Author: lwadmin

MANILA: Strengthening linkages with the private sector and ensuring the ease of doing business (EODB) are the key steps in “future-proofing” the country’s job market against modern challenges, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said Thursday.

During the Pre-SONA (State of the Nation Address) Special over state-run PTV, Laguesma said this is President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s marching order to government agencies to cushion the effect of market challenges and breakthroughs, including artificial intelligence.

“Alam natin na ang lumilikha talaga ng trabaho ay ang pribadong sektor, ang pangunahing responsibilidad ng pamahalaan ay lumikha ng isang (We all know that the private sector is the who creates jobs, the primary responsibility of the government is to create an) enabling environment conducive to investment tsaka paglago ng negosyo (and growth of business). How do you do that, through digitalization, reducing the cost of doing business in the Philippines, saka (and) ease in doing business,” Laguesma said
.

He underscored the importance of stability in policies in enticing more investors.

“Hindi ‘yung pabago bago. Nakapag-invest ka na, may problema ka na naman agad. Hindi ka pa nagsisimula, napalaki na ng iyong ginagastos. Yun ang gustong tugunan ng ating Pangulo (We do not want policies that change from time to time. You already placed an investment and you are already having problems. You haven’t even started and yet you have spent so much already. Our President wants these problems resolved),” he added.

Last month, the government launched the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) plan at the first-ever National Employment Summit.

The TPB is a 10-year roadmap that will serve as the national guide toward greater employment generation and recovery.

“Ang sinasaad noon ay ang paglilikha ng mga dekalidad at sustainable na hanapbuhay. Mabawasan ang ating poverty incidence na pwedeng i-address ng paglikha ng mas maraming hanapbuhay at dapat ay mas maging inclusive yung pagbibigay ng serbisyo, pati ‘yung paglago ng ating
ekonomiya, dapat ma-cascade natin sa lahat ng level ng ating lipunan (It mandates the creation of quality and sustainable jobs. It also aims to reduce poverty incidence by creating more jobs and ensuring that these are inclusive, as well as the services and our economic growth. It must be cascaded to all levels of society),” the labor chief said.

The TPB is expected to help generate at least 3 million new jobs by 2028.

Laguesma, citing data from the Department of Trade and Industry, said investment commitments from the foreign trips of the President are expected to generate an additional 200,000 jobs.

He said the DOLE is also sparing no effort in preparing the youth for employment through programs such as the Government Internship Program and the Special Program of Employment for Students.

Employers must address wage distortion

The DOLE chief also said employers are responsible for adjusting workers’ salaries to maintain the wage gap.

This comes after the National Capital Region wage board approved a PH
P35 hike in the daily pay of private sector workers in the region.

Laguesma said this is essential to uplift the morale of workers.

‘May nakaset na proseso. Pwede makipag-usap na kayo. Alam nila kahalagahan ng correction ng distortion. Ilang taon ka na nagtatrabaho, inabutan ka na ng minimum wage earners (There is a process. They should hold talks. They know the importance of correction of the distortion. You have been working for so long and yet the minimum wage earners have caught up on you in terms of salary). The employers must make adjustments to maintain the reasonable gap between wages,’ the DOLE chief added.

In Wage Advisory No. 1, Series of 2023, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) reiterated relevant provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines and jurisprudence on the matter, outlines how instances of wage distortion may be recognized.

The procedures to correct wage distortions are as follows: for organized firms (with union), employer and the workers’ union shall negotiate
to correct the distortions; any dispute arising from wage distortions shall be resolved through the grievance procedure under their collective bargaining agreement; and if it remains unresolved, the parties may push through with the process of voluntary arbitration.

On the other hand, for unorganized firms (without union) the procedures will be, the employers and workers shall endeavor to correct the wage distortions; any dispute arising therefrom shall be subject to mandatory conciliation-mediation through the Single-Entry Approach (SEnA) of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB); and if there is no settlement, the distortion may be resolved through the labor arbiter or may be submitted by both parties through voluntary arbitration.

The formulas and examples may serve as guide in adjusting wage structures to rectify any wage distortions can be viewed through this link, https://nwpc.dole.gov.ph/nwpc-advisory-no-01/.

Wage distortion occurs when the variations in wage structures or rates among
employee groups within an enterprise are significantly eliminated or substantially diminished due to mandated wage increases.

Restoring the substantial distinction or gap is permissible under Article 124 of the Labor Code.

