DOLE V EARMARKS P5.2M BUDGET FOR SPES

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here has earmarked some P5.2 million for the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) this year.

DOLE regional director Erensto C. Bihis said the SPES will benefit some 3,148 poor but deserving students all over Bicol.

Bihis said that SPES is aims to support poor but deserving students by providing them employment during summer and Christmas vacation wherein their wages they earn from the program can be used to pay for tuition fees and other educational expenses in the coming school year.

He explained that DOLE pays 40 percent of the salary, while cooperating government agencies, mostly local government units (LGUs), and private business establishments shell out the 60 percent of the total amount.

He said that SPES is a “trademark” program of DOLE Bicol every summer and an “outstanding program” nation wide benefiting thousands of Filipino students every year.

“With the SPES growing number of applicants, yet due to limited funds at this time, students will be hired within 15 working days only instead of the usual 30 or 45 day in order to accommodate more beneficiaries. The program has since been implemented on April 5 and will end on June 9, this year,” he noted.

Bihis has also directed Public Employment Services Office (PESO) managers to strictly evaluate SPES applicants, stressing the “DOLE has limited slots wherein only 70% of the student-applicants will be hired for this year and we want these slots be given to students who belong to indigent families.

We will strictly impose the P36,000.00 net income of parents” he said.

SPES is open to students 15-25 years old enrolled during the present school year or will enroll immediately after summer vacation; and dropouts who intend to continue their education but have no money for matriculation.

However, assistant regional director Irma S. Valiente said that these students or dropouts must have good educational track records with a passing mark on the last school year they attended.

“We also need to make sure that they are intellectually capable to finish their studies. Pangit naman kasi kung tatanggapin natin sa SPES tapos magbubulakbol lang naman. We do not want that,”she elaborated

Requirements for application to SPES include: duly filled registration form No. 01 with 3 copies ID photo; birth/baptismal certificate, Form 138 or certified true copy of student’s class card or Certification by School registrar that the student has a passing grade during the previous semester/school year; and the most important part, LATEST INCOME TAX RETURN OF THE PARENT or Official Certification form the Municipal Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) office that the net income of parents is not more than P36,000.00 per annum; or a certification form the employer/union president that the parents of the applicant is to be displaced or has been displaced form the job. However, if the student has no birth or baptismal certificate they must secure a Joint Affidavit of two disinterested parties attesting the age of the student.

Jose Banda, chief of the Technical Services Support Division (TSSD), explained that student-applicants who have already complied with the documentary requirements and are found to be eligible to join the program will be given a SPES ID.

“The ID will be their passport on the next SPES year. They will just present the ID. No need to comply, again with the requirements. However, we would like to reiterate that selection and hiring is done by the PESO” Banda assured.

Students who will be accepted are officially enrolled in the program. An employment contract will then be issued by the employer and the PESO duly attested by a representative of DOLE-Bicol.

However, Bihis said that salaries of students varies from the class of municipality or city as approved by DBM Circular No. 74 series of 2001. “Just like our wage order wherein there is a classification of salaries.” Bihis said. (RPEscalante, DOLE V/PIA)


PHILHEALTH EXPANDS MATERNITY CARE PACKAGE

LEGAZPI CITY — PhilHealth has since January 1, 2009, extended its coverage of normal spontaneous deliveries (NSD) to the first four births as per PhilHealth Circular No. 20, s-2008.

PhilHealth Bicol regional director Orlando Iñigo, Jr. bared that this shall be implemented in all PhilHealth-accredited hospitals and accredited non-hospital facilities (Lying-in Clinics) in the country.

He explained that this amendment applies only to normal (uncomplicated) vaginal deliveries in both accredited hospitals and lying-in clinics.

He added that for non-hospital providers of the maternal care package, (e.g., lying-in clinics, birthing homes, midwife-managed clinics), the first prenatal visit of patient must not exceed the 16 weeks age of gestation. Patients who do not satisfy this criterion should be referred to accredited hospitals to qualify for the normal spontaneous delivery package.

“Excluded in this package are the 5th normal spontaneous deliveries and subsequent births. Also excluded are those pregnancies resulting to abortions since they are not covered by the limitation of coverage of NSD of the first four births,” he noted.

