Ang pagsailalim sa workshop ng mga local executive at disaster manager ng NCR, kasama ang mga karatig-lalawigan nito, bilang paghahanda sa posibleng pagdating ng mga kalamidad (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines —Sumasailalim sa workshop ang mga local executive at disaster manager ng National Capital Region (NCR) bilang paghahanda sa posibleng pagdating ng kalamidad.

Sa naturang workshop, ipinakita ni Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Director Renato Solidum ang panganib at posibleng magiging pinsala kung magkakaroon ng malakas na lindol sa kalakhang Maynila.

Ayon kay Solidum, tinatayang aabot sa 30-libo katao ang posibleng masawi at aabot sa P2.3 billion na mga ari-arian ang posibleng masira sakaling magkaroon ng 7.2 magnitude na lindol.

Ibinase ito sa pag-aaral at naging karanasan ng bansa sa mga nakalipas na kalamidad.

“Nagpapakita tayo ng mga sinaryo, bago pa man mangyari sinasabi na. Thru the maps, thru the information. Nagpapakita din ang DOST ng mga tools. Nagpapaunawa kung paano maintindihan ang mga posibleng mangyari, mga warning at may workshops na titingnan kung may plano na ba sila, kung may plano, sapat na ba ito,” ani Solidum.

Sa dalawang araw na workshop ay ide-demonstrate ang gagawing rescue operations at mga pamamaraan sa pagsaagawa ng mabilis na relief operations.

Ituturo rin ang natukoy na entry point ng transportasyon gaya ng airport at seaport para sa pagdadala ng mga tulong.

“Nasira ang ospital, ang airport o seaport o nawalan ng tubig, dapat mag-set na tayo ng time para maka-recover na tayo agad at maibalik natin yung serbisyo kahit hindi 100%.”

Ayon kay Solidum, dapat ay mas handa ang Metro Manila dahil narito ang national offices ng pamahalaan.

Inimbitahan din sa workshop ang mga karatig lalawigan na inaasahang unang sasaklo sakaling tamaan ng kalamidad ang kalakhang Maynila.

“Maganda ito kasi nandito ngayon hindi lang Metro Manila. Nandito rin yung tutulong sa Metro Manila, Laguna, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite,  Rizal, so nandito sila eh. So maganda na malaman nila yung scenario sa Metro Manila na kung saan baka yung ating mga responders ay biktima rin,” pahayag ni MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.

Nais ding maiwasan ng gobyerno ang lawak ng pinsalang nangyari sa pananalasa ng bagyong Milenyo at Ondoy noong 2006 at 2009.

Sa pamamagitan naman ng PAGASA at ng Project Noah, may mga early warning system na ring inihanda ang DOST upang makapagsagawa ng maagang evacuation sa mga lugar na maaring babahain kung may paparating na bagyo. (Rey Pelayo / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Supt. James Ramirez habang iniinspeksyon ang isa sa mga dormitoryo sa U-belt bilang paghahanda sa darating na pasukan (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines — Ininspeksyon ng Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Manila district ang ilang dormitoryo sa university belt sa Maynila  bilang paghahanda sa muling pagbubukas ng klase kaninang umaga.

Kabilang sa mga inspeksyon ang St. Claire dormitory at Monchere dormitory.

Ayon sa BFP, mahalagang suriing mabuti ang mga dormitoryo upang makasigurong ligtas itong tirhan.

Payo ng BFP sa mga nagpaplanong tumira sa mga  dormitoryo na siguruhing mayroong permit to operate at fire safety inspection certificate ang mga may-ari.

Dapat ding tiyakin na mayroong mga fire extinguisher at fire exit sakaling magkaroon ng sunog.

Hindi rin dapat na nakakandado ang mga bintana upang mabilis na makalabas ang mga estudyante mula sa kanilang mga kwarto kung may emergency.

Mahalaga din na magkaroon ng mga fire alarm system upang agad na malaman ng mga estudyante sakaling may nagaganap na sunog.

Importante rin na mayroong mga water sprinkler na panlaban sa sunog.

Ang ibang dormitory ay mayroong nakatalagang mga security guard at CCTV upang ma-monitor ang buong paligid ng dormitoryo.

Samantala, ang iba naman ay mayroon ng mga evacuation plan, upang malaman ng mga estudyante ang gagawin sakaling magkaroon ng untoward incident.

Dapat din na may emergency lights ang bawat dormitoryo bilang alternatibong ilaw kapag brown out.

Ayon sa BFP, ang alinmang dormitoryo na hindi makasusunod sa itinakdang standard ay maaring i-report sa kanilang tanggapan upang mabigyan ito ng notice to comply.

“Kapag may nakikita tayong violations sa mga establishments, ‘wag magatubili na lumapit sa aming tanggapan o isumbong sa aming opisina. Itawag lang,  para mapuntahan at ma-check namin yung violation. Sakaling hindi pa rin makasunod sa standard ang mga may-ari ay maari na ito isyuhan  ng closure order ”, pahayag ni Supt. James Ramirez.

Dagdag pa nito, “Meron tayong certain grace period sa mga certain violations. Very specific yun. Kapag di nakapag-comply sa grace period na yun, bibigyan natin sila ng fine. After ng fine kapag di pa rin nagcomply ire-recommend natin sila for closure”. (Joan Nano/UNTV News)

Istik ng isang sigarilyo na malapit ng maubos (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines — Naramdaman na sa bansa ang epekto ng pagpapatupad  ng Sin Tax Law.

Ayon sa Department of Health (DOH), sa resulta ng survey ng Social Weather Stations nito lamang Marso, lumabas na epektibo ang batas sa pagpapababa ng bilang ng mga naninigarilyo lalo na sa mga kabataan at mga mahihirap.

Isinagawa ang survey sa 1,200 respondents sa buong bansa.

Base sa socio-economic status, ang class-E o very poor ay bumaba ang bilang ng mga naninigarilyo sa 25% ngayong Marso mula sa dating 38% noong Disyembre 2012.

Habang bumaba sa 18% ang mga naninigarilyo na may edad 18-24 na taong gulang  mula sa dating 38% .

 “Kung na-reduce na yan at the early stage, future smokers will be reduce also”, saad ni DOH USec. Namesio Gako.

45% naman sa mga naninigarilyo ay hindi pa rin humihinto kundi lumipat lamang  ng  ibang brand ng sigarilyo na mas mura ang halaga.

Lumabas din sa survey na  67%  ng mga Pilipinong naninigarilyo ang  bumibili  ng patingi-tingi  na nagkakahalaga ng   3 piso lamang kada istik ng sigarilyo.

“Yun ang sinasabi ng taga-Department of Finance na kung meron lang sanang isang form of taxation sa lahat, then walang pupuntahan ang smoker but to stick to that brand”, ani Gako.

Noong 2013 ay kumita  ng P45.1 billion  mula sa Sin Tax  ang pamahalaan na ipinandagdag umano sa budget ng kagawaran para sa expansion ng PhilHealth coverage ng 14.7 million na mga mahihirap na Pilipino.

“Lumaki ang ating budget by 27% at ito’y ginagamit natin sa iba’t-ibang programa ng department”, dagdag ni Gako.

