After Saudi ban on DH, gov’t should push for free trade in services – Chiz

LEGAZPI CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- The Philippine government should actively push for free trade in services following the decision of the Ministry of Labor of Saudi Arabia that it would cease issuing new work permits to domestic helpers from the Philippines due to disagreements over wage conditions, Senator Chiz Escudero said.

The new policy, which also includes househelps from Indonesia, will not only affect the employment of new hires but could also potentially displace domestic workers already deployed in Saudi Arabia.

“The government, together with other similarly situated countries, should push for free trade in services and not only goods as part of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS),” Escudero said.

The GATS was crafted by members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) envisioned to liberalize services in the public domain for mutual gains in goods and services. Trade in services thus should include the ability to supply, or at least be the preferred source of human capital given a country’s advantage and competitiveness in certain skills.

The senator said that the move by Saudi Arabia is a form of “nationalization” or better known in this oil-rich kingdom in the Middle East as “Saudization”, which aim is to develop and utilize its own workforce.

Escudero, who has been pushing for the creation of a comprehensive labor export policy, put to task the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to immediately pursue trade and job matching opportunities for overseas workers.

“In the absence of a labor export policy, which I really think the government should seriously consider, we must brace ourselves in the event that this move by Saudi Arabia becomes a trend in other land-base deployments. It is high time that our labor department invests in research to forecast employment trends so that we can better plan and model employment opportunities for our expatriate labor force,” Escudero explained.

Records from the POEA show that 44 percent of overseas Filipino workers deployed to the Middle East are bound for Saudi Arabia, making this country the fourth top destination of all deployed domestic workers, and the 3rd largest source of OFW remittances.

“It is high time that the government officially recognize we have a labor export so that policies for better working conditions and status for our overseas workers can be crafted and negotiated under a government-to-government agreement,” Escudero added. (MAL/Office of Sen. Escudero)


Albay inflation rate down by 0.5 % in May; CPI, lower by 0.4 index point

LEGAZPI CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- The provincial inflation rate of Albay has exhibited a decrease of 0.5 percentage point from the 3.2 percent in April 2011 to 2.7 percent in May 2011 and compared to the 4.0 percent inflation rate in May last year, this month’s rate is 1.3 percentage points lower.

The National Statistic Office (NSO) provincial office here bared that the current level of Albay’s inflation rate was due to the decrement in the rates of the heavily-weighted food, beverage and tobacco (FBT) index (2.96 percent from 3.38 percent) and non-go0od commodity/service index (2.35 percent from 2.89 percent).

Data from the agency (NSO) also showed that contributory to the decrement in the FBT were the significant decreases registered in the following indices – cereals and cereal preparation (1.86 percent from 2.20 percent), fish (2.08 percent from 6.29 percent), meat (-0.87 percent from 0.44 percent) and miscellaneous (4.78 percent from 4.96 percent).

"Slight increments were also noted in the indices of dairy products (1.19 percent from 1.14 percent), eggs (8.06 percent from 7.84 percent), fruits and vegetables (8.36 percent from 4.31 percent), beverages (3.98 percent from 2.35 percent) and tobacco (6.22 percent from 4.68 percent)," it also cited.

NSO ALbay furthered that in the non-good group, a decrease were likewise noted in most of its indices – housing and repairs (0.14 percent from 0.48 percent), fuel, light and water (2.13 percent from 5.69 percent) and miscellaneous (1.32 percent from 1.40 percent). While the services index revealed an uptrend (4.48 percent from 4.34 percent), clothing index maintained its value at 0.46 percent between the two-month periods.

Month-on-Month price situation

On a month-on-month basis, the Consumer’s Price Index (CPI) for all income households in Albay was registered at 174.1 in May 2011, lower by 0.4 index point over the April 2011 level of 174.5.

NSO Albay explained that this indicates a -0.23 percent change in the all-item index, lower by 0.34 percentage point than the previous month’s rate of 0.11 percent.

Across commodities, it added, under the heavily weighted FBT index, downtrend were exhibited in the indices of cereals and cereal preparation (-0.33 percent from -0.27 percent), eggs (0.26 percent from 1.67 percent), fish (-3.38 percent from 1.31 percent) and meat (-0.56 percent from 1.45 percent).

This was counteracted by uptrend recorded in the following indices – dairy products (0.26 percent from 0.10 percent), fruits and vegetables (3.20 percent from -3.91 percent), miscellanesous (zero percent from -0.11 percent), beverages (1.88 percent from 1.56 percent) and tobacco (1.38 percent from 0.16 percent).