“Those with history of medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder, morbid obesity, moderate to severe asthma, epilepsy, renal disease, bleeding disorders) are also excluded as well as those with other risk factors that may arise during present pregnancy (e.g. premature contractions, vaginal bleeding) that should be referred for further management,” the director added.

Iñigo elaborated that the following conditions remain to be excluded in PhilHealth accredited non-hospital facilities:
a) maternal age under 19 years old;
b) first pregnancy of patients aged 35 years and older;
c) multiple pregnancy;
d) ovarian abnormality (ovarian cyst);
e) uterine abnormality (myoma uteri);
f) placental abnormality (placenta previa);
g) abnormal fetal presentation (e.g. breech);
h) history of three or more miscarriages/abortion;
i) history of one stillbirth;
j) history of major obstetric and/or gynecologic operation (e.g. cesarean section, uterine myomectomy);
k) history of medical conditions (e.g. hypertension, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder, morbid obesity, moderate to severe asthma, epilepsy, renal disease, bleeding disorders); and l) other risk factors that may arise during present pregnancy (e.g. premature contractions, vaginal bleeding) that warrants a referral for further management.

He explained that normal birth is characterized by spontaneous onset of labor; low risk at the start of labor, throughout labor, and delivery; infant in vertex position; and 37-42 weeks of completed pregnancy. (PhilHealth V/PIA)


REGISTRATION ON FOR 12TH TOUR OF CAMSUR

PILI, CamSur—Camarines Sur residents will be treated to another colorful and exciting cycling event as registration for the 12th edition of the Tour of Camarines Sur scheduled from May 25 to 27 is now in full throttle.

Top-notch cyclists from throughout the country are expected to once again participate in this annual biking event which is continually supported by Governor LRay Villafuerte as part of the Kaogma Festival to celebrate the foundation anniversary of the province. The Festival will showcase the province’s beautiful attractions like the Caramoan Peninsula which now boasts of a world-class tourist resort.

The Multimedia Education Center of the Provincial Capitol has announced that the registration for the 12th Tour of Camarines Sur has been scheduled from April 20 to 30 only.

This year’s Tour has three laps, with the first stage kicking off on May 25 from the town of Caramoan to the town of Goa. The first lap will pass through the municipalities of Presentacion, Lagonoy and San Jose.

The second lap scheduled on May 26 will start from Goa to Baao via Tinambac, Calabanga, Bombon, Naga City and Pili.

The last lap on May 27, the longest route at 150 kilometers will take off at Baao, passing through Nabua, Bula, Minalabac, San Fernando, Pamplona, Sipocot, Libmanan, Milaor and then at the Almeda Highway in Naga City en route to the finish line at Provincial Capitol.

Interested cyclists can register within the allotted period from April 20 up to 30. Only limited slots are available for participants in the Tour. For further information the Multimedia Education Center can be contacted at Telephone 477-3160. (SNieves, MMEC/PIA)


DOLE V SETS UP SAGIP BATANG MANGGAGAWA

Legazpi City — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol has established the Sagip Batang Manggagawa (SBM), a special task force designed to pursue advocacies on protection and welfare of the children and committed to eliminate the worst forms of child abuse in the region.

DOLE Bicol Regional Director Ernesto C. Bihis stated that the task force is an alliance of government agencies, non-government organizations, trade unions, and sectoral organizations which will track down and push for the strict implementation of the anti-child labor program of the government,

“Actually, this program has been existing for a long time, however, we are now pushing the team to conduct more surveillance.” Bihis explained.

The Anti-Child Labor law, the backbone of the SBM, is being guaranteed by RA 9231 of the Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.” Providing for the worst forms of child labor and affording stronger protection for the working child.

The activities of the SBM will focus on Bicolana (female) teenagers who are among the most vulnerable sectors of the community and commonly the victim of prostitution.

The SBM, moreover, will respond to and address major types of potentially hazardous working conditions on children which includes long work hours, heavy physical work, physical and mental abuse or humiliations, sexual abuse, low or no wages, lack of educational opportunities and lack of social and emotional development and support.

