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Consular Services in Virginia Beach on July 2, 2010
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The Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. will conduct a consular outreach program in Virginia Beach, VA
on July 2, 2010, Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. at The Travel Outlet.
The Embassy’s consular team will accept and process applications for electronic passports, dual citizenship,
notarization of documents, and registration of births and marriages.
Passport applicants are encouraged to set an appointment for the submission of their application and capture
of the biometrics. Those with confirmed appointments will be given priority over walk-in applicants. Personal
appearance is required in all cases. The telephone number to call for appointment is 757-424-3311.
Passport applicants are no longer required to bring photographs since they will have their pictures taken using
ePassport data capturing machines. However, they still need to bring other necessary requirements, such as
their current passport, and an application fee of $60.00.
The outreach program will also include an oath-taking ceremony for individuals who will reacquire their Filipino
citizenship under the Dual Citizenship Law.
The Travel Outlet is located at 5347 Lila Lane, Suite 101, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
The application forms are available for download at www.philippineembassy-usa.org.
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EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON DC IMPLEMENTS EPASSPORT PROJECT
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The Embassy in Washington DC wishes to announce that beginning Monday, 21 June 2010, it will accept
applications for electronic passports.
An ePassport is a passport which features microchip technology. An integrated circuit (chip) within its pages
contains the data that are essential in verifying the identity of the passport holder.
These data include the personal data found on the data page of the passport, the biometrics of the passport
holder, the unique chip identification number, and a digital signature to verify the authenticity of the data stored
in the chip.
Passport applicants are encouraged to set an appointment for the submission of their application and capture
of the biometrics. Those with confirmed appointments will be given priority over walk-in applicants. Personal
appearance is required in all cases. The telephone number to call for appointment is 202-467-9300 from 9:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Passport applicants are no longer required to bring photographs since they will have their pictures taken using
ePassport data capturing machines at the Embassy. However, they still need to bring other necessary
requirements, such as their current passport, and an application fee of $60.00.
The application form is available for download at www.philippineembassy-usa.org or at the reception desks of
the Embassy. END.
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War veterans fete PGMA for securing their benefits
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World War II veterans today expressed their gratitude to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her advocacy in
securing and ensuring the provision of their long-overdue benefits.
The President was guest of honor during the 50th anniversary of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines
(VFP) at the Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas of the Folk Arts Theater in Pasay City this morning.
VFP president Col. (ret.) Emmanuel de Ocampo said the President worked hard for the passage of the
Veterans’ Equity Bill in the United States and even advocated for the benefits of veterans even before she
became head of state.
De Ocampo said it was also the President’s father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, who encouraged
him in the 1960s to go on and continue to fight for the rights of World War II veterans.
Albertino Macas, 88, VFP regional vice president for Region X, thanked President Arroyo for the $9,000 he
received from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund in June 2009.
Macas also thanked the Chief Executive for the P81,600 lump sum back pension for four years (Total
Administrative Disability) which he received in May this year.
“I and my family would like to thank our beloved President, Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
for the benefits that was given to the veterans like me,” Macas said.
Torcuato Cirpo, 84, VFP vice president for Region XI, also thanked the President in behalf of other veterans for
receiving the $9,000 from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund in May 2009 and the P81,600 lump
sum back pension for four years which he received last April 2010.
“I and my family, and the veterans of Region XI wholeheartedly appreciate the efforts done by our beloved
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the benefits that was given to the veterans,” he said.
Cirpo said he immediately gave his three children P5,000 each and a portion went to home improvement.
During the event, the President also launched the 50th anniversary commemorative stamp of the VFP and
turned over P100,000 worth of medicines for the VFP clinic in Taguig City.
Assisting the President were Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral and Postmaster General Hector Villanueva.
“Ito ay simbolo ng tuloy-tuloy na pagtulong ng DOH for the veterans’ clinic in Taguig,” the President said.
