by magnolia_eic | Apr 18, 2010 | Announcements, Headlines, National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday signed the amended Magna Carta for Disabled Persons which directs local government units to establish a “Persons with Disability Affairs Office” (PDAO) to ensure the implementation of programs and services for persons with disabilities in every province, city and municipality nationwide.
Mrs. Arroyo signed the Republic Act No. 10070, a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3560 and House Bill No. 1387, on April 6.
Under the amended law, the local government units are ordered to promote the formation of organizations of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in their respective areas. The law also encouraged the national agencies and the LGUs to enter into joint ventures with organizations or associations of PWDs “to explore livelihood opportunities and other undertakings that shall enhance the health, physical fitness and the economic and social well-being of PWDs.”
Republic Act No. 10070 also called for the appointment of a qualified PWD to assume as a PWD affairs officer to manage and oversee the operations of the PDAO.
Among the responsibilities of the appointed PWD affairs officer are: formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs; represent PWDs in meetings of local development councils and other special bodies; and ensure that the policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs are funded by both the national and local government.
The Amended Magna Carta for Disabled Persons was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on January 18 and January 26, respectively this year. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 18, 2010 | Announcements, National News
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reminds the public to check the validity of their passports and renew them six months before expiry to avoid the hassle of getting a replacement in light of increased passport applications especially during the summer season.
A passport is valid for five years, but airlines and countries require passports with validity of six months prior to the expiry date.
Currently, the DFA charges P950 for regular processing (20 working days) and P1,200 for expedited processing (10 working days). For those applying in the DFA’s regional consular offices (RCOs), another four days is added for transport of the passport booklet from Manila to the RCO.
The DFA also reminds passport applicants to avail of the appointment system to ensure quick and comfortable service. Walk-in applicants are discouraged.
The DFA further reiterates that securing an appointment online is free of charge. It is warning the public against unscrupulous individuals charging applicants P200 fee for securing for them online appointments.
Applicants can check the passport requirements and secure an appointment at www.passport.com.ph or by calling hotline (02) 737-1000. They may also call the DFA helplines at telephone numbers (02) 831-8971, (02) 551-4437, (02) 551-4402, (02) 834-4855 and (02) 834-4424. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 15, 2010 | Election 2010, Headlines, National News
Party-list group Alyansa ng Media at Showbiz (AMS) asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to approve early voting of the members of the media Wednesday.
In a three-page petition, the party reasoned that media workers might not be able to vote on election day because they have to work to cover the polls.
“The worst thing that could happen to a Filipino citizen is to be deprived of his right to vote,” the group said.
The group asked the Comelec to allow members of the media to vote during their systems test, and use this opportunity to identify problems in the use of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.
The media, on the other hand, will be better informed about the voting process before the actual synchronized national elections.
The group also petitioned that the votes cast during the systems test period be counted as official. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 15, 2010 | Election 2010, Headlines, National News
To thwart possible attacks against members of the judiciary, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Commission on Elections to exempt over 2,000 judges nationwide from the coverage of the election gun ban.
The call came in the wake of separate bombing attacks that might have targeted judges Silvino Pampilo Jr. of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 26 and Leo Principe of the Basilan Regional Trial Court Branch 1.
In an interview with reporters, SC administrator and spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said the high tribunal “condemns in the strongest possible term” the twin attacks.
The Comelec implemented the nationwide gun ban last January 10 to avert election-related violence. Marquez said he made the request as early as January, but the poll body has yet to act on the matter.
“We reiterate to the Comelec our call to review its policy that disallows a gun ban exemption on our judges. We have been asking this since,” Marquez said.
He added that the exemption would enable judges to handle controversial cases without fear of retaliatory attacks from aggrieved parties and litigants, especially during the election period. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 15, 2010 | Business, Headlines, National News, World
Philippines’ exports grew for the fourth straight month in February driven by increased demand for the country’s electronic goods.
Exports grew 42.3% year-on-year after a 42.5% rise in the previous month, the National Statistics Office said Tuesday. Economists were looking for a 39.9% increase. Export earnings in February jumped to $3.567 billion from $2.506 billion in the previous year.
However, on a monthly basis, export revenue dropped 0.4% in February. In January, revenue rose 8.1% on a monthly basis.
Electronic products with a revenue share of 58.1% topped the list of exported goods in the country by earning a total revenue of $2.072 billion during the month. Export earnings of electronic goods grew 53.4% year-on-year after 51.2% in January. On a monthly basis, export earnings from electronic goods rose 1.9%, following the 8.1% growth in the previous month.
Semiconductors, accounting for 42.3% of the total export earnings, earned an export revenue of $1.508 billion, up 59.6% compared from the previous period.
Japan emerged as the top export destination for the country, comprising 17.6% share of total exports. Total export earnings from Japan increased 55.4% annually to $627.04 million in February. Exports to the U.S. accounted for 16.9% of the total exports and the revenue stood at $603.83 million. The export value increased 29.5% year-on-year, making it the second largest market for Philippine goods. (PIA-Bohol)
by magnolia_eic | Apr 15, 2010 | Business, Headlines, National News
THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has upgraded its growth forecast for the Philippine economy this year to 3.8 percent, from an earlier estimate of 3.1 percent, driven by increased private consumption on the back of robust remittances and election spending.
In the latest Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2010, the ADB’s flagship annual economic publication reported that from a very weak 0.9 percent growth in 2009, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) will recover significantly to expand 3.8 percent and 4.6 percent in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
However, the ADB said the Philippines still needs to seriously address several constraints to growth if it is to reach its full potential. The growth forecasts remain below both potential growth and average growth (5.5 percent) during 2004-2008, the report pointed out.
But the ADB said investments are forecast to rebound from last year’s low levels, while external trade will be considerably stronger this year. Exports will also grow in line with the global recovery. (PIA-Bohol)