“The risks of early pregnancies, susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases, and threat of contracting HIV/AIDS are given special attention now due to marginal rise of GROs and student sex workers.” Bihis explained.

The SBM Team is composed of Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), DOLE-RCC, LGU, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Further, DOLE and the heads of colleges and secondary schools in the region have forged partnership for the purpose of determining and surveying student sex workers.

“RA 9231 widened the scope of DOLE which covers student sex workers. Although there are no supported reports that this new breed of GROs are growing, we do not want to be caught off guard. We have to act fast since most of them (student sex workers) are unrecorded and the threat of STDs and AIDS are greater than the regulated workers in entertainment establishments. Rest assured, we will do everything we can…”he said.

DOLE Bicol, meanwhile, noted a decline on Bicolano (male) children exposed to the worst forms of child labors following the massive information campaign focusing on education of parents, business establishments and local enforcers.

RA 9231 also increased Penalties to violators of the Anti-Child Labor Law depending upon gravity of offense as follows:

1. For violation on employment of children below 15 years old, long work hours and prohibition on employment of children in certain advertisements the penalties are: 6 months and 1 day to 6 years imprisonment, fine of not less than P50,000.00 to P300,000.00 or both.

2. For violation on prohibition against worst forms of child labor/hazardous work the penalties are: imprisonment of 12 years and 1 day to 20 years or fine of not less than P100,000.00 but not more than P1M or both.

3. For violation on engaging children in all forms of slavery, prostitution and pornography the penalties shall be in accordance with penalty provided by RA 9208 (Anti Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) and shall be in the MAXIMUM PERIOD.

4. For violation on use of children for production and trafficking drugs the penalties shall be in accordance with RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and shall be in the MAXIMUM PERIOD.

If a corporation commits violation, the board of directors, trustees and officers including the president, treasurer and secretary shall be penalized accordingly.

In cases wherein the parents or legal guardians are the violators the penalties are fine of not less than P10,000.00 but not more than P100,000.00 or Community Service for not less than 30 days but not more than 1 year (maximum length of community service if violation is 3 times) or both fine and community service. If violation is more than 3 times, community service and imprisonment of 30 days but not more than 1 year or both shall be imposed.

DOLE is also mandated to order closure of cessation of business establishments found to have committed violations more than 3 times. As of press time, DOLE-Bicol is conducting several ocular and surveillance operations region wide. “But as to where and the name of establishment, well, we prefer to keep it a secret. Baka makatakas pa eh.” Bihis stressed. (RPEscalante, DOLE V/PIA)


CAM. NORTE HOLDS SUMMER ARTS AND MUSIC WORSHOP FOR KIDS

DAET, CAMARINES NORTE – The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte is now conducting summer workshops on theater, music and arts for the children and youth.

Abel Icatlo, division chief of the Provincial Museum, said that the series of workshops basically aims to develop the artistic talents of children specially this summer vacation.

He said that the training/workshop on folkdance and playing banduria was conducted last April 20-24; on flute and guitar playing on April 27-May 1; on theater arts, May 4-8; on acrylic oil painting and charcoal painting, May 11-15.

He also said the training program is open to all children, aged 10 and above, and is offered for free.

Showcase of their works and talents is set on May 22 at the Central Plaza Mall Atrium here.
Icatlo said that this year’s training program is its 12th year, conducted every summer vacation.

He added that the trainers are from the Bicol University and the local talents here. (RBManlangit, PIA Cam. Nor.)


PGMA ORDERS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SPEED UP PROGRAMS/PROJECTS

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has reiterated her directive to all agencies to speed up the completion of priority government programs and projects to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of public services to the people.

Last month, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 789 enhancing project performance, monitoring and evaluation system and reinforcing public-private partnership and collaboration in the monitoring of government projects.

EO 789 provides a “private sector representative” as the chair of the steering committee of the Project Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (Pro-Performance) System (PPS), and the head of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) as co-chair.

The EO also tasks all government television and radio networks to “allot air time for purposes of communicating the status of all projects, including the televised bidding of all departments.”

The PPS is an “integrated monitoring system established to facilitate, evaluate and advocate, and to strategically monitor the implementation of the President’s priority programs and projects.”

