Bicolanos urged to plant more pili trees
…industry continues to boom in the local market and abroad

LEGAZPI CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office here has been pursuing massive pili planting and farming in Bicol not only for environmental purpose but more importantly to boost the already booming industry in the local market and abroad.

Jocelyn Berango, information officer of DTI V, said demands for pili (Canarium ovatum) products continue to increase both in the local and international market with a competitive edge at par with food garnishing nuts, extracted oil, resin, among others in the world.

She said that under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and through the farmer-beneficiaries, the agency has since planted at least 10,000 pili seedlings this year in different parts of the region.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional field office here has provided the seedlings, conducted site validation and made available its technical people to assist in the implementation of the project as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), entered into by and between the DTI and DA.

Pili, described as the “majestic tree” and fast emerging as another “tree of life” next to coconut is now Bicol’s “flagship crop and industry.”

The Philippines had been exporting pili nuts to Hawaii, Germany, France, Great Britain, Japan,and China since before World War II, according to the Plant Industry Digest published in 1970.

A study conducted by a team of biotechnologists has also urged the national government to support the pili industry in Bicol and improve the tree as a source of resin but also of oil and other micronutrients.

The agency, Berango said, continues to pursue industry development in its desire to boost pili commercialization as a source of livelihood among beneficiaries and provide significant employment to farmers, traders, processors and private entrepreneurs industry in Bicol.

“The planting of Pili trees not only helped the farmer beneficiaries but more so, it would even help in reducing air pollution because of their high carbon absorption ability,” she added.

In recent development, pili plantation in Bicol has increased in hectarage and improved the quality of the processed products

Berango furthered that “not to mention the sturdiness of the trees that makes them more resistant to strong winds and super typhoons. “ (MAL, PIA V/JRB, DTI V)

Status quo policy on contributions for Philhealth benefits

by Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- The existing requirements for members to avail of claims and benefits from the government health insurance provider remains with the three months within the six month period for regular and non-surgical cases and nine months within the twelve-months prior to availment of certain surgical cases, according to regional office of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or Philhealth here.

Philhealth V has announced that the corporation recently released Circular No. 9, s. 2011 which officially deferred the implementation of Circular No. 25, 2. 2010 issued September last year.

PhilHealth V regional director Veronica Mateum said that Circular No. 25, which is supposed to take effect on effective July 4, 2011, provides that the new requirement in availing PhilHealth benefits in all confinements including Out-Patient Benefits is nine months of contribution within the twelve month period prior to the availment to prove sufficient regularity payment of premiums.

“However, this has been suspended with the issuance of Circular No. 9, thus PhilHealth Circulars No. 28, s. 2009 and No. 36, s. 2006 are still in effect providing that contribution should be three months within the six month period for regular and non-surgical cases and nine months within the twelve-months prior to availment of certain surgical cases,” she explained.

The new requirement was to be observed in all members except for those enrolled under the sponsored program, overseas workers program and the lifetime member program.

However, after conducting dialogues with stakeholders and review of the corporation’s policies, the said directives is held in abeyance subject to further evaluation of the concerned operational units relative to the proper definition and application of the requirement on sufficient regularity.

Members under the sponsored program and the overseas workers program may avail of their benefits within the validity period of their membership while lifetime members may avail of PhilHealth benefits any time at accredited facilities. (MAL, PIA V/Philhealth V)

Prayer service cum breakfast to kick off observance of disaster awareness month

by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) of Bicol will hold an Ecumenical prayer service cum breakfast on top of the Lignon Hill Nature Park here on Friday (July 1) to kick off the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) activities for this year.

The activity was agreed upon during a series of conferences of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Bicol RDRRMC presided by its chairman and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director Raffy Alejandro.

This year’s theme for the NDCM is “Makialam, makiisa. Sa pagsugpo sa panganib may maitutulong ka.”

Alejandro said that this year’s kick-off ceremony is a departure from the usual earthquake drills and display of search and rescue capabilities of the different response teams in the region.

“This year we have decided to hold an ecumenical prayer service to continually call for divine intervention and recitation of the "Oratio Emperata" to spare Bicol anew from being hit by typhoons and other natural calamities,” Alejandro said.

He said that "we expect some 500 persons from the different member agencies to participate in the kick-off activities, also to include high school and college students from several schools and contingents from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Coast Guard Bicol, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protect and some from invited NGOs.

