DOPPLER RADAR SYSTEM TO RISE IN CATANDUANES

LEGAZPI CITY — disaster preparedness and response capabilities of various disaster councils in Bicol would be enhanced following the putting up of a Doppler Radar System in the island province of Catanduanes.

The weather instrument costs some P1.6-billion granted by the Japanese government through the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) which involves the construction of three new Doppler radars in Virac, Catanduanes, Aparri, and Guian, Eastern Samar.

The radar system in Virac would be the first to be established, and all three radars are expected to be completed in September 2012.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who is also the Regional Development Council (RDC) chairman, said the weather equipment is one of the biggest technological boosts to its disaster preparedness and response capability of various disaster councils.

He said the kick off of the JICA-funded Doppler radars for the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) would allow for more advance warning on the rainfall content of approaching meteorological events.

Currently, Pagasa is able to provide warnings on wind strength and relies on detection for rainfall by the use of rain gauges.

The Doppler radars are state-of-the-art technology which have four major components which are: meteorological radar system; meteorological data display system; meteorological data satellite communications system (VSAT) and a radar building.

The radar would be housed in an eight-storey concrete tower.

It has a low maintenance system with its transmitter needing change every 15 years as compared to every year for the Doppler in Subic and Tagaytay which cost only P89 million each against the almost P350 million for the JICA project.

The Doppler radar system could detect rainfall before they fall giving disaster authorities more accurate information and more lead time to do preparedness measures.

He said since the Doppler radar would be installed in Catanduanes, it will give disaster authorities here a two-hour lead time to undertake mitigating disaster scenarios.

Salceda said “given our recent experience with PAGASA warning system, this would greatly enable our province to achieve our zero casualty goal during disasters while saving our province 32 percent in expenses for preemptive evacuation as we could more skillfully target our effort.”

The project is partly triggered by the Reming and Milenyo disaster in 2006 and accelerated by the Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009.

He said Albay has been vigorously advocating for this weather equipment even if the facilities would be located in Catanduanes. (PNA Bicol)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROMOTES UTILIZATION OF ORGANIC INPUTS IN CAMARINES SUR

PILI, Camarines Sur — Promoting the use of organic inputs was the main theme of the fourth session of the vegetable production training for the vegetable growers held recently in Barangay Santiago, Iriga City.

In Farmers Field School (FFS), vegetable growers were taught the proper techniques of producing quality vegetables from the start of planting until the time of harvest with the use of organic fertilizers which are not harmful to the environment.

Reports from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), 50 vegetable producers from Barangay Santiago and other neighboring barangays participated in the training and were actively involved in the “Gulayan” project of the government.

On the fourth session, participants were taught to produce organic fertilizer through ‘Vermi Composting’ wherein earthworms are used as medium for rapid decomposition of organic matters to produce the input. Another topic discussed during the lecture was how to produce “Vermin Tea” or liquid fertilizer.

Transplanting of vegetable seedlings was conducted after the lecture and the participants were also taught the proper application of organic fertilizers to the different varieties of vegetables.
New technologies to eradicate pests and diseases during the growing stage of vegetables were also introduced.

Agricultural productivity continues to be among the major programs of Governor LRay Villafuerte along his thrust to achieve food security and spur economic growth in the province.

The training was spearheaded by the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and Rinconada Movement for Economic and Sustainable Agriculture (RINCOMESA).

The resource speakers were the Training Management Team of High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) of OPA, Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM).

Aside from the usual backyard vegetables planted in the area, training on production of other high-value vegetables may still be cultivated through FFS such as radish and carrots. (LAGavino, MMEC/PIA)

MEDIA CALLS ON POLICE TO HASTEN INVESTIGATION
ON MEDIA MURDER ATTEMPT

NABUA, Camarines Sur — Suspects of the foiled attempt to kill another media man are still at large and currently the subject of police manhunt as of press time.

This, after a radio field reporter was seriously wounded when he was shot by motorcycle-riding gunmen on his way home, Friday night on July 9, 2010.

In a report sent by Lt. Col. Ernersto Cruz of the 42nd Infantry Battalion, Miguel Belen, 48 years old was on board his motorcycle at around 8:30pm when unidentified gun men suddenly fired on him causing him to sustain multiple gunshot wounds from a Cal.45 pistol.

Belen was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital and is now recuperating from his wounds while police authorities are still looking into various angles as to the motive of the assault.

In the wake of this incident, Emman Llagas, Camarines Sur KBP Chairman and Station Manager of Energy-FM here in Naga City, called on his colleagues to be more vigilant and observe safety precautions, especially when dealing with sensitive issues concerning their points of discussion or commentaries.

“Our job as watchdogs of our society can cause us our very own precious lives, in the name of public service and in search for truth and justice. Yet we also have to protect ourselves and be watchful on how we deal with certain issues.”

