by aimee | Jun 14, 2013 | Headlines, National News
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P4.5 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the maintenance of classrooms and the construction of sanitation facilities, in line with the Aquino administration’s commitment to improve the quality of public education nationwide.
“This latest release will be used to cover the repair and rehabilitation of our classrooms, including the necessary construction of water sanitation facilities in elementary and secondary public schools all over the country. As we start the academic year this month, we are also moving closer to our goal of closing all educational resource gaps boosting our public education system in the process,” said Secretary of Budget and Management Florencio “Butch” Abad.
Abad reported that the P4.5 billion—of which P1.1 billion has been allotted to classroom maintenance and P3.4 billion to sanitation facilities—was charged against DepEd’s fund for the Requirement of Basic Education Facilities under the 2013 General Appropriations Act.
The P1.1 billion under the total release includes funding for classrooms in Region III (P122 million), Region IV-A (P117 million), and Region VI (P110 million).
The release also includes P3.4 billion for developing sanitation facilities in public schools nationwide, including those in Region III (P417 million), Region V (P397 million), and Region VI (P304 million).
“Besides our commitment to build more classrooms and provide enough equipment and teachers in public schools, we are also making crucial investments in the health and well-being of our students. After all, better access to clean water facilities can help ensure better hygiene and disease prevention in our campuses,” he added.
Supporting the Administration’s goal of shoring up the country’s school system, the Budget department earlier approved 61,510 new teaching positions to keep pace with the increasing demand for teachers in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. (DBM)
by aimee | Jun 12, 2013 | Headlines, National News
MANILA, Philippines—Internationally acclaimed Peace Activist Lee will speak in Biñan on Friday, June 14, 2013 (6:00pm~10:00pm) in regards to his groundbreaking vision for peace that has won an audience of presidents, kings, and youth organizations around the world. Joining him will be twelve religious leaders who represent over 100,000 supporters of the peace campaign. The World Peace Seminar will be Mr. Lee’s fourth world tour and comes at the special invitation of youth groups throughout the Philippines.
Africa: Met with Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis at his Presidential Palace to discuss ways of strengthening ongoing efforts toward the reunification of the two Koreas. He also met with South African President Jacob Zuma to discuss volunteerism’s role in achieving peace.
Asia: Met with Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss human rights. He also met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea and interviewed with NBC Radio.
Europe: Met with the former Prime Minister of East Germany Mr. Lothar de Maiziere to share their strategies on reconciling their divided nations.
America: Held Peace Seminars in New York City and Los Angeles; interviewed with major radio and television stations such as NBC, Azteca America and WVOX Radio.
Last September, Lee spearheaded the World Peace Festival held at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea hosting 200,000 attendees from 200 countries under the banner of “World Peace, Light and Restoration.” Attendees of various religions participated alongside government officials from the Philippines, Ethiopia and Timor-Leste. In addition to those physically present, over 1 million viewers joined over the airwaves and Internet as international press broadcast the festivities.
As an international messenger of peace, Lee is actively making peace possible. “We all are born and live in the same world together. But during war, the youth that have never experienced life become a sacrifice. If the leaders love their country and the people of their country, they will take actions to stop war… This is the work I have set out to do and will continue until we see it.” To support the international peace movement, over 27,000 youth from 100 youth organizations representing 50 different nations marched through Seoul Olympic Park last month.
World Peace Seminar
June 14, 2013, 6:00pm~10:00pm
Free to the public
For more information please contact:
Joseph Suhng, Media Relations
Phone: 09173900784 (Philippines)
Email: s.joe1201@gmail.com
by aimee | Jun 11, 2013 | Headlines, National News
President Benigno Aquino III will lead on Wednesday the celebration of the 115th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Liwasang Bonifacio on P. Burgos St., Manila.
Upon arrival at the Liwasang Bonifacio, the Chief Executive will be accorded full military honors. The President and other government officials will walk towards the flagpole for the flag-raising ceremony.
After the flag-raising ceremony, President Aquino and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Emmanuel T. Bautista will lead the wreath-laying ceremony.
The President will join the brief program which has for its theme “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran” as guest of honor and speaker.
Joining the President during the event are Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairperson Maria Serena I. Diokno, NHCP Executive Director Ludovico Badoy, Philippine Postal Corporation Board Chairman Cesar Sarino, Postmaster and Chief Executive Officer Josefina M. dela Cruz, among others.
There will be simultaneous flag-raising and wreath laying ceremonies on the Independence Day (June 12) at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila; Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park, Manila with Vice President Jejomar C. Binay leading the ceremonies; General Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite with Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya;
Barasoain Church, Malolos City, Bulacan, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion, Manila North Cemetery with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin; Bonifacio National Monument, Caloocan City with Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., and Pamintuan Mansion, Angeles City, Pampanga with Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes P.A. Sereno.
After the program at the Liwasang Bonifacio, the President will proceed to the Malacanang Palace for the Vin D’ Honneur with members of the Diplomatic Corps, Cabinet secretaries, government officials, Congressional representatives of various districts, Manila Mayor Lim and city officials, representatives of the local government units, non-government organizations and other sectors, veterans, teachers, students, among others.
The country celebrates the Independence Day each year to raise awareness among the Filipinos that freedom is the most precious right of every citizen.