Sa paghahalintulad naman ng World Health Organization (WHO) , makabibili ka na ng halos 2 kilo ng bigas o 1 dosena ng itlog sa halaga ng 1 kaha  ng sigarilyo.

Bukas ay ipagdiriwang ang “World No Tobacco Day” bilang bahagi ng kampanya kontra sa paninigarilyo.

Sa datos ng WHO, nasa 6 na milyon ang namamatay kada taon dahil sa paninigarilyo at ang 600 libo dito ay dahil sa  2^nd hand smoking o mga nakalanghap lamang ng usok ng sigarilyo.

“The Philippines is already the 12^th most populated country in the world. So what we really want is to invest in a smoke free youth. That would be fantastic”, pahayag ni Dr. Julie Hall, WHO country representative. (Rey Pelayo/UNTV News)

Ilan sa mga mamamayang Pilipino habang naghihintay ng pampasaherong jeep na kanilang masasakyan (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines —Pinayagan ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) ang singkwenta sentimos (P0.50) na dagdag pasahe sa mga jeep.

Epektibo simula June 14 ay ipapatupad na ito sa buong NCR, region 3 at region 4.

Kung dati ay eight pesos (P8.00) ang minimum fare ay  magiging eight fifty (P8.50)  na ito.

Ibig sabihin, singkwenta sentimos sa unang apat na kilometro habang P1.50 naman sa mga susunod na kilometro.

Mayroon pa ring 20% na discount na ipagkakaloob sa mga estudyante at mga senior citizens.

Ayon sa LTFRB, ang singkwenta sentimos na dagdag pasahe ay dumaan sa masusing pag-aaral na suportado ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

“Yung hinihiling po nila na two pesos na masyadong mataas ay magkakaroon ng malaking impact sa ating ekonomiya kapag ibibigay po namin.lahat yun. Kaya kami ay nagdesisyon, base na rin sa aming computation at rekomendasyon ng NEDA, na ang reasonable rate of increase na kayang ma-absorb ng ekonomiya at hindi makaapekto sa ating mamayan ay nasa singkwenta sentimos sa.first four kilometers at ten centavo sa every succeding kilometer”, pahayag ni LTFRB Chairman Atty. Winston Ginez.

Masaya naman ang mga jeepney operator sa naging desisyon ng ahensya.

Ayon sa kanila, bagamat dalawang piso ang kanilang kahilingan ay payag na sila sa singkwenta sentimos upang hindi naman masyado makabigat sa mga pasahero.

“Dun sa nakita nating singkwenta sentimos, hindi na po kami nagrereklamo dun dahil tinignan din po namin benefit ng taong bayan at mananakay”, saad ni Association of Coach Training Organizations (ACTO) President  Efren De Luna.

Ayon sa mga jeepney operator, siguradong malaking tulong ito sa mga jeepney driver.

“Nakakasigurong may dagdag sa kita nila, isang daan sa isang araw ang dagdag. Break even ang sinasabi ko”, ani Zenny Maranan, presidente ng Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP).

Samantala, tinutulan naman ito ng National Council for Commuters Protection (NCCP).

Ayon sa isang text message ni NCCP President Elvira Medina, hindi ito makatarungan at lalo lamang magpapahirap sa mga driver dahil mas lalong lalaki ang kanilang boundary.

May  ilang mananakay na tutol din tulad ni Josie Pagarigan,  “Magpapasukan na pati mga estudyante naming mga anak. Panay bagong dagdag na naman sa allowance yun kasi madadagdagan ang pamasahe”.

“Pag tumaas sweldo, payag ako”, komento rin ng isang commuter na si Melly Rosima.

Nilinaw  naman ng LTFRB na hindi pwedeng ipatupad ang dagdag pasahe kung walang kopya ng fare matrix na manggagaling sa LTFRB.

Ang aprubadong fare matrix ay ipamimigay ng LTFRB ng libre sa mga driver simula June 9 hanggang June 13

Maaari itong makuha sa lahat ng tanggapan  ng LTFRB o di kaya ay i-download sa website ng ahensya. (Mon Jocson/UNTV News)

CREDIT: REUTERS/ROMEO RANOCO

(Reuters) – Philippine security forces have arrested a Muslim rebel responsible for the death of two U.S. servicemen in a September 2009 roadside bombing on the remote southern island of Jolo, a police general said on Monday.

Jolo is the hotbed of Muslim rebels and al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants. Dozens of U.S. troops are still deployed there to train and advise Filipino troops in fighting the small but violent Abu Sayyaf group.

The group carries out extortions and kidnappings for ransom. The militants are holding hostage three Chinese, two Germans, a Japanese, a Swiss and a Dutch national. They recently freed a Chinese woman and a Filipino resort worker. [ID:nL3N0OH04D]

A team of policemen and soldiers surprised Miraji Bairullah, also known as Mahang, in his hideout on Sunday morning outside the town of Indanan on the island, said Benjamin Magalong, head of a police criminal investigation and detection group.

“Mahang was escorted to Zamboanga City, where he is facing multiple murder charges,” Magalong said, adding that the United States had expressed interest in the case. “He is an expert bomb-maker who trained under Jemaah Islamiyah and al Qaeda.”

He said Mahang was believed to be a member of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which assembled an improvised bomb that killed two U.S. soldiers and a Filipino marine in Indanan in 2009.

The troops were on their way to inspect a school project when their vehicle, a Humvee, rolled over an improvised bomb. Three soldiers were killed and three were wounded.

In March, the government and the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, reached a deal to end 45 years of conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people, displaced 2 million and stunted economic growth.

(Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

Ang ilan sa mga kawani ng Pambansang Pulisya na dumestino sa mga paaralan upang tiyakin ang seguridad at kapayapaan sa muling pagbabalik-eskwela ng mga mag-aaral ngayong araw ng Lunes, June 02, 2014. (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines — Mapayapa sa pangkalahatan ang unang araw ng klase sa mga pampublikong paaralan ngayong araw, Lunes.

Sinabi ni PNP PIO Chief P/CSupt. Reuben Theodore Sindac na bagama’t nasa mahigit 20-milyong estudyante ang dumagsa sa mga paaralan sa buong bansa ay wala naman silang naitalang krimen.

“Naging maayos at mapayapa at naging smooth ang unang salvo ng pagbabalik ng ating mga magaaral sa kani kanilang eskwelahan.”

Ipinagmalaki din ng pamunuan ng PNP na mahigit 18-libong tauhan ang kanilang itinalaga sa may 7,500 police assistance desk sa mga eskwelahan sa buong bansa.

Habang 2,500 namang mga pulis sa Metro Manila ang naka-concentrate sa pagbabantay sa paligid ng mga paaralan.

“We have deploy more or less 18K personnel nationwide,” pahayag ni PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima.

Kabilang sa mga tinututukan ng mga pulis ang mga petty crimes tulad ng snatching, robbery at hold up na kadalasang mga estudyante ang biktima.

Binabantayan din ng mga ito ang balitang pambibiktima ng mga drug pusher sa mga estudyante.

