Philippines seen as Timor-Leste's client for fossil fuels

The Philippines may soon become one of Timor-Leste’s client for oil and its by-products after reports showed vast offshore oil and gas fields in the Timor Sea have led to the formation of a petroleum and gas fund worth an estimated $11.7billion.

Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, who is on a four-day Official Visit to the Philippines, said in a press conference at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City on Sunday, said that once these fuel sources have been tapped, Timor Leste will consider supplying the Philippines with oil.

“It will happen,” Gusmao said noting that this arrangement would be beneficial for both countries.

“What we need is to sell our oil,” he added.

Timor-Leste’s oil company recently signed up for a 24 percent stake in its first joint venture with Italian and Japanese partners to explore an area 240km from Dili and 500km from Darwin.

It is East Timor's first direct participation in developing resources in the Joint Petroleum Development Area it shares with Australia.

Malacanang says P13.25 billion world class communication, navigation, surveillance system for aviation fully in place by November 2015

The P13.25-billion world-class communication, navigation and surveillance system for aviation will be fully in place by November 2015, a Palace official said on Sunday.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday that the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) assured that the aviation system will be in place before President Benigno S. Aquino III steps down from office.

"Nilalayon po nitong sistemang ito na magkaroon tayo ng increased security and airport capacity while cutting flight delays," Valte said.

The DOTC has signed an amended contract with the joint venture between Sumitomo Corp. of Japan and Thales Australia Ltd. for the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems Development Project Package – I.

The CNS/ATM system was conceptualized to replace the existing air traffic control systems, navigation, communication and surveillance equipment in the country which are all aging and falling short of the required numbers.

Under the amended contract, the Sumitomo-Thales joint venture would immediately restart the construction of an air traffic management building and the supply of various components such as automation equipment and terminal radars, to enable the use of the satellite technology-based system.

GOCC remittances will be used for infrastructure projects, rehabilitation of areas devastated by typhoons

The P27.89-billion remitted by the 38 Government-Owned and–Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to the national government will be utilized for infrastructure projects, as well as the rehabilitation of areas devastated by typhoons in recent years, a Palace official said on Sunday.

"Magagamit naman po ito sa mas marami pang infrastructure projects, kasama na po dito ang rehabilitation ng mga typhoon-hit areas across the country," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.

Aside from infrastructure projects, the P27.89-billion funds representing the dividend contributions and other forms of remittances from 38 GOCCs will be used for the government’s various social programs such as providing education, healthcare, food and livelihood for the Filipinos, especially the vulnerable sector.

Last June 3, the 38 GOCCs turned over P27.89-billion dividends and other forms of remittances to the national coffers out of their operations in 2012 in simple ceremonies marking the GOCC Dividend Day in Malacañang Palace.

Under the Republic Act No. 7656, all GOCCs are required to "declare and remit at least 50% of their annual net earnings as cash, stock or property dividends to the National Government.

In 2011, President Aquino signed Republic Act 10149 or the Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) Governance Act of 2011 that seeks to reform the operations of state-owned enterprises and to curb the perceived abuses particularly on excessive bonuses and allowances of its officials.

Upon the enactment of GOCC Governance Act of 2011, the GOCCs had remitted P29-billion for 2010 and P19.2-billion for 2011.

The P28-billion dividends and other forms of remittances from the 2012 operations surpassed the collections made the previous year with eight GOCCs belonging to the elite circle of the so-called "Billionaire's Club," namely the Philippine Reclamation Authority, Philippine Ports Authority, Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, Bases Conversion Development Authority, Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines, each remitted at least P1-billion.

Erratum on the MultiDrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) story

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

We wish to correct an error in our story entitled "MultiDrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), a growing public health concern - DOH," posted May 21, 2013 on the PIA website (http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=2611369114367).

In the article, the Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF) was erroneously identified as principal recipient of the Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant TB (PMDT) program supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

The principal recipient of the program is the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

Thus, the article's 5th paragraph should have read:

"The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), an international funding instrument provides the necessary support for human resource development, physical and equipment outlay in the fight against TB, specifically MDR-TB through the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) as the Principal Recipient and the implementing sub-recipient for PMDT in close collaboration with the DOH through its regional health offices or Centers for Health Development (CHDs)."

We sincerely apologize for the inaccuracy and for any inconvenience it caused. [PIA Newsdesk editors]

Maramag PESO announces overseas job hiring

MARAMAG, Bukidnon, June 7 (PIA) -- More than 100 overseas jobs are waiting for jobseekers in Maramag and its neighboring towns as the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) holds special recruitment activity on June 19 to 21.

Oscar S. Navacilla, PESO manager of Maramag local government said the Michael Angelo Manpower Exponent, Inc., a POEA-licensed agency for overseas employment, would be in town to conduct interviews and hire applicants fit to work as domestic helpers for Hongkong and Malaysia.

The job hiring activity will be at the Public Employment Service Office, Municipal Hall, Anahawon, Maramag, Bukidnon from 8 am to 5 pm of the scheduled dates.

Navacilla said applicants must apply personally and submit copies of passport-sized pictures.

“Interested applicants who already had passports should also bring it with them,” he said.

For more details, please contact PESO Manager Oscar S. Navacilla at the Public Employment Service Office, Municipal Hall, Maramag, Bukidnon with telephone number (088) 238-5461 and (088) 238-5465. (Oscar S. Navacilla, PIO, Maramag/RLRB-PIA 10, Bukidnon)

Dairy farming seen to push livelihood & nutrition scheme

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, June 7 (PIA) -- Farmers as well as children will soon benefit from a new dairy farm, expected to open this month in the province.

