The New Zealand Embassy is once again inviting eligible students from the Philippines to apply for postgraduate development-related studies at a tertiary institution in New Zealand through the New Zealand ASEAN Scholarship program.
The New Zealand ASEAN Scholars (NZAS) awards are open to qualified candidates from the public, private, and civil society sectors who want to pursue further studies in the fields of agriculture, tourism, governance, public sector, trade, development, disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, and renewable energy.
An indicative allocation of 18 scholarships is made available for Filipinos who desire to obtain a postgraduate degree in New Zealand commencing in 2015.
Applicants will be selected on merit, including the development benefits of their proposed course of study. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate leadership qualities and potential for future leadership. Priority will also be given to applicants who have demonstrated high academic achievements especially in their undergraduate degree.
The program aims to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills and qualifications to contribute to the economic, social, and political development of the ASEAN region.
The scholarships are funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme for post-graduate study at New Zealand institutions in the subject areas most needed for the development of your country.
Applications for the 2014 scholarships close on 15 July 2014. Further information, including eligibility and application form, can be found at the New Zealand Embassy website
http://www.aid.govt.nz/funding-and-contracts/scholarships/eligible-countries/philippines
For further queries or clarifications, please contact Ms. Reina P. Lino, NZAS Programme Administrator of Bato Balani Foundation Inc. at (632) 8925462 or e-mail bbfi@diwamail.com.

TACLOBAN CITY- Over 1,000 people staged their protest rally on March 31, coinciding the end of food reliefs for typhoon victims.
The People Surge, composed of different groups, demanded for the “immediate resignation” of Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman whom they accused of incompetence and “end their agony.”
“Soliman and the Aquino government should be held liable on what happened to typhoon victims. We are not only thinking of today but also of the future generation. If they will not be stopped today, then their level of impunity will persist, and then we will be seeing more people suffering in the future calamities. We are going to ensure that this will not happen again in the future,” People Surge convenor Mark Simbajon told Leyte Samar Daily Express.
Asked if Soliman’s resignation will indeed solve the issue in the agency, Simbajon said that “we don’t believe it, but since she has not done something to solve the issue then, it’s better for her to resign.”
“It will worsen the issue if she continues in clinging to her post,” Simbajon added.
On April 8, the alliance will again stage a global protest in commemoration of the fifth month after typhoon Yolanda hit central Philippines killing over 8,000 people.
During the protest rally around the city, the alliance reiterated their demand for P40, 000 cash relief, lifting of no build zone and the extension of the distribution of relief goods.
DSWD Assistant Regional Director Virginia Idano, however, said that the giving of food aids to the victims would not be totally stopped as members of the so-called “vulnerable sectors” like senior citizens, pregnant mothers and persons suffering physical disabilities would continue to enjoy food assistance from the government. (RONALD O. REYES)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has given business owners affected by the supertyphoon Yolanda to file their losses until March 31.
This announced by BIR Commissioner Nelson Caspe during his visit coinciding the launching of tax campaign on March 24.
The sworn declaration of loss should be filed in order to avoid penalties, Caspe said.
Earlier, Commissioner Kim Henares declared that businessmen who suffered economic losses due to Yolanda had to file their losses on December 23, 2013.
This order of Henares was met with strong opposition by the businessmen who are still reeling from the aftermath of Yolanda.
Business owners in Tacloban, in particular, claimed that they need some tax breaks considering of the losses they sustain during the typhoon, citing particularly the massive looting incident happened in the city’s business establishments.
The BIR, in its March 18, 2014 revenue memorandum circular, extended the deadline.
“Tension was felt when Commissioner Henares announced December 23, 2013 as deadline. Businessmen were practically demanding from Henares to extend the deadline as we were left with nothing after the supertyphoon followed by massive looting in all business establishments in the city.  With 143-day time frame, it gave the community enough time to prepare,” said Jackson Uy, president of the Tacloban Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
“We felt relieved when Commissioner Henares bend the decision for the businessmen. However, (we were) disappointed for no other tax perks for affected businesses (were given),” Uy said.
The businessmen also requested BIR last year to offer deferred payment terms without interest and penalties for late payments for income taxes.  Aspe however, emphasized that the deadline for payment of income taxes is still April 15.  While for those who want to divide their payments, may pay on April 15 and June 15. (VICKY C. ARNAIZ)

Retired CPPO Felipe “Esp.” Irinco was unanimously reelected as national director of the Association of Professional Detectives and Investigators, Inc. during its annual election for the year 2014 held at the Executive Dining Hall, United Laboratories, Mandaluyong City last December 7, 2013.
The association was founded by Dr. Conrado Dumlao in the 2002. Dr. Dumlao is the chairman and President of Truth Verifier System, Inc., the number one Lie Detection and Private Detective Company in the country.
The same has a branch in New Jersey, U.S.A. and adopts the investigative technique and technology being utilized by the US CIA, FBI NSA, DIA, Secret Service, DEA, Treasury and other investigative arms of the US government. CPPO Irinco is the only registered criminologist and seasoned correctional investigator in Region VIII that was reelected to the national directorship of this prestigious association.     (PR)

TACLOBAN CITY – About 300 students took the  Nationwide Competitive Examination for Fisheries Scholarship Program – Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant (FCEG) offered by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The competitive examination, held at the Leyte Normal University on March 22, 2014, offers free college education to children of small-scale fishermen who are interested to pursue a four-year BS Fisheries course.
The top ten passers will be granted the scholarship but during his recent visit to the region, BFAR Director Asis Perez said that more slots would be made available for interested students who were affected by supertyphoon Yolanda.
Examinees who applied for the scholarship program were assessed according to qualifications that includes, among others: a high school graduate or 4th year graduating students(SY 2013-2014) who is a son or daughter of bonafide of small-scale fisherman; not more than 20 years old; not presently enrolled in any course with a general weighted average (GWA) not lower than 80 or its equivalent; with not more than P 25,000 annual family income and parents must be a member of a fishing association, a cooperative duly attested by the chairman and secretary of the association or a registered fisherfolk with BFAR.
The full scholarship grant would provide free matriculation and other fees, monthly stipend of P2, 500; semestral book allowance of P2, 000; thesis support of P3, 000 and graduation support of P500.
The program aims to help children from marginalized fisher folk families to earn a degree that is in demand.
According to BFAR-8 Regional Director Juan Albaladejo, the region currently has 20 scholars under the program pursuing BS Fisheries courses.
They are enrolled at the Visayas State University- Tolosa Campus in Leyte, Samar State University in Catbalogan City, Cebu Technological University in Carmen, Cebu and Southern Leyte State University in Bontoc, Southern Leyte. (AHLETTE C. REYES)