“Binabantayan namin yung “libreng tikim” kaya’t nananawagan kami sa mga kabataan na huwag tumanggap ng kahit anong pagkain o regalo sa hindi nila kilalang tao o sa estranghero,” pahayag pa ni Sindac. (Lea Ylagan / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

FILE PHOTO: Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines – Tinatayang tataas ang presyo ng Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) ngayong buwan ng Hunyo.

Una nang nagtaas ang Petron ng 15-sentimos sa presyo ng kada kilo ng LPG habang 8-sentimo naman sa auto LPG.

Wala namang magiging paggalaw sa presyo ng Solane at EC Gas.

Ayon sa Isla LPG at Eastern Petroleum, ito ay dahil wala silang nakikitang malaking pagbabago sa contract prices ngayong Hunyo.

Samantala, wala pang abiso ang iba pang kumpanya kaugnay sa LPG price adjustment. (UNTV News)

Ang isinagawang press conference sa pangunguna ng New Vois assocoiation of the Philippines (NVAP) na may layon na isulong ang karapatang pantao sa epekto ng paninigarilyo (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines – Pinangunahan ng New Vois Assocoiation of the Philippines ang rally ng ilang health advocate sa Commission on Human Rights (CHR) kaninang umaga.

Nais ng grupo na isulong  ang karapatang pantao sa right to information sa epekto ng paninigarilyo.

Bukod pa dito, ang right to health na dapat ay tinatamasa na ng bawat isa.

Suportado naman ng CHR ang kampanya ng mga anti-smoking group.

Ayon kay CHR Chairperson Etta Rosales, nararapat igalang ng lahat ang polisiyang no-smoking zones.

Sinabi ni Rosales na nakasasama rin sa kalusugan ng tao ang second hand smoking kaya ipinagbabawal ng Department of Health ang paninigarilyo sa mga tanggapan, eroplano, restaurants at iba pang pampublikong lugar.

Dagdag pa nito, mismo sa kanyang tanggapan ay bawal ang paninigarilyo.

“Panganib kapag ang isang tao naninigarilyo. Lahat nung nasa tabi nya eh apektado kahit hindi sila naninigarilyo. So paglabag din yan sa karapatang pantao nung mga nasa tabi nya ng naninigarilyo”.

Samantala, patuloy na isinusulong ng New Vois na lakihan ang graphic health warning sa mga pakete ng sigarilyo.

Anila, dapat hindi bumaba sa 60% ang  graphic warning.

Nito lamang Miyerkules, ipinasa sa House Committee on Health ang 40% na graphic image of smoking hazards.

Samantala hindi naman bababa sa  50 percent  ang isinusulong sa senado.

“Ang tinutulak mataas 80-85% dahil ito na po ang tinutulak sa ibang bansa ngunit ang lumalabas ay 40%. Iisa lang po ang ibig sabihin nyan, impluwensyado po sila ng tobacco industries”, pahayag ni New Vois Association of the Philippines President Emer Rojas.

Umaasa naman ang mga proponent ng panukala na makakasama ang New Vois sa bi-cameral conference upang maisulong pa ang mas mataas sa 40% graphic health warning.

“Actually karamihan po ng mga bills eh 60% pataas ang panawagan, ang pinakamababa ay bill ni congressman singson na 30% pero nung nagkaroon ng mahabang-mahabang pag-uusap, pumatak na lang sa 40%”, saad naman ni Akbayan Party List Representative Barry Gutierrez. (Pong Mercado, UNTV News)

Human Rights Victims Claims Board Chairperson Lina Sarmiento (UNTV News)

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Nakapagtala na ng mahigit sa tatlong daan na natatanggap na aplikante ang Human Rights Victims Claims Board para sa biktima ng Martial Law na nais makakuha ng kompensasyon.

Suhestyon ni HRVCB Chairperson Lina Sarmiento, agahan ng iba pang Martial Law victims ang pagsumite ng application  sa kanilang tanggapan sa UP Diliman at huwag ng hintayin pa ang November deadline.

“Kung titingnan natin yung datos ng mga nag-apply sa class suit, 600 dito sa Metro Manila. So, medyo lampas na tayo sa kalahati considering na wala pa tayong 1 buwan. Pero nanawagan tayo sa ating mga kababayan na kung maaari [ay] huwag na nilang hintayin ang deadline na November 10, 2014 para sila ay mag-file ng application,” ani Chairperson Sarmiento.

Sa Lunes ay magkakaroon ng caravan sa Angeles City Session Hall upang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga biktimang malapit sa lugar upang makapag-file ng kanilang aplikasyon.

Magsasagawa rin ng caravan sa iba pang lugar sa bansa.

Pahayag pa ni Sarmiento, “Abangan nila yung ating mobile team sa kanilang mga lugar para hindi na sila pumunta sa atin dito sa ating opisina sa UP Diliman.”

Nanawagan naman si Sarmiento sa mga gustong tumulong na sana ay gawin na lamang itong libreng serbisyo at huwag nang pagbayarin pa ang mga claimant.

Ito ay dahil sa may  nakararating sa kanilang balita  na may mga kumukontrata sa mga biktima ng Martial Law na ang kapalit ay bahagi sa  salapi na matatanggap mula sa gobyerno.

Ani Chairwoman, “Yung isang [nababalitaan] ay 10% yung hinihingi, yung isa namang narinig natin sa bandang Visayas 30% naman daw ang hinihingi kung sakaling makapag-claim yung taong in-approach nila.”

Nagbabala rin ang claims board sa publiko na mag-ingat sa mga posibleng magpanggap na konektado sa kanilang opisina at tutulungan silang mapabilis ang proseso ng kanilang application.

Nilinaw ni Sarmiento na libre ang mga application forms at maaari itong ma-download sa kanilang website na  www.hrvclaimsboard.gov.ph.

“Wala kaming sinomang binigyan ng pahintulot na maging ahente namin o mag-offer ng kanyang serbisyo na may kapalit na bayad.”

Bilin ng claims board sa mga aplikante na dalhin ang dokumentong makapagpapatunay na sila ay biktima ng Martial Law.

“Maaaring ang ibidensyang ito ay isang kopya ng ASO, PDA o PCO. Maaaring release orders at iba pang dokumento na maaaring magpatunay na siya ay naging biktima talaga.”

Maaari ding makipag-ugnayan sa claims board sa 09995059737. (REY PELAYO / UNTV News)

Halimbawa ng family stickers o decals na nakadikit sa isang sasakyan (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines – Nanawagan ang Philippine National Police (PNP) na kung maaari ay huwag magdikit ng family sticker o decals sa likod ng mga sasakyan.

Ayon kay Ginoong Rey Florogo, nakakatuwa ito kapag napapansin ng mga tao at proud silang ipaalam na buo ang kanilang pamilya, bukod pa sa dagdag atraksyon ito sa kanilang sasakyan.

“Para madaling makita yung car, and we are proud sa madla na yung family namin is united and at the same time dito kami nagsasama-sama, sumasakay we go out and go to some places.”

Ngunit ayon sa PNP, bagamat maganda itong tingnan ay nalalagay naman sa peligro ang seguridad ng buong pamilya .

Bukod sa bilang ng miyembro ng pamilya, nakalagay pa rin minsan ang trabaho ng magulang.