On the other hand, Laguesma noted that if the parties did not reach an agreement, they may submit a letter to the DOLE.

‘Kung hindi magkasundo, pwede sila sumulat sa DOLE. May Single Entry Approach (SEnA) kami. Kung may issue, papatawag lang, ang usapan ay cordial, civil. Wala muna file-an ng demanda (If they do not agree on something, they can write to the DOLE. We have a Single Entry Approach. If there is an issue, we will call them for cordial and civil talks. No filing of charges yet),’ he said.

SEnA is an administrative approach to provide a speedy, impartial, inexpensive, and accessible settlement procedure of all labor issues or conflicts to prevent them from ripening into full-blown disputes or actual labor cases.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Foreign students who are looking to study in the country can now apply for a special study permit (SSP) online.

In a news release Thursday, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it has launched the online application for SSP.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the new way of applying for the special permit, is part of the agency’s broader modernization efforts, aligning with the vision of a “Bagong Immigration towards the Bagong Pilipinas.”

He said the new online application system is expected to significantly improve the efficiency and convenience of obtaining the said permit via the BI’s online services portal at e-services.immigration.gov.ph.

“The launch of the online SSP application is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to modernize the Bureau. This is part of our commitment to making transactions easier and more convenient for the public,’ Tansingco said.

‘By moving applications online, we also aim to minimize opportunities for corruption, ensuring a more transpare
nt and efficient process,’ he said.

An SSP is a permit for foreign students to study in the Philippines. Applicants should meet the specific criteria which include, below 18 years of age, enrolled and admitted in a non-degree course, enrolled and admitted in a short course of less than one year, or being a trainee or intern completing a degree course.

Those enrolled in aviation or flying schools to complete the required number of flying hours are also eligible for an SSP.

Tansingco said the BI’s online services portal also offers several other services including, the annual report, emigration clearance certificate, dual citizenship, tourist visa extension, and waiver of exclusion grounds.

‘The availability of these services online is expected to enhance the overall experience for those interacting with the BI,’ he said.

The BI will also launch an online application for student visas as well as other key immigration services.

The public may visit e-services.immigration.gov.ph to know more about the BI’s
online services.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The release of nearly 12,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) resulted in a significant decrease in the congestion rate of the country’s prison facilities, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

This is a result of the Marcos administration’s sweeping reforms in the justice system, Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said during the agency’s town hall meeting in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

‘Congestion in prisons remains a challenge but since the change of administration in July 2022 up to March 2024, DOJ has caused the release of 11,940 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) after a diligent review of their prison records. As of May 2024, overcrowding in prisons have been substantially reduced to 239 percent,’ Andres added.

Andres said these PDLs were freed through the efforts of the Public Attorney’s Office.

Andres, meanwhile, said this jail congestion rate is a significant drop from the previous 300 percent.

“Hindi pa po na-solve ngunit nasa tamang direksyon na po tayo. Hindi na po tayo puma
payag na may mahinang kaso na isampa sa korte para wala na po harassment, wala pong deprivation of liberty ng walang sapat na ebidensya (We have not yet solved the problem but we are in the right direction because of the reforms. We no longer allow weak cases be filed before the courts so as to eliminate harassment, there will be no more deprivation of liberty without sufficient evidence),’ Andres said.

“He added that reforms in terms of streamlining the prosecution process and case build-up to weed out weak harassment and nuisance cases has also resulted in a marked improvement in conviction rates.

He said DOJ prosecutors now secure a very high conviction rate of 93.59 percent of cases actually filed before the courts.

He said the new system institutionalizes cooperation between law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and prosecutors who now take a closer participation in investigating cases.

‘We have institutionalized the close cooperation and coordination between prosecutors and LEAs envisioned to weed out wea
k cases that would not stand the rigors of a court trial. What is more important the threshold of evidence, kung ano po ang ebidensyang hawak bago kayo makasuhan ay kailangan ho kumpleto. Hindi po kagaya ng dati naghahanap ng ebidensya habang trial na. Ngayon po hindi na dapat nasa kamay ng prosecutor ang kumpletong ebidensya beago simulan ang paglilitis (we ensure that the pieces of evidence available before somebody can be charged must be complete. Gone are the days when evidence is sought when the case is already pending before the courts),’ Andres said.

‘Hindi po nasayang ang pagod ng kapulisan at pagod ng korte at ng prosecutor dahil po sa masinop ng pagkuha ng ebidensya, paghahanda sa trial (The efforts of police and the courts along with the prosecutors in securing evidence is not wasted,’ he said.

