DENR SAYS NO COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST MASBATE MINING FIRM

MASBATE CITY (PIA) — DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Bicol Regional Director Reynulfo Juan said today that his office has not received any formal complaint on the allegation against standards and safety of Filminera, a gold mining firm operating in Masbate.

This was the reaction of Dir. Juan following earlier reports that top local officials of Masbate are asking the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to look into some complaints hurled by residents of Aroroy, Masbate against a Filminera Resources Corp.’s mining operations.

“We have not received any formal complaint from any group, even the reported SP resolution from the province, requesting the bureau to look into the operation of the mining firm. But, MGB Bicol will definitely act on complaint the local government or any entity which will request the bureau to shed light on this concern,” Juan said.

Juan said that “In fact, a multi-sectoral group, including MGB personnel, has been monitoring the company’s operations since it began operations, adding that the group has a monitoring activity set this month.

In last Monday’s session of Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Masbate adopted a resolution introduced by Board Member Juan Sanchez Sr., chair of SP Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, urging the DENR to send an investigating body that will look into the safety of the Filminera Resources Corp.’s mining operations.

Meanwhile, Filminera’s public relations officer Rene Patangan said in a press statement that the tailings dam at the massive gold project in Aroroy remains “stable and safe” and is not causing sleepless nights for residents.

Patangan stressed that the ”tailings storage facility” was “designed to be stable, safe (and) leaked-proof”, adding that it was no cause for worry as Filminera “operates in the strictest standard and safety and environmental responsibility.”

Patangan’s statement, which was published in a local weekly, was apparently meant to allay fears expressed by critics of large scale mining in Aroroy, something which prompted Sanchez to urge the DENR to find out whether such apprehensions had some basis. (MALoterte, PIA Albay/EDelgado, PIA Masbate)

SORSOGON GAD COUNCIL MEETS, LAYS PLANS FOR 2011
By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) — “Strengthen and maximize the women power in the province of Sorsogon, the need to be aware of government programs that are now handed down to the grassroots communities under the PNoy administration is a welcome new initiative, simplified through the 4Ps program,” Florencia “Oyen” C. Dorotan, one of the very strong women leader advocates in the province stated during the first quarter meeting of the Provincial Gender Advocacy and Development Council (PGADC) and Sorsogon Women’s Network for Development at the Sorsogon Provincial Management Office (SPMO), a week ago.

In attendance were former governor Sally A. Lee, PGAD chair and board member Rebecca Aquino, GAD focal persons from the 14 municipalities of Sorsogon, head of office of different national agencies and members of the Sorsogon PGAD council.

“The National Advisory on Poverty Council (NAPC) in which now I sit as on e of the members of the board is more visual and realistic in coming up with more simplified plans to address poverty reduction, a condition where women leaders need to articulate and be at the forefront” Dorotan expressed.

“For the province of Sorsogon, we are just waiting for the listings of beneficiaries that will be included in the 4Ps. As of now, four municipalities namely Pilar, Magallanes, Donsol and Castilla are benefiting from the program in the province. We are waiting for the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) through its chief, Sonia Garcia, report of the inclusion of ten (10) more municipalities identifying beneficiaries,” according to Dorotan.

Agreed on during the meeting is the conduct of orientation to elected officials on the implementation of the Magna Carta for Women.

The need to undergo Gender Sensitivity Training for employees for this year has been prioritized as a must. It was also stressed that the ten percent GAD budget be properly used specially in addressing violence against women issues.

“Let us unite to show that women leaders in Sorsogon are speaking in unison in addressing poverty. Unless we move for a more solid stand in providing solutions to gender issues like poverty, violence and delivery of social basic services in our country, it will always be the women who will suffer most,” Sally Lee, an implementer of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) addressed the members.

“We have also to include in our 2011 GAD plan programs to reduce infant mortality, climate change mitigation and adaptation,” board member Aquino clearly stressed. (PIA Sorsogon)

NAGA CITY MARKET PHOTO CONTEST ACCEPTS ENTRIES
By Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA City, (PIA) — The Naga City Public Market, once dubbed as one of the biggest commercial establishments in Southeast Asia when huge malls was still far fetched, is now regaining its reputation as one of this city’s pride with the upcoming photo competition.

Hailed as “Retrato sa Merkado," the contest aims to create awareness among stakeholders signifying the city’s intention to promote the marketplace as one of its tourist destinations.

