In line with the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Philippines’ National Hero, President Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III announced through his Proclamation No. 154 that June 20, 2011 (Monday) will be a Special Non-Working Holiday. This is to commemorate Rizal’s patriotic deeds and sacrifices for the country. There will be different activities and ceremonies in all part of the country headed by National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP, who also requested Malacanang to declare June 20 as a special non working holiday instead of June 19 , which falls on Sunday.
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Showing posts with label government. Show all posts
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
CODE-NGO, media hold dialogue on PEACe Bonds
The Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) conducted a roundtable discussion Monday with members of the media to clear confusion over the Poverty Eradication and Alleviation Certificates (PEACe Bonds).
The matter of the PEACe Bonds has stirred much publicity and controversy since the recent appointment of former CODE-NGO chair Corazon “Dinky” Soliman as Social Welfare Secretary by Pres. Aquino. It has also generated interest as the bonds are set to mature in October 2011. Throughout the discussion, CODE-NGO and some business reporters lamented that some facts about the transaction are not being properly reported, were twisted or just disregarded.
“We are here, conducting this dialogue because we want to keep the public informed. We want to be transparent and honest regarding the conduct of the PEACe Bonds transaction and how the trading gain from the private capital market, is being managed and used for poverty alleviation” said CODE-NGO executive director Sixto Donato Macasaet.
The net trading gain of P1.4 billion was remitted to CODE-NGO by its agent, RCBC, which bought the PEACe Bonds through a public auction from the government in 2001 and sold them in turn to private investors. The Arroyo administration, on the other hand, received the full net present value of the 10 year bonds at that time, which was P10.17 billion.
The 1.4 billion trading gain, which are in fact private funds, has since been entrusted as an endowment fund to the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), which manages and preserves the fund for poverty alleviation projects. The utilization of the fund as well as PEF accomplishments has always been made available to the public through its website, http://www.pef.ph/.
Former PEF treasurer Senen C. Bacani, however, clarified that neither PEF nor CODE-NGO has information on how the money generated from the auction of the PEACe bonds was spent as the P10.17 billion went to the government and not to the CODE-NGO network.
“Critics are barking up the wrong tree. CODE-NGO and PEF can explain how the 1.4 billion, a private fund, is being utilized for projects to assist poverty-stricken Filipinos, especially those in the rural areas. But if you want to know how the P10.17 billion government money was spent, it would be best to ask the people who ran the government at that time.”
Vitaliano Nanagas II, a banking and financial adviser, refuted allegations that the auction of the zero coupon bonds was rigged. The banks involved in the public auction acknowledged that the CODE-NGO offer was lower. The sale was conducted through an auction, wherein the lowest bid wins. CODE-NGO and its agent RCBC had to outbid 14 prominent banks to purchase the PEACe Bonds.
“We were out-bid,” said Nanagas. “I was working for a bank at that time and honestly, mas mababa talaga yung submission ng CODE-NGO.” (RCBC's bid for CODE NGO was truly lower than ours).”
CODE-NGO board members were asked if they were willing to face another Senate investigation into the PEACe Bonds. Macasaet and Bacani said they will continue to appear in inquiries whenever asked, and present documents supporting the legality of the PEACe Bonds. Moreover, regarding the current congressional hearings on the issue, they are hoping for a final report from the House of Representatives to bring closure to the matter, as declared by the Resolution author, Cong. Rufus Rodriguez. The Senate and the House separately investigated the PEACe Bonds in 2002, but neither ever released a committee report.
“We are willing and ready to appear at any hearing to show there is nothing illegal about the PEACe Bonds.”
Bacani ended the forum by assuring reporters that Hector Soliman, spouse of Dinky Soliman, was never involved in the PEACe Bonds transaction. “It is true that Hector was Corporate Secretary of the PEF board, but I assure you he had nothing to do with the PEACE Bonds. He has long worked with NGOs and is known to those in the PEF Board who come from NGOs. We asked him to help out with the SEC registration of PEF and that lasted for only about five months.”
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Monday, October 25, 2010
Go out and vote for Baranggay and Sanguniang Kabataan Election
It will be manual voting for this election that is why it is necessary to bring the Voter’s ID, any valid IDs that will proof your identity (if you don’t have you’re voter’s id), extra pen, and patience. The voting precincts will accept registered voters from 7 am to 3pm only and there will be no extension. There are several areas that will re-schedule their election because of the flood and damage done by Typhoon Juan (Megi).
Election proves our sovereignty and our responsibility to share our nation’s future, do your task as a responsible citizen and let your vote count. Go out on the Brgy and SK election and vote with a clear conscience. For those who saw anomalies during the election send reports to Boto Mo i-Patrol Mo, text ireport (name, address and message) and send to 2366, and on posting via online use #halalan hashtag and mention any of the following on twitter @bayanmo, @tvpatrol @abscbnnews and @ancalerts.
*Photos were taken during the 2010 Presidential Election in May 11.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
World Food Programme celebrates National Leadership to end Hunger and Malnutrition
ROME –The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today marks World Food Day by celebrating the bold leadership and outstanding contributions of national governments toward lasting solutions to hunger and malnutrition.
