ALBAY, LANDBANK SIGN P700M LOAN FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Albay province has signed Wednesday (June 16) a P700 million loan package with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to finance a first–in–the-country education strategy that aims to produce “a college graduate for every family” through an encompassing yet simplified study now-pay later scheme.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, who authored the program, referred to it as an “Education Driven Development” (see presentation below); a development approach for his province anchored on a vigorous, well-planned, financed and executed college and vocational education, a system that practically invites more scholars, ups enrollment and produce more graduates.

Salceda signed the loan agreement with LBP President and Chief Executive Officer Gilda Pico at 10 am this morning, June 16 in the presence of LBP ranking officers and Albay Provincial officials, among them, members of the provincial board and members of the media at Land Bank main office in Malate, Manila.

The loan will be used to finance government scholars in the tertiary level, under the Albay Higher Education Contribution Scheme (AHECS), enrolled at the Bicol University and other community colleges in Albay which, this year alone will pay for over 12,000 college freshmen until they graduate. This is estimated to trigger a growth in college enrolment in Albay by 40%.

“I would have placed this amount in infrastructures. But I believe diplomas give better economic returns than roads and bridges,” Salceda said.

“A well-educated constituency has a lot of social payback and economic benefits. It expands their labor mobility. They will seek better jobs. The difference in economic return between an elementary graduate and a secondary graduate is about 7%. But the differential between a college graduate and a high school graduate is about 21%.

With diplomas, they can seek jobs elsewhere and not cramp the limited jobs market of Albay. Diplomas are like visas”, he added.

Salceda further stated that at a certain stage, Albay will gain the reputation as the natural source of well-educated labor force. The availability of trainable workforce will serve as a come-on for investors.

Considered a first of its kind in the country, Albay’s education program in all levels, has lately been gaining grounds, among others, raising students’ learning standard as was proven in the 2009 National Achievement Test (NAT) where the province garnered the 106th place out of 202 divisions, a distant leaped of 69 places from a poor 175th in 2007.

Salceda said the province’s present goal is to get to the top 40 schools in NAT within the next three years, and the top 10 within the next six years; there is no room for complacency, simply no space for mediocrity. The education agenda, though, is backed up by a portfolio of interventions, among others, an institutional capacity-building program.

Albay is presently the only province in the country with a Provincial Education Department (PED) – best known earlier as Education Quality for Albayanos (EQUAL) – created by an ordinance, with plantilla staff approved by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management, overseen by a special advisory group – the Albay Council of Educators.

Salceda said Albay has committed over 17% of its annual budget now to education subsidy, under the PED, specifically EQUAL, which this year costs over P178 million – now the biggest item in its expenditure.

The province’s Special Education Fund (SEF), separated from the regular PED budget, which is used in, among others, sports program and maintenance of schools and classrooms in schools divisions, grew from only about P5 million in 2007 to P18 million in 2010, according to Salceda.

“Albay’s education program is producing the social impact; the number of college population has grown by 15% in three years from 34,000 to 38,000 due to provincial scholarships; and college graduates grew by 31% per year from 6,300 to 8,300, more or less,” Salceda concluded.(LGU Albay)

DOH-NKTI, PIA HOLD LAY FORUM ON RENAL DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Health (DOH), through the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Bicol, spearheaded a Lay Forum on the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP) Thursday afternoon (June 17) at the Casablanca Social Hall here.

Dr. Antonio Paraiso, REDCOP national program manager, told PIA News Service that the interfacing with local chief executives, health officials, workers and service providers, academic institutions with medical courses is one way of the institute to popularize the program on kidney care, prevention and treatment of diseases, organ donation, as well as lifestyles to keep the kidneys healthy.

Medical specialists from the NKTI, led by Paraiso, along with Dr. Susan Jorge, Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca, Dr. Lourde Petobello, Dr. Claire Angelie Imbisan, Evelyn O. Pretencio, served as panelists for the half-day lay forum.

Paraiso stressed that the REDCOP forms part of the continuing efforts of the government to promote wellness and better health among the populace, especially on kidney care and organ donation.

