_{President Aquino cites importance of collaboration between government and entrepreneurs to achieve economic progress}

_{President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of the collaboration between the government and entrepreneurs to explore avenues in expanding the potential of franchising in a bid to achieve economic progress.}

_{"The world’s economic spotlight now focuses squarely on Asia, and the Philippines is among those at the forefront of this period of promise," the Chief Executive said in his message to the delegates and participants of Franchise Asia Philippines 2013.}

_{Organized by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), this year's event features a two-day international franchise conference on July 17-18 which will highlight the latest trends and developments in international franchising; three-day international franchise expo on July 19-21; franchise educational seminars on July 19-21; and, the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program on July 15-16.}

_{With its theme “Asia to the World, The World to Asia: Driving Growth to a Philippine Tiger Economy," Franchise Asia Philippines 2013 continues to provide the platform that showcases the best of Asian brands and provides the gateway for international brands to enter the Asean market.}

_{"Our emergent markets and recognition from respected financial ratings services resonate this optimism, which consequently open up opportunities for our people. May we be able to explore some of these avenues through your gathering, as our entrepreneurs unite to expand the potential of franchising," the President said.}

_{President Aquino expressed confidence that the industry will continue to thrive under the leadership of the Philippine Franchise Association and drive revitalization in our communities.}

_{"You, our aspiring development partners, can help propel their initiatives by availing yourselves of the viable investments in the field. Let this gathering galvanize you to work in unison, nourishing the success of our homegrown enterprises and forging a more dynamic and competitive business landscape," he noted.}

_{"Integrity and solidarity are the twin engines of our resurgent economy. I urge you to fuel these catalysts of reform with us, as we strengthen our nation’s capacity to attain equitable, lasting progress. May you have an innovative, empowering convention," he said.}

_{Malacanang to confer with National Commission for Culture and the Arts on the voiding by the Supreme Court of the 2009 National Artists awards on 4 awardees}

_{Malacanang will confer with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on the recent ruling by the Supreme Court invalidating the National Artist title awarded to four awardees in 2009.}

_{Voting 12-1-2—with Associate Justice Arturo Brion on medical leave and Associate Justices Mariano del Castillo and Marvic Leonen abstaining, the SC ruled that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had committed grave abuse of discretion when she ordered the granting of the prestigious National Artist Award to Cecile Guidote-Alvarez for Theater; Carlo J. Caparas for Visual Arts and Film; Francisco Mañosa for Architecture; and Jose “Pitoy” Moreno for Fashion Design.}

_{The High Court, in its ruling on Tuesday (July 16) said that the former President gave "preferential treatment" to the four and disregarded rules of the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in selecting the awardees, thus prompting the SC to void Proclamation Nos. 1826, 1827, 1828, and 1829 Arroyo issued in 2009.}

_{In a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said they are awaiting the NCCA to conduct its processes and the submission of its final deliberations on the issue.}

_{“The reason why there is an issue on that particular award is because of the action taken by the former President. So there is a process. There is a way of bringing it up to the Palace but I am not privy or we will ask the body concerned, I think it’s the NCCA. The NCCA are the ones who will recommend the National Artist nominees,” Lacierda said.}

_{Aquino appoints new officials in government}

_{President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed new officials in various government agencies, a Palace official said.}

_{Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda announced the appointments during the regular press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.}

_{Lacierda said the Chief Executive signed on July 11 the appointment letter of former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Nelson Peña Laluces as Deputy Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines which is under the Department of Trade and Industry.}

_{Laluces replaced Andrew Michael S. Ong. His term of office will expire on December 31, 2017.}

_{Laluces had worked as partner in Ligon Solis Mejia Florendo Law Firm since January this year until his appointment.}

_{He also worked as partner in Rodriguez Laluces Ecarma & Diaz Law Offices from November 2011 to October 2012 and 2000 to September 2010. He was also the LTFRB Chairman from September 2010 until September 2011 and held posts in the Department of Tourism from 1995 to 2000.}

