by anyajulia | Jul 27, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The farm and fishery sector was able to generate half a million jobs from this year, making it the top job generator for the first quarter of 2009. This is according to Governor Joey Salceda (Albay), the Presidential Economic Adviser.
Based on data of the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics, employment in the farm and fisheries sector as of April 2009 was estimated at 12.318 million, which is higher compared to 11.905 million for the same period last year.
The government has also increased spending for agriculture, focusing on irrigation and other rural infrastructure. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has also fast tracked rehabilitation and restoration work of irrigation system.
The administration of President Arroyo has increased spending on agriculture, P25.36 billion in 2007, P35.39 billion in 2008 and P46.86 billion this year.
From 2001, the start of the Arroyo presidency, to the present, the government was able to generate a total of 8.95 million jobs in the private sector and at least 12 million jobs were created through government projects, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). (PIA)
Click here for full article.
by anyajulia | Jul 27, 2009 | Headlines, National News
“Bring home immediately the remains of 10 Filipino workers killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan,” President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
“The DFA intends to match the DNA samples of the 10 Filipino workers with those in the possession of their employers. Once the identities of the victims, are confirmed, they will be transported to Kuwait and repatriated back to Manila.” These were the statements disclosed by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Esteban Conejos, Jr.
After all the assistance are given to the families of the victims, Conejos said the Department of Labor and Employment, DFA, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration will sit down to investigate and find out how these OFWs were able to get to Afghanistan despite the existing travel ban.
Conejos said that aside from Afghanistan, there is an existing deployment ban on four other countries namely Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan and Lebanon. (PIA)
Click here for full article.
by anyajulia | Jul 27, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The 2010 holidays have been revealed as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Proclamation No. 1841 declaring regular holidays, special (non-working) days and special holiday (for all schools) for the coming year.
The President said that Republic Act No. 9492 dated July 24, 2007, amended Section 26 Chapter 7 Book 1 of Executive Order No. 292, also known as the Administrative Code of 1987, by declaring certain days (specific or movable) as special or regular holidays.
She noted that R.A No. 9492 provides that holidays, except those which are religious in nature, are moved to the nearest Monday unless otherwise modified by law, order or proclamation.
Under Proclamation No. 1841, the President said the following regular holidays and special days for the year 2010 shall be observed in the country:
A. Regular Holidays
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- Maunday Thursday – April 1
- Good Friday – April 2
- Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Friday)
- Labor Day – May 1
- Independence Day – June 14 (Monday nearest June 12)
- National Heroes Day – August 30 (Last Monday of August)
- Bonifacio Day – November 29 (Monday nearest November 30)
- Christmas Day – December 25 (Saturday)
- Rizal Day – December 27 (Monday nearest December 30)
B. Special (Non-Working) Days
- Ninoy Aquino Day – August 23 (Monday nearest August 21)
- All Saints Day – November 1 (Monday)
- Additional Special (Non-Working) Day – December 24 (Friday)
- Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Friday)
C. Special Holiday (for all schools)
- EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 22 (Monday nearest February 25)
(PIA)
Click here for full article.
by anyajulia | Jul 27, 2009 | Headlines, National News
Organic farming advocates are making calls to shift to organic farming to combat global warming and climate change, just in time for the 15th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009.
Isagani Serrano, acting president of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and a convenor of Go Organic! Philippines, said delegates to the UN meeting must not only demand for developed countries to agree to deeply cut their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but to change the way they do things to reduce their carbon footprint, particularly in agriculture.
Organic farming helps stabilize the climate by reducing GHG emissions as it makes use of organic fertilizer. Chemical based agriculture, which accounts for 33 percent of GHG being emitted into the atmosphere, is being blamed for global warming but will not probably be taken up in the meeting as it will focus more on reducing GHG brought about by industrialization such as the use of coal, fuel and oil.
Serrano adds, the Philippines is contributing to climate change mitigation by shifting to organic farming. He insisted that the Philippines and other developing countries should firmly push for deep cuts in GHG among industrialized countries to ensure climate justice. (Go Organic! Philippines/PIA)
Click here for full article.
by anyajulia | Jul 27, 2009 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
Bohol has now become a middle class province that continues to develop to perhaps becoming one of the richest provinces nationwide. It is now hailed as the model province for peace and tourism growth. A far cry in 2001 when it was identified as one of the top 10 poorest provinces in the country.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said this during Bohol’s 155th Foundation Day celebration where she was the guest of honor. Arroyo said when she first came into power in 2001, Bohol was one of the top 10 poorest provinces nationwide primarily due to the problem of insurgency that has prevented the province from making economic headway.
The President then cited Gov. Erico Aumentado’s efforts to ensure that basic services trickle down to the grassroots level in order to cut the chain of poverty and rebellion that have haunted the province for decades.
In 2005, the province of Bohol has been freed from the problem of insurgency and peace followed immediately after that led to the steady growth of progress which up to now continues to spread, according to Pres. Arroyo.
The President also said Bohol is the role model of peace and development as programs implemented by the Kalayaan Barangay Programs (KBP) in conflict areas is patterned after the peace advocacy programs of Bohol. (PIA/FCR)
Click here for full article.