The holiday commemorates the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 by General Emilio Aguinaldo and the Filipino revolutionary forces from Spanish colonization. (PND)
by aimee | Jun 10, 2013 | Headlines, National News
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory banning several food products from Taiwan.
According to the FDA, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore reported that the food products tested were contaminated with maleic acid.
The following products from Taiwan have been identified, but are NOT registered with the FDA: Hong Tapioca Starch; Redman Black Tapioca Pearl; Sun Right Indica Rice Powder; Top 1 Tapioca Pearls; Tea World Tapioca Starch Ball; Unbranded Starch Ball; Ding Long Tapioca Pearls; Sun Chi Noodles; T & M Resources Corp Tapioca Pearls; Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (White); Pure Tea Tapioca Pearls (Black); Full Free Green Tea Tapioca Ball; Full Free Yam Tapioca Ball; Long Kow Vegetarian Instant Rice Noodle; and
Long Kow Rice Noodle with Thick Soup.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan government has already taken action against the food manufacturers and suspended the sale and distribution of maleic acid-contaminated products.
Likewise, the FDA said that the ban shall continue to remain in force and in effect until such time that these products are first registered in the country by an FDA-licensed food establishment with proper testing of presence / absence of maleic acid to the said products.
The FDA shall continue to monitor the entry of food products from Taiwan in the Philippine market.
Maleic acid is NOT an approved additive for manufacturing food products. Long term consumption of high levels of maleic acid could harm the kidney.
Pursuant to Article 10, entitled “Injurious, Dangerous and Unsafe Products,” of RA No. 7394, otherwise known as the “Consumer Act of the Philippines,” and Section 10 of RA No. 9711, or “FDA Act of 2009,” which prohibits the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of any health product that is adulterated, unregistered or misbranded, products contaminated with maleic acid are considered illegal.
All consumers are advised to buy and consume products that are registered with the FDA. All registered food products are listed in the FDA website (http://www.fda.gov.ph) under the Consumers Corner. For assistance, information and complaints, kindly email FDA atinfo@fda.gov.ph. (DOH-FDA)
by aimee | Jun 7, 2013 | Headlines, National News
THE full implementation of Revenue Regulation No. 18-2012 requiring the issuance and used of new sets of receipts on July 1, 2013 shall proceed as scheduled.
Commissioner of Internal Revenue Kim S. Jacinto-Henares said, “The complaints against the new regulations are without any basis since the tax agency had issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 18-2012 last year and published the same in the January 3, 2013 issue of the Manila Bulletin informing everyone that existing receipts will expire on June 30, 2013. We believe that six months is enough preparation for everyone to comply with such requirement.”
RR No. 18-2012, published on January 3, 2013, provides among others that taxpayers must apply for the printing of their new receipts at least sixty (60) days (or April 30) before the expiry of their old receipts on June 30, 2013 and start issuing the same on July 1, 2013.
Commissioner Henares added that “the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 12-2013 on May 2, 2013 to provide for penalties since very few taxpayers were complying with the said regulations.”
The BIR said that taxpayers who apply for authority to print receipts beyond April 30, 2012 shall pay a penalty of P1,000.00. However, those who apply for said authority beyond June 30, 2013 and/or on or before June 30, 2103 but failed to use the new sets of receipts starting July 1, 2013 shall pay the maximum penalty (of P50,000.00) as provided for in Section 264 of the Tax Code.
The tax agency gave the following rationale for the issuance of the regulations: 1) The BIR’s discovery of businesses registered with the tax agency that are not really engaged in any business except to sell invoices thereby defrauding the government of billions in tax revenues. These businesses sell their invoices to entities who are either engaged in smuggling and/or purchasing goods without receipts. When BIR looked for these companies, mostly Small and Medium Enterprises, they cannot be found; 2) The BIR’s finding that a lot of invoices that were printed in the ‘70s are still being used and the need to clean these up by providing an expiry period; and 3) The issuances are aimed at reforming the process of accrediting printers to address complaints against some BIR personnel engaged in the printing business who make it difficult for taxpayers to register and/or secure authority to print unless they get to print the receipts of said taxpayers. The regulations disqualify printers with relatives working in the BIR. (DOF)
by aimee | Jun 7, 2013 | Headlines
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, June 07 (PIA)–Gipahimangnuan sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ang mga residente sa mga coastal areas sa nasud nga mag-amping tungod sa gipaabot nga pagdaku sa mga balud sa dagat tungod sa Low Pressure Area (LPA) sa Eastern Mindanao, Visayas ug Bicol Region.
Matud pa sa tigpamaba sa PCG nga si Commander Armand Balilo, bisan wala pa kaayo nabati ang dautang panahon, gitambagan na ang mga mangingisda ug mga residente sa mga coastal area nga magbantay ug alerto gayud.
Giingong gipaabot nga magdala og kusog nga ulan ang LPA.
Una nang gi-alerto ang mga rescue units sa PCG sa mga lugar nga posibleng maigo sa LPA aron mo-abag sa mga himuong lakang sa mga Local Government Units (LGU).
Nipahinumdom usab ang PCG nga kun mobundak na ang kusog nga ulan, mahinongdanong mag-andam ang publiko sa mga gamit pang-emergency sama sa flash light, baterya, food packs, limpyong ilimnon nga tubig, mga tambal, senina ug uban pa. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)