REDCOP is the office in-charge of implementing the NKTI’s public health projects on the prevention and control of renal and other related diseases.

The institute plans, implements and monitors projects for research, advocacy, training, service and quality assurance, and its activities are done mostly on a national scale through its network of DOH regional coordinators throughout the country.

REDCOP also administers and manages the Philippine Renal Disease Registry (PRDR), which include data on End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Registry composed of the Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis & Transplant Registries, and the Chronic Kidney Disease Registry composed of Biopsy.

The same office has also been tasked to operate the Philippine Organ Donation Program (PODP) of DOH, set up to craft policies, guidelines and ethical principles whereby the act of organ donation and conduct of transplantation from living non-related organ donors (LNRDs) shall be managed and regulated

POPD supports a rational, equitable, ethical, and accessible renal health care program in the country.

Meanwhile, the REDCOP team visiting this city starting June 15 also conducted free medical check up, laboratory services, such as free urinalysis and FBS (fasting blood sugar) testing, to the local residents at the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH) here.

All but these advocacy activities highlight this year’s celebration of the National Kidney Month this June.

This year’s Kidney Month theme evolves on “Healthy Kidneys, Health Family”. (MALoterte, PIA V)

P’NOY MUST FIND SOLUTIONS NOT ALIBIS
IN DEALING WITH COUNTRY’S PROBLEM – LAGMAN

TABACO CITY— President-elect Noynoy Aquino must find solutions and not look for alibis in confronting the remaining economic and social problems of the nation.

In doubting with mere sweeping ambiguity the economic report card of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, incoming President Aquino appears overwhelmed by current problems that he resorts to faulting his predecessor’s administration.

It was reported that Aquino said he doubted the “integrity of some economic data released by the Arroyo administration”, but he failed to specify the figures he doubted.

A leader with a fresh mandate must look forward rather than pontificate on the perceived ills of the past as if to cover-up an absent or deficient positive agenda for action.

The supposed “failures” of the past are pitfalls to avoid but not “cadavers” for repeated exhumation.

A President must succeed or fail based on his own merit and performance. (Office of Rep, Edcel C. Lagman, Albay I/PIA)

NAGA CITY ALL SET FOR THE 21ST PHIL TRAVEL MART SHOW IN BICOL

NAGA CITY — As tourism industry in Bicol continues to soar high by posting positive growth, much as the fervor and spirit of tourism stakeholders as they gear up for the 21st Philippine Travel Mart Road Show set June 19 at the Avenue Plaza Hotel here.

Dubbed one of the biggest and most anticipated travel and tourism trade shows in the Philippines, Travel mart will not only showcase enticing travel and tour packages in the region but will also provide a wide array of opportunities for travel operators to closely work with other industry partners.

Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc., in partnership with the Bicol Regional Tourism Council (BRTC) and the Bicol Association of Travel and Tour Operators (BATTO), envisions a strong alliance with tourism-related associations that will work actively to promote domestic and inbound Philippine tourism.

PHILTOA, which led the one-day tourism expo, is an organization of tour operators and allied members actively involved in the advocacy of responsible tourism. Founded on 12 June 1986, non-stock and non-profit organization.

Danny De Leon, BRTC’s dynamic Regional Chairman, stated that the event is open to all tourism industry players whose aim runs synonymous with their vision. “We are so privileged that the Philippine Travel Mart Road Show will be done here in Camarines Sur. This will give us a wider edge to showcase how rich Bicol Region is, in terms of resources and tourist destinations.”

De Leon also pointed out that there are still a lot of unexplored and hidden destinations here in the Bicol Region waiting to be discovered. “These unseen resources are just behind the lush forests and green mountains, waiting to be unearthed. All we need are responsible caretakers who would develop it, without harming our Mother Nature.”

The upcoming tourism event is expected to be flocked by tourism industry players, particularly travel agencies, hotel, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments and associations. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM HELD

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol hosted the first Social Welfare and Development (SWD) Forum for the year 2010 held recently at Kanzo Restaurant here.
The one-day activity was participated in by the provincial, municipal and city social welfare officers and representatives from the academe, the non-government organizations, people’s organizations, other government organizations and partner agencies.

