GSIS revises RA 8291 IRR, revisits disability benefits
Manila (26 July) — The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has revisited the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 8291, the law governing the pension fund, with a particular focus on disability benefits.
Under the revised IRR, members will be entitled to disability benefits, whether for Permanent Total Disability (PTD), Permanent Partial Disability (PPD), or Temporary Total Disability (TTD), provided however that the following conditions will be met: he/she is gainfully employed prior to the commencement of disability resulting in loss of income; he/she is not a registered member of any social insurance institution; and he/she is not receiving any other pension either from GSIS or another local or foreign institution or organization.
Disability is defined as any loss or impairment of the normal functions of the physical and/or mental faculties of a member, which reduces or eliminates his capacity to continue with his current gainful occupation or engage in another gainful occupation resulting in the loss of income.
PTD is the disability due to injury or disease causing complete, irreversible and permanent incapacity that will permanently disable a member to work or to engage in any gainful occupation resulting to loss of income.
PPD, on the other hand, arises due to the complete and permanent loss of the use of any of certain faculties, resulting to the disability to work for a limited period of time.
TTD accrues or arises when the impaired physical or mental faculties can be rehabilitated and/or restored to their normal functions, but such disability shall result in temporary capacity to work or engage in any gainful occupation.
The corresponding disability benefits for each kind of disability shall be granted to a member based on the duration of incapacity to work and actual loss of income.
The revised IRR defines actual loss of income as the number of days when a member went on leave of absence without pay (LWOP) reckoned immediately from the date of commencement of disability and for the duration of entitlement, based on medical evaluation. Any LWOP incurred after the duration of entitlement to the benefit shall not be compensable.
If a member has two or more different contingencies during the same period of benefit entitlement, he shall be compensated only once for the overlapping periods.
Also, all injuries, disabilities, illnesses and all other infirmities compensable under Presidential Decree 626 (Employees Compensation and State Insurance Fund) shall not be compensable under Republic Act 8291.
The IRR, as revisited and made clearer for better understanding of the GSIS membership, will also serve as instrument of the GSIS for a strong financial condition and stable actuarial life.
The GSIS significantly increased the amount of its claims and benefits paid in 2009 at P39.68 billion from P22.88 billion in 2001. (GSIS/PIA SarGen)
PNoy tells troops: Shortage in funds not a hindrance to disaster service
Manila (26 July) — President Benigno C. Aquino III Friday called on the troops to carry on with their civil defense and disaster duties with renewed vigor and determination, even if support funding will be hampered by a shortage in calamity funds caused by the previous administration.
Addressing the turn-over of command of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City last Friday, the President said that much of the calamity funds were already spent during the first half of the year, leaving little for the second half when more weather disturbances are expected to hit the country.
During the ceremonies, the President installed Major General Arturo B. Ortiz as the new Philippine Army chief, replacing Lieutenant General Reynaldo Mapagu, who was appointed Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Halos nilimas na po ang pondong dapat magagamit sana natin sa darating na mga buwan. Hindi pa po nangangalahati ang mga bagyong inaasahan natin na darating sa taong ito, ngunit kung tatawagin kayo upang manguna sa mga search and rescue efforts, puso at tapang ang magiging pangunahin ninyong kasangkapan, dahil na rin sa kakapusan sa pondo at kagamitan (The calamity funds are almost depleted, but we are not even halfway through the number of typhoons that are expected to arrive during the year. However, if called upon for search and rescue efforts, heart and courage will be your primary instrument because of inadequate funds and equipment),” the President said.
According to the President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he would not allow such practices under his administration.
“Hindi na po tayo papayag na magpatuloy ang ganitong kalakaran. Hindi tama na kung sino pa ang nagmamalasakit, kung sino pa ang labis labis ang sakripisyo para sa bayan, kayo pa ang pinahihirapan (We will no longer tolerate these practices. It is not right for those who sacrifice so much to suffer),” the President stressed.
Initial funds inventory disclosed recently by Budget Secretary Butch Abad showed that there are not enough funds left to deal with calamity disasters this year. Abad said less than 30%, or P592,034,346, remained of the P2 billion calamity fund allocated in the 2010 budget.