Also by featuring the sights, faces and colors, including the usual activities in the Naga City Public Market thru the competitor’s photos, the organizers believe that the activity will highlight the establishment as one of the most valuable community resource amidst the emergence of many businesses in the metropolis.

Competing photographers can choose from 2 themes: first, Mercado nin Higos asin Disiplina kan Nagueno which will feature faces and activities if vendors and market employees and second, Merkado: Urgulyo kan Nagueno, sa Kinaban Bistado, which will also depict places, stalls, goods and wares being sold in the marketplace.

The contest is open to all amateur and professional photographers. Photo enhancement is allowed provided that the original photos, together with the edited entry will be submitted to the organizers. All accomplished entry forms should be submitted by email to allen.reondanga@naga.gov.ph.

Each photographer can submit a maximum of five (5) photos per theme with a title and a caption on each photograph. The contest duration will be from February until March and the awarding of the best photos which will be selected jurors composed of practicing journalists, photography guru and a representative from the City Government of Naga will be on April 4, 2011.

Lucky entries will receive Php5,000.00 Php3,000.00 and Php2,000.00 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively plus a certificate. Entry forms are available at the City Mayors Office at the City Hall and at the Market Enterprise and Promotions Office (MEPO) at the 2nd Floor. Naga City Public Market. (PIA Camarines Sur)

NEW CHECK CLEARING OUTSIDE MM TAKES EFFECT JUL. 1, NOT JAN. 24;
P50, P20 NOTES NOW IN CIRCULATION IN BICOL
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, FEB. 2 (PIA) – Effectivity of the changes in check clearing process outside Metro Manila starts July 1, 2011 according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), not January 24.

The announcement was made by BSP Legazpi Branch Manager Marlyn Paje on Monday’s Aramon Ta Daw radio program of PIA Bicol per queries of some bank clients.

Paje also disclosed that the new generation notes of P50 and P20 are now in circulation through the different banks in Bicol.

The new check clearing process is in compliance of BSP Circular 681 as amended by Circular 705 which was effective starting January 24 in Metro Manila and some five months later or by July 1 in the provinces including Bicol Region.

The circular enlightens check issuers, current account holders and the banking public on three provisions.

One, checks have to be funded before these are presented for clearing. Checks which are on temporary overdraft (TOD) or drawn against insufficient balance or those uncollected deposits will no longer be allowed.

Uncollected deposits are considered dormant. Dormancy means no bank transaction whether withdrawal or deposit is made in a year’s span.

Second, checks drawn against insufficient balance or unfunded shall be considered “bounced”” checks, will be returned outright and the usual penalty charges will be imposed.

Paje commended that credit insufficiency may also be penalized under Batas Pambansa 22 and is considered a criminal case.

The third provision is on stop payment order (SPO) which will be effective if the information is transmitted before the covered checks are processed for clearing. An SPO is an information or instruction not to effect payment submitted or relayed by the issuer to the bank..

Meantime, Paje said that the BSP continue to launch the new generation bank notes in different areas in the country. Official presentation of the new bills in Legazpi City is set anytime within the first quarter of 2011.

Even without the formal launching, Paje said that BSP has distributed in the region the new bank notes last week of January this year. For a starter, each bank in the region was given a bundle each of the P50 and P20 bills.

The other new bills – P1,000, P500, P200 and P100 will be in circulation in Bicol come March, Paje added.

The new notes feature a new BSP logo, which according to Paje is the third time the bank’s emblem has been altered since the country embarked on using paper money. All new bills bear security features like embossed print, distinct serial number, fibers and threads to deter counterfeiters from reproduction.

The new P50 b ill is now darker. On one side Taal Lake and the maliputo fish that only thrives in said lake are featured.

The latest P20 bank note, on the other hand is brighter orange with the younger picture of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon. BSP said that the photo bears the image of President Quezon while he was in office. The reverse highlights the Banaue Rice Terraces and the palm civet known locally as alamid or amid in Bicol. (PIA V/Albay)

DENR REFORESTS 9,281 HECTARES OF DENUDED FOREST LANDS IN BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol said Wednesday that their reforestation project had gained headway with over 9,000 hectares of denuded forest lands reforested since 2004 across the region.

The DENR yearend report said in seven year’s time, a total of 9,381 hectares of degraded forest lands were reforested, a big portion of which were done under the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Project (BRBWMP).

Joselin Marcus Fragada said in his report that the agency reforestation project is included in the DENR medium term plan for the period 2004-2010 under the BRBWMP alone, a total of 7,693 hectares were reforested in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay.