“When we act together we have the power to bring about real change in the lives of millions of people who would otherwise struggle to feed their families,” said WFP Deputy Executive Director for Hunger Solutions, Sheila Sisulu. “Through our partnerships with governments, local authorities and small-scale farmers, WFP is helping to roll out innovative programmes that boost nutrition, and build sustainable solutions to hunger.”
Just last month, the government of Cape Verde took over full ownership of the national school meals programme after more than three decades of cooperation with WFP. The transition is a glowing example of a country-led solution to hunger, and maintains a programme that helps children to develop healthy minds and bodies while investing in the future of Cape Verde and its people.
“Leaders are seizing the opportunity to align effective policies, programmes and resources behind national and regional priorities,” Sisulu added, highlighting the impact of comprehensive national strategies designed to boost farm production, improve nutrition, strengthen social protection systems and ensure that children have access to the right food at the right time.
With unparalleled deep field presence in more than 70 countries around the world and more than four decades of experience meeting the food and nutritional needs of women, children and families, WFP is proud to work closely with national governments, foundations, private sector businesses, NGOs and others to inform the development of country-led food security plans and support their successful execution.
In many of the regions where WFP works, countries are leading the way in developing food and nutrition safety nets. WFP plays a vital supporting role by providing the expertise, resources to design, scale up and connect these sustainable and innovative programmes and transform a bold vision for lasting food security into a concrete reality for many in need.
“We believe that, working together with the communities we serve as well as with our government and NGO partners, the fight against hunger is a winnable one”, said WFP Philippines Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson.
An innovative combination of political will, resources and convergence of efforts and application of appropriate technology is crucial for the Philippines.
“We need a ‘business unusual’ approach in the country –that is, boosting our support to the government’s expanding safety net activities while also implementing programmes aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and nutrition at the household level and promotion of decent employment opportunities to ensure sustainable access to food,” Anderson added.
The theme of this year’s World Food Day - “United Against Hunger” – was chosen to recognise efforts made in the fight against hunger at national, regional and international levels. WFP’s contribution to country-led food security plans builds on this theme through the deployment of an array of innovative tools that vary from country to country. All are focused on harnessing agricultural potential to improve access to the nutritious food that is the building block of life. Examples include:
EGYPT –WFP and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) have been working with the government of Egypt on a nationwide project to fortify wheat flour – the basic ingredient in the staple food, baladi bread – and thereby protect 50 million Egyptians from anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies. The successful implementation of the flour fortification programme resulted in the Government of Egypt's adoption of a new national programme with WFP to fortify subsidized vegetable oil with vitamins A and D, reaching over 60 million Egyptians.
GHANA – WFP’s school meals programme in Ghana now provides midday meals for 150,000 children a day, using food that is grown by Ghanaian farmers. Working with the government and purchasing school meal food locally, WFP is supporting education, increasing the income of local farmers and reducing short-term hunger and malnutrition by providing food fortified with vitamins and minerals.
GUATEMALA – WFP’s innovative Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative utilises WFP’s purchasing power to help connect farmers to markets and enhance agricultural production. In Guatemala, this meant that 48 women from a farmers’ organisation were empowered to sell directly to WFP, rather than through a middle man, and to dry and clean their maize themselves rather than through a local mill. This enabled the women to achieve a better price for better quality produce.
BANGLADESH – WFP is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh to build community resilience to natural disasters. Climate change adaptation strategies have already resulted in 30,000 homesteads being raised above flood levels, and 1.6 million women being trained in disaster preparedness. This partnership has spanned 30 years, during which time 26,000 km of raised rural roads have been built keeping millions of people linked with markets during floods, and 17,000 km of river and coastal embankments constructed/rehabilitated, protecting agricultural land from salt water intrusion, siltation and erosion.
PHILIPPINES – WFP, through the EU-funded Food Facility, is working closely with the Government of the Philippines in implementing Food for Asset (FFA) programmes in the conflict-affected areas of Central Mindanao. Under the FFA programme, food assistance is provided through community-managed livelihood activities focused on early recovery in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) return areas. Such livelihood support activities—rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, farmer field schools training, reconstruction of irrigation canals and the like—encourage communities to be progressively self-sufficient whilst rehabilitating important communal assets and developing relevant livelihood skills.
In the Philippines, WFP is celebrating World Food Day on Sunday, 17 October, in coordination with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and government agencies in Lanao del Sur where the community and the local government has targeted to plant a total of two (2) million fruit trees all over the province as a sign of their unity to fight against hunger and establish food security in the region.
“When we act together we have the power to bring about real change in the lives of millions of people who would otherwise struggle to feed their families,” said WFP Deputy Executive Director for Hunger Solutions, Sheila Sisulu. “Through our partnerships with governments, local authorities and small-scale farmers, WFP is helping to roll out innovative programmes that boost nutrition, and build sustainable solutions to hunger.”
Just last month, the government of Cape Verde took over full ownership of the national school meals programme after more than three decades of cooperation with WFP. The transition is a glowing example of a country-led solution to hunger, and maintains a programme that helps children to develop healthy minds and bodies while investing in the future of Cape Verde and its people.
