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President Aquino cites the Philippine National Police for achievements in peace and order despite equipment shortage

 President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the Philippine National Police for its achievements in upholding the law and maintaining peace and order all over the country despite being burdened with its perennial problem of equipment shortages.

The President said that despite the lack of handguns, policecars and personnel, the PNP was able to bring down crime from 319,441 in 2010 to 217,812 in 2012; carnapping incidents down 40 percent; and kidnap for ransom down 73 percent for the same period.

“Positibong datos din ang resulta ng maigting ninyong pagsagupa sa Private Armed Groups. Animnapu’t tatlong porsyentong kabawasan sa bilang ng grupong ito ang naitala natin mula eleksyon 2010 hanggang nitong nakaraang halalan. Sa matagumpay namang operasyon ng OPLAN Katok, (a house-to-house visitation program to remind gun owners to renew or register their firearms or they will be considered as loose firearms) umabot na sa halos 465,000 unrenewed firearms licenses ang natukoy ninyo; mahigit 96,000 lisensya ng baril ang ni-renew, at mahigit 6,000 baril ang kinumpiska,” the President said.

“Sa lahat ng tagumpay ng ating kapulisan—sa pagtataguyod man ng kaayusan o sa pagsugpo ng krimen, hanggang sa pagsagip ng mga kababayan nating sinalanta ng kalamidad—nagpapasalamat tayo sa dedikasyon at propesyunalismo ng mga alagad ng batas,” he added.

He vowed to work for the modernization program of the PNP through supporting the PNP Operational Transformation Plan 2103 to 2016 that will augment the law enforcement personnel with the hiring of 15,000 non-uniformed personnel to help in administrative duties; additional equipment purchases and housing.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, sa halip na maghapong nakaposte sa mga presinto’t opisina ang ating mga pulis, magsisilbi silang karagdagang puwersa sa pagbabantay sa mga komunidad,” the President said.

“Kasado na rin dito ang pagbili natin ng 13,000 unit ng M-4 rifle para sa hanay natin sa field patrol. Tuloy-tuloy naman ang ating programang pabahay para maibsan ang inyong pasanin at ng inyong pamilya. Nakapagpatayo na tayo ng 21,800 na tahanan sa unang yugto ng programa para sa ating mga sundalo’t pulis. Mahigit 15,000 bahay na rin ang nakumpleto natin sa Phase 2, na sa duluhan ay aabot ng 31,200 ang Phase 2. Kasama na ring maninirahan sa maitatayong pamayanan ang mga kawani ng BFP, BuCor, at BJMP sa buong bansa,” he added.

“Kompiyansa po tayong sa paglilinis at pag-aangat ng antas ng inyong serbisyo, lalo pang aarangkada ang ating pambansang kapulisan. Puspusan namang kikilos ang gobyerno upang suklian ang inyong makabuluhang paglilingkod—kayo na handang masugatan sa bakbakan at sumuong sa anumang peligro, mailigtas lamang ang kapwa Pilipino. Patunayan nating laging nasa panig ng katuwiran ang ating kapulisan; patuloy nating tutukan ang kapakanan ng ating mga tunay na Hepe—ang sambayanan. Sabay-sabay nating asintahin at tunguhin ang katuparan ng ating kolektibong adhika para sa minamahal nating bansa,” the President further said.

Aquino orders DILG and PNP to promote two police personnel for bravery

President Benigno S. Aquino III directed the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police to work towards promoting two police personnel for bravery.

The President issued his directions in his speech after leading the distribution of brand new 9mm Glock 17 pistols at the PNP multi-purpose hall in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday.

The President said that Police Officer 2 (PO2) Edlyn Arbo, the brave lady cop from the Eastern Police District who prevented a holdup from happening in a jeepney she was riding to work in Manila last April 4; and PO2 Felipe Moncatar of the Bacolod City Police Regional Office, whose exploits of bringing to justice big time criminals and syndicates, deserve to be meritoriously promoted for their selfless acts.

“Patunay nga po rito si PO2 Edlyn Arbo; na walang pag-aatubiling hinarap at tinugis ang isang holdaper sa nasakyang dyip. Hindi niya inalintana ang kawalan ng baril, at natamong sugat sa engkuwentro. Tapang, pananagutan, at kasanayan bilang pulis ang tanging sandata niya para panagutin ang holdaper. Kita naman po n’yo ang kababaihan,” the President said.

“Ilang beses na ring nakatanggap ng papuri si PO2, Felipe Moncatar mula sa iba’t ibang istasyon at organisasyon dahil sa dami ng nahuli niyang kriminal. Ang ilan pa rito, kabilang sa “most wanted persons” sa Lungsod ng Bacolod. Ang iba naman, miyembro pa ng malalaking sindikato na sangkot sa panggagahasa, pagpatay, pagnanakaw, at carnapping. Ang partida nga, naisakatuparan niya ang matatagumpay na operasyon nang walang dalang armas.

