DepEd muling binuksan ang SHS Voucher Program online application

DepEd muling binuksan ang SHS Voucher Program online application para sa mga Grade 10 completers

 

PASIG CITY, May 9, 2017 – Bilang paghahanda sa darating na pasukan sa Hunyo, muling binuksan ng Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ang Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP) online application para sa Grade 10 completers na nagnanais mag-enroll sa mga pribadong paaralan.

 

Ayon sa Kagawaran, ang programa ay naglalayong matulungan ang mga estudyante na makapag-aral ng Senior High School sa mga pribadong eskwelahan sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tulong pinansyal para sa matrikula.

 

Ang online application ay mula Mayo 1-15 lamang at ang resulta ay ilalabas sa Mayo 30. Ito ay upang bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga Grade 10 completers na hindi nakapag-apply noong unang application period na mula Nobyembre 2016 hanggang Pebrero 2017.

 

Ang maaari lamang mag-apply ay ang mga Grade 10 completers sa pribadong paaralan na hindi kabilang sa Educational Service Contracting(ESC). Samantalang ang mga Grade 10 completers na galing sa pampublikong paaralan at ESC grantees ng pribadong paaralan ay awtomatikong kwalipikado na sa programa.

 

Sa ilalim ng programa, ang mga Grade 10 completers mula sa pampublikong paaralan ay mayroong P22,500 halaga ng voucher kung sila ay mag-aaral sa pribadong paaralan na nasa National Capital Region (NCR); samantalang  P18,000 naman para sa mga Grade 10 completers mula pribadong paaralan.  Ang mga Grade 10 completers mula sa pampubliko at pribadong paaralan na nais mag-enrol sa State at Local Universities at Colleges ay may P11,250 halaga ng voucher.

 

Mayroon ding nakalaan ang programa para sa mga estudyanteng nasa labas ng Metro Manila o nasa Highly-Urbanized Cities. Ang halaga ng voucher ay P20,000 para sa mga Grade 10 completers mula sa pampublikong paaralan; at P16,000 naman para sa mga Grade 10 completersmula sa pribadong eskwelahan. Para sa mga nag-nanais na mag-enrol sa State at Local Universities at Colleges, ang halaga ng voucher ay P10,000.

 

Ang programa ay may nakalaan din para sa mga mag-aaral sa malalayong siyudad at munisipalidad. Ang halaga ng voucher para sa mga Grade 10 completers mula sa pampublikong paaralan ay P17,500; samantalang P14,000 para sa nagmula sa pribadong paaralan; at P8,750 para sa mga nagnanais na mag-enrol sa State at Local Universities at Colleges.

 

Binigyang-diin ng DepEd na walang bayad at pamantayang grado upang makapag-apply sa Voucher Program. Ang mga interesado ay dapat lamang mag-apply sa pamamagitan ng http://ovap.deped.gov.ph. Online application lamang ang muling binuksan at hindi tatanggapin ang manual applications.

 

Ang SHS Voucher Program at ESC ay bahagi ng Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) ng pamahalaan na naglalayong mapalawak ang pagbibigay sa mga kabataang Pilipino ng oportunidad na makapag-aral sa pamamagitan ng pinansiyal na ayuda.

 

Kaugnay nito, nais linawin ng Kagawaran: Ang voucher ay hindi tseke o salapi na matatanggap ng mga estudyanteng kwalipikado. Ang halaga ng voucher ay direktang ibinabayad ng Kagawaran sa mga pribadong paaralan kung saan mage-enroll ang mga estudyanteng kabilang sa programa.

 

Para sa detalyadong impormasyon, maaaring bisitahin ang website na http://deped.gov.ph; Facebook: DepEd Philippines; at Twitter: DepEd_PH.

Philippines to draft Philippine Human Rights Plan for next 5 years

Philippines to draft Philippine Human Rights Plan for next 5 years

A Philippine Human Rights Action Plan under the Duterte administration for the next five years is already being prepared. 

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano reported this in his opening statement during the 3^rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review last May 8. 

In line with the administration's commitment to uphold the rule of law and protect the human right of all Filipinos, Cayetano said the government is in the process of drafting a five-year human rights plan that will adopt "a culture-sensitive perspective, gender-sensitive paradigm, and human rights-based approach in public service."

The plan seeks to mainstream the government's human rights agenda in its development initiatives to protect all, especially the most vulnerable sectors, including but not limited to, the indigenous people, children, women, migrant workers, the elderly, domestic workers, persons with disabilities, farmers, laborers, and members of the LGBT community. 