Since 2001, the President has been asking the US government to provide equal benefits to Filipino war
veterans resulting in the historic passage last year of the long–overdue $190 million compensation package
for the old and frail Filipino veterans of World War II.
During the Araw ng Kagitingan rites in April 2007, the President also assured World War II veterans that
government will be able to catch up with its arrears on pension payments as she instructed the release of P1.8
billion for the payment of pension arrears in 2008.
The President also signed Republic Act No. 9499 or the “Filipino World War II Veterans Pensions and Benefits
Act of 2008” allowing Filipino veterans to continue receiving their pensions and benefits from the Philippine
government in addition to similar pensions and benefits to be provided by the US government.
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Mining industry attracts US $2.8 billion in investments
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The country’s mining industry attracted a total of US $2.8 billion worth of investments in the last six years,
according to Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Edwin Domingo.
In a news briefing in Malacanang, Domingo said that for the past six years, the demand for minerals has
increased and the Philippines, being rich with different minerals, have attracted investors.
He said that that by 2013, investments will grow to $13.5 billion because of three major projects expected to
come by 2012-2013.
According to Domingo, the promotion of mining will generate revenue for the local government. There is a local
government code provision, he pointed out, where 40 percent of all revenues from natural resources will go to
the local government.
Domingo said that last year, they had a joint memorandum circular with the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), and the Department of Finance (DOF), to facilitate the process.
“Ang titingnan natin eh di lang magkaroon ng mina kung di paano gagamitan ‘yung mina para sa kapakanan
ng local na komunidad at ng pamahalan. (We will not only look for possible mine sites but also how to use
them for the welfare of the local communities)”, Domingo said
In the same press conference, DENR undersecretary Demeterio Ignacio said they are now finalizing the
completion of the geohazard maps commissioned by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD).
Geohazard maps detail hazard areas prone to flooding, landslides, sea level rising, storm surge, volcanic
eruptions, lahars and mud flows and other disasters.
Ignacio said that had already accomplished almost 95 percent of the map covering the whole country and
expects to finish it this month or in July.
The maps, acoording to him, will be given to local government units to help them in disaster prevention.
“ Maraming magagawa ito para ma-prevent natin yung lost of lives and property (The maps could help prevent
loss of lives and property),” Ignacio said.
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DA says agro-industry loans totaled P465-B in 2001-2009
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Agricultural loans from various government lending facilities and other financial institutions and agencies
reached the P465-billion mark over the nine-year period ending in 2009, the Department of Agriculture (DA)
revealed yesterday.
The disclosure was made in conjunction with yesterday’s launch of the DA’s coffee table book titled “Fields of
Glory” graced by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“From 2001 to 2009, a total of P28.8 billion was released under the Agro-Industry Modernization and Credit
Financing Program and Quedancor to farmer-beneficiaries,” the DA said, adding that the borrowings would
total P465 billion if palay production loans from the Land Bank and releases from other financial institutions
and agencies are included.
Incidentally, loans to the agro-industry sector is just one component of a six-point FIELDS package of
government support services designed to increase farm outputs and enable the farmers to maximize their
incomes.
FIELDS stands for Fertilizer, Irrigation and other Infrastructures, Extension and Education, Loans, Dryers and
other post-harvest facilities, and Seeds and other genetic materials.
Agriculture Secretary Bernie Fondevilla said the book “best illustrates that President Arroyo has delivered on
her commitments to the agriculture and fisheries sector by way of her flagship project dubbed FIELDS and
other farm-related intervention programs.”
Fondevilla pointed out that the government under the Arroyo administration registered record public spending
in agriculture and fisheries, and stepped up construction of irrigation, farm-to-market roads and post-harvest
facilities.
Other milestone achievements, the Secretary said, included creation of millions of jobs and livelihood
opportunities in the countryside, massive training program for farmers on such concerns as productivity
enhancement, cost-reduction, and environment-friendly technologies, as well as the availability of more loans,
guarantee and insurance coverage.
