Just this morning, while reading the news, I stumbled across this article saying that BIR and BOC had better collections. Over the past months kasi, they have been complimented for such an achievement and I think it's great to know there is substantial progress in the two agencies perceived as most corrupt in this country.
Notwithstanding this achievement, what are other improvements in the government that you know of?
Full Version: Improvements in the Government
MMDA perhaps..
alam ko lang sa QC..
wala ng budget deficit ang QC. lamang pa ngayon sa makati in generating taxes.
tapos naayos na ni belmonte ang pagkokolekta ng basura. at yung PNP improvement, na-impress talaga ako doon. natuloy pa yung qc olympics.
yun lang.
alam ko lang sa QC..
wala ng budget deficit ang QC. lamang pa ngayon sa makati in generating taxes.
tapos naayos na ni belmonte ang pagkokolekta ng basura. at yung PNP improvement, na-impress talaga ako doon. natuloy pa yung qc olympics.
yun lang.
In a span of less than a decade from the passage of the E-Commerce Act, the intent behind the said legislation is being realized under the present administration.
**
A study by the National Computer Center or NCC released March 31 shows that ONLY six national government agencies (NGAs) have no websites yet.
The salient findings are as follows:
1 373 agencies out of 379 NGAs or 98.4% can be accessed by the public on the web;
2 the six agencies with no websites represent about 1.6%;
3 218 of the NGAs are in Stage 1 or "Emerging Web Presence," which translates to 58.4%;
4 Some 93 agencies or 24.9% are in Stage 2 or "Enhanced Web Presence";
5 53 agencies or 16.4% are in Stage 3 or "Interactive Web Presence";
6 the Bureau of Internal Revenue remains the only NGA in Stage 4 or "Transactional Web Presence," or a website that allows users to directly access services and conduct online transactions;
7 no agency has reached Stage 5 or "Fully Integrated Web Presence";
As per the directive of Pres GMA, all government agencies must be in at least Stage 1 of the UNASPA Five Stages of eGovernment. This means that all agencies must have websites that would provide basic public information.
**
A study by the National Computer Center or NCC released March 31 shows that ONLY six national government agencies (NGAs) have no websites yet.
The salient findings are as follows:
1 373 agencies out of 379 NGAs or 98.4% can be accessed by the public on the web;
2 the six agencies with no websites represent about 1.6%;
3 218 of the NGAs are in Stage 1 or "Emerging Web Presence," which translates to 58.4%;
4 Some 93 agencies or 24.9% are in Stage 2 or "Enhanced Web Presence";
5 53 agencies or 16.4% are in Stage 3 or "Interactive Web Presence";
6 the Bureau of Internal Revenue remains the only NGA in Stage 4 or "Transactional Web Presence," or a website that allows users to directly access services and conduct online transactions;
7 no agency has reached Stage 5 or "Fully Integrated Web Presence";
As per the directive of Pres GMA, all government agencies must be in at least Stage 1 of the UNASPA Five Stages of eGovernment. This means that all agencies must have websites that would provide basic public information.
Some improvement in the government's handling of the Mindanao issue:
1. completion of the integration of 5,750 MNLF nominees into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and another 1,750 to the Philippine National Police.
2. earmarking some P40 million to build more classrooms, including the strengthening of the madrasah (Islamic
school), in the ARMM
3. dispatch of technovans to institute Distance Learning programs for Muslim Filipinos in areas still bereft of schools and not reached by teachers
4. activation of a one-stop land titling shop at the ARMM complex in Cotabato City.
1. completion of the integration of 5,750 MNLF nominees into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and another 1,750 to the Philippine National Police.
2. earmarking some P40 million to build more classrooms, including the strengthening of the madrasah (Islamic
school), in the ARMM
3. dispatch of technovans to institute Distance Learning programs for Muslim Filipinos in areas still bereft of schools and not reached by teachers
4. activation of a one-stop land titling shop at the ARMM complex in Cotabato City.
Some improvement in the government's handling of the Mindanao issue:
1. completion of the integration of 5,750 MNLF nominees into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and another 1,750 to the Philippine National Police.