Llagas also called on the authorities and concerned agencies to hasten the investigation and bring the perpetrators behind bars.

“KBP condemns in its strongest terms the attempt on the life of Mike Belen. We are raising the challenge to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to do their best and run after the ruthless perpetrators and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to bring justice to the victim. I am also appealing to my fellow media men to observe utmost responsibility in performing their duties and most of all, stay alive,” Llagas said in an interview.

PNP Camarines Sur Provincial Director P/SSupt. Jonathan Ablang said that the PNP is now on its toes working for the immediate identification of the suspects. Task Force Belen was then created, with Ablang himself as head. The official also gave an announcement that all the official statement will only come from him to avoid misconceptions that might mire the said investigation.

Belen was a former barangay captain at Barangay Francia, Iriga City . He joined the media workforce after retiring from public service one month before the election. ( LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

DENR, DSWD INK MOA ON MAPPING
OF KEY URBAN CENTERS IN THE BICOL REGION

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of a Project entitled “Risk Mapping of Key Urban Centers for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Bicol Region”.

The 12-month project will be implemented in the cities of Sorsogon, Legazpi and Iriga and selected municipalities in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Catanduanes starting June this year.

The project has a total project cost of P3,466,598 and the amount of P1,576,598 will come from the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) as its counterpart while the remaining will come from the DSWD.

The MGB counterpart will be for salaries, computers and GIS software, traveling and other expenses while the amount coming from the DSWD about P1,890,000 will be used for the acquisition of a hydrological (flood) modeling software.

Under the agreement, the DENR, through the MGB regional office in Bicol will produce 1:10,000 geo-hazard maps for dissemination to the targeted cities and municipalities for use in disaster risk management, land use planning ad disaster preparedness, in addition to having local officials and residents taught on how to read and use the maps through the conduct of capacity building training in disaster preparedness, risk reduction and early warning.

Volcanic eruption, landslide, flooding and other geo-hazards are common in the Bicol Region and in the past years had been severely affected by typhoons Milenyo and Reming. The Project will help residents prepare and cope with these disasters.

The project is part of one of the subcomponents of the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) funded “Early Recovery Program for Typhoon-Affected Bicol Region” with DSWD as the lead implementing agency. The program will enable the poor and vulnerable groups to cope with the impact of disasters and other environmental emergencies.

It will be recalled that the MGB Bicol submitted a project proposal to DSWD sometime in October of 2009 and the latter approved the project since it is in support to the government’s efforts of reducing risks through geo-hazard assessment and mapping, risk assessment and information dissemination of geo-hazard assessment results to barangay and municipal officials.

Signing in behalf of the DENR was then Secretary Horacio C. Ramos and Secretary Celia Capadocia-Yanco for the DSWD. (MGB V/PIA)

BOAT CAPSIZED BY BASYANG IN CATANDUANES,
8 PEOPLE STILL MISSING

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – A small boat capsized due to the strong waves caused by typhoon Basyang at around 2:00 pm Tuesday (July 13) in Catanduanes, a military official said.

Lt. Col. Danilo Aquino, commander of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in Catanduanes Island said that he received a report from his soldiers in the field that a motorized boat carrying 9 people capsized in the high seas as it attempted to hit shore at late Tuesday afternoon.

Aguino immediately dispatched soldiers to help in the rescue efforts together with the PNP and local residents.

Rescuers found one survivor identified as Romualdo Trinidad in Hiyop village of Pandan town.

Eight of Trinidad’s companions remained missing as of this time. Aquino identified the missing persons as Rolando Trinidad, Nestor Lopez, Dante Bermejo, Arnulfo Castella, Gener Agupitan, Sonny Tupis, Albert Regalado and Jojo Caballero.

Strong waves prevented the conduct of search and rescue operations using watercraft.

Meanwhile, an unidentified resident sent a text message to 9ID’s public affairs office about the missing 11 other people in Bagamanoc town.

Col. Leoncio Cirunay, commander of the 22nd Infantry Battalion sent some CAFGU personnel to check the veracity of said text message but no one was found to confirm said report.

Electric power in Bagamanoc town was reportedly out as of 6:00pm, thereby making it difficult to communicate through cellular phone.

Major General Ruperto R Pabustan, commanding general of the 9th Infantry Division, has directed all brigades and battalions to closely monitor the situation around the Bicol Region as heavy downpour continued until in the evening.

“Our disaster response teams who have just finished their skills training a week ago will be put to good use during this time. I have ordered all field units to commit our soldiers and equipment to help the victims in their respective areas,” said Pabustan. (HMCabunoc, DPAO 9ID PA/PIA)

3 DEAD, 13 PEOPLE RESCUED, 11 FISHERMEN MISSING
AS BASYANG RAGED ACROSS BICOL

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Local authorities and civilian volunteers have rescued 9 people but reported 15 still missing in Catanduanes after typhoon Basyang hit the Bicol Region, a military report today (Wednesday, July 14) said.

