Aguinaldo Shrine Pagsanjan Falls Taal Lake Antipolo Church Lucban Pahiyas Feast

Dispatch for November 19 , 2013 ( Tuesday ) , 3 PIA Calabarzon PRs , 15 Weather Watch,

2 Reg’l. Watch , OFW Watch, 1 PNOY Speech , 14 Online News , 7 Photonews

24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST

Issued At: 5:00 a.m., 19 November 2013

Valid Beginning: 5:00 a.m. today until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow

Predicted Mean Sea Level Pressure

Analysis for 8 a.m., 19 November

2013

Predicted Mean Sea Level Wind

Analysis for 8 a.m., 19 November

2013

Satellite Image

for 5:30 a.m., 19 November 2013

Synopsis:

Tail-end of a cold front affecting Northern and Central Luzon.

Forecast:

Bicol region and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers

and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and the rest of central luzon will

have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rains. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated

rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along

these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with

slight to moderate seas.

Tropical Cyclone Update

As of today, there is no tropical cyclone existing within the Philippine Area of Responsibility

(PAR).

GALE WARNING GALE WARNING NO. 04

For: Strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of Northeast Monsoon.

Issued at 5:00 a.m. today, 19 November 2013

Strong to gale force winds is expected to affect the Northern and Western seaboards of Northern Luzon and the

Eastern seaboard of Luzon.

SEABOARD WEATHER WIND FORCE

(KPH)/(KNOTS)

SEA

CONDITION

WAVE

HEIGHTS

(meters)

The northern and eastern

seaboards of Northern Luzon

(Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan,

Northern coast of Ilocos Norte,

Cagayan and Isabela)

Cloudy skies with

scattered

rainshowers and

thunderstorms

(52 - 68) / (28 - 36) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 5.0

The western seaboard of Northern

Luzon (Ilocos Sur, La Union,

Pangasinan,and Western coast of

Ilocos Norte)

Mostly cloudy skies

with light rains

(52 - 68) / (28 - 36) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 5.0

The eastern seaboards of Central

and Southern Luzon (Aurora,

Camarines Provinces, Catanduanes,

Eastern coast of Albay, Eastern

coast of Sorsogon and Eastern

coast of Quezon including Polillo

Island)

Mostly cloudy skies

with scattered

rainshowers and

thunderstorms

(52 - 63) / (28 - 34) Rough to very rough 3.4 to 4.5

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against

big waves.

The next update will be issued at 5:00 p.m. today.

1. Weather Watch

17 minutes ago

NDRRMC Exec. Dir. Eduardo Del Rosario on ANC

Re: Relief and recovery efforts for Yolanda stricken areas

- Line of vehicles waiting in Matnog port down from 10km to just 1km. Normal ops to resume soon.

- While relief efforts are ongoing, early recovery & rehabilitation operations are also being done

simultaneously.

- Constructive criticisms are welcome, but let's stop negative criticisms. Let's just help.

-Yes sinabi niya (DoE Sec. Petilla) na he is willing to leave his post kapag December 24 na at walang ilaw

ang nasabing mga areas. Hindi niya sinasabi na lahat ng barangays kundi mga urban centers.

-Kapag ang sentro nakakabangon na everything follows.

-Globe, Smart and Sun is now operational in Tacloban City.

-In Eastern Samar, the Japanese contingent was in Borongan City. Llocal government is functioning there.

- Guian and Borongan are hubs of Eastern Samar.

-The resumption (of classes) is upon DepEd and policy makers.

-The tent city walang naiiwan, pino-process lahat, yung naiiwan idinadala sa DSWD at NGO who caters

displaced persons.

-We don‟t have the figure yet on residents who wants to leave Region 8.

2. Weather Watch

18 minutes ago

PIA-8: Per Nov 19 NDRRMC meeting presided by SILG Mar Roxas at Leyte Sports Center, CITI Hardware

Tacloban will open in a few days; Landbank ATM in Catbalogan is online; Landbank Tacloban Real

Sagkahan will open today; DBP will open on Thursday; Eastwest Bank will open on Friday.

3. Weather Watch

20 minutes ago

PIA-6/NEGROS OCCIDENTAL: The International Labor Organization is conducting an assessment here of

the damage of Typhoon Yolanda to determine the needed help here. After the relief work, the provincial

government is now focusing on rehabilitation and infrastructure reconstruction.

4. Weather Watch

21 minutes ago

PIA-6/ILOILO: The Department of Health-6 has dispatched 6 teams to conduct stress debriefing in typhoon

hard-hit towns in the region and will be tapping the help of teachers in affected localities.

5. Weather Watch

57 minutes ago

DZBB: Namahagi si PNoy kasama si DILG Sec. Roxas, DSWD Sec. Soliman, DPWH Sec. Singson

ngayong araw ng relief goods para sa mga residente ng Basey, Western Samar. Nangako si PNoy sa mga

residente ng lugar na magtatayo ng pansamantalang tirahan ang pamahalaan para sa kanila at hindi titigil sa

pag-ayuda sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Yolanda. Inabisuhan ni PNoy si DA Sec. Alcala para ayudahan ang

mga magsasaka. Magtutungo rin ngayong araw si PNoy sa Ormoc City.

6. Weather Watch

about an hour ago

PIA-8: Today, Nov 19, PNoy is set to visit another Yolanda-stricken town, Basey, Samar, together with

SILG Mar Roxas, DSWD Dinky Soliman, and other members of NDRRMC, per info of PIA's Avha Ebalde

who is assigned at the Command Center at the Leyte Sports Center.

7. Weather Watch

about an hour ago

DZMM: Napasok ng British Navy ang tatlong barangay ng Guintacan Island sa Sta Fe, northern Cebu na isa

sa direktang tinamaan ng bagyong Yolanda. Nakapagbigay sila ng relief good sa mga residente doon.

Nagsagawa din sila ng medical mission at tumulong sa pagtayo ng mga temporary shelter.

8. Weather Watch

2 hours ago

PIA-6/CAPIZ: There are already 109 men and 24 boom trucks and light vehicles from the various electric

cooperative from Central Luzon and the National Electrification Administration through the Task Force

Kapatid who are helping the Capiz Electric Cooperative in fast tracking the restoration of power in Capiz,

said CAPELCO General Manager Edgar Diaz.

9. Weather Watch

2 hours ago

DZMM: Tutulak na sa rehiyon ng Visayas ngayong umaga ang 100 katao contingent ng Doctors on Boats

para sa mga hinagupit ng bagyong Yolanda. Sinabi ni Dr. Leo Olarte na bukod sa relief operations ay

magsasagawa din ng medical, dental, psycho-social at mercy mission ang kanilang grupo.

10. Weather Watch

Philippines's photo.

5 hours ago

Mga hakbang sa paggawa ng ligtas na inuming tubig, ayon sa Kagawaran ng Kalusugan: #YolandaPH

Basahin sa govph: http://www.gov.ph/crisis-response/paano-gumawa-ng-ligtas-na-inuming-tubig/

11. Weather Watch

2 hours ago

PIA-NCR: Sa panayam ngayong umaga kay Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)

Secretary Sonny Coloma, sinabi niyang walang halong pulitika ang gagawing imbestigasyon sa mga

pagkukulang sa preparasyon ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa pagdating ng Super Typhoon Yolanda. Sinabi

rin niyang sa muling pagtatayo ng mga istraktura sa mga apektadong lugar ay seseguruhin nang storm

resilient ang mga ito. Iniulat rin niyang lagpas P10 bilyong tulong na ang natatangggap ng pamahalaan mula

sa foreign donors. Makikita naman ang mga donasyon at kung paano ginasta sa Faith website ng

pamahalaan.

12. Weather Watch

3 hours ago

PIA-10: OCD 10 FORECAST (5am 19NOV2013): Tail-end of a cold front affecting Central Luzon.

Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Winds will be

light to moderate coming from the Northeast with slight to moderate seas.

13. Weather Watch

4 hours ago

DZBB: Sunod-sunod ang pagdating ng US C-130 sa Guiuan, Eastern Samar airport karga ang mga relief

goods. Patuloy din ang pagdagsa ng tao na nais umalis patungong Cebu o Maynila. Habang maraming

bilang na ng mga truck ang mamamataan upang maghatid ng mga relief goods sa iba‟t ibang lugar.

14. Weather Watch

5 hours ago

GMA: Balak ng Department of Agriculture na mag-angkat ng 500,000 metric tons ng bigas ngayong taon at

sa unang bahagi ng 2014 kasunod ng pananalasa ng bagyong Santi at Yolanda.

15. Weather Watch

5 hours ago

ABS-CBN: Sinisimulan na ng DPWH ang pagtatayo ng tent city sa Tacloban City kung saan plano nila

paabutin ang tent sa bilang na 1,000. Samantala, tuloy-tuloy pa rin naman ang paglabas ng mga taga-

Tacloban patungong Maynila.

Weather Watch

November 19 , 2013 ( Tuesday ) as of 6:00-7:00 AM

CAVITE : Sunny LAGUNA : Cloudy BATANGAS : Cloudy RIZAL : Fair Weather

QUEZON : Partly Cloudy with Isolated Light Rainshowers

PIA Regional Watch

1. PIA Regional Watch

18 hours ago

PIA-4A/QUEZON: The provincial government of Quezon through the provincial tourism office conducts

'Oplan Make a Difference' at Pacific mall, Lucena City. This is a disaster relief drive for the victims of

typhoon ' Yolanda.'

2. PIA Regional Watch

20 hours ago

PIA-4A/CAVITE: Members of the provincial board recently convened the leadership of the Cavite-PNP to

dicuss the current peace and order situation in the province and to determine what security and safety

programs prepared by the police. PNP-Cavite Director Sr. Supt. Joselito Esquivel explained that the PNP is

doing its best to lessen the crime statistics and monitoring the police performance and discipline plus

intelligence network.

A. QUEZON

1. Quezon sets up bio-control lab to control coco

scale insects

BY: JOSELITO M. GIRON

Thursday 14th of November 2013

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Nov. 14 (PIA) --The provincial government of Quezon has

established a bio-control laboratory at the office of the provincial agriculture (OPA) in

barangay Talipan, Pagbilao town.

Provincial agriculturist Roberto Gajo, said the lab will breed „coccinelid‟ beetle, an

insect species that will be utilized in fighting the „coco-scale‟ insects. “The

„coccinelid beetle‟ will be released in the infected barangays to stop affecting coconut

trees and other fruit bearing trees like lanzones and mangosteen.”

Quezon governor David Suarez instructed the OPA to devise necessary measure to

control the infestation so as not to disrupt the „Serbisyong Suarez sa Agrikultura‟

program.

