Caraga InFocus – June 22-28, 2019

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[ Contents 22-28 June 2019

Volume III, No. 45

MARINA Caraga highlights women seafarers REGIONAL NEWS

Month 2019 celeb to kick off in 7 Nutrition Caraga number of businesses 8 Increasing registered in Caraga improves local supports DOH’s ‘No 9 DSWD-Caraga Tobacco Smoking Campaign’ to award outstanding 10 POPCOM population officers

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

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Kaliguan Festival opens in SurSur 12 23rd town

apprehends NPA couriers after 13 Army clash in SurSur town phase of SRO CARP project 14 Initial completed

MINDANAO NEWS

anti-insurgency plan seen to 17 New address poverty in N. Mindanao

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biz group to plant 10K Sakura 18 Japan seeds in Davao, Marawi

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NATIONAL NEWS

head to oversee 21 PCOO Northern Mindanao law to aid PH’s bid for top 22 New competitive economies maternity leave law benefits 23 Expanded 120K SSS members

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News Briefs According to DOH CHD Caraga regional director Jose Llacuna Jr., their agency continues its active surveillance and monitoring as well as intensified services provision, through local health staff, to address the ongoing measles disease transmission in the region.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, expressed in his homily during today’s episcopal ordination of Bishop-elect Most Rev. Cosme Damian Racines Almedilla, that all would become more faithful in Christ, improve family ties and avoid committing violence everywhere. Now that the Diocese of Butuan has installed its new Bishop, Cardinal Tagle is also delighted to know that Bishop Almedilla would truly serve the people by inculcating the essence of good shepherding especially to the youth of the region.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Caraga is once again celebrating the Day of the Seafarer with the theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community,” on June 25, 2019 at Robinsons Place, Butuan City.

The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) Caraga, an attached agency of the OWWA), has released livelihood starter kits composed of Hair and Make Up products to 24 distressed women OFWs under the Balik Pinay Balik Hanapbuhay Program of NRCO on June 14, 2019. OWWA-RWO Caraga officer-in-charge Ma. Ireen Cambaling, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Agusan del Sur Provincial Head Jocelyn Bastareche; Rosario Tutor, San Francisco Peso Manager; and Laurence Tinampay, executive assistant of Mayor Jenny De Asis led the awarding of starter kits at the DOLE-Agusan del Sur Provincial Field Office in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur.

Cover Story

MARINA Caraga hi women seafarers

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

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UTUAN CITY - The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Caraga highlighted the strength and skills of women seafarers in Caraga region.

With the theme “Empowering Women in Maritime Community,�

MARINA Caraga regional director lawyer Manuel Portus said that women take a big part of their responsibility

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and contribution to the endeavors of the maritime industry.

He said, there is an increasing number every year of women working

addressing their women employees’ concerns and ensure that their rights are being promoted and protected.

Lindsay Mendoza, a Grade 11 student of Merchant Marine Academy of Caraga Incorporated in Butuan City, also shared her ambition to become a seafarer.

This makes her interested in participating to activities of the government such as this, where she heard from the horse’s mouth, the proficient speakers from various concerned agencies the programs, benefits and opportunities for the sector.

ighlights

She also hopes that people would no longer discriminate women joining the maritime industry.

“Women should never be affected or see themselves as less of a person because of people discriminating their intelligence and capabilities. Instead, women should set example of being empowered citizen who can be what in the cruise ships. they want in life. Never be afraid or

“Many of the maritime schools ashamed of your dream and ambition, have women students and they are show people that you can,” Mendoza increasing, so this really indicates that said. more women are interested to work in

She further encouraged all the cruise ships,” Portus said. especially the youth like her to draw

The official added that the more confidence and trust that they management of cruise ships operating could also do what the men could here and abroad are already perform as seafarers. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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REGIONAL NEWS

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Regional News I Empowering Communities

Nutrition Month 2019 celeb to kick off in Caraga

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY - While there are a number of significant national observances proclaimed for the month of July, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) here in Caraga also geared up to commence this year’s Nutrition Month celebration.

