DFA now accepting applications for the Foreign Service Exam
PAMPANGA, Jan.12 (PIA) – The Department of Foreign Affairs is now accepting applications for the 2011 Foreign Service Officer Examination.
It is open to all Filipinos aged 34 years old and below who are holders of a bachelor’s degree.
The FSO exam is composed of five parts that is set on the following dates:
· Qualifying Test- March 20
· Preliminary Interview- June 4 and 5
· Written Test- June 8 to 10
· Oral Test- October 12 to 14
· Psychological Test- November 21 to 25
The Qualifying test covers a) English grammar and correct usage b) reading comprehension c) logical reasoning d) quantitative reasoning/data interpretation e) leadership/knowledge of management concepts.
It will be held simultaneously in the cities of Quezon, Cebu, Legazpi, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Zamboanga and San Fernando, Pampanga.
An applicant must obtain a passing grade of at least 80% in order to qualify for the preliminary interview.
The requirements as well as the application form may be downloaded in the agency’s official website- www.dfa.gov.ph
For more inquiries, please call DFA’s Regional Consular Office (RCO) in Pampanga in the following numbers: (045) 455-2470, 455-2475 at 961-6175.
Application forms should be personally submitted by the applicants not later than February 4 to any RCO or not later than February 11 to the DFA Main Office. (PIA 3/Carlo Lorenzo Datu)
Army troopers capture big NPA camp in northern Luzon
by Freddie G. Lazaro
NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur, Jan. 11 (PIA) – - Government troops from the army’s 5th Division discovered one of the biggest camps of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the mountainous areas in Ilocos, Cordillera, and Cagayan regions after an encounter over the weekend in Sitio Ampa, Barangay Santo Domingo, Jones, Isabela, a senior military official said Tuesday here.
When the soldiers reached the place, they encountered the rebels that resulted into a 45 – minute gunfights.
“Having equipped with more battle tactics, our soldiers were able to advanced towards the enemy position and held the ground as night time came in. This was prompted the rebels to withdrew towards north direction dragging their wounded comrades,” he said.
Magundayao said that when the soldiers conducting clearing operations the following day, they discovered an active enemy encampment with 25 huts believed to be manned by about 30 rebels.
“Our troops also recovered the following items in the camp such as two backpacks, one claymore mine, personal belongings, 40 kg of rice, cooking paraphernalia, and subversive documents,” he said.
He said that the soldiers are presently conducting intensified hot pursuit operations on the escaping NPA rebels in the area. (Freddie G. Lazaro/PIA – Ilocos Sur)
P-Noy directs government offices to use PH, PHL
MANILA, Jan 4 (PIA)– All government agencies have been directed to use PH and PHL, the two-letter and three-letter codes assigned by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the Philippines.
“I, Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby direct all offices, agencies and other instrumentalities of the Philippine Government to adopt and use, as soon as practicable, the ISO two-letter code PH or three-letter code PHL is referring to the Philippines,” the order stated.
The ISO, a network of national standards based in Geneva, Switzerland, had earlier assigned the codes PH and PHL to the Philippines. ISO has developed its ISO 31665-1 codes to specifically identify all its member countries, including the Philippines.
“These codes are used in international events and conferences, sports meets, airline ticketing, among others, abroad and in the Philippines,” AO 5, which was signed by the President on December 9, 2010, read.
The order also noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has adopted and reflected the ISO three-letter codes, notably PHL standing for the Philippines, in the data page of the electronic passport.
The initials RP and PI previously used to identify the Philippines can no longer be used since it may only lead to confusion.
“Such ambiguity and confusion when referring to the Philippines by the use of initials can be avoided by following the codes assigned to the Philippines by ISO,” the order read. (PIA 
Fireworks-related injury in Region 1 now at 153
by Miriam P. Aquino
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Jan.3 (PIA) – A total of 153 cases of fireworks-related injury is now posted in Region 1. This data came from the Health Emergency Management Service (HEMS) of the Department of Health (DOH) – Center for Health Development – Regional Office 1, headed by Dr. Julia Racquel R. Magalong, regional coordinator.
The distribution of cases per province are as follows: La Union – 23 or 15 percent of the total; Ilocos Norte – 23 or 15 percent ; Ilocos Sur – 31 or 20 percent; and Pangasinan – 75 or 49 percent; with Cagayan – one case.
It was reflected in the report that children with ages one to 10 years old comprises the most number of victims. There was one adult male who was a victim of stray gunshot bullet and one male child who happened to be a victim of firecracker powder ingestion. No deaths were reported.
There were eight victims of blast/burn with amputation, and 93 without amputation on the upper extremities (hands/forearms); 16 cases of blast with amputation on the lower extremities; 13 victims with blast/burn on the eye/s; 11 victims with blast/burn on the face (cheek, lips, forehead); nine victims with blast/ burn on unreported body area; five victims with blast/burn on the torso/body trunk (chest, back, GIT) and one case of ingestion.
