| PIA Dispatch - Basulta Infocenter | |
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| Media Release December 15, 2008 |
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RP stands to benefit from its relations with Qatar in all
levels ¥
PGMA leaves for a three-day working visit to Qatar ¥
DA Wants Risk Assessment on Reston Case by Int’l Health Groups ¥
OFW deployment still robust despite global crisis – DOLE ¥
Gov’t employees to receive bonus starting Dec 15 ¥
DepEd, PNRC to promote first aid programs in schools ¥
Authorities and hog raisers
assuage fears on ebola reston strain ¥
Mindanao’s Cross-Section Reps to
compose New Peace Panel with MILF ¥
7 Abducted Gravel and Sand Haulers Freed by their Captors in Basilan ¥
DA Prepares Support Program for
Hog Industry Amid Reston Case ¥
PGMA calls for stronger human rights program ¥
PGMA visits the wake for five
marines killed in Basilan ¥
Children in evacuation centers at Datu Piang receive anti-measles
immunization ¥
Fighting erupts anew in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town ¥
Military foils bomb attempts by LMG RP stands to benefit from its
relations with Qatar in all levels DOHA (via PLDT) -- The Philippines stands to gain enormous
benefits from its growing friendly relations with oil-rich Qatar, the fourth
top country destination of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) worldwide and the
third among Middle East nations, after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates (UAE). Fueled by its natural gas and oil revenue, Qatar’s economy
is booming and needs manpower from foreign countries to sustain the massive
economic surge. Qatar owns the third largest natural gas reserves in the
world after Russia and Iran, among its outstanding economic statistics. Its
economy is rated as the second most competitive among Middle Eastern countries
aside from having one of the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in
the world at $US 61,895 as of 2006. The constitutional emirate is also pouring billions into
private and foreign investments in non-energy sectors in tandem with the development
of its non-gas reserves. At an estimated 25 trillion cubic meters, the country’s
natural gas reserves constitute roughly 15 percent of the world’s total. Estimates of OFWs in this country range from 150,000 to
200,000. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has taken the more
conservative estimate of 150,000 based on its records as of Dec. 2007. The DOLE
figures were culled from the records of Qatar’s Ministry of Labor. The number continues to grow. Last year, DOLE deployment
statistics showed 56,277 new hires, up by 22.89 percent over the 2006 figure of
45,795. Of the new hires in 2007, the bulk of the workers belonged to the
service, transport ant and production groups. Other hires consisted of administrative and managerial
personnel, agricultural workers in such fields as husbandry, forestry and
fishery; sales workers; professional technical and related works. The DOLE said Filipino workers face bright prospects in
energy projects, which would require the services of engineers, controllers,
inspectors, professional and other skilled personnel. In the midst of an unprecedented real estate boom, Qatar
needs engineers, architects, interior decorators/designers, mechanical,
electrical and plumbing personnel, and marble, granite and ceramic tile
setters, DOLE said. The country’s tourism/hotel and retail sector is also
beacon. “Due to growing population and high levels of income, the tourism
industry in Qatar is progressing and the construction of hotels as well as
franchised restaurants is a sign of the country’s desire to become a major
force in the hospitality industry that would mean the need” for hotel personnel
and service crew, DOLE said. But some kinks in Qatar’s hiring policy needs to be threshed
out. “The policy of host country on sponsorship being practiced by employers
pose a hindrance for the employment of our professional and skilled workers in
the labor industry. This must be therefore addressed by our government and the
host government with dispatch to improve the well-being and opportunity of our
workers and their retention by the host country for their much-needed quality
services,” the DOLE report said. PGMA leaves for a three-day working
visit to Qatar President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left Saturda morning for a
three-day official visit to Qatar on the invitation of His Highness Sheik Hamad
Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of this Middle Eastern State of Qatar. With the current requirements in Qatar’s surging
construction sector, Ermita said the President visit will underscore before key
Qatari proponents the Philippines capacity to provide necessary resources and
highly skilled technical manpower. On top of this, the President’s team will delve into
opportunities for venture partnerships in energy and telecommunications, he
said. To complement current efforts to spur growth in Southern
Philippines, Ermita added that President Macapagal-Arroyo will also seek
broader discussions on the possible flow of Qatari investments in Mindanao’s
agriculture sector for the export of products from the area for the Qatari and
Middle Eastern markets.. Ermita also said that tourism will also be among the visit’s
