Duterte admin's first year investment milestone

MANILA, June 27 (PNA) -- The strong commitment of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to promote inclusive economic growth in the country is yielding positive results, a Cabinet official said on Tuesday.

Speaking before members of the media during a press briefing at Malacañan Palace, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez enumerated some of his agency's achievements as part of the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) briefings, spearheaded by Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Highlighting several milestones in the first year of the Duterte administration, Lopez cited that the number of business companies and organizations coming into the country rose by five percent to 273 from 261 during the period of July to December of 2016.

“Notable delegations came from Canada, China, Japan, and even Russia,” he said, adding that the business delegations are in the areas of ship building, food processing, banking, and manufacturing.

In terms of investments, the Cabinet official said the Board of Investments recorded a 25 percent jump in the number of investments from January to May this year, compared to the same period in 2016.

At the same time, Foreign Direct Investments also grew by 11 percent to PHP 1 billion in the first two months of 2017.

“We’ve gotten the number that business confidence continues to remain very high. We are hitting the number of 43 percent coming from what used to be 34 to 39 percent in previous period,” Lopez said.

He said the consumer confidence index, which used to be a negative number some years back, has reached 9.7 percent.

Lopez also underscored the productive state visits of President Duterte, which resulted in the establishment of goodwill with different leaders and agreements in food security, trade and industry, tourism, agriculture, and business-to-business, among others.

For micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs), Lopez noted that his agency had established 271 Negosyo Centers from July last year to June 2017.

He said the agency had conducted 64 Kapatid Mentor ME programs, or its program of training and mentoring of MSMEs nationwide.

“So that’s the main thrust of the Duterte administration, it’s how can we elevate the life of many of those at the bottom of the pyramid and how can we really make prosperity and give prosperity for all. So, that’s the reason why in many of the activities, we’ve been promoting investments as well,” he said.

Investments still up amid Marawi siege

Lopez assured the public that the ongoing conflict in Marawi city does not have an adverse impact on the economic activity.

“But we’re pleasantly surprised that... On the business, hindi po tayo affected because ‘yung sa mga negosyante, they really look into the longer term potential of a country and the fundamentals,” he said.

“So very bullish ang mga investors locating here. Not to mention the market access if they locate here, the ASEAN, and even our GSP and GSP Plus in US and EU,” he added.

During the same press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Abella reported that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority signed a Letter of Intent on June 4, allowing qualified domestic banks in the Philippines to freely do business in Indonesia, and vice versa.

Meanwhile, the Palace official was firm in reiterating the government’s stand not to heed the Maute group's demand for a negotiation.

"Government’s policy not to negotiate with terrorists remains,” he said.

Abella also assured that President Duterte is on top of the situation and is aware of what’s happening despite being out of the public eye.

“Being out of the public eye that is when he is able to really do office work. He signs papers, he reads, he consults. He’s actually very busy,” the Palace official noted. 

DOH-Bicol releases PHP5.9-M fund for poor drug users

By Mar S. Arguelles and Jorge Hallare 

LEGAZPI CITY, June 21 —- A ranking official of the Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol said DOH has released a PHP5.95-million fund that would be used to finance the expenses for the laboratory examinations of indigent drug dependents.

Dr. Ernie Vera, DOH-Bicol assistant regional director, made the disclosure during the second quarter meeting on Tuesday (June 20) of the Regional Peace and Order Council or RPOC.

The meeting of the RPOC, which is headed by Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, was attended by heads of local government units or LGUs, various government agencies and units of the Philippine National Police.

Vera said the PHP5.95 million fund has been released to five hospitals and treatment rehabilitation centers or TRCs in the region.

He said the Bicol Regional Teaching Hospital in Albay was allotted PHP500,000; Bicol Medical Center in Naga City, Camarines Sur–PHP500,000; Bicol Sanitarium in Camarines Sur-PHP250,000; Camarines Sur Rehabilitation Center-PHP 2.6 million; and Malinao Rehab Center-PHP2.1 million.