As the Arroyo administration has already used up to 70.4% or P1,407,965,654 in the first half of the year, Abad suggests that calamity funds may not be adequate to cope with this year’s typhoon season.
Of the remaining funds, the previous administration had not released the Quick Response Fund (QRF) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Public Workds and Highways (DPWH), and Department of National Defense (DND), which amounts to P605,500,000.
Still, about P315,150,000 in commitments by the Arroyo government will have to be deducted, which will eventually will in a negative balance in the calamity funds.
In a media briefing after the turnover rites, the President said the DBM is looking at realigning the remaining savings from the P1.5-trillion national budget, such as the untapped P1 billion or P1.5 billion fund of the Kilos Asenso program.
The 54-year-old Ortiz was a recipient of the Valor of Medal, the highest award given by the military, three Gold Cross medals and numerous distinctions. “He was highly recommended by the Board of Generals,” President Aquino said.
The Chief Executive said he would work with Ortiz and the entire military hierarchy in pushing the reforms and modernization of the AFP “to better serve the interest of the foot soldiers and the public towards attaining peace, stability and progress.”
“Only with peace and order can stability take hold. And only with stability can economic progress ensue,” President Aquino pointed out. (OPS/PIA)
PNRC, LHMRH conduct free blood typing in Mt Province
by Juliet B. Saley
Bontoc, Mt. Province (24 July) — The Philippine National Red Cross(PNRC) Mt. Province Chapter in coordination with the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital (LHMRH) conducted last July 17 a free blood typing to 300 first year students of the Mt. Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC).
The event aims to raise awareness of the need for safe blood, to thank and honor those blood donors who make transfusion possible and to encourage regular blood donation by suitable donors.
According to Red Cross Mt. Province Chapter administrator Marcellus Diaz, the LHMRH in Abatan, Bauko provided the blood typing sera and other paraphernalia including its Medical Technologist during the conduct of blood typing held at the MPSPC auditorium. (PIA-MP)
NVizcaya sectors pin hopes on PNoy’s SONA to address country’s economic, peace and order woes
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (July 23) — Multi-sectoral leaders in the province expects the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on specific measures to address the country’s economic and peace and order problems.
Nick Ruam, president of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Employees Association (NVPEA), said he hopes to hear the full implementation of government workers’ salary standardization which will benefits state workers in the country.
“We expect to hear concrete steps to stamp out corruption at all levels of the bureaucracy and responsive economic programs. Also ways and strategies to address unemployment, transparency in the disbursement of public funds,” said Police Senior Supt. Pedro Danguilan, police provincial director here.
He added that the issuance of an executive order, compelling business establishments to issue receipts and decisive stand on insurgency secessionists and terrorism can also help in improving the aspects of the country’s bureaucracy.
The alleviation of standard of living among government employees and the improvement of their benefits once they leave the service will also serve as a major factor in weeding out corruption in the government, according to other sectors.
“There should be a firm stand to address killings of journalists, members of the judiciary and even ordinary crimes including the secured interconnectivity of government agencies to harness their full resources in enforcing the law without fear or favor,” said lawyer Francisco Pilpil of the Provincial Prosecutor’s office here. (PIA NVizcaya)
DOLE launches Cagayan Valley OSH network
by Oliver T. Baccay
Tuguegarao City (23 July) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 2 has launched the Cagayan Valley Occupational Safety and Health Network (CV-OSHNet) and presented its officers who will be carrying the network’s mandates for the workers of Region 2.
The CV-OSH Net is the regional network that would respond to the occupational safety and health concerns of all workers in different sectors in the region.
Dr. Ma. Beatriz Villanueva, Chief-Health Control Division, OSH Center, DOLE Central Office, said OSH networking is an effecting mechanism in order to reach out to more workplaces in the implementation of OSH quality programs and to address the large deficit in OSH protection of millions of workers in their respective workplaces.
Villanueva said the network is focused on addressing the problems within the workplaces of workers which will contribute more to productivity and profitability.
In the region, several sectors from the private and government have already joined the network. Majority of its members came from private big companies who have employed hundreds of employees. Some government line agencies that has vital role in the implementation of laws and policies for the safety of the workers were also tapped to join the network.