Quoting report from Maricel Arcega of San Andres town in Catanduanes, Major Harold Cabunoc, 9ID Spokesperson, said that Hernando Barsaga,43, and Roberto Bataller, 45, were rescued by local residents in a seaside village in the said town.

Juan Velchez, councilman of Bagamanoc town, also reported to 9ID’s Public Affairs Office that 11 more fishermen have gone missing until today.

Velchez identified the missing persons as Jose Rojo, 40, Ramon Dela Cruz, 45, Raymund Dela Cruz, 21, Rudy Evangelista, 32, Crispin Fajardo, 22, Romeo Evangelista, 42, Noel Briones, 29, Rodolfo Fajardo, 50, Eddie Cordez, 44, Ronnie Dejarlo, 35 and Melchor Savinia, 50.

Marlyn Rojo, wife of Jose, said that his husband left with 10 other neighbors at around 4:00am last Monday (July 12), on board 3 motorized bancas.

“The sea was so quiet indicating a good weather. We have never heard about the typhoon Basyang until such time that the strong rains came to our village,” said Marlyn.

Dante Trinidad, a local resident of Pandan town, also said that the 8 fishermen reported missing yesterday have been rescued in his place so far.

Trinidad identified the survivors as Dante Bermejo, Albert Regalado, Hener Agupitan, Sony Tubig, Arnulfo Castilla, Rolando Trinidad, Nestor Lopez and Jojo Caballero.

The eight survivors were the companions of Romualdo Trinidad Jr who was rescued in Hiyop village, Pandan town yesterday.

Trinidad also said that Adrian Bermejo, Ariel Bermejo and Ferdinand Del Valle, 3 other survivors from Caramoran town, were found by rescue volunteers at around 6:00am in the same town today.

In Camarines Norte, Arnel Ferrer, PDCC Chief, said that 3 people have died (2 of them drowned) because of the typhoons.

Ferrer identified the drowning victim as Joel Barsa, 57, resident of Parang village, Panganiban, Camarines Norte.

Major Jasper Justito Pecson, Operations Officer of the 902nd Infantry Brigade based in Labo town Pecson said that as of 7:00am today, all bridges and roadnets are passable and all evacuees from Basud and Paracale town have already returned home.

Initial estimates of the damages in Cam Norte areas are as follows: Agriculture-P1.6M, Infrastructure P3M.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, has directed the search and rescue efforts in coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense of Region 5. Two helicopters have been sent to find the survivors as of 9:30am. (HMCabunoc, DPAO 9ID PA/PIA)

P-NOY ASSESSES BASYANG ’S DAMAGE

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III this morning presided over an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) in Camp Aguinaldo to assess the damage left by storm Basyang which battered Luzon Wednesday night (July 14).

The President was informed that 11 fishermen from Barangay Sukdan in Catanduanes who went out to sea on Monday aboard three motorized bancas failed to return home.

Eight other fishermen from Pandan, Catanduanes were also reported missing. Major roads and bridges all over Luzon including Metro Manila remained passable to all types of vehicles except for the Nueva Ecija-Aurora Road which was flooded after the Cabatangan River overflowed its banks.

The cities of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Pasay, Manila, Quezon, Marikina, Makati and San Juan experienced power outages, along with Baguio City. The power supply was also cut off in the municipalities of Cardona, Tanay, Binangonan, Jalajala, Pililia, Angono, Taytay and Morong, all in Rizal due to a blasted transformer at Barangay San Jose in Morong.

The NDCC consisted of the Departments of Social Welfare and Development, Health, Public Works and Highways, Energy and Education, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Prevention, Regional Disaster Coordinating Councils and the Office of Civil Defense Regional Councils.

These agencies reported that the following measures were taken to mitigate the impact of the typhoon:

• Activated their respective disaster operations centers;

• Alerted their emergency responders; pre-positioned all available resources in terms of manpower response teams/units, equipment and rescue assets, and relief supplies;

• Conducted consultation meetings;

• Disseminated weather and flood advisories to the public.

The Department of Education said it has announced the suspension of classes in Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon and Cavite. The Manila Electric Co. reported a Luzon-wide blackout and the crew of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines are on patrol to immediately repair damaged transmission lines. (PIA V Release)

RP ECONOMY TO GROW 4.4% THIS YEAR -- WB

MANILA — The World Bank revised upward on Wednesday its projection on the country's economic growth from this year until 2012 on strong private and public spending as well as the global recovery in trade.

In its latest issue of the Philippines Quarterly Update (PQU), the Manila-based lender upgraded the gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to 4.4 percent this year from an earlier projection of 3.5 percent.
An indicator of economic performance, GDP measures the amount of final goods and services produced in a country.