“Pwede itong gamitan sa ibat-ibang paraan, sa ibat-ibang modus pati sa Dugo-Dugo Gang pati sa Budol-Budol at kidnaping kasi pag alam na pangalan ng bata sabihin tawag lang ng nanay mo sasabihin yung pangalan nung nanay, so nananawagan kami na wag nang ikabit yung mga ganitong stickers,” panawagan ni PNP-PIO Chief P/Csupt. Reuben Sindac.

Maging sa Amerika ay nagpalabas na rin ang mga awtoridad ng babala sa pag-lalagay ng family decals.

Ang Ohio Search and Rescue Group naman ay naglabas ng poster kung paano magagamit ng masasamang loob ang mga sticker o decal sa mga sasakyan. (Lea Ylagan / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Ang pagpapaskil ng isang driver ng fare matrix na ipinamamahagi ng libre ng LTFRB sa loob ng kaniyang pampasaherong jeep (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines – Hindi pwedeng ipatupad ang singkwenta sentimos na dagdag pasahe kung walang kopya ng fare matrix ang mga jeepney operator at mga driver.

Ito ang binigyang diin ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) kasabay ng pamimigay nito kaninang umaga.

“Ang fare matrix namin ngayon ay walang bayad, free po naming dinidistribute”, pahayag ni LTFRB Technical Division OIC Lilia Coloma.

Maaari itong makuha sa lahat ng opisina ng LTFRB o di kaya’y ma-download sa website ng ahensya.

Epektibo ito sa June 14 at ipapatupad na ito sa National Capital Region, Region 3 at Region 4.

Kung dati ay eight pesos(₱8.00) ang minimum fare, ngayon ay magiging eight fifty(₱8.50) na ito.

Ibig sabihin, singkwenta sentimos sa unang apat na kilometro habang ₱1.50 naman sa mga susunod na kilometro ngunit mayroon pa ring 20% na discount na ipagkakaloob sa mga estudyante at mga senior citizen.

Pinaalala ng LTFRB na kailangang mailagay sa lugar na madaling makita ang mga fare matrix, dalawang libong piso ang multa sa mga jeepney driver at operator na hindi maglalagay ng fare matrix kapag ipinatupad na ang dagdag singil.

Ayon sa LTFRB, ang singkwenta sentimos na dagdag pasahe ay dumaan sa masusing pag-aaral na suportado ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Masaya naman ang mga jeepney operator sa naging desisyon ng ahensya.

Anila, bagamat dalawampiso ang kanilang kahilingan payag na rin sila sa singkwenta sentimos upang hindi naman masyado makabigat sa mga pasahero.

Pangamba naman ng ilang driver na nakikipasada lamang ng jeep, maaaring tumaas din ang boundary na binabayaran nila sa operator.

Seven hundred pesos ang pinaka mababang boundary ng isang jeepney driver, sa singkwenta sentimos na dagdag pasahe, magiging seven hundred fifty na ito.

Ayon sa mga jeepney operator maaari naman nila itong mapagkasuduan ng driver.

“Pag-usapan ng mabuti para paghatian na lang kung magkano yung naidagdag paghatian nung tsuper at operator at patas”, saad ni LTO President Orlando Marquez.

Ang fare matrix ay ipamimigay ng libre hanggang June 13. (Mon Jocson, UNTV News)

Meralco Utility and Economics Head Larry Fernandez (L) at Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga (R) sa isang press conference (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines – Bababa ang singil sa kuryente ngayong buwan ng Hunyo.

Ayon sa Meralco, 84 centavos per kilowatt hour ang mababawas sa electric bill ng mga consumer.

Ibig sabihin, ang isang bahay na kumokonsumo ng 200 kilowatt per hour sa loob ng isang buwan ay makakatipid ng one hundred sixty eight pesos (₱168.00) habang ang komokonsumo naman ng 500 kilowatt hour kada buwan ay makakatipid ng mahigit apat na raang piso (₱400.00).

Ito ang ikalawang buwan na kung saan patuloy ang pagbaba ng singil sa kuryente.

Bumaba ang singil sa kuryente dahil sa mababang generation charge at iba pang mga elemento na binabayaran ng Meralco.

“Mas mababang generation charge, mas mababang transmission charge at correspondingly ay bumaba din yung buwis, yung taxes at yung ibang charges at gayon din po ang system loss charge”, ani Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga.

Subalit bagamat inanunsyo ng Meralco na magiging mababa ang distribution charge nila mula ngayong buwan, pinangangambahan namang magkakaroon ng dagdag na singil sa kuryente sa mga susunod na buwan.

Ayon sa Meralco, uumpisahan ng maningil ng mga malls at malalaking kumpanyang kabilang sa interruptible load program sa kuryenteng ipinahiram ng mga ito matapos magkaproblema sa supply ng kuryente noong nakaraang buwan.

“Sa susunod na buwan, dahil maikling period, 2 hours lang siya nagamit, ina-anticipate namin na ang impact niya sa susunod na buwan ay minimal”, pahayag naman ng Meralco Utility and Economics Head Larry Fernandez.

Samantala, sa nalalapit na pagpasok ng tag-ulan, pinaalalahanan ng Meralco ang mga customer nito na i-report sa kanilang tanggapan ang mga sanga ng mga puno na sumasabit na sa linya ng mga kuryente.

Ayon sa Meralco, maaari pa itong pagmulan ng mga aksidente kung hindi agad mapuputol.

Sa mga nagnanais humingi ng tulong ng Meralco tree trimming service, maaaring tumawag sa Meralco call center 16211 o di kaya’y sa Twitter account ng Meralco. (Mon Jocson, UNTV News)

Ang Philippine Chamber Singers habang hinahandog ang inihandang bilang sa benefit concert para sa mga biktima ng bagyong Yolanda na isinagawa sa Los Angeles California (UNTV News)

LOS ANGELES, CA – Nagsama-sama para sa isang benefit concert ang mga Filipino American artist sa Greek Theater sa Los Angeles California para makaipon ng pondo na ibibigay sa mga biktima ng Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Tema ng konsyerto ang “Rebuild Philippines: Concert for Typhoon Haiyan Survivors” na inorganisa sa pangunguna ni Black Eyed Peas member, Alan Pineda Lindo o mas kilala sa tawag na Apl De Ap.

Kabilang sa mga sikat na Fil-Am artists na nagperform sina Apl De Ap, Will.I.Am at Taboo ng Black Eyed Peas. Nakisaya rin ang America’s Best Dance Crew na “Jabbawockeez”, ang singer-song writer na si AJ Rafael, Philippine Chamber Singers, Slapshock, The Vocal Trio “We Are The Future”, The Sing Off group, Philharmonic at marami pang iba.

Ang proceeds ng konsiyerto ay ipapamahagi sa iba’t ibang NGO sa Pilipinas upang magpagawa ng mga bagong classrooms sa Tacloban City at mga karatig lugar na matinding sinalanta ng bagyo.

Plano rin ng ng Black Eyed Peas singer na magsagawa ng music and art teaching program para sa mga bata at guro sa Tacloban City.

“We’re gonna start a music and art therapy program besides building classrooms cause, the kids need therapy right now, there’s separation anxiety… inspire them and go back again,” pahayag ni Apl De Ap.