_{President Aquino also appointed last July 11 Dr. Ray D. Roderos as Assistant Director General of the National Security Council, replacing Fernando L. Mesa. His term of office is co-terminus with the appointing authority.}

_{A graduate of Philippine Military Academy (batch 1975), he held several positions in the Philippine National Police (PNP).}

_{The President, likewise, appointed Romeo F. Fajardo and Honorato S. delos Reyes as Acting Director III and Acting Director II, respectively, of the Office of Civil Defense under the Department of National Defense.}

_{Philippine Standard Time launched in CdeO}

_{By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat}

_{CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 18 (PIA) -- The Philippine Standard Time (PST), also known as Philippine Time (PHT) was officially launched here on July 16 during the opening program of the National Science and Technology Week of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10.}

_{The Rubidium Atomic Clock installed by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) was also unveiled.}

_{According to Anianita R. Fortich, senior weather specialist of PAGASA-DOST Mindanao, this clock is a GPS receiver, a time interval counter, distribution amplifier and a computer to help calculate the time difference with every satellite within its antenna’s field of view.}

_{Anianita said that all government offices and media networks will be required to use the PST starting June 1, 2013 as basis to set their timepieces according to Republic Act No. 10535 better known as the "Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013" which was signed by the President on May 15 this year.}

_{Further, all national and local government offices are mandated to display the PST on their official time devices, including bundy clocks, in accordance with the official time being provided by (PAGASA) using its network time protocol, she added.}

_{More importantly, all of these offices shall coordinate, at least once a month, with PAGASA to synchronize their official timepieces and devices.}

_{For more details, you may go to www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph and click Philippine Standard Time.}

_{Meanwhile, for computers with Microsoft XP, here is the instruction: First, double-click date and time in system icon tray located in the lower right corner of the taskbar; date and time window will pop up, click the tab “Internet Time.” Once done, you may type on the server box ntp.pagasa.dost.gov.ph then press update now. Finally, wait for your computer to sync to the server. A message will inform you if update is successful.}

_{For more information please visit PAGASA’s website at www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph or DIAL-A-WEATHER: 433 – ULAN (8526). (JMOR/PIA10)}

_{Registered Nurse wins Ms. Lanao del Norte pageant}

_{TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, July 18 -- A twenty two-year old registered nurse representing the coastal town of Lala is crowned as this year’s Ms. Lanao del Norte.}

_{Ms. Roderl Anne Fuentes bested 10 other candidates as she won Best in Tribal Attire, Best in Production Number, Ms. GMA Kapuso, and Ms. Negros Navigation.}

_{“I feel so blessed and privileged to be given the title of Ms. Lanao del Norte 2013 and represent our beautiful province in Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival next year,” Fuentes said.}

_{Joining Ms. Fuentes in the winners’ circle are Emie Jane Lagahit of Tubod (1st Runner-up), Renalyn Biadoma of Bacolod (2nd Runner-up), Kayla Janine Christenson of Kolambugan (3rd Runner-up) and Mary Gentoni Lim of Sultan Naga Dimaporo (4th Runner-up).}

_{Winners of the minor awards include Renalyn Biadoma (Best in Festival Attire), Mary Gentoni Lim (Best in Swim Wear), Kayla Janine Christenson (Best in Cocktail Attire), Emie Jane Lagahit (Ms. Congeniality, Darling of the Press, and Ms. Photogenic).}

_{“We are very much thankful to all those who supported the successful Ms. Lanao del Norte pageant especially Governor Khalid Dimaporo and the different committees involved,” said Provincial Tourism Head Minda Regis.}

_{The Ms. Lanao del Norte coronation night is the main highlight of Provincial Tourism Day set July 3 of every year.}

_{Earlier in the day there was the Showdown of municipal festivals and the Sagayan (a Maranao war-dance) Festival competition which was participated by the different schools in the province. (VNL/PIO-LDN/PIA10)}

