by magnolia_eic | May 3, 2012 | Headlines, National News
MEMBERS of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) can now borrow money from the government so they or their children can complete college or get vocational courses.
The P11.2-billion education assistance fund was among the benefits announced by President Benigno S. Aquino III during the Labor Day celebration last May 1 in Malacañang.
In a statement on Tuesday, Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said the EAFP would allow 200,000 SSS members and 1.4 million GSIS members to receive funding assistance for four-year degree programs as well as technical and vocational courses.
Abad said the move is also part of the government’s move to help strengthen the country’s workforce.
Under the EAFP, Abad said P4.2 billion will go to GSIS members, while P7 billion will be allotted to the SSS.
Any GSIS member can borrow P4,000 per semester at 6 percent interest payable over a 5- year period, while an SSS member with a monthly salary of P10,000 can avail himself of as much as P120,000 in education assistance. (PIA)
by magnolia_eic | May 2, 2012 | Headlines, National News
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 02 (PIA)–Nagsugod na karong adlawa ang Asian Development Bank (ADB) Board of Governors Meeting nga matapos sa Sabado, Mayo 5.
Upat ka adlaw usab nga nia sa Pilipinas ang 37 ka finance ministers ug 4,000 ka delegado gikan sa non-government organizations, global media, observer countries ug international organizations sa 67 ka nasud aron motambong sa pulong sa Philippine International
Convention Center (PICC) sa Pasay City.
Ang tema sa panagtapok adunay kalabot sa saktong pagdumala ug pakig-tinabangay ug apil sa mga hisgotan ang mga pamaagi kun unsaon pag-atubang sa mga gobyerno sa Asya ang global economic crisis ug ang climate change.
Gipaabot nga mopaambit sa panagpulong ang mga finance official apil na ang pinakabata nga Economics professor sa Harvard University nga si Jeffrey Zac.
Kalabot niini, naka-full alert ang Philippine National Police (PNP) aron masiguro ang seguridad sa lugar bisan sa mga gipuy-an nga hotel sa mga delegado. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)
by magnolia_eic | May 2, 2012 | Headlines, National News
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 02 (PIA)–Kusganong giingon sa Malakanyang nga adunay gipaboran si Presidente Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III sa pagbasura niini sa sugyot sa mga mamumuo nga P125 across-the-board wage hike.
Sa usa ka radio interview sa dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, gipasabot ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte nga nagmatinud-anon lamang ang Presidente sa iyang diskurso kagahapon sa paghandom sa Labor Day.
Pasabot pa niini, tanan man ang naghandom og taas nga suholan apan kinahanglan nga timbangon usab ang kaayuhan sa mga mamumuo ug employers.
Giingong dili angay makompromiso ang ubang trabahante nga mahimong matangtang sa trabaho kun ipatuman ang P125 legislated wage increase kun dili kini makaya sa mga negosyante.
Sa iyang diskurso sa pagsaulog sa Labor Day kagahapon, gitataw sa Presidente nga mas maglisod ang katawhang Pilipino kun ipatuman ang P125 across-the-board wage hike tungod kay kun sumadahon, mokabat man sa P1.43 trilyon ang ipagawas sa ekonomiya aron
mabayaran ang halos upat ka milyong mamumuo matag tuig. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)
by magnolia_eic | May 2, 2012 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has declared the month of May of every year as Electrical Safety Month to increase public awareness on electrical safety and educate the people on the safe use of electrical appliances and gadgets.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration in Proclamation No. 193 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. on June 27, to “amplify and reinforce the consciousness of the public on electrical safety.”
The President said that many lives and properties are lost due to fires and electrocution.
“The main reason for the occurrence of fires and electrocution from electrical causes is not faulty wiring but ignorance in the use of electrical appliances and gadgets such as overloading of electrical outlets and the use of counterfeit electrical products such as circuit
breakers, power strips, extension cords, batteries and holiday lights that can cause fires, explosions, shocks, and electrocutions,” he said.
He pointed out that the economic losses brought about by fires contribute to reduced productivity and therefore affect the country’s economy.
He further said that the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) which is under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) serves as the National Standards Body of the Philippines, with the mandate to develop, promulgate, implement and coordinate standardization activities regarding electrical products.
According to the President, the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) has entered into an agreement with the Singapore-based International Copper Association-Southeast Asia (ICA-SEA), a non-profit organization, to conduct electrical safety awareness campaign in the country.
“The agreement also aims to provide the opportunity to share best practices and help establish good standard in electrical system in the Philippines,” he added.
The President, likewise, directed the IIEE and BPS to conduct programs and activities on electrical safety throughout the year subject to the approval of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). (PCOO)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 26, 2012 | Headlines, National News
A prominent member of the peace negotiating panel of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) bared the sincere commitment of the Aquino administration to end the armed conflict with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) through the crafting of an accord favorable to both parties as he expressed optimism that the long wanted peace will be attained with the
signing of an agreement between the two panels soon.
In a teleconference held during a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, GPH chief negotiator Marvic Leonen reiterated that the government remains focused on exerting necessary efforts to end the long-standing conflict with the MILF.
“The GPH, as is our principal, His Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, remains sincerely committed to working towards a negotiated, comprehensive, political settlement with the MILF to address the Bangsamoro question,” Leonen said.
“Today we move forward with a healthy amount of optimism recognizing the need now, more than ever to be guided by lessons from the past… we look forward to coming weeks of more thorough perhaps more difficult conversations with the MILF and various affected sectors,” he added.
Leonen cited the urgency of formulating a solution as soon as possible to pursue development in the affected areas which will eventually push for more progress within the entire nation.
Leonen together with the other members of the GPH peace negotiating panel are still in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia attending the 27th Formal Exploratory Talks with the MILF.
On Tuesday the government and the MILF made a breakthrough during the talks by identifying preliminary decision points on principles that will be serving as the framework for the eventual signing of the peace pact. (PCOO)