Earlier, the OPA held training of trainers on coco-scale insect attended by designated

trainers from the 39 municipal agriculture offices in the province.

Gajo hopes that through these efforts, the coco-scale insect infestation may no longer

pose a threat to coconut trees and other fruit bearing trees in the province.

The most affected towns of coco-scale insect infestation are the towns of Mauban,

Sampaloc, Lucban and Tayabas City. (PIA-Quezon)

B. CAVITE

CSC bestows Level II-accreditation to

Cavite prov’l gov’t, LGUs and GOCCs Thursday 14th of November 2013

Trece Martires City, Cavite, Nov. 14 (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission (CSC)

issued a certificate of revalidation- Level II-Accredited Status to the provincial

government, nine Local Government Units (LGUs) and four Government Owned and

Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) for excellence in human resource management

program.

The certificate of revalidation was granted to the province for passing the Level II

Revalidation Assessment conducted by CSC Regional Office No. 4 in May 2012 and

continued to be compliant in the requirements for Level II-Accredited Status in the

reassessment held February 2013.

Aside from the provincial government, the recipients are the towns of Alfonso,

Carmona, General Mariano Alvarez, Indang, Magallanes, Mendez, Naic, Noveleta,

and Cavite City while the GOCCs are the General E. Aguinaldo Water District, Silang

Water District, Tagaytay City Water District and Trece Martires City Water District.

The Level II-Accredited Status is subject to terms and conditions set by the CSC‟s

Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource

Management (PRIME-HRM) that aims to inculcate meritocracy and excellence in the

public service human resource management through a program of reward.

CSC Cavite field office director II Charity F. Arevalo, explained through powerpoint

presentation the requirements for level II accreditation during the program held Nov.

12 at the ceremonial hall of the provincial capitol. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-

Cavite/PICAD)

C. LAGUNA

1. ATI prepares farmers as organic

agriculture champions

BY: CARLO P. GONZAGA

Thursday 14th of November 2013

LOS BANOS, Laguna, Nov. 14 (PIA) --The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) is

readying the organic farmers as their partner in promoting organic agriculture (OA) in

the region.

In the recent seminar on communication advocacies for organic agriculture champions

held Nov. 7-9, 2013 at Mountain Lake Ecoresort, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, four

organic agriculture practicing farmers from Calabarzon region participated in the

activity.

The organic farmers were: Lucio Gurango from Infanta, Quezon; Enrique Magpantay

from Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas; Brian Belen from San Pablo City, Laguna; and

Jaime Javier from Baras, Rizal. Along with participants from Region IV B and III, the

Calabarzon delegation share their insights and commitment to the promotion of OA.

ATI Region 12 organized the activity.

Earlier, the first batch of the OA champion farmers and advocates from the Northern

Mindanao group comprising Regions 9, 10 and Caraga attended the same activity last

Oct. 8-10, 2013 at Costales Nature Farms, barangay Gagalot in Majayjay town.

Farmers, agricultural extension workers and local executives from the three regions

listened to the best farm practices of 2012 Gawad Saka Awardee for Organic

Agriculture, Ronald Costales. The discussion was supplemented with a farm tour and

hands-on activities in his farm and a series of workshops on how to advocate OA and

their commitments to OA practices.

Two more batches are scheduled this November for Visayas group and the rest of

Mindanao. (CPG, PIA4A with report from Roland V. Maningas, ATI4A)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=631384399634#sthash.7bTvOusg.dpuf

D. BATANGAS

E. RIZAL

President Aquino calls on citizenry to help Yolanda

typhoon victims to alleviate their suffering

Aquino not leaving Tacloban City until he sees

progress in 'Yolanda' relief work

18 NOVEMBER 2013.

Aquino not leaving Tacloban City until he sees progress in 'Yolanda' relief work

President Aquino visits 'Yolanda'-ravaged areas in Leyte

Presence of President Aquino in typhoon devastated areas in Samar, Leyte, will boost the morale of

the typhoon victims

President Aquino wants immediate recovery of Leyte’s agriculture sector

Aquino government studying possibility of tapping Malampaya funds to restore power supply in

areas devastated by 'Yolanda' and October 15 earthquake

Aquino assures the international aid for PHL are being used properly, efficiently with the launching of

„FAiTH‟

President Aquino says government working on all-weather emergency communication system

Foreign aid received by govt for 'Yolanda' will be audited by COA, Abad says

Eastern Visayas will have power by December, says Energy Secretary Petilla

Aquino not leaving Tacloban City until he sees progress in 'Yolanda' relief work

(TACLOBAN CITY) Until he sees substantial progress in relief work for residents affected by super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan), President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday said he is not keen on returning to Manila. In an interview with reporters here after inspecting the National Food Authority facility here, the President said he wants to see more efficient work from the teams conducting relief work on the ground. ―Hanggang makuntento tayong okay na ang sitwasyon, na wala nang maidadagdag pa dito (Until I am satisfied that the situation is okay, and when there is nothing else to improve on),‖ he said when asked how long he plans to stay here. President Aquino said the progress of relief work has so far fallen below his expectations. ―Yung marami tayong inaasahan after one week, hindi ko nakikita. So baka dapat... Kaya nandito tayo ngayon, tutok na tutok (I had expected much more substantial progress after one week but I did not see it today. So perhaps what is needed is for me to personally keep an eye on things),‖ he said. ―Hanggang wala akong makitang maidadagdag ko pa dito, mananatili muna tayo dito (Until I am convinced there is nothing more to be done, I will stay here),‖ he reiterated. The president said he is ―never satisfied‖ and that he always looks for the most efficient way to do things. He said this includes all procedures, from packing relief goods to transporting them. In this regard, he said he expects the bottleneck at Matnog port in Bicol to be reduced in the coming days. As of Sunday, he said he was told by the port administrator that the bottleneck had been reduced from six to two kilometers. He also said authorities are considering utilizing another port that can ―stretch the capacities from Sorsogon.‖ Meanwhile, the President said he would meet with Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez to discuss what more should be done. The President earlier went to Guiuan, eastern Samar, before proceeding to Tacloban City. PND (jl)

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President Aquino visits 'Yolanda'-ravaged areas in Leyte

(PALO, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday visited at least two areas in this province that were battered by super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan) earlier this month.

The President visited the heavily damaged municipal hall here shortly after 9 a.m., and was welcomed warmly by the residents.

He received a briefing on the damage from the typhoon from local officials.

After the briefing, President Aquino led the distribution of relief bags to the residents, many of whom waited in a queue since early morning.

He then visited the local market where he witnessed residents trying to resume their daily lives after Yolanda lashed Visayas.

The President then proceeded to Alangalang town where he took part in the turnover of rice, water and tarpaulins to the local government.

He then asked residents gathered outside the town hall for understanding that they may not immediately have electricity back until authorities make sure the power facilities are safe and there is little risk of electrocution.

The President visited Yolanda-affected areas Sunday and said he is not keen on returning to Manila until he is satisfied with the ongoing relief and recovery efforts. PND (jl)

TOP

Presence of President Aquino in typhoon devastated areas in Samar, Leyte, will boost the morale of the typhoon victims

The presence of President Benigno S. Aquino III in typhoon-devastated Leyte and Samar will boost the morale of the typhoon victims, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio ―Sonny‖ Coloma Jr. said. In an interview aired over ABS-CBN's "Umagang Kay Ganda," Coloma said on Monday that the Chief Executive wants to assure everyone of those affected by super typhoon "Yolanda" (internationally known as Haiyan) of his concern for them. "Malaking bagay po kasi iyong prisensya mismo ng ating Pangulo para maitaas ang morale ng ating mga kababayan–nakita po natin ito sa Bohol, sa Zamboanga. Kasi po, talagang binibigyan ng halaga ng ating mga mamamayan iyong kanilang lider, at tinitingnan nila ang pagkilos ng pamahalaan na naayon sa direktiba ng Pangulo," Coloma said. The President returned on Sunday to Tacloban City to personally oversee the ongoing recovery and reconstruction efforts to restore normalcy in areas hit by the super typhoon. He first visited Guiuan, Eastern Samar before proceeding to Tacloban City. President Aquino emphasized the need for a close coordination between the national government and the local government units to bring immediate assistance for the typhoon victims. "Ang una talagang inasikaso natin ay matiyak na makontak lahat ng mayor at maitaas ang komunikasyon dahil ito ang pinakamahalagang elemento sa pagsasagawa ng relief. Kung walang kontak at kung walang titimon doon mismo sa lugar na paggaganapan ng relief ay mahihirapan tayo," the Communications Secretary said. "Inabot ng hanggang limang araw para maging 100% fully accounted for lahat ng mga alkalde sa Leyte at doon sa Samar. Ang ating Pangulo naman ay naka-focus lang sa trabahong dapat gawin para mas bumilis at mapahusay ang pagkilos," he said. PND (js)

TOP

President Aquino wants immediate recovery of Leyte‟s agriculture sector

(ALANGALANG, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III said he wants Leyte‘s agriculture sector to immediately recover following the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda. The Department of Agriculture‘s initial estimate on the worth of damage to Region 8‘s agriculture sector could be more than P3 billion. In his message during his visit here in Alangalang on Monday, the President said he will instruct Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala to coordinate with Leyte municipalities to rehabilitate their agriculture sector. ―Pababalikin natin si Secretary Alcala para makipag-ugnayan sa lahat ng mayor ng Leyte at para maagapan ang problema sa binhi,‖ the President said. The President also said the government starts to repair power lines admitting however that it won‘t be an easy task given the destruction left by the typhoon in the province.

