Malacañang says Taiwan will provide additional security to protect Filipinos

The Taiwan government intends to provide additional security to protect Filipinos in Taiwan amid reports of assault and discrimination against Filipino nationals staying there, a Palace official said on Monday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang that the Philippine government remains optimistic that the harassment and assaults against Filipinos in Taiwan will be stopped after Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou vowed last week to protect the Filipinos there.

Last Friday, the Taiwan's leader called for calm and promised to protect Filipinos residing and working in the island.

"I understand, that their leadership has already expressed intent to provide additional security and we’re hoping that the reported incidents will not be repeated," Valte said.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) had already organized a team that will document reports of harassment and assaults against Filipinos in Taiwan and relay it to Taiwan’s foreign ministry.

"Our counterparts there are already working with the relevant ministries in Taiwan for the investigation of these attacks," Valte said.

Valte said the Philippine government is calling on the Taiwanese people not to harass the Filipinos there because they have nothing to do with the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman last May 9 off Batanes.

The Philippine government assured that contingencies are now in place in case there is an exodus of Filipinos from Taiwan. The Department of Labor said it is looking at other markets such as South Korea, the Middle East and Malaysia that could absorb Filipino workers affected by the current diplomatic row with Taiwan.

President Aquino receives new Egyptian envoy in Malacañang

President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the new envoy of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Philippines who called on him in Malacanang on Monday.

Egypt’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Mahmoud Mostafa Ahmed met with President Aquino at the Music Room of Malacanang to present his credentials before settling down to work as his country’s representative.

In a short message, Ambassador Mahmoud assured the President of the continued friendship and cooperation of the people and Egypt and said that he would work towards strengthening the good bilateral relations with the Philippines.

The President then ushered Ambassador Mahmoud into an adjoining room for a private meeting.

Prior to his meeting with the President, who was joined by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosasrio, Ambassador Mahmoud was accorded military honors by members of the Presidential Security Group at the grounds fronting Malacanang Palace. PND (rck)

President Aquino directs Department of Labor and other government agencies to address job mismatch

President Benigno S. Aquino III had already tapped the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to continue working to address the prevailing job mismatch, a Palace official said on Monday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing in Malacanang that the Chief Executive asked the concerned agencies to exert all the necessary efforts to attain the administration's goal of providing employment for Filipinos after graduation.

Valte said President Aquino stressed the need for the concerned government agencies to craft measures to help address the country's employment concerns.

"The President has repeatedly talked about this. It needs to be addressed by a convergence between the Labor department, the CHED and the TESDA," Valte said.

Valte said the Chief Executive directed the DOLE to work along with its partner agencies in implementing various job creation facilitation programs to address the prevailing job mistmatch.

"Ang gusto po natin ay nabibigyan ng proper advice ang ating mga estudyante kung ano ang mga kurso na kapag naka-graduate sila ay bukas pa ang merkado para sa mga ganoong empleyo," Valte said.

"So, nakita po natin ‘yan nang nagkaroon ng oversupply in some sectors with the number of jobs that are available after they had graduated, and that is precisely why the President ordered these three agencies to come together and make sure that the proper advice is given our students who are beginning their university education," she said.

The administration is trying to attract both domestic and international investors to create more job opportunities for Filipinos.

Misamis Oriental has new set of elected officials

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- Provincial Board of Canvassers on Thursday afternoon, May 16 proclaimed the new set of elected officials to lead the province of Misamis Oriental.

Despite some technical problems encountered in some Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines Compact Flash (CF) cards particularly in the towns of Manticao and Salay during transmission and canvassing, election returns were completed to 100% as of Thursday, May 16.

For the gubernatorial position, Atty. Cirilo Nala, chairman of the provincial board of canvassers proclaimed Bambi Emano (UNA) as governor of the province who garnered 190,986 votes against contender Norris Babiera (LP) with 170,321 votes.

For vice-governor, Joey Pelaez (UNA) won with 173,841 votes against contender Wayne Militante (LP) with 139,255 votes.

In the House of Representatives for the 1st district of Misamis Oriental, Peter Unabia (LP) was proclaimed winner with 127,065 votes against contenders Clyde Abbot (independent) and Rommel Zagado (Partido ng Mangagawa at Magsasaka).

For the 2nd district member house of representative, Julliete Uy (Independent) won over Jun Baculio (NP), Bong Calingin (Independent) and Jardin Jesus (LP).

Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on that same day for the 1st district went to Lagbas; Benedict with 66,767 votes; Pelaez, Vincent with 54,545; Dumadag, Bebing 53,637; Bernaldes, Abing 53,473; and Lagbas, Roldan 52,754.

Meanwhile 2nd District went to Emano, Eman Manok with 83,101 votes; Acain, Gagay with 77,675; Madjos, Manoy 601,406;Actub, Boris Oliver 63,782; and Mugot, Emmanuel with 64,271 votes. (JMOR/PIA)

Gov. Khalid Dimaporo wins re-election for third term

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, May 17 -- It was another landslide victory for Governor Khalid Dimaporo who is seeking his third term of office as chief executive of this province.

With 136,778 votes against 86,913 of nearest opponent Casan Maquiling (Liberal Party), Dimaporo was proclaimed on May 15 by the Provincial Board of Canvassers as the winning gubernatorial candidate in the province of Lanao del Norte.

Also proclaimed were the winners of top provincial posts, Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo as Representative for the 1st congressional district, Abdullah Dimaporo for the 2nd congressional district and Cristy Atay as Vice-Governor all from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

“As a third-termer this is my final stint as provincial governor. I will do my best that people are satisfied with my administration. So in behalf of Team Dimaporo and our party, we would like to thank the people of Lanao del Norte to choosing us to lead and administer the province,” Governor Dimaporo expressed.

Other winners proclaimed were the new set of Sanggunian Panlalawigan members. For the first district: Grecille Matalines (51,352 votes), Casimero Bagol (43,093 votes), Baldomero Zamora (38,661), Mac Dibaratun (36,246 votes), and Jackmar Maruhom (32,338 votes).

For the second district, only three board members were proclaimed: Benny Baguio (41,770), Harris Ali (35,138), and Omar Osop (44,480) pending transmittal of election data from the towns of Tangcal, Nunungan and Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) to the provincial canvassing board.

“We are very much thankful to all our loyal supporters who continue to believe in us and who voted for us despite the massive vote-buying and below-the-belt accusations and insults from our political opponents,” Congresswoman Imelda Dimaporo said.

The local COMELEC is expected to proclaim all the provincial winners by the end of the week. The provincial board of canvassers is headed by Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Joseph Hamilton Cuevas. ( Vincent N. Labial/PIO-LDN/PIA)

ARMM human rights body to look into displacement issue

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, May 16 (PIA) -- The Regional Human Rights Commission (RHRC) has intensified efforts to address human rights issues especially for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the region.

“Our regional office is not focused only on monitoring cases but is also collaborating with other agencies for potential solutions as well,” said lawyer Laisa M. Alamia, the agency’s chairperson said in a press briefing on Thursday morning.

The RHRC was established last year following the enactment of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act 288 otherwise known as the “ARMM Human Rights Commission Charter of 2012.”

Alamia said that her agency has been receiving support from various sectors in Mindanao including a new vehicle recently donated by the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). She said that the vehicle will be used in its monitoring activities while noting that the autonomous region houses a number of displaced individuals.

“Forced displacement gave birth to human rights concern and we are banking on establishing human rights profile mechanism in the 110 municipalities across the region,” she said.

“Despite shortage in personnel and technical resources, we are ready to strategize provincial human rights action centers throughout the region,” she added.

In the 2012 forced displacement report released by UNHCR, 278,472 people were forcibly displaced in an accounted 35 incidents. Apart from natural disaster, the data cites that rido or clan feud were among the top three causes.

“We are happy that UNHCR has been one of the active partners of the current regional administration in curbing the problem of human rights abuses in ARMM,” said Atty. Anwar Malang, regional government’s executive secretary.

For his part, Arjun Jain, UNHCR Mindanao chief, has vowed to continue his agency’s support.

“Rest assured that UNHCR and many other United Nation agencies and the international community will be behind you, and will continue supporting your work,” said Jain.(ARMM CommGroup/PIA-10)

Mindanao region bags NGCP's 1st Lineman's Skills Competition championship

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, May 17 (PIA)-- The host region, Mindanao, emerged as overall champion in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) 1st Lineman's Skills Competition held at the Lineman's Academy in Maria Cristina, Iligan City on April 23 to 25, 2013.

Four teams composed of 14 linemen coming from several districts in North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas , and Mindanao competed during the three-day event.