"Saludo ang buong bayan sa inyong katapangan at pananagutan; at sa buong hanay ng ating kapulisan na walang pinipiling sitwasyon at pagkakataon upang maglingkod sa kapwa at bansa,” he added.

Turning his attention to Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP Director General Alan Purisima who were both with him during the distribution ceremonies, the President said that the file on Arbo and Moncatar did not mention that the two had been promoted to the next higher rank.

“Mar at Alan, parang hindi ko napansin doon sa report ng ating dalawang nabanggit na sila ay na-promote. Ang mga ganyang gandang gilas palagay ko naman ay talaga namang 'yan ang definition ng meritorious promotion, see to it that these two are promoted,” the President said.

President Aquino distributes first tranche of 22,603 pistols to PNP personnel

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the distribution of 22,603 brand new Glock 17 9mm pistols to pre-selected personnel of the Philippine National Police in ceremonies held at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Tuesday.

The new pistols form part of the 60,000 firearms bought by the PNP with an allocation of P1.2-billion from the PNP Modernization program.

The first 21 police personnel to personally receive the Glock17 9mm pistols from the President were Police Officer 2 John Ely Bayan from the La Union Police Regional Office, PO2 Rodrigo Salviejo – PRO 2, Santiago City; PO2 Nino Ryan Opinga – PRO 3, Olongapo City; PO1 Reilineth De Jesus PRO 4A, Tagaytay City; PO1 Bone Roger Tabinga – PR4B, Puerta Princesa City;

PO1 Eliseo Prieta, PRO 5, Naga City; PO2 Jun Damaolao – PRO 6, Iloilo City; PO2 Crisanto Nudalo – PRO 7, Cebu City; PO2 Gregorio Wabina – PRO 8, Tacloban City; PO1 Joey Mutuc – PRO 9, Zamboanga City; PO1 Earl Ballesteros – PRO 10, Cagayan De Oro City; PO1 Robinson Palomares – PRO 11, Davao City;

PO1 Sotero Gania – PRO 12, General Santos City; PO1 Ismael Tabamo, Jr. – PRO 13, Butuan City; PO2 Esnairah Lucman – PRO ARMM, Marawi City; PO1 Elizalde Kibayan – PRO CAR, Baguio City; PO1 Angel Martin – NCRPO, Northern Police District; PO1 Randy Colanggo – NCRPO, Eastern Police District; PO1 Maridel Malabanan – NCRPO, Manila Police District; PO1 Butch Zinampan – NCRPO, Southern Police District; and PO1 Ranilyn Magailon – NCRPO, Quezon City Police District.

The Glock safe-action pistol is currently in service in almost 60 percent of national police forces and law enforcement agencies in Europe, America and Asia.

President Aquino receives Argentine, British Ambassadors in Malacanang

President Benigno S. Aquino III received Tuesday Argentine Ambassador Joaquin Daniel Otero in a farewell call at Malacanang’s Music Room.

The President conferred upon Otero the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu for his contributions in Philippine-Argentina relations in the areas of culture, arts, sports and trade.

At the same time, British Ambassador Stephen Lillie paid a farewell call on the President, was also conferred with the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu.

The Order of Sikatuna is a national order of diplomatic merit of the Republic of the Philippines conferred upon individuals who have rendered exceptional and meritorious services to the Philippines.

It is being given to diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states who have rendered conspicuous services in developing and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines.

The order is also being conferred upon the personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs both in the home office and in the foreign service. The Order of Sikatuna may be awarded by the secretary of Foreign Affairs in the name and by authority of the President.

The rank of Datu or Grand Cross has two distinctions: Gold (Katangiang Ginto) and Silver (Katangiang Pilak).

The Grand Cross may be conferred upon a crown prince, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice or the equivalent, foreign minister or other official of cabinet rank, Ambassador, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing.

Children’s nutrition status in NorMin improves

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 21 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has declared that the health of 10,361 children in Northern Mindanao has "normalized," the agency said in a statement.

A year ago, the DSWD reported the children, who come from the five provinces of the region, to be “malnourished.”

DSWD’s report revealed that in 2012 about 18.59 percent of the 94,829 children in Northern Mindanao were malnourished.

The agency conducted a Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) for children in Day Care Centers, in addition to their regular meals.

The program provides indigenous foods and/or locally produced foods equivalent to 1/3 recommended energy nutrient intake (RENI).

In addition, the parents, children, and including the caregivers are also given support by improving their knowledge, attitude and practices by educating them on proper nutrition and health education. This way, according to DSWD, will improve and sustain the nutrition status of the children.

