by admin | Apr 29, 2016 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY. After the issuance by the Department of Trade and Industry of the Price Freeze Order on April 21, 2016, DTI Bohol deployed Emergency Price Monitoring teams throughout the province to check on compliance to Suggested Retail Prices (SRPs) and on the supply of basic and prime commodities here.
Per result of the said emergency monitoring activity, prices of basic goods and prime commodities in Boholremain stable and without significant changes. Aside from the emergency monitoring activity, DTI also conducts regular monitoringvisits to retailers in the municipalities and in Tagbilaran City to check on the prices of goods in groceries and supermarkets and on their compliance to Suggested Retail Prices (SRP), the Price Tag law and other Fair Trade Laws.
OIC-Provincial Director Maria Soledad L.Balistoy advises buyers to check on the published SRP of goods before buying the products, and likewise encourages the public to report violations by business establishments on any of the fair trade laws.
The Price Freeze order was issued after Bohol Governor Edgar M. Chatto declared the province to be in a State of Calamity, following the ill-effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
Copies of the Price Freeze order were disseminated over the radio, newspapers and in social media sites. (DTI Bohol)
by admin | Apr 29, 2016 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, April 28, (PIA) –In possibly among her last officials acts, something her town would remember her, outgoing Danao Mayor Natividad Gonzaga has asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to realize her dream of opening up a model community-based reforestation project to tourists.
By doing that, Gonzaga, who bows out of office to give in to her son in this year’s election, the community who has struggled to implement the town’s greening ace on the sleeve, could finally cash in on tourism from the government protected area which they have now developed into a full blown forest of 75 hectares.
Speaking at the out of town Kapihan sa PIA which was held in Danao Adventure Park (DAP) in barangay Magtangtang, Mayor Gonzaga hinted that since the community of San Miguel in Danao picked up the challenge to put up the 50 hectare forest by natural growth, they have not since collected a decent income.
The challenge was even weird, by the standards of farmers and reforestation contract workers: cover 50 hectares of cogonal lands with endemic tree species without introducing new seedlings.
On a cogon covered hills of San Miguel, project leaders for the Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) told us to measure the place, seek out surviving seedlings which have remained stunted under the grasses and clean its surroundings so it would not have others to compete with the soil nutrients, 59 year old Alberto Padilla shared during the Kapihan.
Padilla, along with 43 other members of their San Miguel Association Resource Team (SMART) initially established what would later be a town citation among ANR towns in the country.
With the area situated in a portion of the town identified as timberland, many farmers knew they could never cash in on the trees they could grow.
But seeing that the area can also sustain small practices of growing rootcrops and other small plantations, farmers also put in cassava, bamboo, pandan and other cash and easy on the table crops.
But the income can only do as much, despite the P130 per day duty for farmers coming out on rotation scheme.
Danao, whose sudden explosive rise in the eco-tourism market is largely credited by the DAP eco-tourism activities, now wants to include the model ANR to its tour package.
Already a model for low cost, simplest cheapest reforestation system, the Danao ANR has been attracting environmental advocates, but pays nothing for the experience.
Here, Mayor Gonzaga plans to open up trails at the ANR, a restaurant, collect entrance and environmental fee while members can make souvenirs from the materials within the area.
She accordingly asked her town’s guests if they would be willing to pay at the ANR and was told they will.
I hope the DENR will help me with this plan, Gonzaga, who is now reaping what his son started then. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Apr 29, 2016 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita
TAGBILARAN CITY, April 24, (PIA) –Officers and members of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) here leads in modeling for others by enrolling their house helpers in the mandatory government social protection program on Labor Day May 1.
On that day, no less than this year’s chairman of the TIPC, City Mayor John Geesnell Yap leads the strong government mandated body in registering their house helps, maids, laundrywomen, drivers and handy men to the Philippine Health Insurance Program, Social Security System and Home Development Mutual Fund of the Pag-IBIG, revealed Bohol labor chief German Guidaben.
By the act, members of the TIPC and the thousands who keep house helpers also register themselves and their house helpers with the social benefits program.
The TIPC promotes industrial peace council’s formation, as a venue to institutionalize social dialogues and tripartite consultations on policies and programs affecting labor and management.
The activity is set to happen at the Galleria Luisa, after a motorcade to commemorate that day for the world’s workers.