―Yung kuryente ho ninyo nag-uumpisa nang ikabit ang mga bagong linya pero hindi ito mabilisan... nakita naman ninyo kung gaano karami yung kawad na nakakalat sa mga kalye, delikado kung bubuksan na natin yung kuryente,‖ the President said adding that he wants to make sure that restoring electricity will not harm anyone. Major roads were also open and relief goods and equipment could now enter Leyte with ease, he said. He appealed for the people‘s cooperation and volunteerism to normalize everything in the province ―Tuloy-tuloy po ito hanggang makabangon tayong lahat dito. Pakiusap lang ho natin damayan, pakikisama sa isa‘t isa, at konting pasensiya para mapabilis yung buong proseso ng pagbabangon, lalo na dito sa Alangalang,‖ the President said. The President visited Palo and Alangalang in this province affected by typhoon Yolanda. After visiting the heavily damaged municipal hall in Palo, he had a briefing on the damage from the local officials. After the briefing, the President led the distribution of relief bags to the residents. He then visited Palo‘s local market to interact with the residents. The President then proceeded to Alangalang town where he led the turnover of rice, water and tarpaulins to the local government. PND (as)

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Aquino government studying possibility of tapping Malampaya funds to restore power supply in areas devastated by 'Yolanda' and October 15 earthquake

The Aquino government is studying the proposal to tap the Malampaya funds to restore the power supply in areas devastated by super typhoon "Yolanda" and the October 15 earthquake, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Monday. In an interview aired over Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), Coloma said the Chief Executive directed his legal staff to look into the proposal of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla to tap Malampaya royalties to buy power generators and other requirements to normalize the energy supply in Eastern Visayas that was devastated by super typhoon Yolanda. According to Petilla, the government needs to help as well in restoring the energy supply in several areas in Central Visayas that were affected by the October 15 magnitude 7.2- earthquake. The President wants to ensure that the government is following the law in utilizing the Malampaya funds, Coloma said. "Ano ba iyong awtorisadong paggamit ng Malampaya Fund? Sa aking pag-unawa, awtorisadong paggamit kapag energy-related ang paggagamitan... Ang pinaka-energy related po ang pagbagsak ng electric power infrastructure sa Leyte at Samar, at sa iba pang mga lugar," Coloma said. "Sinu-survey pa po, inaalam ang full extent ng damage nito, pero marami po talagang mga transmission towers na bumagsak; at kailangan nito ng massive capital expenditure, na hindi po siguro kakayanin ng mga local—well, hindi po kakayanin noong National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, iyong NGCP na siyang concessionaire sa pagpapatakbo nitong mga transmission facilities na ito," the Communications Secretary said. Coloma said the electric cooperatives affected by Yolanda may seek help from the Energy Regulatory Commission and National Electrification Administration to continue their operations. He said the ERC can authorize added capital expenditures for electric cooperatives. PND (js)

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Aquino assures the international aid for PHL are being used properly, efficiently with the launching of „FAiTH‟

President Benigno S. Aquino III assured on Monday that the international aid for the Philippines in the wake of super typhoon "Yolanda" are being used properly and efficiently with the launching of the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAiTH). "Throughout my presidency, we have always made it a point to abide by the pillars of good governance: transparency, accountability, and integrity. It is in light of this that we are launching ―FAiTH,‖ which stands for Foreign Aid Transparency Hub. This can be accessed through: http://www.gov.ph/faith," the Chief Executive said in his message read by Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday. The government launched on Monday the FAiTH website that is considered a groundbreaking web-based initiative that will allow the public to monitor the status of foreign assistance to the country in response to disasters and calamities. "FAiTH is an online portal of information on calamity aid and assistance, whether in cash or in kind, received by the Philippines from nations and multilateral organizations, as well as those coursed through our embassies abroad," the

President said. "Not only will FAiTH contain detailed information on the help that has been given to us from our friends and partners abroad; it will also track how these donations are used, if assistance is to be coursed through government agencies," the President said. "And I take this opportunity to invite—and to encourage—international and local nongovernment organizations and groups to use the FAiTH website, and stand with us in this effort to maximize the transparency and efficiency of our collective efforts," he added. The launch of FAiTH consists of tracking foreign aid initially for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda, and subsequently, for the victims of other calamities. The details of foreign aid can be viewed individually, per donor country or organization; and they can also be viewed as part of the full report. "This is only one aspect of our government‘s response to Typhoon Yolanda. While helping our people recover from the tragedy and rebuilding destroyed communities and infrastructure are our foremost priorities, we also know that it is important to reinforce the relationship we have with our people and with the international community," the President stressed. "We will do this by ensuring that the aid and assistance pledged for Filipinos will be used only to benefit Filipinos. Ultimately, FAiTH is more than a hub of information: it is an expression of appreciation for the kindness of those who stand in solidarity with our countrymen, and it is a continuation of our promise to the Filipino people: we are here only to serve you," he said. Tracking the status of foreign aid will be undertaken by the FAiTH Team, composed of representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Finance, the Commission on Audit, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Presidential Management Staff, and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson-Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. PND (js)

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President Aquino says government working on all-weather emergency communication system

(ALANGALANG, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday said the government is working on a basic communication system that will not be dependent on external power sources or on cellular networks. In an interview with media here, the President said he had asked the Department of Science and Technology to draw up a plan for the system. "I've been asking the DOST to come up with a communication system ... something that is not as dependent on external power sources, something that does not rely on cellular networks. Something we can rely on 24/7 regardless of what the weather conditions are," he said. The lack of power and communications caused by super typhoon Yolanda had hampered the delivery of relief goods and services to some affected areas. The President said the government is trying to improve its capabilities in dealing with disasters. "Perhaps we are trying to improve all the processes. We want to be able to respond faster, more efficiently and more completely," the President said. On the other hand, the Chief Executive said he cannot afford to despair at this time because it may rub off on the people. Instead, he said he would rather have the people practice bayanihan, the Filipino trait where communities help each other. The President also said his Cabinet had been taking extra roles, including Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya becoming transport logistics czar, and Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz being the point person for all the donations, whether in kind, in cash, and in physical services. "So many members of the Cabinet are actually undertaking more than their portfolio and nobody's complaining," he said. PND (jl)

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Foreign aid received by govt for 'Yolanda' will be audited by COA, Abad says

The foreign aid received by the Aquino government in the wake of super typhoon "Yolanda" will be audited by the Commission on Audit (COA), Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said on Monday.

Abad made the assurance during the regular press briefing in Malacanang, coinciding with the launching of the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAiTH) website in Malacanang Palace. The FAiTH website is considered a groundbreaking web-based initiative that will allow the public to monitor the status of foreign assistance to the country in response to disasters and calamities. Abad said FAiTH will track the status of foreign aid coursed through government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Office of Civil Defense. The portal, which can be accessed via www.gov.ph/faith, will show comprehensive information on humanitarian aid donated to the Philippine government. If the donations are coursed through government agencies, the portal will likewise show users how the funds were spent. Any individual who will be found liable for the misuse of international aid to the Philippine government will be charged and prosecuted for the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Abad said. "I think there is the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and I think COA is going to audit this, and on the basis of COA findings, they can identify the particular violations, if there are any... With respect to funds that go through the government, then we can be accountable. If these are international aid coming into our coffers, meaning it goes to the Treasury, then they become Philippine funds and, therefore, they are covered by all our accountability and auditing rules," Abad said. "But if these are international, say, United Nations funds coursed through UN organizations, or for example, the US bilateral funds coursed through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), that ultimately disburses it or, let‘s say, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees disburses it, I don‘t think that the government can be held accountable for those," Abad said. "If we are so informed through official communiqués to DFA, foreign aid coursed through non-government organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross or other government organizations such as AusAid, the information will only be recorded in the portal, and will not be tracked," he said. PND (js)

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Eastern Visayas will have power by December, says Energy Secretary Petilla

(PALO, Leyte) Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla said he targets to restore the supply of electricity in the Visayas region, which was devastated by Typhoon Yolanda by December 24. In an interview here in Palo Monday, Petilla said he is hopeful of energizing the region by December 24 considering the availability of manpower and equipment to complete the work. He said volunteers from Mindanao electric cooperatives are coming to help the Visayas region bring back electricity. There are also available materials particularly the equipment being used for the sitio electrification program of the government which could be used to fix damaged lines and poles. The Manila Electric Co. is also coming to help, according to Petilla, which he said would be a great help for the initiative since Meralco has the equipment and expertise. Once Meralco arrives, Petilla said he expects to have at least 200 people working on power restoration. Almost 160 towers were damaged by the typhoon, he said. The most number of damaged towers is in Panay Island with 134 toppled towers. Works are now ongoing to erect new towers, he said. In terms of distribution, the energy department targets to energize Palo first, he said. Palo will have street lights Monday night, according to Petilla. The goal he said is to connect areas in Palo once power lines in every barangay is fixed. Restoring power during Christmas will give people hope and boost their morale, he said. ―Itong pagpapa-ilaw ng mga street lights para lang merong signs of hope dito sa atin. Kasi kung walang ilaw, talagang walang pag-asa,‖ he said. The major concern is that most of the houses in typhoon-affected areas are damaged and this may delay the electrification process. Electricians from volunteer cooperatives will first fix the distribution lines and once their job is finished, they will help in repairing or installing wirings in the households.

Petilla, together with other Cabinet secretaries, joined President Aquino in visiting different parts of Leyte, Monday. The President first went to Palo Monday morning and then proceeded to Alangalang, also here in Leyte. In the afternoon, the President visited different parts of Tacloban City to distribute relief goods and meet typhoon survivors. PND (as)

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Pamamalagi ng Pangulong Aquino sa mga pook na

sinalanta ni Yolanda sa Samar at Leyte, magpapalakas

ng loob ng mga biktima ng bagyo

18 NOBYEMBRE 2013

Hindi aalis si Aquino sa Tacloban City habang hindi natitiyak na maayos ang pamamahagi ng tulong sa biktima ng bagyong 'Yolanda'

Nagsadya ang Pangulong Aquino sa Leyte na sinalanta ni 'Yolanda'

Pamamalagi ng Pangulong Aquino sa mga pook na sinalanta ni Yolanda sa Samar at Leyte, magpapalakas ng loob ng mga biktima ng bagyo

Nais ng Pangulong Aquino na unang ibangon ang pagsasaka sa Leyte

Pinag-aaralan ng gobyernong Aquino na gamitin ang pondo ng Malampaya upang maibalik ang koryente sa

mga sinalanta ni Yolanda at ng lindol

Tiniyak ni Aquino na ginagamit nang maingat at wasto ang pandaigdig na tulong sa Pilipinas kasabay sa paglulunsad ng 'FAiTH'

Inihahanda ng pamahalaan, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino ang all-weather emergency communication system

Hindi aalis si Aquino sa Tacloban City habang hindi natitiyak na maayos ang pamamahagi ng tulong sa biktima ng bagyong 'Yolanda'

