisation" programme in 1994, when it set quotas for the number of nationals private firms should hire. But, the programme, according to economists, failed to achieve a significant increase in the participation of nationals in the private sector, where Saudis still account for only 10 per cent of the employees. The percentage is expected to rise in the coming years, as almost 70 per cent of Saudis are under the age of 30, and the population is increasing by nearly 2.3 per cent annually, reports noted.

Supply curve

The six-year cap will be applied only on companies that fall under the "red" and "yellow" categories, according to the new system of Nitaqat (or categories). Companies in Saudi Arabia will have a three-month period to Sept. 7, 2011 to achieve the prescribed quota of Saudi employees.

Already, many Saudi businessmen have complained that the implementation of the Nitaqat system could inflict big losses on small and medium businesses, including those in the construction field, where only 5 per cent of the employees are Saudis.

The Nitaqat system has divided the companies into three categories: green, red and yellow, based on the percentage of Saudi citizens they have hired.

While companies in the green category should have no problems, visas for labourers in companies in the red would not be renewed, irrespective the years they have spent in the kingdom.

The yellow category will be given the opportunity to increase the percentage of Saudis.

The Kuwaiti government announced in June that it is working on plans to introduce a residency cap on expatriates to reduce them to 45 per cent of the total population.

"The government will suggest imposing a cap of six years on unskilled labourers, eight years on semi-skilled employees, 10 years on semi-skilled employees who are with their families and 12 years on skilled employees. Foreigners with rare expertise will be given an open stay," Kuwaiti local newspapers quoted sources as saying.

"The main weak point in all the ‘nationalisation labour' programmes in all the GCC is related to the supply curve, which is almost horizontal," commented Bu Hulaiga. "Which means this curve goes to infinity and this infinity goes to countries like India and the Philippines."

"As long as there are big numbers of workers hired [from abroad], there will be no nationalisation [for the labour market in the Gulf]. As long as the number of foreign labourers is not decreasing, nothing will change," added the Saudi economist. He noted that Saudi Arabia has issued 1.2 million working visas last year.

Hiring semi-skilled and unskilled foreign labour and limiting their contract to a certain number of years after which they move on to another job will not solve the issue.

"What the GCC countries should do is to hire skilled labour and bring them to the region as ‘mentors'," Bu Hulaiga said.

In such case, it will be very clear for the student that he has to learn the profession and for the mentor that he was hired to teach others, he said.

But, what happened so far is that such a relationship was not built in the first place. And after four decades of hiring large number of foreign labourers, "the transfer of knowledge and experience is still limited."

150 Filipina part-timers arrested in Dubai | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

2011-07-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

150 Filipina part-timers arrested in Dubai

DUBAI - Around 150 Filipinas on Tuesday night, July 5, were arrested and brought directly to the Al Aweer Detention Center in Dubai on board 5 buses which were supposed to bring them to a big event to work as part-time service crew.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration is currently coordinating with the local police and the immigration authorities to resolve the case and possible release for those who can present proof that they have permission from their respective sponsors as well as the Ministry of Labor to work outside their place of work.
It is not clear as of press time how many are holders of visit visa, husband’s visa or employment visa from other sponsors.
According to a friend of one arrested lady who managed to call him last Wednesday, July 6, their arrest appears to be a set-up as most of them were regular part-timers from Satwa and Deira. They had been contracted to serve as waitresses for an event in Dubai.
“We were first told that the event will be held in Dubai Mall, then later at the Dubai World Trade Centre and then at Al Ghurair. After we passed by Al Ghurair area and picked some more ladies the bus and went straight to Al Aweer,” the friend narrated to abs-cbnNEWS.com.
“She said that the passengers started to cry after realizing they were going outside the main city. The door was also locked by the driver after picking up the last passengers,” he added.
His lady friend and her two companions are holding an employment visa bought from an Emirati somewhere in Dubai.
Holders of employment visa from other sponsors will be deported as they are not allowed to work for any event per UAE labor laws unless with official permit. Visit visa holders are not allowed to work at all.
No action would be taken against those who can present proof that they have an offer letter or visa under process, or have permission from their respective sponsors and the Ministry of Labor to work at any event.
Those under husband’s visa would be released upon surrender of their passports, similar to the incident which happened in December last year when 160 Filipinas and an Indonesian were arrested for working illegally at a grand wedding reception at the Dubai World Trade Center.
An investigation will be carried out after which the case of those found illegally working will be forwarded to the prosecution and then to the court for deportation.

Inflatable Shark Among 300 New Species Discovered in Philippines - Yahoo! News

2011-06-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Inflatable Shark Among 300 New Species Discovered in Philippines - Yahoo! News

A treasure trove of hundreds of new species may have been discovered in the Philippines, including a bizarre sea star that feeds exclusively on sunken driftwood and a deep-sea, shrimp-eating shark that swells up to scare off other predators.

Scientists braved leeches and a host of venomous creatures from the mountains to the sea to uncover more than 300 species that are likely new to science. These findings include dozens of new insects and spiders, more than 50 colorful new sea slugs and a number of deep-sea armored corals "which protect themselves against predatory nibbles from fish by growing large, spiky plates," said researcher Terrence Gosliner, dean of science and research collections at the California Academy of Sciences and leader of the 2011 Philippine Biodiversity Expedition.

Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences and their colleagues from the University of the Philippines and the National Museum of the Philippines conducted a 42-day expedition this past spring to survey Luzon Island, the largest island in the Philippine archipelago, as well as its surrounding waters. [Image Gallery: Colorful Creatures of the Philippines]

Click image to see more photos

Stephanie Stone, California Academy of Sciences

Challenging field work

Working in the field is always a challenge, Gosliner noted. "We had our work both on the coral reefs and rain forest interrupted by an early typhoon; we were out of the water for two days," he said.

"One of the biologists working in the mountains was sleeping in a hammock; during the night, one of the trees his hammock was tied to was uprooted and he was suddenly on the ground," Gosliner added. "One researcher knelt on a venomous lionfish and later found himself on a mountain kneeling on poisonous plants."

The hard-won result of their efforts was the most comprehensive scientific survey effort ever conducted in the Philippines.

"I have been working in the Philippines on my own research for 20 years — I thought it would be great to bring a large team of researchers together to study from mountaintops to the deep sea, to determine if all of these places harbor new species," Gosliner said. "I was delighted that my hunch proved to be correct."

