EARLY ELECTIONS IN MASBATE LOOM

MASBATE CITY—Elections in restive Masbate may be held ahead of the May 10 balloting.

This distinct possibility will materialize once the Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolved to allow residents to vote at least a week before the general elections to ease the tension in this pistol-shaped island province, PIA Masbate has learned through documents and interviews with officials.

Lawyer Alberto Cañares III, acting election supervisor for Masbate, said he has been calling for separate balloting in the province, with a long history of election violence and rampant vote-buying.

Cañares stated that holding advanced elections in “hot spots” that include Masbate could prevent bloodshed and massive fraud as the poll body would be able to concentrate its security and administrative forces in those areas.

Some lawyers have claimed that the Comelec, on its own and without supporting legislation, can implement early elections in hot spots because of its broad powers in the Omnibus Election Code.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, the Comelec’s powers during the election period are broad enough to allow it to cancel and reschedule elections in some cases.

However, top officials of Comelec said only a new law would enable the poll body to set a date ahead of the scheduled national and local elections in the nation’s hot spots.

The two houses of Congress should pass a law for such advanced balloting to materialize. And they should have done it before they adjourned in the first week of February to give way to the election campaign period.

The early voting bill that was introduced in the House of the Representatives and the Senate called for separate balloting not only in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the site of the worst election-related violence in the country’s history, but also in restive Masbate, where contending politicians have too many armed followers.

As described by no less than the PNP chief, Director General Jesus Verzosa, “Masbate is one of the deadliest and most dangerous places during elections as local positions are bitterly contested.” (EADdelgado, PIA Masbate)

PTO. DIAZ CITED 2009 OUTSTANDING WETLAND CONSERVATIONIST

SORSOGON Province — The municipal government of Prieto Diaz, this province, has proven anew its considerable contributions in the conservation and management of wetland areas after being cited Outstanding Wetlands Conservationist for the Local Government Unit (LGU) category in the Philippine Wetlands Conservation Award (PWCA) 2009.

Prieto Diaz Mayor Benito Doma personally received the award at DENR central office on February 2, this year, coinciding with the celebration of the World Wetlands Day.

The awards program is spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB).

It can be noted that four LGUs, including Sorsogon City and Prieto Diaz, Bulan, Castilla towns, all from this province were nominated by the DENR provincial office to the PWCA in February last year.

DENR Sorsogon chief Oscar Dominguez said that Prieto Diaz was cited for establishing an integrative effort in conserving, protecting and sustainably managing their wetland ecosystem through the passage of local ordinances, community empowerment, restoration and rehabilitation of mangrove plantation and establishment of marine sanctuary, partnership and linkaging, among others.

Amlan of Negros Oriental in Visayas shared similar citation in the PWCA LGU category .

Two other local governments were given special citations for their specific contributions in wetland rehabilitation; Bais City in Negros Oriental for “Science Based Mangrove Rehabilitation of Bais Bay”; Bani municipal government in Pangasinan for its effort to establish and manage the “Bangrin Mangroves”, which both receive plaques of recognition.

Each LGU winner receives a plaque of recognition and cash prize worth P50,000.oo from Ford Foundation, San Miguel Corporation and Manila Water,.

No winner was declared for the Individual and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)/ People’s Organizations (POs) Category.

The Philippine Wetlands Conservation Award is a pioneering incentive award that started in 1994 during the term of then DENR Secretary Elizea Gozun, recognizing significant contributions of individuals, NGOs, POs and LGUs in the sustainable use of the country’s wetlands.

This year’s theme for the World Wetland Day celebration is “Caring for Wetlands: An Answer to Climate Change”.

The World Wetland day celebration is among the DENR-PAWB’s long list of event for the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

NAVY RESCUES 74 PASSENGERS OFF DINALAHICAN POINT

LEGAZPI CITY— All 64 passengers and 9 crew members of a passenger boat were rescued off Dinalahican Point in Infanta, Quezon province by the Philippine Navy Diesel Craft Fast (DF) 321.

PO2 Jaime Garcia PN, boat captain of DF321 averred that around 7:00 am the navy craft stationed at Puerto Real, also in Quezon, responded to a distress call from the M/B Raffy which encountered mechanical problem while underway at vicinity 3.6 kilometers off Dinahican Point

Garcia added the boat practically was incapacitated as it has lost her power and steering, which is extremely dangerous given the sea condition.

“A sea craft that has lost her ability to propel or control its movement may be overturned by big waves, swept away to high seas or run aground,” he noted

Zaldy Azagra, boat captain of M/B Raffy, claimed the boat’s propeller detached from the shaft connecting to the engine while its ferrying to Puerto Real from Polilio Island.

DF321 towed M/B Raffy to Puerto Real and turned over to Coast Guard station in the area.

