Air passengers to get fair deal with DOTC-DTI Joint Admin Order No. 1, s. of 2012

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 7 (PIA) -- Air passengers can now get a fair deal from the carriers during o delay of flight schedules and flight cancellations, as spelled out in the “Air Passengers’ Bill of Rights.”

For example, if already at the airport at the time of the announcement of the flight cancellation, a passenger have the right to demand from the carrier, sufficient refreshments, meals or snacks consisting of at least a bottle of water and sandwich, or breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a voucher for the same, as the case may be.

The passenger shall also have the right to demand for a hotel accommodation, conveniently accessible from the airport, transportation from the airport to the hotel, free phone calls, text or emails and first aid, if necessary.

Likewise, in case the air carrier cancels the flight because of force "majeure" or unforeseen circumstances, safety and/or security reasons, as certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), a passenger shall have the right to be reimbursed for the full value of the fare.

The above conditions are only some of the rights of air passengers and carrier obligations enumerated under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 1, s. of 2012, of the Department of Transportation and Communication and the Department of Trade and Industry (DOTC-DTI) or the “Air Passenger’s Bill of Rights,” which is based on two laws: RA 776, known as the Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines, with DOTC through the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), as the agency mandated to regulate the economic aspect of aviation and develop and promote the air potential of the Philippines with due regard to public interest and convenience.

The second law is RA 7394, also known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, with DTI as the agency mandated to protect the consumers against deceit, unfair and unconscionable sales acts or practices from misleading advertisements and fraudulent sales promotions, other than those under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health (DOH).

Approved by DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya and DTI Secretary Gregory L. Domingo on December 10, 2012, DOTC-DTI JAO No.1, lists down the following 12 rights of air passengers and carrier obligations:

Right to Full, Fair and Clear Disclosure of the Service Offered and All the Terms and Conditions of the Contract of Carriage, Right to Clear and Non-Misleading Advertisements of, and Important Reminders Regarding Fares, Right Against Misleading and Fraudulent Sales Promotion Practices, Right to Transportation and Baggage Conveyance, Right to be Processed for Check-in and Right to Sufficient Processing Time.

Right to Board Aircraft for the Purpose of Flight, Right to Compensation and Amenities in Case of Cancellation of Flight, Right to Compensation and Amenities in Case of Flight Delay and Exceptions Thereto, Right to Compensation for Delayed, Lost and Damaged Baggage, Right to Compensation in Case of Death or Bodily Injury of a Passenger and Right to Immediate Payment of Compensation.

Thus, an air carrier liable for any and all compensations provided by these rules shall make the same available to the affected passenger at the air carrier’s counters at the airport on the date when the occasion entitling the passenger to compensation occurred, or at the main office or any branch of the air carrier at the discretion of the passenger.

The air carrier shall then tender a check for the amount specified, or cash, or the document necessary to claim the compensation or benefits mentioned above, provided that such document shall be convertible to cash, within 15 days from the date when the occasion entitling the passenger to such compensation occurred. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Comelec reactivates registration records of public school teachers with BEI appointments

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 7 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reactivated the registration records of public school teachers who have been appointed as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) for the May 13 elections.

This, after they were inadvertently deactivated due to their alleged failure to vote in the two succeeding regular elections.

However, the concerned teachers claimed to have voted in the May 10, 2010 national and local elections, the first automated election, and based on preliminary verification, the Comelec said they might have erroneously voted in the polling place of the clustered precincts where they were assigned as members of the BEI.

They could not have left their assignment on the day of the election but just voted in their assigned polling place and not in the precinct where they were registered.

The Comelec rules that only the public school teachers who are registered voters can be appointed as members of the BEI.

Meanwhile, reports from the field offices of the Comelec raised concern on the shortage of public school teachers who were appointed to serve as members of the BEIs but whose registration records were deactivated on the above-stated ground.

Similar issue arose in the 2010 elections and the Comelec addressed the matter through Resolution No. 8878, promulgated on May 7, 2010, which resolved to activate the registration records of the BEIs, in order for them to serve in the elections.

For the same reason and in the exigency of the service, the Comelec said there is an imperative need to activate the inadvertently deactivated registration records of the BEIs in order for them to serve in the forthcoming May 13, national and local elections.