Of the 7,693 hectares, 5,862 hectares were planted with trees under BRB upland reforestation, 1,831 hectares were rehabilitated through assisted natural regeneration (ANR), and 761 hectares of agroforestry farms were maintained.

Under the BRBWM project, the agency for the past three years (2007-2009) had spent a total of P337 million.

Other activities were also undertaken under BRBWMP including rehabilitation of 111 kilometers of riverbank, and construction of 2,738.5 cubic meters of gabion/check dams, 2,699 linear meters eco-blocks and 12 small water impounding system (SWIS).

The Bicol peninsula covering six provinces had a total land area of 1,763,249 hectares, of which 541,189 or 30 percent is classified as forestland while 1,222,060 or 70 percent is alienable and disposable lands.

A big chunk of the forest lands may be found in Camarines Sur with 161,131 hectares, followed by Masbate- 141, 385, Catanduanes – 77,823, Camarines Norte – 71,219, Albay - 49,052 and Sorsogon with 40,57 hectares.

For regularly funded projects for the past six years since 2004, of the total of 1,828 hectares of denuded forest, 1,688 hectares or 92 percent was planted, while some 570 hectares of new mangrove plantation were also established in the six Bicol provinces, the DENR report showed.

For CY 2009-2010, a total of 4,637 hectares of degrade forestlands were likewise rehabilitated under the Upland Development Program (UDP) with following components: 1.) Upland reforestation – 1,574 hectares, 2.) assisted natural regeneration – 704 hectares, 3.) mangrove – 297 hectares, and agroforestry – 2,062 hectares, the DENR report said.

The UDP was implemented in 2009 in Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) sites, Protected Areas (PA) Mangroves, Coastal and Watershed Areas to create immediate additional income to upland farmers in support to the Government’s Poverty Reduction and Hunger Mitigation Program.

A total of 1,819,512 seedlings of narra, gmelina, mahogany, acacia and other species were produced from CY 2004-2010 in support to the requirements of the wood industry, public and private schools, urban greening of local government units (LGUs) and the private sector, the DENR report said. (ASAraya, DENR V/PIA Albay/mal)

PRC EXPECTS LESSER LET TAKERS;
NURSES QUEUE TO GET CERTIFICATES TO APPLY FOR RN HEALS
by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Bicol office reminds graduates of education courses, Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education who intend to take the April 3 Professional Teachers Examination that they only have six working days to beat the deadline in filing their applications.

The last day for submission of application to the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) is February 11.

Dr. Elenita M. Tan, regional director of PRC Region V disclosed that she expects lesser number of takers during the April examinations as most of these applicants are repeaters or non-passers of past LET tests.

Unlike the September LET which reaches to some 5,000 takers in Bicol alone, the April Professional Teachers Test averagely has half of the number, said Tan.

The next LET this year is on September 25, a Sunday with July 15 as the deadline for the submission of application.

Legazpi City and all regional offices along with Manila are designated as testing centers. Similar test will also be administered in Zamboanga and Hongkong.

Last September 2010, three Bicolanos landed in the top ten slots. They were Maria Cecilia A. Rodriguez, graduate of Naga College Foundation who place 4th for secondary education and Hazel Grace C. Abaque from Universidad de Sta. Isabel, also in Naga City and Miguel Dominique A. Martinez from Bicol University who both tied at 8th place in the elementary education category.

For February 2011, examinations for licenses of other professionals will be conducted, though none will be run by regional offices including Bicol. These are test for metallurgical engineers (Feb. 5, 6, 7); master plumbers (Feb. 23, 24); marine deck officers (February 26, 27) all to be administered in Manila and physicians (Feb. 13, 14, 20, 21) in Manila and Cebu.

Deadline of submission of application for the months of February and March are for landscape architects, Feb. 22 with Manila as testing center; mechanical engineers, Feb. 28 with Manila and Cebu as testing centers;

Medical technologists, March 2, with exams set in Manila, Baguio and Cebu; real estate brokers, March 7, Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo testing centers; criminologists, March 16, whose testing areas are Manila, all regional offices, and Zamboanga; electronics engineers, March 21, test in Manila, Baguio, Cebu; electronic technicians, March 22, in Manila; chemical engineers March 24, also in Manila; registered electrical engineers and registered master electricians both March 28 with testing centers in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi.

Meantime, Dr. Tan informed PIA theree is already a long queue in the office of the PRC Bicol as passers of the nursing board exams last July and December are securing copies of their license.

