Feature:

Minalabac: DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilya program, a journey worth traveled

by Lizel S. Macatangay

MINALABAC, Camarines Sur, June 24 (PIA) -- After the formal launching of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, also popularly known as 4Ps, sometime in August last year here, Mayor Leovegildo Basmayor had already envisioned an improved community, a healthier populace and a better life for a great number of hisconstituents.

As one of the priority projects of President Benigno Aquino III, this poverty reduction and social development program for the less privileged is being implemented, first and foremost, to alleviate poverty, improve the health conditions of children, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and achieve universal primary education, among others.

As a third-class municipality, Minalabac has been in dire need of these services, having to look after the welfare of more or less 45,000 households of its 25 barangays, with most of them living in the coastlines and far flung outskirts of the town.

Intervention of DSWD Poverty Programs

Basmayor’s prayers for solutions that will answer the need of his constituents were answered when his town was chosen to be among the three priority areas of the 4Ps program based on the 2003 Small area estimates, poverty incidence and pockets of poverty of the municipality.

As of the 2nd quarter of 2011, Minalabac has registered 2,141 total beneficiaries from its 25 barangays, 2,079 of whom have already received grants as of May 3, 2011. With the cash grants now easily available thru Globe Telecom’s GCASH remit, beneficiaries now enjoy a faster and more convenient way to access the government’s help.

Total amount disbursed to the town’s 4Ps recipients thru G-Cash remit stands at P1.2 M.

Never stopping from his desire to look for more avenues to assuage the current state of his constituents, Basmayor represented his town in an LGU forum last March 2011, along with other mayors in the province. The event, dubbed as

People Powered Development: A forum on

Integrating Community-Driven Development (CCD) in local governance practice,” became a venue for sharing notes, particularly on the importance of citizen’s participation and cooperation in the programs being spearheaded by the government.

Minalabac again became an active partner of the government in pursuing another poverty alleviation program by vigorously effecting various endeavors in line with the KALAHI CIDDS Project or Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services while envisioning a more empowered citizenry participating hands-on in the realization of P-Noy’s development agenda in their locality.

Reaping the fruits

With the help from the government continuously pouring into the town of Minalabac , a total of 40 more sub projects were realized.

Focusing on the upliftment of its constituents’ health conditions, six health stations were constructed in Barangays Bagolatao, Baliuag Nuevo,Baliuag Viejo, Catanusan , Magadap and Taban. A water system was also put in place in Barangays Del Socorro, Hamoraon and Salingogon to give its residents safe and potable water to drink.

Also giving utmost attention in achieving the set vision for universal primary education, day care centers were constructed in Barangays Hobo, Sagrada Familia, and two units at San Jose . A high school and elementary building were also erected at Barangay Antipolo and Bagongbong respectively.

Farm to market roads were improved in Barangays Baliuag Viejo and Sagrada Familia while a foot bridge was also constructed in Barangay Antipolo.

All these were achieved, along with the construction of solar dryer facilities in barangays Bagongbong, Baliuag Nuevo, Hobo and Magadap were assistance was given by the national government thru Minalabac to help farmers improve and market their produce.

Various road projects were also carried out --construction of barrel box culvert in Barangays Catanusan and Timbang, concreting of pathway in barangay Catanusan and, San Juan and construction of a sea wall in barangay San Antonio.

These projects cost P34,774,884.75.

“Magtarabang tabang Kita”

Mayor Basmayor, with the members of Sangguniang Bayan (SB) and cooperation from his constituents and other stakeholders, will continue to support all the programs of the government geared towards the realization of a well-lived life, communities free from poverty and a well-educated constituents. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

84 schools in Bicol to receive computer sets, IT equipment from DTI

LEGAZPI CITY, June 24 (PIA) -- A total of 924 desktop computer sets, 84 printers and wireless broadband routers will be distributed to 84 public high schools throughout the Bicol region under the Personal Computer for Public Schools (PCPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry.

DTI V information officer Jocelyn Berango said the computer equipment will be distributed to public schools in Albay, with 12 beneficiaires; Camarines Norte, 5; Camarines Sur, 38; Catanduanes, 6; Masbate, 10; and Sorsogon, 13.