According to Republic Act 10361 or the Domestic Workers Act, house helpers who have rendered a minimum service of a month shall be covered by SSS, Employees Compensation Commission, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG.
By being registered, these house handy men helping their homemakers perform the menial tasks of home are entitled to all benefits in accordance with their respective policies, laws, rules and regulations.
SSS benefits include sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral.
On the other hand, a unified benefits under the PhilHealth include inpatient hospital care and out-patient care.
House helpers can also avail of the lean services for housing, and other emergency needs with Pag-IBIG.
As to the worker’s premiums, the law provides that mandatory contributions shall be shouldered by the employer, but if the worker is paid over P5,000, the law provides a certain cost sharing system with the employer, Guidaben said.
According to the same Domestic Workers Act, domestic workers in the National Capital Region are paid a minimum of P2,500, P2,000 for cities and first class municipalities and P1,500 for other municipalities.
General provision of the law on domestic helpers state the State’s duty to uphold and protect the needs of the domestic worker against abuse, harassment, violence and exploitation as well as performance of work that is hazardous to physical and mental health.
By the law, Domestic workers too, are entitled to minimum wages, other mandatory benefits such as 13th month pay, daily and weekly rest periods, service incentive leaves, board, lodging and medical assistance, right to privacy, access to education and training, to organize and practice religious beliefs. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)
by admin | Apr 28, 2016 | Headlines, National News
A large number of Filipino families are having difficulty achieving a higher standard of living because way too much money – up to 35 percent – is being taken out of their pockets by government through taxes, independent senatorial candidate Juan Miguel Zubiri said Thursday.
“Many families want to take out a loan so they can buy a new home or a car, especially now that interest rates are depressed. Despite availability of cheap credit, they are discouraged because they have insufficient disposable income. They are short of cash, after taxes,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri said middle class families are reeling from “excessive taxation.”
“For instance, a husband and wife with a combined annual taxable income of P600,000, actually end up paying P157,000, or 26 percent, in withholding taxes. This leaves them a take home pay of only P443,000 yearly, or P36,916 monthly,” he said.
When the family spends the P443,000, net of withholding tax, to pay for groceries, electricity, water, Internet and other purchases, they shell out another 12 percent, or P53,160, in value-added taxes (VAT), Zubiri said.
Thus, out of the couple’s P600,000 annual earnings, up to 35 percent – P157,000 in withholding taxes plus P53,160 in VAT – effectively goes to government, leaving the family a considerably shrunken disposable income of just P389,840, Zubiri said.
“Owing to their limited cash after taxes, many middle class families hesitate to buy new durable goods such as home appliances, while others have to postpone home repairs,” Zubiri said.
“If we are to produce more jobs and grow the economy at a faster rate in the years ahead, we have to give middle class families greater disposable income to encourage them to spend. We have to cut withholding taxes,” he added.
Zubiri vowed to push for individual income tax cuts that would give back to middle class families up to P250 billion of their earnings now withheld as taxes.
“A strong middle class with superior buying power has become absolutely imperative for us to drive consumption spending, increase the demand for goods and services, expand industries and create new jobs,” he pointed out.
A study by the National Economic Development Authority has shown that 62 percent of Filipinos want to own a car and 61 percent want a medium-sized home.
The study also revealed that 73 percent of Filipinos want to earn enough from their jobs; 73 percent want all of their children to be college-educated; and 30 percent want to be business owners.
Meanwhile, 30 percent of Filipinos want to unwind with family and friends while 21 percent want to be able to take trips around the country once in a while.
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About Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ F. Zubiri
Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri, 48, served as a member of the Senate for four years, and as a member of the House of Representatives for nine years, representing the third congressional district of Bukidnon. He posted perfect attendance records in Senate and House sessions. He also earned the reputation as the “first in, last out senator” — the first to report to work and the last to leave work most days.
As Senate Majority Leader, Zubiri oversaw and managed the legislative business of the Senate. During Zubiri’s tenure as Majority Leader, the Senate passed more than 650 bills, many of which have helped to create badly needed jobs.
Zubiri is author of the Cooperative Code, the Renewable Energy Act, the Biofuels Act, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners’ Associations Act, among other laws.