Thus, Comelec Resolution No. 9650 was promulgated by the Comelec, headed by Chairman Atty. Sixto Brillantes, last Feb. 28, for the duly appointed public school teachers who will serve as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), in the upcoming nationa and local elections. (RCAguhob/PIA-Misamis Occidental)

Rules on mass media accreditation for 2013 elections out

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, April 7 (COMELEC) -- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has released the guidelines for mass media accreditation in connection with the May 13, automated national and local elections.

In Resolution No. 9649, promulgated February 27, 2013, the COMELEC said that the coming elections will generate “great media attention” and acknowledged the need to increase the efficiency in the recording and monitoring of grants of accreditation to “avoid the proliferation of spurious accreditation papers or media passes.”

“Duly accredited mass media shall be given free access to polling places, voting centers and canvassing centers for purposes of observing and reporting on election events and processes,” the poll body said in the Resolution.

The COMELEC defined ‘media representatives’ as those “who are actively engaged in the pursuit of information gathering and reporting or distribution, in any manner or form.” Media representatives, the COMELEC said, include: Print Journalists, Television Journalists, Photo Journalists, Online Journalists, Radio Journalists, Novelists, Screenwriters, Playwrights, Feature Film makers, Documentary makers, Television Production, Professional Photographers, Professional Videographers, and Public Relations Contrators

All parties requesting accreditation shall be required to submit a duly Accreditation Application Form; two recently taken 2×2 colored photographs and an endorsement from the newspaper, television, radio station or internet news agency employing the applicant.

Visiting Foreign Media, on the other hand, shall be required to submit photocopies of both sides of their International Press Center (IPC) Card for the year 2013, aside from the requirements mentioned above.

Manila-based Foreign Media, meanwhile, are also required to submit an endorsement letter from their Manila Bureau Chief and back-to-back photocopies of their IPC Cards, aside from the requirements mentioned.

Application Forms for accreditation shall be available at the COMELEC Education and Information Department (COMELEC-EID) and in all COMELEC Offices nationwide. Application forms may also be downloaded from the COMELEC Website (http://www.comelec.gov.ph) and the website of the COMELEC-EID (http://www.comelec.wordpress.com) and (http://mycomelec.tv/main).

Applications for accreditation, according to the COMELEC, must be personally filed at the COMELEC-EID, in the case of national and foreign media. Applications from the Local Media shall be filed at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor (OPES) concerned. The period for filing of applications will run from February 1, 2013 to April 15, 2013. “This period shall be non-extendible,” said the COMELEC.

Media representatives shall be issued a non-transferrable Media Card upon accreditation.

“Duly accredited domestic and foreign media shall be allowed maximum access to all stages of the electoral process subject only to conditions essential for the protection of COMELEC personnel, property, and privileged information,” the COMELEC ruled. (Comelec EID/PIA 10-LDN/lvg)

Outstanding Farmers tilt is on

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 6 (PIA) -- The Junior Chamber International (JCI)-Philippines will hold its Mindanao launch for the search of The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines or TOFARM on Monday, April 8 here.

This year, JCI Philippines as part of the initiatives to recognize young individuals and other organization in the agriculture sector, is reviving and institutionalizing the search and award for TOFARM.

"Our goal is to foster steady increase of youth venturing in the agriculture sector, invigorating investment and scientific advancement to achieve sustainable food supply. We plan to achieve the various interventions such as advocacy promotions, training and information sharing to cover various farming communities, "said Rommel M. Cunanan, Chair, JCIP Search and Award for TOFARM.

Meanwhile, JCI Philippines urges all the agricultural cooperatives or farmer cooperatives chairpersons and leaders and/or representatives also of associations, producers and individual farmers in Mindanao, to the event.

The JCI Philippines established in 1949, is an affiliate of the Junior Chamber International (JCI), a worldwide organization of young, active citizens creating positive change. They are a membership-based nonprofit organization of young professionals’ ages 18 to 40 in 162 communities in the Philippines.

