“As part of celebrating our 75th anniversary this year, the current Board of Trustees revised the scholarship program to ensure that our low-income members will be given the opportunity to send their children to colleges and universities that provide quality education.”

Unlike in the past scholarship programs, the selection of scholars will no longer be done through an electronic raffle. The GSIS will instead accept scholarship nominees from members with a salary grade of 24 or below, or its equivalent. The nominee of parents with
the lowest salary grades will be given priority in the scholarship grant. Further, the nominee must be a child of the member and an incoming freshman accepted in the schools identified by the pension fund.

The scholar of the program will be entitled to the actual cost of tuition and miscellaneous fees not exceeding Php20,000 and a monthly stipend of Php2,000. The scholar may also opt to take a four- or five-year course but must meet the scholastic requirements set by the school for student retention under the program.

The distribution of the 200 scholarship slots per region will be proportionate to the number of GSIS members in each region. Thus, GSIS will select 60 scholars from NCR; three (3) from CAR; nine (9) from Region 1; nine (9) from Region 2; 16 from Region 3; 10 from Region 4-A; one (1) from Region 4-B;11 from Region 5; 14 from Region 6; 10 from Region 7; 11 from
Region 8; 12 from Region 9; 11 from Region 10; nine (9) from Region 11; 10 from Region 12;
and four (4) from Region 13.

The pension fund has already awarded a total of 1,371 scholarship grants since the inception of the program in 1998. From this total, 404 active scholars are currently enrolled in various colleges and universities nationwide as of April this year.

Aside from the scholarship program, the GSIS is granting its members, a Php4,000 educational assistance, which is payable in five years at six percent interest rate.

For a complete list of GSIS-accredited educational institutions under the GSIS College Scholarship Program and other details, members may call 479.3645 and 976.4970 or visit the
nearest GSIS office and website – www.gsis.gov.ph. (GSIS)

Mao kini ang gipahibalo ni Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Atty. Sixto Brillantes Jr. karong buntag sa usa ka panayam sa radyo.

Samtang mao gihapon ang campaign period nga gitakda sa Comelec, diin gihatagan og 90 ka adlaw nga pag-pangampanya ang mga modagan sa national elections (senators, congressmen ug partylists), samtang 45 ka adlaw usab ang ihatag sa pag-pangampanya sa mga modagan sa local elections (mayor, vice mayor, councilors, governor, vice governor, ug board members).

Sa Mayo 13, 2013 (Lunes) gitakda ang 2013 midterm elections. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)

Expert team sa DA, padung na sa China

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 16 (PIA)–Padung na sa China ang mga eksperto gikan sa Department of Agriculture (DA) aron kumbinsihon ang Chinese quarantine officials nga export quality ug luwas sa unsa mang insekto o sakit ang saging ug uban pang prutas nga gi-export sa Pilipinas.

Pangunahan ni Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director Clarito Barron ang grupong padung na sa China nga mo-prisintar sa Chinese counterparts niini sa plant quaratine protocol sa Pilipinas.

Gitawtaw usab nila nga pasado sa international standard ug niagi sa saktong proseso sa produksyon ang mga produkto apil na ang washing, sorting ug packaging.

Matud pa usab ni Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala nga dapiton usab nila ang mga Chinese quarantine official nga mobisita sa Pilipinas partikular na sa banana plantation sa Davao aron makita nila nga niagi sa good processing practices ang mga saging nga gi-export sa ilang nasud.

Gibana-banang naa sa P1 milyon na ang giingong nawala sa mga banana exporter tungod niini.

Gitahasan na ni Alcala si Agri-business ug Marketing Assistant Service director Leandro Gazmin nga mangita og ubang market sa saging sa Middle East ug Singapore ug mag-expand usab og export operation sa Japan. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)

“As part of celebrating our 75th anniversary this year, the current Board of Trustees revised the scholarship program to ensure that our low-income members will be given the opportunity to send their children to colleges and universities that provide quality education.”

Unlike in the past scholarship programs, the selection of scholars will no longer be done through an electronic raffle. The GSIS will instead accept scholarship nominees from members with a salary grade of 24 or below, or its equivalent. The nominee of parents with the lowest salary grades will be given priority in the scholarship grant. Further, the nominee must be a child of the member and an incoming freshman accepted in the schools identified by the pension fund.

