SORSOGON OPENS SUMMER JOB PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS

SORSOGON CITY (2 March) — The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Sorsogon announces the registration period for the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) on March 6 – 7, 2009 at the Provincial Capitol Building here.

PESO Provincial Officer Lorna Hayag said the program aims to support indigent students by giving them summer jobs, adding that the wages which the recipients earn from SPES may be used to pay for tuition fees and other educational expenses for the coming school year.

She announced applicants must be high school graduates but not more than 25 years old; must be enrolled during the present school year and must not be beneficiaries of any scholarship program. They must also have passing grades during the present school year and must present a family annual net income of not more than PhP36,000 (after taxes).

She further stressed that only those qualified are encouraged to apply. Qualified SPES registrants will be posted at the Provincial Capitol on March 16.

Hayag also said that due to the limited number of SPES slots, these will be raffled off to qualified applicants on March 20.

While applicants are not required to bring documentary requirements during the registration period, they are nevertheless required to submit them to the PES Office on March 25.

The orientation and distribution of NRMS forms will be held on March 27 at the Training Hall, Office of the Governor, while the employment under the SPES covers the period of April 1 and May 18, 2009 covering 30 days and April 1 and May 4, 2009 covering 20 days respectively.

SPES is implemented annually by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the PESO and the Provincial Government.

Meanwhile, the ASCEND International Services, Inc. a recruitment company will be in Sorsogon on March 2-6 to field applicants for possible employment as domestic helper for Hong Kong and Cyprus.

The recruitment company has coursed their request to conduct their special recruitment activity through the PES Office.

Interested applicants are requested to bring pertinent documents and may inquire at the PES Office at Tel No. (056) 211-2997.

The activity is part of the continuing collaborative efforts of Gov. Sally Lee, through the PESO and the DOLE, to generate further employment.(MFD OPGS/PIA Sorsogon Release)


NBI CLEARANCE PROCESSING MADE EASY

MASBATE CITY (2 March) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is putting up temporary office at the City Hall here to spare Masbate residents the cost of going to Legazpi City or Metro Manila to secure NBI Clearance.

Mayor Socrates M. Tuason said processing and issuance of NBI clearance will be done here in various dates this year as he will bring in NBI staff to put up temporary processing at the city hall.

To obtain an NBI clearance for overseas trip or local employment, all that one has to pay is P115, the mayor said.

The NBI processing center here will run from February 17, 18 & 19, May 5, 6 and 7, August 4, 5 & 6 and November 3, 4 & 5. The dates fall on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Applicants should bring any two of the following: birth certificate, company ID, school ID, valid passport, voter’s ID, 2x2 colored picture (with white background), driver’s license, ID issued by Professional Regulation Commission, Alien Certificate of Registration, or ID issued by Social Security System or Government Service Insurance System.

More details can be secured from the mayor’s office by calling 333-5844.(EADelgado, PIA Masbate)


CHED PRESENTS NEW EDUCATION HIGHWAY

LEGAZPI CITY (2 March) — Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Emmanuel Angeles has presented during his visit here the Roadmap of the New Philippine Education Highway to administrators of some 121 higher education institutions (HEI) focusing on improving the quality of higher education in the country.

The program intends to implement curricular reforms to enable Philippine HEIs to produce more globally competitive graduates.

“We need to align our degree programs with those of other countries in the world, because by 2015 ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries will ‘open their borders’; and, by 2020 the Philippines would join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Trade Regime (APEC)”, Angeles explained.

The CHED chair also declared the need to establish a Regional Association of Higher Education Institutions (RAHEI) in Region 5 to encourage HEIs to cooperate and collaborate with one another in the areas of academic, cultural and sports activities.

He further appealed to the HEI presidents and administrators not to increase tuition fees. He asked for HEIs to examine cost-saving measures for their respective schools so that they do not have to increase tuition in consideration of the present economic crisis.

With the various sectors criticizing the proposed additional one year for pre-university, Angeles explained the additional year intends to make our graduates globally at par with 44 countries in Europe and that the program would be funded by government.

The CHED Chairman has been traveling to every region to get feedback from stakeholders and present the Roadmap of the New Philippine Education Highway and its provisions (including the additional one year for pre-university) to HEI presidents and administrators. Bicol is the 14th region to be visited by his CHED Mobile Group for the Regional Consultative Meetings.

