by anyajulia | Aug 14, 2009 | Headlines, National News
A P15.3 billion Official Development Assistance fund from Japan International Cooperation Agency can now be accessed by private corporations and even local government units through state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), recent reports said.
The facility, which would be used to finance logistics and improve infrastracture systems in the country forms part of the two ODA loans signed by President Gloria Mcapagal Arroyo during her June visit to Japan.
In Bohol, the facility may help local government units wanting to invest in logistic systems for perishable products and freezer facilities to facilitate and extend product shelf life before these are shipped to main markets.
DBP president and chief executive officer Reynaldo G. David said the facility opened falls under the DBP’s Logistics Infrastructure Development Project (LIDP) in continuation of the bank’s sustainable Logistics Development Program (SLDP) but on a more expanded scope.
“The LIDP particularly provides long-term funding for critical infrastructure projects such as roll-on, roll-off (roro) vessels and related facilities such as ports and ramps; toll roads; farm-to-market roads; and related maintenance equipment,” he said.
Other projects eligible under this facility are packaging, transport, and distribution facilities, projects under the bulk grains highway which facilitates efficient transport of products from Mindanao to Luzon, and projects under the cold chain highway which re-engineers the logistics system for perishables.
“This facility will improve farm-to-market efficiency and enhance movement of products and goods to the major trading areas to help boost the domestic economy,” David added.
David said the facility can be accessed by private corporations with at least 70% Filipino ownership, government-owned-and-controlled corporations, and local government units who are willing to counterpart 39% of the project cost.
The facility, he said is disbursed in seven years. (PIA)
by anyajulia | Aug 14, 2009 | Headlines, National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stands by the veracity of her statement of assets and liabilities and networth (SALN). Arroyo assures to the people that she did not use her position for personal gain or profit.
According to the President’s lawyer, Atty. Romulo Makalintal – “The disclosure document clearly states that these are the true statements of her assets, liabilities, networth and business interests including those of her husband (First Gentleman Atty Jose Miguel Arroyo) as of December 31, 2008.”
Makalintal adds that, “There is nothing in the SALN that would prove the President used her position for personal gain or profit particularly in the stock market investments acquired by the First Family. Malicious insinuations of irregularity in the SALN will not stop the President from continuing her governance to preserve the country’s economic gains and uplift the lives of the people.
In filing the SALN, the President also authorized the Office of the Ombudsman to look into any allegation of defect or irregularities in the preparation of the document. (PNA)
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by anyajulia | Aug 14, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The Department of Education, Philippine Dental Association (PDA), and Lamoiyan Corporation have launched the Happy Smiles for Healthy Kids project in 86 schools nationwide, which will bring to schools health intervention programs.
The project is under DepEd’s Essential Health Care Program (EHCP), which aims to improve students’ academic performance and reduce drop-out rate by addressing their health and dental concerns.
Lamoiyan Corporation is a Filipino brand and maker of Hapee Toothpaste.
PDA is comprised of 156 licensed dentist members involved in the development of workable oral health programs in public elementary schools and communities. The goal is to increase their level of oral health care awareness thus decreasing the incidence of dental caries. (DepEd)
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by anyajulia | Aug 13, 2009 | Headlines, National News
For this year’s Synchronized Breastfeeding Worldwide (SBW), the Department of Education (DepEd) mobilizes all public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide as venue for the celebration.
DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus calls on all school administrators to prepare their schools for this event that will take place on October 2, 2009 at exactly 10:00 a.m.
In this year’s SBW event, organizers plan to challenge five Guinness World Records: Simultaneous Breastfeeding (1) in a Single Site and (2) in Multiple Sites; (3) Simultaneous Massage in a Single Site and (4) in Multiple Sites and (5) Most Number of Guinness Records won in a Single Event.
As per Presidential Proclamation 1113, the country celebrates the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month every August and World Breastfeeding Week on August 1-7 annually in all public and private schools. (DepEd)
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by anyajulia | Aug 13, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The observance of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month in August will be spearheaded by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).
IHL is the body of rules which, in wartime, protects persons who are not or no longer participating in the hostilities, and limits methods and means of warfare. Also known as the also known as the law of armed conflict or the law of wa, it is composed of the Geneva Conventions, the Hague Conventions and other treaties.
Under the Geneva Law, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plays as the protector of the International Humanitarian Law.
With the theme: “Geneva Conventions: Humanity Amidst Armed Conflict”, the celebration aims to increase awareness on the basic principles of IHL and promote its observance in times of armed conflict. (PIA)
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