Noreen Jana Alvarez

BLIS-III
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Credit Made Easy For Ten Poorest Provinces
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piol launched the nationwide Program for Unified Lending to
Agriculture (PUNLA) in Northern Samar (Catarman) on September 15 and Eastern Samar (Borongan)
on September 16, which aims to address the financial needs of the marginal farmers and fishers of
the country.
Together with Executive Director Jocelyn Alma Badiola of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC),
Piol set in motion the lending facility, which covers ten of the poorest Philippine provinces.
This is part of the governments effort to provide trouble-free services to rural communities, as we
want to make things easier for them, Piol said.
The problem with the current credit systems is that it has too many requirements, and so farmers
are often intimidated to approach a bank officer especially when he is wearing his usual rubber
slippers, he further explained.
PUNLA, which has an initial funding allocation of P200-million (M), will provide non-collateralized loans
for agri-fishery production and agri-microfinance.
Badiola explained that a borrower may avail as much as P150,000 loan at an interest rate of 6% with
one-year maturity.
However this will be made available thru farmers organizations, cooperatives or non-government
organizations, Badiola said.
Badiola added that an institutional capability building training will be provided to conduits prior to the
approval and release of loans to enable them to implement the credit system effectively.
On top of this, an insurance coverage under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation will also be
made available.
PUNLA, is designed to be implemented in Apayao, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del
Sur, Cotabato, Saranggani. Maguindanao, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, and Northern Samar.
The launching coincided with the Aragtubang; Gobyerno ug Mulopyo (Tapatan: Gobyerno at
Mamamayan) forum held in Catarman and Borongan.
In his message at the Catarman forum, Piol stressed that it is his second visit in the province after
only 70 days in office.
You are a priority of the government, and so this is not my last visit, he announced.
I will come back to see if the interventions that we provided today have helped your lives and
livelihood, he said.
During the visit, the DA distributed 50 units fiberglass boats with gears to local fishermen.
These 20-footer motorized boats may be used for your fishing and Bantay Laot activities, and so I
expect you to take care of it, Piol stressed.
Aside from the fishing boats, rice, corn and vegetable seeds were also turned-over to farmer/fisherbeneficiaries alongside various farm machineries and equipment under the Banner Programs of DA.
Total amount of agricultural interventions delivered to the municipalities of Northern Samar reached
more than P20M. ### (oda rodriguez/AFID)
Reference:
Director Norman William S. Kraft
Public Affairs and Info Services, ACPC
634-33-26

http://www.da.gov.ph/index.php/media-resources/news-release/2016-news-release/8423-credit-madeeasy-for-ten-poorest-province

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
JAPAN BUILD COAST GUARD VESSEL PART OF PNOY ADMIN PROJECT
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade underscores that the 44-meter Multi-Role Response
Vessel (MRRV) that arrived from Japan yesterday is part of a project contracted and secured by the previous
administration. We are receiving it in behalf of the Government. It is a project of the past administration. We just want
to say that, Ayaw namin ng nagnanakaw ng kalabaw, said Tugade during the turnover ceremony at the Philippine Coast
Guard Headquarters yesterday where he and Rear Admiral Melad received the vessel along with 2 PCG officers and 10
non-officers including Japanese crew who sailed through rough waters to deliver the ship on its agreed date yesterday.
Rear Admiral Melad lauded the Japanese government for the continuous and unwavering support to the PCGs capability
development programs. Over the past 18 years, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has extended numerous
assistance to the PCG in terms of human resource development, providing additional equipment for the communications,
diving and rescue, personal protective equipment for oil spill combat operations, and donating small boats and rubber
boats.
Nine (9) more MRRVs will be built by the Japan Marine United Corporation (JMUC) Yokohama Shipyard for the PCG and
will also be named after the primary lighthouses in the country to denote the important role of lighthouse as an aid to
navigation to mariners.
The project is being implemented as an Official Development Assistance (ODA) via a tied loan extended by the JICA. The
loan facility covers P 7,373,700,000 out of the total project of P 8,807,700,000. The balance will be sourced from the
Philippine counterpart of P 1,434,000,000.
JMU will provide the supply of standard spare parts and tools, crew training, ocean transportation and marine insurance.
The vessels will have a cruising speed of 25 knots and a range of 1,500 nautical miles.
Note: (PCG sent details of BRP Tubbataha delivery yesterday)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

BLOOD DONATION PROGRAM

Republic Act No. 7719, also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994,
promotes voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood and to regulate
blood banks. This act aims to inculcate public awareness that blood donation is a humanitarian
act.
The National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) of the Department of Health
is targeting the youth as volunteers in its blood donation program this year. In accordance with
RA No. 7719, it aims to create public consciousness on the importance of blood donation in
saving the lives of millions of Filipinos.
Based from the data from the National Voluntary Blood Services Program, a total of
654,763 blood units were collected in 2009. Fifty-eight percent of which was from voluntary blood
donation and the remaining from replacement donation. This year, particular provinces have
already achieved 100% voluntary blood donation. The DOH is hoping that many individuals will
become regular voluntary unpaid donors to guarantee sufficient supply of safe blood and to meet
national blood necessities.
Mission:
Blood Safety