CHED is scheduled to release a report consolidating all HEI feedback and positions in all 17 regions on March; after all consultative meetings are concluded.(GLPaje, BUCAL/PIA)


BANTAY-DAGAT INTENSIFIES WAR AGAINST ILLEGAL FISHING

MASBATE Province (2 March) — The relentless drive of the municipal government of Esperanza against destructive fishing practices may be showcased in other parts of this province to spur a province-wide campaign against illegal fishing.

Esperanza’s all-out campaign against the use of banned methods of fishing might rouse the province to battle illegal fishing, one of the causes of worsening poverty in the island.

“We must inform the entire province that there is a municipality (waging) war against illegal fishing,” Vice Governor Vicente Homer Rivel said in an earlier interview.

Less than five years since Mayor Mac John Seachon mobilized the town’s police force and fishery technicians for the battle, over a thousand cases for alleged violation of the Fishery Code have been filed with the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Placer.

Seachon and his Bantay Dagat team warms up for more encounters with illegal fishermen. Almost everyday during the first few months of the campaign, arrests of blast fishmen were made. Just recently, Esperanza’s sea patrol has turned its eyes to trawlers from Cebu.

Masbate’s fishing grounds have suffered from destructive fishing practices like using dynamite or cyanide to stun the fish so that they could be easily scooped into a boat, or the use of trawl, which scrapes the bottom of the sea with finely-honed nets to catch fish, including the fry/fingerlings.

Seachon, a second term mayor, made the war against illegal fishing the centerpiece of his administration. The program incensed not only illegal fishers from other towns and provinces but also some of his constituents.

Alluding to the indifference of most of Seachon’s counterparts in other municipalities of Masbate, the mayor’s supporters said his crusade was a “lonely fight” that deserves a boost from other well-meaning quarters.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed a resolution extolling Seachon and the police force of Esperanza for their stirring “marine conservation and protection” efforts.(EADelgado, PIA Masbate)


PHILIPPINE NAVY RECRUITMENT IN BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY (2 March) — The Philippine Navy will conduct recruitment for Officers and Candidate Soldiers in Bicol starting March 14 to 20 this year at Naval Station Legazpi, Rawis, here.

The Philippine Navy offers a progressive military career to successful applicants,
a competitive pay and allowances, job security, insurance and health care benefits, billeting and housing privileges, leadership and other skills training, free medical and dental services including their dependents, opportunity for career advancement, opportunities for post graduate studies both within the country and abroad.

The initial monthly earnings once qualified for training is P19,602.00 and P11,361.00 for probationary officer and candidate soldier respectively.

Qualifications for applicants are as follows:

For Naval Officer Candidate Course (NOCC): 1) must be a natural-born Filipino citizen and of good moral character; 2) must be between 21-28 years old for male applicant and 21-25 years old for female applicant; 3) single; 4) graduate of a 4-year baccalaureate degree (preferably technical courses); 5) height of at least 5’4” for males and at 5’ for females; 6) must not have more than 2 false teeth; 7) must not have any pending civil/criminal case; 8) physically and mentally fit for training; and 9) must pass the AFPATB, IQ, PPC, and SWE exams.

For Candidate Soldier: 1) must be a natural-born Filipino citizen and of good moral character; 2) must be between 18-23 years old; 3) single; 4) holder of at least 72 units or graduate of a 2-year vocational course (preferably technical course); 5) height of at least 5’4” for males and at least 5’2” for females; 6) must not have more than 2 false teeth; 7) must not have ay pending civil/criminal case; 8) physically and mentally fit for training; and 9) must pass the AFPATB and IQ exams.

Interested applicants shall bring the following initial requirements: a) birth certificate (original), b) diploma, c) transcript of records, d) marriage contract of parents (original), and e) 2x2 colored picture with white background (2 pieces).

For more details and inquiries call (052) 481-4613.(NFSL Release/PIA)


PGMA: Labor skills must respond to demands of industry

MANILA — With over 500,000 overseas jobs presently available for Filipinos, despite the retrenchment by industries worldwide in the light of the deepening economic meltdown, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stressed the need to further enhance skills retraining for Filipinos to respond to the needs of industries.

In her message at the Jobs Forum on Overseas Employment held at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang today the President said for every Filipino who lost his/her job overseas, there are 100 jobs waiting for him/her.

“The challenge is to match jobs with skills,” the President stressed and ordered the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to intensify its training and retraining of workers in skills that are responsive to the demands and requirements of industries.