She related that each recipient school will be provided with 11 personal computers, one printer and a wireless broadband router.

“The recipient schools were identified by the Department of Education (DepEd) and were validated by DTI to determine the readiness of the schools,” Br\erango noted.

Berango furthered that the PCPS is a DTI’s initiative, which started in 2001 through a grant provided by the Government of Japan under its Non-Project Grant Assistance Counter-value Funds (DTI-5/NPGA-CVF).

The project is the agency’s response to the compelling challenges posed by the fast emerging Knowledge Economy, aiming to enhance the public high school students in information technology (IT) skills, as they are the country’s future knowledge workers.

Also, it promotes IT culture in Philippine classrooms as an avenue to develop students’ skills to be at par with global standards. DTI promotes the need to incorporate IT in the basic levels of education through the provision of computers in public high schools. (MAL/JEB, DTI V)

PNP warns public vs. power-saving gadgets

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 24 (PIA) -- Police authorities here has warned the public against distributors of alleged power-saving gadgets in the province.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial office here, an increasing number of reports against peddlers who introduce themselves as agents of gadgets and swindling customers has been noted recently.

Last week, Lyn Flor Soleybar, 39, informed the police that last May 25, four persons came to her shop with the two introducing themselves as Jean Magbanua and Wilson Huarde.

They said that they were agents of Mini Sun Marketing with office at Suite 408, FMSG Bldg., E. Rodriguez Ave., Cubao, Quezon City and that they were selling a gadget called "Newtech Power Factor Connector" which is intended to reduce electricity consumption.

The said peddlers convinced her to buy one at Php 8, 500 and paid a deposit of P400 but she could not contact them anymore when she called to refer them to other customers.

In Pandan town, Juan Manuel Noceda, 70 complained to the police early this month that on June 1, a group of peddlers on board a light blue L300 van arrived at his residence and introduced themselves as agents of Mini Sun. They convinced him to purchase one Power Factor at Php8,500 but he later found out that it was not working.

According to PNP, Mini Sun Marketing has been the target of complaints from those who bought the alleged power saver that reduces electricity consumption and prolongs the life of an equipment by 1.5 times. According to experts, no such device has been invented.

PNP has called the attention of the public to be more keen and observant in buying such things especially when it involves a certain amount of money. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

16 benefit from Band of Mercy surgical mission

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 24 (PIA) -- A total of 16 patients benefited from the surgical mission conducted by the Philippine Band of Mercy last June 10-11, 2011 held at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC).

The Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM) has taken on the mission of providing thousands of indigent Filipinos physically disfigured at birth, with opportunity to avail of medical help and support for reconstruction, rehabilitation and medical treatment.

According to Dr. Greg Macero, acting chief of EBMC, of the 16 accommodated patients, 11 were operated on for palate disorders while the remaining five were treated for lip disorders.

Macero added that the medicines and medical supplies were given free by the Phil. Band of Mercy which estimated its expense for the mission at over P1.1 million.

The provincial government paid for the airfare, shuttle bus and accommodation of the five-person team while EBMC provided pre-operative laboratory requirements, cost of hospitalization and meals for the team and EBMC operating room personnel.

Originally, the mission targeted 43 patients but was able to operate only 16 after its original schedule was disrupted by typhoon Chedeng. (EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Malacanang suspends work in government agencies in the National Capital Region

MANILA (PIA) -- Malacanang announced on Friday the suspension of work in government agencies in the National Capital Region due to tropical storm “Falcon.”

The announcement was made by Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, following the signing of Memorandum Circular No. 14 by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., declaring the suspension of work.

“We have received word from the Office of the Executive Secretary that Memorandum Circular No. 14 has been signed by Executive Secretary Ochoa suspending work in government agencies in the National Capital Region from 1p.m. (Friday) onwards except in those involved in essential health and emergency duties and delivery of basic services,” Valte said.

Typhoon Falcon caused flash floods in many areas in Metro Manila.

‘Have bigger dreams, aim for higher goals’ --- President Aquino

MANILA (PIA) --President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the Filipinos, especially the youth, to dream bigger and aim higher as he assured full support from the government that would bring them to greater heights.