LUNGSOD NG TACLOBAN, Leyte) Hindi lilisanin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang lungsod na ito habang hindi niya natitiyak na maayos ang pamamahagi ng tulong sa mga tagarito na malubhang naapektuhan ng napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda." Sa panayam ng Pangulong Aquino na bumalik rito Linggo at makaraang ispeksiyunin ang bodega ng National Food Authority, sinabi niyang ibig niyang makitang talagang puspusan ang ginagawang pamamahagi ng tulong ng mga grupong narito. ―Hanggang makontento tayong okay na ang sitwasyon at wala nang maidaragdag pa rito,‖ sagot ng Pangulo sa mga reporter na kumapanayam sa kanya. Sinabi ng Pangulong Aquino na hindi siya nasiyahan sa ginagawang pamamahagi ng tulong dito sa mga biktima ng daluyong na likha ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda. ―Marami tayong inaasahan makalipas ang isang linggo. Hindi ko nakikita. Baka dapat…kaya ako narito ngayon para matutukan nang husto,‖ dugtong ng Pangulo. ―Hanggang wala akong nakikitang maidaragdag ko pa rito, mananatili muna tayo rito,‖ wika pa ng Pangulo. Tahasang sinabi ng Pangulo na ―hindi siya nasisiyahan‖ at ang nais niya ay ang pinakamainam na paraan sa pagganap sa dapat gampanan. Idinugtong niya na kasama rito ang mga patakaran buhat sa paglalagay ng ―relief goods‖ sa mga supot hanggang sa paghahatid ng mga ito. Dahil dito, sabi pa ng Pangulo, inaasahan niyang mababawasan pati sa susunod na mga araw ang mahabang pila ng sasakyan sa Daungan ng Matnog sa Kabikulan. Sinabi ng Pangulo na ngayong Linggo, ipinagbigay-alam na sa kanya ng tagapamahala ng daungan na ang pila ng sasakyan ay dalawang kilometro na lamang buhat sa dating anim na kilometro. Ayon sa Pangulo, pinag-aaralan ng mga maykapangyarihan ang paggamit ng isa pang daungan para ―mabawasan ang haba ng pila sa Sorsogon.‖ Samantala,nakatakdang makipagpulong ang Pangulo kay Alkalde Alfred Romualdez ng lungsod na ito upang talakayin ang mga dapat pang gawin. Una nang sinadya ng Pangulo ang Guiuan, Silangang Samar bago tumuloy rito sa Lungsod ng Tacloban. PND (jl/zaf)

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Nagsadya ang Pangulong Aquino sa Leyte na sinalanta ni 'Yolanda'

(PALO, Leyte) Dalawang pook sa lalawigang ito ang malubhang sinalanta ng napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda" (Haiyan) noong nagdaang linggo. Unang nagpunta ang Pangulo sa wasak na wasak na gusali ng pamahalaang bayan dito makalampas ang ikasiyam ng umaga kung saan masigla siyang sinalubong ng taong bayan.

Pinakinggan ng Pangulo ang ulat ng mga lokal na pinuno tungkol sa mga pinsalang idinulot ng bagyo. Pagkatapos, pinangunahan ng Pangulong Aquino ang pamamahagi ng tulong sa mga mamamayan dito na ang karamihan ay nag-abang na sa kanya maaga pa lamang. Tinungo naman ng Pangulo pagkatapos ang pamilihang bayan dito kung saan nasaksihan niya ang maraming namimili na nanumbalik na sa pang-araw-araw nilang pamumuhay pagkaraan ng pananalasa ni Yolanda sa Kabisayaan. Buhat dito sa Palo, tumuloy ang Pangulo sa bayan ng Alangalang kung saan ipinagkalooh niya sa pamahalaang lokal ang bigas, tubig at mga tarpaulin. Sa pananalita sa harap ng mga mamamayang natipon sa harapan ng gusali ng munisipyo, hiniling ng Pangulo sa madla na unawain lamang na hindi karakarakang maibabalik ang koryente sa kanilang pook habang hindi natitiyak ng mga kinauukulang pinuno na maayos at ligtas ang lahat ng kawad ng koryente at walang panganib na mapahamak ang sino man. Linggo nang bumalik ang Pangulo rito para sadyain ang mga pook na sinalanta ni Yolanda at ng daluyong ng naglalakihang alon na dala nito. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na hindi siya babalik sa Maynila habang hindi siya nasisiyahan sa mga ginagawang pamamahagi ng tulong at pagsisikap na manumbalik sa normal ang kalagayan sa mga pook na sinalantaq ng bagyo. PND (jl/zaf)

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Pamamalagi ng Pangulong Aquino sa mga pook na sinalanta ni Yolanda sa Samar at Leyte, magpapalakas ng loob ng mga biktima ng bagyo

Magpapalakas ng loob at magbibigay-sigla sa mga biktima ng malubhang pagkapinsala ng Leyte at Samar dahil sa bagyong "Yolanda" ang pagtungo ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa mga lalawigang nasabi, sang-ayon kay Kalihim Herminio ―Sonny‖ Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office. Sa panayam sa ―Umagang Kay-Ganda‖ ng ABS-CBN Lunes ng umaga, sinabi ni Coloma na ibig tiyakin ng Punong Tagapagpaganap na tiyakin sa bawa‘t isang nasa pook na sinalanta ng bagyo, hindi lamang ang pag-aalaala niya sa mga ito, kundi higit sa lahat, ang malasakit niyang malaman ang kalagayan ng mga mamamayan doon. ―Malaking bagay po kasi ang presensiya mismo ng ating Pangulo para maitaas ang morale ng mga kababayan. Nakita po natin ito sa Bohol at sa Zamboanga. Kasi po, talagang binibigyan ng halaga ng ating mga mamamayan ang kanilang lider at tinitingnan ang pagkilos ng pamahalaan na naaayon sa direktiba ng Pangulo,‖ paliwanag ni Coloma. Bumalik ang Pangulo Linggo sa Lungsod ng Tacloban upang personal na subaybayan ang ginagawang pagsisikap tungo sa pagbabagong -tatag at manumbalik ang normal na kalagayan sa mga pook na malubhang sinalanta ng pinakamalakas na bagyong ito. Unang nagtungo ang Pangulo sa Guiuan, Silangang Samar bago tumuloy sa Lungsod ng Tacloban. Binigyang diin ng Pangulong Aquino ang halaga ng magkaugnay na pagtutulungan ng pamahalaang pambansa at lokal na pamahalaan upang mabilis at tuluy-tuloy na matulungan ang mga biktima ng bagyo. ―Ang una talagang inaasikaso natin ay matiyak na makaugnay ang lahat ng alkalde at maayos ang komunikasyon dahil ito ang pinakamahalagang elemento sa pagsasagawa ng pagtulong. Kung walang kontak at kung walang titimon doon mismo sa lugar na paggaganapan ng pamimigay ng tulong, mahihirapan tayo, ― dugtong ni Kalihim Coloma. ―Inabot ng hanggang limang araw para maging 100% na lubusang makaugnay ang lahat ng mga alkalde sa Leyte at doon sa Samar. Ang ating Pangulo naman ay nakatuopn lamang sa trabahong dapat gawin para mas bumilis at mapahusay ang pagkilos,‖ sabi pa ni Coloma. PND (js/zaf)

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Nais ng Pangulong Aquino na unang ibangon ang pagsasaka sa Leyte

(ALANGALANG, Leyte) Inihayag ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na ibig niyang unang ibangon ang sektor ng pagsasaka ng Leyte upang makaahon agad ang lalawigan sa matinding pinsalang iniwan ng napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda" na salig sa taya ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka ay mahigit na P3 bilyon ang halaga ng naging pinsala. Sa pagdalaw niya sa bayang ito Lunes, sinabi ng Pangulo na aatasan niya si Kalihim Proseso Alcala ng pagsasaka na makipag-ugnayan sa mga alkalde ng mga bayan ng Leyte na unahin ang rehabilitasyon ng sektor ng pagsasaka sa lalawigan. ―Pababalikin natin si Kalihim Alcala para makipag-ugnayan sa lahat ng alkalde ng Leyte para maagapan ang problema sa binhi,‖ wika ng Pangulo. Sinabi rin ng Pangulo na pasisimulan na ng panahalaan na kumpunihing lahat ang mga linya ng koryente na inamin niyang hindi madaling gawin dahil sa lawak ng pinsalang iniwan ng bagyo sa lalawigan. ―Ang koryente po ninyo, sinimulan nang lagyan ng mga bagong linya. Kaya lamang hindi ito magiging mabilis. Nakita naman ninyo kung gaano karami ang kawad na nakakalat sa mga kalye. Delikado kung bubuksan na natin ang koryente,‖ dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Nahawan at nadaraanan na ang mga pangunahing lansangan kaya naihahatid na sa Leyte nang mabilis ang mga relief goods. Nanawagan din ang Pangulo sa mga tagarito na makipagtulungan at sa bolunterismo upang mabilis na manumbalik ang normal na kalagayan ng lalawigan. ―Tuluy-tuloy po ito hanggang makabangon tayong lahat dito. Pakiusap lamang po natin ang damayan, pakikisama sa isa‘t isa at kaunting pasensiya para mapabilis ang buong proseso ng pagbabangon, lalo na rito sa Alangalang,‖ wika pa ng Pangulo. Dinalaw ng Pangulo ang Palo at Alangalang sa Leyte na malubhang pininsala ni Yolanda. Pagkagaling sa wasak na gusali ng munisipyo ng Palo, nakipagpulong siya sa mga lokal na pinuno. Pagkatapos ng pulong, pinangunahan ng Pangulo ang pamamahagi ng mga relief bags sa taong bayan. Nagtungo rin ang Pangulo sa pamilihang-bayan ng Palo upang makausap ang taong bayan sa nasabing pook. Pagkagaling dito, nagtuloy ang Pangulo sa bayan ng Alangalang kung saan nanguna siya sa pamamahagi ng bigas, tubig at mga tarpaulin sa lokal na pamahalaan. PND (as/zaf)

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Pinag-aaralan ng gobyernong Aquino na gamitin ang pondo ng Malampaya upang maibalik ang koryente sa mga sinalanta ni Yolanda at ng lindol

Pinag-aaralan ng gobyernong Aquino ang panukalang gamitin ang pondo ng Malampaya para maibalik ang koryente sa mga pook na malubhang sinalanta ng napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda" at ng lindol noong Oktubre 15, sabi ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma, Jr. ng Presidential Communications Operations Office Lunes. Sa panayam ng Radio Mindanao Network Lunes, sinabi ni Coloma na inatasan ng Pangulo ang kanyang legal staff na pag-aralan ang mungkahi ni Kalihim Carlos Jericho Petilla ng Enerhiya kung ang royalties ng Malampaya ay maaaring gamiting pambili ng mga power generators at iba pang kailangan upang magkaroon ng koryente ang Silangang Kabisayaan na malubhang pininsala ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda. Sinabi ni Petilla na dapat din tulungan ng pamahalaan na maibalik ang koryente sa maraming pook ng Gitnang Kabisayaan na sinalanta noong Oktubre 15 ng lindol na 7.2 ang lakas. Nais ng Pangulo, sabi ni Coloma, na matiyak na naaayon sa batas kung gagamitin ang mga pondo ng Malampaya. ―Ano ba ang awtorisadong paggamit ng pondo ng Malampaya? Sa aking pagkaunawa, awtorisadong paggamit kapag may kinalaman sa enerhiya ang paggagamitan. May kaugnayan po ang pagbagsak ng imprastraktura ng koryente ng Leyte at Samar at sa iba pang lugar,‖ swbi ni Coloma. ―Inaalam pa po kung gaano kalaki ang pinsala nito. Nguni‘t marami pong talagang mga transmission towers na bumagsak at kailangan nito ang massive capital expenditure na hindi po siguro kakayanin ng mga lokal. Hindi po kakayanin noong National Grid Corporation ng Pilipinas. Ang NGCP na siyang concessionaire na nagpapatakbo nitong mga pasilidad ng transmisyong ito,‖ dugtong pa ng Kalihim ng Komunikasyon. Idinagdag ni Coloma na ang mga kooperatiba ng koryente na nawasak ng bagyong Yolanda ay maaaring humingi ng tulong sa Energy Regulatory Commission at sa National Electrification Administration para maipagpatuloy ang operasyon nila. Ayon kay Coloma, maaaring pahintulutsn ng ERC ang karagdagang gugulin para sa puhunan ng mga kooperatiba ng koryente. PND (js/zaf)