2. earmarking some P40 million to build more classrooms, including the strengthening of the madrasah (Islamic
school), in the ARMM
3. dispatch of technovans to institute Distance Learning programs for Muslim Filipinos in areas still bereft of schools and not reached by teachers
4. activation of a one-stop land titling shop at the ARMM complex in Cotabato City.
1. completion of the integration of 5,750 MNLF nominees into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and another 1,750 to the Philippine National Police.
2. earmarking some P40 million to build more classrooms, including the strengthening of the madrasah (Islamic
school), in the ARMM
3. dispatch of technovans to institute Distance Learning programs for Muslim Filipinos in areas still bereft of schools and not reached by teachers
4. activation of a one-stop land titling shop at the ARMM complex in Cotabato City.
Here's some good news from the DTI. Hats off to Sec. Purisima if he bags this one. The article did not mention India as a major competitor. India has the world's largest offshore non-plastic surgery practice in the world.
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Philippines eyed as health care hub
Posted: 5:56 AM | Sept. 02, 2004
Inquirer News Service
THE EUROPEAN Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said it was exploring the possibility of making the country a prime health care destination in the world.
The group's executive vice president, Henry Schumacher, said rising costs, overburdened public health care systems, and aging populations in developed countries had created a need to outsource health care to developing countries.
He said health care costs in developing countries were just a fraction of what were being charged in developed countries. He said the quality of medical care resources in developing countries was rising to meet global standards.
"Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore currently lead in this field," Schumacher said. "In 2003 alone, these countries attracted more than 600,000 patients and generated some $500 million in revenue."
He said the potential market for the Philippines included Filipino immigrants and overseas workers, and patients from the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, as well as those from China, the Middle East, Korea and Taiwan.
However, Schumacher said the Philippines must first address its image problems on health and hygiene, as well as the peace and order situation.
There is also "a need to accredit Philippine hospitals with public health care systems in the US, Europe and Japan, and with private sector health insurance providers," he said.
Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Purisima had disclosed in May that Sanyo Emeritus Corp. of Japan was planning to put up a $100-million retirement village in Tagaytay City, outside Manila, that would cater to the health care needs of Japanese citizens.
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Philippines eyed as health care hub
Posted: 5:56 AM | Sept. 02, 2004
Inquirer News Service
THE EUROPEAN Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said it was exploring the possibility of making the country a prime health care destination in the world.
The group's executive vice president, Henry Schumacher, said rising costs, overburdened public health care systems, and aging populations in developed countries had created a need to outsource health care to developing countries.
He said health care costs in developing countries were just a fraction of what were being charged in developed countries. He said the quality of medical care resources in developing countries was rising to meet global standards.
"Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore currently lead in this field," Schumacher said. "In 2003 alone, these countries attracted more than 600,000 patients and generated some $500 million in revenue."
He said the potential market for the Philippines included Filipino immigrants and overseas workers, and patients from the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, as well as those from China, the Middle East, Korea and Taiwan.
However, Schumacher said the Philippines must first address its image problems on health and hygiene, as well as the peace and order situation.
There is also "a need to accredit Philippine hospitals with public health care systems in the US, Europe and Japan, and with private sector health insurance providers," he said.
Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar Purisima had disclosed in May that Sanyo Emeritus Corp. of Japan was planning to put up a $100-million retirement village in Tagaytay City, outside Manila, that would cater to the health care needs of Japanese citizens.
Automation of government procedures has facilitated the processing of export and import declarations. I fervently hope that the IRR of RA 9280 won't screw this up 
I must also add my praise to Mayor Belmonte of QC. In his a-little-over-3 years as mayor, he has turned the city around. I am particularly pleased to hear that he insists on at least a skeleton force being present during lunchtimes/early in the morning to handle transactions with the public so that the people who come to get permits or whatnot are not kept waiting until the processors d@mn well feel like attending to them. Hindi talaga dapat ganoon. I am a government employee myself and am also frustrated by this lackadaisical attitude in many of the people that I deal with.
I must also add my praise to Mayor Belmonte of QC. In his a-little-over-3 years as mayor, he has turned the city around. I am particularly pleased to hear that he insists on at least a skeleton force being present during lunchtimes/early in the morning to handle transactions with the public so that the people who come to get permits or whatnot are not kept waiting until the processors d@mn well feel like attending to them. Hindi talaga dapat ganoon. I am a government employee myself and am also frustrated by this lackadaisical attitude in many of the people that I deal with.