In her message, DSWD Bicol Director Remia Tapispisan explained that the agency’s priority thrust for 2010, the agency’s reform agenda, fosters the department’s role of providing leadership in the Social Protection Sector.

Tapispisan said that the passage of the department’s memorandum no. 11, series of 2008 provides that SWD Forum has to be maximized as a venue to create a common understanding on topics that nee concerted effort of the social protection sector.

She also bared that the forum is focused on the promotion of the utilization and maximization of data generated from the household assessment done under the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction.

Ms. Rhodora Garces, Albay NHTS-PR Project Coordinator from DSWD Central Office, gave the orientation on the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction, noting that programs is in response to a finding that reveals that poverty alleviation programs have not been so effective in bringing about the much-needed improvement in the quality if life of the poor, because not all the poor receive or enjoy the benefits of the social protection program.

Meanwhile, Ma. Corazon Pitero, OIC of the Operations Division of DSWD Bicol, presented and discussed the Priority Legislative Agenda for Children for the 15th Congress. According to Pitero there are seven proposed legislative agenda as follows:

1. Strengthening of family and alternative parental care arrangement through foster care;
2. Amending the law on statutory rape;
3. Removing the distinction/discrimination against illegitimate children;
4. Amendment to RA 7610 particularly on the children affected by armed conflict;
5. Allocation of budget for children;
6. Policy guidelines on the Access of minors to HIV-testing and other RH concerns; and
7. Proposed Magna Carta for Children

The Social Welfare and Development Forum is conducted twice a year. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)

BFP SORSOGON CITY WARNS PUBLIC NOT TO BLOCK FIRE HYDRANTS

LEGAZPI CITY —Fire Marshal C/Insp Renato Badong Marcial of this city’s Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has ordered his men to put up a warning sign informing the public not to block fire hydrants constituting an offense violating RA 9514 or newly amended Fire Code of the Philippines.

Marcial bared that during the recent inspection of fire hydrants in this city, the bureau found out that some of the hydrants were blocked by vendors, tricycles, or garbage dump along the main thoroughfares downtown.

Marcial gave the standing order last June 8, 2010 to S/Insp. Prospero Deona, BFP Sorsogon City deputy officer, to implement said order immediately coordinating with traffic enforcers, police authorities, and the community as well.

BFP personnel then put up signage beside fire hydrants particularly in front of Chowking restaurant, along Rizal St.; Southstar Drug along Magsaysay Street; and near Sorsogon National High School.

Marcial stressed that pursuant to Rule II: Section 11.0.0.1D of RA 9514, “Any person who caused an obstruction to a designated to the hydrants shall be penalized of a fine amounting to P12,500 up to P25,000.

The city fire marshal has appealed to the public their support and cooperation to the bureau in the enforcement of the new law. In case of violation of this law the public can report or call the Office of the Bureau of Fire Protection at 421-6320 or hotline 160. (BFP Sorsogon City/PIA)

47 EMPLOYERS FOUND VIOLATING LABOR CODE JAN-JUN 2010

DAET, Camarines Norte — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provincial ofice here has recorded some 47 cases of violation against labor code for the period January to May this year.

Ruben L. Romanillos, Chief Labor and Employment Officer said that of the 47 cases 30 were resolved resulting to the payment of employers to their employees a total of P139,507, while the 17 other cases are subject for hearing.

Romanillos said that majority of cases were none payment of separation pay, 13th month pay and holiday pay; refund of cash bond; underpayment of wages; and illegal deductions.

He explained that they have their wages bracket to follow by the employers for their employees’ salaries.

He cited that the office also conduct routine inspection once a year and special inspection for those establishments with employees’ complaints especially for those who do not give proper wages.

It can be recalled that last year DOLE Camarines Norte has recorded some 62 cases for violation against labor code as compared to 60 cases in 2008. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

USAID-FUNDED SURVEY AFFIRMS GAINS OF PGMA’S TOURISM STRATEGY

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s tourism development programs in her nine-year term have brought about P62-billion worth of investments into the country and generated three million jobs for Filipinos.