After a full year of proactive involvement in case build-ups up to March 2024, Andres also said 7,114 weak cases were not filed in courts which contributed to decongestion of its dockets.

Source: Philipp
ines News Agency

MANILA: The camp of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. is expected to exhaust the 30-day period to appeal the decision of Timor-Leste’s court approving the Philippine government’s request for his extradition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday.

‘They (Teves’ counsel) have a total of 30 days to file their motion for reconsideration which started June 27. At sa tingin namin (We foresee), as an accused, they will try to exhaust yung full period. We are ready kung ano man ang magiging desisyon ng (for whatever is the decision of the) (Timor Leste) Court of Appeals,’ DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano told reporters on the sidelines of the agency’s town hall meeting in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

Clavano, meanwhile, said the Philippine law enforcement agencies have a team ready to fly to Timor Leste to bring Teves back to Manila once the Timor Leste government has finally resolved the appeal.

‘This is a very new process to Timor-Leste. This is the first time that they will
ever extradite somebody from their country. So we are coordinating very closely with the Timor-Leste officials to make sure that every step of the way, from the minute and second that the decision is rendered to the time that he is finally put on the plane to come back to the Philippines, dapat yung lahat po ng detalye na yun ay malaman na natin bago tayo pumunta doon (all details must be resolved before we go there). So with the coordination with the DFA, coordination with the Timor-Leste officials, we will be able to iron out lahat po ng maliliit na (all the small) details,’ he said.

Teves faces murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges in connection with the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo last year.

Finding other fugitives

Meanwhile, Clavano said the DOJ will leave to law enforcers any possible actions regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that he knows the whereabouts of two other fugitives — Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy and former
Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag.

Quiboloy faces sexual abuse and human trafficking charges while Bantag is tagged as the primary suspect in the murder of journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa.

‘(W)e leave it up to the law enforcement agencies to evaluate muna kung ano yun sa tingin nila na (first what they think on) possible actions that they can take on the statements of the former president, But on the part of the DOJ, again we will wait for any complaint that is filed with the department before we act on it,’ Clavano said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

LEGAZPI CITY: Some 749 athletes, coaches, and other delegates from the Department of Education (DepEd) in Bicol Region are now ready for the 2024 Palarong Pambansa to be hosted by Cebu City from July 9 to 16.

In a press conference here, DepEd Bicol Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad said they are determined to take home at least 20 gold medals and targeting the fifth overall rank in this year’s games.

“We really have that target; Region 5 is number 5. Hindi muna kami doon sa top 3, National Capital Region (NCR), Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon), Western Visayas and Mindanao areas. At least number 5 magandang target na, good start again. Noon (2019) sa Davao, nag target kami ranked 10, but we were able to reach rank 7 (not in the top 3, National Capital Region (NCR), Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon (Calabarzon), Western Visayas and Mindanao areas. At least number 5 is a good target, good start again. Back then (2019) in Davao, we targeted rank 10, but we were able to reach ran
k 7),” he said.

“We excel in track and field and athletics; we have two gold medalists from Masbate who participated in the Asian games in Vietnam and won gold medals; they are part of our delegations. We also excel in Arnis, taekwondo, and boxing; they are all contact sports. We target to have at least 20 gold medals,” Sadsad noted.

He said that for this year’s Palarong Pambansa, DepEd-Bicol downloaded more than PHP10 million in funds for the food, uniforms, and other expenses.

He also said that they allocated a PHP1.5 million fund as cash incentives for athletes who will be bringing home medals.

As of this writing, Bicol’s delegates were in Masbate province on their way to Cebu.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (A.F.P) on Thursday said it has demanded PHP60 million from China as payment for the equipment damage and losses incurred from the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) harassment of Manila’s rotation and resupply mission for Filipino troops in the Ayungin Shoal on June 17.

In an interview, A.F.P chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said he made the demand in a letter forwarded to Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Teodoro will transmit the letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs, which will then reach out to China.

“Dun sa aking sulat I demand the return of seven firearms, yung pong mga baril na yun ay kinuha ng mga China Coast Guard na naka-box, naka-box kasi yung mga armas na yun kaya’t dinampot na lang nila yung mga pitong riple at sinira nila yung ating mga kagamitan and when we estimated the cost of the damage its PHP60 million (In my letter, I demand the return of our seven firearms, those guns were in box taken by the CCG, these seven rifles we
re in box that they just took, and they damaged our equipment, and we estimate the cost of all the damage at PHP60 million),” he said.