It should be recalled that the Human Rights Plan of the past administration was crafted in 2012. 

Cayetano cited the President's statement  during his first State of the Nation Address in July 2016: "There can never be real, tangible and felt development without making our people feel secure."

The senator also highlighted the Duterte administration's effort to augment the budget of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) from P439 million to P724 million. This year's budget of CHR is the highest since 2005. 

"The provision of additional resources for CHR, the President's most outspoken critic, shows that this administration supports human rights programs and initiatives," Cayetano explained. 

Additionally, Cayetano stressed that the issuance of an Executive Order institutionalizing the Freedom of Information in the executive branch as well as the installation of a direct complaint hotline - 8888 - to the Office of the President are clear proofs that President Rodrigo Duterte is for accountability in government.

He also noted the government's efforts in encouraging private sector participation in ensuring a more effective and sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration program for self-confessed drug users and pushers who surrendered.   

"The Philippine Government under President Duterte is committed to real change, to peace and development and to addressing the problems of poverty and inequality… We are committed to Change. We are committed to the rule of Law. We are committed to upholding human rights," Cayetano concluded.

Marikina Shoe Industry

TRADE CHIEF, JAPANESE SENATOR EXPLORE WAYS TO REVIVE MARIKINA SHOE INDUSTRY. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (right) recently (2 May) discussed with Japanese Senator Teruhiko Mashiko (left) more possible ventures for trade and investment cooperation between the Philippines and Japan. Specifically, as Senator Mashiko talked about prospects in the shoe manufacturing industry in the Philippines, Sec. Lopez mentioned opportunity for Japanese investors to touch base with the stakeholders of Marikina City, the shoe capital of the Philippines. Also discussed were the complementary demographics between the two sides with Japan having silvering populace and with the Philippines enjoying a sweet spot of younger workforce. In view of its human capital advantage, the Philippines has become one of the most attractive markets for human resources globally. According to Sec. Lopez, President Rodrigo Duterte is very keen in bringing back the glory of Marikina's robust shoe making industry.

Senator Cayetano proposes to change mandatory retirement age for uniformed personnel

Cayetano proposes to change mandatory retirement age for uniformed personnel 

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is proposing to adjust the compulsory retirement age for the country's uniformed men and women from fifty-six (56) to sixty (60) years old.

Cayetano recently filed a measure seeking to adjust the compulsory retirement age for officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), uniformed officers and non-officers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and members/officers of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

"We need more competent and dedicated uniformed personnel to assist our government pursue its programs to ensure peaceful, orderly, and safe communities," Cayetano said as he filed Senate Bill No. 1436 last May 4.

Cayetano pointed out that the tasks performed by the personnel of the PNP, BJMP, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the BFP require long years of training and experience. 

He said he is confident that at age 56, these personnel can still fulfill the physical, mental, and psychological demands and rigors of their position.

Under existing laws, civilian government employees are compulsorily retired at the age of sixty-five (65), while the retirement age for uniformed personnel is pegged at fifty-six (56). 

Currently, uniformed personnel who have accumulated thirty years of satisfactory service or who have reached the age of 56 are compulsorily retired. 

"Recognizing their indispensable role as protectors of the State and its citizens, the government has heavily invested in the training and development of the officers and members of these agencies," the senator stressed.

"We need to maximize their years of experience and wealth of knowledge, harness their leadership skills and professional competence until the age of 60," he added. 

Cayetano hopes that extending the years of service would also increase the number of qualified personnel in these respective offices. 

He noted that the long-term goal is to keep hardworking and dedicated uniformed personnel longer in service and to remove corrupt officials and scalawags who are destroying the image of the institutions that they serve.

"The senior officials are in the best position to help our administration to lead the reforms in their respective agencies," Cayetano noted.

"Additional years in service would also allow these officers to have more opportunities for career advancement," he added.

CONQUERING MALNUTRITION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CONQUERING MALNUTRITION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 

Properly and effectively implemented, the National School Feeding Program envisioned in House Bill 5269 will significantly reduce the number of malnourished children nationwide, particularly in the poorest localities.

 

Lower malnutrition will not be the only long-term impact. Healthier kids, means improved overall academic performance in school and more productive citizens, which contributes to economic growth and social progress.

 

HB 5269 was recently approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives. HB 5269 will await its Senate Counterpart during the bicameral conference phase of the legislative process. 