“As such, this (PPS) function shall form part of the mandate of the PMS,” EO 789 stated.

Under the President’s directive, the PPS will “provide independent and up-to-date constructive information on the status of project implementation based on physical development performance and quality, financial performance and timeliness; and identify areas, issues and concerns that need to be addressed by lead implementing agencies and/or project management offices.”

The President also tasked the PPS to “provide information as appropriate to the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) for the latter’s (implementing agencies’) action”; and to “ensure public awareness and participation through information campaigns and advocacy programs.”

“The PPS shall monitor the priority programs and projects of the President, such as but not limited to the projects committed (by the President) through the State of the Nation Addresses (SONA), major infrastructure projects, health and education programs, regardless of fund source.”

The PPS Steering Committee shall be composed of representatives from the business sector, civil society sector, academe, youth sector, mass media, religious sector, local government sector, international development organizations, and a national government advocacy group.

EO 789 was allotted a P10-million operational budget to be sourced from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to enable it and its “secretariat to effectively perform its mandate,” including the submission to the President through the PMS monthly project evaluation reports with photo-documentation.

To promote public awareness and generate stakeholder support for the President’s priority programs and projects, subject to pertinent laws, issuances and accounting and auditing rules and regulations, “the PPS-SC shall have the authority to require the implementing agencies to conduct and fund from their respective contingency funds the appropriate facilitative and advocacy campaigns and other related activities.” (PIA V Release)


RP REAPS PRAISES FROM U.N. COMMITTEE AS MODEL IN MIGRATION POLICY

MANILA — A top official of the United Nations’ Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers (UN-CMW) has commended the Philippines for being a model in best practices in migration policy.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde announced over DZRB OVER THE WEEKEND that UN-CMW chair Abdelhamid El-Jamri also called the Philippines “a source of inspiration for other countries because of its wealth of experience and dynamism in migration management and development.”

Remonde, who is concurrent acting executive secretary vice ES Eduardo Ermita who is attending annual session of the UN Commission on Human Rights (UN-CHR) in Geneva, added that El-Jamri commended the Philippines at the start of the consideration of the Philippines’ initial report on its compliance with the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ICPRMW) and members of their families at the 10th session of the UN-CMW in Geneva, Switzerland.

The UN-CMW is commending the Philippines for “its clear commitment to the ICPRMW even as other committee members cited the Philippines for pursuing a rights-based approach to migration, for not treating workers as commodities and for taking broad approaches in assisting workers in the midst of the global economic crisis,” said Remonde.

The Press Secretary added that Prasad Kariyawasam, former permanent representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in New York and former chairman of the UN-CMW, “also echoed the statement of El-Jamri, saying, “We hold you in that higher threshold -- the Philippines has served as a model for other migrant-sending countries.”

The Philippines was also lauded for its successful chairmanship of the second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) last October in Manila where President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made a pitch for the universal adoption of the ICRMW.

The President’s pitch is being reiterated by the Philippine delegation headed by Ermita in the ongoing Durban Review Conference in Geneva.

“We are now reaping adulation from the international community with our handling of the problems of our expatriate Filipino workers. These are pleasant to hear amidst the criticisms we are getting from the leftist groups -- that we are being recognized as a world leader in handling our overseas workers,” Remonde said. (PIA V Release)


PGMA ORDERS DA TO PUT IN PLACE MEASURES VS. SWINE FLU

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed over the weekend the Department of Agriculture (DA) to take all necessary precautionary measures to prevent the deadly swine influenza (SI) from reaching the country.

The virus has spread in Mexico and the United States, and latest reports said the SI may have already reached New Zealand.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap reported that steps have already been taken to address the SI crisis from hitting the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global advisory, warning against the spread of the virus.

In an interview over radio DZRB yesterday, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that Yap has informed the President that he has mobilized the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to ensure that imported live animals entering the country are not carriers of the virus.