Ayon kay Apl, ginusto niya na maibigay ang tulong ngayon kaysa noong sariwa pa ang bakas ng kalamidad dahil nais niyang makita kung saan mapupunta ang pinagkakakitaan ng konsyerto.

Dagdag pa nito, personal niyang dadalhin sa Tacloban at Leyte ang mga kinita ng nasabing konsiyerto.

Samantala, bumuhos naman ang suporta ng mga Pilipino sa naturang concert kabilang na si American Idol runner up Jessica Sanchez.

“Just here to support, I heard my friend Apl is gonna be here and I’ve met Wil I Am, so happy to see him,” pahayag ni Jessica. (Christie Rosacia / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Kalayaan Job Fair (DOLE)

From the Department of Labor and Employment via www.gov.ph

Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday announced that the DOLE, through its National Capital Region office, will mount a job fair on June 12, the 116th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence.

The theme of this year’s Independence Day anniversary celebration is “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago.”

“The 2014 Kalayaan Job Fair will bring in over 35,000 job vacancies, 8,957 of which are local jobs, 15,000 are jobs overseas, and 11,498 are government jobs, ” Baldoz said, as she urged job seekers from all walks of life to take advantage of the job fair to look for their dream jobs.

Secretary Baldoz said job seekers who would like to work in the government can also apply for the 11,498 job vacancies to be offered by the Philippine Air Force (vacancies to be announced); Philippine National Police, which needs some 9,994 police officers; Department of Social Welfare and Development, which has 90 vacancies; Bureau of Internal Revenue, which needs 1,404 new employees; and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, which has a need for 10 employees.

She said the job fair will feature the provision of pre-employment documentation and advisory services by the National Bureau of Investigation, Pag-Ibig, Philippine Statistics Authority, Bureau of Internal Revenue, PRC, Social Security System, and the Philippine Postal Corporation.

DOLE-NCR officer-in-charge regional director Nelson Hornilla reported to Secretary Baldoz that 96 employers–71 local, 20 overseas, and five from the government–will join the 2014 Kalayaan Job Fair.

“There will be a first aide booth to be manned by OSHC, ECC, and BWC personnel, and the OWWA will put up an advisory booth for OFWs. The TESDA, on the other hand, will do a livelihood skills demonstration for barista; masseurs; and haircutters,” Hornilla said in his report.

He said the DOLE-NCR has classified the local job vacancies according to industry, such as cyber services; construction; hotel and restaurant / tourism; automotive; health and wellness; real estate, banking, finance, insurance, and cargo; and wholesale and retail trade.

For cyber services, the vacancies are for customer service representatives; call center agents; reporting specialists; facilities managers; technical support representatives; collection specialists; network processing associates; data analysts; sales support representatives; accounting specialists; software testers; JAVA developers; IT professionals; IT programmers; and messengers.

In information technology, the job vacancies are for graphic artists; web developers; web designers; systems administrators; systems programmers; sales consultants; technical support staff; call center engineers; software testers; JAVA developers; network processing associates; IT professionals; service engineers; logistics staff; HR supervisors; visual artists; encoders; technical engineers; senior web and graphics designers; content/copy writers; game testers; MIS supervisors; MIS assistants; and senior PHP programmer web applications.

In the hotel and restaurant/tourism sector, the vacancies are for front desk officers; waiters/waitresses; room attendants; bellmen; kitchen helpers; concierge; laundry staff; maintenance staff; shift managers; dining personnel; dining supervisors; kitchen personnel; production crew; restaurant management trainees; cooks; stewards; quality controllers; F & B (boys & girls); store/area managers; HR administrative assistants; recruitment staff; accountants; commissary operations managers; store supervisors; event specialists; uniform and linen supervisors; and room attendants.

In the health and wellness sector, the vacancies are for branch operators; sales supervisors; sales consultants; branch operations associates; front desk officers; marketing assistants; new account consultants; therapists; pharmacy assistants; pharmacists; massage therapists; cashiers; receptionists; medical technologists; radiologic technicians; clinic managers; company drivers; air conditioning technicians; manicurists; salon managers; salon stylists; fragrance consultants; beauty consultants; beauty therapists; spa supervisors; spa gym instructors; and spa receptionists.

In the wholesale and retail trade, the following are the vacancies: sale associates; sales marketing officers; cashiers; store supervisors; accounting assistants; office staff; production assistants; office management trainees; store management trainees; assistant brand managers; account executives; security guards; lady guards; salon managers; salon senior stylists; manicurists; merchandisers; stockmen; inventory assistants; store clerks; auditors; credit and collection associates; HR training assistants; merchandisers; warehouse managers; and truck drivers (6- and 4-wheelers).

In construction, the needs are for architects; electrical engineers; safety officers; safety engineers; field engineers; civil engineers; pipe welders; heavy equipment drivers; surveyors; formworks engineers; rebar engineers; estimators; senior electrical design engineers; senior mechanical engineers; masons; carpenters; design and cost engineers; welders; material control engineers; and painters.

In the automotive sector, the vacancies are for motor pool staff; tinsmiths; auto painters; washers; machinists; transport associates; drivers; electroplaters; auto electricians; assembly line technicians; chassis fabricators; and welders.

In banking, education, insurance, finance, logistics, and real estate, there will be jobs for chemists; branch managers; sales assistants; industrial engineers; industrial designers; billing assistants; janitors; service estimators; service warranty assistants; financial analysts; bank tellers; relationship officers; accounting clerks; branch managers; administrative assistants; guidance counselors; payroll clerks; admission officers; housekeeping engineers; human resource officers; physical plant officers; training officers; couriers; and auditors.

Overseas employment opportunities will be for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Nigeria, Qatar, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Canada, and the Maldives, and will be for the following positions: nurses; drivers; computer programmers; medical technologists; mechanics; systems analysts; radiologic technicians; welders; software engineers; physical therapists; bakers; draftsmen; dentists; cooks; spa therapists; accountants; chefs; chief stewards; architects; carpenters; F & B crew; engineers; painters; service crew; construction workers; auto denters; general cleaners; heavy equipment operators; masons; and waiters and waitresses.

The lead agency in the 2014 Kalayaan Job Fair is the DOLE-NCR, with the active support of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Bureau of Local Employment, Occupational Safety and Health Center, Employees’ Compensation Commission, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Professional Regulation Commission, National Conciliation and Mediation Board, and the PESO Association of Metro Manila. The DOLE’s Administrative Service, Financial Management Service, Human Resource Development Service, and the Labor Communications Office also support the job fair,to be held at the Rizal Park in Manila.

Baldoz commended the DOLE’s private sector partners supporting the 2014 Kalayaan Job Fair, namely Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Smart Communications Inc., Banco De Oro, Sky Cable, Absolute Drinking Water, Jollibee Foods Corporation, McDonalds, Max’s Restaurant, Greenwich, Chowking, San Miguel Corporation Petron Corp., Asiawide Refreshments, Philcopy, Philippine Star, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, and the Philippine Association of Labor Service Contractors.

She also commended the government sector partners, namely, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Parks Development Commission, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro Manila Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine National Police, and the City Government of Manila.

