Congress asked to pass P750M emergency supplemental budget for OFW repatriation: Salceda

LEGAZPI CITY --- Albay Gov. Joey Salceda on Thursday urged Congress to pass a P750 million emergency supplemental budget to be used in repatriating Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) caught in the armed conflict in four countries in the Middle East.

Salceda expressed dismay over the blame throwing antics displayed by Congressmen during Wednesday Congressional inquiry on the status of OFWs working in countries of Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Egypt.

At the Congressional inquiry members of the committee allowed the Departments of Labor and Foreign Affairs to exchange tirades and blaming each other for the inaction of government in the repatriation of thousands of OFW in the countries of Libya, Baharain, Yemen and Egypt, these countries are in the state of political turmoil.

He asked Congress to put a stop on the blame throwing antics and instead worked out a national solidarity that in a common front achieve a “Zero Casualty” goal on the OFWs undergoing crisis situation in the Middle East.

“What the country needs is a common front to address the problem and achieve a “Zero Casualty” target for OFW’s in the Middle East,” Salceda stressed.

He asked Congress to immediately act on passing an emergency supplemental budget amounting to P750 million to finance repatriation for the 28,000 OFWs in Libya, Eygpt, Bahrain, and Yemen.

The congressional supplemental fund would authorize President Benigno Aquino III to use the fund to negotiate and engage the services of international plane carriers to fly OFWs back to the country and other manpower services needed to facilitate the mass rescue of Filipino workers abroad.

In facilitating the repatriation of OFWs Salceda said the government could tap the services of former House Speaker Jose De Venecia who is known for his experience in foreign relations and a wide network in foreign countries.

As for the chartering of airplanes the government may start negotiating with the countries of Spain, Italy and other developed countries who have a fleet of aircrafts at their disposal.

Salceda citing the use of the Calamity Fund under the General Appropriation Act, the President may use the funds during crisis resulting from armed conflict.

Salceda claimed that the DOLE said has P50 million available fund this year for OFW repatriation which according to him is not enough to finance the repatriation process.

Salceda even claimed that during the Lebanon crisis in 2005, as house appropriation chair he funded P750 million for the repatriation of over 15,000 OFWs working in Lebanon.

Aside from the supplemental budget, Salceda proposed for the creation of a National Solidarity Fund for OFW, this would be in a form of a special thrust fund amounting to P750 million (initial amount) this would be included on a yearly and in cumulative basis in the GAA budget.

The fund would be used solely for repatriation and reintegration of OFWs caught in armed conflict abroad.

Statistics show that there are 669,042 OFW in the Middle East of which 28,000 Filipinos are working in Libya with 10,383; Bahrain – 15,001; Yemen – 1.417 and Egypt with only 483 filipino workers, these countries are currently under volatile political situation.

With the repatriation of 28,000 OFW in the Middle East the country would loss $112 million in yearly remittances this would show a negative impact to the country’s economy in the future. (LGU Albay/PIA Albay/mal)

Mercedes Disaster Mgm't office conducts RA 10121 orientation
By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Feb. 25(PIA) - A three day orientation seminar on Republic Act. No. 10121 or “An act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System” was conducted by the Mercedes Disaster Risk Reduction Office (MDRRO) here on Feb 23-25.

The training was spearheaded by the local government of Mercedes through the MDRRMO and attended by the Sangguniang Bayan, Mercedes Disaster Risk Reduction Council (MDRRC), Chief of Offices and representatives of the different offices in Mercedes.

Dr. Carlos C. Galves, the new Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of the Provincial Government said that the activity was very important for the local government of Mercedes to formulate plans for disaster management and mitigation.

He said that plans and programs will also help the local disaster council at the barangay level.

The training aims to inform the participants regarding the risk assessment for them to formulate plans in order to use their risk reduction management fund and also to make contingency plans for the different kinds of calamities.

The topics discussed during the training were: Republic Act 10121, risk assessment and vulnerability, disaster risk reduction planning and damage assessment and needs analysis. (PIA Camarines Norte)

BFAR recommends strict implementation of fishery laws in Lake Buhi
By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Bicol has recommended the strict implementation of fishery laws to the local government of Buhi town in Camarines Sur to save Lake Buhi from further degradation.

In a position paper submitted to the municipal mayor and the Sangguniang Bayan of the said town, BFAR Bicol has reiterated that only 10 percent of the total surface area of a lake can be utilized for aquaculture activities such as fish cage farming of tilapia, as provided by the provisions of Section 51 of the Philippine Fisheries Code.

BFAR Bicol Regional Director Dennis del Socorro said that the bureau’s study shows that unregulated aquaculture activities in Lake Buhi such as illegal construction of fish cages, overstocking of fish and overfeeding produce high amounts of aquaculture wastes in the lake resulting to a series of massive fish kill incidents in the lake since October 29 last year.