They seek targeted solutions to the unique problems in their communities to build a better world, creating global impact. JCIP is the same organization that founded the prestigious search and award initiative for “The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM)”, and the “The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL).” (Marie-Zil Malinao/EOR/PIA10)

Saudi Arabia is hiring 1,000 female nurses

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 5 (PIA) --- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is need of female nurses, according to the Philippine Overseas and Employment Administration (POEA) Regional Extension Unit-10.

In an advisory issued today, the POEA-10 announced a government to government hiring of 1,000 female nurses with a basic salary of SR 4,080 for the KSA Ministry of Health.

Qualifications include BS Nursing graduates or with Masteral Degree, minimum of four years’ experience for BSN graduates or two years’ experience for those with Masteral degree, and not more than 40 years old.

Qualified applicants are advised to personally submit a detailed resume with job description, schools credentials, employment certificates and other requirements at the manpower Registry Division, Window M, Ground Floor of Blas F. Ople Building, Ortigas Avenue corner EDSA in Mandaluyong City or at the POEA-10 Office located at the ground floor of Trinidad Building, in Yacapin Street corner Corrales Avenue, this city.

They may also register online at www.eregister.poea.gov.ph. (APB-PIA 10)

Catarman town in Camiguin gets new liquid quick freezer from DA

By Jorie C. Valcorza

CAMIGUIN, April 5 (PIA) -- A new cold storage facility will soon rise in Catarman town, following the forging of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the acquisition of a Liquid Quick Freezer (LQF).

Mayor Nestor A. Jacot, together with a representative from the National Business Corporation (NABCOR) inked the contract last month.

NABCOR, a government corporation, is a partner of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the development of agribusiness on the countryside, more specifically, in the establishment of semi-processing and cold storage facilities such as this.

The project is under the national cold chain program of the government, aimed at increasing small farmers and fisher folks (SFF) income, as well as, in meeting the market demand for a year-round supply of commodities by extending the shelf life of agriculture and fishery products.

The LQF has a capacity to produce three tons of ice daily and its processing takes about two hours, done in batches of 16 blocks of ice, weighing around eight kilos each.

Municipal Agriculturist Teodora Gadgude says the project will be of great help to the local fisherfolks, whose volume of catch are mostly pelagic fishic, like tuna.

The machine, according to Gadgude, can also extend the shelf life of meat and vegetables packed in a vacuum sealed plastic.

“This facility will directly benefit farmers and fisherfolks federation in Catarman, as well as, the consumers,” she added.

The LQF is a commitment of the Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala during his recent visit in the province.

The local government unit for its part has already identified a perfect site and building for the facility, which was also inspected by NABCOR.

Under the MOA, the DA will donate the LQF, complete with accessories, while the recipient on the other hand will provide for the facility or warehouse that is also compliant to the needed electrical and safety requirements. (JCV/PIA)

Marawi City mayoralty bets sign peace accord

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, April 5 (PIA) -- The four mayoralty candidates here signed a peace covenant to affirm their commitment to a peaceful and clean elections this May 2013 elections.

Re-electionist Fahad Salic led incumbent vice-mayor Noryasmin Calandada and the other two mayoralty aspirants, Acmad Maruhom and Punduma Sani, in signing the covenant.

As part of the agreement, each of the aspirants vowed to settle their differences in the past and not to cause anything that will affect the lives, properties, and dignity of their relatives, supporters and the general public.

They also pledged to uphold the rule of law and not to resort to any forms of violence and cheating during the elections.

The signing of the peace covenant, held yesterday at Plaza Cabili in Barangay Banggolo, was initiated by Task Force Kasalimbago to ensure safe, fair, and peaceful elections.

Task Force Kasalimbago is composed of the Commission on Elections, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Department of Education and civil society organizations.

The covenant signing was also witnessed by some members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (MILF-AHJAG), Bangsamoro Development Authority, and International Monitoring Team (IMT).

Also present were mayoralty bets in Kapai, Marantao, Saguiaran, Piagapo and Tagoloan towns who also signed a separate peace covenant.

Brigadier General Daniel Lucero, commanding officer of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, meanwhile assured the public that he will not allow any soldier to be involved in election irregularities.