The scholar of the program will be entitled to the actual cost of tuition and miscellaneous fees not exceeding Php20,000 and a monthly stipend of Php2,000. The scholar may also opt to take a four- or five-year course but must meet the scholastic requirements set by the school for student retention under the program.

The distribution of the 200 scholarship slots per region will be proportionate to the number of GSIS members in each region. Thus, GSIS will select 60 scholars from NCR; three (3) from CAR; nine (9) from Region 1; nine (9) from Region 2; 16 from Region 3; 10 from Region 4-A; one (1) from Region 4-B;11 from Region 5; 14 from Region 6; 10 from Region 7; 11 from Region 8; 12 from Region 9; 11 from Region 10; nine (9) from Region 11; 10 from Region 12; and four (4) from Region 13.

The pension fund has already awarded a total of 1,371 scholarship grants since the inception of the program in 1998. From this total, 404 active scholars are currently enrolled in various colleges and universities nationwide as of April this year.

Aside from the scholarship program, the GSIS is granting its members, a Php4,000 educational assistance, which is payable in five years at six percent interest rate.

For a complete list of GSIS-accredited educational institutions under the GSIS College Scholarship Program and other details, members may call 479.3645 and 976.4970 or visit the nearest GSIS office and website – www.gsis.gov.ph. (GSIS)

The brand Alcatel was one of the manufacturers who first introduced to us the mobile phone.  A few years back, they sold the famous soap-shaped mobile phone, that had a small screen with orange backlighting.  Back then, they weren’t the coolest designs you could find, but their phones were as sturdy as the phones from the brands that lead the market during that time.

That “safeguard” shaped phone was this writer’s first mobile phone.  It was handed down, and I was happy and content because it did what it had to do, and that was to text and call my friends and family. Then, as more phones and brands eventually entered the country, the manufacturer Alcatel suddenly went silent.

Surprise comeback:

I call it a surprise comeback because, well, I think they just came out of nowhere and attacked the Philippine mobile industry again.  The last time I saw an Alcatel phone was, I think during 2010.  It was one of my friend’s phones and I was surprised at how chic and sleek their designs were becoming.

Then, enter this year, particularly yesterday, at the BQ Mall Atrium, where the Alcatel One Touch Nation proudly presented their five new mobile phones.   Save N’ Earn has gathered the market’s mobile phone manufacturers and put them together for an Expo in time with the TBTK celebrations.

The Phones:

The onetouch 810D Glam:  The phone especially made for the ladies.

Specs: Dual Sim; Expandable Memory up to 16GB; MP3 Player and FM Radio

The onetouch 918N Glory:  Alcatel describes it just as it is, Easy, practical and fun.

Specs:  Android 2.3 Gingerbread; Capacitive Touch; 3G+ HSDPA; Facebook; Wi-Fi; Dual Sim

The onetouch 918N GloryX:  Dreaming of an affordable yet stylish Android phone? This is it!

Specs:  Android 2.3 Gingerbread; Capacitive Touch; 3G+ HSDPA; Facebook; 3.0mp Camera; Wi-Fi; Dual Sim

The onetouch 985N Blaze:  The more sophisticated, yet still budget friendly Android phone.

Specs:  Android 2.3 Gingerbread; Sub Camera; Mutli-Touch; Wi-Fi; Dual Sim; G-Sensor; AGPS; 3G+ HSDPA; 5.0 MP Camera

The onetouch 995 Sapphire HD: Alcatel’s most sophisticated Smartphone yet. This unit boasts of specs  fit for the seasoned smartphone user, but comes in a lower price.

 Specs:  Android 2.3.5; 4.3” display; HD video; 1.4 GHZ processor; 5MP Camera; 3G+ HSDPA

Alcatel’s phones have come a long way from their previous designs.  They have already been successful globally, and have come back to the Philippines to provide phones that can compete with both high end and feature units.  This has made the market a better place for the consumers to choose the phones that can best suit their needs and their budget, and a better assurance that we can have products that are more competitive and worth every peso that we pay.

For more Alcatel mobile phone choices, visit: www.alcatelonetouch.com.

According to IRRI Director General Dr. Robert Zeigler, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) made significant advances in food production since the early 1990s and now has the potential to become a rice exporter, which would add to the national economy and contribute to regional food security.

Through the memorandum, IRRI will build on its collaboration with Lao PDR to develop rice varieties especially suited to the country, conserve local rice bio-diversity, improve the production of quality seeds, address factors that limit rice productivity, help mechanize rice production, and build capacity across the rice science and extension sector.