Recorded data covers the period December 3, 2010 to January 2, 2011, 5 p.m. Sources of data were the three DOH-retained medical centers (Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center, Region 1 Medical Center, Mariano Marcos Memorial Health and Medical Center), and the other local public and private health facilities as documented by the provincial health teams in La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan.
It was noted that cases of firecracker victims for this year is lesser compared to that for the same period last year with 354, though HEMS reported that there are new cases which are still being treated in public hospitals and other victims are still coming in for treatment. (PIA-La Union)
PNoy leads nation in Rizal Day rites
MANILA, Dec. 30 (PIA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III is scheduled to lead the traditional wreath laying and flag raising ceremonies as the country commemorates the 114th anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom on December 30.
On hand to assist the President are Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo David, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Ambeth Ocampo.
Simultaneous flag-raising and wreath offering rites will also be held at Rizal monuments nationwide including his birthplace in Calamba, Laguna and in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte where he was exiled in July 1892.
This year’s observance will focus on the theme “Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan” and will be highlighted by the unveiling of the logo of the 114th anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom signaling the kick-off celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the national hero.
Rizal Day is a day of appreciating Jose Rizal as a hero, an icon and a perfect example on how to be a Filipino. Jose Rizal remains the supreme hero of the Philippines because of the quality of his sacrifice, his absolute dedication to the interest of his people, and his achievement in many fields of endeavors.
The observance of Rizal Day goes back to the decree issued by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on Dec. 20, 1898 declaring Dec. 30 as the anniversary of Jose Rizal’s death and also as “a national day of mourning”, for Rizal and other victims of the Spanish dominion throughout its three centuries rule. He issued a directive that all national flags shall be hoisted at half- mast from 12:00 noon on December 29 and all offices of the government shall be closed the whole day on December 30 as a sign of mourning.
The first ever celebration of Rizal Day in the Philippines was held in Manila on December 30,1898 by the Club Filipino which coincided with the unveiling of the Rizal monument in the town Daet in Camarines Norte.
The monument was the first ever erected in honor of Rizal. Aguinaldo’s revolutionary government did not last long when the Americans came in and established their rule in the country. The Americans, conscious of the veneration of Filipinos for Jose Rizal, and perhaps to enliven the sprit of the people, came out with Act. No. 243 enacted on September 28, 1901 which granted the right to use public land upon the Luneta in the City of Manila upon which to erect a statue of Jose Rizal from a fund to be raised by Public subscription. (PIA
SSS-NCR collects P48.57-B, surpasses target
MANILA, Dec. 27 (PIA) — The Social Security System (SSS) reported a collection of P48.57 billion in member contributions in the National Capital Region and Rizal province that surpassed its annual target of P45.85 billion by six percent.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. said the pension fund’s NCR Group collected around 60 percent of an estimated P79 billion national and overseas contributions and exceeded the P45.36 billion collection last year by P3.23 billion.
“Our three branches in Makati City, the country’s center of business and finance, accounted for about one-fourth or P12.36 billion of the contributions collected by our NCR Group,” de Quiros said.
The SSS NCR Group oversees the agency’s operations in Metro Manila and Rizal province. Contribution collections from Quezon City, the largest city in NCR in terms of land area, grew seven percent to P11.69 billion.
Many of the country’s top corporations have their corporate headquarters in business districts under the NCR South Cluster, which include Makati, Taguig, Alabang, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Parañaque, Pasay and San Juan.
The official said the NCR Group collected P585.27 million unpaid contributions from employers after sending demand letters and filing cases against them, adding that it was 33 percent higher than the P439.34 million collected through legal action in 2009.
“The SSS will put legal pressure against employers who neglect their duties under the Social Security Law,” he said.
“They face imprisonment of six to twelve years on top of fines and penalties,” he added. (PIA-NCR/ jerome carlo r. paunan)
AFP acquires new equipment
MANILA, Dec. 16 (PIA) – The Korean Government turned over more than 150 new trucks were to the Armed Forces of the Philippines by in a simple ceremony Tuesday at the Philippine Army Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Department of National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin led the formal turnover and blessing ceremony together with Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Hye-Min.
Gazmin said that to be able to effectively meet the challenges posed by various threat groups, the AFP is required to continually improve its capabilities in order to stay ahead in the battlefield.
This entails the acquisition of new or upgrade of existing assets and equipment in the organization, he added.
AFP Chief of Staff General Ricardo A. David and Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arturo B. Ortiz were also present in the turnover ceremony together with Mr. Kwang-Joo and Mr. Hag Nam Kim of KIA Motors and Hyundai Corporation Manila.
Earlier, the AFP acquired more than 100 units of trucks and troop carrier also from the Korean Government under its modernization program.
230 more trucks are scheduled to be delivered to the Philippines next year.