The SFP is currently being implemented in all the provinces in Northern Mindanao and the nutrition status of the children in the region has been constantly monitored by the DSWD and the local government units. (Charmaine P. Tadlas/RTP/PIA10)

DOT-10 urges government entities to patronize accredited institutions

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 1 (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office 10 has appealed to all government entities in the region to patronize DOT-accredited institutions.

The call was sounded by DOT-10 Regional Director Catalino Chan III during the Quarterly Regional Economic Situationer (QRES) Roundtable Discussion held at the Regional Development Council (RDC) Building Conference Room on Thursday, June 27.

Chan said government entities are not helping promote the country’s tourism industry when they are patronizing non DOT-accredited institutions.

One way to boost tourism is by supporting DOT-accredited hotels, restaurants, resorts and travel agents, he said. These institutions have passed the standards of the tourism department that is why "it is more fun to patronize these institutions."

He thus urged government entities not to look only at the amount that will be spent but also on the services and amenities that DOT-accredited institutions can provide.

Chan also said that their statistics on tourist arrivals, events and utilization of facilities are only sourced from DOT-accredited institutions.

Hence, those conventions, seminars and other events held in non-accredited institutions were not included in the DOT report.

The DOT-10 reported that the number of visitors in the region increased by 19 percent, from 275,697 tourists in the first quarter of 2012 to 326,886 tourists in the same quarter this year.

Although domestic tourist arrivals went up by 23 percent reaching 316,471 during the period, foreign tourist arrivals declined by 43 percent from 18,346 to only 10,415 this year.

The DOT-10 also noted an increased by 30 percent in the utilization of meeting facilities in the region from 902 in 2012 to 1,176 in 2013 mostly at the regional and provincial/city level while the number of delegates also went up by 98 percent from 78,774 in 2012 to 155,949 in 2013.

Meanwhile, Chan told heads and representatives of national line agencies present during QRES discussion that DOT-10 will soon publish a list of DOT-accredited institutions for reference.

You can also see a sticker bearing the seal of department when you enter a DOT-accredited establishments, he added.

He, however, reminded them to check the sticker as to when such establishment was accredited. (APB/PIA-10)

TESDA-10 endorses nominees to 2013 TESDA Kabalikat Award

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 2 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office 10 has endorsed the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental and the International Labor Force – Skills Mastery Institute (ILF-SMI) Inc. to the National Search for the 2013 TESDA Kabalikat Award.

The endorsement was made by Tesda-10 OIC-Regional Director Edgar A. Sales and the Regional Screening Committee headed by Arsenio L. Sebastian.

The Kabalikat Award is one of Tesda’s reward mechanisms to give due recognition and honor to its outstanding partners in the promotion and enhancement of technical education and skills development (TESD).

The award is conferred to outstanding institutions, private firms/companies, local government units (LGUs), and legislative partner cognizant of their good practices and contribution in the promotion and development of the country’s technical and vocational workers in terms of qualification and/or competencies gained.

The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, nominated under the Local Government Category, has revitalized its vision to continually provide quality technical education and skills development.

This is clearly manifested in Governor Ramiro’s GO! HERMIE flagship of governance which highlights scholarship and technical assistance programs, career guidance and counseling.

The ILF-SMI, Inc., on the other hand, is a principal trailblazer in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Mindanao offering 16 technical vocational courses and providing a wide array of training options for students.

Nominated under the Institution Category, ILF-SMI, Inc. incessantly crafts itself to be the “leading provider of TVET in Mindanao, recognized for its innovation and excellence, and serving as a model of sustainable skills training in the Philippines”.

Meanwhile, the national winners of the 2013 TESDA Kabalikat will be declared in August during the TESDA’s 19th Anniversary Celebration at TESDA Central Office in Taguig, Metro Manila. (Honey Analou E. Doña/TESDA-10/APB/PIA-10)

New minimum daily wage rates of workers takes effect in Region 10

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, July 2 (PIA) -- The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), region 10, said Wage Order (WO) RX-17 has started to take effect on June 20, this year.

The wage order grants a P20 per day increase in the minimum daily wage of workers and employees in the private sector in the region, i.e., P10 in basic wage and P10 cost of living allowance (COLA), Atty. Johnson G. Caňete, Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), region 10, said.

Caňete, who is the Chairperson of RTWPB-X, said the P10 COLA will then be integrated to the basic wage by January 1, 2014, as approved by the board members.

The members are Arsenio L. Sebastian III and Prudencio T. Plaza, Management Representatives, Jose B. Ares and Milbert M. Macarambon, Labor Representatives, Engr. Leon M. Dacanay, Jr. Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Linda O. Boniao, Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), RTWPB-X Vice-Chairpersons.