Alejandro said the participants will assemble at the Philippine Air Force (TOG 5) headquarters, just across Lignon Hill, at 4:00 am, followed by a warm up exercise, then the group will trek up Lignon Hill at 5:00 am, and Ecumenical Prayer Service starts at 6:00 am.

Participants from member agencies are encouraged to wear orange colored T-shirts which is recognized internationally as the color of distress at sea and visible even during fogs and bad weather.

After the religious service, a simple breakfast will be served to participants, courtesy of GSIS, SSS and Philhealth.

A press conference will also be held to appraise the media of the various activities that will be undertaken by various disaster councils and member agencies during the month long disaster consciousness month celebration. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)

Aquino cites improving PHL-Korea partnership

NAGA CITY, Cebu (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III cited the strengthening relations between the Philippines and Korea during the inauguration of the 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant of Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) here Monday saying the formal opening of the power plant was “another step toward improving our partnership.”

He added that with this new power generating facility, 11 percent of the country’s electric generation requirements have been met.

“The Korean Electric Power Company has long been a strong partner of the Philippine government. To date, they have already provided, and continue to provide, around 11 percent of our country’s generation capacity, and I assume that with the lever I pulled just moments ago, that percentage will continue to rise in the coming months,” the President told the audience composed of KEPCO officials led by its president Ssang Su Kim, Cebu officials led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, employees and members of media.

The President added that this inaugural was a clear testament of the international community’s confidence for the “capabilities and talent of the Filipino people.”

“I am glad to be here with you today in taking another step toward improving our partnership. On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend my gratitude to KEPCO for their continued confidence in us—in our administration, and, more importantly, in the capabilities and talents of the Filipino people,” the President said.

The President likewise lauded the implementation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in the Visayas region which he said “paved the way for the timely commissioning of new power plants as investors are now provided with opportunities to sell power at reasonable profits.”

“More importantly, the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market has played a significant role in stabilizing electricity supply and has eliminated the manual load dropping (or rotational brownouts) of customers,” the President said.

“We now have 180 market players in the integrated Luzon and Visayas market, and the selling price in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market for both Luzon and Visayas has reached a low 3.8 pesos per kilowatt hour in April of this year as opposed to the National Power Corporation regulated price of 4.67 pesos per kilowatt hour. This measure has likewise increased investor interest in the region, and perhaps this is proven even further by today’s inauguration,” he added.

The President pointed out that with this renewed stability in electricity distribution, industries in the region can continue to flourish and expand as it meets the demands of its customers and clientele.

“This power plant we are inaugurating today will make certain that the energy needs of our citizens in this part of the country are met. In Cebu, for example, where the economy continues to grow, this power plant willhelp keep up with increasing demand,” the President said.

“As more people around the world buy Cebu made furniture, and as more and more of them come to join the Sinulog festivities or to eat the unparalleled Cebu lechon, production capacities for your businesses will have to increase, and the available accommodations for visitors will have to increase as well; and none of this is possible if you do not have enough electricity,” he added.

Aquino announces proposal for new nautical highway

NAGA CITY, Cebu (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III announced that a proposal to construct a new nautical highway traversing the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao is being studied to assess its viability and impact on the environment.

The Chief Executive made the announcement in his speech keynoting the inauguration of the 200-megawatt coal fired power plant of the Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) on Monday here.

“There are ongoing studies that will make the nautical highway even more efficient. They will practically cut by a third the travel time it would take to travel from Luzon to Mindanao once it is accomplished,” the President said.

He added that instead of traversing the “outer perimeter” of the country, the proposed nautical highway will pass through the country’s middle area or “spine” to cut travel time.

“And of course Cebu will be at the lynch pin of this nautical highway which will traverse the inner portion of the country as opposed to the current outside perimeter that has to be travelled,” the President stressed.

Aquino condoles with former President and Mrs. Ramos on the untimely death of their daughter

MANILA (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III extended his deepest sympathies to former President and Mrs. Fidel V. Ramos on the untimely passing of daughter, Josephine Martinez Ramos, who succumbed to cancer today.

“Ms. Ramos’ love for, and accomplishments, in music, was testimony to the musical passion she shared with her mother; and in athletics, she participated in the national team that gained distinction for the country in the SEA Games in the 1970s,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement issued on Monday in Malacanang.

“The loss of any loved one is grave, indeed; the demise of a child is particularly painful for parents,” he said.

Lacierda said the President assured former President and Mrs. Ramos that he will “keep their entire family in his thoughts and prayers at this time of deep loss.”