Maniolas

http://lafellows.blogspot.com/ Despite the uptick in the economy, many long-term unemployed workers and older, educated, highly-skilled mid-level professionals are still struggling to find jobs. Stable, secure, salaried positions are becoming less common; workers must often learn how to cobble together contract or part-time positions to pay the bills. The LA Fellows program at Los Angeles Valley College was designed to target this segment of the unemployed population, providing training on the most cutting-edge job search techniques and professional development in demand in this new employment paradigm, and bolstering that with a unique component of nonprofit volunteerism. LA Fellows receive nine weeks of free training in advanced job-seeking skills and executive-level topics including leadership, critical thinking, and generating job leads. Optional classes in advanced computer skills and grant writing are available to participants. MEET THE LA FELLOWS (photo courtesy of http://www.lafellows.org/) Created in partnership with a consortium of community leaders who recognized the need to address long-term unemployment and the critical need for skilled volunteers in the nonprofit sector, the program was started with a grant in 2010. Recently, grant funding and WorkSource funds have allowed the program to continue, so participants don’t pay a dime for the training. In the last four years, over 350 Fellows have completed the program, provided over 35,000 hours of professional-level expertise to the local nonprofit community, and moved back into paid positions. Training for the next cohort begins in September and information sessions are being held at the following locations to allow community members to Read More …

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signs the Freedom of Information (FOI) Executive Order in Davao on July 23. Witnessing the signing are Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go (partly hidden), Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella. (MNS photo) MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay) – Setting the tone of his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday that he will not resort to finger-pointing. “We cannot move forward if we allow the past to pull us back. Finger-pointing is not the way,” Duterte said as he opened his SONA. “This is why I will not waste precious time on dwelling on the sins of the past or blaming those who are perceived to be responsible of the mess that we are in and suffering from,” he said. The President noted that focus must be on the present and the future, and that the country must only look at the past to “maybe extract a lesson from these errors.” Duterte said, however, that those who do wrong by the people will be held accountable. “Lest I be misunderstood, let me say clearly that those who betray the people’s trust shall not go unpunished and they will have their day in court,” he said

Newly-elected Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III administers the oath of office of Senate Majority Floor Leader Senator Vicente Sotto III (center) during the opening of the Senate session under the 17th Congress on Monday (July 25, 2016). Beside Senator Sotto is his wife, actress Helen Gamboa. (MNS photo) MANILA, July 25 (Mabuhay) — As expected, Davao Del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez on Monday was elected as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives in a landslide vote of 251 lawmakers. The gavels were banged around 10 a.m. signaling the opening of the 17th Congress under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. A nominal voting of members ensued which propelled Alvarez to lead the 17th Congress. Duterte is set to deliver his first State of the Nation Address this afternoon. Former Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Liberal Party vice chair, initially wanted to run for reelection but conceded to Alvarez amid an exodus of Liberals jumping ship to Duterte’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Belmonte then vied for the minority post, but withdrew from the race Saturday after the decision was made for the LP to join the majority coalition. A small contingent of Liberal Party stalwarts refused to join the majority and opted to be part of the independent bloc in Congress, led by Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat who joined the Speakership race but lost. Baguilat got eight votes, followed by Quezon Rep. Danny Suarez who got seven. It was Baguilat who filed a resolution seeking a congressional Read More …

By Cielito M. Reganit Fishermen on a small boat sail through rough waves caused by Typhoon Ineng, at Manila Bay, Thursday. Typhoon Ineng on Thursday packed maximum sustained winds of 180kph near the center with gusts of up to 215kph as it moves closer to extreme northern Luzon, PAGASA said. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – Following the favorable ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on the West Philippine Sea, a Partylist lawmaker has filed a bill that will establish the country’s very own Department of Ocean, Fisheries, and Aquatic Resources (DOFAR) to protect and manage the country’s vast marine resources. In filing HB 1612, Akbayan Partylist Rep. Tom Villarin said the vastness of Philippine territorial waters, which cover 2.2 million square kilometers and 18,000 kilometers of coastline, has made it highly challenging for many previous administrations to protect, manage, and harness the country’s marine and aquatic resources to yield equitable gains, particularly for the fisherfolks. “Our fisherfolk are among the most vulnerable sectors in our society but they will also benefit the most from the PCA award. We should seize this opportunity and enable our fisherfolk to reap the rewards they long deserve,” he said. “The establishment of a department that will concentrate solely on the management, conservation, development, protection, utilization, and disposition of all fishery and aquatic resources of the country would ensure that there is enough fish for succeeding generations to catch, sell, and eat,” Villarin said. If enacted into law, DOFAR will also supervise and Read More …

By Priam F. Nepomuceno Around 196 generals, flag and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and 28 Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials await confirmation of their promotion by the Commission on Appointments during a hearing at the Philippines Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday. (MNS photo) MANILA  (PNA) – There is an urgent need for the Philippines to upgrade and modernize its Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force to prevent other countries from encroaching on its territory especially the maritime ones. “We should have strengthen our Coast Guard 10 years (so that intruders) cannot encroached on our territories. That’s the purpose now of our (modernization program) to give our Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force a minimum credible deterrent so that our territories will not just be encroach upon,” he added. The DND chief stressed that the Philippines is not in a position to prevent China from constructing more of their man-made islands despite the ruling of the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration last July 12. “I don’t think they will listen to us, (if they will do that, they will just continue doing that) despite our objections, we can’t do anything, so we’ll just watch them do that because we don’t have any capability to prevent them from doing that,” he stressed. Lorenzana earlier said the DND will still continue with AFP Modernization Program which jives with their long term plans of having credible deterence to secure Philippine territory. And while some projects may be Read More …