Their novel discoveries include a cicada that makes a distinctive "laughing" call, a crab whose pincers are lined with needlelike teeth, and a wormlike pipefish that hides among colonies of soft coral. In addition, they discovered a possible new species of swell shark — a shark that pumps water into its stomach to puff up — which unlike its relatives possesses a very distinctive camouflaged color pattern.

A number of species live in places rarely, if ever, visited by people, such as a primitive plant called a spikemoss from the perilously steep upper slopes of Mount Isarog and a snake eel from the bottom of the ocean. Many others have avoided detection in the past because of their diminutive size, such asgoblin spiders and barnacles that all measure just a few millimeters long.

"One of the likely new urchins is very small — it's called a pea urchin, and yes, it's about the size of a pea," Gosliner said.

Hot hotspots

All these new findings help support the idea that the Philippines "is one of the hottest of the hotspots for diverse and threatened life on Earth," Gosliner said. "We found new species during nearly every dive and hike as we surveyed the country's reefs, rainforests and the ocean floor." [10 Species You Can Kiss Goodbye]

In fact, the researchers suggest the waters of the Philippines may house more species than any other marine environment on Earth. The deep-water channel they sampled is nutrient-rich, allowing life to flourish, and has existed for about 60 million years, giving species a great deal of time to evolve. "All of those factors together have led to the high diversity," Gosliner told LiveScience.

The researchers are sharing their results with Filipino agencies and international groups to develop strategies to best protect the island nation's extraordinarily rich life. This includes outlining the most important places for establishing or expanding marine protected areas, suggested locations for reforestation and reduction of plastic waste.

"We are hoping the findings will result in recommendations that will translate into policies that will produce a more sustainable future for Filipinos while simultaneously protecting the unique biodiversity," Gosliner said.

"This expedition has led us to want to undertake more expeditions to the Philippines in other unexplored areas," he added.

The scientists will present their preliminary results on June 30, during the California Academy of Sciences' weekly NightLife event.

POEA adopts new travel clearance procedure for OFWs | The Philippine Star » News » Headlines

2011-06-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

POEA adopts new travel clearance procedure for OFWs

MANILA, Philippines - Shorter lines but longer waiting time awaits returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

To keep the queues of vacationing OFWs short, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has adopted new procedures and processing of the mandatory travel exit clearance.

“The new procedures would allow our OFWs to efficiently manage their time in securing travel exit clearance by adjusting the processing time in two phases,” POEA chief Carlos Cao Jr. said.

Under the new POEA policy, all returning OFWs shall submit the application and all the necessary requirements in securing exit clearance before the POEA for appropriate evaluation.

If all the documents are in order, the POEA would issue a claim stub to the OFW, who shall then return the following day to get the necessary exit clearance.

POEA Advisory No. 30 Effective July 01, 2011

Cao advised all returning OFWs to properly observe the processing time and apply for the exit clearance ahead of their flight schedule or actual date of departure to avoid inconvenience.

OFWs are required to secure overseas employment certificate and travel exit clearance from the POEA before departure.

POEA officials admitted that many returning OFWs were displeased by the long lines when applying for exit clearance while vacationing in the country.

Although the line would now be shorter, some OFWs are already complaining that they would have to wait longer to be able to secure the mandatory exit clearance.

Since they would have to go back, OFWs said it also meant additional expenses for them.

Unlike before when the clearance would be issued on the day of the submission of the application, OFWs would now have to return the following day to get the document.

An average of 3,000 returning OFWs come to POEA daily to secure the exit clearance. The figure even doubles during the Christmas holidays when a huge number of OFWs opt to go on vacation.

gulfnews : New regulation to ensure strict standards for tyres this year

2011-06-21T12:02:00.001-07:00

gulfnews : New regulation to ensure strict standards for tyres this year

New regulation to ensure strict standards for tyres this year

Process to track product from its origin until destruction expected by September

By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
Published: 00:00 June 21, 2011

Image Credit: Supplied
Nobody can sell a tyre in the country without a certificate of origin; ESMA will conduct inspections at tyre shops and warehouses with the help of police.

Abu Dhabi: A new system will soon help police detect whether faulty tyres are responsible for a road accident.

It is part of a new regulation stipulating stringent standards for tyres which is expected to come into force by the end of September this year.

Aiming to achieve zero accidents due to faulty tyres, it will put in place a system to track all tyres being sold in the country.

Technical specifications have recently been developed for several products and tyres are the most important product as faulty ones can result in fatal accidents, a senior official told Gulf News Monday.

The seller should have a certificate of origin for tyres which will be identified by a bar code, Mohammad Saleh Badri, Acting Director General of Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA), said.

Each and every tyre will be registered with the ESMA system which can be accessed by other authorities such as police, traffic departments, civil defence departments, etc, he said. "We will also share the database with other GCC nations," the official said. The reported malpractice of using somebody else's tyres to pass a vehicle fitness test will be stopped as the authority can easily track the tyre with the bar code, Badri said.

"The system will track a tyre from its origin until its destruction so we call the certificate of origin a birth certificate ," he explained.

Nobody can sell a tyre in the country without a certificate of origin; ESMA will conduct inspections at tyre shops and warehouses with the help of police, Badri said.

Detection

In the event of an accident, police can easily track the life cycle of the tyres of the vehicles involved in the crash by using the ESMA system [to detect whether they were faulty or worn out], the official said.

The existing regulations are not applicable to motorbikes and heavy machines, but the new regulation will cover the tyres of all motor vehicles in the country, he said.

"Although we don't have the statistics, the police say that faulty tyres cause many accidents," Badri said.

Gulf News reported on June 15 an accident in which about 19 people were injured in an incident involving a school bus and a minibus. The incident was caused when the minibus' tyre burst on Shaikh Zayed Road. About 35 schoolchildren had a providential escape in the mishap.

ESMA is making the specifications in cooperation with other authorities concerned such as the Ministry of Interior, police departments, and the private sector, Badri said.

The authority has also formed a technical working group of the leading importers and manufacturers of tyres in the UAE. The technical regulation will also cover conditions for manufacturing, handling, storage, re-treating, maintenance and disposal of tyres as per GCC standards. The regulation will come into force after the approval of the board of directors of ESMA and the UAE cabinet.