Vera reported before the RPOC meeting that as of June 19, they have also referred 179 persons, deemed as “severe” users of illegal drugs, to TRCs in the region.

He said the 179 were among the 557 in the region who were categorized as “severe” users.

“DOH-Bicol also has in its list 2,561 who were deemed as of moderate risk, 4,301 as mild risk and 4,332 as low risk users of illegal drugs,” said Vera.

The moderate risk cases are accommodated as outpatients in TRCs for four to six months while those deemed as “mild” have to undergo community based intervention in seminars sponsored by the local government units or LGUs for a three-month period.

Vera said the “severe cases” are required to submit a court order, physical examination from a DOH-accredited physician and a psychiatrist's clearance before their admission to any TRC.

He added that DOH also has in its list 72 persons, whom they refer to as PWUDs or “persons who used drugs,” 32 of whom were classified as “intensive out-patient” while the 40 others were clustered under “residential” treatment.

Vera said they are undergoing “interventions” at the TRC in Malinao, Albay and San Fernando, Camarines Sur.

Both TRCs, which have a 150-bed capacity, require a patient to spend PHP3,000 monthly or PHP18,000 for a six-month treatment period.

DOH-Bicol records showed its health personnel have validated and assessed a total of 38,234 users of illegal drugs who had voluntarily surrendered to the police.

In the course of the illegal drug campaign, the drug surrenderers who underwent screening and documentation were allowed to return home. Their names, which were compiled by the police, were turned over to their respective LGUs which formed a core team to make the assessment and classification as to level of drug dependency of the drug users.

Vera told the RPOC meeting that in July it is possible to complete their assessment of those in the severe risk category so that all those in this listing could be admitted to TRCs.

Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara said they have yet to start construction of a planned treatment facility in Barangay Tula Tula in Ligao City as they are still awaiting word from the LGU for a complete list of severe drug users from DOH.

“We have to know the number of patients as this will be the basis for the size of the facility to be built,” he said.

Rosal has earlier offered a site in Barangay Bnaquerohan in Legazpi City for an additional TRC in the region.

During the same RPOC meeting, Bichara submitted a resolution asking PhilHealth and the LGUs to help the enrollment of indigent drug dependents in PhilHealth so that their expenses in the TRCs could be defrayed by the state health insurance fund.

The resolution was immediately approved by the RPOC members. 

AFP deploys equipment, personnel for Marawi City rehab

MANILA, June 20 -- Military engineering equipment and personnel are now being deployed to Marawi City to help in the rehabilitation of areas devastated by the ongoing conflict with Maute Group terrorists, said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla on Tuesday.

This deployment is based on an earlier order by AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año, he added.

Military engineering units and personnel will help other government agencies in the proposed rehabilitation once the last Maute Group terrorists is neutralized or driven away.

"They are preparing (engineering units) already. In fact, there are already engineering personnel in the area... They are slowly building up (personnel and assets)... They are readying for the rehab," Padilla pointed out.

However, the AFP spokesperson cannot give exact figures for engineering equipment and personnel already in Marawi City but added that the military is planning to deploy at least two engineering battalions.

In the fourth week of the conflict which started May 23, a total of 258 Maute Group terrorists have been killed along with 65 troops and police officers, and 26 civilians.

Also, Padilla said a total of 16 buildings, formally occupied by the lawless elements, have been captured in the past few days.

However, he declined to comment on how many buildings are needed to be captured to ensure the total elimination of the lawless bandits in Marawi City.

"Enemy resistance continues to wane and the enemy held areas continue to diminish as government security forces press its advance... Troops continue to get deeper into once enemy held positions," the AFP spokesperson pointed out.

Fighting as of this posting are still confined in four barangays, adding that the use of snipers, improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades are slowing down the progress of military personnel engaged in clearing operations. (Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)#DEFENDREPUBLIC

Former FBI chief lauds PNP, AFP effort to stop Maute group

BAGUIO CITY, June 16 -- The former head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in the Philippines on Friday lauded the unity and cooperation between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for doing a good job in handling the crisis in Mindanao.

