Philippines confers Legion of Honor on Hillary Clinton

MANILA, Philippines - On behalf of President Benigno S. Aquino III, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario conferred on Tuesday the Philippine Legion of Honor on US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in simple ceremonies at the US State Department in Washington D.C.

Expressing appreciation for the honor, Secretary Clinton affirmed the US government’s commitment to strengthening the Philippines’ defense capabilities, according to a statement released in Manila by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

As Secretary of State, Secretary Clinton had signed with Secretary del Rosario the Manila Declaration, confirming the two countries’ commitment to the objectives of the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). On the margins of the 2012 official working visit to the US of President Aquino, she also signed with del Rosario a statement of support for the construction, outfitting and training of a new National Coast Watch Center for the Philippines.

Mrs. Clinton strongly supported the Philippines’ advocacy for a rules-based approach in resolving competing claims over maritime areas through peaceful and diplomatic processes within the framework of international law, according to a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) news release. On various occasions, she spoke up for the common interest in maintaining freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, and transit of people across the seas, it added.

In September 2010, President Aquino and Secretary Clinton unveiled the $434-million Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Compact aimed at reducing poverty through economic growth in New York. The Philippines and the US are also leading members of the Open Government Partnership, continuing to promote greater government transparency and the rule of law.

Secretary Clinton oversaw the Obama administration’s pivot to Asia and affirmed the strong military relationship between the US and the Philippines. With del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, they held the first Philippine-US Two Plus Two Ministerial Consultations in April 2012, providing the framework for intensified dialogue and cooperation on defense and security issues.

The Philippine Legion of Honor is the highest honor that the President of the Philippines may grant an individual without the concurrence of Congress. The highest rank, Chief Commander, is normally conferred on heads of state or governments, and distinguished individuals in recognition of their importance to the Republic or for life achievement. The first American to be conferred the rank of Chief Commander was US President Franklin D. Roosevelt (posthumous). Other Americans who have received the same honor include President Dwight Eisenhower, General Douglas McArthur, and Senator Daniel Inouye.

source: interaksyon.com

Filipino nurses warned vs e-mail scam on non-existent Canada jobs

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs is warning the public against a scam circulating by e-mail that offers Filipino nurses non-existent jobs in Toronto-based hospitals.

Citing a report from the Philippine consulate general in Canada, the DFA said the e-mail offers work with Shouldice and other hospitals in Toronto. It invites nurses to “coaching interviews” conducted by staff of these hospitals in Makati to prepare them for interviews by the Canadian embassy in Manila.

Participants are made to pay a fee of P3,888 for the “coaching interview,” which is a prelude to a two-day seminar at the completion of the initial consultation, the consulate said.

According to Shouldice Hospital, it has been represented illegitimately and falsely by an “unidentified” agency in the Philippines in conducting interviews of nurses, who have been sent e-mails supposedly from Shouldice Hospital.

In the past few days, Shouldice Hospital has been receiving at least 100 e-mails and telephone inquiries about these “coaching interviews” for potential employment in its hospital in Thornhill, Ontario.

These would-be participants are asked to send money via Western Union, specifically to somebody using Shouldice Hospital’s officers, including its chief executive officer.

The consulate general thus “advises recipients to be wary of such invitations, especially those that demand money from potential applicants.”

source: interaksyon.com

After heavy flooding, DFA resumes operations; US Embassy still closed

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) has resumed operations on Thursday after being closed the previous day due to bad weather conditions and flooding.

In a text message to GMA News Online, DFA Spokesperson Raul Hernandez confirmed the news: “Normal operations today (August 9),” he said.

The DFA-OCA shut down its operations at 3:00 p.m. on August 8 due to bad weather conditions and heavy rain.

In a news release, the DFA said passport applicants who were unable to file their applications can be accommodated until August 15.

“Passport applicants, scheduled on August 7 (Tuesday) and today, August 8 (Wednesday), who were unable to file their applications, may come to the DFA-OCA at anytime and have their passports processed this entire week until Wednesday next week, August 15,” it said.

“Passport applicants are advised to bring their appointment slips with them,” it added.

Temporary closure of the US Embassy

Meanwhile, inclement weather and heavy flooding have also forced the temporary closure of the United States Embassy and its affiliated offices.