Eliminating fakes

The system will also help eliminate fake tyres from the market, Mohammad Saleh Badri said. Customers can check the authenticity of the tyres by using the bar code number on the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology website. An iPhone can be used to scan the bar code and put it on the website to check the tyre.

Motorists should check the date of manufacture, temperature, tyre load, exact size and speed symbol before purchasing a new tyre.

gulfnews : New regulation to ensure strict standards for tyres this year

2011-06-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : New regulation to ensure strict standards for tyres this year

New regulation to ensure strict standards for tyres this year

Process to track product from its origin until destruction expected by September

By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
Published: 00:00 June 21, 2011

Image Credit: Supplied
Nobody can sell a tyre in the country without a certificate of origin; ESMA will conduct inspections at tyre shops and warehouses with the help of police.

Abu Dhabi: A new system will soon help police detect whether faulty tyres are responsible for a road accident.

It is part of a new regulation stipulating stringent standards for tyres which is expected to come into force by the end of September this year.

Aiming to achieve zero accidents due to faulty tyres, it will put in place a system to track all tyres being sold in the country.

"The system will track a tyre from its origin until its destruction so we call the certificate of origin a birth certificate ," he explained.

Nobody can sell a tyre in the country without a certificate of origin; ESMA will conduct inspections at tyre shops and warehouses with the help of police, Badri said.

Detection

The existing regulations are not applicable to motorbikes and heavy machines, but the new regulation will cover the tyres of all motor vehicles in the country, he said.

"Although we don't have the statistics, the police say that faulty tyres cause many accidents," Badri said.

ESMA is making the specifications in cooperation with other authorities concerned such as the Ministry of Interior, police departments, and the private sector, Badri said.

Eliminating fakes

Motorists should check the date of manufacture, temperature, tyre load, exact size and speed symbol before purchasing a new tyre.

DFA Consular Office Issues Advisory on Passport Applications

2011-06-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

DFA Consular Office Issues Advisory on Passport Applications

04 May 2011 - The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) wishes to inform the public that measures have been put in place to address the delay in the processing and releasing of passports which are caused by the recent unprecedented increase in passport applications and other technical concerns.

The DFA will extend up to one year the validity of the current expiring passports of applicants who have urgent travel. The extension will be free of charge while the applicants are waiting for the release of their new electronic passports (ePassports).

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and applicants who need their passports on emergency circumstances (e.g., medical concerns, death in the immediate family) are advised to go to the Passport Director's Office, for assistance. The Passport Director's Office is located at the ground floor of the DFA-OCA at the Aseana Business Park along Macapagal Avenue.

Also, the DFA-OCA has extended its work hours, and opened its services on Saturdays. Passport processing services is now available until 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm on Saturdays.

The DFA advises the public to file for their passport applications at least 12 weeks before their intended date of travel.

The DFA is exerting all efforts and is committed to resolve the delays at the soonest possible time, and requests the public's patience and understanding, particularly those who applied at its Regional Consular Offices (RCOs).

For additional information, the public may call the DFA-OCA at telephone nos. (02) 737-1000 and (02) 556-0000, send an email to oca@dfa.gov.ph or visit the Department's website at www.dfa.gov.ph. END

gulfnews : Ministry of Health to close three nursing schools

2011-06-10T05:54:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : Ministry of Health to close three nursing schools

Ministry of Health to close three nursing schools

Private institutions the alternative as standards at the schools inadequate

By Aghaddir Ali, Staff Reporter
Published: 00:00 June 10, 2011

Image Credit: Gulf News archive
Students training at the Institute of Nursing in Sharjah. The Ministry of Health has decided to close its nursing institute in the emirate as well as those in Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Dubai: People wishing to take up nursing as a career will now have to apply to private institutes and universities after the Ministry of Health decided to close down the nursing education programme at its three schools in Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

A source from the ministry told Gulf News Thursday the three nursing schools were closed apparently after it was found that they offered a "low level" of education in nursing.

"The responsibility of training and educating nurses shall be taken up by accredited universities and institutes in the country or abroad.

"Those who are interested in becoming nurses are required now to join colleges and universities accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research," said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Colleges, universities

"Recently, a number of colleges and universities set up nursing schools in the UAE. The ministry believes there is no reason to keep its nursing schools open any more," the source added.

He said nurses in the UAE used to be employed after obtaining their licences without proper testing methods.

Standard 'not adequate'

Applying a comprehensive method of assessment, the ministry realised the standard of its nursing schools was not adequate and was lagging behind those in advanced countries. The decision of closing down the schools of nursing run by the ministry will help in improving the standards of the staff, added the source.

"The 105 nurses graduating this year will be the last from ministry of health's institutes," he said.

The source added that there will be 28 Emirati nurses among the 105 graduates from the three schools this year.

The total number of students in the past three years at the three nursing schools has reached 214. The number of Emaratis among them was 47.

The Ministry of Health also decided this year to stop accepting new requests from those wishing to join its nursery staff.

The nursing school graduates previously used to work in any of the facilities of the Ministry of Health for a period equal to the duration of their study, said the source.

The first nursing school was established in 1972. Their number expanded later with other branches, added the source.

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gulfnews : Abu Dhabi 2011

2011-06-01T03:47:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : Abu Dhabi 2011:

Abu Dhabi 2011

Abu Dhabi based filmmaker Beno Saradzic showcases the magnificent growth that the UAE’s capital has seen in only a few decades in this magnificent time-lapse film. Twenty-one thousand images were captured over a period of eight weeks to make Abu Dhabi 2011

Supplied
Published: 14:01 May 29, 2011

21-year-old Filipino carves amazing wooden car sculptures — Autoblog

2011-05-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

21-year-old Filipino carves amazing wooden car sculptures — Autoblog

Franco Cagayat and his automotive sculpture – Click above to watch video after the jump

We've seen some pretty amazing things happen when talent mixes with the proper medium, but this takes the cake. Top Gear Philippines magazine is featuring a story on Franco Cagayat, an autistic 21-year-old sculptor who specializes in carving detailed vehicle models from a single block of wood. Complete with doors that open and close, full interiors and complete engine bays, the vehicles are unlike anything we've ever seen. Cagayat says he got started by drawing every vehicle he saw and eventually learned to translate that talent into sculpting.