For the years 2011 and 2012, the Philippines is forecast to achieve a GDP growth of 4 percent.
The lender's upward revision for Philippine economy came on the heels of a series of adjustments from International Monetary Fund and Fitch Ratings, among others.

The Philippine economic managers earlier upgraded the GDP target this year to between 5 and 6 percent from 2.6 to 3.6 percent.

The World Bank's GDP revision for the country was based on the strong first quarter growth performance and leading economic indicators.

The economy, as measured by GDP in the first quarter, grew 7.3 percent from 0.5 percent in the same period last year.

The report said private consumption will continue to normalize as consumer sentiment continues to improve.

"An election-driven consumption and budget cycle is observable in the Philippines ... We therefore project consumption to remain robust in the second quarter before normalizing in subsequent quarters," the World Bank said.

The report noted that the country’s growth potential could be much higher given the new administration’s strong reform and anti-corruption agenda that could shore up business confidence.

Eric Le Borgne, World Bank senior economist, said the Aquino administration’s focus on increasing the efficiency of revenue collection and expenditures is welcome in that regard and is expected to generate important fiscal space.

“The government would need more funds for education, health, and other social programs so that marginalized sectors could equitably share in the benefits of growth in a sustainable way," he said.

Le Borgne added that while large fiscal risks in some European countries have dampened growth prospects in that region, the global growth outlook remains favorable, especially for emerging markets, including the Philippines.

"Domestic reforms would be a catalyst for higher growth,” he said.
The report also forecasts dollar remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to increase by 8 percent this year but to be almost flat in real peso terms because of inflation and an appreciated peso compared to last year.

It said that deployment of OFWs actually accelerated during the recent global financial crisis partly because top OFW destinations were not as affected as the rest of the world.

The World Bank report also said that the European sovereign debt problems loom as a fresh threat to the global economic recovery, but improving the Philippines’ public finances will strengthen the country’s economic defenses against its potential impact as well as improve government spending for pro-poor programs.

Early this year, concerns about rising indebtedness in European countries, including Greece, Spain, and Portugal, had generated fears that the global economy might slide back to recession and cause further difficulties in developing countries like the Philippines.

“A credible plan towards fiscal consolidation over the medium-term — along with measures to manage fiscal risks — would significantly reduce the Philippines’ exposure to the worsening European debt problems,” the report said.

“Such credibility could be achieved, for example, by designing a comprehensive and multi-year reform package,” it added.

The World Bank said stronger public finances inspire confidence of the financial markets, create policy flexibility to tackle global downside risks, and boost economic growth. (PIA V Release)

GOV'T TO FORM ADVISORY BODY IN PEACE TALKS

MANILA — Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles on Thursday said the government will form an advisory body composed of constitutional experts as part of the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

At a press briefing, Deles said President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III has already approved of the creation of the body.

The body will be composed of members of the 1987 Constitutional Commission, retired chief justices of the Supreme Court, representatives of local government units, members of the legislature, and past chief negotiators.

"We will be convening an assembly of civil society peace advocates from different parts of the country to determine the structures and mechanisms by which we can ensure sustained consultation and engagement involving the full range of concerned sectors, communities and peace constituencies,” Deles said.

"The negotiations will be so guided to the extent possible that when we sign a final peace agreement, we want as many sectors of the Philippine community to be on board. It requires adjustments and sacrifices on certain groups even as we move to the negotiating table," she added. (PIA V Release)

FOOD SUPPLIES REMAIN STABLE -– DTI

MANILA — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday said that inventories of basic and prime commodities are good for 7 to 14 days, ensuring sufficient food supply and stable prices in the typhoon-hit Metro Manila areas.

According to DTI-National Capital Region Assistant Secretary Angel Pelayo, prices and supplies of goods have remained at normal levels among the 10 wet markets that have been monitored by the DTI the day after typhoon Basyang rendered most of Metro Manila without electricity.

Supermarkets associations also said they have an inventory level that is good for 7 to 14 days, Pelayo said.

“Supplies of candles and batteries for flashlights have been okay,” Pelayo said. Typhoon Basyang has caused 90 percent of Metro Manila without power until Wednesday afternoon.

But, Pelayo said they cannot make certain about the supply of perishable goods such as vegetables, which are being delivered to the supermarkets every other day, as these are being sourced from Baguio.

After ensuring that supplies of basic and prime commodities (mostly canned goods and processed foods), Pelayo said they will monitor the hardwares to check on the construction materials.

“People are repairing their houses, so that will come next. We are just ensuring first that the food supply is okay,” she said.

Pelayo also reported that there was no occurrence of panic buying among consumers based on their monitoring in the wet markets and supermarkets.

Despite the stable situation, Pelayo said that traders who take advantage of the situation would face profiteering charge, which carries a penalty of P5,000 to P300,000 depending on the capitalization and number of offenses. (PIA V Release)