My President

15th President of the Philippine Republic

MY PRESIDENT

 JUNE 30, 2010 -Today is Noynoy Aquino’s inauguration day as the new President of the Philippine Republic. It is not only an occasion of victory but it is Noynoy’s most sacred oath, a dedication and consecration under God to the highest office in service of the Filipino people.

Now, the ever-increasing burdens are in his shoulder, the Filipino people has spoken, giving him the mandate for a real change.

Nevertheless, WE, the Filipino people have contributed to the recovery and progress of the nation. The recent election proves that democracy works and Noynoy’s victory has given a renewed hope and courage to all who have faith in government. But we should keep an eye on him, his action, especially the people that surrounds him, in other words we will guard him from the devil’s whispers and the wicked hands.

Today is a very important day, I am proud to be part of the new era of Philippine democracy, I am so proud I voted Noynoy as My President.

In his tenure….

My President… 

WILL re-establish the vigor and effectiveness of law enforcement and entire machinery of justice, the redistribution of its functions, the simplification of its procedure, the better selection of judges, and the more effective organization of our agencies of investigation and prosecution that justice may be sure and that it may be swift. Reform, reorganization and strengthening the whole judicial and enforcement system, both in civil and criminal system.

My President …. 

WILL upgrade the teachers’ salary scale and amend the current system of budgeting for education across the regions. Rebuild and modernize our school buildings to assure students can attend schools that are modern, safe, and well-equipped for learning.

My President… 

WILL launch a new national effort to provide basic skills in the newest technology so that Filipinos regardless of income, parents, children, or with disability, people in all walks of life - should be able to reach across a computer keyboard, and reach the vast new worlds of knowledge, commerce, and communication that are available at the touch of a fingertip.

My President… 

WILL uplift the country’s economic downturn and create jobs that will provide equal opportunities for all Filipinos with no barriers born of bigotry or discrimination.

My President… 

WILL eradicate corruption, once and for all, and ending corruption means freeing all Filipinos from poverty and all must share in the bounty of a revived economy.

My President…. 

WILL  prioritize peace in Muslim Mindanao, the peace of justice, the peace of righteousness but not peace at war. There will be a continuing genuine talks of peace, because without peace – there is fear and if there is fear – there will never be a future in Mindanao.

My President…. 

WILL be a commander in chief that will never mislead us into war but never hesitate to use force when it is required. A commander in chief that is strong and dignified on his decision and will appoint a Defense Secretary and Army, Air Force and Navy’s Chief of Staff that upholds the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and not under the command of any politicians.

My President….

WILL transform a strong, flexible, and modern military force to guarantee our physical survival and the protection of our interests and values. Give more incentives to our soldiers, such as housing and free education for their children.

My President…

WILL demand hard evidence to those accused of subversion and reform the military and its intelligence arm – so policy is guided by facts, and facts are never distorted by politics. Make sure that our justice system must guarantee fairness with procedures that protect the rights of the accused.

My President….

WILL value what’s right for every Filipino family. He cared for our children because he believes in the family value of caring for our children and protecting the neighborhoods where they walk and play. And make sure that senior citizens never have to cut their pills in half because they can’t afford life-saving medicine.

My President….

WILL prioritized investment in technology and innovation, alternative fuels or energy that will create good-paying jobs in the future. Strengthening small business as a vital component of economic innovation, job creation, and supporting entrepreneurship.

My President….

WILL not treat its people as an export commodity and a means to earn foreign exchange, but instead create and keep good paying jobs at home, so that working abroad will be a choice rather than a necessity.

My President….

WILL work side by side with masons, carpenters, laborers, developers and housing giants to help create decent and affordable housing for every Filipino family.

My President….

WILL give opportunity to create a rural renewal in our country’s farms with improved transportation and infrastructure, better access to capital and technology, reduced concentration in agribusiness, and an expansion of new markets for our crops, and strengthening our ability to compete in world markets.

My President….

WILL negotiate trade agreements with the nations of the world and should include bilateral agreements on overseas Filipino workers rights, human rights and ensure labor protection and worker safety at site.