To effectively operate the network, DOLE spearheaded the conduct of election of officers wherein Engr. Eusebio A. Timario, Jr, Superintendent of Petron Depot Aparri, was elected as the network president, Ms. Hildegarda Hipolito- Regional Governor of the League of Government Nurses of the Philippines as Vice President, Ms. Sheryl-Lenn Galas of the Coca-Coca Bottlers Philippines Inc. – Secretary, Ms. Eunice Acosta of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority- Treasurer and Mr. Oliver T. Baccay- Journalist from the Philippine Information Agency was the Press Relation Officer.
Mr. Timario said the network has already conducted construction safety training for construction workers last June 7-11 and the second training on OSH appreciation will be conducted on August 17, 2010 at Hotel Ivory, Tuguegarao City.
Timario has also encouraged representatives of other sectors, line agencies and LGUs to join in the said training to capacitate them to ensure that their workplaces are safe in the pursuit of zero accident program of the OSH Center. (PIA 2)
DSWD extends additional core shelter units in Ilagan
Ilagan, Isabela (23 July) — DSWD-2 Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia and Ilagan Mayor Jay Diaz have extended fifty (50) additional core shelter units to the assessed beneficiaries of Barangay Aggassian, Ilagan, Isabela on July 16, 2010.
It was noted that DSWD has already extended a total of 216 core shelter units to the first assessed beneficiaries in the municipality of Ilagan, Isabela. A total of 266 units were received by the said municipality with a total allocation of 18.6 million pesos.
e encourage the beneficiaries to maximize their participation and draw their commitment to make the core shelter livable and sustainable,” Director Garcia emphasized.
Director Garcia was also encouraged to develop and promote the value of self-reliance among the beneficiaries and the community through its Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (NASA).
Moreover, Mayor Jay Diaz also expressed his gratitude to the department for granting again additional core shelter units to help his constituents rebuild their homes and build a new community.
“We are not just building homes, not just giving land to the landless, but we also able to build not just a community but a model community,” Mayor Diaz added.
With the help of the LGU, Provincial Government and National Government through the DSWD, the Core Shelter Assistance Project was given to the disaster victims whose houses were totally damaged and destroyed by providing a structurally strong indigenous shelter which can withstand approximately 180-200 kph velocity, earthquake with moderate intensity and other similar natural hazards. (Angely-DSWD/Oliver-PIA)
President Aquino receives courtesy call from UK Foreign Minister
Manila (22 July) — President Benigno C. Aquino III received a courtesy call yesterday (July 21) morning from the new Minister of State of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom, Jeremy Browne.
The meeting was held at the Music Room of Malacañang Palace, and increased trade and investment between the Philippines and the UK topped the agenda. They likewise discussed ways to improve the capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as possible assistance from the British government in Mindanao peace efforts.
Browne also took the opportunity to extend Britain ‘s appreciation of the role of Filipino workers, especially nurses and caregivers, in British society. In the past six years, more than 20,000 Filipinos were recruited into the UK health service.
“We recognize the massive contribution of the Filipino workers to our society,” Browne said. “They are hardworking and caring.”
Browne, who was appointed Minister of State of the FCO on May 14 this year, will be in the Philippines from July 20 to 22 as part of his South East Asian trip aimed at actively promoting the business relationship between the Philippines and the rest of South East Asia. This is his first trip to Asia since the assumption of his post.
The courtesy call was an opportune meeting between representatives of two newly installed governments. While the Aquino administration was installed on June 30, the new British coalition government was formed on May 12, 2010, with Tory leader David Cameron as Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg as his Deputy Prime Minister.
The last UK Foreign Secretary to visit the Philippines was Robin Cook in August 1997.
The UK has always been a major European bilateral partner of the Philippines, which is currently attracting serious interest throughout Europe due to what are deemed to be positive developments brought about by the Aquino administration’s policies in fostering political stability, economic growth, and social security. The total bilateral trade between the Philippines and the UK in 2008 was recorded at US$791 million, in favor of the Philippines.