Del Socorro also said that personnel has presented to local officials of Buhi the recent research result of the Stocking and Feeding Experiment of the bureau and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) on the operation of fish cage in the lakes of Buhi and Bato from 2007 to 2009 .

The research study has revealed that overstocking of cages is one of the key practices of the fish farmers that need to be modified.

Del Socorro explained that the study has conducted “stocking density trials on both lakes using 5, 10 and 15 tilapia fingerlings per cubic meter (m3). Stocks at 5 pcs/m3 were not given any commercial feed and relied solely on natural food in the lake while the 10 and 15 pcs/m3 had feeding. Results showed that the optimum stocking density for the two lakes is 10 pcs/m3. This is in terms of growth, survival, total yield and feed conversion ratio,” the study cited.

It also stated that fish reared at 5 pcs/m3 grew poorly and were not harvestable within the four months culture period indicating that natural food available in the two lakes could not sustain growth even at this stocking density within the prescribed culture period.

The same research discovered that in the feeding trials, four different feeding management schemes were employed in the two lakes with two feeding rates and two feeding schedules, namely: HD (high feeding rate, daily), HS (high feeding rate, skip), LD (low feeding rate, daily), and LS (low feeding rate, skip).

In the skip feeding strategy, fish were fed only four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. From the results, LS is the recommended feeding strategy in terms of being the most economically viable and ecologically sound.

BFAR Bicol meanwhile has also assisted the local government in capacity building , including the re-organization of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) in 10 barangays and the Lakeside FARMC last month.

LFARMC is mandated by law to become the recommendatory-policy making body and adviser to the LGU on fishery-related matters based on Fisheries Administrative Order 196.

Moreover, the bureau has provided resource persons on the Training on Lake Resource Management and Fishery Law Enforcement.

Socorro said that Lake Buhi’s rehabilitation will depend on the strict and full implementation of fishery laws coupled with the full support of the people of Buhi and other stakeholders. (PIA V/Albay)

PNoy leads Nat'l. Greening Program in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) -- With President Aquino's Kamagong seedling firmly rooted to the ground in the El Verde ceremonial tree planting, the Bicol leg of National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also kicked-off Feb. 22 at a 17-hectare clearing area in San Antonio, Ocampo, Camarines sur.

Thronged by 3,000 volunteers who hiked to the foot hills of Mt. Isarog before day break, the President showed every Bicolano that through leadership by example by way of the NGP, the country could keep at bay global warming and climate change.

The President lauded the massive tree planting effort of El Verde Movement spearheaded by Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Jr., which intends to carve a niche globally, as well as raising public awareness on the important of trees to fight off global warming and climate change.

“Through this concerted effort by our citizens, socio-civic groups, government agencies our triumph will be insurmountable”. He underscored that to arrest the impact of global warming and climate change the contribution of every Filipino is needed.

“Five hundred thousand seedlings could signify five hundred thousand opportunities for our people. Not just in terms of saving the environment, but in terms of a meaningful future as well,” Aquino added.

The El Verde Movement is aiming to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the most trees planted in one hour. In yesterday’s activity alone, an estimated 35,000 seedlings were planted.

Meanwhile, DENR Sec. Ramon Paje said the environment department strongly supports the EL Verde Movement and its noble goal of planting 12 million trees in 2012.

Paje reiterated yesterday in the DENR executive committee conference that the NGP is all systems go. With a marching order for all the regional offices which are expected to accomplish the national target of 125 million trees planted in 1.5 million hectares. (ASAraya, DENR V/PIA Albay/mal)

65 OSY and adults pass DepEd accreditation and equivalency exam
By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, (PIA) – Sixty five out-of-school-youths (OSY) and adults who passed the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) examination can now enrol as high school freshman for elementary level passers and in post secondary courses of the Commission on Higher Education and State Universities and Colleges.

The A and E is a test designed to measure competencies of those who have not finished either the formal elementary and secondary education. The registration, administration, and certification are free.

DepED Catanduanes ALS Division Program supervisor Mesalina T. Gonzales said that the A&E Program is a certification of learning for OSYs and adults aged 15 years old and above, who are unable to avail of the formal school system, or who have dropped out of formal elementary and secondary education.

The A and E passers in Catanduanes now have an opportunity to acquire eligibility to government employment positions under Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 499.

Gonzales also urged local officials to continue their support in ALS programs and projects in their locality which addresses the learning needs of school drop-outs and adults. (PIA Catanduanes)

Investigate extraction of petrified logs from Sula Channel - AKO Bicol Party

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) -- AKO Bicol Party list (AKB) recently filed House Resolution 992, directing the Committee on Ecology to conduct an investigation on the extraction of petrified logs in Sula Channel, Sitio Pecadero, Barangay Sula, Albay, for the protection of cultural treasures due to its historical, environmental, and tourism values.