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Tiniyak ni Aquino na ginagamit nang maingat at wasto ang pandaigdig na tulong sa Pilipinas kasabay sa paglulunsad ng 'FAiTH'

Tiniyak ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Lunes na ang tulong sa Pilipinas mula sa iba-ibang panig ng daigdig kaugnay ng pamiminsala ng napakalakas na bagyong "Yolanda" ay ginagamit nang wasto kaugnay ng paglulunsad ng ―Foreign Aid Transparency Hub‖ (FAiTH). ―Sa buong panahong ako ay Pangulo, patakaran naming lagi na umalinsunod sa tuntunin ng mabuting pamamahala na mayroong transparency (walang itatago), pananagutan at karangalan. Ito ang dahilan kaya inilulunsad namin ang ―FAiTH‖ na ang kahulugan ay Foreign Aid Transparency Hub. Mapapasok ito sa pamamagitan ng: http://www.gov.ph/faith,‖ wika ng Pangulo sa mensahe na binasa para sa kanya ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong balitaan sa Malacanang Lunes. Inilunsad ng pamahalaan Lunes ang FAiTH website na pasimula ng website initiative para masubaybayan ng madla ang kalagayan ng mga dayuhang-tulong sa bansa para gamitin sa mga kalamidad. Sinabi ng Pangulo na ang FAiTH ay pintuan ng kaalaman tungkol sa mga tulong sa kalamidad, salapi o ano mang bagay, na tinanggap ng Pangulo buhat sa ibang bansa at mga organisasyon at idinaan sa ating mga embahada. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na makikita sa FAiTH ang detalyadong impormasyon tungkol sa mga tulong na ibinigay sa atin ng ating mga kaibigan at kabalikat sa ibayong dagat at kung paano ginamit ang donasyon. ―Dahil dito, sasamantalahin ko ang pagkakataong ito upang anyayahan—at himukin—ang mga samahan at grupong pandaigdig at lokal na non-government organizations na gamitin ang FAiTH website at makiisa sa amin sa pagsisikap na gnawing hayagan at mabisa ang ating sama-samang pagtutulungan, ― dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Inilunsad ang FAiTH na pagturol kung saan napupunta ang tulong ng dayuhan para sa mga biktima ng Bagyong Yolanda at sa hinaharap na panahon ay ang magiging mga biktima naman ng iba pang kalamidad. Ang foreign aid na maaaring tingnang isa-isa, nagbigay na bansa o samahan at maaari namang tingnan ito bilang bahagi ng kabuuang ulat. Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na bahagi lamang ito ng tugon ng pamahalaan sa Bagyong Yolanda habang tinutulungan ang mga kababayan natin na makaahon mula sa trahedya ng daluyong at bagyo at makapagbagong tatag ang mga nawasak na komunidad at mga imprastraktura na siyang inuunang gawin. ―Alam din nating mahalagang ipagpatuloy ang magandang pag-uugnayan ng ating mga mamamayan at ng pandaigdig na komunidad,‖ sabi ng Pangulong Aquino. ―Gagawin namin ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtiyak na ang tulong para sa mga Pilipino ay gagamitin lamang sa kapakanan ng mga Pilipino. Higit sa lahat, ang FAiTH ay hindi lamang hub of information; ito ay pagpapahayag ng pagpapahalaga sa kagandahang-loob ng mga nakiki-isa sa ating mga kababayan at karugtong ng ating pangako sa sambayanang Pilipino na: narito lamang kami upang paglingkuran kayo,‖ dugtong pa ng Pangulo. Ang pagtugaygay sa mga foreign aid ay isasagawa ng FAiTH Team na bubuuin ng mga kinatawan ng Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas, Kagawaran ng Budget, Kagawaran ng Pananalapi, Kagawaran ng Kagalingang Panlipunan at Kaunlaran, Komisyon ng Awdit, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Presidential Management Staff, Office of the Presidential Spokesperson-Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office. PND (js/zaf)

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Inihahanda ng pamahalaan, sabi ng Pangulong Aquino ang all-weather emergency communication system

(ALANGALANG, Leyte) Isang basic communication system ang inihahanda ng pamahalaan, sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na hindi aasa sa external power sources o sa celluar network. Sinabi ng Pangulong Aquino sa panayam ng media rito na inatasan na niya ang Kagawaran ng Agham at Teknolohiya (DOST) na maghanda ng plano para sa sistemang ito. ―Sinabi ko na sa DOST na maghanda ng sistema ng komunikasyon na hindi umaasa lamang sa external power sources o dili kaya ay sa cellular networks lamang. Ito ay sa isang bagay na maaasahan natin 24/7 ano man ang kalagayan ng panahon,‖ wika ng Pangulo. Ang kawalan ng koryente at komunikasyon dahil sa napakalakas na bagyhong Yolanda ang naging sagabal sa paghahatid ng tulong at serbisyo sa ilang pook na nasalanta. Idinugtong ng Pangulo na sinisikap ng pamahalaan na maayos na mabuti ang kakayahan nitong harapin ang mga kalamidad. ―Sinisikap naming maayos na mabuti ang lahat ng proseso. Ibig naming maging higit na mabilis, mabisa at lubos ang pagsaklolo at pagtugon namin,‖ sabi ng Pangulo. Sa kabilang dako, sinabi ng Pangulo na hindi niya magawang magdalamhati sa panahong ito sapagka‘t maaaring hindi ito makabuti sa ibang tao. Sa halip, wika ng Pangulo, ibig niyang pairalin ng mga kababayan natin ang bayanihan, isang ugaling Pilipino kung saan parang iisang taong kumikilos ang nagtutulung-tulong. Binanggit din ng Pangulo ang dagdag na gawaing ginagampanan nina Kalihim Joseph Emilio Abaya ng Trasportasyon na naging transport logistics czar pa, at si Kalihim Rosalinda Baldoz ng Paggawa na siyang taong tumatanggap ng lahat ng donasyon maging ano man ito, salapi at sa mga serhisyong pisikal. ―Ang totoo, higit na maraming kagawad ng Gabinete ang gumaganap sa tungkuling higit sa hawak nilang portfolio at wala ni isang nagrereklamo,‖ dagdag ng Pangulo. PND (jl/zaf)

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President Benigno S. Aquino III's Statement on Typhoon Yolanda Malacañang Palace 11 November 2013 Nitong Biyernes, humagupit sa malaking bahagi ng Kabisayaan ang Bagyong Yolanda. Isa ito sa pinakamalakas na bagyo sa kasaysayan ng bansa, kung di man ng buong mundo. Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa mga dalubhasa mula sa PAGASA, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Phivolcs, at DOST, na kumalap at nagbigay ng tama at detalyadong impormasyon na naging dahilan upang makapaghanda nang maayos ang ating mga kababayan. Ito ang nagbigay-daan para sa iniuulat na mababang casualty count mula sa ilang mga probinsyang dinaanan din ng bagyo, tulad ng Oriental at Occidental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Palawan, Aklan, at Romblon, kung saan maagang nakapaghanda ang lokal na pamahalaan. Sa kabila po nito, personal din nating nasaksihan ang matinding pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong ito sa Leyte at Samar. Dito sa kung saan tila naembudo ang mga storm surge ni Yolanda nakita ang pinakamabigat na pinsala, at dito nakatutok ang ating pagbibigay lingap sa mga sandaling ito. Humihingi rin po tayo ng pang-unawa sa lahat. Sa paghahagupit ni Yolanda, nawalan ng kuryente at komunikasyon sa maraming lugar. Apektado po nito, hindi lamang ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga nais makasigurong ligtas ang kanilang mga kaanak, kundi pati na rin ang koordinasyon ng ating relief efforts. Para mapadala ang pangangailangan, kailangan nating malaman ang kakulangan ng bawat lugar; nahirapan po tayong makuha ang mga datos na ito. May ilang lokal na pamahalaan, sa lakas ng delubyo, na bumigay din po dahil kabilang sa mga nasalanta ang kanilang mga tauhan at opisyal. Isipin po ninyo, bumalik tayo sa situwasyon kung saan pasa-pasa ang impormasyon—walang TV, cellphone, o internet; sarado ang mga tindahan; hindi naging madali ang pag-oorganisa ng relief efforts. Naging ugat po ito ng kaguluhan sa ilang mga lugar. Dito po‘y papasok ang pambansang pamahalaan. Imbis na dumagdag lamang tayo sa lakas ng mga komunidad, kinailangang manguna ng pambansang gobyerno. Nilinis ng DPWH ang mga kalsadang