President Arroyo noted that during her tenure, TESDA’s budget has been increased to P2 billion, and if there is a need to add more funds for workers’ training, the government will allot more.
She called for the next rounds of Jobs Forum to focus on overseas employment and directed that labor attaches and welfare officers from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, to be present so ”the voices of those hurt (by the economic crisis) are inputted into the Forum so opportunities for and benefits of overseas employment for Filipinos are enhanced.

The forum, participated in by both private sector and government representatives discussed ways on how to further expand the frontiers of the global market for Filipino workers despite the worldwide economic crisis that has affected many countries employing thousands of Filipinos.

The President said that the Grant Thornton business survey report that many Philippine companies will hire more people and raise salaries despite the global economic slowdown.

This trend, Chief Executive said, is the fruit of the “bitter pill” Filipinos swallowed to improve the country’s fiscal standing, through tough fiscal reforms that resulted to increased tax revenue collection, effective crackdown on smugglers and lower foreign debt.

“I have often said in recent months that we were lucky to be less battered than others during the initial surge of the global economic crisis. This is so because we have worked hard to be lucky,” the President said, adding that there is a need for everyone to work together to be able to breeze through this present crisis.

“The message is: Let us join hands against the global crisis. Let us join hands now to prevent the world crisis to become a Filipino crisis. Let us join hands now to make sure stay on track soon towards sustainable growth,” she concluded.(PIA V Release)


PGMA jubilant over approval by fellow ASEAN leaders of her pet proposals

MANILA — Philippine President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo was in “high spirits” after her “pet projects” were approved for implementation during the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said.

“The President is happy and satisfied with the outcome of the 14th ASEAN Summit. Yung mga pangunahing adhikain niya ay maluwag na tinanggap ng mga fellow leaders ng ASEAN Summit that is why she is in very high spirits,” he added.

Among the notable proposals the President presented at the Summit, Remonde said, were the creation of an equity fund which ASEAN member-countries could tap into to address liquidity problems they may experience amid the global crisis, and the establishment of an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) as agreed by the leaders during the 12th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu, Philippines.

“She (President Arroyo) has every reason to be (jubilant) because dalawang bagay ang gusto niyang itulak (at the Summit): isa yung equity fund or the $120-billion ASEAN equity fund that was approved by the Ministerial group and the President’s push for the ASEAN Economic Community,” Remonde said.

Aside from this, the President was also able to secure the BIMP-EAGA’s approval of her proposal to widen the Philippines’ fishing area to include waters in East Asia, and the adoption of the Roll-On, Roll-Off transport system in the sub-regional group’s respective countries.

The President held a meeting with the BIMP-EAGA composed of Brunei, India, Malaysia, Philippines – East Asia Growth Area sub-group members at the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN Summit being held here from Feb. 27 to March 1.

Remonde said the adoption by BIMP-EAGA of the President’s proposals was a “significant breakthrough” in the sub-region’s vision to achieve a “common ASEAN economic community.”

“So, I think this has been so far a most fruitful meeting. At this point, the leaders are having their retreat and towards noon, they will formally sign the joint declaration for the 14th ASEAN Summit,” Remonde said.(PIA V Release)


Retail-chain and franchise accord opens ASEAN market to members

MANILA – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s push for an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) was further bolstered today with the formation of an ASEAN Retail-Chain and Franchise Association (ARCFA) among ASEAN member countries, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said.

Remonde said ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) presented to the ASEAN leaders its report which included the progress achieved with respect to the implementation of private sector initiatives in support of the AEC Blueprint.

The ABAC presentation was made during a working lunch on the sidelines of the 14th ASEAN Summit in Thailand.

Remonde said the ARCFA provides a venue for the display of regional products and labels displayed in major shopping centers in ASEAN.

“This is also meant to facilitate the promotion of ASEAN brands and “Made in ASEAN” products, as well as link up small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises,” he added.
With the ARCFA agreement in place, “retail giants SM, Robinsons and Ayala malls can open branches in all ASEAN member-countries, showcase and sell our products.”

“So yung ating mga small and medium enterprises like the handicrafts industry can easily find a larger market (within ASEAN),” Remonde said.

“They (SMEs) will now have a chance to compete in ASEAN and probably compete with the rest of the world,” he explained.

Remonde pointed out that aside from allowing Filipino products to reach a more diverse market, products from other ASEAN member countries will also be allowed to enter the Philippines, thereby providing “our consumers more choices and therefore there will be competition in quality and pricing.”