The UK is cumulatively the biggest European investor in the country, with British investment amounting to US$18 billion in the past decade. There are around 200 British companies active in the Philippines, ranging from multi-national to small and medium enterprises. (PIA-MMIO)
BIR to step up tax collection, to go after tax cheats
Manila (22 July) — In a bid to meet its target of Php860 billion, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) vowed yesterday (July 21) to intensify its tax collection by running after tax cheats.
“We are strengthening our enforcement activities, and it is highlighted by filing tax evasion cases,” BIR Commissioner Kim Henares told reporters in a press briefing in Malacañang. “We started last Thursday and we intend to keep on filing every other week.”
“I have confidence in my people and confidence in the attitude of the Filipino people, that they want to help their government; and that we will able to reach the Php860-billion goal,” she said.
Henares clarified however that people who deliberately cheated on their tax payments may still make the necessary restitution by submitting amended income tax returns.
“It is the time for everyone to pay their right taxes. If they had not paid their right taxes before, what they can do is amend their return and put the right amount and pay these taxes before we even file a case against them, because once we file a case, it will be a no-compromise situation. It will continue until the case is resolved,” Henares said.
According to Henares, about 40 percent of the income earners belonged to the so-called “underground economy,” making it difficult for the BIR to go after them.
“There is more than P4 million that we are collecting from the fixed earners, but for sole proprietors, for individuals doing business and professionals, there is only less than a million from 800,000 people,” Henares said.
To encourage more income earners to pay their taxes, Henares hinted that the BIR would simplify and streamline the tax payment system.
The BIR chief also said that the reforms are meant to ensure “that our people will realize the new way of doing business is to make sure that every single centavo collected goes to the national treasury.”
She stressed that the BIR’s intensified tax collection campaign would cover all sectors, adding that no sector is 100-percent compliant.
Henares urged the public to pay their correct taxes while they still have the chance to do so. Furthermore, she advised consumers to demand a receipt for every commodity or service rendered to them to aid the agency’s campaign against tax evaders. (PIA-MMIO)
NVizcaya PNP eyes funds for new buildings
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (July 21) — Two new Philippine National Police (PNP) buildings will rise in two towns this year, provincial police officials here said.
Police Senior Supt. Pedro Danguilan, PNP provincial director here said more than P6 million is now in the pipeline to fund the construction of new PNP buildings in the towns of Quezon and Kasibu.
The fund, he said will come from the PNP Thrust Fund while the lot will be shouldered by the local government units concerned as counterpart.
“Originally, the more than P3 million was supposed to be released for the municipality of Aritao but the local government unit has yet to prepare a lot so the fund was realigned for the municipality of Quezon,” Danguilan said.
Once constructed, the two new PNP buildings will be added as the third and fourth newly-built PNP buildings this year under Danguilan’s term as provincial director.
Similar PNP buildings were constructed earlier this year such as the more than P19.8 million PNP building in Solano town and the more than P4.7 million PNP building in Kayapa town.
Danguilan who just recently wrapped up his two-year tour of duty as police provincial director of the province also expressed his gratitude to the provincial and municipal officials for their support in improving the administrative and operational capability of the Police Provincial Office (PPO) here.
“The improvement of our administrative and operational resources have resulted into our delivery and performance on anti-criminality and insurgency incidents and cases,” he said.
This year alone, four brand new vehicles, worth more than P4.2 million were turned ? over to the PNP here.
The provincial government also donated 14 computer sets, base radios and handheld radios, video camera, police blotters, computer printers.
Governor Luisa Cuaresma, chairman of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) also gave P12,000 for the repainting of the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) and construction of WPS and PNCOs quarter worth P387,000 which were sourced out separately from other donors and others. (PIA NVizcaya)
AFP cites gains of Bantay-Laya
San Fernando City, Pampanga (21 July) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines cites significant gains of Internal Security Campaign Plan Bantay-Laya. Based on a statement released by BGen Francisco N Cruz Jr, Commander of the AFP Civil Relations Service, the campaign which was launched in 2002 has caused the steady decline of the CPP/NPA’s strength and influence.
In 2002, CPP-NPA’s strength was placed at 9,260. By the end of the 1st quarter of 2010, it was down to 4,642 or 50% decrease. The CPP/NPA used to affect 2,395 barangays in 2002, but this figure was reduced by 57%, numbering to only 1,017 by end of 1st quarter of 2010, or 2.4% of the 42,025 barangays nationwide.