Lao PDR will seek financial backing to support the work outlined in the MOU.

Collaboration between Lao PDR and IRRI began in the late 1960s and continued in the 1970s with testing of improved rice breeding material from IRRI’s rice breeding and selection work in Lao PDR.

The first MOU was signed in 1987 between Lao PDR and IRRI. Starting 1990 until 2007, a Swiss agency extended assistance, heightening Lao PDR-IRRI collaborative work.

In January 2007, Lao PDR and IRRI signed another agreement establishing a regional hub and a Mekong sub-region office. Currently, IRRI has had at least 13 staff posted to Lao PDR.

The Southeast Asian country has already reaped the benefits of rice research through the adoption of modern rice varieties and rice farming technologies that have helped boost national rice production to over three million tons, up from 1.5 million in the last 20 years, Ziegler said.

During his Friday’s visit, Prime Minister Thongsing also toured IRRI’s International Rice Genebank, to which Lao PDR has contributed more than 15,000 types of rice—making it the second largest contributor.

Rice seed preserved in the International Rice Genebank is the source of valuable traits for the development of new and improved rice varieties for future generations.

Prime Minister Thongsing also donated several traditional rice farming tools from Lao PDR to IRRI’s Riceworld Museum during his tour of the facility.

The Laos prime minister arrived in the Philippines Thursday for a two-day official visit upon the invitation of President Benigno S. Aquino III. (PCOO)

Matud pa ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, giseguro sa Department of Agriculture nga igo ang gi-angkat nga karneng baboy mao nga walay angay kabalak-an nga mosaka ang presyo niini.

Dugang pa ni Valte, nakig-tambayayong na ang BOC sa mga hog raisers aron masulbad na ang problema sa technical smuggling.

Giingong gimandu na ni Commissioner Ruffy Biazon ang kinatibuk-ang revamp sa mga units sa Customs nga nagdumala sa meat pork ug poultry importation gawas pa ang pag-audit sa mga niaging importations ug ang verification sa existing pork importers. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)

Lumad nga pinulongan, gamitong lenggwahe sa pagtudlo sa kinder hangtud grade 3

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 11 (PIA)–Sugod sa pagbukas sa klase karong Hunyo, ang mother tongue o lumad nga pinulongan na ang gamiton sa pagtudlo gikan kinder hangtud grade 3, gawas na lang sa subjects nga English ug Filipino.

Agi kini og pagsunod sa bag-ong curriculum sa K-12 program sa Department of Education (DepEd).

Apil sa 12 nga napiling dialects sa DepEd alang niining bag-ong sumbanan ang Tagalog, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, Iloko, Bikol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Tausug, Maguindanaoan, Maranao ug Chabacano.

Apan pag-abot sa grade 4 hangtud grade 12, English na ang gamiton sa kadaghanan sa mga subject.

Nagtuo ang DepEd nga pinaagi niini, mas mosaka ang kalidad sa edukasyon.

Giingong kaniadto, English ug Tagalog lang ang gigamit sa pagtudlo mao nga mas naglisod ang mga bata sa pagsabot. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)

Kapin sa 500 ka nurses nga magsilbing PhilHealth assistants o customer assistance relations and empowerment staff (CARES) nga motubag sa mga pangutana sa mga miyembro ang ibutang sa 600 ka pampubliko ug pribadong ospital.

Matud pa ni PhilHealth President Dr. Eduardo P. Banzon, kini gituyo aron adunay madoulan ang mga miyembro sa pagtubag sa form aron makuha ang ilang benepisyo.

Sa pagkakaron, adunay 25 ka sakit nga adunay case rates o fix rate nga gipagawas ang PhilHealth.

Apil na niini ang pagpanganak sa caesarian section ug apil na usab ang medical cases sama sa dengue, pneumonia, asthma ug newborn care package.

Alang sa dugang kasayuran, bisitaha lang ang website sa Philhelath nga www.philhealth.gov.ph o tawagi ang lokal nga buhatan nila dinhi sa syudad sa Tagbilaran sa mga numero 412-0248 ug 235-5622. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday following the approval of the House Bill 5727 otherwise known as an “Act restructuring the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products” authored by Cavite Representative Joseph Abaya.

“The bill is a priority measure of the administration that has hurdled a significant step in the legislative process. The initiatives to reform the excise tax system started 15 years ago and it is only under this administration, with the President’s firm leadership, that such a legislative measure has been approved,” Lacierda said.