No one was hurt in this unfortunate event.

Commodore Joel Babas AFP, commander of Naval Forces Southern Luzon Navforsol) commended the captain and crew of DF321 for its swift response to the distress call of M/B Raffy.

“As the people’s forefront defender at sea, we must always be ready and vigilant to respond to maritime emergencies,” Babas said. (DFNieva, NAVFORSOL/PIA)

4Ps CONTINUES TO EMPOWER WOMEN

LEGAZPI CITY — Michele Manukan, a young mother from Brgy. Dayon, Mandaon, Masbate has found herself empowered following the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Mandaon town, Masbate.

As a young mother, Manukan, 23, with two children and a plain housewife, devotes most of her time attending the needs of her children. “Ako ang nanay at tatay ng dalawa kong anak. Ang asawa ko ay namamasukan sa isang paper factory sa Maynila” (I have a dual role at home as a mother and a father to my two kids since my husband is working in a paper factory in Manila), shared Michelle, thus, depriving her of the experience in the community.

Manukan is one of the 3,552 beneficiaries of 4Ps. She relates that before the implementation of program, she was a shy person and barely interacted with people, a homebody. When she got married, the more that she did not have the opportunity to go out and socialize.

It was when this young mother became a parent leader of 4Ps that she started to actively participate in community activities.

4Ps is a poverty alleviation program of the government that aims to break intergenerational cycle of poverty. It is being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and already has 1,000,000 beneficiaries nationwide.

Manukan gladly shared that “sa una hindi madali ang maging parent leader, ang nasa isip ko lagi ay baka hindi ko kaya yung mga inaasahan nila sakin bilang isang parent leader” (At first, it was not easy to become a parent leader. My fear is that I may not be able to come up with the expectations as a leader).

She is so proud that she has gained friends. Before it was her co-beneficiaries who would invite and even encourage her to attend meetings. This time, it is her who would initiate and convince her co-beneficiaries to attend barangay assemblies.

She has also learned to extend help in her own little way to her neighbors.

“The 4Ps has empowered not only me but my fellow women beneficiaries”, Michelle exclaimed. She felt that she is more confident now. Not only as a parent leader but doing her role at home while her husband works in Manila.

4Ps is a poverty alleviation program that serves as a vehicle for combating the cycle of poverty in Filipino households. (MZVillagomez, 4Ps IO-DSWD/PIA)

NAVFORSOL JOINS ‘UNITY RUN FOR HOPE’

LEGAZPI CITY – The Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol) joined Friday (February 12) the “Unity Run for Hope” in pursuit for honest, orderly, peaceful 2010 polls

Commodore Joel Babas, commanding officer of Navforsol, said the naval command strongly supports a multi-sectoral approach on clean and honest 2010 May polls.

The ‘Unity Run for Hope’ commenced at 5:00 am from Camp Simeon Ola circling Daraga to Peñaranda Park in Albay District.

Aspiring local candidates for the 2010 election also signed Covenant for Peace following the run at the People’s Hall of the Provincial Capitol here.

Diocese of Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon, Albay Police Provincial Director (PSSupt.) William Solano Macavinta (DSC), Commission on Election (COMELEC) Provincial Supervisor (Atty.) Romeo Serrano, witnessed the covenant signing and shared the same optimism that candidates will abide with the accord to ensure violence-free and credible polls.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Army (PA) Commission on Elections (COMELEC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) participated to the fun run and advocacy activities.

Babas stressed that concerns pertaining to the holding of a peaceful and credible 2010 elections is among of the many advocacies pursued by Navforsol, adding that “we believe that negative acts should be avoided or mitigated in promoting a healthy lifestyle matched with wise and proper choosing of local and national leaders.”

People of all walks of life, including students, professionals and ordinary people also joined the ‘Unity Run for Hope’.

Navforsol, meanwhile, also slates a medical mission and feeding program in Masbate City on February 15-19, this year, in time for Dental Health Month. (RPNocos/FJQMurillo, BUCAL/PIA)

MAGAYON FESTIVAL OPENS ON FIESTA CHINOY, VALENTINE'S DAY

LEGAZPI CITY— the Provincial Government of Albay has set a soft launching of the Magayon Festival at the Albay Astrodome on Sunday (February 14, 2010), coinciding with the "Fiesta Chinoy", announced Albay Provincial Tourism Council Chairman Honesto Briones.

The most awaited festivity in the province will formally commence on April 5, a day after Easter Sunday, with the celebration of a Thanksgiving Mass, opening of trade fair and other events showcasing Albay's bests.

Briones said that more than a hundred events are lined-up for the much-anticipated month-long celebration featuring cultural activities, arts, tourism, education, sports competitions and other special interest events, among others

Presidential aspirant Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro is invited to keynote the festival's grand launching.