“We urge all government agencies and other stakeholders to join us as we hold the kick off activities for the regional Nutrition Month celebration.

Be part of the undertakings that would help increase the awareness of the Caraganons on pressing nutrition concerns,” said Department of Health – Center for Health and Development Caraga (DOH-CHD Caraga) regional director and officer-in-charge regional nutrition program coordinator of NNC Caraga Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr.

A motorcade shall mark the start of the celebration following a route from Guingona Park in Butuan City as the assembly area going to Almont Inland Resort, which will be followed by a healthy lifestyle and healthy diet campaign forum on July 1.

“Kumain nang Wasto at Maging Aktibo…Push Natin ‘to!” is this year’s theme, which seeks to call an action for Filipinos to practice healthy diet and

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Regional News I Empowering Communities

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engage in regular physical activity, and reduce sedentary behaviors.

According to Llacuna, the annual campaign every July will serve as an avenue to help individuals make informed food choices and be guided

on how to integrate physical activity in daily life; jump-start or reinforce nutrition advocacies and policies; and mobilize stakeholders to provide an enabling environment for healthy diet and physical activity. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

Increasing number of businesses registered in Caraga improves local economy

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY - The Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Caraga region has increased to 3.2 percent in 2018, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga showed.

During the stakeholders forum held recently here, PSA-Caraga regional director Rosalinda Apura said despite minimal increase of the GRDP in 2018 compared to 2017’s rate, Caraganons still have seen and felt the continuing progress of the region.

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including Butuan City leads with 5,441 total number of businesses registered as the highest, followed by Agusan del Sur with 5,035; Surigao del Sur; Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.

According to PSA-Caraga chief statistical specialist Melchor Bautista, The province of Agusan del Norte most of these businesses are wholesale

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Regional News I Empowering Communities

and retail, and repair of motor vehicles and employment rate,” said Bautista. and motorcycles.

The employment size in the region

“These businesses have greatly for small and medium enterprises has helped and contributed to the also showed a significant increase. improvement of the region’s economy (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DSWD-Caraga supports DOH’s ‘No Tobacco Smoking Campaign’

By Abegail R. Alvarez

BUTUAN - In line with the “NO Tobacco Smoking Campaign” this month, the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga conducted an Orientation on Harmful Effects of Tobacco to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Caraga employees on June 21, 2019 at DSWD Conference Hall.

This activity provides a better understanding on the effects of tobacco to smokers and nonsmokers.

– which states that tobacco products could not be sold or distributed within 100 meters from the school premises and public playgrounds.

Aside from its harmful effects, Ms. Sunshine Alipayo, Nurse V of DOH, discussed the policies which include the implementation of Republic Act 9211 or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003

The “No Tobacco Smoking Campaign” of DOH urges the public to quit smoking and commit to a smokefree environment, one that is healthier for all. (DSWD Caraga/PIA Caraga)

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Regional News I Empowering Communities

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POPCOM to award outstanding population officers

BUTUAN CITY - National awards await the top performing local government units (LGUs) in promoting and implementing the population management program and strategies towards empowering Filipino families.

The population offices of the LGUs and their population officers, workers and structures, being the forefront of population program implementation, will be the nominees for the 2019 Kaunlarang Pantao Award, organized by the Commission on Population and Development.

The Kaunlarang Pantao Award, once named as Rafael M. Salas Population and Development Award, aims to publicly recognize outstanding and significant performances and contribution of the local population offices and also recognize individual excellence, dedication, and determination by the local population officers and workers in pursuing the goals and objectives of the population management program in their respective areas.

significant milestone in attaining the program objectives.

Under the category of search for outstanding Local Population Officers and Workers, there shall have four specific awards: Most Outstanding Provincial Population Officer, Most Outstanding City Population Officer, Most Outstanding Municipal Population Officer; and Most Outstanding Barangay Population Volunteers/ Workers.

On the other hand, the search for Local Population Offices have three specific awards for this category: Most Outstanding Provincial Population Office; Most Outstanding City Population Office; and Most Outstanding Municipal Population Office.