Dr. Stephen Cutler, who served the FBI while assigned in the Philippines for five years, said that activities being undertaken by the government to stop the terrorist activities of the Maute group in Marawi is doing "fairly well."

“I think they are doing fairly well. I am actually very pleased with a lot of work that’s being done,” Cutler said during an interview on Friday. “I have a great deal of faith in the AFP and the PNP and they are doing the right thing by protecting innocent lives.”

In a tactical perspective, from the point of view of an outsider, Cutler believes the AFP and PNP are doing a much better job of working together.

“What I call the blue suits and the green suits, it used to be that they would not even talk to each other. That’s not the case these days,” he said, adding the two agencies are doing a much better work of exchanging tactical information and cooperating attack collaboration.

He added the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) can also have program exchanges "because national security isn’t clearly divided anymore into military operation versus civilian operations."

“We need to make sure that our national security entities are working together in a joint environment and that the rules and policies set up in the national, regional and local levels is encouraged to network together,” he said.

Cutler is one of the speakers in the “Awareness is the Best Deterrence” conference organized by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB), also attended by representatives from local government units, law enforcement, schools and security officers.

During his stint here, Cutler headed the investigative and other program works of the FBI in all regions of the country.

To better assure the country’s security, he said the Philippines “must have a very good relationship with its ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members but even beyond ASEAN and around the world” through our attaches and consulates in foreign countries.

“There is a need to establish much better contacts and exchanges of information from the Philippines to those nations as well as from those nations to the Philippines so that we can identify foreign fighters and beyond the foreign fighters, the foreign influences," he said.

He added that certain changes must be undertaken with the way the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID), Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), including the Anti-money laundering council work.

“This will strengthen our ability to exchange information in the international arena.”

He said the country must also refocus on strengthening its capabilities in handling large-scale terrorist acts, thus the need to improve armaments and equipment.

Cutler is now an active director of the Guide Meridian, a Philippine technology company focused on information and data gathering and usage.

He pointed out that preparation is preparation and it helps us deal with all kinds of threat. “That shows a modernization of mind set which we did not have yet.”

He also lauded the hospitality and accommodation of the city and HRAB for thinking global. “This conference that deals with awareness of terrorism issues. I think they’ve done a pretty good job of awareness and prep on natural disasters but what we have not done a really good job yet is developing an awareness of preparation techniques on man-made disasters like the Resorts World disasters and the Marawi issue.”

Anthony de Leon, HRAB president and general manager of the Baguio Country Club, said “awareness is the best deterrent" to any hostile acts. (PNA

No voter certificate fee for all Mindanao residents — Comelec

MANILA, June 22 -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted all registered voters in Mindanao from paying the prescribed fee of PHP75 for the issuance of voter's certificate.

Based on Resolution No. 10186 promulgated on June 10, the Commission en banc approved the proposal to include all voters in the region, exempting them to pay the said fee.

"Exempt all registered voters in the cities and municipalities of Mindanao, in paying the PHP75.00 certification fee for the issuance of Voter's Certification until otherwise ordered by the Commission En Banc," the order said.

It was the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) Sub - Office, Zamboanga City, sought for the exemption of "untagged IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons)" in the said city, but the Commission en banc has decided to include the whole Mindanao.

"WHEREAS, during the regular session of the Commission En Banc on June 6, 2017, when the request of the CFSI was taken up, there was a proposal to exempt not only the IDPs in Zamboanga City but all registered voters in Mindanao in the payment of certification fee, taking into consideration the declaration of Martial Law (Proclamation No. 216) in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, as a result of the peace and order situation in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. The proposal was approved. Further, the issuance of the Voter's Certification free of charge in Mindanao shall be effective, until revoked by the Commission En Banc," it added.

The Voter's Certification will be utilized as attachment by "untagged IDPs" in applying for birth registration records and subsequent enrollment as target beneficiaries in the Zamboanga Recovery Project funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs of Australia.