_{Lanao Norte caravan brings government closer to the people}

_{TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, July 18 -- The Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo (MKD) Serbisyo Sigurado Caravan gathered more than 5,000 people on July 3, at MCC Gymnasium, this province.}

_{Popularly known as ‘People’s Day,’ the event is annually held as part of the week-long celebration of the Araw ng Lanao.}

_{Special recruitment services, free legal services of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) of the Department of Justice, medical and dental consultation led by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), mass feeding by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and business day opportunity seminar were among the services enjoyed by local residents and visitors from nearby cities of Iligan and Ozamiz.}

_{This affair marks the partnership of the provincial government of Lanao del Norte with the national government agencies like National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Statistics Office (NSO), Land Transportation office (LTO), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC), Pag-IBIG Fund, Government Social Insurance System (GSIS), Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education Student Development Authority (TESDA), PhilHealth, Philippine Army and Philippine National police. Also, the Non-governmental organizations like the Red Cross-Lanao del Norte chapter partake in providing services to the participants.}

_{“This event is yearly offered by the provincial government in its intention to bring the services of the national agencies to Lanao del Norte, to make it easier and accessible to the constituents and visitors from nearby cities thus targets the purpose of bringing the government closer to the people,” Eugene Pusing, Provincial Human Resource Management Officer said.}

_{Also included in the said event is the Governor Kid’s Day facilitated by Dunkin’ Donuts-Iligan and Provincial Community Affairs Office (PCAO). This was followed in the evening by Ely Buendia’s Rock Concert. (KHMJ/PIO/PIA)}

_{Mayor’s inaugural talk highlights PDP’s ‘inclusive growth’}

_{MARAMAG, Bukidnon, July 18 (PIA) -- Town mayor Alicia P. Resus highlighted the government’s “walang iwanan (no one should be left behind)” tenet of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) in her recent inaugural speech before the people of Maramag.}

_{The ‘inclusive growth’ in the PDP basically means ‘shared growth’ and ‘pro-poor growth,’ which decreases the rising poverty rate and increases involvement of people into the growth process in a community, the mayor said.}

_{She underscored the ‘shared growth,’ which is also in her flagship programs coined from her name ALICE that stands for A-gricultural productivity; L-ivelihood assistance; I-nfrastructure support; C-ommunity social services and safety, E-ducation, environment, eco-tourism and ecological preservation.}

_{“With the PDP guiding us through our drive for progress, we pushed Maramag into its radiant development as we embarked on land titling, organizational restructuring or redesigning under the Transparency Accountable Governance (TAG4) project, fiscal management reforms, and support to national anti-poverty programs and initiatives,” she said.}

_{Through the “Handog Titulo” program, Maramag LGU steered the issuance of 1,378 Free Patent land titles to eligible beneficiaries.}

_{Various anti-poverty projects also were implemented which include: concreting of municipal roads and drainage system; repair and maintenance of DAR-ADB-ARC and DAR-MINSSAD farm-to-market roads and bridges in the Agrarian Reform communities and settlement barangays; construction of house units in barangays Panadtalan, San Miguel, Danggawan, and Base Camp.}

_{Another set of poverty reduction projects amounting to P25.6 million also lined up in the program under the National Anti-Poverty Commission dubbed “Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB)” approach.}

_{Likewise, more than P8 million has been allocated for education programmed for pre-school, elementary, and secondary public schools in the three school districts of Maramag.}

_{The lady mayor further described the local government’s priority programs and projects to be implemented within the “first 100 days” upon assumption to office that include but not limited to her ALICE program.}

_{She conveyed the message after winning the mayoral race for her second term of service before members of Sangguniang Bayan, Punong Barangays, national government agency heads, civil society organizations, and media, among others. (Elgie I. Aninayon, MPDO Maramag/RLRBalistoy-PIA10, Bukidnon)}