POPCOM is calling all LGUs to

Commission on Population submit their nominees not later than (POPCOM) official said that the search July 30, 2019. will motivate the local population officers and workers to work hard, The regional winner shall compete and continually foster dedication for the national level which shall have and determination to promote the the chance to receive cash prizes and Philippine Population Management plaque of recognition. (POPCOM-13/ Program at the local level, thus provide PIA-Caraga)

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PROVINCIAL NEWS

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Provincial News I Empowering Communities

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23rd Kaliguan Festival opens in SurSur town

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY - The local government unit of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur has lined-up various activities for the Caraganons in celebration of this year’s 23rd Kaliguan Festival.

Among the activities for the festival include the Kaliguan Trade Fair; Local Governance Best Practices Showcase; Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Properties and Services Exhibit; Serbisyo sa Kaliguan para sa Katawhan or Services for the People by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); Perlas nan Kaliguan 2019; Department of Education (DepEd) Cultural Show; different Pinoy games; and others.

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In time with the official opening of the said festival, visitors and tourists witnessed the parade of the 14 ladies who are candidates of the “Perlas ng Kaliguan” 2019 of the municipality.

In her message, Cagwait mayor Lilian Yu Lozada highlighted the rich culture and tourism in their municipality.

She also invited everyone to unite and join with them in this annual celebration which is full of activities and game competitions that will run for several days.

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“We wanted to showcase the scenic spots and the rich culture and tourism of Cagwait and we enjoin others to experience the hospitality of our place,” said Lozada.

Provincial News I Empowering Communities bringing pride and honor to Kaliguan Festival.

According to Lozada, TIEZA would never hesitate to extend assistance to the LGU-Cagwait when it comes to

Also, Jetro Nicolas Lozada, tourism development initiatives. assistant chief operating officer for assets management of TIEZA, who served Meanwhile, said official has as the guest of honor and speaker, personally handed the financial commended the local government unit assistance from TIEZA to the local of Cagwait for continuously promoting government unit in support to Kaliguan the tourism of the municipality and for Festival. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Army apprehends NPA couriers after clash in SurSur town

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

LANUZA, Surigao del Sur – Six alleged food couriers for the New People’s Army were apprehended by the 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion (36IB) in Surigao del Sur on June 22, a military official said.

According to 36IB Civil Military Operations officer Lt. Jonald Romorosa, prior to the incident, they received a report from the residents of the presence of the NPA Terrorist conducting extortion activity.

when they intercepted two habalhabal (motorcycle-for-hire) carrying a food cache believed to be owned by the NPA and six alleged food couriers.

They were identified as Lisa Bacor Clorina, Isagani De Castro Nazareno; Gino De Castro Nazareno; Cyrel Nazareno; Juan De Castro Nazareno; and Chery Mae Maquiling, all from Barangay Gamuton in Lanuza town.

The 36IB troopers immediately responded, and a clash happened between the government troopers and more or less six members of NPA Terrorist at the vicinity of Sitio Bibian, in Barangay Barangay Mampi that lasted for about 10 minutes.

The troops have seized four cartons corn beef, one box bihon,

Romorosa said while they were one gallon cooking oil, one gallon conducting pursuit and blocking soy sauce, one gallon vinegar, four operations against the fleeing rebels trays fresh egg, one pack biscuits, 24

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pieces noodles, four empty containers, Officer Lt. Col. Xerxes Trinidad has 36 tins sardines, five pads notebooks strongly condemned the extortion and pencils, and assorted ingredients. activity conducted by the members of the NPA Terrorist victimizing innocent

The military formally turned-over civilians. the apprehended personalities to Lanuza Municipal Police Station for “It is disheartening that the CPPproper investigation of their involvement NPA Terrorist threatens the civilians and and participation in the said incident. use them as their courier for their futile cause,� Trinidad said. (PIA-Surigao del

Meanwhile, 36IB Commanding Sur)

Initial phase of SRO CARP project completed

By Christian Phillip N. Lozano

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte - Five months after its launching in Caraga region, the first phase of the Self-Reliant Organizations for Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (SRO CARP) implemented by the Department of labor and Employment - Surigao del Norte Provincial Office (DOLE-SDNPO) has finally come to its completion.