“Leaders are seizing the opportunity to align effective policies, programmes and resources behind national and regional priorities,” Sisulu added, highlighting the impact of comprehensive national strategies designed to boost farm production, improve nutrition, strengthen social protection systems and ensure that children have access to the right food at the right time.
With unparalleled deep field presence in more than 70 countries around the world and more than four decades of experience meeting the food and nutritional needs of women, children and families, WFP is proud to work closely with national governments, foundations, private sector businesses, NGOs and others to inform the development of country-led food security plans and support their successful execution.
In many of the regions where WFP works, countries are leading the way in developing food and nutrition safety nets. WFP plays a vital supporting role by providing the expertise, resources to design, scale up and connect these sustainable and innovative programmes and transform a bold vision for lasting food security into a concrete reality for many in need.
“We believe that, working together with the communities we serve as well as with our government and NGO partners, the fight against hunger is a winnable one”, said WFP Philippines Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson.
An innovative combination of political will, resources and convergence of efforts and application of appropriate technology is crucial for the Philippines.
“We need a ‘business unusual’ approach in the country –that is, boosting our support to the government’s expanding safety net activities while also implementing programmes aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and nutrition at the household level and promotion of decent employment opportunities to ensure sustainable access to food,” Anderson added.
The theme of this year’s World Food Day - “United Against Hunger” – was chosen to recognise efforts made in the fight against hunger at national, regional and international levels. WFP’s contribution to country-led food security plans builds on this theme through the deployment of an array of innovative tools that vary from country to country. All are focused on harnessing agricultural potential to improve access to the nutritious food that is the building block of life. Examples include:
EGYPT –WFP and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) have been working with the government of Egypt on a nationwide project to fortify wheat flour – the basic ingredient in the staple food, baladi bread – and thereby protect 50 million Egyptians from anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies. The successful implementation of the flour fortification programme resulted in the Government of Egypt's adoption of a new national programme with WFP to fortify subsidized vegetable oil with vitamins A and D, reaching over 60 million Egyptians.
GHANA – WFP’s school meals programme in Ghana now provides midday meals for 150,000 children a day, using food that is grown by Ghanaian farmers. Working with the government and purchasing school meal food locally, WFP is supporting education, increasing the income of local farmers and reducing short-term hunger and malnutrition by providing food fortified with vitamins and minerals.
GUATEMALA – WFP’s innovative Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative utilises WFP’s purchasing power to help connect farmers to markets and enhance agricultural production. In Guatemala, this meant that 48 women from a farmers’ organisation were empowered to sell directly to WFP, rather than through a middle man, and to dry and clean their maize themselves rather than through a local mill. This enabled the women to achieve a better price for better quality produce.
BANGLADESH – WFP is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh to build community resilience to natural disasters. Climate change adaptation strategies have already resulted in 30,000 homesteads being raised above flood levels, and 1.6 million women being trained in disaster preparedness. This partnership has spanned 30 years, during which time 26,000 km of raised rural roads have been built keeping millions of people linked with markets during floods, and 17,000 km of river and coastal embankments constructed/rehabilitated, protecting agricultural land from salt water intrusion, siltation and erosion.
PHILIPPINES – WFP, through the EU-funded Food Facility, is working closely with the Government of the Philippines in implementing Food for Asset (FFA) programmes in the conflict-affected areas of Central Mindanao. Under the FFA programme, food assistance is provided through community-managed livelihood activities focused on early recovery in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) return areas. Such livelihood support activities—rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads, farmer field schools training, reconstruction of irrigation canals and the like—encourage communities to be progressively self-sufficient whilst rehabilitating important communal assets and developing relevant livelihood skills.
In the Philippines, WFP is celebrating World Food Day on Sunday, 17 October, in coordination with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and government agencies in Lanao del Sur where the community and the local government has targeted to plant a total of two (2) million fruit trees all over the province as a sign of their unity to fight against hunger and establish food security in the region.
Monday, October 11, 2010
For MTRCB Chair: Poe is IN, Laguardia is OUT
The appointment of Grace happens last October 10 as announced by Malacanang. According to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III based his appointments on their credentials and track records. Poe-Llamanzares, through his father she was exposed in a life of movies and entertainment where she will have an edge to lead the said agency. While on the other hand, Laguardia will be appointed to other positions by Aquino according some reports.
Aside from Poe-Llamanzares, Malacanang also announces the appointment of Attorney Jose Luis Gascon as board member of the Bases Conversion Development Authority, Joseph Peter S. Sison as president of National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation, and Nestor P. Palabyab as deputy executive director of Philippine Trade Training Center. There are also reports that Manuel “Manolo” Lopez former head of the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) will be replacing Domingo Siazon Jr.as the Ambassador of the Philippines in Japan and there will be more appointments and naming of new positions for the Aquino administration who had just celebrated its 100 days in power.
With reports from GMANews.tv
Image (Screen Grab) from TV Patrol's Star Patrol (June 25, 2010)
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