The artist first became a fan of Top Gear when a classmate offered to trade him a copy of the magazine for a wooden Ferrari Testarossa. We think Cagayat probably got the short end of the stick on that one, but he now uses the photos in the publication for reference when it comes time to carve the newest supercars of the world. Hit the jump to take a look at a video interview with Cagayat.

[Source: Top Gear]

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toys/Games, Design/Style

Tags: carving, franco cagayat, top gear, top gear philippines, wood car, wood carving, wooden car

gulfnews : I'm not a criminal: Freed Filipino man makes tearful apology

2011-05-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : I'm not a criminal: Freed Filipino man makes tearful apology

Joseph Abutan who visited the XPRESS office says he does not blame his three children in the Philippines for being angry with him, but he hopes they will forgive him someday

Dubai: A man jailed for accidentally killing his wife in a car mishap has made a tearful apology to his three children in the Philippines who still refuse to talk to him.

In the first media interview since regaining his freedom, Joseph Abutan, 37, said on Wednesday: "I just want to tell my children that I seek their forgiveness and that I'm not a criminal."

Dubai Police Chief Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan Tamim ordered his department on May 10 to pay diya, or blood money, as a humanitarian gesture to free Abutan.

The family of Abutan and his three children - Allysa, 15; Andrew, 14; and Al Joseph, 12 - will be the beneficiaries of the amount, as per Sharia Law.

"I have already suffered enough for what happened. I appreciate the humanitarian gesture and thank [Lt] General Dahi Khalfan Tamim for giving me another chance to put my life back in order," he said.

Abutan and his wife Imelda met with an accident on June 5, 2009, at around 6.30am near Dubai's Century Mall. Traces of alcohol were found in his blood.

While he sustained only minor injuries, his wife suffered a severe cervical neck injury and died after 23 days in hospital.

A judge ordered Abutan to pay a Dh10,000 fine and Dh200,000 diya. But his inability to pay meant he had to stay in jail indefinitely.

From his jail cell following the accident, Abutan said he promised his wife who was battling for her life in hospital, that he would take care of their children no matter what happens.

It's been three years since he last saw their children - all high school students and living with Imelda's parents in Balagtas town in Batangas province.

Abutan said he can't blame them if they were angry.

"I've been told that my children are not happy I am out of jail, that two years are not enough," a tearful Abutan told XPRESS in the Tagalog language.

"That's hurtful. I hope they can find a place in their hearts to forgive me. I did not want the accident to happen. And I do miss my wife."

Abutan, who embraced Islam while in jail and is now known as Abdullah, blames himself completely for what he termed the "biggest challenge" in his life.

"After spending time in jail, you would not want to hurt another human being," said Abutan, who is currently looking for a job either as a driver or AC technician in Dubai.

"I want to earn enough so I could go home someday and talk to my three children face to face."

And while he is happy to be free, Abutan said the only thing that would complete his happiness is being able to talk and embrace his three children.

His message to all drivers: "Life is so precious that we can't simply waste it in a few moments of carelessness."

gulfnews : America shows off warship that buried Bin Laden

2011-05-15T04:36:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : America shows off warship that buried Bin Laden

Image Credit: AP
US aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is anchored off Manila Bay as it begins its four-day port call on May 15, 2011 with three other warships in the Philippines. US officials welcomed visitors on Sunday to the USS Carl Vinson warship, from which Osama Bin Laden's body was buried at sea.

Aboard the USS Carl Vinson: US officials welcomed visitors Sunday to the USS Carl Vinson warship, from which Osama Bin Laden's body was buried at sea, but did not discuss the ultra-secretive attack that killed him, reflecting America's concern over possible retaliation.

US defense officials were taking measures to ensure the security of the operatives involved in the May 2 assault on a walled fortress in Abbottabad, Pakistan, particularly the Navy SEAL team that killed the world's most wanted terrorist.

In focus: Osama Bin Laden

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, accompanied by senior members of his Cabinet and military chief of staff, were flown to the massive aircraft carrier Saturday as it traveled in the South China Sea toward the Philippines, a key Asian anti-terrorism ally.

A group of journalists were invited to tour and talk to sailors aboard the 97,000-ton Carl Vinson, which anchored off Manila along with three other warships on Sunday at the start of a four-day routine port call and goodwill visit.

During the 30-minute ferry ride to the Vinson, US Embassy spokeswoman Wossenyelesh Mazengia told about two dozen journalists that nobody aboard the carrier would talk about bin Laden.

"No one on the Vinson is authorized to discuss any operational details that involve Osama Bin Laden," Mazengia said. "I'm not trying to say you can't ask, you can."

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Aquino and his entourage were given a tour of the warship and an exhibition of fighter jets landing and taking off from the Carl Vinson, including one flown by a Filipino-American pilot.

Aquino, at one point, sat on the cockpit of an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet at a hangar bay as sailors snapped pictures. He talked and posed for souvenir pictures with many beaming Filipino-American sailors, Gazmin said. But the one thing on everybody's mind - Bin Laden's burial from the Carl Vinson just 12 days earlier - did not come up.

US Navy officials did not touch the sensitive subject and Aquino's group saw it fit not to ask questions, Gazmin said. "We did not ask for a briefing because it was too sensitive," Gazmin told The Associated Press on Sunday. "It was a friendly visit and we let it stay that way."

Gazmin, a retired general, said he was impressed by the stunning US commando night-time strike that got bin Laden, adding it showed the might of the American military force. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, who said it was his first time to set foot on an aircraft carrier, was impressed as war planes landed and were launched by catapults from the tarmac.

"You can feel the inherent power of these fighter jets," del Rosario said. In impromptu remarks on the ship, Aquino reaffirmed the "historic, defense and cultural ties" between the United States and the Philippines, one of Washington's oldest and closest Asian allies, presidential spokesman Ricky Carandang said.

US special forces have been training and arming Filipino soldiers battling al-Qaida-linked militants in the southern Philippines since 2003. The Carl Vinson came from the North Arabian Sea, where it had received a US SEAL team, which carried bin Laden's body after killing the long-wanted Al Qaida leader in a raid on his walled compound near a Pakistani military academy.

Pentagon officials have said that on the carrier, Bin Laden's body was placed in a "weighted bag," an officer made religious remarks and the remains were put on a flat board and tipped into the sea.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that during a recent meeting with members of the team that attacked Bin Laden, they expressed concerns about the security of their families. American officials agreed shortly after Bin Laden was killed not to release any operational details on the commando assault, Gates said, but added "that fell apart - the next day."

