by magnolia_eic | May 31, 2010 | Headlines, National News
EXPORT growth targets have been revised upwards on the back of strong orders and could be hiked further following the economy’s better-than-expected performance in the first quarter.
Senen M. Perlada, executive director of the Export Development Council (EDC), said the public-private body, in a May 21 meeting, adjusted its 2010 growth forecast to 22% from 20%.
With exports “really going strong,” he said the target for merchandise goods had been raised to 20% from 16% while that for service exports was kept at 30%.
Perlada, who is also head of the Trade department’s export promotion bureau added that the electronics sector is still performing strongly and may grow around 25%. He said giftware may also grow by 10%.
The adjustment was made ahead of last Thursday’s announcement of 7.3% gross domestic product (GDP) growth for January to March, which the government said was due in part to increased trade following last year’s economic downturn. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | May 31, 2010 | Headlines, National News
CONSCIOUS of the perennial problems hounding the country’s educational system, authorities now look on a different angle and urges benevolent citizens to be part of the solution.
With apparent government backlog in providing education facilities, Department of Education (DepEd) taps concerned companies, organizations and citizens to pitch in and join Brigada Eskwela Plus.
According to the DepEd, there is a need for 39 new 2 classroom school buildings for the secondary and 62 2-classroom buildings for the elementary this year as enrollment increase is estimated at 5%.
The situation is also being complicated by the fact that the government’s education for all campaign is set to seek all school-age kids and pull them back to schools.
Over the pressing need for action, the call was echoed during the weekly Kapihan sa PIA as City schools division office through Dr. Erlinda Mahinay as the topic on Brigada Eskwela was raised.
Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide voluntary activity implemented by the DepEd and its external education stakeholders to prepare the schools for the opening of classes.
And just as old schools need to be refitted to make them lend a conducive environment to learning, clean ups, repairs, maintenance and other rehabilitation activities are needed.
And just as the government is hard up on funds, the authorities have said they could use a little help.
“We urge our communities to come out and help in any way they can, be it though free labor or materials needed for the repairs and rehabilitation or repainting jobs,” Dr. Mahinay resounded.
Or to those who have better economic conditions, we are now urging companies and groups for the “adopt a school” program of the Oplan Balik Eskwela, she said.
By adopting a school, organizations and companies can earn tax credits and at the same time help upgrade schools, she claimed.
The Brigada Eskwela of Oplan Balik Eskwela has been implemented to stop the old practice of students and pupils using the beginning days of the school year to clean up the school premises, Dr. Mahinay explained.
On the Brigada, parents and other community sectors concerned with education pitch in free labor and materials to institute repairs and rehabilitation of schools to make the schools conducive venues to learning.
Simultaneously launched last May 24, the Brigada Eskwela forms part of DepEd’s efforts to engage communities to sustainably help schools for the whole school year and be real partners in education, explains Auxilio Cruspero of the Bohol Division Office of the DepED during the same forum. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | May 27, 2010 | Election 2010, Headlines, National News
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to help in investigating several election-related incidents.
According to Justice Undersecretary Alberto Agra in reports, the DOJ has received a letter from Comelec Chairman Jose Melo asking them to help investigate certain incidents that happened in the past two weeks.
Agra said among those to be investigated are the compact flash cards presented by Quezon City Rep. Annie Suzano, the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines allegedly kept in Antipolo, Rizal, and Cagayan de Oro and the reported taped conversation of Comelec commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer.
“The DOJ will take the lead in so far as the investigation pertaining to Cong. Suzano and the ‘Hello Nico’ tape but PNP will proceed with their investigation of the PCOS machine incidents,” he added.
The National Bureau of Investigation will also be helping the DOJ in verifying the authenticity of the “Hello Nico” tape, which reportedly featured a telephone conversation between Ferrer and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno about rigging the polls.
The DOJ and PNP are looking to finish the initial investigation for all the incidents by June 15.
by magnolia_eic | May 27, 2010 | Election 2010, Headlines, National News
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rescheduled to June 3 the conduct of special polls in seven municipalities of Lanao del Sur, two municipalities of Basilan, and in one municipality of Sarangani where there was a failure of elections.