This is the conclusion of an independent study conducted by the Philippine-based Center for Research and Communication (CRC) and funded by the Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In a presentation during the Retrospective Seminar of the Department of Tourism (DOT) held Wednesday (June 16) in Intramuros, CRC representative Cherry Rodolfo said that from 2000 to 2009, the tourism industry generated some P62-billion worth of investments from enterprises registered with the National Economic Development Agency (NEDA) and Board of investments (BOI).

Rodolfo cited a DOT survey that in May this year alone, the Central Philippines Super Region, one of the five themed growth corridors mapped out in President Arroyo’s 2004 strategic development program, has generated 28,629 employment from 2002 establishments.

“With a lot of activity going on, Central Philippines will have another 147 new establishments plus additional room expansion by existing establishments that will generate 14,376 new employment,” the CRC official added.

She said these achievements in tourism have made a significant impact on local area development in creating more jobs, generating more income and strengthening community partnerships.

The CRC credited these accomplishments to the various tourism investments that the Arroyo administration has made to provide greater mobility and accessibility.

Rodolfo cited Arroyo’s airport development projects, the nautical highway project (RoRo project) and road networks, such as NLEX and SLEX, as among the infrastructure projects that contributed in no small amount to stimulating domestic tourism.

She also noted an improvement in inbound tourism, citing the 311.84 percent growth in flight arrivals in Clark Airport, from 27,452 international flights in 2000 to 106,016 flight in 2008.

The DOT Retrospective Seminar was attended by DOT officials led by Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and representatives of The Asia Foundation, and USAID.

In his speech, Durano cited the important role of private sector in tourism development, saying their aggressive marketing strategies and constructive feedback on tourism have helped place the country among the major tourist destinations in Asia. (PIA V Release)

JOBLESS RATE SEEN TO DROP THIS YEAR – DOLE

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sees the unemployment rate to go down in the coming months with the expected rebound in agriculture due to the onset of the rainy season.

In a media briefing in Malacañang, Labor Undersecretary Romeo Lagman said the dry spell brought by the El Nino phenomenon resulted to the loss of some 810,000 jobs in the sector in the first four months of 2010.

The latest Labor Force Survey released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) placed unemployment rate at eight percent as of April, compared to the 7.3 percent recorded from the previous quarter and the 7.5 percent in April last year.

The NSO placed the number of unemployed at 3.1 million last April compared to the 2.8 million recorded in the same period last year.

Lagman said the jobs loss, which mainly affected the agriculture sector, tapered the 822,000 jobs generated by the services sector.

Despite the loss of jobs in agriculture, Lagman said the employment level grew by 1.2 percent in 2010 as the number of persons entering the labor force increased from 34.9 million to 35.4 million.

“So this translates to an employment generation of over 400,000,” Lagman said.

Lagman said the services sector increased by 4.7 percent with an absolute figure of 822,000 employed, while the industry sector gained 7.8 percent or an absolute figure of 396,000 employments.

Lagman said the gains in the industry and services sectors despite the global financial crisis in the last quarter of 2009 were offset by the loss in the agriculture sector which was caused by the El Nino for several months.

“Perhaps in the next survey, we will picture a better perspective of the employment situation,” Lagman said.

At present, Lagman said the DOLE’s Jobs Fit Program is addressing the mismatch in jobs requirement for local and overseas employment up to year 2020.

The project guides students and new entrants to the labor force in identifying college and technical-vocational courses that they may pursue to land available industry jobs or to engage in self-employment undertakings required by the economy after graduation.

The Job Fit road map also serves as a basis of the education sector and other concerned stakeholders in providing training and educational scholarships and in developing appropriate curricula and career materials for job seekers. (PIA V Release)

PNR TO RESUME ‘BICOL EXPRESS’ JUNE 25, PGMA TOLD

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is set to resume regular trips to the Bicol Region by Friday next week, PNR officials told President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The PNR halted its daily train trips to the Bicol province after the San Cristobal bridge here was destroyed when typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” battered Southern Luzon one after the other in 2006.