Aside from the seven rifles, Brawner said two of the Philippines’ rigid-hull inflatable boats involved in the mission were also damaged by the CCG personnel.

He said they are looking to charge China with the cost of the “restructuring of the hand” of Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo who lost his right thumb during the melee with CCG members.

He said the medical procedure is needed to restore the function of his right hand that was injured in the incident.

Source: Philippines News Agency

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: The Philippines’ first higher education conference on indigenous peoples (IPs) opened on Thursday in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon province, intending to bring IP knowledge and practices in modern industry integration.

Dr. Hazel Jean Abejuela, vice president for academic affairs of Bukidnon State University, lauded the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for organizing the “Bigkis 2024” conference.

Abejuela said the initiative forms part of the university’s commitment to integrating IP knowledge and traditions into its academic curriculum.

‘BukSU has introduced culture-responsive courses that incorporate Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices, such as Indigenous Knowledge and Ecology and Indigenous Knowledge Management Systems,’ she said.

The two-day conference brought together participants from around the country to formulate mechanisms for strengthening IP education within the higher education system and in the workplace in different industries.

CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat sa
id the IP knowledge systems are not merely “relics of the past but living testaments to our collective resilience.”

Among the presenters was tribal leader and IP arts and music conservationist Datu Rodelio “Waway” Saway.

Saway said the vibrant traditional music, arts, and dance of the Bukidnon IPs are not merely artistic expressions but also repositories of wisdom, community values, and spiritual connections.

“These cultural forms are living manifestations of enduring traditions and legacies, encapsulating the collective identity and heritage of the indigenous communities,’ he said.

Saway, a renowned artist and leader of the Talaandig tribe from Lantapan town, Bukidnon, established the Talaandig School of the Living Traditions with his family.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is expected to visit the Philippines within the year, his foreign minister announced Thursday.

In a press conference in Makati City, visiting Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said the two governments are now preparing for his trip, which will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Philippine-Thailand diplomatic relations.

The official neither elaborated on the agenda nor the targeted date but said this would be part of the series of high-level visits between the two states.

Also this year, he said Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will visit Thailand for the convening of the 6th Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting between Manila and Bangkok.

In his speech, Manalo said this meeting would allow the two countries to take stock of the bilateral relations, and ‘review and explore, if not agree, on new areas of cooperation’.

Manila and Bangkok are now in discussion to strengthen ties on trade and investmen
ts, tourism, education, food security, defense, and renewable energy, among others.

Sangiampongsa went on an official visit to the Philippines ahead of the 6th JCBC to discuss with Manalo a number of issues, including ways to address transnational crimes and the situation in the South China Sea, Myanmar and Gaza.

On regional issues, Manalo said he briefed the Thai official on the current developments in the South China Sea and reiterated that the Philippine position has been ‘consistent, clear, and firmly anchored on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea’.

‘I reaffirmed the Philippines’ continued commitment to ASEAN’s centrality and ASEAN’s goal of peace and stability in the region,’ he said.

On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the two top envoys affirmed the need for peace in the region, with Manalo expressing Manila’s firm support for a two-state solution and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Source: Philippines New
s Agency

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY: The Bukidnon provincial government on Thursday handed over 67 houses worth PHP22.5 million to indigent beneficiaries, including those who lost their homes in a fire last month.

Governor Rogelio Neil Roque said the initiative is a joint effort between the provincial government and the local government of Don Carlos, which provided the lots for the houses.

“Providing housing or shelter, especially for the underprivileged, is crucial. First, it addresses the fundamental need for safety and security,” he said in a statement.

Roque said having decent houses promotes economic stability by enabling individuals to pursue job and education opportunities more effectively.

Located in Barangay Don Carlos Sur, the new community, now called Paglaum Village, started its construction on Dec. 1, 2021, and was completed on Feb. 22, 2024.

Mayor Victoria Pizarro said the list of beneficiaries of the housing project included those affected by the fire on June 1.

Meanwhile, the local government of Malayb
alay City has completed the upgrade of a swine production center in Barangay Casisang, which costs PHP2.6 million.

The Department of Science and Technology also gave PHP761,000 to the Dalwangan Malaybalay United Dairy Agrarian Reform Cooperative to support the group and the Malaybalay City government’s efforts to innovate the local dairy industry.

Source: Philippines News Agency