Blood Adequacy
Rational Blood Use
Efficiency of Blood Services
Goals:
The National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) aims to achieve the following:
1. Development of a fully voluntary blood donation system;
2. Strengthening of a nationally coordinated network of BSF to increase efficiency by centralized
testing and processing of blood;
3. Implementation of a quality management system including of Good Manufacturing Practice
GMP and Management Information System (MIS);
4. Attainment of maximum utilization of blood through rational use of blood products and
component therapy; and
5. Development of a sound, viable sustainable management and funding for the nationally
coordinated blood network.
Program Manager:
Dr. Ponciano Limcangco
Department of Health-National Voluntary Blood Services Program (DOH-NVBSP)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2900, 731-7578, 731-8475
Mr. Salvador Avdante, Jr.
Department of Health-National Voluntary Blood Services Program (DOH-NVBSP)
Contact Number: 651-78-00 local 2900, 731-7578, 731-8475
Links:
National Voluntary Blood Services Program website
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DENR LEADS OBSERVANCE OF OZONE PROTECTION MONTH THIS SEPTEMBER
Thursday, 15 September 2016 00:00 |
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is leading the nation in observing the
Ozone Protection Month this September, which also marks the 31st year since the world agreed for
the first time to slash the production and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other
ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
The agency has lined up several activities to highlight the importance of protecting the ozone layer,
a fragile shield of gas that protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus
helping preserve life on the planet.
This year marks the 31st anniversary of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer,
an important milestone in the protection of the ozone layer that happened in 1985. Two years later,
representatives from 24 nations met in the Canadian city of Montreal and announced to the world
that it was time to stop destroying the ozone layer.
In doing so, these countries themselves, via the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Ozone Layer, to rid the world of substances that threaten the ozone layer.
In December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed Sept. 16 of every year to be the
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date when the
Montreal Protocol was signed in 1987. The day was first celebrated on Sept. 16, 1995.

The theme for this years celebration is Ozone and Climate: Restored by a World United. It is in
recognition of the collective efforts of the parties to the Vienna Convention and Montreal Protocol for
the restoration of the ozone layer and the global commitment to combat climate change.
The Philippines signed the Montreal Protocol on September 14, 1988 and ratified it on March 21,
1991.
As one of the parties to the agreement, the country agreed to the gradual phase out of ODS,
particularly CFCs and Hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFCs).
CFCs and HCFCs are chemical coolants used in refrigerators, air conditioning units, fire extinguishers,
thermowares, ice box, water jugs, among others. The country imposed a ban on the importation of
CFCs and HCFCs in 2010 and 2013, respectively.

According to a study by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the control, use and phase
out of ODS significantly contributed to the protection of the ozone layer.
The UNEP hailed the Montreal Protocol a success, noting that the presence of controlled ODS
emissions in the atmosphere is decreasing which signifies recovery of the ozone layer from ODSinduced depletion.
The DENR, through the Philippine Ozone Desk (POD) under the Environmental Management Bureau,
is in charge of all activities lined up for the Ozone Protection Month.
The month-long celebration kicked off with a discussion on the eventual phase out of
hydroflourocarbons or HFC held in Iloilo City on Sept. 2. It was attended by representatives from civic
groups, the youth sector and dealers of ODS. A similar discussion will be held at the Ateneo de Davao
University on the last week of September.
For Luzon, the EMB-POD, together with Aksyon Klima Pilipinas, will hold a technology forum on
alternatives to ODS and climate protection on Sept. 16 at the Sequoia Hotel in Quezon City.
The forum is intended for industries, importers, end users, and manufacturers of ODS. The discussion
will center on the Philippines commitment to the Montreal Protocol, HFC phase down, and the
imperative linking of ozone layer and climate protection.
On Sept. 6-7, POD staff made surprised visits to shops, service centers and warehouses of ODS
importers, dealers, resellers, retailers around Metro Manila to check on their permits and ensure their
compliance with DENR standards.
The DENR also scheduled a series of lectures and workshops on ODS use and management, as well
as its relation to climate change, from Sept. 9 to 29. ###

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

DFA Sends Rapid Response Team to Assist OFWs Stranded in Saudi Arabia
OUMWA1

18 July 2016 - Last June 2016, the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary for
Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) sent a Rapid Response Team (RRT) to assist OFWs stranded in work
camps throughout Saudi Arabia. The DFA RRT found that at least 11,000 OFWs in several large Saudi
construction and maintenance companies and their sub-contractors were not paid their salaries on
time, ranging from 2 to 6 months. Some OFWs were also no longer receiving food allowances and
were threatened with eviction from their accommodations. The DFA RRT provided immediate
humanitarian assistance to these OFWs, and brought their situation to the attention of the senior
officials of these companies, and with the Saudi government authorities.
Saudi Deputy Labor Minister Ziyad Alsaigh and Saudi Foreign Affairs Deputy Undersecretary for
Consular Affairs Ambassador Tammim Al Dusairi assured DFA RRT that the Saudi government will look
into the situation of the OFWs and provide necessary assistance. The DFA also brought the situation
of the OFWs to the attention of the Saudi Embassy in Manila. The DFA, in coordination with DOLE and
its attached agencies, will send a high level delegation and composite rapid response teams to Saudi
Arabia in the coming days to ensure assistance to the OFWs soonest.
OUMWA2
Meanwhile, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto R. Yasay, Jr. recently approved the release of funds
for the repatriation of 171 OFWs stranded in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The DFA will also provide them
with legal assistance to pursue their claims for unpaid wages, and other benefits before the Saudi
labor courts.
The DFA will continue to closely monitor the situation of OFWs in Saudi Arabia and other countries,
and to provide necessary legal, humanitarian and other consular assistance to OFWs in distress. END.