priorities as the President envisions an increase in visitor arrivals from
Qatar to the Philippines, and vice versa, with the maximization of Qatar’s
strategic location as a hub of civil aviation in the Middle East.. The President visit will be capped by a meeting with
representatives of the 150,000 strong overseas Filipino workers at the Sheraton
Dohal Hotel and Resort, her official residence during her Qatar official visit. Malacañang believes that informal talks between the
government and the MILF are expected to start shortly after the President’s
official visit to Qatar, possibly by Dec. 22. DA Wants Risk
Assessment on Reston Case by Int’l Health Groups The Department of Agriculture (DA) will invite international
health organizations to conduct a risk assessment on the presence of the Ebola
Reston virus in the country in line with the government policy of transparency
on this issue and the concerted efforts to engage global authorities in
containing this infection, which has so far been detected only in a few hogs in
certain parts of Luzon. DA Secretary Arthur Yap said the risk assessment will
determine the extent of a potential risk or threat of the Reston virus to
animal and human health in the country. The reemergence of the Reston virus,
which has been detected in just two hog farms, is considered by international
and local health authorities as only an animal health issue because this
particular strain “does not pose a significant public health risk” “While we are currently carrying out a similar effort, we
are opening our doors to scrutiny by independent, globally recognized
health organizations to show that the Philippines is a responsible member of
the international community and that it continues to act in the spirit of
transparency and cooperation,” Yap said. The risk assessment, according to Director Davinio Catbagan
of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), could be conducted by the World Health
Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) or the Office
International des Epizooties (OIE) or World Animal Health Organization. Officials of these international health institutions earlier
commended Yap and Secretary Francisco Duque of the Department of Health (DOH)
for their respective offices’ quick or “appropriate action” in containing the
latest resurfacing of the Reston virus. (DA-PRESS OFFICE) OFW
deployment still robust despite global crisis - DOLE Labor secretary Marianito D. Roque said the Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) continues to process the deployment
of close to 3,000 overseas Filipino workers or OFWs who leave the country for
their overseas employment on a daily basis. Roque also assured the public particularly OFWs and their
families that the displacement of over half a million OFWs due to the financial
crisis as reported in the media would not occur based on the number of OFWs who
returned to the country over the past months. He explained that the reported over half a million OFWs
projected displacements was based on a worst case scenario which was crafted in
an effort of the DOLE to prepare appropriate responses to the impact of the
financial crisis to OFWs. He said the number of OFWs who, so far, lost their jobs
overseas due to the financial crisis and had already gone home is not that
alarming as they only constitute part of an average of 1,000 OFWs who return to
the country every month. The returning OFWs, he said, also included those whose
employment contracts abroad had expired. Roque said OFWs' employment termination this year including
those adversely affected by the financial crisis is at the same level as that
of 2007. He said that while almost 3,000 OFWs are deployed everyday,
only about a thousand OFWs return home every month indicating that the trend of
OFW retrenchments in the midst of the financial crisis is within the normal
level. (PIA) Gov’t employees to receive bonus
starting Dec 15 Government employees are in for an early Christmas treat as
they will receive their performance bonus, a maximum of P10,000 per employee,
starting Monday, 15 December 2008, “Budget release documents are already in order to
cover the performance bonus requirement of P7,000 per government employee
of the national government,” Budget and Management Secretary Rolando G. Andaya
Jr. announced today. Andaya said the remaining balance of P3,000 will come from
agency savings. Administrative Order No. 250, issued on December 10, 2008,
authorized the grant of the performance bonus (PerB) chargeable against the
unreleased appropriations under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund
(MPBF) and agency savings. The said A.O. allows the payment of the PerB
to all government personnel who have not received an additional year-end
benefit in FY 2008 over and above the benefit authorized under Republic Act
6686, as amended by R.A. No. 8441. The PerB is separate from the Year-End Bonus and cash gift
which have been given earlier to government workers. Last month, DBM released
some P11.6 billion to cover one-half of the year-end bonus and cash gift for
the more than one million employees of government. “The release of the performance bonus on top of the YEB is
our government’s way of making Christmas more cheerful for our civil servants,”