After such intensive and exhilarating competitions, the Mindanao Region garnered a total of six gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals.

South Luzon came in second, followed closely by North Luzon and the Visayas.

Mark Emmanuel Villaspin, a lineman from North Luzon, was crowned 'Rodeo King' for garnering the highest score in the individual and group events.

The linemen were showcased in their full duty gear during the 10 events that they competed, particularly: Steel Pole Erection; Wood Pole Climbing; Rope Splicing; Pole Dressing; Conductor Riding; Knot Tying; Pole Undressing; Hurt Man Pole Top Resource; Bandaging, Splints, and Transfer; and Emergency Restoration System (ERS) Installation.

The event was designed to display the unique skills and talents of linemen that are rarely seen by the public.

Atty Cynthia P. Alabanza, NGCP Spokesperson and Head of Corporate Communications, clarified that more than showcasing the competence and expertise of linemen, the competition is an opportunity to honor unsung heroes. NGCP linemen are the frontliners of our operations. This would give everyone a better appreciation of the risks they take on a day-to-day basis and under all types of weather conditions.

Their commitment and passion to ensuring the safety and reliability of the grid makes them the heart and soul of NGCP, added Alabanza.

NGCP's regular training activities aim to enhance the quality of transmission services to ensure the reliability of electricity delivered to grid-connected customers like generators, distributors, and large industries, said Alabanza. (lvgabule/CCD-NGCP/PIA-LDN)

Read the yellow labels, says DOE

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 16 (PIA) -- The Department of Energy is calling the public to examine Yellow Labels or Energy Guides attached/printed in household appliances and lighting products to ensure efficient, quality products that can bring beneficial results during the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Seminar on May 6, here.

Kristian Carlo B. Victorio, DOE Research Engineer said the yellow-colored cards are indicators of a product’s efficiency and performance that the public should heed when buying appliances and lighting products.

“The rule of thumb is simple, the higher the number, the more efficient the appliance is,” Victorio added.

Victorio also cited important reasons why yellow labels should be taken seriously. First, it ensures consumers that their products are certified and efficient. Second, it trims down monthly electric bill, and it helps the environment.

For air conditioners, consumers should learn to look for the Energy Efficiency Ratio o EER.

The higher the EER, the more efficient the air conditioner is. When considering a new unit, consumers must know first its cooling capacity or the ability of the air conditioner to cool (or remove the heat of) a given space in an hour. That is, by computing the floor area times 500.

Proper installation of the unit must also be observed, adequate insulation, and regular cleaning to make sure the unit will work properly.

The same rule is applied on refrigerators, the higher the Energy Efficiency Factor, the more efficient the refrigerator is. Like air conditioners, the size of the unit must be considered, its proper location, and maintenance to clean and defrost regularly.

On lamps, Victorio shared that people should look for the Ballast Efficacy Factor or BEF. The higher the BEF, the more efficient the ballast is. Ballasts prevent immediate destruction on lamps.

Like linear and circular fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) are self-ballasted lamps that are recommended to use instead of incandescent bulb. Consumers should look for higher efficacy when buying CFLs.

In choosing appliances, Victorio encouraged consumers to check yellow labels that contain Certified Quality Product or the ICC logo, to ensure that it passed the Philippine National Standard.(Mary Nathalie Soldevilla/RTP/PIA10)

MOCAN to hold 30th International AIDS candlelight memorial, mobilization

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- Misamis Oriental – Cagayan De Oro AIDS Network (MOCAN) invites the whole community to join the 30th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and Mobilization “In Solidarity” on May 19, 4:30 p.m. at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, here.

The program will focus on the dangers, threats of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic, said Fritzie Caybot-Estoque, chairperson of MOCAN and director of Liceo Center for Community Development.

"It’s right here in Cagayan De Oro, dugay na pero kulang pa ta sa aksyon para ma prevent, para ma minimize ang pag spread sa disease (It has long been here but we still need to take more action to prevent and minimize the spread of the disease)," she said.

According to Estoque, MOCAN regularly conduct surveillance and at the same time provide care and support for persons living with HIV or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Particularly, they have conducted awareness programs by community dissemination, community education, and community organization. Through this, they have encouraged people to be aware and voluntarily get counseling and be tested especially in the vulnerable sector.

She added that through this program, almost every week during their field they would find one person positive with HIV.