"We are looking at what measures can be taken to pump up the security," Gates said. The US Embassy in Manila said Carl Vinson's service members would take part in sports events, seminars and community assistance projects with their Philippine counterparts.

The visit will contribute about $4.65 million to the local economy from port fees and crew expenditures, the embassy said in a statement. Philippine police have said they will step up security in Manila, where left-wing groups have threatened to stage protests against the US warship's visit.

3 Pinays face drug raps in Dubai | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

2011-05-10T15:17:00.000-07:00

3 Pinays face drug raps in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Three Filipinas facing illegal drug charges in Dubai are receiving help from the Philippine government, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

The DFA, in a press statement, said the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai identified the Filipinos as Crizelda Empleo, Jackie Lou Jabate and Rhoda Guisingam, who are accused of trafficking the hallucinogen Tramadol.

"An experienced and competent Bahraini lawyer hired by the Consulate will represent the Filipinas in today’s hearing," Consul General Benito Valeriano said.

Mohammed Pukunum, head of the Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) section of the Consulate, attended an earlier court hearing on the case last January 2.

Guisinga, Jabate, and Empleo were arrested inside the Hamarain Mall last November 10, according to the DFA.

The trio went to the mall where Guisinga told her friends she had to meet an Egyptian.

She was arrested by Dubai police, who later found a red plastic bag allegedly with illegal drugs in her possession. The bag was allegedly handed over by the Egyptian.

Jabate and Empleo were waiting for Guisinga when were also arrested by Dubai police officers.

Guisinga was charged with possession of illegal drugs while Jabate and Empleo were both charged with criminal complicity or "accessory to possession of illegal drugs."

The 3 Filipinas are on "visit visas" and are not overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the DFA said.

The Consulate's ATN officers regularly visit the Filipinas at the Al Muraqqabat police station where they are detained and have given them consular and legal assistance, it added.

Manny Pacquiao wins dominant decision over Shane Mosley - News | FOX Sports on MSN

2011-05-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

Manny Pacquiao wins dominant decision over Shane Mosley - News | FOX Sports on MSN

LAS VEGAS (AP)

Manny Pacquiao won a lopsided 12-round decision over Sugar Shane Mosley on Saturday night, retaining his WBO welterweight title with his 14th consecutive victory.

Pacquiao (54-3-2) didn't get the knockout he wanted, but the Filipino Congressman retained his position the most dominant and exciting fighter in the sport, methodically beating Mosley (46-7-1) at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

PACQUIAO VS. MOSLEY

Manny Pacquiao won a lopsided decision over Sugar Shane Mosley on Saturday. Get complete coverage of the fight right here.

Pacquiao knocked Mosley down with a left hook in the third round, a punch that seemed to sap Mosley's willingness to engage. Pacquiao ran after Mosley the rest of the fight, but the former champion who has never been stopped in 18 years in the ring managed to finish the 12th round on his feet.

Pacquiao won 120-108 on one scorecard, 120-107 on a second and 119-108 on the third. The Associated Press had him winning 118-110.

For Mosley, the fight was strikingly similar to his bout a year ago against Floyd Mayweather Jr. - except this time he didn't even land a big punch like he did early on against Mayweather.

His biggest moment on this night came when referee Kenny Bayless mistakenly ruled that Mosley knocked Pacquiao down in the 10th round when he hadn't even hit him with a punch.

The ruling seemed to spur Pacquiao on as he went after Mosley the rest of the round and again in the 11th. By then, the crowd was cheering ''Knock him out, knock him out,'' but Pacquiao - bothered by a cramp in his left leg since the fourth round - didn't have enough to finish him off.

''It wasn't my best performance,'' Pacquiao had. ''I did my best. I did not expect this result.''

Mosley said he thought he did a good job despite losing round after round, and wouldn't blame his bad performance on his age.

''I fought the best fighter in the world,'' Mosley said. ''He has exceptional power, power that I've never been hit like this before.''

Promoter Bob Arum defended putting Mosley in the ring against Pacquiao despite signs in Mosley's last two fights that his reflexes were slipping.

''Nobody can really perform against him,'' Arum said. ''Some of these guys are pretty good fighters, but nobody in their whole experience has ever faced somebody like (Pacquiao). Everybody is going to look the same way.''

Mosley was tentative from the opening bell, moving backward and seemingly unwilling to trade punches with Pacquiao. Pacquiao finally made contact with a left hook at the end of the third round, sending Mosley to the canvas for only the third time in his professional career.

Mosley was up at the count of five, and managed to survive the final minute of the round despite Pacquiao's best efforts to take him out.

Pacquiao pressed the fight most of the night, but he also appeared hesitant to take many chances, which trainer Freddie Roach said was because of the muscle cramp that his corner tried to massage between rounds.

''He had no leverage to move after that,'' Roach said. ''It was a very gutty performance in my mind.''

Pacquiao said his leg first started bothering him in his fight last November against Antonio Margarito.

FIGHT NIGHT

Take a look at the best shots from a night of boxing action featuring Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley.

''I thought Shane did a great job, he had some speed,'' Pacquiao said. ''I couldn't move because my left leg got tight. It's a problem I've been having lately. I'm going to work on my legs in future training camps.''

The sellout crowd of 16,412 booed Mosley repeatedly in the late rounds for his refusal to trade punches with Pacquiao.

Mosley fought as if trying to protect his legacy of having never been knocked out and, if that was his strategy, it succeeded. But it made for a lackluster fight and did nothing to burnish the legacy that the Filipino champion has built with 14 straight wins over the last six years - including some over the biggest names in the game.

Pacquiao made a minimum of $20 million for the fight, while Mosley was guaranteed $5 million.

In a bout on the undercard, Kelly Pavlik (37-2) beat Alfonso Lopez (21-1) by majority decision in the former middleweight champion's return from nearly 13 months out of the ring.

Pavlik hadn't fought since last April, when Argentina's Sergio Martinez took away his two middleweight title belts in a bloody unanimous decision that ended Pavlik's 2 1/2-year reign atop the division.