“The government also constructed a total of 18,929 kilometers of farm-to-market roads worth P26.77 billion,
and established 50 mariculture parks covering a total of 39,073 hectares,” Fondevilla said.
Among the millions of FIELDS beneficiaries was Gelises Ladores of San Antonio, Nueva Ecija who said
results of new farming technologies he learned surpassed his expectations.
He recalled that during the rainy season in 2008, he was still able to harvest 100 cavans of palay from his 1.5-
hectare farm using “submergence-tolerant” seeds from the Philippine Rice Institute made available by the DA
through the FIELDS program. “My only wish at that time was to be able to harvest despite the strong rains,” he
said.
Ariel Flores from Guimba, Nueva Ecija said he was able to substantially reduce the cost of farm inputs
because of irrigation and the use of organic fertilizer. “The soil we till has become rich with natural fertilizer
from the clean water we get from the irrigation,” he said.
Judy Aruta, a loan beneficiary of the Bukidnon Cooperative Bank, said the soft credit he acquired enabled him
to expand his rice farm.
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Ambassador Gaa Promotes the Philippine Retirement Industry Before Members of the
National Association of Retirement Counselors and the Filipino-American Community
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Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa (at the podium) discussed the Philippine Retirement
Industry and the business opportunities under the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) program before
members of the National Association of Retirement Counselors (NARC) and the Filipino-American community
(FilCom) at The Residences at Thomas Circle in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Gaa said that the Philippines
has excellent medical facilities manned by first class medical professionals, is renowned for its hospitality,
diverse culture and reasonable standard of living.
NARC President Alan Dubow (seated at the center) recognized the Philippines’ as a key market in addressing
the demands of the industry and expressed hope that the US’ continuum of care system (e.g., home care,
hospices, assisted living) will be replicated in the Philippines.
The International Medical Insurance recently ranked the Philippines fourth, out of ten Top Retirement Paradise,
recognizing the country as one of the world’s preferred retirement destinations. END.
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AMBASSADOR GAA LAUDS FILCOM IN THE US FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO
NATION-BUILDING DURING 112TH ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
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The commemoration activities for the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence was formally opened by
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa with a flag raising ceremony held on 11 June 2010 at
the Embassy of the Philippines and accompanied by the officers and staff of the Post and its attached
agencies.
With the theme, “Kalayaan 2010: Tagumpay ng Bayan,” Ambassador Gaa’s message for this year’s
celebration had a clear focus on the significant contributions of the Filipino community in the United States
whose “clear vision for the Philippines and active noteworthy efforts make them a significant partner of the
Philippine Government in nation-building.”
“In concrete ways, you have helped advance the interest of your fellowmen and worked for their welfare,”
Ambassador Gaa added.
Philippine Independence Day messages of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Philippine
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo were delivered by Minister and Consul General Domingo Nolasco,
and Minister and Consul Ariel Penaranda, respectively. END.
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DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY, U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND FILCOM JOIN
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN COMMEMORATION OF 112TH PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
ANNIVERSARY
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Scot Marciel (right), Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia and Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs,
proposes a toast with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa (second from L) and Madame
Erlinda Gaa (left) during a reception hosted on 11 June 2010 for the 112th Anniversary of Philippine
Independence at the Army and Navy Club. The Embassy of the Philippines was joined by over 160 guests,
which included key members of the diplomatic community, officials of U.S. government agencies, members
and staff-members from the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. and leaders of the Filipino-American
community in the United States. END.
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The diplomatic community, officials of U.S. government agencies and U.S. Congress, members of the Filipino-
American organizations and officers and staff of the Embassy of the Philippines listen to the congratulatory
message of United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Filipino people on the occasion of
the 112th Anniversary of Philippine independence and for the successful conduct of the Philippine national
elections last month, which she characterized as “a testament to the strength of your democracy and a positive
example for the world.” She emphasized the affinity that exists between the two countries as reflected by the 4
million Filipinos in the United States and the 150,000 Americans living in the Philippines. END.
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