binagsakan ng malalaking puno at mga poste ng kuryente ; lahat ng naireport na bara ay nabuksan na. Ayon na rin sa kahilingan ng mga lokal na opisyal, nagpadala tayo ng karagdagang 800 mga sundalo at pulis sa Tacloban upang ibalik ang kaayusan. May tatlong repacking center po tayong naglalabas ng di baba sa 55,000 mga family food pack kada araw; inatasan na po natin si Secretary Abaya ng DOTC upang imando ang pagdadala ng mga relief goods kung saan ito pinakakailangan. Inuna natin ang pagdadala ng pagkain, tubig, at gamot sa mga pinakaapektadong lugar. Dadaanin po natin sa mga barangay ang pagpapamigay ng mga pangunahing pangangailangang ito; 24,000 family food packs na po ang napamudmod sa Tacloban kahapon, at nakasentro ang pagpapamigay sa walong pinakamalaking barangay doon. Mayroon tayong dalawang water purification facilities, at marami pa ang darating, upang masigurong may maiinom ang ating mga kababayan. Inaayos na natin ang mekanismo para mapalawak ang saklaw ng social housing program ng pamahalaan. Mula po sa ating mga calamity funds, contingency funds, at savings, mayroong 18.7 billion pesos na maaaring gamitin upang ibangon ang mga lugar na pininsala ni Yolanda. Dumarating na rin po ang tulong mula sa ibang bansa; 22 bansa na po ang nagpanata o nagbigay na ng tulong, kabilang na ang Indonesia, Amerika, Inglatera, bansang Hapon, Singapore, New Zealand, pati na rin po ang Hungary. Tumutulong na rin po sa iba‘t ibang paraan ang pribadong sektor upang ibangon ang mga nasalanta, gaya ng sa pagbabalik ng daloy ng komunikasyon at pati ang pagmimintena ng krudo sa mga apektadong lugar. Kasabay nito, idinedeklara po natin ang State of national calamity upang mapabilis ang mga pagkilos ng pamahalaan para sa pagsagip, paghahatid ng tulong, at rehabilitasyon ng mga probinsyang sinalanta ni Yolanda. Mahalaga rin ito, hindi lamang para panatilihing kontrolado ang mga presyo ng mga pangunahing produkto at serbisyo na kakailanganin ng ating mga kakabayan, kundi upang maiwasan din ang overpricing at hoarding ng mga mahahalagang bilihin. Inaprubahan din natin ang kabuuang P1.1 billion para pandagdag sa Quick Response Funds ng DSWD at DPWH, para sa agarang pagpapatupad ng mga kinakailangang suporta para sa muling pagbangon ng mga kababayan nating hinagupit nitong trahedya. Bagaman nakapagtala ng mababang casualty count sa maraming mga probinsyang dinaanan ni Yolanda, sa mga lugar naman na tila naembudo ang bagyong ito, talaga naman pong malaki ang pinsalang nasaksihan natin. Tulad ninyo, gusto ko ring malaman kung paanong maiibsan ang situwasyon sa mga lugar na tulad nito. Sa mga darating na araw, maaasahan ninyo, lalo pang papaspas ang ayuda. Ang panawagan ko lang po: Ang pagiging kalmado, pagdarasal, pakikisama, at pakikipagtulungan. Siya ang magpapabangon sa atin mula sa sakunang ito. Maraming salamat po at magandang gabi sa inyong lahat.

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18 NOVEMBER 2013

18 NOVEMBER 2013

POEA revokes recruiter‟s license

DOLE's P50-M emergency employment in Eastern Visayas to start at building sites of bunkhouses, Baldoz says

Stranded Pantawid Pamilya kids reunite with parents

CCT beneficiaries among relief ops volunteers

Conveyor belt of food supply working; No more Leyte towns unreached - Roxas

DTI to run Diskwento Caravans in Leyte and Samar

Gov't pioneers online transparency hub for foreign aid

DepEd allows “emergency transfers” from Yolanda-stricken schools

Phl Embassy in Vientiane joins ASEAN-Japan Festival Bazaar in Laos

Phl Ambassador joins 14th Anniversary Celebration of National Library of South Africa

DA releases interventions to Typhoon-stricken E. Visayas

DAR helps calamity victims

Metro Manila begins hunt for top skilled workers in regional competition

MB places Rural Bank of Alaminos (Laguna), Inc. under PDIC receivership, all valid insured deposit claims will be paid

DOLE's P50-M emergency employment in Eastern Visayas to start at building sites of bunkhouses, Baldoz says

Source: http://www.dole.gov.ph

Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said the P50 million-DOLE emergency employment program, or cash-for-work program, for workers displaced by super Typhoon Yolanda will initially focus on sites where bunkhouses for the homeless will be built. Baldoz said the DOLE, through Undersecretary Rebecca Chato, in-charge of Region 8 Operations, is coordinating with the Departments of Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, and Public Works and Highways in the implementation of the emergency employment in areas where the bunkhouses will be built, explaining that determining the sites is best left to the expertise and jurisdictions of these departments. "We will begin as soon as the local government units in the devastated areas have submitted their work programs for the emergency employment. They will tell us how many workers will work and for how long, which should not be less than 15 days as per our agreement with Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development," she said. "Our aim in implementing emergency employment and livelihood programs is to enable disaster-stricken families to rebuild their lives, with better access to social protection and sustainable income sources," she said. Based on per capita cost, 12,671 workers across the provinces of Leyte, Eastern Samar, and Western Samar will benefit from the program, according to Baldoz. "They will be paid P260 per day, the minimum wage rate in the region and they will be provided social security benefits, including insurance in case of accidents," she stated. "Ormoc City is where we are most likely to jumpstart the program because the LGU there is ahead of the other LGUs in packaging a work program," she said.

Baldoz also said she expects the DOLE Regional Office No. 8 to be operational starting this week and its priority will be to assess the level of capability of local government units to co-undertake the emergency employment, or cash-for-work, program.

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Stranded Pantawid Pamilya kids reunite with parents

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Tacloban City, Leyte – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has helped two Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program children-beneficiaries be reunited with their parents after having been stranded in the city following Typhoon Yolanda. The children, Erica Gayon and Veronica Yenogasio from Basey, Samar, were stranded in Ormoc City on their way to Cebu City yesterday Both Erica and Veronica, 13 and 15 respectively, left Samar yesterday and hitched an army truck going to Ormoc. They were unable to board any of the vessels there going to Cebu due to the huge influx of people boarding. However, they were able to take an army truck ride back to Tacloban. Authorities turned over the stranded kids to DSWD. They were immediately accommodated at the Home for Girls in Palo, Leyte where they stayed overnight. DSWD located their parents and were eventually reunited with them. Erica‘s mother, Liliosa Gayon, was happy to see her daughter after being worried without any information as to what happened Erica‘s trip to Cebu to attend school. ―I am happy to see my daughter back again. I regretted allowing her to go on her own to Cebu,‖ Liliosa said.

―I realized it was so dangerous for her to travel alone with the situation while most of Leyte have not stabilized yet,‖ she added. Liliosa thanked DSWD for the help.

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CCT beneficiaries among relief ops volunteers

Source: http://www.dswd.gov.ph

Pasay City – Fourteen Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries did not mind losing four days of opportunity to earn for their families when they joined thousands of volunteers who trooped to the National Resource Operations Center (NROC), the national warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to help repack relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. ―Nandito na po kami mula pa noong November 14. Pang-apat na araw na po namin ito (We have been here since November 14. This is already our fourth day.),‖ Marivic Romasanta, 49, a Pantawid Pamilya parent leader of Sun Valley, Pasay City said. She said they were encouraged by their city link to volunteer which they gladly accepted ―para makatulong din sa mga kababayan nating nasalanta ni ‗Yolanda‘ (to be able to help our countrymen affected by ‗Yolanda‘),‖ Romasanta said. Romasanta and her group are not new to volunteering work at NROC. ―Dati naman na po kaming volunteers dito sa NROC. Mula pa po noong [Bagyong] ‗Ondoy,‘ noong ‗Maring,‘ at noong ‗Habagat‘ din. Malapit lang naman po kasi ang lugar namin (We have been volunteering here at NROC. We were here during the relief operations for Typhoons Ondoy, Maring and Habagat. Afterall, our place is just near here),‖ Romasanta said. Romasanta said that they are already at NROC as early as 8:00 am and they usually leave at 5:00 pm. In their four days of repacking, the group has prepared around 4,000 family food packs. She said that they plan to be here as long as the relief operation continues, probably on rotation basis to enable them also to attend to their respective families. DSWD lauded and thanked the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries who are usually the first to respond during disasters. Aside from repacking, they also assist in relief operations, maintaining cleanliness of the evacuation centers, and running community kitchens, among others. Pantawid Pamilya is a poverty alleviation program of the national government that aims to break the inter-generational cycle of poverty of poor households by investing in human capital particularly on health, nutrition, and education of children aged 0-14. Beneficiaries are given cash grants of as much as P1,400 for the education and health needs of a maximum of three qualified children. To continue receiving the grants, families should comply with the following conditions: Pregnant women must avail of pre-and post natal care in a health facility and attended by professional birth attendant during childbirth; children 0-5 years old must receive regular preventive health check-ups and immunization; parents or guardians must attend monthly family development sessions; children 3-5 years old must enroll in day care and attend at least 85 % of the classes monthly; children 5-14 years old must enroll in pre-school and elementary or high school and should have an attendance of at least 85% monthly; and, children 6-14 years old in elementary and high school should receive deworming pills twice a year. As of October 30, there are 3.9 million Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries nationwide.

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Conveyor belt of food supply working; No more Leyte towns unreached - Roxas

Source: http://www.dilg.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas today reported that all 40 municipalities of Leyte are now interconnected with the government‘s main supply routes, making it possible for a ―conveyor belt of food supply‖ to reach even the farthest towns. Officials of Hilongos and Palompon, the only Leyte towns previously not reached by relief goods, finally established contact with the government‘s logistics hub in Ormoc City last Saturday and started bringing food packs and other relief items back to their constituents who survived the wrath of Supertyphoon Yolanda.

―Ngayon ay masasabi na natin na nabigyan na ng relief goods ang lahat ng bayan sa Leyte,‖ said Roxas, who is concurrent vice chairman for disaster preparedness of the National Diaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). ―Simula pa lamang ito at alam natin na kulang pa. Ang sigurado tayo, magiging regular na ang pagdating ng relief goods sa kanila dahil bukas na ang main supply routes natin at gumagana na ang ‗conveyor belt of food supply‘ na binuo natin sa Tacloban at Ormoc,‖ he added. The ―conveyor belt of food supply‖ will ensure distribution of food packs coming from the Tacloban City hub and Ormoc City hub every day. Relief efforts will continue as long as it‘s needed, Roxas said. The distribution has been divided into two. The Tacloban hub will be servicing 24 towns while the Ormoc hub will be servicing 16 towns. The affected municipalities of Eastern Samar, on the other hand, will get their food supply from the logistics hub set up at the airport in Guiuan. ―Our teams in the distribution hubs are working 24/7. Tuloy ang pag-empake ng relief goods sa gabi at sa umaga hanggang buong maghapon ang distribution,‖ Roxas said. On Saturday‘s relief operations, a total of 114,438 food packs from Tacloban and Ormoc hubs were distributed either by helicopter drop in remote barangays or by trucks. ―Dumarami ang naipapadala nating pagkain ngayon kumpara noong Biyernes (45,162 food packs) at Huwebes (15,447 food packs),‖ Roxas said. The food packs include six kilos of rice, six canned goods (3 sardines, 3 corned beef), eight instant noodles and eight sachet of coffee. Each food pack, for a family of five, will last for two to three days. The distribution of relief goods is spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the DILG, Department of National Defense and Philippine National Police. Roxas noted that although the tonnage for the food packs distributed has been increasing daily, only 32 towns of Leyte were reached by relief operations last Saturday. He explained that officials from eight Leyte towns failed to pick up their daily supply from the Tacloban and Ormoc hubs either due to lack of transportation or fuel. ―Regular na kumukuha ng suplay ang mga local officials natin araw-araw pero hindi sila nakabalik kahapon dahil ilan sa kanila, kinapos daw ng gasolina at iyong iba naman ay tumirik ang mga sasakyan,‖ Roxas said. The local officials, he said, assured him that they would pick up their supply the following day. The relief packs were distributed last Saturday as follows: a) Tacloban City – 138 barangays serviced and 12,950 food packs delivered (vs. 9,558 daily average over the last two days). Picked up by barangay officials from DSWD distribution hub or delivered to evacuation centers. b) Tacloban hub for 24 towns – 23 towns reached with 2,562 sacks of rice plus water and canned goods (vs. 1,930 last Friday). Also delivered 11,763 actual food packs (vs. no food packs Friday). Total of 52,755 equivalent food packs (vs. 33,167 Friday) c) Ormoc hub for 16 towns – nine towns reached with a total of 48,317 food packs (vs. 11,165 Friday).