Andaya said. Entitled to receive the PerB are all personnel of national
government agencies (NGAs) and Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations
(GOCCs), including Government Financial Institutions (GFIs), whether permanent,
temporary, casual or contractual, and who have rendered at least four (4)
months of service as of November 30, 2008. “Government personnel who have rendered less than four (4)
months of service as of November 30, 2008 shall also be entitled to PerB on a
pro-rated basis,“ Andaya added. PerB for GOCCs and GFIs shall be charged against savings
from their respective approved corporate budgets while agencies belonging to
the Constitutional Offices/Fiscal Autonomy Group (CFAG) such as Congress,
the Judiciary, Commission on Audit, Civil Service Commission-Proper, Commission
on Elections, Commission on Human Rights, and Office of the Ombudsman
shall be charged against their available savings. The Budget Department has already released the corresponding
implementing guidelines (Budget Circular No. 2008-5) for the grant of the PerB.
DepEd, PNRC to promote first aid programs in schools MANILA (PNA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) and the
Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) joined hands to promote first aid programs
in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide and ensure the health and
safety of schoolchildren. The DepEd said this undertaking will ensure that teachers in
public elementary and high school teachers are equipped with first aid skills
and knowledge which they can use to protect their students. Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed DepEd to
include first-aid instructions in the school curriculum noting some tragic
stories of deaths and survivals of schoolchildren involved in accident in
schools. The PNRC said that it has recently distributed first aid
training mannequins to all chapters to enhance their training capability,
especially on cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which is a special technical
skill. Authorities and hog
raisers assuage fears on ebola reston strain
MANILA (PNA)-- The head of the country's hog and swine
farmers today assured local consumers it is safe to eat pork, notwithstanding
the reported detection by government authorities of the so-called ebola reston
strain found in at least Luzon-based pig farms. Alberto
Lim Jr., President of the National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. (NFHFI) made
the assurance as he sought to assuage fears that consuming pork will lead to
illnesses. “It is very safe to eat pork,” Lim stressed, emphasizing that ebola
reston virus strain "is non-pathogenic and not harmful to humans (since)
we cook the pork that we eat.” Lim
added there never was any confirmed report in the past that the virus caused
any harmful effect to the health of human beings. Besides, he said hands on pig
handlers and raisers on the four piggery farms where the virus was detected
were found to be free of any sickness or infection from the strain. Lim
also noted that even Health Secretary Francisco Duque gave assurances that the
virus is of “low pathogenicity” and different from the feared African ebola
virus. Duque
also said the detection of the ebola reston strain virus in the hogs is not a
human health problem but an animal health issue. Lim
also took the opportunity to remind the public that while pork is safe to eat,
consumers should buy only from vendors who are certified by the government’s
National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). NFHFI
condemned the proliferation and sale of "double dead" also called
"bocha" in tagalog and warned that this type of meat will definitely
affect public health. Mindanao’s
Cross-Section Reps to compose New Peace Panel
CAMP SIONGCO, Shariff Kabunsuan - The new government peace panel that would continue negotiations
with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front would be backed by a cross-section
Mindanao panel of advisers. Such was declared on Friday by Press Secretary Jesus Dureza
here at a media Christmas party whom he presided over on behalf of President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “Malacañang might announce in a matter of days the
composition of the new government peace panel,” Dureza said. Earlier, the Chief Executive has named Foreign Affairs
Undersecretary Rafael Seguis as the new government chief negotiator for the
MILF. “The President wants the new peace panel to comprise
representatives from Mindanao’s cross-section so let us just wait,” Dureza
said. (NYP/Joy P. Dimakiling/jmd/PNA/PIA12) Seven Abducted Gravel and Sand Haulers
Freed by their Captors in Basilan ISABELA CITY,
BASILAN - Sand haulers abducted last December 1, 2008 in Tuburan, Basilan were
released last Monday evening (Dec 8). 1st
Marine Brigade Commander, BGen Rustico O Guerrero, identified the victims as
Rodel Fernando, Joeber Natividad, Wagnerson Toledo, Albert Manolis, Tomas De
leon Jr, Alfredo Layam and Raffy Ragmak. The ten
wheeler truck where the victims were riding on was flagged down by a group of
10 armed men wearing masks and bonnets at Brgy Bato Babag, Tuburan
municipality. Geon
Arasad, a member of the MILF, is reportedly behind the abduction. The
release of the victims was facilitated by Lamitan Mayor. Roderick H Furigay.