Dissolve the Senate. Look at all the clowns there now! Recto, Tanada, Diokno, Quezon and Aquino must be turning in their graves!
1. abolition of redundant positions in the government
2. austerity measures
pagturn off ng aircon for 2-3 hours in the morning (yata, don't know exact
time) and in the afternoon
pagbabawas ng delegates sa official state visits at pagbabawas ng gastusin
ng gobyerno sa pagbibiyahe
pagbabawas ng international, as well as local travels of government officials
increasing number of government officials cooperating on giving up PDAF,
offering of donations and other sacrifices
3. government e-procurement
4. simplified procedure in some front line agencies
5. term-sharing of legislators
2. austerity measures
pagturn off ng aircon for 2-3 hours in the morning (yata, don't know exact
time) and in the afternoon
pagbabawas ng delegates sa official state visits at pagbabawas ng gastusin
ng gobyerno sa pagbibiyahe
pagbabawas ng international, as well as local travels of government officials
increasing number of government officials cooperating on giving up PDAF,
offering of donations and other sacrifices
3. government e-procurement
4. simplified procedure in some front line agencies
5. term-sharing of legislators
QUOTE(joescoundrel @ Sep 6 2004, 12:20 PM)
Dissolve the Senate. Look at all the clowns there now! Recto, Tanada, Diokno, Quezon and Aquino must be turning in their graves!
This could be forthcoming if the Philippines adopts the parliamentary system. I don't think we'll be rid of the clowns anytime soon. As for me, I wouldn't have a problem with them being around as long as they are made accountable for their performance while in office.
More intitiatives from the DTI. Although it's surprising (and quite disappointing) that this will be the first time the Philippines will be joining OutsourceWorld.
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RP to join US outsourcing fair to boost BPO industry
By LAWRENCE AGCAOILI
TODAY Reporter
The Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions is stepping up efforts to boost the local business process outsourcing (BPO) industry by participating in the largest outsourcing event in the United States next month.
In a statement, Trade Secretary Cesar Purisima said the Philippines is set to join OutsourceWorld, which will be held in New York City next month as part of efforts to scout for new markets. This is the first time the Philippines is joining OutsourceWorld, which features a conference, an exhibition and several business meetings.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has declared the first week of October as Technology Week.
OutsourceWorld NY, which will be co-located with Technology Exchange Week New York, attracted some 43,000 international visitors last year. Over 200 exhibitors are expected to join this year’s event, which organizers said will draw 45,000 visitors.
Purisima said the participation of the Philippines in the exhibit is part of the DTI’s efforts to position the Philippines as the preferred outsourcing destination in Asia.
“We are looking forward to generating new business partnerships with companies in the US for outsourcing services,” Purisima said.
This year, the DTI expects investments in the local BPO sector that includes call centers to double to as much as P13 billion from last year’s P6.42 billion. Investments in the IT sector jumped 23 percent to P6.42 billion and generated employment for 19,000 workers last year. Customer contact or call centers cornered 69 percent or about P4.46 billion of the total investments.
The Philippines serves as a source of outsourcing services from the US and Europe. US-based companies such as AIG and Procter & Gamble rely on the Philippines for its management, finance and accounting services, while Alitalia and International Red Cross already have established their presence in the country’s outsourcing industry.
Purisima said the DTI is keen on promoting the Philippines as a major global e-services player because of its skilled labor force and affinity to Western culture. Global research and consulting firm Meta Group ranked the Philippines as No. 4 worldwide in terms of availability of knowledge workers, while the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the US ranked Filipino accountants as “among the best in the world.”
A study commissioned by the Information Technology Association of America said over 516,000 new jobs would be created over the next five years from outsourcing, especially in software and services. Of this figure, 272,000 will go offshore.
“Outsourcing creates more jobs and real high wages for Filipino workers. We are optimistic that eyeing new partnerships in outsourcing will boost employment in the country,” Purisima said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RP to join US outsourcing fair to boost BPO industry
By LAWRENCE AGCAOILI
TODAY Reporter
The Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions is stepping up efforts to boost the local business process outsourcing (BPO) industry by participating in the largest outsourcing event in the United States next month.