In his speech during the launching of the Gawad Kalinga Center for Social Innovation (GKCSI) Social Entrepreneurship at the GK Enchanted Farm, Barangay Encanto, Angat, Bulacan on Friday, the President said his administration is pushing for more legislative measures that will help the underprivileged people to have a better quality and higher standard of living.

“Hinihikayat ko ang mga kababayan natin, lalo na ang mga kabataan, na taasan pa ang kanilang mga pangarap — pangarap na hindi nalilimitahan sa pagkakaroon lang ng trabaho paglaki nila; at sa pangarap na di hamak na mas mababa kaysa kaya talagang marating ng husay at talento ng mga Pilipino,” President Aquino said.

“Nandito ang ating administrasyon para tiyakin na sulit ang pagod ng masisipag na negosyante at hindi mababangkarote ang mga Pilipino. Gaya ng pagsuporta ng gobyerno sa social entrepreneurs na tutulong sa pag-asenso ng kanilang komunidad, sinusuportahan din ng ating administrasyon ang mga batas para sa pag-unlad ng maralita nating kababayan,” he added.

The Chief Executive said that gone are the days of hardships in securing permits and other necessary documents required in starting a business. He underscored the full support from the government that could help budding entrepreneurs to achieve and sustain progress in their ventures.

“Nang maupo tayo, agad nating nirepaso ang bulok na sistema. Pinabilis natin ang proseso; pinaikli ang kailangang kumpletuhin na dokumento, at hinikayat natin ang pamumuhunan sa ating bayan,” the Chief Executive said.

“Habang pinapalago ninyo ang punla ng inyong pagsisikap, makakaasa kayong nasa likod ninyo ang gobyerno: handang umalalay sa inyo anumang oras, at gagabayan kayo sa liwanag patungo sa magandang bukas,” he added.

Present during the event were cabinet officials led by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo. Also in attendance were local government executives that include Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Congresman JonJon Mendoza, Congresman Arthur Robes, Angat Mayor Gilberto Santos, and Gawad Kalinga Founder and Chairman Antonio Meloto.

The Gawad Kalinga CSI project is a business ecosystem development initiative that aims to build a culture of entrepreneurship in Filipino by engaging the GK network of supporters and partners and by leveraging on the GK community platform.

Its main business is to build socially-relevant and high impact business that will create conducive environments for business to thrive.

CSI started in Ateneo de Manila University’s school of management which was eventually followed in De La Salle University, University of the Philippines and other prominent learning institutions.

There were at least 50enterprises in its pioneer batch and aims to create 500 thousand social entrepreneurs in the near future.

Malacanang welcomes Fitch Ratings upgrade

MANILA (PIA) -- Malacanang welcomed the announcement by Fitch Ratings upgrading the country’s credit rating by just one notch away from its goal of investment grade.

“We welcome the announcement by Fitch Ratings that it has upgraded the rating of the Philippines from BB to BB+. This upgrade by Fitch comes after Standard and Poor’s November upgrade and the upgrade by Moody’s Investors Service in June,” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in his statement issued late Thursday.

“This is added recognition for the prudence, zero-based budgeting, and targeted spending efforts of the administration to achieve lasting and inclusive growth,” Lacierda said.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima said the Fitch upgrade is the 4th positive ratings action in the 11 months of the Aquino administration noting that it is unprecedented in Philippine history.

“We are now just one notch away from our goal of investment grade and we will strive to attain it at the soonest possible time,” Purisima said.

Purisima explained that the Aquino administration’s goal is to get an investment grade status that will further lure investments into the Philippines and lower its borrowing costs.

“This is another affirmation of President Aquino’s agenda and leadership, a concrete and objective vote of confidence that the Philippines is headed in the right direction,” Purisima continued.

The Finance Secretary said the Aquino administration will continue to push for more reforms that promote fiscal sustainability and translate this to inclusive growth toward the fulfillment of President Aquino’s Social Contract to the Filipino people.

Malacanang welcomed last June 15 the move of Moody’s Investors Service in upgrading the Philippines sovereign rating to Ba2 from Ba3 stable outlook saying that President Benigno S. Aquino III had successfully implemented its fiscal sustainability program.