She advised job applicants to bring to the job fair copies of their resume/biodata; diploma; transcript of records; clearances (Police/NBI); employment certificates (if any); ID pictures; and other documents like (TIN, SSS, Philhealth cards).

dole.gov.ph

Ang panimula ng pagtataas ng watawat ng bansa sa Luneta Park na kasabay din ang flag raising sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng bansa bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng buong bansa sa Araw ng Kasarinlan. (PHOTOVILLE International)

NAGA CITY, Philippines – Eksakto alas-8 ng umaga kanina, sabay-sabay na itinaas ang watawat ng Pilipinas sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa bilang pakikiisa sa pagdiriwang sa ika-116 na anibersaryo ng Araw ng Kasarinlan ng ating bansa ngayong Huwebes.

Sa Naga City Camarines Sur sa Bicol, sentro ng pagdiriwang ang pagbibigay ng parangal ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III sa 15 Bayani ng Bikol, na kilala bilang “Quince Martires”.

Sa kanyang talumpati, sinabi ng pangulo na malaki ang naging papel ng mga ito sa naganap na rebolusyon na nagbigay ng daan sa kalayaang tinatamasa natin ngayon sa ating bansa.

“Ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan, sama-sama po tayong nagbibigay-pugay sa mga bayaning ipinaglaban ang tama. Gamitin natin silang inspirasyon sa patuloy nating paglalakbay sa daang matuwid. Isapuso natin ang iniwan nilang aral: Ang malasakit sa ating kapwa ang maghahatid sa atin sa mga inaasam-asam natin bilang isang lahi. Sa ganitong paraan lamang po natin masasabing tunay tayong karapat-dapat sa kanilang mga sakripisyo; sa ganitong paraan lamang po natin maitataguyod ang isang Pilipinas na ganap na makatarungan at Malaya.”

Pinangunahan naman ni Vice President Jejomar Binay ang flag raising ceremony sa Luneta Park sa Maynila, kasama sina Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Albert Del Rosario at Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada.

Pagkatapos nito ay nagbigay-pugay sila sa ating pambansang bayani na si Dr. Jose Rizal sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay ng mga bulaklak sa kaniyang monumento.

Pinangunahan naman ni Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno ang paggunita sa Araw ng Kasarinlan sa bahay ni Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo sa Kawit, Cavite.

Kasama ni CJ Sereno sa pagdiriwang si Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo “Jun” Abaya.

Bago ito ay pinangunahan ng punong mahistrado ang pag-aalay ng bulaklak sa libingan ni Heneral Aguinaldo na isa sa mga lider ng himagsikan laban sa mga kastila.

Sa balkonahe ng mansyon ni Aguinaldo, unang iwinagayway ang watawat ng Pilipinas kasunod ng pagbasa ng proklamasyon ng kasarinlan mula sa Espanya noong Hunyo 12, 1898.

Sa Pinaglabanan Shrine sa San Juan City, pinangunahan naman ni Senate President Franklin Drilon ang pagtataas ng ating bandila.

Kasama nito si Senador JV Ejercito, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, Vice Mayor Francisco Zamora at iba pang kawani ng lokal na pamahalaan at mga estudyante.

Itinayo ang Pinaglabanan Shrine bilang pagkilala sa mga katipunerong nakipaglaban para sa ating kalayaan.

Sa Barasoin Church sa Malolos City sa Bulacan, kung saan itinatag ang Unang Republika ng Pilipinas, isang maikling programa rin ang isinagawa ng mga Bulakenyo.

Tampok dito ang flag raising ceremony at pagaalay ng bulaklak sa monumento ni General Emilio Aguinaldo na pinangunahan ni MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino kasama ang ilang lokal na opisyal at world war veterans.

Samantala, bagama’t umulan ay tuloy pa rin ang isinagawang programa sa harapan ng Pamintuan Mansion sa Angeles City, Pampanga.

Ayon sa kasaysayan, ang Pamintuan Mansion ang ginawang command post ni General Antonio Luna at headquarters naman ni Arthur Mcarthur na pinagkulungan sa mga nadakip nilang mga Pilipino noong 1901.

Sama-sama naman ang lokal na pamahalaan, PNP at AFP, Philippine Coast Guard , BFP, DENR at Philippine Red Cross sa Masbate sa isinagawang flag raising ceremony sa capitol grounds sa Masbate.

Samantala, maging sa lahat ng kampo ng Philippine National Police ay sabay-sabay tinaas ang bandila sa paggunita ng Araw ng Kasarinlan.

Sa Camp Crame sa Quezon City, pinangunahan ni Deputy Chief for Operations P/DDGen. Leonardo Espina at ni Deputy Chief for Administration P/DDGen. Felipe Rojas.

At isinagawa naman ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ang nationwide simultaneos blowing of ship’s horn sa iba’t ibang pantalan sa buong bansa.

Ang pag-busina ng mga barko ng PCG ay isang tradisyon ng maritime community bilang pagpupugay sa kalayaan ng Pilipinas. (Allan Manansala / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

DOLE National Job Fair, Luneta Park, June 12, 2014. (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines – Dinagsa ng mga naghahanap ng trabaho ang isinagawang national job fair ng Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sa Luneta, Maynila kaugnay ng pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kasarinlan ng bansa ngayong araw.

Sa kabuoan umabot sa 4,175 job seekers ang nagtungo at nag-apply ng trabaho sa naturang nationwide jobs fair.

Sa naturang bilang, 452 sa mga ito ang pinalad ma-hire on the spot.

Ayon sa DOLE, sinamantala nila ang national holiday sam pakikipagtulungan ng 85 locale private companies, 21 overseas companies at 5 government agencies upang makapagsagawa ng jobs fair.

Mahigit sa 35 libong local and overseas job vacancies ang inilaan ngayong Independence Day para sa mga naghahanap ng trabaho.

Binigyang-diin naman ni DOLE-NCR Assistant Regional Director Nelson Hornilla na ang mga ganitong job fair ay nakakatulong upang tumaas ang employment rate sa bansa.

“Definitely, it will add up sa employment rate natin, it will definitely improve our employment,” saad nito.

Dagdag pa ni Hornilla, hindi naman dapat mawalan ng pag-asa kung hindi palaring matanggap sa kalayaan job fair dahil marami pang job fair na isasagawa sa bansa.

“Dun sa hindi makakapunta rito o hindi magkwa-qualify for employment today, they should not lose hope because ang ating mga public employment services, 17 lahat yan sa Metro Manila, fully institutionalized yan to accept job applicants and job vacancies in the private sector para matulungan nila sila sa provision ng employment,” saad pa nito. (Rosalie Coz / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

From the Department of Health

Free digital rectal examination (DRE) will be offered to all males aged 40 years and above on June 14 in 27 DOH – retained hospitals and in 37 private hospitals in the country in conjunction with the worldwide celebration of Father’s Day dubbed as “National PaDRE and Men’s Health Day.”

DRE is one of the main screening procedures in assessing the prostate. Most Filipinos are still uninformed about prostate cancer and that majority of cases are detected already in advanced stage. Screening among men is needed to detect the disease in its early stage.