Board Member Glenda Ong-Bongao will take charge anew of the prestigious Search for Ginoo/Mutya ng Magayon, one of the highlights of the festival.

Briones said the grand opening is set on the April 5 to prevent the festivity from interrupting the activities during the observance of Holy Week. (JChan, BUCAL/PIA)

LEGAZPI HOLDS "4TH LAKAD AT TANIM-KAHOY PARA SA PUSO"

LEGAZPI CITY— The city government here has slated the "4th Lakad at Tanim-Kahoy Para Sa Puso" on February 14, in time for the duo celebrations of Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day, from Peñaranda Park in Old Albay District going to Ligñon Hill in this city.

City Councilor Cerilo Chan, head organizer of the fun walk, said that the activity aims to promote good health among residents and tourists, through physical fitness and create awareness on the preservation and protection of the environment.

Chan added "we need to initiate and sustain collective actions, like tree planting activity, especially within the urban or cityscape in pursuit of the government and global agenda on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, preparedness and mitigation.

City Mayor Noel Rosal, joined by his wife Geraldine Rosal, president of the Legazpi City Women's Federation, will lead the pack of participants to the more than two-kilometer stretch of the fun walk, now on its fourth year.

Participants to the fun walk will assemble at Peñaranda Park at 6:00 am, followed by a short program and physical fitness exercises, eventually will proceed to Ligñon Hill for a brisk walk and tree planting activity.

The Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) will provide the seedlings for planting.

City and barangay officials, sectoral groups, environmentalists, women's organizations, private entities, students from different schools and the general public are expected to join the said activity.

Senator Loren Legarda is also invited to give a short inspirational message during the kick-off event, according to Chan. (ICascante, BUCAL/PIA)

BIDDING FOR $1.2B GAS PIPELINE SET FOR MARCH

MANILA — Bidding for the $1.2-billion natural gas pipeline from Batangas to Manila (Batman 1) is set for next month at the earliest.

Part of the Arroyo administration’s long-term Integrated Natural Gas Infrastructure Project, the 100-kilometer pipeline will connect Malampaya’s existing Palawan-Batangas gas pipeline to Manila, thus bringing down the cost of natural gas used by households and the transport sector.

The project is a joint venture among the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), the Abu Dhabi-based conglomerate Sultan International Holdings (SIH) and its local representative Abacus Consolidated Resources and Holdings, and Italy-based SAIPEM Eni.

“We hope it will be bidded out before the middle of March this year so we can comply with all the legal requirements,” said Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas after a courtesy call he made on the President along with representatives of the project proponents.

“We think the Philippines is a good destination for investment from international sources. We will go through the terms of this transaction in great detail. As soon as we finish the negotiations, we will, establish the terms of the investment,” said SIH senior representative Nicholas Clemens.

Because it is an unsolicited proposal, the joint venture’s bid will be subject to the so-called Swiss challenge from other interested international groups. Already, PTT Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand, Marubeni Corp. of Japan, Gazprom of Russia, and Petrochina Co. Ltd. of China have evinced interest.

The project, the 140-km Bataan-Manila (Batman 2) pipeline, is still at the feasibility stage.

Aside from constructing Batman 1, the PNOC joint venture entails the establishment of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) reception terminal and a 600-800 megawatt (MW) power plant, which will run from the estimated 300MW excess capacity of the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power project.

The Malampaya consortium, which is 10 percent owned by PNOC and 90 percent owned by Shell Phils. Exploration BV and Chevron Texaco, provides natural gas to three power facilities with a combined capacity of 2,700 MW. These power plants, in turn, provide power to distributor/retailers such as Manila Electric Co. (PIA V Release)

PALACE SAYS POWER SHORTAGE MANAGEABLE

MANILA — Malacañang expressed optimism that the prospects of two-hour to three-hour rotating power interruptions in Luzon, including Metro Manila, will be manageable and will not hamper the operations of key sectors.

“The Department of Energy (DOE) is doing all it can to lessen, if not totally avoid the inconvenience,” Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Gary Olivar said in a press briefing Friday (Februar 12).

Reports said the power interruptions in Luzon next week is due to the projected supply shortfall of at least 500 megawatts in the Luzon grid.

Power supply in the Luzon grid is expected to fall critically short by Feb. 16, as the 650-MW Malaya plant run by Korea Electric and Power Corp. runs out of fuel at roughly the same time that the 2,700-MW Malampaya deep-water gas-to-power facility will undergo preventive maintenance.

The 620-MW Limay plant is also under preventive maintenance and is scheduled to resume operations only by the end of the month.

Moreover, Olivar said, the El Niño phenomenon is also affecting hydropower plants.