In another bout, former three-division champion Jorge Arce of Mexico (57-6-2, 44 KOs) stopped Wilfredo Vazquez of Puerto Rico (21-1-1) in the 12th round to claim Vazquez's WBO 122-pound belt.

gulfnews : Filipino blogger Bryanboy going places

2011-05-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : Filipino blogger Bryanboy going places

Filipino fashion blogger Bryan Grey-Yambao, more popularly known as Bryanboy, is taking things to the next level. The 23-year-old has just announced he's signed a deal with LA-based Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to manage his career.

Often considered one of the leading talent agencies, CAA's clients include celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, Steven Spielberg and Will Smith.

The deal marks a phenomenal leap for Bryanboy, who rose from obscurity by blogging about fashion from his hometown in Manila.

Nowadays he's front-row staple at some of the biggest fashion shows in London, Paris, New York and London, rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in the industry. It is also proof of the increasing clout of fashion's internet stars.

The details of the deal have not been specified.

"After being a one-man blogging circus for almost seven years, it's high time that I change the way I do things," Bryanboy blogged on his website, bryanboy.com, which has become the go-to place for fashion-lovers. "I need to focus on what I love doing and delegate the rest."

Bryanboy began blogging from his parents' home in the Philippines. His unique, often funny, take on the latest trends and looks soon caught the attention of the world. Buoyed by the growing popularity of social networking websites, he soon joined an elite group of fashion bloggers around the world who landed much-coveted front row seats at some of the most high profile fashion shows.

With fashion labels and designers keen to grow their internet footprint, Bryanboy, along with other bloggers, became a force to be reckoned with.

"I've been approached by several agencies in the past but sometimes, you have to go with who you think is the right fit for you and what you want to do in the future," he added. "I've signed a contract last week with one of the world's high-profile agencies, CAA. They represent major people like Oprah, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise, Zac Efron, Blake Lively. They also represent music stars like Christina Aguilera, Mariah, Justin Timberlake, Usher, among many others."

To date, Bryanboy has even had a bag named after him by designer Marc Jacobs. Major brands now announce their collaborations with him with a flourish and he is constantly on the road - jetting around the globe.

"It's not easy to werq (sic) and hustle my way like the rent is due tomorrow when half of my time is spent 38,000 feet above ground," he said on the blog, announcing the deal. "I could only do as much as I can. Even my personal life is suffering — my contact with my family is limited to the odd, occasional phone call (Osama Bin Laden is dead, says my mum).

"I'm very excited with this new chapter in my life. I'm in this for the long haul. It's been a pleasure of mine to share my dreams with you over the years through my blog. Now that I have a powerful machine working with me and protecting my interests, perhaps in the future, I'll get to share even bigger, brighter dreams."

gulfnews : Boxing just gets in your blood: Freddie Roach

2011-05-04T11:23:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : Boxing just gets in your blood: Freddie Roach

Image Credit: Reuters
Freddie Roach-trained Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines trains during a media workout at Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles last month as he prepares to defend his World Boxing Organisation welterweight title against Sugar Shane Mosley, which will take place on May 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Los Angeles: "I hope I can do this until the day I die," Freddie Roach says calmly as he explains the depth of his addiction to a dangerous business.

Boxing has consumed his life with a blurring combination of pride, fame and Parkinson's disease.

Words now tumble from him in a softly spoken slur which is a reminder of the damage done to such a warm and open man. Before he became the best trainer in the ring today, working with the greatest fighter on the planet in Manny Pacquiao, Roach used to be a boxer.

In focus: Manny Pacquiao

"Yeah," Roach says wryly, "I had five fights too many. I lost four of ‘em. I had the finest trainer there's ever been, Eddie Futch, and he knew I'd had enough. But I was 26 years old and still hard-headed so I couldn't see it. This is how it is. Boxing gets in your blood and you just can't quit."

Boxing, amid the squalor and heartbreak, is a drug. But it is difficult to think of Roach as one of its victims in a week when he goes to work again with the extraordinary Pacquiao who faces Shane Mosley in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Roach's serene training of Pacquiao has been complicated by the Filipino's astronomical fame both in the US and his home country. His popularity is such that Pacquiao is now a congressman in the Philippines. Before he fought Antonio Margarito, Pacquiao lamented in training that he missed congress.

Yet last week Pacquiao added another dimension to his preparations for the Mosley fight by releasing his first record an unashamedly schmaltzy cover of the already saccharine Sometimes When We Touch.

It's all part of the Pacquiao phenomenon, which outdoes Hollywood in the way his story moves from poverty in the Philippines which he left at 14 to start boxing in the hope he might earn enough money to help his mother and five siblings to global fame.

Pacquiao now earns many millions of dollars every year but he seems intent on giving most of his money away to his entourage and to strangers who affect him with their tales of deprivation.

"That's my biggest fear with Manny," Roach says while starting another day in his Wild Card gym, a seething hothouse in a rundown part of Los Angeles. "We talk about it all the time but I can't get it across to Manny. He's 32 and he can make his own decisions. But I keep telling him, and hoping, that he'll put away something for him and his family."

In Roach's small office a sign makes a surreal promise: Everyone Here Seems Normal Until You Get To Know Them.

Back from brink

The madness is contagious and offers an appropriate backdrop for Roach to remember how boxing almost ruined and then saved him. He once wanted to be either a tree surgeon, like his father, or a world champion. Instead, having become a damaged fighter nicknamed The Choir Boy, Roach found redemption as a cornerman.

"I worked with my dad and my major was in forestry. So I once knew a lot about trees. But my last job as a tree-man made me $300 (Dh1,101). It was enough to buy a ticket to Vegas and turn pro." Roach had a decent record, winning 40 of his 53 bouts. But he took too many punches for too little money. His biggest purse was $7,500 and, after boxing, he did some bum jobs.

"I was a busboy at the Golden Nugget, cleaning tables at the restaurant. I wasn't too good with people and so they made me a dishwasher. But I was worse in telesales selling ballpoint pens with a company name on them. Life's turned out sweeter since then."

The former fighter was approached by Mickey Rourke an actor with a chaotic dream of becoming a professional boxer. In exchange for training Rourke, Roach was given the money for his gym: "I opened up this place and then, a couple of years later, Manny Pacquiao walked through that door. That changed my life forever."