DOH records reveal that prostate cancer is now ranked as the 4th most common cancer among males. According to the 2010 Cancer Facts and Figures, about 2,712 new cases are diagnosed yearly in the Philippines with an estimated 1, 410 deaths. The incidence rate starts to increase sharply starting at age 55.

“Increasing age is most important risk and the number of Filipino males aged 40 years and older is the main reason for the significant increase and the expected continuing increase in cases,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona declared, adding that a substantial number of prostate cancer is very slow growing and may initially have no clinical impact.

The “National PaDRE” program started in 1996 as a project of the DOH and the Philippine Urological Association (PUA). The program was conceptualized in order to catch the attention of the Filipino male population and to increase awareness on prostate diseases, particularly prostate cancer.

Last year, there were already 64 DRE centers all over the country with more than a thousand patients examined and screened by urologist in a day. This year, activities include distribution of posters, a Facebook poster and slogan contest, press conference, fun run, and technical updates.

This year, all the 64 DRE centers will participate again in the said program. Urology residents, as well a staff, will provide the necessary manpower to identify and screen patients. This activity will be conducted at the respective out-patient departments (OPDs) of the different hospitals from 8am to 4pm. All urologist members of the PUA will provide free Men’s Health check and DRE in their private clinics on June 14.

Ona explained that patients who avail of the free DRE and need additional laboratory exams, such as the prostate specific antigen (PSA), the prostate ultrasound, and biopsies will be given requests for such examination. If such examinations are not available in participating hospitals, the patients will be referred to a diagnostic laboratory where they might be tested for discounted rates. Patients needing further treatment and check – up will be attended to at designated hospital and clinics. Eventual result of the treatment or management will be recorded and reported to the PUA.

From the Department of Labor and Employment

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday urged job seekers to take advantage of the job fairs that the department will mount this month of June, saying the job fairs are meant to make it easier for them to search for their dream jobs.

“On the occasion of the country’s 116th Independence Day Anniversary commemoration, we are announcing our full job fair schedule for June so that job seekers and employers alike will have ample time to prepare,” Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said in a news release.

Nationwide, the 116th Independence Day Anniversary is being celebrated on the theme, “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago”.

Baldoz said there will be 16 job fairs on June 12 to be hosted by local government units and their Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs) in several key regions nationwide.

“The PESO-sponsored Independence Day job fairs schedules are posted at the Phil-Jobnet website, www.phil-job.net, for the benefit of job seekers. The site is hosted by the DOLE’s Bureau of Local Employment,” she said.

The June 12 job fairs are as follows: National Capital Region (NCR)–Independence Day Job Fair, South Drive, Luneta, Manila, hosted by the DOLE-NCR; Independence Day Job Fair, SM Center Muntinlupa, Muntinlupa City, hosted by the City’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO); Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)–University of Baguio Gymnasium, hosted by PESO-Baguio City and DOLE-CAR; La Trinidad Foundation Day Jobs Fair, La Trinidad Municipal Gymnasium, hosted by La Trinidad LGU; Region I–Dagupan Kalayaan Job Fair, The Atrium, Nepo Mall, Dagupan City, hosted by Dagupan City LGU; Candon City Kalayaan Job Fair, Candon City, Ilocos Sur hosted by Candon City LGU; and La Union Kalayaan Job Fair, Manna Mall, San Fernando City, La Union, hosted by San Fernando LGU;

Region III–Independence Day Job Fair, Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, Provincial Capitol Compound, City of Malolos, Bulacan, hosted by the Provincial Government of Bulacan; Independence Day Job Fair, Castillejos Covered Court, Castillejos, Zambales, hosted by Zambales Provincial PESO; and Jobs and Trade Fair, Rizal Triangle Multipurpose Covered Court, hosted by PESO Olongapo City;

Region VI–PESO San Carlos City Job Fair, City Auditorium, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; DOLE Region 6 Job Fair, Mary Mart Mall, Iloilo City; DOLE-Neg. Occ. Field Office Job Fair, Robinson’s Place Bacolod, Bacolod City; Region VIII–Kalayaan Jobs Fair, Tacloban City; Region XI–Davao Region Kalayaan Job Fair, NCCC Mall Davao, Matina, Davao City, facilitated by DOLE Regional Office No. 11; and Region XIII–Kalayaan Job Fair, Butuan City, facilitated by DOLE and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).

Baldoz said that more than 30 job fairs will be offered by LGUs and PESOs for the rest of June 2014. These are as follows:

NCR: June 13–Mega Job Fair, Caloocan North City Hall, hosted by Caloocan City PESO; June 18–Caloocan City South Job Fair, Maypajo Area, Caloocan City Hall South, also hosted by PESO; June 19–Malabon City Mini Job Fair, Amphitheater, Malabon City Hall, hosted by PESO Malabon; Mega Job Fair at Caloocan South (Main) City Hall; and June 26–Caloocan City North Job Fair, Caloocan City Hall North, hosted by PESO Caloocan;

Region I: June 14–Pangasinan PESO Mini Job Fair, Alvear St., East, Lingayen, Pangasinan; June 20–Batac City Job Fair, hosted by Batac City LGU; Region III: June 13–Kalayaan Job Fair, Municipality of Zaragosa, hosted by PESO Zaragosa; June 20–City Job Fair, Waltermart, MacArthur Highway, San Agustin, San Fernando City, Pampanga, hosted by the City’s PESO; June 27–Paniqui Municipal Job Fair, Municipal Covered Court, Paniqui, Tarlac, hosted by PESO Paniqui; Region V: June 20–Tabaco City Job Fair, Tabaco City Terrace, hosted by Tabaco City PESO; and Job Fair, Central Plaza Mall, Barangay Lag-on, Daet, Camarines Norte, hosted by Daet LGU;

Region VI: June 25–Malay, Aklan Job Fair, Malay Sports Complex, Poblacion, Malay, Aklan, hosted by Malay PESO; Region VII: June 14–Brgy. Mabolo Job Fair, Cebu City; June 18–Jobs Bridging, Cebu City; June 22–Overseas Job Fair, Capitol Grounds, hosted by Province of Cebu PESO; and June 28–67th Mega Job Fair, Cebu City, hosted by DMDP; Region IX: June 13–Job Fair, Dumalinao Gymnasium, hosted by Dumalinao LGU/DOLE; and June 18–Job Fair, City Commercial Center, Pagadian City, hosted by Pagadian LGU and DOLE;

Region X: June 27–Hapsay Job Fair, City Tourism Hall, Cagayan de Oro City, hosted by CDO PESO; Region XI: June 17–Matanao Job Fair, Municipal Gym, Matanao, Davao del Sur, hosted by Matanao LGU; and Montevista Job Fair, Municipal Plaza, Montevista, Compostela Valley, hosted by Municipality of Montevista, Compostela Valley Province; June 19–Sta. Maria Job Fair, Municipal Gym, Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur, hosted by Sta. Maria LGU; June 20–Maco Job Fair, Maco Municipal Gym, Maco, Compostela Valley Province, hosted by Maco PESO; 59th Araw ng Magugpo Poblacion Job Fair, Tagum City Pavilion Cultural and Trade Center, hosted by Tagum City PESO; and June 21–Nograles Mini Job Fair, Mabini Elementary School Covered Court, Bangkal, Davao City, hosted by Office of Cong. Karlo Nograles; and

Region XIII: June 13-14–Naligayan Jobs Fair, Naligayan Cultural Center, Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur, hosted by Agusan del Sur Provincial LGU; June 16–San Miguel Job Fair, San Miguel Municipal Hall, hosted by San Miguel LGU, Surigao del Sur; June 18–Taganaan Job Fair, Municipal Gymnasium, Taganaan, Surigao del Norte, hosted by Surigao del Norte PESO; June 20-21–San Francisco Municipal Job Fair, San Francisco Gymnasium, hosted by SFADS LGU; and June 23–Tandag City Job Fair, Tandag City Gym, hosted by Tandag City LGU.