Zubiri is married to newspaper lifestyle columnist Audrey Tan-Zubiri. They have three children.
by admin | Apr 27, 2016 | Headlines, National News
Philippines and Canada celebrate LGSP-LED success through Growing Local Economies Forum 26 April 2016, Manila, Philippines—Canada’s largest ongoing Program in the Philippines, the Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) is coming to an end this year after eight (8) years of implementation. LGSP-LED is a cooperation program of the Governments of the Philippines and Canada. Since 2008, the Program has been working through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to improve the country’s programming and policy framework for local economic development. The ultimate objective is to reduce poverty and improve economic livelihoods for Filipino women and men. The Program has supported the development of new and enhanced policies at the national and local levels, as well as a variety of local initiatives that built competitive local industries, particularly in agribusiness and tourism. Throughout the 8 years, LGSP-LED has worked with 134 partner-LGUs from 17 provinces, 17 cities, and 100 municipalities. LGSP-LED has harvested outstanding results in terms of investments, employment, and creating the conditions necessary to make local economies grow. Local governments have attracted billions of dollars in new investment, created thousands of new jobs and significantly increased visitor arrivals in the local tourism sector. “Cumulative results achieved to date are impressive,” according to Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder’s statement. “Since 2009, targeted LGUs have attracted at least PHP 55 billion in new investments and created more than 26,000 jobs in the tourism sector.” The partnership between the Governments of Canada and the Philippines, through the DILG has been instrumental to this success.
DILG Secretary Mel Sarmiento extended gratitude to the Government of Canada and the other national government agencies that helped LGSP-LED achieve and in many cases surpass its target results. He also thanked the many project partners and contributors: “We also appreciate the commitment of LGU Leagues; LGU partners; private sector, such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and the various local private sector associations and international development partners who have become champions for LED.” A forum on Growing Local Economies through Business-Friendly and Competitive Local Governments will be held on Thursday, 28 April 2016 at the Manila Hotel to share LGSP-LED’s experiences on helping LGUs build their local economies. The Forum, organized by LGSP-LED in collaboration with Local Government Academy (LGA), will celebrate the culmination of LGSP-LED’s eight years of work. Government Leaders, Undersecretaries, Governors, and Mayors, as well as business leaders, who have been instrumental in LGSP-LED’s success will be sharing their unique experience of pursuing LED in the Philippines. Topics will include Preparing Local Economies for ASEAN Economic Integration; Building Vibrant, Inclusive, Sustainable, and Resilient Local Economies; Climate Change and Mitigating Disaster Risks in Local Economic Development; among others. The Forum is open to all Local Government Executives, Business Leaders, and other stakeholders who are involved with LED initiatives. Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to confirm as soon as possible by visiting www.lgsp-led.ph. Those who cannot attend the Forum can watch a live stream of the event: https://www.youtube.com/user/lgspledph. Dress code for the event is FIlipiniana. DILG Secretary Mel Sarmiento and Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder will be the Forum’s Keynote Speakers. LGSP-LED will also be recognizing LED Champions through an awards ceremony.#
by admin | Apr 27, 2016 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, April 27 (PIA)–Gipahibalo karon sa Malakanyang nga gi-deklarar nga special non-working holiday ang adlaw sa piniliay sa Mayo 9, 2016.
Matud pa ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Kalihim Herminio Coloma Jr., nahisulod kini sa Proclamation No. 1254 nga gilagdaan ni Presidente Benigno Aquino III niadtong Abril 25, 2016.
Kini nagpasabot nga walay trabaho ang mga empleyado sa pribado ug mga ahensya sa gobyerno sa maong adlaw aron hatagan og higayon ang publiko nga makabotar sa adlaw sa piniliay sa Mayo 9 nga natunong sa adlaw nga Lunes.
Sa maong adlaw, ipatuman ang Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) salary rules diin dugang 30 porsiyento sa inadlaw nga suholan sa mga mamumuo ang ipatong isip dugang bayad sa unang walo ka oras sa pagtrabaho.
Sa Mayo 9, labaw sa 54 milyon ka botante ang modagsa sa mga polling precincts aron mobotar alang sa nasudnon ug lokal nga posisyon.
Matud pa sa labing ulahing report sa Commission on Elections (Comelec) niadtong Disyembre 16, 2015, mokabat sa 54,363,329 ang rehistradong botante sa tibuok nasod alang sa piniliay sa 2016, mas daghan sa 52,014,648 ka rehistradong botante niadtong 2013 midterm elections. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)