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DTI to run Diskwento Caravans in Leyte and Samar

Source: http://www.dti.gov.ph

In its effort to stabilize food supply and sell basic goods at discounted prices in towns hit by typhoon Yolanda, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has organized a series of Diskwento Caravans in Leyte and Samar. ―After our first stop in Ormoc City last November 14, we will hold more Diskwento Caravans in Leyte, particularly in the towns of Maasin and Baybay,‖ DTI-Central Visayas Regional Director Asteria C. Caberte said. The DTI‘s Diskwento Caravan will be in Maasin on Monday (November 18), and Baybay on Tuesday (November 19). The schedules for the cities of Calbayog and Catbalogan in Samar are underway. The Diskwento Caravan is a flagship project of the DTI that provides consumers access to discounted basic goods. ―The people appreciated our first Diskwento Caravan in Leyte, and even requested us to stay longer for a few more days, or even a week,‖ Caberte said.

The participating companies were Gardenia, Nutri Asia, Nestle, Century Canning, Purefoods, and San Miguel. The products sold at discounted prices were bottled water, canned goods, coffee, milk, noodles, rice, biscuits, and bread. For the succeeding caravans, detergent, flashlights, batteries, candles, rice, eggs, and dressed chicken will be added to the product offerings. For more information on DTI‘s Diskwento Caravan, you may contact DTI-Central Visayas at telephone numbers (032) 255.0036 or 255.0037.

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Gov't pioneers online transparency hub for foreign aid

Source: http://www.dbm.gov.ph

Following the outpouring of international aid for the Philippines in the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the Aquino administration today announced the launch of the Foreign Aid Transparency Hub (FAiTH), a groundbreaking web-based initiative that will allow the public to monitor the status of foreign assistance to the country in response to disasters and calamities. FAiTH, which will be launched on November 18, is the first of its kind in the Philippine government, which previously did not have a system for tracking the use of disaster-relief funds donated by other countries and aid organizations. ―There‘s an urgent call now for us to monitor the movement of foreign aid funds for Yolanda so they will go exactly where they‘re supposed to: to the survivors of the typhoon for whom recovery will be a long and arduous process, and to the communities that need to be rehabilitated as quickly and efficiently as possible. FAiTH is the Aquino administration‘s pioneering response to this growing need for transparency and accountability in the management of humanitarian donations,‖ Department of Budget and Management Undersecretary and Chief Information Officer Richard ―Bon‖ Moya said. According to Moya, FAiTH will be an online portal of information on calamity aid and assistance—both in cash and in kind—received by the Philippines from other countries, multilateral organizations, and also those sent through Philippine embassies abroad. The portal, which can be accessed via www.gov.ph/faith, will show comprehensive information on humanitarian aid donated to the Philippine government. If the donations are coursed through government agencies—specifically the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of Civil Defense-National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (OCD-NDRRMC) of the Department of National Defense (DND)—the portal will likewise show users how the funds were spent. Tracking the status of foreign aid will be undertaken by the FAiTH Team, composed of representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Finance (DOF), the Commission on Audit (COA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), and the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson-Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (OPS-PCDSPO). Moya added that because the DFA and DoF are the main resources for information on foreign aid, the two agencies will be the primary data source for FAiTH. ―Counter to what most people think, foreign aid isn‘t given to the Philippine government in hard cash. Instead, these arrive in the form of pledges, which are released to aid groups or their corresponding organizations in the Philippines, such as USAID and Red Cross. In cases like this, FAiTH doesn‘t monitor these funds; instead, it tracks foreign aid that is coursed through Philippine government agencies,‖ Moya said. Meanwhile, DBM Secretary Florencio ―Butch‖ Abad said that Administration efforts to bolster foreign aid transparency should go hand-in-hand with civil society and donor initiatives to improve accountability in the management of disaster funding, in line with the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI). ―We believe that other humanitarian organizations and civil society groups want the very same things that this Administration is working for: greater transparency and accountability in the use of funds, especially those that are meant to bring relief and urgent assistance to the victims of calamities. Working together, the Philippine government and the global community can accomplish much toward rebuilding the communities damaged by Yolanda and restoring normalcy to the lives of those who were affected by the typhoon,‖ Abad said. ―While the Philippines is certainly no stranger to calamity, Super Typhoon Yolanda exceeded expectations around the world in the most unfortunate way possible. The Aquino administration and the Fiipino people are very grateful for the generosity of the international community in response to the devastation left by Yolanda, as well as for the continuing selflessness of all our relief and rescue workers, including those from government, citizens‘ groups, and various aid organizations,‖ he added.

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DepEd allows “emergency transfers” from Yolanda-stricken schools

Source: http://www.deped.gov.ph

PASIG CITY – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Br Armin Luistro FSC has directed public elementary and high schools to accept ―emergency transferees‖ from areas affected by typhoon Yolanda. ―This directive is necessary because we want students from affected areas who have immediately relocated to Cebu, Metro Manila, or other nearby places to be able to continue their education with minimal disruption,‖ Luistro explained.

―Normally, transferees would have to present their school records, but in this case, I have directed public schools to accept them immediately. We can sort out their records later, when operations in Eastern Visayas and other affected areas have normalized.‖ The DepEd Order, which will be released on Monday, also encourages private schools to give special consideration to transferees in similar situations.

Names of such transferees shall be submitted by schools division superintendents to DepEd Central Office for tracking.

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Phl Embassy in Vientiane joins ASEAN-Japan Festival Bazaar in Laos

Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph

18 November 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane participated in the ASEAN-Japan Festival Bazaar held last Saturday, November 09, at the parking space of the National Cultural Hall in Vientiane, Laos to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN and Japan cooperation. The event, organized by the Japanese Embassy in Laos featured several exhibition booths set up by different embassies, local businesses, Japanese companies and international organizations. It was a venue for the Embassies in Vientiane including the Embassies of Brunei, Thailand and Vietnam to showcase their culture and products. The event was also aimed at raising more awareness about ASEAN among the public. The Philippine booth showcased some of the Philippines‘ finest products like home décor items (soft furnishings), bags, pearl jewelry, and fashion accessories. Phanpasert Food Supplies was also invited to sell Philippine products during the event. Phanpasert Food Supplies which imports many foodstuff and beverages to Laos from the Philippines enjoyed brisk sales during the bazaar. The company sold Philippine food and beauty products particularly papaya soap which is popular among Lao women. The Embassy also took the opportunity to display at the event the Philippine Department of Tourism‘s It‘s More Fun in the Philippines banners.

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Phl Ambassador joins 14th Anniversary Celebration of National Library of South Africa

Source: https://www.dfa.gov.ph

18 November 2013- Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Constancio R. Vingno, Jr. and his wife, Madame Yoko Ramos-Vingno, attended the 14th anniversary celebration of the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) on November 01. The National Library of South Africa was established in 1999, through the National Library of South Africa Act of 1998. The institution was formed through amalgamation of the State Library in Pretoria and the South African Library in Cape Town which were established in 1887 and 1818 respectively, to include a specialized unit called the Centre for the Book. The Philippine Embassy has donated Philippine books to NLSA as well as a painting of the Filipino artist, Mr. Rico M. Tompong. NLSA has likewise been the venue of launchings of Philippine art exhibits and screening of Philippine movies.

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DA releases interventions to Typhoon-stricken E. Visayas

Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

Following the wrath of Super typhoon Yolanda, the Department of Agriculture has set up interventions intended to stabilize markets, provide seeds for early recovery of crops and support the municipal fishery sector of the Eastern Visayas Region. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has instructed concerned DA officials to immediately transport frozen chicken, potatoes and other vegetables from Manila and Baguio to Tacloban using three refrigerated vans from the Bureau of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Three more vans, from the Philippine Fisheries and Development Authority will load and deliver food items from Albay in Region V to Tacloban and neighboring areas. ―We will be also utilizing all available closed vans of the Department and its attached agencies to deliver eggs and other dry food items,‖ he said. The Agri chief has also instructed BFAR Director Asis Perez to deploy a 1,200-tonner vessel, currently anchored in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), to deliver food items to the Region. Smaller ships will ferry food items to smaller islands. The Department is set to implement market mechanisms to move food items from the production areas to affected communities via the Barangay Food Terminal and local government food trading centers. Functional food warehouses will also be utilized for food stocking. ―We will engage big market players such as the San Miguel Corporation in CDO to supply poultry products to affected areas,‖ Alcala said. The National Food Authority in Region VII will begin to supply rice to parts of the region in an effort to augment rice stocks in areas severely damaged by the super typhoon. The Philippine Coconut Authority has committed 300 chains saw to be used for clearing operations. Each equipment will require two operators to be paid P300 each per day. A portable saw-mill will also be moved to the PCA yard in Tacloban. Aside from the intercessions set to address the immediate needs of the local residents, DA will be distributing rice, corn and vegetable seeds such as pechay, mustasa, upland kangkong, and okra seeds under the Early Recovery Program of the government to enable a lasting livelihood in the future. Alcala announced the immediate suspension of the closed season in the Visayas and Palawan until December 1, 2013 to enable fishers to catch various marine species for consumption and even to sell. One thousand three hundred fishing boats, equipped with 5-horse power engine 4000 fishing nets will be constructed and divided to affected families. The Department is also set to position a total of 200 payaos amounting to P40 million, to aid affected municipal fishermen. Payao, a floating artificial reef, is a fishing device used for catching high value fish species. (DA - Information Service)