Any question about this release? Please contact the BLE at tel. no. 527-2453 or visit the DOLE regional or field office near you.

dole.gov.ph

(L-R) DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya at ACTO President Efren De Luna (UNTV News)

MANILA, Philippines – Magsasagawa ng tigil-pasada ang ilang transport group sa darating na Huwebes upang hilingin ang moratorium sa pagpapatupad ng revised fines and penalties ng Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) sa mga pampasaherong sasakyan.

Ayon sa grupong Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators (ACTO), hindi malinaw ang probisyon ng bagong regulasyon lalo na sa usapin ng mga kolorum.

Dapat aniyang linawin muna ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) kung anu-ano ang nasasakop ng kolorum at out of line.

Sinabi ni ACTO President Efren De Luna na mayroon silang mga aplikasyon sa LTFRB na hanggang sa ngayon ay hindi pa naaprubahan gaya ng mga bagong aplikasyon sa ruta at iba pa.

Aniya, hanggang walang linaw ang mga naturang probisyon ay nais nilang magkaroon muna ng moratorium at konsultasyon upang hindi magkaroon ng kalituhan.

“Ang panawagan ko sa LTFRB moratorium muna, pagaralang mabuti, hindi kailangan ang titignan lang ay yung mali namin. Ang tignan ay yung may susundin kami at ayaw naming maging illegal kami,” paliwanag ni De Luna.

Samantala, nauna nang nagsumite ng petisyon sa Korte Suprema ang Stop and Go Transport Group upang pigilin ang implementasyon ng naturang kautusan.

Ayon kay Jun Magno, presidente ng Stop and Go Transport Group, magiging daan lamang ito ng korapsyon sa ahensya.

“Magiging daan lamang ito para yumaman yung enforcer, sa’king pananaw hindi ito sagot sa kolorum at out of line.”

Dipensa naman ni DOTC Secretary Jun Abaya, layon ng revised fines and penalties na lalong madisiplina ang mga motorista upang sumunod ng wasto sa umiiral na batas trapiko lalo na sa mga kolorum na sasakyan”

“Kung sasabihin nating masyadong mataas, sasabihin ba natin na yung makasalanan sa lipunan dapat pala abot kaya, I don’t see the point in making fines reasonable na dapat kakayanin bayan,” saad ng kalihim.

Inaasahan na sa darating na Hunyo 19, Huwebes ay ipatutupad na ang naturang kautusan. (Mon Jocson / Ruth Navales, UNTV News)

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) logo

From the Department of Labor and Employment via Official Gazette

The country’s unemployment rate will go down by at least half if youth unemployment is solved.

Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz expressed this view yesterday as the DOLE prepares for the implementation of the JobStart Philippines program in four pilot areas this month.

JobStart is a partnership program of the DOLE, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) which aims to increase the employability of the youth by providing them access to technical and life skills training demanded by employers and by mentoring and tooling them to improve their job searches and outcomes.

The project will also finance vouchers that will enable some 1,600 youth-beneficiaries to gain work experience in companies through on-the-job training.

Baldoz noted that youth unemployment, while it had decreased by 1.1 percent, or by 13,000–from 16.8 percent in April 2013 to 15.7 percent in April 2014–still accounts for almost half, or 49.8 percent, of the country’s total unemployed placed at 2.924 million.

There are 1.456 million unemployed youth as of April 2014, according to the Philippine Statistical Authority’s Labor Force Survey, accounting for 16 percent of the total youth labor force of 9.254 million. The youth belong to the 15-24 age bracket.

“The fact remains that youth unemployment rate is more than double the national unemployment rate and, therefore, this is a challenge we all need to address,” Baldoz said.

She explained that through JobStart, youths-at risk aged 18-24 years of age, who are either currently not working, or has less than a year of work experience, and who are not enrolled in an educational or training program, or who have at least completed a high school education, can access technical and like skills training and on-the-job opportunities that will improve their chances in the world of work.

“JobStart’s objective is to raise the youth job placement rate to 80 percent from the current 60-65 percent rate,” Baldoz said.

The four areas chosen for the JobStart pilot program are Quezon City, with 900 allotted beneficiaries; Taguig City, 240; City of San Fernando, Pampanga, 360; and General Trias, Cavite, 100.

The DOLE had signed memorandum of understanding with the mayors of these four local government units (LGUs) to pilot the program and agreements with employers for internship slots. As of date, 74 employers have pledged internships for the youth beneficiaries in their companies.

In Quezon City, 11 companies offered 514 internship slots. Taguig City had 13 companies with 307 internship offers. In the city of San Fernando in Pampanga, 40 companies had offered 629 internship slots, and in General Trias in Cavite, 10 companies have slots for 215 interns.

“The agreements with private sector employers to take on beneficiaries as interns ensure that the process is employer-led. At the onset, a training plan is agreed upon between the JobStart team, the intern, and the employer. This plan will cover technical and life skills and on-the job training at the enterprises,” Baldoz said.

Under JobStart, the youth beneficiaries shall receive full-cycle employment facilitation services that include (1) Career Guidance and Coaching, to be provided by PESO staff and other trained career guidance coaches and advocates; (2) Life Skills training for eight days; (3) Technical skills training for up to three months; and (4) Company-based internships for up to six months.

Moreover, Baldoz bared that the interns will receive stipends of between P200 to P300 during their training and 75 percent of minimum wage during their six-month internship. On the other hand, employers will receive P9,000 in training fee per intern they will accommodate.

“As the program involves employers as partners who will have the opportunity to demonstrate corporate social responsibility in the communities where they operate, I have directed Director Dominique Tutay of the Bureau of Local Employment to work with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) so that the JobStart Program can be readily replicated in other places outside of the pilot areas. They have to already identify employers and to consider financing the program from the DOLE’s regular budget, as well as the TESDA’s TWSP program budget,” Baldoz explained.

“The JobStart Program is a pivotal step in improving the youth employment situation in the country through the effective delivery of current labor market information, employment services, skills-jobs matching mechanisms, and other job search reforms,” she added.

She said the Philippines needs not just the support of international agency-partners, but also of local government units, especially the Public Employment Service Offices, or PESOs, to make the program an effective delivery mechanism of the government’s array of employment services.

“It will make accessible labor market information to more students–our future workers–especially in the regions,” she added.

For this purpose, the JobStart Program has established a monitoring and impact evaluation framework. All beneficiaries, and one non-beneficiary groups of similar qualifications will be tracked throughout the program and six months after its completion in July 2015 to assess if it has significantly improved the employability of the youth.

dole.gov.ph