My President…

WILL break up the drug rings that are spreading poison on our streets. Give more teeth to our drug law enforcement agencies, courts, to speed justice for drug-related crimes and expand drug treatment centers for at-risk youth; and make sure that all of our school zones are drug-free.

My President….

WILL make sure that there is child care facilities in every barangay’s and improving the safety and quality of child care centers, in ensuring that children start school ready to read.

My President…

WILL work for free air country and make sure to reduce or eradicate climate-disrupting and health-threatening pollution in this country and make sure that our country will participate in world free air campaign.

My President…

WILL strengthen our alliances and partnerships around the world more particularly in Asia that would intensify our strategic cooperation with our neighboring countries. Support democracy in Asia to promoting fair trade and promote hemispheric cooperation on a full spectrum of political, economic, security and social issues.

Yes, my friends, He is MY PRESIDENT!

And it’s a time for wonderful new beginning..

A new Administration…

A new era of greatness for Filipinos….

We observe today the inauguration of Noynoy’s victory, a celebration of freedom–symbolizing an end as well as a beginning–signifying renewal as well as change.

I and the Filipino people believed in YOU – MR. PRESIDENT!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Manuel “Bong” Amora

OFW-Riyadh ( Convenor – OFW4Noy24President) (OFW for Noynoy for President Movement)

 Note: I ‘ve been working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 16 years. I am  at present the Secretary General of OFW Congress-Riyadh, a group of community organizations advocating (Overseas Filipino Workers)  OFW issues and concerns. Former President and founder of both the Kalipunang Kaakabay ng Manggagawang Pilipino sa Ibayong Dagat (KAKAMPI-KSA), that oversees the plight and rights of OFWs in the Industrial Area of Riyadh, and Nasipitnon-KSA, International, a hometown organization based in Saudi Arabia. I am a recognize Filipino community leader of the Philippine Embassy-Riyadh and POLO/OWWA.

I am presently working in King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology-KACST, a Saudi government institution (counterpart of the Department of Science and Technology in Philippines) as Administrative Officer reporting directly to  the Director of the Directorate of International Cooperation.

Saudi Arabia hosted the historic meeting uplifting S & T development in the Islamic World

Saudi Arabia hosted the historic meeting uplifting S & T development in the Islamic World
Exclusive Report by: Manuel A. Amora

21 June 2010, RIYADH-Saudi Arabia – In an effort to build a closer ties among the OIC member states for effective Science and Technology development towards competitiveness in the global scene, a round the table meeting of the Budget Committee of COMSTECH Secretariat Science, Technology & Innovation Organization (STIO) made a historic decision on its meeting held today Monday, June 21, 2010 at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).

The meeting was hosted by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in coordination with COMSTECH (Committee on Scientific Technological Cooperation).

H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Suwaiyel, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology-KACST, chaired the Meeting. H.E. Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman, Coordinator General COMSTECH on his introductory remarks was thankful for KACST and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in general for hosting the meeting and expresses his gratitude to the Secretary General of The Organization of Islamic Conference-OIC for his unequivocal support in making STIO a reality.

The said meeting were represented by Science and Technology Ministers from various Islamic country accompanied by their respective high ranking government officials.

STIO Budget and Programs Committee are comprised of Arab Republic of Egypt, Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and General Secretariat of OIC and COMSTECH.

The discussions were summed up at the end of the conference and the following decisions were adopted and approved;

Conference Table: H.E. Senator & Federal Minister for Science and Technology , Pakistan Minister Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, H.E. Dr. Mohammed I. Al Suwaiyel, President of KACST and Syrian Minister for Higher Education Prof. Dr. Ghiath Barakat ( Sitting at the back Asst. Director Mohammed Al Badrani and Director Fahad S. Huraib of Directorate of International Cooperation-KACST and Dr. Abdullah bin Ahmad Al-Rasheed, KACST, Vice President Scientific Research with Syrian delegations.

1) Funds contributed by STIO member states will be spent for projects within their countries except for the bilateral and multilateral projects for which participating member states will decide on the extent of contribution of each country.

2) Projects will be within defined time frames and funding will be made available before initiating a project.

3) STIO will play role of a facilitator and coordinator to translate decisions into actions including marketing of projects and obtaining additional funds from international donor organizations.