In the non-good commodity/service group, declining effects were posted in the indices of clothing (zero percent from 0.06 percent), fuel, light and water (-.1.89 percent from 0.90 percent).

On the other hand, miscellaneous index recorded a slight increase while housing and repairs index showed no inflationary effect as it maintained a zero percent change.

With such proice changes reflected in the CPI above, the purchasing power of the peso (PPP) in Albay maintained its value at P0.57. (MAL, PIA V/NSO)

DTI turns over 66 computers to 6 public high schools in Catanduanes

VIRAC, Catanduanes, July 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has turned over of 11 computers, 1 set each of printer and wireless broadband router, to each of the 6 recipient public high schools in Catanduanes late last month.

The donation of computer forms part of the Personal Computers for Public Schools (PCPS) project Phase 4 with a total package of 66 computers, 6 all-in-one printers and 6 wireless broadband routers distributed to schools in Catanduanes.

The computers, as installed are networked and ready for internet connectivity.

PCPS is a project of DTI in response to the IT challenges posed to basic education to promote IT culture in the Philippine classrooms and produce knowledge workers for the fast growing IT industry.

The project is funded by the Japanese government with the Department of Education as the beneficiary agency. The project aims to fill up a significant portion of the computer backlog in public high schools.

Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento as guest, witnessed the turn over ceremonies scheduled successively as follows: Baras Rural Development High School, Gigmoto Rural Development High School, Viga Rural Development High School, Bagamanoc Rural Development High School, Cobo Integrated School in Pandan and Caramoran Rural Development High School.

Sarmiento explained his program of building a multi-purpose hall in public schools as a way of improving their facilities and his own plan of a computerization program which will take place after his first phase of priority projects are completed. The respective LGU officials were also present to lend their support to the PCPS program.

Vice Mayor Mila Sanchez of Gigmoto made it known that the LGU will donate one unit of aircon for the computer laboratory of Gigmoto Rural Development High School. Mayor Odilon Pascua of Bagamanoc expressed his advocacy to the programs of its rural development high school even as the LGU has other priority projects.

Vice Mayor Ninfa Namata of Pandan and all the other respective LGU officials promised support to the computerization project along with the students, PTA and barangay officials.

DTI Catanduanes facilitated the delivery and installation of the computers and along with DepEd, made sure that the computers were properly turned over to the schools after ensuring their commitment to the proper upkeep of the equipment. (MAL/EAB, PIACatanduanes/DTI)

‘Eagle Quiz’ contest champs hail from Albay, Cam Sur

LEGAZPI CITY, July 5 (PIA/DENR) -- June Lorenz Capin from University of Nueva Caceres and Chris Gino Mesias from Legazpi City High School won in the regional competition of the 21st Eagle Quiz Contest held last June 30, 2011 at the Embarcadero de Legazpi Activity Center.

Last June 23, 2011, grade 6 and 4th year high school students competed in the provincial eliminations held simultaneously in the six Bicol provinces. The provincial winners thereafter vied for the title of the champion in the regional competition.

In the provincial eliminations, winners in the elementary level were Jules Philippe Sy of Legazpi Hope Christian School in Albay; Glenn Paolo Morales of Daet Elementary School in Camarines Norte; June Lorenz Capin of University of Nueva Caceres in Camarines Sur; Catherine Valeza of Catanduanes State College Laboratory School in Catanduanes; Edimar Manlangit of Dimasalang Central School in Masbate; and Jose Ernesto Frilles of Bacon East Central School in Sorsogon.

Meanwhile, winners in the secondary level in the eliminations were Chris Gino Mesias of Legazpi City High School in Albay; Mara Angeli Sarabillo of Vinzons Pilot High School in Camarines Norte; Raymond Ondesimo of Camarines Sur National High School Science Oriented in Camarines Sur; Jhon Michael Gonzales of Hawan National High School in Catanduanes; Sidney Dave Formarejo of Masbate National Comprehensive School in Masbate; and Shannon Francis Retuerma of Sorsogon National High School in Sorsogon.

“Majority of the questions are about the environment.” said Engr. Maritess Rovelo, Chair of the Committee on Questions of the contest. “We want the student-contestants to not simply be capable of answering the questions, but we hope this contest generates interest and awareness among the students particularly with regards to being responsible stewards of the environment as well.”

The Saringaya Awards is an annual activity held by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which honors various individuals and groups such as local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations, industries and academe for their involvement in environmental protection and conservation programs.