Now, with a newly constructed 50-meter bridge taking the place of the devastated San Cristobal bridge, the Bicol Train service, from Manila to Ligao, Albay will soon resume.

In a briefing in one of PNR’s newly acquired train coaches that took the Chief Executive, PNR and local government officials and members of media to its Bicutan station in Parañaque, PNR General Manager Ower Andal said the “Bicol Express” trip would be available to commuters by June 25, 2010.

Andal added that operational works, which include replacing the wooden tresses with concrete and the addition of compacting materials to improve the stability of the tracks, is being undertaken from now until the 25th to ensure the safety of railroad tracks for its trips to Bicol.

Andal said the resumption of the Bicol trips of the PNR “closes the loop” by linking the North and South Rail project, part of the President’s 10-point agenda to decongest Metro Manila.

In the same briefing, Andal told the President the PNR expects its passenger base to increase from the 400,000 a month to 600,000.

He said that if the trend continues, the PNR will have to increase the departure of trains from its usual 30-minute interval to 15 minutes to cope with the demand. (PIA V Release)

AGRI STAKEHOLDERS CITE GAINS IN FIELDS PROGRAM

MANILA — Various stakeholders of the agriculture sector today expressed their gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the vigorous implementation of the FIELDS program, saying it has significantly increased agricultural production and raised their income.

FIELDS stands for the six areas of agriculture which the President has focused on to ensure national food sufficiency - Fertilizer, Irrigation and other rural infrastructure, Extension and education services for farmers, Loans, Dryers and other post-harvest facilities, and Seeds.

In the Retrospective Forum attended by President Arroyo with Agriculture Secretary Bernie Fondevilla, farmer Ronelio Barsatan of the CBCP-NASSA-National Farm Center in General Natividad, Nueva Ecija said the creation of national and diocesan farm centers across the country promoted organic farming that cut down the cost of fertilizer.

The Agriculture department provided 1,380 technology packages on community-based composting facilities which resulted in a net income of P5,761 for Compost Tea (Foliar Fertilizer), P154,448 for Trichoderma-based compost and P229,349 for vermi-compost per 100-hectare cluster model.

It also granted 68 Bio-N mixing plants to farmers, farmer cooperatives, private sector, and LGUs. Five packets of Bio-N, an organic fertilizer, per hectare proved to be a good replacement for two bags of Urea, giving the farmers big savings of P2,100 per hectare.

On irrigation and infrastructure component, about P79.7 billion has been released for the restoration of national and communal irrigation systems nationwide, generating 140,042 hectares of new areas. A total of 1,480,826 hectares located in the four super regions were also restored and rehabilitated.

The government also constructed since 2001 a total of 18,929 kilometers of farm-to-market roads worth P26.77 billion, and established 50 mariculture parks covering a total of 49,073 hectares.

These improvements resulted in an increased rice yield averaging 3.53 metric tons per hectare for the period 2001-2009, as compared to an average of 2.86 metric tons per hectare in 1990-2000.

On extension and education, DA provided a total of 22, 941 various agricultural technology trainings and orientations that benefited some 977,713 farmers, agricultural extension workers (AEWs), and farmer entrepreneurs.

Efraim Acacio of Sta. Ana Cagayan said the free technical assistance provided by the government – from selecting the right seeds to harvesting palay - had helped him in increasing his income.

“I am proud to say that our dream will soon be fulfilled. We will soon complete the construction of a small concrete house for our family beside our farms,” he said.

For the dryers and other postharvest facilities component, the DA distributed 2,016 units of flat bed dryers in various provinces. Through the mechanical drying system, an estimated 25,724 MT of palay valued at P437 million was saved in 2008.

DA also constructed 13 tramlines – 7 in Benguet, 3 in Mt. Province, 2 in Nueva Ecija, and 1 in Dalaguet, Cebu – to transport commodities from highlands to the market.