He added that the DA veterinarians have been instructed to deploy vaccines to strategic areas in the country and launch a massive information and education campaign among swine farmers and the general public as part of precautionary measures against the virus. (PIA V Release)


REMONDE IS ACTING EXEC. SEC. AND HEAD OF LABOR DAY CELEBRATION

MANILA — Press Secretary Cerge Remonde will be acting executive secretary for seven days following the departure Saturday morning of ES Eduardo Ermita for Geneva to attend a meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

Remonde will also supervise the activities for the May 1 Labor Day celebration which will be highlighted by the holding of the biggest jobs fair at the Rizal Park by the Department of Labor and Employment with simultaneous job fairs in all provinces all over the country.

“In lieu of the traditional military and civic parades and the usual economic benefits being announced during Labor Day celebrations, we are focusing more on the job fairs since we have to address unemployment and creating jobs so that our country will be better able to overcome the current global financial crisis,” Remonde said.

As this developed, acting Executive Secretary Cerge Remonde urged the organizers of big rallies on Labor Day, May 1, to make sure that the rallies will be peaceful and orderly exercise in the democratic process.

“They should also ensure that these planned rallies will not be used by bad elements—terrorists---whose only objective is to sow terror and violence in society,” Remonde said in an interview over DZRB.

“These man-made disasters are the last things that we need especially during these times of crisis,” he stressed.

He said rallies are part of the democratic system which the Arroyo administration respects and upholds. (PIA V Release)


RP HAS LOTS OF GOOD THINGS COMING ITS WAY – REMONDE

MANILA — In the face of uncertainties brought by the current global financial crisis, a lot of good things have been happening to our country contrary to the pessimism and criticisms of some, stressed Press Secretary and Acting Executive Secretary Cerge Remonde.

He said despite the zero growth projection made by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), “we are still optimistic of the growth of our economy, albeit not as robust as we have been used to.”

The programs of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo continue to be our buffer in this era of global financial crisis, one of which is the micro small and medium enterprise (MSME) program of which I had the pleasure of being the Cabinet oversight official for the last two years, Remonde said in his opening statement at the Saturday radio forum of the Malacañang Press Corps over DZRB.

He said it is heartening to note that only recently US President Barrack Obama allotted $100 million for the micro finance growth fund for small businesses in the Western hemisphere as part of the broad measures to address the global recession.

“Micro and small businesses, especially in the Philippines, have been very efficient job generators. In the credit crunch, however, we could be the very first to be affected,” Remonde said.

He said lending to MSMEs amounted to P305 billion to 5.6 million microfinance clients all over the country since it was launched by the President in 2004. The program has created some 2.5 million jobs. From a five-year head-start, we had a three-fold edge in investments.

The other good news is the Philippines being chosen as the most popular destination in Asia at the last World Travel Fair held in Shanghai, which is a credit to Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano’s marketing skills that led to 74% monthly growth in visitor arrivals from China, he said.

He expressed hopes that the remarkable performance of the tourism industry will encourage the other sectors of society. (PIA V Release)


PGMA TO VISIT EGYPT AND SYRIA ON MISSION OF PEACE AND INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo embarks on a mission of peace and interfaith dialogue by going on a special working visit to Egypt on May 2 and a state visit to Syria on May 3 and 4.

Syria and Egypt are two of the most influential countries in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League. In fact, the headquarters and leadership of the OIC are in these countries, according to Press Secretary and Acting Executive Secretary Cerge Remonde.

Egypt is considered one of the most effective and efficient peace brokers in the Islamic world, and the President’s visit there shows the importance she attaches to peace and development in Southern Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, Remonde added.

President Arroyo will leave for Cairo in Egypt on May 1, Labor Day, Remonde said.

On her first day (May 2) in Cairo, the President will hold a one-on-one meeting with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; and hold meetings with the Filipino community in Egypt, and with Egyptian businessmen on possible investments in the Philippines.

This is the first time in 30 years that a Philippine president is visiting Egypt.

From Cairo, the President will proceed to Damascus in Syria for a state visit upon the invitation of the Syrian government.

Tentatively, she will hold bilateral meetings with President Bashar al-Assad and sign various partnership agreements.

She will also address the People’s Assembly in Syria, hold meetings with the Syrian business community, and attend a state dinner tendered by the Syrian president.

President Arroyo will also visit one of the biggest container terminals in the Middle East that is operated by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) before heading back to the Philippines on May 5. (PIA V Release)