Ifugao implements holistic approach in fight vs. malnutrition, poverty
LAGAWE, Ifugao (15 December) — The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) continues to implement a holistic approach in fighting malnutrition and poverty in the 11 municipalities here as it tries to maintain as the regional awardee for the third year.
Ruth Bogbog of the Provincial Agriculture Office said that the Integrated Area Development Assistance Program (IADAP) of the provincial government here which seeks to reduce poverty, eradicate malnutrition and alleviate the economic situation of the people is instrumental in maintaining the award received by the province for two consecutive years, 2008 and 2009.
We hope that we will still bag the said award this year 2010, Bogbog said in a radio interview in the local station here.
Bogbog also disclosed that in support to the IADAP, the Provincial Agriculture Office has been implementing the BIG FAITH (Bio-Intensive Gardening Food Available In The Household). This is agency’s food security assistance that eventually aims for entrepreneurship.
“It’s not only for food security but there should be surplus for commercial purposes which will provide income to the beneficiaries,” Bogbog said. We also support their One Town One Product (OTOP) which will not only produce enough for their family’s consumption but also as a source of livelihood, she added.
Bogbog said their office is intensifying BIG FAITH to develop beneficiaries become farmer entrepreneurs. She cited Lagawe with coffee production as its OTOP, and whose members are now processing their product being sold even outside the province.
Native rice, the OTOP of Banaue and Hingyon, are sold in the international market while the yuyu (Japanese fish), the OTOP of Hungduan is now sold at the local market. **Vency D. Bulayungan/PIA-Ifugao
GSIS provides calamity loans to members in Isabela
MANILA, Dec.14 (PIA) — The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is extending P400 million in financial assistance to eligible members residing and/or working in Isabela, after the province was adversely affected by last month’s typhoon Juan.
The GSIS announced its Board of Trustees has approved the release of a P400 million emergency loan to eligible members until 15 January 2011.
Under the emergency loan program, each eligible member can borrow P20,000.
The loan program carries an interest rate of eight percent per year computed in advance, and is payable in three years in equal monthly installment.
A service fee of one percent and Emergency Loan Redemption Insurance (ELRI) of 1.2 percent of the gross loan amount shall be deducted from the proceeds of the loan.
In addition, any outstanding balance of previous Emergency Loans shall be deducted from the proceeds.
Member-borrowers with outstanding emergency loans shall be allowed to renew the loan if the borrower has paid at least 12 monthly installments but not earlier than the anniversary date of the previous loan.
Members who can avail of the loan include those who are bonafide employees of the agency located in the declared calamity area or is a resident of the declared calamity area; are in active service and not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending criminal or administrative charges; have no arrearages in the payment of mandatory social insurance contributions; and have no loan that has been declared in default.
The agency of the member-applicant must not also be suspended because of non-payment and non-remittance of premiums and loans.
Typhoon Juan, the strongest cyclone to hit the country this year, brought day-long heavy rains and strong winds in Luzon which destroyed houses, felled trees, caused power outages and cut off communication lines in Cagayan and Isabela provinces and flooded some towns in Pangasinan.
A total of 427,962 families were affected in 3,434 barangays of 240 municipalities and 17 cities of 23 provinces in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, Cordillera Autonomous Region, and the National Capital Region.
In 2009, the GSIS released P4.89 billion in emergency loans, P4.28 billion of which went to victims of tropical storms Ondoy and Pepeng. (PIA-2)
DTI launches FTA information campaign
by Mari Cruz
Baguio City (9 December) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the business sector, successfully launched here the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Information Campaign for local businesses to take advantage of the opportunities available in Free Trade Areas(FTAs).
Dubbed as Doing Business in Free Trade Areas, the forum is designed to increase awareness and generate more business in the export market and inform exporters on how to sell their products to countries with whom the Philippines has FTAs.
“FTAs provide market access to products with zero tariffs. This campaign will engage our businessmen to explore the possibility of expanding their businesses in FTA markets,” Trade and Industry Regional Director Myrna Pablo said during the opening of the session of Doing Business in Free Trade Areas at Hotel Elizabeth, Gibraltar Road, Baguio City last December 7.
Around 150 participants mostly from the business sector, Small and medium Enterprises (SME’s), exporters, importers, were able to gain insights on how to sell their products to countries with whom the Philippines has FTAs with.
The Philippines has the following FTAs with ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA), Australia-New Zealand (AANZFTA), China (ACFTA), Japan (AJFTA/JPEPA), and Korea (AKFTA). These FTAs bring a number of trade benefits, primarily tariff elimination or reduction that make Philippine exports products more competitive.
The participants also learned how to apply for a Certificate of Origin (CO) that may be necessary in the availment of the FTA preferential tariff, procedures for doing business in FTAs, and tariff rates.
Among the topics during the briefing included practical sessions with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Tariff Commission, and the DTI’s Bureaus of Export Trade Promotion and International Trade Relations.
The activity also featured success stories of businesses that have availed of FTA benefits. (PIA)