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The SRO-CARP is a project spearheaded by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council Executive Committee (PARC-ExeCom).

Provincial News I Empowering Communities Needs Analysis; 2) Strategic Planning; 3) Entrepreneurship and Rural Enterprise Development Seminar; 4) Leadership Training and Basic Networking Seminar; 5) Basic Partnership Building Seminar; 6) Human Resource Development Seminar; 7) Formulation of Policy on Old and New Equipment and other Assets; 8) Basic Business Planning/ Proposal Making and Alternative Business Framework Seminar; and 9) Cooperative Benchmarking and Seminar on GLS, OSH Law, and other related labor Laws Issuance.

Hence, as part of its commitment to the government’s agrarian reform program, DOLE also partnered for the project by empowering Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) through the provision of capability building activities and livelihood assistance to increase the productivity and general income of the beneficiaries.

Approximately P469,500 was spent for the conduct of the said trainings,

This year, the San Isidro Multi- speakers’ honorarium, training supplies, Purpose Cooperative (SIMPUCO), a and others. farmer’s organization, located in Brgy.

San Isidro, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte, “No country, no organization, no was chosen as one of the six project family is great without great leadership. sites in the country.

And leadership requires not only strength but also guidance by our Lord

“Hinaot na mahatag sa amo Almighty,” said DOLE-Caraga regional among kinahanglan nga mga dugang director Chona Mantilla. kaalaman ug ang pre and postharvest facilities para mapahapsay The first phase officially ended ang operasyon diri sa among mga with the conduct of the Inter-Agency basakan (I hope that our needs for Convergence Forum, a gathering of additional knowledge and pre/post all CARP implementing agencies in harvest facilities will be provided to the province, in order to present the us for the smooth operation of our chosen ARB organization and discuss ricefields),” said Roberto P. Naraja, to the partner agencies the help and SIMPUCO chairperson, as he expressed assistance needed by the organization. his gratitude during the launching of the project.

The said forum also opened opportunities for SIMPUCO to enroll

As beneficiaries of the said and avail to partner agencies’ CARP project, SIMPUCO has undergone the programs on top of the intervention following capability building activities: provided by DOLE. (DOLE-Caraga/PIA1) Organizational Diagnosis/ Training Surigao del Norte)

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MINDANAO NEWS

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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities

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New anti-insurgency plan seen to address poverty in N. Mindanao

MANILA - With the launching of the new anti-insurgency program in Northern Mindanao on Friday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar expressed confidence that the Duterte administration will be able to address poverty in the region.

Andanar, designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) in Region 10, said Northern Mindanao is the first region to launch a banner program called Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev) which seeks to address the root causes of internal armed conflict and insurgency.

“The purpose of this is to accelerate the development of our barangays here in Region 10 -- to end the local communist armed conflict,” Andanar said in a meeting with members of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club on Thursday.

“The CORDS here in Region 10 is

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one of the most active CORDS in the entire country. Tomorrow will be the first time that the CORDS will be meeting and presiding both the Regional Development Council (RDC), and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC),” he added.

and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Bautista, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Region 10 Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri Jr., and Regional Task Force- ELCAC chair Brig. General

CAPDev aims to promote the Franco Nemecio M. Gacal. establishment of durable peace and development while empowering Earlier this month, President Rodrigo communities in the priority focus Duterte approved an executive order areas through peace building and (EO) formalizing the designation of reconciliation, socio-economic Cabinet secretaries as CORDS heads. transformation, good governance, and institution building.

Under the CORDS initiative, Cabinet members may be assigned to

The launch in Malaybalay City, discharge their functions, duties, and Bukidnon will be joined by the the responsibilities in a particular region, in National Task Force to End Local addition to their regular duties.

Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC) co-chair Hermogenes Esperon CORDS, an offshoot of the NTFJr., Department of the Interior and Local ELCAC, takes on a whole-of-nation Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo approach to address the issues of M. Año, Department of Social Welfare insurgency in the country. (PNA)

Japan biz group to plant 10K Sakura seeds in Davao, Marawi

By Christine Cudis

DAVAO CITY - As they bank on building deeper relations with the Philippines, a Japanese business group on Thursday bared its plans of planting Sakura seeds in Mintal, Davao City and Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.

In a media interview during the Davao Investment Conference 2019, Ichido Miyake, vice president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Mindanao, said they are currently

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experimenting what type of trees would survive in a tropical country like the Philippines.

“We initially have 800 seeds from

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Mindanao News I Empowering Communities

Okinawa [Japan] that will be planted in the city and in the country,” Miyake in the colder areas of Davao, in Eden said, adding that the Sakura trees will [Nature Park],” Miyake said. be planted by the roadside.

These Sakura trees are potentially most suitable to be planted in the Philippines since Okinawa has warmer weather than the rest of the places in the country with Sakura.

If the experiment goes well, he said they might start the planting the seeds this year. And three years after, residents would see them bloom.

Apart from Mintal, Miyake said he

Mintal, a village in Davao City, is and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzano dubbed as the Little Tokyo. agreed to plant Sakura trees in Marawi City’s ground zero.

Sometime in 1937, the height of the Commonwealth era, Bagobos “Like after the nuclear bomb and Japanese coexisted and it even in Hiroshima, planting Sakura trees resulted in intermarriage. became part of our healing process. It symbolizes peace,” he said.

Its agricultural activity brought more Japanese workers until there were Miyake and his colleagues from more of them than the locals. Around the Japanese Chamber of Commerce 11,000 Japanese lived and worked in were participants of the Davao ICON Mintal at the time.

2019. They brought with them at least 50 delegates from Japan to attend the

“This will help bring more tourists event. (PNA)

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NATIONAL NEWS

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SEC. MARTIN ANDANAR PCOO

NEWS CORNER

PCOO head to oversee Northern Mindanao

Economic and Development Authority (Neda) on Thursday, June 27.

Cords was created under the administration of former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Andanar said the first joint meeting of the Regional Development Council and the Regional Peace and Order Council will be in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Friday, June 28, and it will be presided over by Cords.

They will be discussing the peace agenda of the Duterte administration, PRESIDENTIAL Communications he added.

Operation Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar was named by Andanar also lauded the regional President Rodrigo Duterte as Cabinet directors of Neda and the Department officer, as part of the revival of of the Interior and Local Government, Regional Development and Security as the co-national chairman of the (Cords) for Northern Mindanao.

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and

Andanar was one of the 16 Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Cabinet secretaries named by Duterte Jr. said that Northern Mindanao is during the Cabinet meeting in May. “the most active” and the first to meet after Duterte assigned the Cabinet

“I am very certain that with the secretaries as Cords. activation of the Cabinet Officers for Regional Development and Security Esperon will also be present all over the country, mas makatabang during the joint meeting Friday, June pa gyud nga mapaabot sa atong 28, together with the Department of presidente ang mga reports sa mga Social Welfare and Development regions,” Andanar said during his visit Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, to the regional office of the National Andanar said.

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National News I Empowering Communities

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New law to aid PH’s bid for top competitive economies

By EJ Roque

MANILA - A top official of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) said full implementation of the new Ease of Doing Business law is expected to boost the Philippines’ bid to join the top 20 percent of the most competitive economies in the world by 2022.

“Within the next three years and before the term of President (Rodrigo) Duterte ends, we hope to fully implement the law and improve our ranking from a dismal 124 out of the 190 economies to top 20 percent,” ARTA officer-in-charge, Director General Ernesto V. Perez, said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.

simple transactions within three days, complete transactions in seven days, and highly technical transactions in 20 days.

The law also limits to a maximum of three the number of signatories for applications for licenses, clearances, permits, certifications, and authorizations while electronic signatures will also

Last year, Duterte signed Republic be recognized and a zero-contact Act (RA) 11032 or the Ease of Doing policy will be implemented to avoid Business and Efficient Government improprieties.