Olivar stressed the power problem will not be a major threat to business, as the problem will be “nowhere near the level of power interruptions” that bedeviled the Aquino administration, when Metro Manila experienced at least six hours of brownout everyday.

He said renewable sources of energy, which are abundant in the country, is a better option as it is clean and cheaper. (PIA V Release)

SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE NOW COVERS 70M FILIPINOS

MANILA — More than 85 percent or 70 million of the country’s population are now covered by health insurance, thanks to the expanded value added tax which is funding this very important social service.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said the money sourced from EVAT finance health insurance coverage, particularly of indigent families in far-flung communities.

In a speech delivered at the 15th anniversary of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and in the observance of the National Health Insurance Month at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, the President announced that normal child delivery is now covered by PhilHealth insurance.

This, she said, is aimed at encouraging more mothers to give birth at hospitals and ensure that every child born is taken care off by medical practitioners.

The President said she has no regrets in implementing EVAT, no matter how unpopular it is.

“It is the right thing to do to serve the people. Just see all the people now with PhilHealth insurance funded by our EVAT,” she said and thanked lawmakers for helping her pass that important bill.

“We have made progress in many areas but more needs to be done. We must continue hands-on governance until we leave office. And I trust that you in PhilHealth will never lose sight of your target of universal coverage,” she added.

Dr. Rey Aquino, PhilHealth president and chief executive officer, said the 85 percent Filipino population covered by health insurance is a milestone in social health insurance.

To date, PhilHealth members are entitled to a wide range of benefits including allowances for hospital room and board fees from P300 to P1,100 per day up to 45 days per year; drug and medicines from P2,700 to P40,000 and allowances for X-ray and other laboratory examinations from P1,600 to P30,000 per single period of confinement; use of operating room complex and even professional fees of attending physicians.

Over 1,600 hospitals are now accredited with PhilHealth while more than 20,000 doctors, dentists and midwives are similarly accredited to provide services along quality standards. (PIA V Release)

PGMA HOSTS LUNCH FOR SAN FRANCISCO COMMITTEE

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hosted Friday (Febraury 12) a luncheon at the Palace for the 103-man delegation of the San Francisco–Manila Sister City Committee, which had been supporting the Philippines in arts, culture, education, and infrastructure for the past 26 years.

Accompanied to the Palace by Consul General to San Francisco Marciano Paynor Jr., the delegation was headed by Dennis Normandy, the Civil Service Commissioner of San Francisco City; Presidential adviser Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara; tycoon Lucio Tan; and members of the Concepcion family.

During the luncheon, the President thanked the committee for the support it has given the Philippines, particularly in education and improving literacy, including:

Donating $1 million in cash to assist in the rehabilitation of Intramuros;

Giving a $500,000 grant to Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila for a professorial chair in the restoration of arts and culture;

Organizing an environmental briefing; and

Signing a memorandum of agreement between a California and Philippine companies for the production, manufacture of waste management systems.

“This sister city committee is not one of those that come in for political or socio-cultural exchanges alone; it also has trade and environment projects,” Paynor said.

“The delegation could have been bigger if Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who wanted to be part of it, were not bogged down at home by budgetary issues,” Paynor stressed.

One of the committee’s long standing program is the Books for the Barrios, which has provided 12 million books nationwide. The committee has also created 26 centers of excellence in which they brought in educators who trained trainors to teach local schools, including the Emilio Aguinaldo Elementary School. (PIA V Release)

PGMA VOWS TO CONTINUE WORKING TO GIVE YOUTH A BETTER LIFE

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Thursday (February 11) she will continue to strive building a better life for the young generation even after she relinquishes power in June.

The President made the assurance in a speech delivered at the inauguration of the Bulacan Polytechynic University at Barangay Graceville in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulcan this morning.

She told students, parents, and teachers that she has worked hard to improve the educational system for the next generation of Filipinos, and will continue to do so in the future.

Although she did not directly refer to it, the President had filed her certificate of candidacy for the second district of Pampanga. As a congresswoman, she could very well make education her primary advocacy.

“The youth of our nation are our hope and inspiration,” she said. “We must do everything be to build a better life for each and every young person of this nation.”

The chief executive stressed that it is the government’s desire to see a brighter future for the hardworking men and women of the country, especially the teachers who mold the students.

She said she wants to see that the progress and development attained during her term is continued by the next leadership. She thus urged teachers and parents to help support the next administration in its effort to provide a better future for their children.

“I have an abiding interest to see young people come to their own and use education as a tool to advance themselves and the nation,” she said.

The President had earlier unveiled the marker of the newly constructed three-storey main building of the campus.

She also inaugurated the set of Carillon bells installed in the belfry of the Our Lady of Lourdes Basilica Replica. (PIA V Release)