With this, the poll body said voters shall personally claim during office hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.), their Voters' Certification at the Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) where they are registered.

On the other hand, registered voters in Marawi City who are staying at evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, must claim their certification at the Offices of the Provincial Election Supervisors in Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, respectively.

It added that the Voter's Certification must be duly signed by the issuing office, bearing the dry seal of the Commission and a statement that the same is being issued free of charge.

Region 6 organizes convention on federalism

CAPIZ, Philippines – Region 6 Hugpong Federal Movement of the Philippines

(HFMP) organized its first regional convention at Villareal Stadium in Roxas City, this province on June 10 to11, 2017.

About 5,000 participants joint the occasion from the 5 provinces such as Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and Guimaras.

Chairman Celso A. Tizon, and Secretary General Vergilio S. Dela Cruz of Hugpong Federal Movement of the Philippines expressed appreciation over the efforts of the directors in the place in making the occasion fruitful.

Tizon expressed belief that shifting to federalism equitable development - the long dream of the people - can be accomplished.

Peter Laviña, the convenor of the HFMP, congratulated on Facebook Chairman Tizon and Secretary General Vergilio S. Dela Cruz in gracing the regional assembly in region 6.

Atty. Wendel E. Avisado, undersecretary for Presidential Special Concern and Hugpong Federal Movement of the Philippines national adviser, failed to attend the occasion as guest speaker.

Avisado said in his letter that he is happy for the supports showed by the region to the advocacy of President in promoting federalism. 

Region 9 Hugpong organizes forum on federalism

Tony Bayamaban

Chairman Celso A. Tizon

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, Philippines—Hugpong Federal Movement of the

Philippines extension United Indigenous People and Christian for Federalism

(HFMP-UIPCF) held forum on federalism at Formation Center, Pagadian City

 Sunday, June 4.

About 800 directors and members from the different parts of Zamboanga Peninsula attended the forum. Celso Tizon, Hugpong national chairman, was the

secretary General Vergilio S. Dela Cruz

invited resource speaker who just came from Davao City.

Judys G. Cogo, regional director of HFMP-UIPCF, expressed appreciation over the willingness of the members in attending the occasion to learn new insight on federalism.

She also expressed thankfulness on the effort of the national chairman, Celso Tizon and secretary general Vergilio Dela Cruz in gracing the occasion.

Tizon said one the advantages of federalism is the assurance of the people to achieve equitable development in the country.

“Shifting to federalism may solve the socio-economic crisis of the country,” said Tizon.  

The 10 million members of the Hugpong is a great help in influencing the Filipino people to appreciate federalism, he said.

Meanwhile, Tizon told Net25 TV in an interview that the Martial Law is not the hindrances in the promotion of federalism all over the country.

Municipal director Anlino G. Pantallano Sr., in his speech, also encouraged members of Hugpong to spread everything about federalism as a support to the present administration.

In his speech Dela Cruz challenged members of Hugpong in region 9 to promote federalism in the place.

“Let’s never give up in promoting federalism despite the refusal of some of the local chief executives who go against it,” said Dela Cruz.

President Duterte on Marawi siege: "We will not lose this war"

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 12 -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday

expressed confidence that the Philippine government will emerge victorious in the ongoing siege in Marawi City.



President Duterte issued the statement during his visit to the 4th Infantry Division of the Army at Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City, where he honored the wounded soldiers who have fought in the beleaguered

city.

“Sa gobyerno tayo, hindi tayo matalo. Not in a million years na matumba tayo,” Duterte said in his speech pledging full support for the military in crushing the extremist groups who have been wreaking havoc in Lanao del Sur.



The President stressed that it is “impossible” for the military to lose in Marawi citing the bravery and determination of the Armed Forces in fighting the local terrorist groups.

As a reward for their gallantry, the President promised to give them .45 caliber pistols, which he said they could use when they return to the battlefield.

“Pagbalik ninyo, doblado na ang gamit, ubos ang kalaban. Kaya natin ‘to,” he said.