Aside from meeting with ABAC leaders, President Arroyo, together with other ASEAN heads of state, held informal meetings with ASEAN civil society representatives, ASEAN youth representatives and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly representatives.

In the meeting with ASEAN civil society representatives, key regional issues of interest were discussed, including human rights mechanisms, migrant workers, the environment, the ASEAN Charter and democracy in Myanmar.

In the second meeting, members of the ASEAN Youth Representatives presented the ASEAN leaders a Joint Statement of the ASEAN University Youth Summit 2008 which identified specific actions that the youth of ASEAN will undertake to promote completion of the ASEAN Community in 2015.

In the final meeting with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), AIPA representatives presented to the leaders their statement on AIPA’s role and contribution to building an ASEAN community.(PIA V Release)

BIMP-EAGA member nations adopt PGMA's bid to expand RP's fishing grounds

MANILA — Member countries belonging to the regional sub-group composed of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) have agreed to adopt President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s twin proposals to widen the Philippine fishing grounds, and the implementation of a roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) nautical highway type of transport system in their respective countries, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said.

Speaking to reporters covering the Presidents attendance at the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit from Feb. 28 to March 1, Remonde said the BIMP-EAGA adoption of the President’s proposals was a significant breakthrough in the sub-region’s vision to adopt a common ASEAN economic community.

“I think a significant breakthrough was made here during the BIMP-EAGA Summit which is one of the major sidelines of the ASEAN Summit meeting,” Remonde said.

A fishing consortium, as proposed by President Arroyo, will, in effect, lead to the expansion of the Philippines fishing grounds within the BIMP-EAGA region, he added.

Citing the significance of the proposal, Remonde pointed out that it will greatly boost the Philippine fishing sector, particularly the tuna industry, and lead to a sharp increase in income for Filipino fishermen since they would be allowed to fish way beyond the Philippine territorial boundaries.

On the other hand, the adoption by the BIMP-EAGA countries of the Roll-On, Roll-Off Nautical Highway will enable them to further enhance the seamless flow of goods and services within their respective territories.

In the Philippines, the Ro-Ro system is part of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) -- an efficient mix of roads and seaports that the various business sectors utilize to transport their goods and services at much lesser cost than air transport.

Through the SRNH, manufacturers have been able to lower the prices of their products, thanks to the relatively low cost of transporting their goods.

“So ito yung napakalaking developments sa BIMP-EAGA which is very much in line with the objectives of ASEAN of achieving a common ASEAN economic community,” Remonde said.(PIA V Release)

PGMA calls govt, private labor sectors to join hands vs global economic crisis

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called today the government and private labor sectors to join hands in harmonizing responses that will mitigate the impact of the global economic crisis on Filipino overseas workers.

Addressing before the Jobs Forum on Overseas Employment held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang, the President underscored the need to work together to enable industries to survive the crisis, provide additional safety nets, preserve existing jobs and generate more employment, particularly to displaced workers.

“Let us join hands against the global crisis. Let us join hands now to prevent the world crisis from becoming a Philippine crisis. Let us join hands to make sure that we stay on track towards sustainable growth,” the President said.

Likewise, the Chief Executive took note the report by the Department of Labor and Employment that there are some 500,000 available jobs abroad.

“But, the challenge is to match job with skills,” the President said as she underscored the vital role of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in confronting this challenge.
The TESDA is offering free programs to re-tool displaced workers and re-match them for available jobs or re-train them.

The one-day forum is also participated in by labor attaches abroad the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) in Geneva, Europe; Vancouver, Canada; Kuwait, Riyadh, Al-Khobar, Taiwan and Macau.

“We have invited them instead of only the officials of the head office of the DOLE kasi kailangan marinig ang boses ng mga nandun na nasusugatan at nakikibaka (because we need to hear the voices of those who have been hurting and facing challenges),” she said.

The Chief Executive had earlier directed government agencies to exhaust all means to preserve jobs and sustain the demand for Filipino workers, as well as firm up safety nets for vulnerable workers and industries.

Likewise, she said the Philippines has been lucky compared to others which have been hit by the initial surge of the global economic crisis.

This is, she said, “because we have worked hard to be lucky.” President Arroyo said the economic reforms being implemented have fortified the country’s economic fundamentals and gave financial space to do all the things ”we need to do now in order to ease the burden on our workers losing their jobs."(PIA V Release)