_{DOLE-10, Bukidnon LGU groundbreak muscovado production project}

_{QUEZON, Bukidnon, July 17 (PIA) -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 10 Assistant Director Crispin D. Dannug, Jr. and town mayor Gregorio Ll. Gue led the ground-breaking ceremony of the muscovado production project in Barangay Buton, recently.}

_{Muscovado is a brown sugar derived from cooking sugarcane juice via the traditional method.}

_{The project, which is expected to benefit some 200 tribal sugar farmers, is a joint undertaking of the DOLE and the municipality of Quezon under the DOLE Community Enterprise Development (CED) Program.}

_{Belonging to the Quezon Manobo Tribe Association or Quemtras, the tribal farmers will pursue the establishment and operation of the Muscovado production project out of a P550,000 financial assistance from the DOLE.}

_{Gue who led local officials, encouraged the association to effectively manage and take good care of the project as a legacy for future generations.}

_{He said the muscovado plant is foreseen to bring more employment opportunities and provide additional income to the Quemtras families.}

_{He further said that the local government unit (LGU) is willing to provide other livelihood assistance to the people of Quemtras and said that vegetable seeds for community gardening will be distributed by the LGU.}

_{Dannug, on the other hand, lauded the efforts of Quemtras for sustaining the DOLE projects.}

_{The association has also been a beneficiary of working animals, goat raising, and upscale sugarcane production projects granted by DOLE.}

_{He said that DOLE expects the implementation of the muscovado production project within three to four months.}

_{Dannug also cited the support and commitment of the municipal government of Quezon in the realization of the said undertaking.}

_{He mentioned that the project would be a means to complement the future activities of the muscovado farmers.}

_{The Quemtras will use engine-driven, cast-iron roller mill in juice extraction and processing. Supply of raw materials will come from their existing sugarcane plantation.}

_{The muscovado will then be sold to local markets as well as for export to ensure industry sustainability. (Archibald S. Batica/DOLE-10/PIA-10)}

_{DTI 10 to continuously develop MSMEs in the region}

_{By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat}

_{CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry of Region 10 (DTI-10) through the launching of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Roving Academy here on July 15 expressed full commitment to guide and assist starting and existing entrepreneurs to become competitive in domestic and international markets.}

_{The department will be side by side with the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the four stages they have identified to be crucial in their development: Start-up and Capability Building, Market Awareness, Market Readiness, and Export Readiness stage declared Provincial Director Ruel B. Paclipan of DTI Lanao del Norte.}

_{For entrepreneurs committed to start a business, interventions from the department are entrepreneurship seminars, business opportunities and skills training. Meanwhile, existing enterprises with legal documents will be assisted with business registration/permits procedures, accreditation, managerial skills training, customer relations management, financial management, costing and pricing, market information and so on.}

_{DTI also said they will assist in market info sessions, market intelligence, product development clinics, process and product standardization, packaging and labeling, export mentoring, website development training, among others.}

_{Further, for exporting MSMEs, DTI can assist in the technology application, productivity improvement, hazard analysis critical control point, good manufacturing practice awareness, waste minimization in the manufacturing process, production management, environment effects to food safety: food processing, cleaner production, supply chain management, and others.}

_{DTI can also assist in trade missions (outbound/inbound), center for International Trade Expositions and Missions and other international trade shows and events.}

_{Finally, Maria Eliza A. Pabillore, DTI Misamis Oriental provincial director, said that this SME Roving Academy is in line with the President’s 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan’s goal of poverty alleviation with inclusive growth wherein all will be given priority and support and a 'Big Push' to meet challenges by global economy. (JMOR/PIA10)}

_{Hiring for NHTS-PR field staff ongoing}

_{CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 17 (PIA) -- The National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction Unit (NHTS-PR) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10 is now in the process of hiringfor various positions needed for the conduct of the second round region wide household assessment within this year.}