In a statement, Trade Secretary Cesar Purisima said the Philippines is set to join OutsourceWorld, which will be held in New York City next month as part of efforts to scout for new markets. This is the first time the Philippines is joining OutsourceWorld, which features a conference, an exhibition and several business meetings.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has declared the first week of October as Technology Week.
OutsourceWorld NY, which will be co-located with Technology Exchange Week New York, attracted some 43,000 international visitors last year. Over 200 exhibitors are expected to join this year’s event, which organizers said will draw 45,000 visitors.
Purisima said the participation of the Philippines in the exhibit is part of the DTI’s efforts to position the Philippines as the preferred outsourcing destination in Asia.
“We are looking forward to generating new business partnerships with companies in the US for outsourcing services,” Purisima said.
This year, the DTI expects investments in the local BPO sector that includes call centers to double to as much as P13 billion from last year’s P6.42 billion. Investments in the IT sector jumped 23 percent to P6.42 billion and generated employment for 19,000 workers last year. Customer contact or call centers cornered 69 percent or about P4.46 billion of the total investments.
The Philippines serves as a source of outsourcing services from the US and Europe. US-based companies such as AIG and Procter & Gamble rely on the Philippines for its management, finance and accounting services, while Alitalia and International Red Cross already have established their presence in the country’s outsourcing industry.
Purisima said the DTI is keen on promoting the Philippines as a major global e-services player because of its skilled labor force and affinity to Western culture. Global research and consulting firm Meta Group ranked the Philippines as No. 4 worldwide in terms of availability of knowledge workers, while the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles of the US ranked Filipino accountants as “among the best in the world.”
A study commissioned by the Information Technology Association of America said over 516,000 new jobs would be created over the next five years from outsourcing, especially in software and services. Of this figure, 272,000 will go offshore.
“Outsourcing creates more jobs and real high wages for Filipino workers. We are optimistic that eyeing new partnerships in outsourcing will boost employment in the country,” Purisima said.
Good news on efforts to collect taxes. Hopefully big businesses can be forced to pay their dues as well. Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echeverri is an alumnus of the Ateneo Law School class of 1981.
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Mall stallholders owe Caloocan P20-M
The Philippine Star 09/14/2004
The Caloocan City government has stepped up its revenue raising campaign as City Mayor Enrico Echiverri ordered the closure of some 400 "tiangge" stallholders at the Gotesco Grand Central for non-payment of taxes amounting to over P20-million.
Echiverri said that for years, since 1997, the stallholders have operated without securing the required business permits and paying the right taxes to the city.
"We mean business. Do not wait for the city hall to close your businesses. Pay the right taxes, get your permits and conduct your businesses minus the stress of operating illegally. Save yourself. Stress kills," Echiverri said.
He stressed the need to double the collection effort in order to pay the debt incurred by the city government.
Among the stalls closed since Friday were the cell phone booths, ukay-ukay, toys and accessories stalls at the lobbies of the four-story commercial complex in Monumento.
Lawyer Melanie Soriano-Malaya, Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) chief, told The STAR in a phone interview that the city has lost over P20 million in back taxes since 1998, roughly P3 to P4 million yearly.
"We told them (stallholders) to just pay up, get the permits and they can return to business as usual," Malaya said.
She revealed that the stallholders managed to avoid paying taxes through suspected connivance of "high level" city hall officials with the beleaguered traders. She declined to elaborate.
Amid speculations that "untouchable and well-entrenched" inspectors from her office are involved in the anomaly, Malaya told stallholders to come up with the names and substantiate their allegations so her office could take the appropriate action, legal or otherwise. She said most of the inspectors in her office are new and are clueless about the modus operandi of the old ones she had sacked early on.
Complaining stallholders who requested anonymity yesterday told The STAR three exhibit or tiangge organizers have cornered the deal with the Gotesco firm.
Malaya said they are not running after the organizers since whatever is collected by them was a problem between them and the stallholders.
"My only concern is the taxes they did not and do not pay the city government. I cannot allow them to dump that problem in the lap of the city hall," Malaya said when asked if they will run after the organizers.