4) STIO will identify qualified resource persons and scientists for project implementation.

5) Each participating country, when needed, will place a dynamic scientist in COMSTECH – STIO Islamabad to oversee the implementation of the programs for that country

The STIO programs will be major initiatives designed to uplift the status of science, technology and innovation in STIO member States and contribute to the process of socio-economic development.

Among the approved decisions is a budget of USD seventy million for the year 2011 intended for STIO programs. Member States may start programs immediately.

Member state present during the meeting pledged, in principle, commitment of a USD five million each, annually for this initiative.

In past years the outlook of the OIC member states in science and technology development remains insecure on account of inadequate funding available for development of S&T infrastructure and lack of political will in most countries. Realizing the adverse impact of this on the future of OIC member states, particularly the Islamic people from the OIC region, the Tenth Summit held in Malaysia decided to adopt Vision 1441 in 2003 and soon after, the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference approved Ten-year Program of Action to meet challenges facing OIC in the 21st Century, thus – the creation of COMSTECH and STIO. – end-

Regulating Recruitment Agencies in the Philippines

Costs of Private Recruitment Agencies for Migrant Labor Sometimes Outweigh Benefits, MPI Study of Philippines-UAE Corridor Finds

WASHINGTON —Private recruitment agencies manage much of the flow of the 200,000 Filipino workers who head annually to the United Arab Emirates, which is the third-largest destination for Filipino migrants after the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Click Cover for the full Report

While the recruitment agencies, which are located in the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates, provide critical services such as logistical support and information about visa policies and living and working conditions, some abuse their clients by charging exorbitant fees or violating basic human rights.

In a new report, Migration’s Middlemen: Regulating Recruitment Agencies in the Philippines-United Arab Emirates Corridor, the Migration Policy Institute examines the recruiters’ practices as well as their regulation by the Philippine and UAE governments, finding room for significant improvement.

“While the two governments have regulated recruitment agencies’ operations for nearly three decades, there is a policy mismatch between the two regulatory systems that, coupled with difficulties in enforcing regulations, has led to inadequate protections for migrant workers as well as a continuing flow of unauthorized workers,” said the report’s author, MPI Policy Analyst Dovelyn Rannveig Agunias.

The result is a three-tier labor migration system for the nearly 600,000 Filipinos working in the United Arab Emirates (and comprising close to 12 percent of the UAE population):

• A documented and organized labor migration based on written contracts following strict regulatory guidelines of both countries.
• A labor flow based on shifting arrangements that typically result in a lower wage, a different job, and reduced benefits compared to those originally promised to migrant workers by recruiters.
• An unregulated, unauthorized flow of workers who bypass the recruitment system altogether and migrate to the United Arab Emirates with a visitor visa.

The report was informed by 44 in-depth interviews with government, recruitment agency, employer, and NGO officials in the United Arab Emirates and the Philippines, as well as focus group discussions with 86 Filipino migrant workers in Dubai and Manila.

While both countries are considering more stringent regulations for recruitment agencies, the report cautions that both governments must first commit to fully funding and creating capable and effective institutions to jointly harmonize, enforce, and closely monitor the impact of current and new regulations. “Otherwise, regulatory changes could open the door to unintended effects, including increasing abuse and corruption and making illegal channels more attractive for prospective migrants,” Agunias said.

Kathleen Newland, who directs MPI’s Migrants, Migration, and Development Program, said: “The findings of this study are relevant beyond the Philippines-UAE corridor. They serve as a vital point of reference for other countries in the Middle East and elsewhere as they attempt to balance the need to create a flexible and dynamic labor migration system with the obligation to protect workers’ welfare in an increasingly transnational and interconnected global economy.”

The report also makes the case for new initiatives to empower migrants – who fill jobs as domestic workers, engineers, office assistants, and nurses, among other occupations – including a core set of rights and meaningful mechanisms for representation.

The report is available at www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/FilipinoRecruitment-June2010.pdf.

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The Migration Policy Institute is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank in Washington, DC dedicated to analysis of the movement of people worldwide. MPI provides analysis, development and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at the local, national and international levels.