“The rationale for reform is clear. This measure seeks to help fund public healthcare, which is a key thrust in the administration’s drive for inclusive growth,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda noted that the bill seeks to improve the efficiency of tobacco farmers, strengthen the current tax structure, and sustain revenue growth.

The administration thanked House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Ways and Means Committee chairman Representative Isidro Ungab, and a multi-party majority of the members of the Committee who voted to approve the said important measure, Lacierda said.

“This is a testimonial to the close cooperation between the executive and legislative branches of government. We look forward to the legislative deliberations in plenary where we hope the majority of Representatives will stand alongside their colleagues who support fiscal reform,” Lacierda said. (PCOO)

Reaksyon kini sa Palasyo sa travel advisory nga gipagawas sa Chinese embassy alang sa ilang mga lumolupyo nga mag-amping sa pagbiyahe sa nasud atubangan sa gitakdang pagsugod sa anti-China rally ugma.

Ang maong protesta nga gi-organisa sa nagkalain-laing grupo sa overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sa tibuok kalibotan isip pagsupil sa pagpanghilabot sa China sa teritoryo sa Pilipinas particular na sa Scarborough Shoal.

Matud pa ni Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, malinawon nga nasud ang Pilipinas ug welcome ang bisan kinsang turista nga moduaw dinhi aron magbakasyon.

Dugang pa ni Lacierda nga walay angay ikabalaka sa standoff sa Panatag Shoal ug nagpabiling mahigalaon ang mga Pilipino.

Gitataw pa ni Lacierda nga, ‘it’s more fun in the Philippines’ mao nga walay angay kabalak-an sa Chinese travel advisory.

“We are a very peaceful country. We welcome any tourists whether you’re Chinese or American. They should not be concerned with the standoff that’s happening in Panatag Shoal. We have always been a friendly country and it’s more fun in the Philippines. So don’t worry about the travel advisory,” matud pa ni Lacierda. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)

Ph-China, nagpulong og balik kalabot sa Scarborough issue

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 10 (PIA)–Giingong gipatawag og balik karong adlawa sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang tinugyanan sa China aron ipadayon ang negosasyon sa katuyoang masulbad na ang halos usa ka buwan nga standoff sa Scarborough Shoal.

Matud pa sa tigpamaba sa DFA nga si Raul Hernandez, mag-atubang sa bilateral consultations ang mga tinugyanan sa Pilipinas ug si Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing.

Una nang gipahayag ni Foreign Affairs Sec. Albert del Rosario nga bukas pa gihapon ang pultahan sa Pilipinas alang sa panagpulong ug diplomatikong paagi aron masulbad ang problema.

Bisan pa niini, gipahayag usab ni Asec. Hernandez nga padayon pa gihapon ang pagduol sa DFA sa international arbitration forum.

Katapusang nagpulong ang duha ka nasud niadtong Abril 16, apan naule lang sa wala ang maong panagkita sa duha ka bahan human parehong nagmagahi sa nagkadaiyang mga posisyon.

Niining milabay’ng adlaw, gipatawag usab sa China ang Philippine charges d’affaires sa Beijing aron tambagan nga i-atras sa Pilipinas ang naka-deploy nga mga barko sa shoal. (PIA-Bohol/ecb)

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Cayetano W. Paderanga Jr., said during the 45th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that the country improves a lot in the area of governance since President Aquino assumed the presidency in 2010.

President Aquino led last week the opening ceremonies of the 45th Annual Meeting of the ADB thanking the financial institution for continuously assisting the country in combating poverty and pushing reforms.

The Philippines, Paderanga said, has improved its competitiveness ranking based on the Transparency International Corruption Perception index and the World Economic Forum Competitiveness Rankings.

With its current ranking, the Philippines is considered an emerging market economy in the region and is poised to become an influential economy in the coming years, Paderanga said.

The country’s potential lies in the key growth areas of agribusiness, business process outsourcing and tourism, he said.

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP), being spearheaded by the Aquino government, is also considered by experts as the catalysts for change and development. The PPP gained momentum with the approval of the Daang Hari-SLEX Link Road, they said.

The Philippines hosted this year’s meeting of the ADB Board of Governors with the theme “Inclusive Growth through Good Governance.”

The government hopes that ADB’s annual meeting in the Philippines would result to additional investment in the country as well as the influx of more foreign tourists. (PCOO)