As much as the group would like to remind people to be cautious of getting infected with HIV or AIDS, they also want people to join together and not discriminate those who have the infection. That way, people living with HIV/AIDS will have the courage to voluntarily be counseled and get tested.

When a person is found positive, Estoque explained that they need to undergo counseling specifically on the do’s and don’ts. Meanwhile people who have had negative results are given guidance as to what to do to prevent having the disease.

Lastly, Estoque said that the most effective way to prevent HIV/AIDS from happening to anybody is awareness and behavior change.

On Sunday, they have invited a Person Living with AIDS (PLA) for a testimony and Dr. Enrique A. Tayag, assistant secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as their keynote speaker, she said. (Jennica Rojas/JMOR/PIA)

What every Filipino consumer should know

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- Lawyer Fel Lester G. Brillantes of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) region 10 shares important information and reminder to all “modern day” Filipino consumers.

He emphasized five reminders.

First, don’t let anyone insert or swipe your credit card twice without giving you a “transaction cancelled” receipt from the first swipe.

Second, if you have difficulty paying your credit card debt or you are complaining against excessive bank finance charges and credit card agents, do not go to DTI. Instead, lodge a written complaint with the Financial Consumer Affairs Group (FCAG) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Third, don’t respond to any text messages claiming that you won in a raffle and the source of the text is just an ordinary 11-digit number instead of the special three to four digit numbers. Most scammers love to identify themselves as “lawyers.”

Contact NTC’s one-stop public assistance center at 921-32-51 or 926-77-22 for sim card blocking request.

If you want to check whether or not a DTI sales promo number is genuine, verify the same at the DTI-NCR website. (http://dtincr.ph/verifysalespromo.php)

Fourth, tell your parents not to entertain “vulture agents.” They are the annoying people inside the malls asking you if you have a credit card. In some instances, target victims are approached by vulture agents informing them that he/she has won a gift or a “give-away.”

After fraudulent manipulation, victims will be convinced to part their money as insurance premiums or down payments of their products. If they are selling insurance products, lodge your complaint with the Insurance Commission for malpractices of insurance companies or agents.

Fifth, do not invest your money to companies with “Pyramid-Scam-Like-Behavior.” The only people that are able to make money on a pyramid scheme are the scammers at the top of the pyramid.

Pyramid scammers usually invite their members for a free seminar. At the seminar, you will be enticed to become an investor by paying a certain amount of money which will allow you to earn by recruiting two or more other investors and the pyramid goes on.

To disguise the scam as a legitimate networking scheme, scammers offer in their recruitment package some beauty, herbal or other products (usually overpriced, of poor quality and difficult to sell) for selling. The money received by the members comes primarily from recruitment and not from the direct selling of their products.

However, Pyramid scams are not that easy to spot. Thus, before joining any of their seminars, ask them if their company is a member of the Direct Selling Association of the Philippines (DSAP) and verify it at the DSAP website (http://www.dsap.ph/directory.html).

If the company is not a DSAP member, this should be a red flag and you should conduct further research about the company you are dealing with. If possible, secure copies of their Articles of Incorporation, General Information Sheet (GIS) and the like for verification with the SEC. These documents will aid government agencies to know the responsible directors/officers behind the corporation and proper service of summons in case of complaints.

You can also visit the official website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (sec.gov.ph) to check if a company is inside SEC’s public advisories or “babala” against scammers. (Atty. Fel Lester G. Brillantes/JMOR/PIA)

2013 elections in Marawi better than 2010 polls, says Comelec official

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, May 16 (PIA) -- The conduct of the 2013 mid-term polls here has improved compared to the 2010 elections.

Lawyer Michael Ignes, acting election officer in Marawi City, said the 2013 elections was far better compared to previous elections where many irregularities and violent incidents were reported.

He said activities from the final testing and sealing of the PCOS machines until the casting of votes were smooth sailing except for few glitches with the machines during the election day.

Ignes said common PCOS-related problems such as defective LCD and CF cards, as well as weak batteries, were not only encountered here but also in other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Vidzfar Julie said all the 1,142 precincts in the province have functioned on May 13.

Although official ballots for four barangays were accidentally misdelivered, he said the voting in these areas resumed after the ballots were switched back.

Julie also clarified the reasons for the delayed transmission of results and canvassing.