Roach's own health has suffered from Parkinson's. However, medication and a strong resolve have enabled him to keep working without a holiday for the past six years. "For the most part it's pretty stable, but small things pop up... Some nights I don't sleep much because I'm thinking about the fight. But [last Wednesday] I went 15 straight rounds with Manny on the pads and I felt good. I can still do it but it would be the end if I couldn't work with the mitts. I couldn't get close to my fighter, and give him the messages he needs, if I couldn't take his punches in my mitts."

gulfnews : Child safety warning issued after two children die in accident

2011-05-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : Child safety warning issued after two children die in accident

Image Credit: Supplied picture
A child safety campaign for motorists that runs until the end of the year was launched in Sharjah last month as part of the emirate's aim to raise awareness about safety in the community.

Dubai: Children younger than 10 years are not allowed to sit in a car's front seat, warned a chief traffic prosecutor Sunday following an accident that killed two children, including a one-year-old baby and his four-year-old sister.

It is against the Traffic Law and ministerial decision number 127 of 2008 to allow children younger than 10 to be seated in the front seat of a car, cautioned Chief Traffic Prosecutor Salah Bu Farousha, Head of Dubai Traffic Public Prosecution (TPP).

His warning remarks came in wake of a traffic accident in which a 29-year-old Emirati mother lost control of her vehicle and rammed into another car resulting in the death of her one-year-old son and her four-year-old daughter on Saturday 8.30pm on Hatta Road.

Seat belt

He also added that passengers in the front seat are required by law to wear their seat belts. He said this applies to driving within or outside the city.

Bu Farousha said. Investigations at the scene revealed, according to the head of TPP, that the mother lost control and veered off from the left to the right lane before she hit a sports utility vehicle driven by a 60-year-old Emirati man.

The woman's vehicle overturned twice and landed at the roadside. Two children died and two Filipina housemaids, aged 23 and 26, a five-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy were injured.

The mother had minor injuries and the SUV driver was not injured.

"We have asked the Hatta Police Station to provide us with a report about the accident and prosecutors have started an investigation."

Bu Farousha said the investigation will focus on which of the children was in the front seat and the fact that there were no children's car seats in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Questioning

He continued: "Upon the directives of Dubai's Attorney General Essam Eisa Al Humaidan, suspects are held liable and questioned if they cause injuries or deaths to their relatives in traffic accidents." Bu Farousha said the court is asked to show compassion to such people and consider the circumstances.

"We ensure that the law is properly enforced hence we constantly ask the court to consider the suspect's emotional state and background, in addition to other factors such as his [or] her clean record, age and the belief that the crime will not be repeated," Bu Farousha added.

When children fall victim to parents' mistakes, the law must be applied humanely, Bu Farousha told Gulf News earlier.

Traffic prosecutors have recorded 44 deaths, including nine Emiratis, in the first four months of this year.

The Royal Wedding - Prince William and Princess Catherine

2011-04-29T05:53:00.000-07:00

Dubbed as the wedding of the century! Most awaited and watched by thousands and millions of audience around the world. A modern fairy tale witness by our generation. It is the Prince William and Princess Catherine nuptial.

Majority of migrant Filipinos specially those in Europe became part of this momentum event in the political and socialites circle. Some of them are part of those who camp out near Westminster Abbey. Others lined up to buy memorabilia while most of us waited and watched on comfort of our home television courtesy of live coverage by premier networks.

Now, the queen gave the couple the royal tittle as the Duke and Dutches of Cambridge. Many say's that the wedding symbolizes a lot of hope to the whole world. How about to the Philippines?

Pnoy send his congratulatory message with a wished that they will leave happily and have their love life away from media. He further explain that he sympathize to couples hard time to have privacy in terms of relationship. Does it mean that our President as a bachelor is planning to have his royal wedding too during his term?

When Prince William invited his Filipina Nanny in one of his most precious event in his life. Those it means something to us? Probably a big yes! For about fourteen (14) years as a Nanny to him maybe this Kabayan gave her the most caring and loving service to the Prince. Not only because he is a royal child but maybe like other Filipino Nannies she felt that she is caring her own child or nephew or grandchild. I suppose it is the Filipino way of showing or expressing how she missed their love ones back home.

With all of the speculations and stories about this royal wedding only one thing is clear to my mind now. The Filipino migrants always play a role in most of the worlds big events like this. Why is it happening? Most probably it is true that from every continent, district, or even the smallest community around the world a Filipino blood is present. That is undebatable perhaps.

For more video of the royal wedding please click this link: Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

YouTube - KUWENTONG OBRERO | Sahod na Makabuluhan: Kailangang Ipaglaban!

2011-04-28T01:12:00.000-07:00

YouTube - KUWENTONG OBRERO | Sahod na Makabuluhan: Kailangang Ipaglaban!

gulfnews : No Filipinos injured in latest Syria violence

2011-04-28T00:40:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : No Filipinos injured in latest Syria violence

Manila: Philippine officials said they have yet to receive information on any Filipino injured in Syria during the recent protests.

An estimated 17,000 Filipinos are currently in Syria, including some who are spouses of Syrian nationals while most are household service workers.

"We have not received any information on any Filipino getting hurt in the demonstrations in Syria," Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Eduardo Malaya said.

He added that in Daraa, some 110 Filipinos were preparing for repatriation in case it was needed. Daraa, in the southern part of Syria, was the centre of the conflict, officials said.

Filipinos working in Syria have been told by consular officials to restrict movements while those who want to leave the country could do so on their own.

Amid increasing violent crackdowns on anti-government protesters over the past several days that have caused several fatalities, the DFA said in a statement on Tuesday it had raised the crisis alert level in Syria to "level 2."

Voluntary leave

"Alert level 2 entails restriction of movements around said country, avoiding large crowds and areas of protest, and encouraging Filipinos to voluntarily relocate or leave the country at their own cost if they have no pressing need to remain," the DFA said in an official statement.

Filipinos in Syria have been discouraged from non-essential and non-urgent travel, including for tourism purposes, and only returning workers would be allowed to go back.

The warning by the DFA was based on assessments conducted by the Philippine Embassy in Syria.

It added that the DFA was closely monitoring developments in the country, and had briefed members of the Filipino community on the contingency plans.

gulfnews : Philippine TV star faces child abuse charges

2011-04-28T00:39:00.000-07:00

gulfnews : Philippine TV star faces child abuse charges

Manila: The Philippines asked state prosecutors on Wednesday to indict the country's most popular television host for child abuse over a show in which a six-year-old was cajoled into simulating a striptease.