Atty. Rodel Batocabe, one of AKB 's representatives, said that the purpose of the resolution is to find out whether the extraction and selling of a cultural treasure is legal. He has also sought the help of the National Historical Institute to identify those who are accountable.

Last November 23, 2010, a forest ranger of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) impounded a twenty-two wheeler truck carrying ancient logs that were extracted from the Sula Channel. The driver, Eamon Valera, did not have a permit to transport the said logs.

Both the truck and logs are still impounded in Barangay San Roque, Bacacay, Albay after an administrative confiscation proceeding has been filed before the office of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENR).

According to Sula Barangay captain Benjamin Belbes, there were already reports that some 100,000 board feet of petrified wood which were remnants in the construction of the Spanish galleon were already looted and hauled by an international ship for export. (Office of Ako Bicol/PIA Albay/mal)

Chiz asks DOJ, NBI, BID for full report on Taiwanese deportation

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The senate chairman on justice and human rights committee has summoned the agencies requested by Senator Chiz Escudero who are involved in the deportation of 14 Taiwanese nationals to China for full factual reports following strong protests by Taiwan that could harm economic ties and employment of more than 100,000 Filipinos there.
Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, has asked officials of the Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, and the National Bureau of Investigation to submit to his office a comprehensive report on the events and proceedings surrounding the deportation of 14 Taiwanese nationals on February 2.

Last December, the 14 were arrested along with 10 Chinese nationals by Philippine authorities and the Interpol for allegedly operating an international fraud syndicate that has swindled mainlanders from China of some $20 million.

“As chairman of the justice committee, I am requiring these agencies to explain why Taiwan has lividly raised those three issues surrounding the deportation snafu. I will summon them to an inquiry at the Senate if I find their explanations unsatisfactory," Escudero said.

Taiwan President Ma Ying-Jeou has strongly condemned the deportation of their nationals to China, citing what he called grave mistakes the Philippines has committed in handling the deportation issue.

First, Ma said the Philippine government violated international law and time-honored international practices when it deported the Taiwanese nationals to China instead of repatriating them to their home country.

Second, the Taiwanese legally entered the country with valid passports, contrary to the claim of concerned authorities that they were undocumented.

Third reason cited by Ma was the complete disregard of the Philippine government’s own law on the writ of habeas corpus obtained by the suspects’ lawyer from the Philippine Court of Appeals. Escudero said he wanted to closely look into this matter not to get involved with the decade-long rift between China and Taiwan, but to ensure the employment status and future of the Filipino workers there.

“There are more than 100,00 Filipino workers whose livelihood depends on employment in Taiwan. We must address the issue because I worry for our workers who are already there as well as the lost opportunity to our people who already incurred expenses and were expecting employment already in Taiwan," Escudero said.

Following the deportation and strong protest by Taipei, Taiwan decided to extend visa processing for Filipino workers to four months from 14 days, a move that could delay the deployment of almost 5,000 Taiwan-bound overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“We leave the foreign policy within the realm of the chief executive and the executive branch, but I am hopeful that we can still exhaust all means available to repair our cultural and economic ties with Taiwan as this affect the lives of many Filipino families," Escudero said. (Office of Sen. Escudero/PIA Albay/mal)

Do prisoner swap with other countries with OFWs- Chiz

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) — As the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) warms up for negotiation with China for the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement (TSPA), Senator Chiz Escudero urged the department to do the same with other countries where there are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Escudero, who earlier called for the Philippine government to initiate TSPA with countries hosting OFWs, thanked and commended the DFA for heeding the call, adding that such move indicates the government’s sensitivity to the plight and welfare of our people.

The TSPA is an agreement which provides individuals who have been tried and convicted in a signatory country the option to serve the remaining portion of their sentences in their home country. At present, the Philippines has TSPA with Thailand, Hong Kong, and Spain.

“The issue of prisoner swap is highly emotional and delicate. We have to carefully tread within the ambit of a particular country’s laws, which we would also like other countries to respect ours. But as a government, it behooves us to do everything within our capacity to give our people what the government should – to protect its people in and out of the country," Escudero said.

The senator reiterated that pursuing the prisoner-swap agreement does not and should not be considered as condoning or even clearing a convicted OFW of crime.

“Again, it is not for us to decide whether a person is guilty or innocent. Let us leave that to the courts. But let us not leave our fellow Filipinos without the benefit of rights and dignities upheld. If they must pay for their crimes, let them pay for it but let us bring them closer to their families and loved ones. Death has already come to a person who knows he would not see or talk to any of his loved ones anymore forever," Escudero explained.

As of February this year, there are 209 Filipinos involved in drug-trafficking cases in China based on the records of the DFA. Six have been sentenced to die with no reprieve, 74 others are facing death penalty with two-year reprieve, 38 with life imprisonment, 76 are currently serving fixed jail terms, and 15 are in custody pending issuance of sentence. (Office of Sen. Escudero/PIA Albay/mal)