He said municipal election officers requested that transmittal of precinct-level results be conducted at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium located in the city due to poor communication signals.

According to him, all the transmissions were to be done supposedly at the respective precincts but they cannot transmit to the municipal hub due to signal problems.

The delivery of the PCOS machines to the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium was further delayed because of the distance of some municipalities coupled with heavy rainfall on Monday night.

He moreover explained that the election officers also requested for the municipal canvassing to be centralized and be held at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium to ensure the safety and security of the members of the boards of canvassers.

As of this writing, 36 out of 39 municipalities or approximately 95 percent has been canvassed by the provincial board of canvassers. (APB/PIA-10)

DOST-10 gets another ISO 9001:2008 continued certification

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 16 -- The Department of Science and Technology Region 10 (DOST-10) has again received recommendation for ISO 9001:2008 (for quality management system) certification from Certification International Philippines, Inc. (CIPI).

This came after the office hurdled another round of surveillance audit last May 9-10 where the CIPI Auditor found zero non-conformities.

The audit focused on the provision of science and technology services, science promotion, science and technology information dissemination and science and technology scholarships and covered systems and processes on procurement, customer satisfaction feedback, internal audit, corrective/prevention action, and management review.

CIPI lead auditor Joselito Soler congratulated DOST Region 10 for its continued commitment to maximize the use of the QMS in its operations. And in response to Soler’s evaluation, DOST-10 Regional Director Alfonso Alamban expressed his appreciation of the audit process and noted the valuable insights for the continual improvement of the QMS and effectiveness of DOST-10”s operations which redounds to better services.

It was in March 30, 2009 when DOST-10 got its first ISO certification.

It was the first regional government line agency in Region 10 to be given an ISO certification and the first agency in the region to be awarded two international standards—the ISO 9001:2008 and the PNS ISO-IEC: 17025:2005 for its Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories (RSTL).

As an ISO-certified organization, DOST Region 10 is required to maintain its Quality Management System as part of its commitment to continually upgrade its competencies to serve not only the people in Region 10 but also those from other regions who wish to access its services.

DOST’s move to get an ISO certification is in line with Executive Order 605 issued on 23 February 2007 “Institutionalizing the Structure, Mechanism and Standards to Implement the Government Quality Management Program.”

CIPI is duly accredited by the Philippine Accreditation Board (PAB) and the United Kingdom Accreditation System (UKAS). It is one of the best ISO 9001:2008 standards certifiers, both in the Philippines and abroad. # (Tess Superioridad Baluyos, tsuperioridad.dost@yahoo.com, 09277559972) (Teresita Baluyos/DOST/JMOR/PIA)

AFP, PNP help ease tensions in Lanao del Sur

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, May 16 (PIA) --- The joint forces of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) assigned in the province played a vital role in minimizing election-related violence in the province.

Col. Glenn Macasero, commanding officer of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said the conduct of the 2013 mid-term polls in the province on Monday has been generally peaceful.

Amid few isolated incidents, the elections in the entire province were successful and that all the municipalities in the province have not reported failure of elections, he said.

According to him, the success was due to the timely response of reaction forces in areas where tensions were reported.

The peaceful conduct of elections could also be attributed to the presence of policewomen in the polling centers.

The PNP has deployed one provisional female company to the province to assist in ensuring the safe conduct of elections.

Police Chief Superintendent Noel Delos Reyes, PNP Regional Director for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said the move was based on past experiences where some of the election-related irregularities and disturbances were initiated by female voters.

He said it would be difficult for policemen to respond to incidents involving female voters considering the culture in the province, hence, the deployment of policewomen.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Inspector Eden Agsuay, overall company commander of the provisional female company, said the 110 trained policewomen from Parang, Maguindanao were able to respond immediately and ease tensions in their assigned areas. (APB/PIA-10)

Parts of Region 9, 10 still positive for red tide

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 15 (PIA)—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) continues to warn the public that shellfishes collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murclelagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte, and Misamis Occidental are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison.

The statement was based on laboratory tests conducted by BFAR and Local Government Units.

Visa Tan-Dimerin, BFAR region 10 director, said all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang gathered around the areas identified are not safe for human consumption, prohibiting the public to harvest, sell and buy. However, squids and crabs are safe to eat provided that these are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.

The remaining coastal waters of Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte are still free from toxic red tides. (Mary Nathalie Soldevilla/JCV/PIA10)