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THE BIG NEWS
VOL.5 ISSUE 24 • APRIL 5-7, 2012
ASEAN for reforms of economic laws
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EMBER states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to initiate reforms in their economic laws and policies to harmonize the implementation of regional agreements towards the targeted establishment of a single economic community within the next three years. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Secretary General, said ministers and state leaders attending a twoday regional summit here acknowledged the need to amend some of their national laws, rules and regulations to ensure the full implementation of the ongoing regional integration efforts. “Now they are going to concentrate on the implementation at the national levels, so that national laws, national rules, national regulations will be amended, reformed in place in order to implement the major agreements,” he said in a press conference at the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit that ended Wednesday. Surin said the member states have so far ratified 70 percent of the regional economic deals but there were agreements that remained pending due to conflicts with na-
tional or domestic laws and policies. Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal, who represented the Philippines in the economic meetings, earlier admitted that the country is facing some legal constraints with regards to the implementation of the agreements in investments and the services sector. He said government is on track with its commitment towards the regional integration initiatives but is presently slowing down because of some restraints in the Constitution, specifically with the liberalization of the services sector, the foreign equity contribution and investments. The Constitution limits foreign equity investments in specific economic activities to a maximum of 40 percent. Surin said they have been working with the member states for the fine tuning of their laws related to the agreements on investments, in goods and the services sector. “All these things are important to move ASEAN forward to make it into one market,” he said. Aside from the policy reforms, Surin said ASEAN leaders were also pushing for more cross-border exchanges between small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region. “They want to increase the intra-regional trading from 25 to 40 percent (of the region’s gross domestic product). That is very, very critical if we want to make it into a strong integrated market,” he said. He said ASEAN members were also addressing the “issue of inequality” in the region by adopting a strategy of equitability that aims “to make sure that growth in ASEAN is balanced, inclusive and equitable – in a sense that all member states can equally benefit from every growth, development and prosperity as a consequence of development or engagements with the external parties.” Despite the challenges currently facing the regional grouping, Surin said ASEAN remains on track in its integration efforts. “I think the road to the (establishment of the single economic) community in 2015 is on track. The leaders, the ministers have called for the doubling of efforts and cooperation by all mechanisms, all sectoral bodies of ASEAN in order to (ensure that it) move forward,” he added. [ALLEN V. ESTABILLO / MINDANEWS]
DCWD advisory
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ENVIRONMENT SUMMIT. Edmundo Cejar from Earth Soul Solutions, who is also an active practitioner of organic farming, invites the people of Mindanao on Wednesday to participate on the Green Caravan that will converge in the city’s People’s Park on April 19 which will be followed by the 1st Mindanaonon Environment Summit on April 20-22. Cejar added that they are aiming to showcase the best and practical practices on environmental protection in the island. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]
HE Davao City Water District advises customers that its call center will not be able to attend to bill queries and other services requiring the use of computers on April 7, 2012 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. DCWD’s General Services department has scheduled a power supply shut-off which will affect the Bajada office where its call center is situated. Said power cut is need for the maintenance check-up of all electrical lines and the tapping / transferring of electrical connection. The DCWD management advises the general public that leak reports will still be accommodated as well as servicing of leak repairs. Customers will still also be able to inquire about possible emergency water interruptions in their areas. Once power supply resumes, DCWD call center operations will also normalize. For any queries, complaints and comments, they can contact the DCWD 24hour hotline 221-9412 or 0927-7988966. [JOVANA CRESTA T. DUHAYLUNGSOD]
COLONVERSATIONS. Dr Robert Bandolan of the Southern Philippines Medical Center urges the public on Wednesday to be aware and critical on the cases of colorectal cancer in the region. He added that one of the
EDGEDAVAO
major problems in handling colorectal cancer in the region is that it is difficult to follow-up the patients after discharge because most of them are from far-flung areas. [KARLOS MANLUPIG]
Explore a world of fun this Easter at Abreeza Mall!
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N April 8, Abreeza Mall fixes up a colourful concoction for kids and kids-at-heart in a day of discovery to celebrate Easter Sunday! Join EASTER EXPLORER, a whole day affair offering a series of activities that spell fun and excitement and a chance to bond with family and friends. As one big family, start the day off with an Easter Mass at 9 am at the Activity Center, to commemorate the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. At 10 am, have a fun-filled picnic at
Abreeza Park (in front of the Mall) with activities for the whole family. Kids can participate in the Egg-venture Hunt, Egg Pinata, face painting, balloon twisting, arts & crafts and play in the giant castle bouncer. Watch out for our friendly mascots as they strut their way in this summer soiree and join our games for great prizes and freebies. Families can also enjoy their lunch together at the park with food outlets and carts available in the area.
At 4 pm, Abreeza Mall brings you the Mad Science crew from Manila to perform interesting science experiments that will wow both kids and parents alike at the Abreeza Mall Activity Center. Watch Easter Egg-bert and his friends do live science demos and cool experiments to fire up your kids’ interest and imagination. There’s so much in store for everyone, so come and join the fun this coming Easter Sunday, April 8 at Abreeza Mall!
their host-country’s currency as payment for one or two years’ premium contributions, depending on the number of years specified in their OEC. Migrant workers who want to sign up with PhilHealth need only to scan their accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and send it to PhilHealth Special Programs Department on any day of the week via electronic mail with the following addresses to owp-itu@philhealth.gov.ph orphilhealth_ hk@philhealth.gov.ph PhilHealth president and chief executive Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon said that the partnership was a big favor, not just for PhilHealth, but particularly for Filipino workers overseas members as well. >p>He also said said:“We are really trying to expand, among other things, our benefits, which will redound to the welfare of our members. We believe that we should be much more aggressive in ensuring that our OFW members continue to be eligible.” He added that “we have been challenged, mandated by the President and Health Secretary (Enrique) Ona to prime universal health care.
It’s a daunting task, difficult task. We believe it’s doable. But with partners like Land Bank, the more it becomes doable for us.” On the other hand, Landbank president and chief executive Gilda Pico said that “we are very pleased with this arrangement with PhilHealth. We hope that this will pave the way for a more convenient collection and remittance system for PhilHealth contributions for our overseas Filipinos. We have always looked at the OFWs as our valuable partners in economic development.” She also said that “we assure you that Landbank will support your objective of promoting better health and improve the quality of life of Filipinos.” Also present during the signing ceremony were PhilHealth executive vice president and chief operating officer Atty. Alexander A. Padilla, Senior Manager for Treasury Department Dr. Evangeline F. Racelis, Landbank executive vice president, Head, Institutional Banking and Subsidiaries Sector Cecilia C. Borromeo and 1st vice president, Head, OFW Remittance Group Roberto S. Vergara.
LandBank now collects PhilHealth premiums from OFWs, migrants
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HE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) recently signed a Collection and Remittance Agreement (CRA) with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) for the collection of premium contributions of Filipino workers overseas and migrant workers. The LandBank, which has been a partner of PhilHealth for the past 14 years, will be collecting premium contributions abroad through its accredited remittance companies (RemCos) based in Europe, USA, Australia, Canada, Middle East, and throughout Asia. The RemCos started collecting premium contributions last March 15, 2012 from Fiulipino workers overseas and migrant workers based in HongKong, Macau, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through its foreign tie-ups namely, Pacific Ace Forex H.K., Macau Pacific Ace Remittance, Ltd., and Al Rajhi Bank in KSA. When paying their PhilHealth premium, workers overseas need only to present their PhilHealth ID card or Overseas Employment Contract (OEC) as proof of identity to the RemCos’ authorized representative. They may use