Lucero, who also chaired the Task Force Kasalimbago, reiterated that he will not push his soldiers to harm’s way just to guard cheating during the elections. (APB/PIA10)

April 9, a regular holiday throughout the country

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, AprIL 5 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared April 9, “Araw ng Kagitingan,” (Day of Valor), a regular holiday throughout the country.

Also known as “Bataan Day” or “Bataan and Corregidor Day,” April 9 is among the 10 regular holidays for 2013 listed in Presidential Proclamation No. 459, signed by the President on Aug. 16, last year.

The declaration is pursuant to Republic Act No. 3022 entitled “An Act Proclaiming the Ninth Day of April as Bataan Day and Declaring it as a Legal Holiday.”

Particularly, Section 1 of RA 3022 provides that “the ninth day of April is hereby proclaimed as Bataan Day, and all public officials and citizens of the Philippines are enjoined to observe such day with a one-minute silence at 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon, and to hold appropriate rites in honor of the heroic defenders of Bataan and their parents, wives and/or widows.”

The observance of the April 9, 1942 Fall of Bataan, during World War II, brings to mind the infamous “Bataan Death March” undergone by “close to 80,000 starving and sick soldiers composed of some 68,000 Filipinos and 11,796 Americans.”

The said soldiers were made to walk at dawn of the same day, an estimated distance of 140 kilometers of dusty and muddy road from Bataan to Camp O’Donnell in Capaz, Tarlac.

This, after Major General Edward P. King, Jr., Commander of the United States Armed Forces in the East (USAFE) in Bataan surrendered them to the Japanese Forces, against the orders of General Jonathan Wainwright, Commander of the Luzon Force and General Douglas MacArthur, Commander of the Far East.

Tired, weary, hungry, thirsty and stripped of their belongings, not to mention their untreated wounds, heat exposure and loss of sleep, the Filipino and American soldiers were ruthlessly beaten by the Japanese, along the way.

Countless soldiers who fell on the road were killed by the Japanese and only more than 50,000 of the prisoners of war (POW) reached their destination. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DOLE issues guidelines for the April 9 regular holiday pay

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued the guidelines for the April 9 regular holiday pay.

Pursuant to the Labor Advisory No. 06, series of 2012, signed by DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapiles-Baldoz, last Dec. 10, the following guidelines in the computation for the April 9 pay will apply:

If the employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100 percent of his/her salary for that day or the daily rate plus cost of living allowance (COLA) times 100 percent [(Daily rate + COLA) x 100%].

If the employee worked, he/she shall be paid 200 percent of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours [(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%].

If the employee worked in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day [Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked].

If the employee worked during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her daily rate of 200 percent [(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%] + [30% of his/her daily rate of 200%)].

If the employee worked in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of his/her hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked). (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Comelec sets aside P30M for insurance of DepEd, non-DepEd personnel serving in the May elections

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 5 (PIA) -- At least P30 million in insurance have been set aside by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the Department of Education (DepEd) and non-DepEd personnel serving in the upcoming elections.

The amount will be used by the said personnel who may sustain election-related death or injuries in the performance of election duties on May 13, 2013.

In the case of death while in the performance of election duties, however, the heirs of the deceased official/employee shall be given the amount of P200,000.

This provision is found in Comelec Resolution No. 9640 promulgated last Feb. 15, entitled “General Instructions for the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) on the Testing and Sealing, Voting, Counting and Transmission of Results in Connection with the May 13, 2013 national and local elections.”

Meanwhile, the same resolution provides that there shall be at least one DepEd Supervisor and one support staff for every voting center and in cases of polling centers with more than 10 clustered precincts, an additional DepEd Supervisor with one support staff.

On the other hand, Comelec Resolution 9640 has set an honorarium of P3,000, each, for the chairman and members of the BEI’s and an additional P500, each for the Testing and Sealing of the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) Machines and another P500, each, for one-time transportation allowance and the BEI Support Staff, an honorarium of P1,500, each.

The DepEd Supervisors shall, likewise, receive an honorarium of P3,000, and their support staff, an honorarium of P1,500, each.

Comelec Resolution 9650 also provides that all the BEI members and their staff, as well as the DepEd Supervisors and their staff will be given, each, three days of service credits, i. e., day before elections, during the election day itself and day after elections. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)