 

Last July, I filed HB 1438 entitled "An Act Establishing a Nutrition Program for All Public Elementary Schools in the Country and Appropriating Funds Therefor." It was then consolidated with 12 other bills into HB 5269.

Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso

DTI, PAWN BROKERS CHAMBER DISCUSS POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE P3 MICRO-FINANCING PROGRAM. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (top: 4th from L) recently (9 May) discussed with the Chamber of Pawn Brokers of the Philippines (CPPI) possible opportunities to strengthen the distribution network of President Rodrigo Duterte's Pondo para sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Program. According to CPPI President Jean Henri Lhuillier (top: 5th from R), the Chamber is interested in supporting the P3 program by partnering as conduits. Sec. Lopez, on the other hand, expressed optimism on the partnership, which can further expand the program's network through pawnshops across the country. Small Business Corporation (SBCorp) President Brillo Reynes (top: leftmost) said that the P3 program is on-track, distributing P60 million funds in Mindoro alone. P3 is a microfinancing program that aims to end the usurious "5-6" scheme and help the micro, small and medium enterprises get easier access to financing services, providing non-collateral loan with small interest rate of 2.5% every month. Payments are also made easy and flexible as individuals can pay either weekly or monthly. Trade Undersecretary for Regional Operations Zenaida Maglaya (bottom: rightmost) and CPPI board members and officers were also present in the meeting. 

Philippine IMMIGRATION BILL NEEDS URGENT ACTION

IMMIGRATION BILL NEEDS URGENT ACTION

 

I urge my colleagues on the House Committee on Justice to urgently tackle, as soon as the summer break is over, the five pending bills seeking either to create a Commission on Immigration or update the immigration law of our country.

 

The stop gap measures for the current immigration personnel woes at the NAIA are temporary in nature, but the long-overdue updating of the immigration legal infrastructure can address those overtime pay problems, which are symptomatic of or linked to the many ailments of the Bureau of Immigration and the immigration system.

 

As my colleague Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr. properly noted in his House Bill 1697, Congress has tried since the Fourteenth Congress to update our immigration law.

 

This cannot go on for long. The Seventeenth Congress ought to pass a new immigration law and send it to President Duterte for either signing or lapsing into law.

 

When the Committee of Justice approves the consolidated bill, I ask President Duterte to certify it as urgent. I also ask Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to recommend the consolidated bill for certification as urgent, so it could be approved in time for implementation before the end of 2017 and allow the Justice Department time to approve the implementing rules and regulations.

 

We need to ascertain and solve the problems that have kept Congress from approving this legislation critical to our national security, mass transport system, and the administration of justice. (END)

QBO launches hub for startup programs

QBO launches hub for startup programs

 

QBO Innovation Hub, an established partnership between the public and private sector including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), IdeaSpace Foundation, and J.P. Morgan, opened its startup enablement programs to help speed up growth and learning for Philippine startups and entrepreneurs.

 

"We are excited to create success stories that will inspire Filipinos to start their own companies instead of pursuing opportunities overseas," said QBO and IdeaSpace President Butch Meily.

 

QBO will start offering programs and services to startups including access to QBO's networking events such as classes, workshops, mentorship, feedback sessions, and use of its co-working space.

 

Available services also include professional consultations on legal, accounting, marketing and design, corporate and government partner resources referrals, incorporation assistance, business registration, intellectual property filing, and investors and potential partners pitching.

 

"DTI hopes that with our partners from industry, academe, and other government agencies such as DOST and DICT, our initiatives will help advance the development of our local startup ecosystem and increase the number of high-growth oriented enterprises that will bring the Philippine brand in a global scale," emphasized DTI Trade and Investments Promotions Group Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.

 

Through QBO, startups will also have an opportunity to join J.P. Morgan's Incubation Program, a stage agnostic module that will be available to select and high-potential startups all year round. It initially plans to enroll 15 startups by the end of 2017.

 

"As one of the world's leading financial institutions, J.P. Morgan celebrates new ideas and we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs in the country, especially those with underserved backgrounds. Engaging with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at their early stages is critical and we are excited about the tremendous opportunities they will bring to developing sectors and generating jobs, which are both vital in promoting prosperous and thriving communities," said Roberto L. Panlilio, Senior Country Officer, J.P. Morgan Philippines.

 

To avail the said services, startups need to have an initial interview with the QBO team and undergo initial assessment. Through this, a customized plan will be designed to match with the resources needed by the startup.