This year marks the 11th Saringaya Awards with awardees composed of the Energy Development Corporation-Bacman Geothermal Production Field (EDC-BGPF) Environmental Management Department under the Special Category; Engr. Amelia B. Gonzales under the Individual Category; Tactical Operations Group 5-1st Air Division Philippine Air Force (PAF-TOG) under the Other Government Agency Category; Corporate Network for Disaster Response under the Non-Government Organization Category; Municipality of Ragay, Camarines Sur under the Local Government Unit Category; and Masbate Gold Project of FILMINERA Resources Corp. and Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp. and Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project of Rapu-Rapu Minerals Inc. and Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. under the Large-Scale Industry Category.

The 2011 Environment Month Celebration has a theme “Forests: Nature at Your Service” which gives emphasis to the link between the quality of life and the health of forests and the forest ecosystem. The occasion also aims to raise public awareness and address the issues in our environment and its forests, especially with this year being proclaimed as the National Year of the Forests. (MAL/DENR V)

Inflation, consumer price index in Bicol drop --NSO

LEGAZPI CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- The year-on-year inflation rate of Bicol Region dropped from 3.7 percent in April to 3.5 percent in May 2011.

However, compared to the 4.8 percent inflation rate in the same period last year, the May 2011 rate was lower by 1.3 percentage points.

National Statistics Office (NSO) regional office here has explained that the decrease in the inflation rate for May 2011 was the effect of slower increase seen in all commodity/service groups except clothing index where the annual rate went up from 1.3 percent in April to 1.5 percent in May.

The agency furthered that the annual inflation rates posted in the rest of the commodity/service groups were 3.5 percent from 3.7 percent in the food, beverages and tobacco; 1.1 percent from the 1.2 percent in housing and repairs; 8.0 percent from 9.2 percent in fuel, light and water; 4.3 percent from 4.4 percent in the services and 1.5 percent from 1.6 percent in the miscellaneous items.

Data also showed that across provinces, a slower annual inflation rate compared to the previous month was observed in Albay (2.7 percent from 5.4 percent), Camarines Norte (5.9 percent from 6.2 percent), Catanduanes (2.4 percent from 2.7 percent) and Masbate (2.7 percent from 3.2 percent). On the other hand, annual growth in the consumer prices in Sorsogon went up from 3.4 percent in April 2011 to 4.5 percent in May 2011 while the previous month’s annual rate of 4.1 percent in Camarines Sur was retained.

On a month-on-month basis, NSO V also reported, the prices of consumer items in Bicol Region generally declined by -0.2 percent in May 2011 from 0.3 percent in April or a Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 172.5 in May from 172.8 in April.

The overall rate of food, beverages and tobacco

(FBT) index decreased by -0.5 percent in May from 0.2 percent in April. This was influenced by the negative rates observed in the majority of food indices in the region.

The index of fish dropped by -2.9 percent from 2.6 percent because of sufficient supply of marine and aquaculture fish in the market.

Downward price movements were also observed in fruits and vegetables (-.1.2 percent from -3.4 percent); meat (-0.1 percent from -0.5 percent) and miscellaneous foods (-0.1 percent from -0.5 percent). A slower gain was likewise observed in the indices of eggs (0.2 percent from 0.3 percent) and tobacco (0.6 percent from 1.4 percent).

On the other hand, the previous month’s price movement remained in the indices of cereal and cereal preparations (0.2 percent), dairy products (0.2 percent) and beverages (0.8 percent).

Under the non-food group, there was no movement in the prices of housing and repairs in general as evident in the zero percent growth in its index from 0.1 percent.

Meanwhile, fuel, light and water index slowed down to 0.4 percent from 1.3 percent due to lower charges in electricity rates and price decreases in kerosene. Moreover, price reductions in the prices of gasoline and diesel brought down the month-on-month inflation of the services index to 0.2 percent from 0.8 percent.

A slower gain was also observe din the clothing index at 0.1 percent from 0.3 percent. On the other hand, miscellaneous items maintained its previous month’s rate of 0.1 percent. Thus, overall rate of non-food index dropped to 0.2 percent from 0.6 percent.

With such prices of the commodities and services, NSO V explained, the Bicol Region’s purchasing power of peso (PPP) in May 2011 remained at P0.58. Across provinces, the previous month’s PPP was maintained in Albay (P0.57), Camarines Norte (P0.56), Camarines Sur) P0.60), Catanduanes (P0.54) and Sorsogon (P0.57). On the other hand, PPP increased by one centavo in Masbate at P0.58 from P0.57. (MAL/NSO V)