The Chief Executive personally pinned the Wounded Personnel Medal on each of the 84 soldiers who were brought to Camp Evangelista station hospital for treatment.




He likewise gave financial assistance to the wounded soldiers and reiterated his plan to set up a PHP50-billion trust fund for the education of their children.



Speaking to reporters after visiting the wounded soldiers, President Duterte explained that he had to declare martial law in the entire Mindanao in order to easily contain the situation in Marawi and avoid a spillover of hostilities in other parts of the country.



“Ang problema nito 'yung spillover. That is why we have to declare martial law in entire island of Mindanao because they can run everywhere and anywhere, and they can always find sanctuary and solace kasi distributed tayong lahat,” he said.



He insisted that the siege was not fueled by religion but by illegal drugs trade.



“I have ordered the military and the police to strike hard against the drug people kasi kasama na sila sa rebellion. Ang rebellion was financed by drug money,” he said.



"It has nothing to do with religion. I refused to believe that it is religion that fueled this war. It never has been and it is not now," he added.



The President lamented that putting Mindanao under martial law was “not a good thing” adding that waging war against his own people pained him.

“I do not want to fight. I simply cannot wage a war against my own people. I pray that there will be a short period of war activity and we expect it to be over soon,” he said.



He also committed to help the Maranao to get back on their feet especially the underprivileged ones who have lost their homes and livelihood. (PNA)

Marawi crisis evacuees to get one-time cash aid: DSWD

MANILA, June 10 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has begun processing a one-time PHP1,000 cash assistance for each family displaced by the ongoing hostilities in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.

According to a department news release, Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said the assistance will be provided under the DSWD Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).

“Most of our fellow citizens from Marawi are Muslims. We are now processing to provide them cash assistance because it is Ramadan. They can use it to buy fruits because they are breaking their fast,” Taguiwalo said during a radio interview.

She noted that representatives from Lanao suggested the provision of the cash assistance to help Muslim evacuees who are observing the fasting month of Ramadan despite being in evacuation centers.

Taguiwalo said this is only a one-time cash aid, as her department continues to provide the evacuees food.

The DSWD is also preparing the provision of additional assistance, such as tents, once the evacuees return to Marawi, the social welfare chief said.

According to the department, as of last Thursday, the armed conflict has displaced a total of 50,327 families or 245,341 persons in 27 barangays in Marawi City and 13 barangays in Marantao, Lanao del Sur.

Of the figure, 4,244 families or 20,627 individuals are staying in 63 evacuation centers, while 44,999 families or 219,339 persons are with relatives or friends in Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and the Negros islands. (DSWD-PR

Troops secure teachers in Zambo island barangays

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 6 -- The Joint Task Force Zamboanga has deployed “substantial” number of troops to secure the teachers assigned in the island barangays of this city.

Some of the teachers commute daily on board motorboats from and to their respective assigned schools. Others travel every Monday and Friday as they stay during weekdays in their teaching stations.

“We provide security escorts to those teachers assigned in the island barangays. Our troops accompany them to cross from the mainland to the islands,” said Col. Leonel Nicolas, commander of the Joint Task Force Zamboanga.

But Nicolas declined to reveal the exact number of troops deployed to secure the teachers in five of the eight island barangays that have schools citing “operational matters”.

He said measures had also been implemented in all schools, including those in the island barangays.

Troops have been deployed to secure the teachers as there were four public school teachers assigned in the island barangays who were kidnapped in previous years.

Meanwhile, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said classes in this city opened on Monday as scheduled with no major problems recorded despite the long queues in checkpoints.

Dr. Rosalio Conturno Jr., City Schools Division education supervisor for school governance and operations division chief, said school officials had been ordered to provide certification and temporary identification (ID) cards for their students in coordination with the barangay officials.

The city government has imposed the “No ID, No Entry” policy in a bid to shut possible access into this city of terrorists and other lawless elements.

“No issues or incidents have arisen or have been reported during the first day of classes,” Conturno said. (DWTW/PNA)