Tan said that as of last week the processing of licenses for the December nursing board passers is already on surnames starting with the letter P.

These professionals are applying as volunteers to the government Registered Nurse for Health Enhancement and Local Service (RNHEALS) program.

Application to the program has started last January 17 up to February 4. Results will be known by February 7 via dole.gov.ph website.

When employed they will be assigned to 1,000 priority poor areas which need medical services.
Each volunteer nurse is set to receive a salary of P8,000 per month plus an allowance of P2,000 to be subsidized by the local government where the medical personnel is assigned. (PIA V/Albay)

PDRRMC, holds first quarterly meeting

VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA) — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) held its first quarterly meeting today, February 4, 2011 at 09:00 A.M at the SP Session Hall.

The meeting was intended for the following agenda: Orientation of Republic Act 10121 enacted July 27, 2009: AN Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System; Reorganization of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) in lieu of the metamorphosed Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC);

Creation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) by virtue of Provincial Ordinance No. 04-2010 embodied under Resolution No. 118-201 dated September 30, 2010 and the reorganization of its manpower component; and the Presentation of the Comprehensive and Integrated Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan and the PDRRMO’s Annual Calendar of Activities. (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)

No let up running after crooks in the military, but preserve the institution- Chiz

LEGAZPI CITY(PIA) -- Amid the scandals and corruption unraveling before the congressional inquiry into the misuse of military funds, Senator Chiz Escudero said these investigations should hold accountable those who took advantage of the coffers of the armed forces for personal gain without destroying the institution itself.

“I still believe that majority of our officers and men in uniform are honest and hardworking. It would be a disservice to lump them together with those crooked individuals,” Escudero said.

Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, said that in all these ongoing investigations there should be a conscious effort to always preserve the integrity of the institution as a whole no matter how many rotten men belong to the armed forces.

“The truth stares us in the face that greed and its monopoly have corrupted the military institution and for this, those who raided the military coffers and raped its system must be held accountable. The investigations should work as to make these crooks know that they are not invincible and that they are not above the law,” Escudero added.

According to the senator, former military generals Angelo Reyes, Carlos Garcia, Jacinto Ligot and whoever is into corruption do not comprise the whole armed forces.

“They are the just the little dirty party in the military, the biggest party is still made up of men who work with risk and sacrifice. These are our soldiers who live and die in the name of the country’s freedom and democracy,” Escudero said. (Office of Sen. Escudero/PIA Albay/mal)

Ochoa pledges to protect military institution

MANILA — Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Friday assured government troops that the Aquino Administration had taken steps to protect the military institution amid allegations of corruption against former ranking officials of the armed forces.

“This administration will not allow the misdeeds of a few former military officials involved in this large-scale corruption to dishonor the thousands of men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to defend and protect the country. We will not let their sacrifices go in vain,” Ochoa said.

“All these allegations will be looked into and investigated. Those who broke the law will be held accountable,” he added.

The Executive Secretary said President Benigno Aquino III was fully aware of the situation in the Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP) in connection with allegations that former generals had pocketed hundreds of millions in military funds.

Since last year, the Aquino administration and the AFP have put in place mechanisms to protect the AFP coffers from potential abuse and to make transactions transparent and honest, as well as ensure that all supplies and equipment intended for soldiers reach them, Ochoa said.

He praised whistle-blowers retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa, former budget officer with the AFP, former state auditor Heidi Mendoza, and Lt. Col. Antonio Lim for “stepping forward to shed light on allegations of corruption in the military,” and assured them that “this government will marshal its resources to ensure their safety so they can continue to aid us in finding the truth.”

Ochoa also appealed to the men and women in uniform to be “vigilant and report the misuse of funds” by their superiors.

“To our troops and the Filipino people, rest assured that this administration will do everything to protect the military institution. We recognize the courage and valuable contribution of our soldiers, who live and die in the name of freedom and democracy,” Ochoa added. (PIA V Release)

Pinoys urged to join Nat’l Arts Month celebration

MANILA — All systems are go for the celebration of Filipino culture and talent this February as the nation marks 20 years of the National Arts Month through the Philippine international art festival.

In a press briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, urged Filipinos to participate in the festival organized by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCAA) to further Philippine art and the public regard for local arts and culture.

The NCAA said the festival’s theme-- “Ani ng Sining,” will indeed prove to be a harvest for the arts as thousands of local artists and cultural workers gather all over the country for the biggest artistic celebration to date.

Joining in the festivities are artists from Japan, Lithuania, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. Celebrations will be all over the archipelago, with focus on four areas- National Capital Region, Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon.