The kidnappers initially negotiated with Alki Asbi, the ten wheeler truck’s
owner and the Brgy Captain of Brgy Bulanting, Lamitan City. Asbi
contacted thru cellphone the Marine Battalion Landing Team 7 commander, LtCol
Leonard Vincent Teodoro PN(M), and informed him about his negotiation with the
kidnappers. The Battalion commander who is responsible over the area, personally
monitored this case without letup until the captives were safely released. Meanwhile,
BGen Guerrero revealed that the combat operations made by the military in the
different parts of the province might have pressured the abductors forcing them
to release the victims. However,
News reports said that an undisclosed amount for “board and lodging fee” was
allegedly paid in exchange for the release of the kidnap victims. (1MBDE
/ PIA-BASULTA) DA Prepares Support Program for Hog Industry Amid
Reston Case The
Department of Agriculture (DA) is working on a support program to assist hog
producers in farms where the Ebola Reston virus had been detected and provide
incentives to other growers to encourage them to participate in the concerted
government program to stamp out this disease, which is not harmful to humans. This
planned program will include the acquisition of additional laboratory kits
needed to check the presence of this virus among local swine and a support
package to help livestock growers whose infected hogs will be culled or
destroyed by quick-response government teams led by the DA’s Bureau of Animal
Industry (BAI) to prevent the spread of the Reston disease among animals. “We will
purchase laboratory test kits and other materials necessary to quickly diagnose
the presence of the virus in hogs, and provide assistance to farmers to
encourage them to come forward and participate in the testing and disease
eradication program,” he said. This
developed as executives of international health institutions such as the World
Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) and the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) or World Animal Health
Organization commended Secretaries Arthur Yap of the DA and Francisco Duque of
the Department of Health (DOH) for their respective offices’ quick or
“appropriate action” in containing the latest resurfacing of the Reston virus,
which was earlier detected in two swine farms in certain parts of Luzon. PGMA calls for stronger human rights program Roxas City -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directs all
government offices and local government units (LGUs) to strengthen and enhance
human rights in the country. The
President's directive is contained in an Administrative Order which she signed
in line with the 60th anniversary celebration of the United Nations (UN)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). She also
sought help in the "solution to the murder of Popoy Lagman way back in
2001" which remains unsolved. The
President has assured guests, including members of the diplomatic corps and the
United Nations (UN), that her government is "working on the Millennium
Goals" and that Congress has so far passed many laws for the protection of
children, including the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.