On seeds, DA provided some 1.68 million bags of hybrid and 12.5 million bags of certified palay seeds. It also developed and distributed climate-ready seeds which are drought and submergence – tolerant to help farmers cope with the adverse effects of climate change.

After the forum, the President led the formal launching of DA’s coffee table book chronicling the major achievements of her administration in its centerpiece agenda of food security and sufficiency.

Titled “Fields of Glory,” the book illustrates how President Arroyo has delivered on her commitments to the agricultural and fisheries sector by way of her flagship project FIELDS, according to Fondevilla. (PIA V Release)

DA SAYS AGRO-INDUSTRY LOANS TOTALED P465-B IN 2001-2009

MANILA — Agricultural loans from various government lending facilities and other financial institutions and agencies reached the P465-billion mark over the nine-year period ending in 2009, the Department of Agriculture (DA) revealed.

The disclosure was made in conjunction with yesterday’s (Thursday (June 17)launch of the DA’s coffee table book titled “Fields of Glory” graced by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“From 2001 to 2009, a total of P28.8 billion was released under the Agro-Industry Modernization and Credit Financing Program and Quedancor to farmer-beneficiaries,” the DA said, adding that the borrowings would total P465 billion if palay production loans from the Land Bank and releases from other financial institutions and agencies are included.

Incidentally, loans to the agro-industry sector is just one component of a six-point FIELDS package of government support services designed to increase farm outputs and enable the farmers to maximize their incomes.

FIELDS stands for Fertilizer, Irrigation and other Infrastructures, Extension and Education, Loans, Dryers and other post-harvest facilities, and Seeds and other genetic materials.

Agriculture Secretary Bernie Fondevilla said the book “best illustrates that President Arroyo has delivered on her commitments to the agriculture and fisheries sector by way of her flagship project dubbed FIELDS and other farm-related intervention programs.”

Fondevilla pointed out that the government under the Arroyo administration registered record public spending in agriculture and fisheries, and stepped up construction of irrigation, farm-to-market roads and post-harvest facilities.

Other milestone achievements, the Secretary said, included creation of millions of jobs and livelihood opportunities in the countryside, massive training program for farmers on such concerns as productivity enhancement, cost-reduction, and environment-friendly technologies, as well as the availability of more loans, guarantee and insurance coverage.

“The government also constructed a total of 18,929 kilometers of farm-to-market roads worth P26.77 billion, and established 50 mariculture parks covering a total of 39,073 hectares,” Fondevilla said.

Among the millions of FIELDS beneficiaries was Gelises Ladores of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija who said results of new farming technologies he learned surpassed his expectations.

He recalled that during the rainy season in 2008, he was still able to harvest 100 cavans of palay from his 1.5-hectare farm using “submergence-tolerant” seeds from the Philippine Rice Institute made available by the DA through the FIELDS program. “My only wish at that time was to be able to harvest despite the strong rains,” he said.

Ariel Flores from Guimba, Nueva Ecija said he was able to substantially reduce the cost of farm inputs because of irrigation and the use of organic fertilizer. “The soil we till has become rich with natural fertilizer from the clean water we get from the irrigation,” he said.

Judy Aruta, a loan beneficiary of the Bukidnon Cooperative Bank, said the soft credit he acquired enabled him to expand his rice farm. (PIA V Release)

JUNE 30, A NON-WORKING HOLIDAY

MANILA — Malacanang issued Thursday (June 17) Proclamation No. 2085 declaring June 30, 2010 a special non-working holiday to enable Filipinos to witness the inaugural ceremonies for President-elect Benigno Aquino III.

The Proclamation states thus:

“PROCLAMATION NO. 2085, declaring Wednesday, June 30, 2010 as special non-working holiday throughout the Philippines.

Whereas the presidential inaugural ceremonies for the incoming President of the Republic of the Philippines will be held on June 30, 2010.

Whereas it is fitting and proper that all citizens of our country be given full opportunity to witness and welcome this historic event in the life of the nation.

Now therefore I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by the virtue of the power vested in me by law, do hereby declare Wednesday, June 30, 2010, a special non- working holiday throughout the Philippines.” (PIA V Release)