On its official Twitter account, the embassy announced: “Due to continued severe weather and heavy flooding, the US Embassy will remain closed on Thursday August 9.”

The embassy said the decision was made considering the safety and security of employees and the public.

For updates on Consular and other public services of the Embassy, please visit the US Embassy official site at www.manila.usembassy.gov.

Torrential rains

Torrential rains pummeled large areas of Luzon on Wednesday, forcing Malacañang to suspend all classes for Thursday, from preschool to postgraduate courses in the National Capital Region and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.

The class suspension directive is contained in Memorandum Circular 34 issued by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.

However, operations and work in national government agencies and private sector offices were not suspended.

Hotline numbers
Meanwhile, for OFWs whose families were affected by the floods, here are some hotline numbers to call:

NCR

1. National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)

(02) 911-1406
(02) 912-2665
(02) 912-5668

2. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)

(02) 927-1335
(02) 433-8526

3. Philippine National Police Hotline (PNP)

(02) 725-3176
(02)723-04-01
117 or send TXT PNP to 2920

4. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

(02) 729-5166

5. Metro Manila Development Authority Metrobase

136
(02) 882-4154 loc. 271 (for flood concerns)

6. Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)

(02) 7890

7. Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)

(02) 527-8481 to 89

8. North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)

(02) 580-8910

(02) 580-8911

9. Skyway System Hotline


(02) 776-7777

10. South Luzon Expressway (SLEx)

(0908) 8807539

11. Department of Health

(02) 711-1001

Local Government Units’ Traffic and Rescue Hotlines:

1. Cainta Traffic

(02) 646-0044

2. Las Pinas Traffic

(02) 874-5756

(02) 874-3927

3. Mandaluyong Traffic

(02) 534 2993

4. Mandaluyong Emergency

(02) 5332225

5. Makati Traffic

(02) 844-3146

(02) 819-3270

6. Makati Rescue

168

(02) 899-8928

(02) 895-8243

7. Pasig Rescue

(02) 643-0000

8. Pasig Traffic

(02) 6411907

Outside NCR

1. Cavite Governor’s Office

(046) 419-1311

2. Quezon Governor’s Office

(042) 373-6007

3. Rizal Provincial Office

(02) 620-2400

4. Bulacan Governor’s Office

(044) 791-8149

(044) 791-8148

source: gmanetwork.com

ADVISORY: Passport application schedule extended to August 15 due to rains, floods

MANILA - The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) on Wednesday extended its schedule for passport applicants who were unable to file their applications today due to the heavy rains brought by southwest monsoon (habagat).

"In view of the continuing inclement weather brought about by heavy rains, the DFA-OCA is suspending its passport and other consular operations today, August 8, from 3 p.m. onwards," it said.

"Passport applicants, scheduled on August 7 (Tuesday) and today, August 8 (Wednesday), who were unable to file their applications, may come to the DFA-OCA at anytime and have their passports processed this entire week until Wednesday next week, August 15," it added.

The DFA-OCA advised passport applicants to bring their appointment slips with them.

source: interaksyon.com

DFA reschedules passport processing due to bad weather

The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs announced on Tuesday a new schedule for passport applicants who were unable to file their applications due to bad weather.

“In view of the continuing inclement weather brought about by heavy rains, passport applicants scheduled today, August 7, may come to the DFA-OCA and have their passports processed this entire week until Friday, August 10,” it said.

Passport applicants are advised to bring their appointment slips with them, the DFA said.

Earlier in the day, massive flooding due to heavy rain forced the US Embassy to suspend its operations.

The embassy, located along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, was submerged in thigh-deep floodwaters, reports said.

“U.S. Embassy will be closed August 7, 2012 due to flooding in many areas of Manila,” a statement on its website said.

On his Twitter account, US Ambasador to the Philippines Harry Thomas said: "The embassy is closed today due to excessive flooding in the streets and concern for the safety of our employees and consular applicants."

Last week, the embassy was also closed down after huge waves, compounded by high tide, swept past the seawall and a cement embankment along the scenic Roxas Boulevard at the height of the monsoon surge. — Michaela del Callar/RSJ, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com