PGMA visits
the wake for five marines killed in Basilan clashes President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited on Thursday the
wake for the five Marine soldiers who were killed during last Sunday's running
battles with combined Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and Abu
Sayyaf militants in al-Barka, Basilan that also resulted in the killing of nine
rebels. Other soldiers killed in action were Corporal Daniel
Discaya, 28-year-old of Pangasinan; Rodolfo Budino Jr., a 26-year-old private
first class; and, private Julius Delena, the youngest victim at 23, also of
Pangasinan. The President stayed for 30 minutes at the wake with the
bereaved families whom she handed with financial assistance. “I don’t know how to start again now that my husband is
gone. I would like to thank the President for personally expressing her
sympathy to us,” Abugan’s widow Luanne said. Mang Guillermo, the father of Alejo, told the President that
“I have already accepted the fate of my son who died serving our nation.” M/Gen. Dolorfino confirmed that MILF deputy commander Satar
Alih was among the rebel fighters killed in the Al-Barka town encounter. Among those wounded in Basilan encounter was Air Force pilot
Capt. Francis Vergara who was flying an OV-10 bomber plane. Children in evacuation centers at
Datu Piang receive anti-measles immunization
Cotabato City – Hundreds of children in the evacuation
centers at Datu Piang town in Maguindanao province received immunization
conducted recently by the Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM). Maguindanao provincial health officer Dr. Elizabeth Samama
said, the conduct of the latest mass immunization is over and above the
department’s regular immunization programs in the region. Since the conflict started, Samama said, five children at
the evacuation centers have died of measles due to congestion and unhealthy
environment and poor sanitation. Those who need medical attention are immediately confined
and isolated at nearby rural hospitals and clinics, she said. She stressed that while rural health workers are directed to
conduct regular camp visitation and to submit observation reports, they also
conduct advocacy campaign on cleanliness and sanitation, proper waste disposal and
personal hygiene among the internally displaced persons. DOH-ARMM, she added, targets to immunize some 20,000
children in the autonomous region this year. Aside from the anti-measles immunization, they also give
Vitamin A supplement to their target beneficiaries, Dr. Samama stressed. (pbc/PIA) Fighting erupts anew in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town Cotabato City – A heavy encounter between the troops of the
601st Brigade and the rogue elements of the MILF erupted anew
yesterday in Barangay Tatapan in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town. Col Julieto Ando, spokesman of the 6th Infantry
Division told the media that before the incident, civilians in the reported to
the authorities about the presence of armed men were at the vicinity of the
said barangay. The armed group he was told were out to take get stocks of
rice which are intended for distribution to the IDPs in the area. Ando said, the troops from the 69th IB who are
securing the area immediately responded and heavy exchange of gunfire
ensued. Due to the intensity of
firefight, the military decided to use air assets and artillery support which
lasted about noon time yesterday. Although the encounter area is at the interior part of
Barangay Tatapan, the highway leading to Datu Piang was closed to traffic for
the safety of the commuters, Ando said. With the incident, Ando expressed utmost regret that efforts
to resettle the IDPs to their respective places of origin has been wasted
again. The IDPs are still hesitant to
return to their homes because of the alleged threat that attacks are expected
from these groups. The military, together with local and national government
agencies has been joining efforts to convince the evacuees to return to their
respective barangays, Ando said. (CLC/PIA Cotabato City) Military foils bomb attempts
by LMG ICC General Santos City - Military have foiled two improvised bombs from exploding thus
saving the lives of officials of the United Nations (UN) who were passing
through Tenorio area in Shariff Kabunsuan. Lt. Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the Army’s 6th Infantry
Division said the attempted bombing happened just near public market in
Tenorio, few kilometers from Camp Siongco, 6th ID command center. He
opined that perpetrators made the attempt in a bid to create trouble as UN
officials would be passing by at an adjacent national highway on their way to
Datu Piang, Maguindanao. According to military reports UN officials were
passing the area to inspect relief sites at Datu Piang for the internally
displaced persons (IDPs) who recently bolted out from their houses as a result
of armed conflicts between the military and lawless Moro Islamic Liberation
Front group (LMG). Immediately, the Army’s 6th Ordnance Battalion
deactivated the two explosives that were shaped from 81 MM mortar rounds with
battery-operated blasting device and attached to mobile phones. Witnesses said the improvised explosives came from a
Green-colored vehicle that also boarded the suspected bombers who were
allegedly responsible in dropping the bombs at the scene. Ando attributed the prompt recovery of the bomb to
the people in the area "who saw the passengers of the vehicle drop very
suspicious boxes at both sides of a road near the public market.” He said they were the ones who immediately reported it to
the police. Government authorities have been going relentlessly without
let up after Kato and his followers who remain at large until now. (PIA
SarGen) |