 

QBO was launched in 2016 with DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and PLDT Group Chair Manny V. Pangilinan. It aims to link innovators, explorers, investors, academic institutions, start-up mentors, funders and enablers as well as a broad spectrum of partners and stakeholders from both public and private sectors to convene in constructive interaction.

 

"The Philippine startup ecosystem is growing incredibly quickly, fueled by a young population engaged in the internet and digital, and more importantly, by entrepreneurs that demonstrate incredible determination and commitment. By continuing to develop ideas into innovative products and technologies, startups can evolve to become great companies that positively impact the future of the Philippines" said DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara.

 

QBO is the first innovation hub in the country, pioneering the first public-private effort to establish an innovation ecosystem in the Philippines following success stories of Silicon Valley in the United States, BLK 71 in Singapore, and MaGIC in Malaysia.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

SME Nation conquers Davao
By Mai Gevera
Davao City (1 July) -- Realizing the need for small and medium businesses to go digital, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) finally partnered to help SMEs develop business through the right access to information and communication technology.

DCCCII President Simeon Marfori bared that businesses in Davao need to be introduced with the latest innovations in technology especially on voice solution, internet broadband, and wireless solution.

"These are services that are not yet offered to and used by our SMEs. This is why we have partnered with PLDT as we share the same goal of making these innovations to Davao businesses and would later redound to binging in more investments in Davao City," Marfori said.

PLDT, on the other hand, has been roaming around the provinces to engage SMEs in taking advantage of simple, scalable, nurturing and enabling end-to-end solutions fitted for their respective businesses.

PLDT SME Group Head Katrina Luna-Abelarde attended the Memorandum of Understanding Signing held at the Apo View Hotel together with DCCCII executive director Conrado Hernaez, PLDT Small and Medium Enterprise for VisMin Business head Nilo Bantilan, and DCCCII President Simeon Marfori.

Abelarde claimed that Philippine SMEs suffer a poor rating on ICT that showed only 10 to 20 percent of the SMEs have stable internet access while 2 to 5 percent have websites of their own.

"How can we go global with this poor appreciation and usage of ICT?" she said.
Thus, PLDT SME Nation partners with different business organizations where they offer tailor-fit solutions such as broadband connectivity, business-enabling devices like computers, wireless access points, wireless card payment terminals, software applications, and contents like sales inventory management software and on-line website builders.

Abelarde explained that inorder to benefit various SMEs, PLDT has transformed its services from cost items into wise investments.

"We are not yet talking about the details of this partnership but definitely we are to bring cheaper technology services to our SMEs since we have partnered with PLDT," said Marfori.

SME Nation wishes to inculcate in the minds of SMEs the importance and value of the digital marketplace.

One amazing offering for SMEs is the PLDT MyDSL Biz where one can instantly launch his virtual outlets worldwide - all of which proudly promote and showcase one's wares. Through this product, one can also accept and respond to inquiries and capture sales from an increasing number of online customers.

Davao business chamber sees growth of ICT, SME sector

Davao chamber sees growth of ICT, SME sector
Davao City (1 July) -- Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (DCCCII) President Simeon Marfori II sees the expansion and growth of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PLDT and the Chamber on the offering of a wide range of ICT services to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises members of DCCII.

The MOU was signed by Marfori and PLDT SME Group head Katrina C. Luna Abelarde last July 27 at the Apo View Hotel Davao. The MOU is the first in the country where PLDT hopes to help SMEs foster connectivity and access to the latest innovations on ICT.

DCCII will provide the venue, linkage and technical skills to SMEs while PLDT will provide affordable, practical, scalable and managed solutions to these SMEs.
Marfori said that these are the elements needed for the growth of a sector (ICT) which along with agriculture, tourism sectors is where the Chamber will be focusing on for this year.

"The more SME users of ICT the better it will be for the industry as it will be used to increase productivity and efficient allocation of resources.

Marfori said that he hopes to enter into another agreement with another company. He said the DCCCII is looking into IBM which could provide the server, which could be used by the SMEs.

Luna-Abelarde said that the PLDT SME Nation Group was formed in January this year to help provide SMEs and IT platform. She said that of the 300,000 SMEs only 10-20% are connected to the internet of which 2 to 5% have websites of their own.

She said that among the packages offered to SMEs include Voice solutions which include a full PABX solutions package comprising of the switch and line. Also offered are Broadband package and applications for business operations. (PIA/RG Alama)