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DAR helps calamity victims

Source: http://www.dar.gov.ph

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) organized relief efforts to affected DAR employees devastated by recent calamities that visited Visayas and Mindanao. DAR‘s initial effort was to raise funds. For donations, the DAR Central Office opened an account in the Land Bank of the Philippines (under the account name of Head Executive Assistant Justine Vincent Lachica, with account number 0706-1185-43). ―We opened this account solely for the purpose of raising funds for the affected DAR employees. For transparency and better accounting of all donations, we ask that those who will deposit to please email to dar.osec.secretariat@gmail.com the details of your donation (such as, amount, date, time and bank branch) for better accounting of all donations,‖ said De los Reyes. The Department of Agrarian Reform Employees Association (DAREA) also collected donations from DAR central office employees and was able to raise P58,000. The collected funds will be used to buy basic goods like food, water and other basic necessities. ―Our Regional Office in Cebu will be the hub of our relief operations for Region 8. Relief supplies will be procured there and will be shipped from there. Motorcycles that can be spared from Region 7 will be shipped to Tacloban so that Region 8 personnel will have the mobility to check on our personnel and conduct damage assessment,‖ added De los Reyes. Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes sent a five-man team to Tacloban, Leyte to ascertain the condition of DAR employees in the affected areas. The team, headed by Undersecretary Jose Grageda, reported that three DAR personnel perished during the height of super typhoon Yolanda. These are PARAD Edith Casillar, DARPO-Leyte Chief Legal Officer, Atty. Segundino Bantiles, Jr., and DARPO- Leyte Personnel Officer Elvie Delgado. ―The DAR Regional Office sustained heavy damage and the road leading to the regional office is not yet completely passable for vehicles. The DARRO building, along with the office furniture and equipment were also heavily damaged and the vehicles are unserviceable,‖ said Grageda. ―Nobody has reached the DARPO-Leyte office yet so there is still no first-hand report. However, given that its location is

just a few meters from the sea, and the state of the building (which is an old Ministry Human Setllement Building), most likely, the office would be totally damaged,‖ added Grageda. DAR-8 Regional Director Eliasem Castillo said that ―some of our regional personnel has reported for work. The staff at the regional office has been reinforced by the team from Region 5 and a group of employees from Northern Samar led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Nida Abelido. They are tasked to assess the damage and will try to account for all DAR personnel. They will also devise a system for the distribution of assistance to our personnel.‖ De los Reyes also got in touch with the PARPOs and Regional Directors of regions 4B, 6, and 7 to report on the devastation made by the strong earthquake last October 15, 2013. These are the reports from the affected regions: 1. Reports from the different field offices of Region 4B to RD Tobias show that there are no reported casualties among DAR personnel in the said Region. 2. To date, there are no reported casualties among DAR personnel in Region 6. The PARPOs were making the rounds of the DARMOs to check on the condition of the offices and the personnel. There are no major damages to property in our provincial offices. 3. There are no reported casualties among DAR personnel in Region 7 though the provincial office is currently verifying the condition of the DARMO offices and personnel in Northern Cebu. ―Given the current state of devastation and disarray in places like Tacloban, sending relief to our personnel in Region 8 needs to be planned meticulously. We have to ensure that assistance will indeed reach our personnel. Thus, we need a realistic assessment of the situation and how assistance will be distributed is being done by DARRO 8 and the team from Region 5,‖ said De los Reyes De los Reyes also instructed the department‘s Administrative Service to assist DAR Region 8 and the Provincial Offices to reconstitute the payroll and prepare the release of the salaries of DAR personnel. ―The Land Bank will be deploying mobile ATM machines in Tacloban so that our personnel will be able to withdraw their salaries. Lost or damaged ATM cards will be replaced speedily,‖ said De los Reyes. ―Our very own people need us. Let us not fail them. Pagtulungan po natin ang pagdamay sa ating mga kapatid sa DAR,‖ De los Reyes said.

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Metro Manila begins hunt for top skilled workers in regional competition

Source: http://www.tesda.gov.ph

Metro Manila has begun the search for skilled workers to be pitted against the country's best and most competent skilled workers with the recent holding of its 2013 Regional Skills Competition. The winners will go up against the competitors who will top in various trade areas in the same skills competition in other regions all over the country. The regional contests are part of the preparations being undertaken by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in choosing the Philippine delegates to the ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC) and hopefully to the World Skills Competition. "The ASEAN Skills Competition is a chance to showcase the competence of Filipino workers, and we will not let this pass," Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA director general, said. Through the years, skills competitions are also being used as part of the strategy to drive up the standards and esteem for technical vocational education and training (TVET), Villanueva added. ―We want the kind of tech-voc graduates who thrive and excel in a competitive environment. Competition boosts the quality of both the TVET institutions and their graduates,‖ said the TESDA chief who was present during the opening ceremony of the five-day event. A total of 58 participants vied in 18 different trade areas held in eight venues from November 11 to 15. The trade areas were on welding; confectioner/pastry cook; restaurant services; information network cabling; IT software solution; web design; graphics design; IT network system administration; CADD; electrical installation and maintenance; industry automation; electronics; mechatronics; cooking; automotive; refrigeration and air conditioning; industry control; and hairdressing. The test packages used were adopted from those used in the 9th ASEAN Skills Competition in Indonesia. The winners in the regional skills competition will undergo training to compete in the Philippine National Skills

Competition tentatively scheduled in January to March 2014. Those who will top at the national level will be trained to represent the country at the ASC. The awarding ceremony is scheduled on November 20 at 1 p.m. at the Tandang Sora Hall, TESDA Women's Center in Taguig City.

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MB places Rural Bank of Alaminos (Laguna), Inc. under PDIC receivership, all valid insured deposit claims will be paid

Source: http://www.pdic.gov.ph

The Monetary Board (MB) placed the Rural Bank of Alaminos (Laguna), Inc. under the receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) by virtue of MB Resolution No. 1875 dated November 14, 2013. As Receiver, PDIC took over the bank on November 15, 2013. Rural Bank of Alaminos is a three-unit bank located at #99 Rizal St., Alaminos, Laguna. Its two branches are located in San Pablo, Laguna and in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Latest available records show that as of September 30, 2013, Rural Bank of Alaminos had 2,843 accounts with total deposit liabilities of P115.38 million. A total of 2,819 deposit accounts or 99.16% of the accounts have balances of P500,000 or less and fully covered by deposit insurance. Total insured deposits amounted to P113.02 million or 97.95% of total deposits. PDIC said that upon takeover, all bank records shall be gathered, verified and validated. The state deposit insurer assured depositors that all valid deposits shall be paid up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage of P500,000.00. The PDIC also announced that it will conduct a Depositors-Borrowers Forum on November 20, 2013 to inform depositors of the requirements and procedures for filing deposit insurance claims. Claim Forms will be distributed during the Forum. The schedule and venue of the Forum will be posted in the bank premises and in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. The Claim Forms and the requirements and procedures for filing are likewise available for downloading from the PDIC website. Depositors may update their addresses with the PDIC representatives at the bank premises or during the Forum using the Mailing Address Update Forms to be furnished by PDIC representatives. Duly accomplished Mailing Address Update Forms should be submitted to PDIC representatives accompanied by a photo-bearing ID with signature of the depositor. Depositors may update their addresses until November 21, 2013. Depositors with valid deposit accounts with balances of P15,000.00 and below need not file deposit insurance claims. But depositors who have outstanding obligations with the Rural Bank of Alaminos including co-makers of the obligations, and have incomplete and/or have not updated their addresses with the bank, regardless of amount, should file deposit insurance claims. For depositors that need not file deposit insurance claims, PDIC targets to start mailing payments to these depositors at their addresses recorded in the bank by the fourth week of November 2013. For depositors that are required to file deposit insurance claims, the PDIC targets to start claims settlement operations for these accounts by the first week of December, 2013. The schedule of the claims settlement operations will be announced through notices to be posted in the bank premises and other public places as well as through the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph. According to the latest Bank Information Sheet (BIS) as of June 30, 2013 filed by the Rural Bank of Alaminos with the PDIC, the bank is owned by Gregorio A. Fule (14.86%), Francisco A. Fule (14.69%), Conrado A. Fule, Jr. (13.89%), Marcelita F. Magsaysay (13.25%), Romulo A. Fule (6.87%) and Rafael Isidro B. Fule (6.87%). Its President and Chairman is Gregorio A. Fule. For more information, depositors may communicate with PDIC Public Assistance personnel stationed at the bank premises. They may also call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-1-888-PDIC(7342), the PDIC Public Assistance Hotlines at (02) 841-4630 to (02) 841-4631, or send their e-mail to pad@pdic.gov.ph.

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Last Updated: 18 NOVEMBER 2013 Google+ Photo Releases of PNoy

Please click on thumbnails to magnify

President Benigno S. Aquino III distributes relief goods to families displaced by super

typhoon Yolanda at the evacuation center in the Municipality of Palo, Leyte during his visit

to provinces in Eastern Visayas on Monday (November 18). President Aquino assures the

public on speeding up the recovery and reconstruction efforts to restore normalcy in regions

hit by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in Philippine history. (Photo by Marcelino Pascua

/ Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II,

inspects the prices of commodities at the Palo Public Market during his visit to provinces in

Eastern Visayas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda on Monday (November 18).

President Aquino assures the public on speeding up the recovery and reconstruction efforts

to restore normalcy in regions hit by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in Philippine

history. (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the extent of damages in Palo Public Market

during his visit to provinces in Eastern Visayas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda on

Monday (November 18). President Aquino assures the public on speeding up the recovery

and reconstruction efforts to restore normalcy in regions hit by the strongest typhoon ever

recorded in Philippine history. Also in photo is Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Photo

by Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Social Welfare and Development

Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, visits provinces in Eastern Visayas devastated by super

typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan) on Monday (November 18). President

Aquino assures the public on speeding up the recovery and reconstruction efforts to restore

normalcy in regions hit by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in Philippine history. (Photo

by Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III reaches out to families displaced by super typhoon Yolanda

(internationally known as Haiyan) at the evacuation center in the Municipality of

Alangalang, Leyte during his visit to provinces in Eastern Visayas on Monday (November

18). President Aquino assures the public on speeding up the recovery and reconstruction

efforts to restore normalcy in regions hit by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in

Philippine history. Also in photo is Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon

Juliano-Soliman. (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Sunday, November 17 in Tacloban, meets with Leyte

mayor Alfred Romualdez and other local officials to discuss alternative measures to fasten

relief operations and rehabilitation efforts in Tacloban and other key cities of Leyte. The

President visits Samar and Leyte today to inspect relief and rehabilitation efforts of the two

provinces. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacañang Photo)

President Benigno S. Aquino III personally inspects relief operations and delivery of goods

in Tacloban on Sunday (November 17). The President visits Samar and Leyte today to

inspect relief and rehabilitation efforts of the two provinces. (Photo by Gil Nartea/Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Thank You and God Bless !!!!