Service Delivery, which aims to address the failure of the Anti-Red Tape Act of “The full implementation of the 2007 to solve the perennial problem of Ease of Doing Business (law) will attract bureaucratic red tape in government more economic activities, foster institutions. an enabling business environment, generate more jobs and ensure an

Under the law, government inclusive growth for our country,” Perez agencies are required to process said.

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“We look forward to shaping the Philippines as a competitive landscape where businesses, foreign and local alike, from small and medium enterprises to large businesses can thrive with the help of a government they could trust,” he added.

Perez said his office has already prepared a draft of the law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to be approved by a permanent ARTA director general.

He said ARTA has already started implementing the law even without the IRR, resolving 52.63 percent of the 166 complaints of red tape it received from various business groups and individuals.

“We’re not relying on the implementing rules and regulations. We are continuing with our two-pronged approach to the implementation of the

law,” Perez said, referring to receiving and acting on complaints and training of related government agencies.

Perez said ARTA is working hard for the Philippines to catch up and be at par with the performance of its Asian neighbors.

“As you know, in the 2019 survey, we are 124th out of 190 economies in terms of the World Bank survey in terms of doing business. Malaysia is No. 15, Singapore No. 2, Vietnam is ahead of us, even Thailand and Indonesia,” he said.

He said even prior to RA 11032 implementation, significant gains have already been made by the Duterte administration in terms of improving the ease of doing business in the country.

(PNA)

Expanded maternity leave law benefits 120K SSS members

By Azer Parrocha

MANILA - Over 120,000 female members of the Social Security System (SSS) have benefited from the Expanded Maternity Leave Law in the first four months of its implementation, its top official said on Wednesday.

SSS president and CEO Aurora Ignacio said a total of 122,571 female SSS members have enjoyed a 105-day leave which took effect on March 11 this year.

we have assisted about 122,571 female members of SSS during their pregnancy from January to April 2019,” Ignacio bared during a press briefing in Malacañang.

“We are happy to report that

“Those who gave birth starting

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employers who have paid in advance the maternity benefit adjustment and for selfemployed, voluntary members among others.

“Employers who have paid in advance the corresponding adjustment in maternity benefit to their qualified female employees in accordance with RA 11210, they have to submit to SSS a proof of advance payment with their letter request for adjustment and a photo copy of solo parent ID -- if applicable,” Ignacio said.

March 11, 2019 when the 105 dayexpanded maternity leave law (Republic Act 11210) took effect have benefited from the longer period of recuperation, after giving birth and a longer time to take care of their “For self-employed, voluntary newborns,” she added. members, OFW workers, members separated from employment - With the new maximum monthly payment of differential shall be made salary credit of PHP20,000 which was through banks or through checks as implemented last April, Ignacio said the the case maybe. Based on the initial maximum maternity financial assistance settlement of the maternity claim, SSS of SSS will increase to PHP70,000 by started paying the differential due selfJanuary 2020. employed and voluntary members on June 13,” she added.

“This is more than double the previous maternity benefit of The expanded maternity benefit PHP32,000,” Ignacio said. is among the seven types of benefits

According to Ignacio, the staterun pension fund has disbursed PHP2.67 billion in maternity benefits from January to April 2019, which is a 15.09 percent rise from the PHP2.32 billion disbursed in the same period last year.

under the new SSS law or RA 11199, also known as the Social Security Act of 2018. Others include sickness, disability, retirement, funeral, death or survivor pension and unemployment benefit.

Ignacio, meanwhile, vowed to continuously develop its benefit

She, meanwhile, clarified some programs to provide better assistance concerns on the law particularly for to the SSS members. (PNA)

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ABEGAIL R. ALVAREZ CHRISTINE CUDIS CHRISTIAN PHILLIP N. LOZANO AZER PARROCHA EJ ROQUE DSWD CARAGA POPCOM-13 DOLE-CARAGA PNA Business Managers

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Regional Office Jose Rosales Avenue, Butuan City E-mail: piacaraga@gmail.com;

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