In a five-page resolution, the Comelec said that it has rescheduled the elections in Lumba Bayabao, Lumbaca Unayan, Marogong, Masiu, Sultan Domalondong, Tubaran, and Bayang towns in Lanao del Sur; barangays Danapah, Kailih, Bato-Bato, Apil-Apil, Bucalao, Sangkahan, Cambug, and Look Bisaya in Al Barka and barangays Upper and Lower Mahaybahay in Maluso, Basilan; and barangay Poblacion in Gian, Sarangani.
The special polls were initially scheduled on Friday but the poll body said that it needs more time to prepare the logistical, manpower, and security requirements for the conduct of the elections.
Comelec Resolution 8921 says that no voting was conducted in the seven municipalities in Lanao del Sur because the teachers who were supposed to serve as Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) there did not show up on election day. It likewise said that some BEIs in Basilan were not able to perform their functions on May 10.
The Omnibus Election Code gives the poll body 30 days to reschedule polls once the reasons for failure of elections in these areas disappear. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | May 27, 2010 | Headlines, National News
AGRICULTURE Secretary Bernie G. Fondevilla has urged over 600 delegates to the National 4-H Convention to help the government in addressing critical threats of climate change which is largely attributed to man’s abuse of Mother Earth.
In his speech, Fondevilla said that in order for the government to achieve its agri-fishery development and modernization amid climate change challenges, there must be a stronger and sustained collaboration among stakeholders – the DA, LGUs, other policy makers and implementers, farmers, fishers, entrepreneurs and other industry players.
The 4-H national convention is an annual event spearheaded by the DA’s Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) through its farm youth development program. It is attended by the farm youth, members of the Volunteer Leaders Association of the Philippines (VLAP) and the FYDP coordinators. There are more than 5,000 4-H Clubs organized in the barangay/municipalities in the country with about 150,000 members. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | May 26, 2010 | Announcements, Headlines, National News
Certified Public Accountant PRC Exam Results for May 2010
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 1,886 out of 4,772 passed the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this May 2010.
The names of the passers are already indexed in PRCPassers.com
The members of the Board of Accountancy are Eugene T. Mateo, Chairman; Ma. Elenita B. Cabrera, Vice Chairman; Luis A. Canete, Rufo R. Mendoza and Jose S. Tayag, Jr., Members.
Topnotchers are:
1 GECEL GABUCAN CODERA UNIVERSITY OF SAN JOSE-RECOLETOS 93.14
2 JAN MARCUS ANG TANG CHIANG KAI SHEK COLLEGE 92.86
3 NINO MARTIN ARCENAL JUNTONG UNIVERSITY OF SAN JOSE-RECOLETOS 92.71
4 ELLEN JOY APOSTOL GARCIA UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS 92.43
5 JOHN RAYMUND VINCENT ALIANGAN FULLECIDO DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA 92.29
6 RENE BOY MONSIDA LEBORES UNIVERSITY OF CEBU 92.00
6 FERNANDO MIANO MONTEROLA, JR KINGFISHER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE 92.00
6 REYNALDO MACALOYOS PRUDENCIADO, JR CHRIST THE KING OF CALBAYOG 92.00
6 JAMIL MONTANEZ SARIPADA DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA 92.00
6 MARK SOLATORIO UNIVERSITY OF SAN JOSE-RECOLETOS 92.00
7 MARK ANGELO CAANA ACOSTA DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA 91.86
7 MARK ALYSON BAGUITAN NGINA UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS (BAGUIO COLL. FNDTN.) 91.86
7 JENNY BELLE VILLALUZ RODIS DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY-MANILA 91.86
8 JULIUS CALUNGSOD ONDOY NOTRE DAME OF MIDSAYAP COLLEGE 91.71
8 RANDY ESPIRITU VENTANILLA UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO 91.71
9 CHESTER MIGUEL PACIO UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS (BAGUIO COLL. FNDTN.) 91.57
10 RITCHIE ZANORIA TEJANA UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS 91.14
Click here to search for other CPA passers!