Complainant A said that aside from the P2,200 daily rental for the space, they shell out P500 to P1,500 daily to collectors of the three organizers allegedly "for protection." They rued that when the city BPLO pounced on them, the organizers abandoned them. Now they were left holding the empty bag even as they complained that many families depend on them for their food on the table.
Complainant B revealed that they earn daily from a low of P2,700 to P3,500 on good days on a 2 m. x 2 m. space. With an average of three salesperson at P150 daily and the rentals and collections, they are left with loose change. She said the turnover among stallholders is fast with some folding over in just two or three days because of low sales and the exorbitant rates imposed by the organizers. She said they started their business with only P10,000, most getting their capital from loan sharks at 5-6 rates. – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mall stallholders owe Caloocan P20-M
The Philippine Star 09/14/2004
The Caloocan City government has stepped up its revenue raising campaign as City Mayor Enrico Echiverri ordered the closure of some 400 "tiangge" stallholders at the Gotesco Grand Central for non-payment of taxes amounting to over P20-million.
Echiverri said that for years, since 1997, the stallholders have operated without securing the required business permits and paying the right taxes to the city.
"We mean business. Do not wait for the city hall to close your businesses. Pay the right taxes, get your permits and conduct your businesses minus the stress of operating illegally. Save yourself. Stress kills," Echiverri said.
He stressed the need to double the collection effort in order to pay the debt incurred by the city government.
Among the stalls closed since Friday were the cell phone booths, ukay-ukay, toys and accessories stalls at the lobbies of the four-story commercial complex in Monumento.
Lawyer Melanie Soriano-Malaya, Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) chief, told The STAR in a phone interview that the city has lost over P20 million in back taxes since 1998, roughly P3 to P4 million yearly.
"We told them (stallholders) to just pay up, get the permits and they can return to business as usual," Malaya said.
She revealed that the stallholders managed to avoid paying taxes through suspected connivance of "high level" city hall officials with the beleaguered traders. She declined to elaborate.
Amid speculations that "untouchable and well-entrenched" inspectors from her office are involved in the anomaly, Malaya told stallholders to come up with the names and substantiate their allegations so her office could take the appropriate action, legal or otherwise. She said most of the inspectors in her office are new and are clueless about the modus operandi of the old ones she had sacked early on.
Complaining stallholders who requested anonymity yesterday told The STAR three exhibit or tiangge organizers have cornered the deal with the Gotesco firm.
Malaya said they are not running after the organizers since whatever is collected by them was a problem between them and the stallholders.
"My only concern is the taxes they did not and do not pay the city government. I cannot allow them to dump that problem in the lap of the city hall," Malaya said when asked if they will run after the organizers.
Complainant A said that aside from the P2,200 daily rental for the space, they shell out P500 to P1,500 daily to collectors of the three organizers allegedly "for protection." They rued that when the city BPLO pounced on them, the organizers abandoned them. Now they were left holding the empty bag even as they complained that many families depend on them for their food on the table.
Complainant B revealed that they earn daily from a low of P2,700 to P3,500 on good days on a 2 m. x 2 m. space. With an average of three salesperson at P150 daily and the rentals and collections, they are left with loose change. She said the turnover among stallholders is fast with some folding over in just two or three days because of low sales and the exorbitant rates imposed by the organizers. She said they started their business with only P10,000, most getting their capital from loan sharks at 5-6 rates. – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude
Ramon Revilla is the new chair of the PEA. What the heck? How can we support a government who appoints people left and right that aren't qualified? If I can only find a way not to pay my income tax, I will do it.
QUOTE(wiljoe @ Sep 22 2004, 07:18 PM)
Ramon Revilla is the new chair of the PEA. What the heck? How can we support a government who appoints people left and right that aren't qualified? If I can only find a way not to pay my income tax, I will do it.
Hear, hear! And don't anyone say anything about his bull$#!+ public works chairmanship crap. We all know that was just a milking cow committee. Did you read apologist Bunye's statements in the run-up to this confirmation? This government really is getting nauseating.
Well, I just hope he proves himself worthy of the post. I'm reserving my judgment.
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