Host Willie Revillame could face up to six years in jail if convicted over the show, which caused uproar after the crying boy was persuaded to perform the "striptease" and rewarded with about $230 (Dh844.79).

Titanic's Unknown Child Given New, Final Identity - Yahoo! News

2011-04-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

Titanic's Unknown Child Given New, Final Identity - Yahoo! News

Five days after the passenger ship the Titanic sank, the crew of the rescue ship Mackay-Bennett pulled the body of a fair-haired, roughly 2-year-old boy out of the Atlantic Ocean on April 21, 1912. Along with many other victims, his body went to a cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where the crew of the Mackay-Bennett had a headstone dedicated to the "unknown child" placed over his grave.

When it sank, the Titanic took the lives of 1,497 of the 2,209 people aboard with it. Some bodies were recovered, but names remained elusive, while others are still missing. But researchers believe that they have finally resolved the identity of the unknown child -- concluding that he was 19-month-old Sidney Leslie Goodwin from England. [Photo of Sidney Goodwin]

Though the unknown child was incorrectly identified twice before, researchers believe they have now conclusively determined the child was Goodwin. After his recovery, he was initially believed to be a 2-year-old Swedish boy, Gösta Leonard Pålsson, who was seen being washed overboard as the ship sank. This boy's mother, Alma Pålsson, was recovered with the tickets for all four of her children in her pocket, and buried in a grave behind the unknown child.

The effort to verify the child's identity using genetics began a little over a decade ago, when Ryan Parr, an adjunct professor at Lakehead University in Ontario who has worked with DNA extracted from ancient human remains, watched some videos about the Titanic.

"I thought 'Wow, I wonder if anyone is interested or still cares about the unidentified victims of the Titanic,'" Parr said.

A name for the unknown child?

In 2001, with permission from the Pålsson family, the unknown child's remains were exhumed from Fairview Lawn Cemetery, one of the Halifax cemeteries where Titanic victims were interred. Parr had hoped to investigate the identities of other victims as well, though decomposition interfered. Two of the coffins held only mud, and only a 2.4-inch-long (6 centimeter) fragment of an arm bone and three teeth remained of the unknown child. But this was enough.

From these remains, Parr and his team extracted DNA from a section of mitochondria (energy-producing centers of the cells) that rapidly accumulates mutations, called HV1. Mitochondrial DNA is passed from mother to offspring, so the team compared the unknown child's DNA sequence with samples from the maternal relatives of the Pålsson child. These didn't match.

They broadened their search to include five other boys under age 3 who had died in the disaster. Alan Ruffman, who became involved in the project as a research associate of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, ultimately tracked down the maternal lines of all six children (including the Pålsson child) with help from genealogists, historians, Titanic researchers, translators, librarians, archivists and members of the families.

By comparing the unknown child's HV1 with these other young Titanic victims, the researchers eliminated all but two of the boys -- Eino Viljami Panula, a 13-month-old Finnish boy, and Sidney Goodwin. [History's Most Overlooked Mysteries]

An expert analysis of the child's teeth put his age somewhere between 9 months and 15 months -- seeming to eliminate Goodwin, who was older. So, the researchers concluded the boy was Panula and, in 2004, published their results.

A second try

But doubts remained. Ultimately, a pair of leather shoes recovered from the unknown child and held in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic caused the researchers to question the identification.

The shoes had been saved by Clarence Northover, a Halifax police sergeant in 1912, who helped guard the bodies and belongings of the Titanic victims, according to the museum's website. A letter from Northover's grandson, Earle, recounts how the victim's clothing had been burned to stop souvenir hunters. Clarence Northover couldn't bring himself to burn the little shoes, and when no relatives claimed them, he put the shoes in his desk drawer at the police station. In 2002, Earle Northover donated them to the museum. These shoes were too large for a 13-month-old to wear.

Parr and his team attempted the identification again, this time with the help of the U.S. Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory.

They looked at another, less mutation-prone section of the mitochondrial DNA, where they found a single difference that indicated that Goodwin might actually be the unknown child. The Armed Forces lab confirmed this when they found a second, single difference in another section of the DNA.

"Luckily, it was a rare difference, so that is what gives you 98 percent certainty the identification is correct," Parr said.

The loss of a family

Before he died, Sidney Goodwin was traveling on the Titanic with his parents, Frederick and Augusta, and five siblings from England to Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Carol Goodwin, a 77-year-old Wisconsin resident, heard about the ill-fated family from Frederick Goodwin's sisters, one of whom was Carol's grandmother.

"I can't say that it really startled me or amazed me," Carol Goodwin said of the news that the unknown child was her relative. "I guess maybe it had been so long in coming."

As a child, she learned about Frederick Goodwin's family by eavesdropping on conversations between her grandmother and her great aunt.

"They didn't talk about the children that much," Carol Goodwin told LiveScience. "It was their brother who was a favorite brother, how kind he was to them growing up."

Goodwin's interest in family history didn't spark until her 13-year-old granddaughter Becky saw a Titanic exhibit and wrote an essay for school. When her teacher wanted to submit the article to the magazine "Junior Scholastic," Goodwin wanted to check the facts first.

Now Goodwin is working on two books on the subject, a smaller one about the unknown child and a larger book she has titled "The Goodwins Aboard the Titanic: Saga of a Third-Class Family." (The family was traveling third class.) And, in a year, she and her husband plan to take a centennial cruise in memory of the Titanic. [Titanic Versus the Lusitania: Time Determined Who Survived]

On Aug. 6, 2008, relatives of the Goodwin family held a memorial service in Fairview Lawn Cemetery where they now believe Sidney Goodwin was buried under the unknown child's headstone. A cousin read the names of about 50 children who had also perished when the Titanic went down and a bell was rung for each, she said.

A soft, drizzling rain began to fall as the first name was read, and stopped when the list was finished, she recalled. Ultimately, the family left the headstone and the grave as it was.

"The tombstone of the unknown child represents all of the children who perished on the Titanic, and we left it that way," she said.

The remains of the rest of the Goodwins family have never been recovered.

"From those (unidentified bodies) that were buried in Halifax, I have read the coroner's reports for each of them, and nothing fits," she said.

An article describing the genetic analysis that led to the final identification of the unknown child's remains is scheduled to be published in the June 2011 issue of the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics and is already available online.

You can follow LiveScience writer Wynne Parry on Twitter @Wynne_Parry.