The first on the island and located in Mt. Campana, the pilot dairy farm will house 25 dairy cows, loaned from the National Dairy Authority (NDA) for P140,000 each.

Dr. Louis S. Bollozos, chief of the Provincial Veterinary Office, said the cows are already pregnant and in four months will be able to produce milk.

Bollozos estimated each cow can yield at least 10 liters of milk daily.

The NDA also loaned two milking machines and other farm implements needed to the provincial local government unit (PLGU).

Named the "Camiguin Pilot Dairy Production Farm," the facility will be operated and maintained by the PLGU, which will in turn enter into a contract growing agreement with the local farmers to supply food for the herd.

The government will buy 77-day-old chopped corn plants at P2.10 per kilo to serve as feeds for the cows. Cutting may be done manually or by use of machine, which the PLGU is also willing to provide.

Meanwhile, Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo earlier revealed his plan to use the milk collected from farm for its nutrition program.

Priority schools identified with most number of underweight/malnourished children will first benefit from the farm’s fresh harvest. (JCV/PIA)

TIPC Iligan turns over more than 500 school supply kits for the Balik Eskwela Program

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, June 7 (PIA)—The Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) of Iligan City turned over 514 school supply kits to Kalamalamahan Elementary School in Barangay Rogongon, this City.

Dr. Rolly Cuizon, representative of City Mayor Lawrence Cruz, and representing the government sector of TIPC said that the Council gave school supplies not only to the pupils who are mostly Higaonons, but also to the teachers. Teachers were given classroom posters/and informative devises on health.

Inside the kits are notebooks, paper, pencil and a pen, crayon, and ruler. All these came from the solicited/donated amount during the ‘Lakaw Ta Para Sa Bata’ last May 1-Labor Day celebration. TIPC was able to raise the amount of thirty one thousand five hundred pesos (P20.00 per walker Para sa Bata donation) during the Walk.

Kalamalamahan Elementary School is a 30 kilometer-far away from the city proper which took the group to travel for almost two hours because of the terrain and its road widening project which caused delay in reaching its destination.

We have crossed this far because we find it a need for the pupils of this school and their parents not to worry anymore, to buy instead something for the stomach, a priority for all members in the family.

Together with the group were the teachers and students of MSU-IIT College of Education specifically the Department of Industrial Technology Education (DITE) Department who gave classroom posters.

Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation (MVC) gave gallons of paint to beautify their classrooms and flags of the Republic of the Philippines. Also, MVC donated receptacles for waste segregation marked ‘Malata’ and ‘Di Malata’ (biodegradable and non-biodegradable).

The Iligan Integrated Manufacturers Multi Purpose Cooperative (IIMMC) gave gallons of paint as well.

Division Schools Superintendent Randolph Tortola, Department of Education, Iligan City Division office, joined the group.

The army truck of the 41st Mechanized Infantry, Philippine Army, was used in going to the area, bringing in the TIPC members with the donation.

School-in-charge Avemar Gonzaga of Kalamalamahan Elementary School deeply expressed his gratitude to TIPC and other groups who came over despite difficulty in going to the school, in his message during a short program before the distribution of these items.

TIPC, spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), is a group of Labor and Management of industries in Iligan City and the third party is the government which is represented by the City Mayor's Office, DOLE and other government line agencies.

It can be recalled that TIPC Iligan is recognized as one of the active councils in the country which serves as a communication channel and a mechanism for undertaking joint programs among government, workers, employers and their organizations toward enhancing labor-management relations.

TIPC was created based on Article 275 of the Labor Code which institutionalizes tripartism as a labor relations policy, established through Executive Order No. 403, series of 1990, and later reorganized through EO No. 25, series of 1992, and through Executive Order No. 49, series of 1996, reconstituting and expanding the membership of the TIPC. (lvgabule/PIA10-LDN/TIPC Iligan)

DSWD clarifies issues on distribution of Emergency Shelter Assistance

Charmaine P. Tadlas

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 6 (PIA) -- The Emergency Shelter Assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development can only be availed of the families who are not recipients of any other housing assistance from any other agency.

A DSWD personnel clarified this for Typhoon Sendong survivors of Barangay Consolacion here.

The program is mandated under DSWD Administrative Order No. 17, Series of 2010 entitled Omnibus Guideline on Shelter Assistance.

“Based on our assessment and validation through the families’ access cards in Barangay Consolacion, a number of them have already received housing assistance from other sources such as International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Red Cross, thus, are not qualified for the ESA,” Daisy Ramos of DSWD said.

Among the qualifications to receive ESA as well include families that have limited resources that prevent them from repairing or reconstructing their permanent shelter units. The monthly income of a family of six in an urban area, which is in this case – Cagayan de Oro – should also be below P10,000.00, depending on the National Statistics Coordination Board’s statistic report on food threshold.

Moreover, the Omnibus Guideline also highlights that the families who can benefit from the assistance are those with or without land ownership property but situated in safe areas, and those who are not willing to be resettled and opt to stay in the same location but compliant with the safety requirements.

The amount of the ESA can only be determined upon the assessment of the DSWD social workers. They base their assessment on the qualifications and their living conditions.

Only a maximum of P5,000 shall be given to those families whose houses were assessed as partially damaged, and a maximum of P10,000.00 for families whose houses were assessed as totally damaged.

Some may receive an amount lesser than P5,000 or P10,000 depending on the need and living condition of the families.

“As much as we want to accommodate all the communities’ demands, we are still bound by the policies and guidelines of the ESA. Rest assured, there are still other DSWD social services and social protection programs available to the communities of which they can avail,” Ramos said.(Charmaine Tadlas/RTP/PIA 10)