The campaign’s Civil Military Operations (CMO) component takes precedence over combat operations. It focused more on peace and development activities to help address the localities’ needs and eliminate the CPP/NPA/NDF’s recruitment. From Bantay-Laya emerged the AFP’s Peace and Development Teams (PDTs) that help fast-track development projects especially in far-flung communities; as well as conduct localized dialogues. Members of the PDTs are trained in public affairs and community relations.
“There are instances that the only government agency that can be felt in those remote barangays is the Armed Forces. So we take the opportunity in helping the government deliver basic services such as the conduct of free medical and dental missions and the adult literacy program. The soldiers peacefully reach out to the people and even to the rebels, this in turn, elicited voluntary surrenders and open support from the people,” says BGen Francisco N Cruz Jr, Commander, Civil Relations Service, AFP.
An upsurge of CPP/NPA surrenders was also recorded from 2005-2009. In that period, a total of 5,417 communist insurgents returned to mainstream society. Of this figure, 21 were high-ranking CPP-NPAs, 2,119 are regular fighters while 3,277 are support elements. The financial and livelihood assistance of the Social Integration Program (SIP) under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) has proved advantageous for the rebel beneficiaries as they reintegrate into mainstream society.
Corollary to Bantay-Laya campaign is the creation of the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM), the AFP’s primary unit tasked to assist in the government’s peace and development initiatives, including the implementation of the Kalayaan Barangay Program (KBP). From 2005 to present, a total of 1,663 various KBP projects were completed in 800 barangays while more are slated to be finished. These projects include the construction of school buildings, farm-to-market roads, water systems, health centers, and electrification programs.
Bantay-Laya, along with the National Internal Security Plan (NISP), encourages synergy of efforts between the military, the PNP, the Local Government Units, and other stakeholders in counter insurgency. This resulted to the declaration of 18 provinces as insurgency-free, most recent of which are Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija. A province is categorized as insurgency-free when the threat posed by the CPP/NPA is successfully downgraded into a mere law and order problem. Other provinces declared insurgency- free and whose Internal Security Operations (ISO) lead role were transferred to the Peace and Order Councils (POCs) are: Guimaras, Siquijor, Biliran, Marinduque, La Union, Nueva Viscaya, Romblon, Bohol, Apayao, Aurora, Cebu, Quirino, Tarlac, Cavite, Camiguin, and Ifugao.
This counter-insurgency campaign plan has also significantly contributed to the improvement of the business climate and tourism in the provinces. Department of Tourism (DOT) statistics from 2002-2007 indicate a consistent growth in tourist arrivals. Year 2002 earned a 0.38% increase; 2003 with 8.66%; 2004 with 20.01%; year 2005 with 15.78%; year 2006 with 5.8%; and year 2007 with 19.54% increase. While comparative statistics between 2008 and 2009 indicated a 117.25% increase in tourist visitors in Camarines Sur alone, a once known insurgency dominated area. Other top tourist destinations with stimulated tourism growth were: Bohol with 10.91% growth; Cagayan de Oro with 10.44%; and Negros Oriental with 8.67%.
Meanwhile, increase in GDP growth percentage in 2002-2004 was also noted. In 2002, the country had 4.6% GDP growth; in 2003 with 4.7%; and 2004 with 6.0%. It slightly decreased in 2005 and 2006 with 5.0% and 5.4% respectively, but soared back in 2007 with a 7.3% growth.
Jon Lindborg, Mission Director US Agency for Int’l Development in the Philippines, noted the opening of Jollibees in Mindanao as “one of the best indicators of success” in counter-insurgency.
“Oplan Bantay-Laya is heavily criticized by the CPP-NPA-NDF (CNN) and by its fronts precisely because it has through the years effectively halted the CNN’s growth. With more local chief executives exerting efforts towards gaining the confidence and cooperation of the people, and with more rebel defections as a result of better governance and disillusionment in the CNN movement, it is safe to say that the communist insurgency in the country is disintegrating. This is the opportune time for the rebels to come out and embrace the government’s offer of peace,” analyzes BGen Cruz. (PIA)