_{Positions opened for hiring and their respective qualifications are as follows:}

_{Area Coordinators -- Bachelor’s degree in Social Science or any related courses; at least two years in any supervisory role; excellent communication and writing skills; experience in conflict resolution/mediation work; and computer literate with knowledge and skills on Microsoft Office.}

_{Area Supervisors -- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science or any related courses; above average interviewing and writing skills; at least one year experience in a supervisory role; experience in conflict resolution/mediation work; and computer literate with knowledge and skills on Microsoft Office.}

_{Enumerators -- completed at least two years in College; good interviewing and communication skills; resident of the municipality where he/she will be assigned; computer literate with knowledge and skills on Microsoft Office; and must have initiative to learn and contribute to the success of the project.}

_{Encoders/Verifiers -- Completed at least two years in College preferably IT-related courses; must have initiative to learn and contribute to the success of the project; and encoding speed of at least 35 words per minute.}

_{To those who are interested to apply, they may personally submit their applications at the DSWD Regional Office or to the Social Welfare and Development Team at their respective Provincial Offices within Region 10.}

_{For the past three years, NHTS-PR has implemented various activities that complete its project cycle.}

_{These activities resulted to the establishment of the database of 5.25 million poor households nationwide which became the basis for identifying the beneficiaries of social protection programs of national government agencies such as Department of Health (DOH), and Philhealth.}

_{NHTS-PR is the national government’s project being implemented by DSWD. It is an information management system aims to establish a database of poor households that will become beneficiaries of social protection programs. (Mitzie S. Santiago/RTP/PIA10)}

_{Biz group lauds ‘Hapsay Dalan’ in CdeO}

_{CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 18 -- The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (ORO CHAMBER) lauds the city government’s move to widen major roads by phasing out the mini stalls of sidewalk vendors and even halt the operations of the famed Night Café.}

_{The business group is happy to note that sales have improved among many of its member-companies especially those located in the Divisoria area.}

_{“We are happy to receive reports from our members on sales improvement,” said Oro Chamber President Efren Uy.}

_{Uy believes that in freeing the streets with sidewalk vendors, legitimate enterprises can already cater to more customers because of increased visibility of their stores, not to mention the absence of clutter.}

_{Past president Antonio Uy, who owns Marny’s Fastfood and Wang’s Tea Fuzion, shared that convenience-wise, the business operation improved. Before, they had difficulty loading and unloading the food containers as the vehicle would be normally parked two or three blocks away from the store due to traffic and the helter-skelter in Divisoria.}

_{“The city is now clean,” Tony Uy reiterated.}

_{Another business, Barkadahan Grill, is happy with the sudden boost in sales after Hapsay Dalan stopped the Night Café.}

_{Chamber President congratulates the current city administration for its Hapsay Dalan as it helped alleviate traffic congestion and restored the order in Divisoria and Cogon Market.}

_{Uy is also encouraging the Night Café entrepreneurs to register as micro business enterprises so they can benefit from the assistance of the different government agencies ranging from technical to financial support under the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) Law.}

_{The Chamber Executive is asking the Night Café vendors to be patient too as the city is surely looking for the best site where they can be relocated.}

_{The Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9178) or commonly known as the BMBE Law has Mayor Oscar Moreno as one of its authors.}

_{This act refers to any business entity or enterprise engaged in production, processing or manufacturing of products or commodities, including agro-processing, trading and services, whose total assets including those arising from loans but exclusive of the land on which the particular business entity’s office, plant and equipment are situated, shall not be more than Three Million Pesos.}

_{The Department of Trade and Industry, in coordination with the private sector and non-government organizations (NGOs), shall explore the possibilities of linking or matching-up BMBEs will small, medium and large enterprises, and likewise establish incentives thereof. The data gathered from business registration shall be made accessible to and shall be utilized by private sector organizations and NGOs for purposes of business matching, trade and investment promotion. (Oro Chamber/PIA10)}