The grand opening program for the National Capital Region according to Lacierda, was held last Jan. 30 at the Rizal Park. For Mindanao it will be held at People’s Park in Davao City on Feb. 6; Visayas will have its Grand Opening Program on Feb. 13 at the Bacolod Provincial Capitol; and, the Grand Opening Program for Luzon is on Feb. 20 at Burnham Park in Baguio City.

All four Grand Opening Programs will feature elaborate performances, exhibitions, and parades. (PIA V Release)

PH gets $10-M loan from World Bank, Royal Netherlands

MANILA — The Philippine government will receive $10 million in loans within three years from the World Bank and the Royal Netherlands to rehabilitate and dredge the Laguna de Bay.

In a news briefing in Malacañang on Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III has approved the project and the loans from international funding agencies.

The loan will be used to rehabilitate and dredge the Laguna lake including lakeshore reclamation, improvement of water quality and management of the lake’s resources such as fishery, water supply and the development of transport systems, ports and marinas.

The project, envisioned under Executive Order 815 of the previous administration, was intended to repair the damage caused by the storm Ondoy on Laguna de Bay when heavy rains caused the bay to grow in size from 80,000 hectares to 115,000 hectares.

The new project to be implemented over the next three years, replaced the controversial P18.7- billion Laguna Lake Dredging Project cancelled by President Aquino.

The new Laguna Lake rehabilitation plan seeks to solve flooding in Metro Manila, clean Laguna Lake and create the longest lakeshore park in the world.

The project will also decongest Metro Manila from traffic and squatter problems, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, protect the watershed, stimulate investments and tourism and reclaim lands for business, industrial and residential purposes. (PIA V Release)

January inflation rate still within target says Palace

MANILA — Last month’s inflation rate of 3.5 percent is still within the target set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas at 3.5 to 7 percent.

In a media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the current uncertainty in Egypt and its impact on fuel oil supplies will definitely affect oil prices locally and ultimately consumer prices.

Transport fares have already increased and the rate increases for the Metro Rail Transit and the impending increase on toll of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) will have their effect on inflation, he said.

Lacierda said Bangko Sentral is closely monitoring inflation to prepare steps to curb any increases in local fuel prices and consumer prices.

He said the Department of Labor and Employment is currently discussing with employers and the private sector the wage situation. (PIA V Release)

Public urged to join “light up for peace in Mindanao”

MANILA — Malacañang urged the public to join the “Light Up for Peace” at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on Tuesday (Feb. 8) as part of the run up for the upcoming resumption of peace negotiation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) this month.

Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda echoed the call noting that the upcoming peace talks with the MILF “is an opportunity to finally put an end to the conflict that has stunted the country’s development for so long, especially in areas where unrest has caused poverty and death to so many of our people.”

“The talks are crucial as it formally breaks the impasse with the MILF caused by the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), he said.

Lacierda said the Light Up for Peace set on Tuesday (Feb. 8) will be highlighted with a candle-lighting event that will illuminate the walls of the 1.9 kilometer stretch of the park at around 6 p.m.

President Benigno S. Aquino is scheduled to grace the multi-sectoral and multi-agency peace constituency building project at the resumption of the peace talks with Moro rebels. He is also expected to lead the call for People Power for Peace and the ringing of the Peace Bell.

In a separate statement posted at the Official Gazette of the Palace, Prof. Jennifer Santiago Oreta of the Ateneo de Manila University – Department of Political Science said the resumption of the talks is “within this frame that a peace constituency building project is envisioned.”

Oreta, who is the lead convenor of Ateneo’s Working Group on Security Sector Reform and one of the project organizers, explained that the project aims to engage the people to act and commit themselves for peace through various modes of participation; and make known to the wider public that there is a broad constituency supporting the peace agenda.

“These positive interventions will not only mainstream the peace agenda as a national concern; it can also add pressure to the peace panels on both sides (the government and the MILF and the CPP/NPA/NDF) to sit down and put an end to the decades-long issue that has imperiled the country for so long,” she said.

Non-government organizations involved in the project are the following: Philippine Coalition on International Criminal Court (PCICC), Sulong CARHRIHL, Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI), Institute for International Dialogue (IID), Libertas, Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), Confederation of Student Governments of the Philippines, Balay Rehabilitation Center, and People Power Volunteers for Reform, among others.

Participating government agencies include the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Government of the Philippines-Monitoring Committee on the Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). (PIA V Release)