The last increase in the minimum daily wage of these workers was covered by WO RX-16, effective July 24, 2011, that provided for an increase in COLA of P17 per day which was integrated into the basic wage six (6) months from its affectivity.

It can be recalled that on March 2012 and April, this year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and the Associated Labor Union (ALU)–TUCP filed with RTWPB-X, a petition for an P80 per day and P88 per day across the board wage increase, respectively.

However, after a series of public consultations and hearings done last April, the position papers submitted by labor and management groups and the evaluation of the socio-economic conditions of the region, vis-à-vis, the consumer price indices and other indicators, including its competitiveness, RTWPB-X resolved to provide assistance to the workers to cope with the standard of living without necessarily affecting business viability.

Thus, RTWPB-X came up with WO RX-17, with the new minimum wage rates for the following workers in the region, effective June 20, this year:

Non-Agricultural Workers: Wage Category (WC) 1 – P306, WC II, P301, WC III, P296 and WC IV, P291, Agricultural Workers: WC I, P294, WC II, P289, WC III, P284, WC IV, P279, and WC V, the applicable “Pakyaw” rates, regardless of geographical locations.

Meanwhile, Jose Robles, Provincial Director of DOLE-Misamis Occidental, said the areas of the region are classified as follows:

WC 1 - Cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and the towns of Tagoloan, Villanueva and Jasaan, Misamis Oriental and WC II - Cities of Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador and Ozamiz and the towns of Maramag, Quezon and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

WC III - Cities of Oroquieta and Tangub and the towns of Lugait and Opol, Misamis Oriental, Mambajao, Camiguin and all establishments employing 10 workers of less, WC IV – all other areas not covered by the above wage categories and WC V – the Sugar Agricultural Industry. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Maintaining industrial peace and harmony tops PMAP 2013 Program

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 2 -- Maintaining industrial peace and harmony ranks number one in the major programs of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Cagayan de Oro Chapter.

With the theme, “IR 2013: Responding to the Challenges of Globalization,” PMAP’s 2013 Industrial Relations Summit aimed to strengthen the competencies and commitment of the HR practitioners, people managers and business leaders in promoting and maintaining peace and harmony in the workplace.

Atty. Panfilo Paracuelles, PMAP’s Director in-charge for Industrial Relations echoed this call as he welcomed the Summit’s 73 delegates from all over Mindanao held at the N Hotel, Kauswagan, this city on June 19. Atty. Paracuelles further said the increasing challenges of every organization to be more creative and holistic on its industrial relations strategies.

DOLE 10 Regional Director, Johnson G. Cañete, in his keynote address highlighted DOLE’s Philippine Labor and Employment Plan for the Filipinos for 2011-2016.

Meanwhile, Atty. Proculo Sarmen, National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) Commissioner, 8th Division, likewise spoke on Philippine Law on Employment and Outsourcing and stressed the role of the people managers and leaders in promoting and maintaining harmonious industrial relations.

Atty. Josephus B. Jimenez, Diplomat and Labor Relations Practitioner substantiated the summit’s learning sessions by his topic on “What Employers Need to know about Employee Discipline and Terminations” and encouraged the people managers to maintain a balance in upholding management’s interest and in ensuring employee welfare in instituting employee discipline in the workplace.

Jimenez further emphasized the need for people managers to raise their level of competencies in labor laws and in people skills.

Mayor Oscar S. Moreno graced the event and gave a message to the delegates.

“There is a need to establish and strengthen the link and partnership between the government and the private sectors and the latter’s role on promoting the welfare of the people, of the employees, the success of every business and in the realization of the vision and the programs of the government and the private sectors,” Mayor Moreno said.

PMAP Vice President & PRO Dr. Wilma Magdale concluded the summit by inviting everyone to journey with the PMAP in the realization of its advocacies and be an IR Champion at all times.

Dr. Magdale likewise thanked the delegates, the resource persons, special guest Mayor Oscar Moreno, the sponsors Thai Me Up, Petronas Gas, Polymedic Medical Group, Unilab, Dayrit Property, Slers, Del Monte Philippines and Nestle Philippines for their full support, her fellow PMAP Officers and Board of Directors with special commendations for Ma. Soledad Amir, PMAP Director - In- charge for Professional Development and her team being the summit’s lead organizer, PMAP President Aida May de Guzman, the overall orchestrator of the chapter’s activities, PMAP Ex-Officio and current Board Treasurer Priscilla Capitan for her all-out support, Dr. Josephine Go, the Director- In-charge for the Chapters’ Committee for her accommodation of the speakers and sponsorship and PMAP chairpersons and members for their respective roles and contributions in the success of the summit. Coming up next of its major activity is the 2014 Mindanao Summit with PMAP CdO as the host chapter. (PMAP/PIA10)