PIA-CamSur, DWRB joins CNEX forum

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA City, June 17 (PIA) -- Bringing information just within reach, the Philippine Information Ageny (PIA) Central Office in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the National Broadcasting Network (NBN) has chosen the province of Camarines Sur as one of its local remote points during today’s Communications And News Exchange (CNEX) forum.

Invited to partake of the live discussion is DWRB Acting Broadcast Production Supervisor Jane Betito, Bicol Broadcasting System – DWLV (BBS-DWLV) News Director Edwin Lara and Barangay Captain Wilfredo Endionela, President of TAO-KALIKASAN Foundation of the Philippines from Labo, Camarines Norte.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje Jr., Department of Agriculture Secretary Virgilio Delos Reyes and Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat served as the forum’s guests to answer queries from various remote points in the country, including Pampanga, Iloilo, Caraga, Metro Manila and Naga City .

Participating sectors here focused their inquiries on the environment issues, particularly the National Greening Program being pushed by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

Answering the queries of Dionela on how the program can help uplift their economy, Sec. Paje emphasized that the President’s marching order is for their agency to lead a massive greening program aimed at reducing poverty in the countryside. The program, Paje also added is not only directed at addressing the climate change issues but also to ensure food security in the community while pushing for biodiversity conservation.

Lara, representing the media sector here, also raised his questions on the mining ban being imposed by the Aquino administration. Paje said they are now strictly implementing the “use it or lose it” policy as part of the government’s cleansing effort to dissuade the increase of what they call “mining speculators.”

“The President’s order is clear, protect the real miners and remove the mining speculators from the industry. The very purpose of mining is to generate livelihood and better lives for the community but certainly without sacrificing our environment. Right now we have already cancelled the permit of some 1,148 mining applicants. This is a move to encourage real mining investors,” Paje added.

Paje also accentuated the administration’s initiative to grow 1.5 billion trees in a span of 6 years as stipulated under Executive Order 26.

“Our task is not only to plant trees but also to ensure that they will be properly nurtured. Here, our stakeholders, particularly the community members can help us a lot to achieve this goal. In fact, we are now focusing on the survival rate of these seedlings.”

Also present during the forum is the newly installed Camarines Sur Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Luis Loyola together with Naga CENRO, Mr. Oca Orosco.

CNEX is a weekly forum being initiated by various government media entities under the PCOO, particularly by the Philippine Information Agency to serve as a venue where various government agencies can explain their platforms and be given an opportunity to inform their stakeholders of their respective programs. (PIA Camarines Sur)

P.5m reward money for Olea's assailants ID

by Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, June 17 (PIA) -- Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte pledged yesterday morning in a radio interview that he is willing to shell out Php500,000.00 as reward money to anybody who can give an information to the assailants of slain broadcaster Romeo Olea.

Romeo Olea, said to be a hard hitting commentator was fatally gunned down by still unidentified men in front of Holy Child Learning Center at San Jose, Iriga City last Monday.

Villafuerte has strongly condemned the act of killing and asked the police for the speedy resolution of the case.

He said that this is a clear suppression of the freedom of the press in a democratic country.

Olea’s killing has also brought together three (3) Bicolano top officials, all calling for swift justice to be served.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jess Robredo, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima, who is also a native of Iriga City and Violence Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez, all have but one determination: to bring the perpetrators behind bars.

Robredo visited the wake of Olea yesterday at San Miguel Iriga City Chapel and personally extended his condolences to the bereaved family of Olea. Olea left his widow, Racquel and their two (2) sons.

Meanwhile, newly installed Camarines Sur Philippine National Police (PNP) Director S/Supt. Procopio Lipana said that are already considering several angles or motives behind the killing but refused to divulge further information until they have concrete evidences to back up their claim.

Lipana was also asked to spearhead the investigation under the newly created Task Force Olea upon the orders of PNP Regional Director Cecilio Calleja

Local authorities are also verifying an alleged Police Intelligence Report that two (2) other media men were among the names listed under the Order of Battle.

Camarines Sur Kapisanan ng mga Broadkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) Chairman Emman Llagas has also called on the members of the press to be specially vigilant and ensure that they are strictly following the Code of Ethics. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

DOST inaugurates its new science and technology building

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology(DOST)here in Catanduanes inaugurated its new Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) today, June 17, 2011, 09:00 a.m at Catanduanes State Colleges Compound, Virac, Catanduanes.

The construction of the new DOST office at CSC compound was made possible thru a Memorandum of Agreement between DOST, Regional Office No. V represented by Mr. Tomas B. Briñas, Regional Director and CSC represented by Dr. Asuncion V. Astere, President of the College.

DOST provided the funds to construct the office building for the use, operation and administration of DOST V Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST-PSTO) for Catanduanes.

On the other hand, CSC, the owner of the parcel of vacant lot with an area of 250 sq. m. situated along Moonwalk Road, Virac allowed to lease the cited lot, gratis et amore to DOST V.

According to the MOA signed by both parties, CSC shall grant the right to administer the land and the infrastracture established to DOST V for a period of 25 years while DOST shall provide the necessary security for the protection of its building, sturcture, and surrounding premises and shall make provisions for internet services and other related facilties that may be used by the College's faculty and students for research purposes.

It shall also establish mutual collaboration eith the Catanduanes State Colleges through their technology transfer, and research, extension and production programs, respectively, in an effort to serve the clients better. It's also responsible for all the bills for water, power and other utilities incurred in the operation of the building.

After the expiration of the MOA, all constructions and improvements within the aforesaid lot/area shall be turned over to CSC and that CSC shall henceforth be considered its owner and a new MOA should be entered into accordingly.

Present during the inauguration were Governor Joseph C. CUa, Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento, CSC President Dr. Asuncion V. Asetre, DOST Regional Director Mr. Tomas B. Briñas and other invited guests. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Public presentation of applicants for CSC President set

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 17 (PIA) -- The Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) will hold a public presentation of the applicants for CSC President on June 22, 2011, 2:00 p.m. at CSC Gymnasium.

The presentation will be conducted in line with the search for CSC's outgoing president Dr. Asuncion V. Asetre's, successor. Dr. Asetre's term will end this July 7, 2011.

The following are the five applicants for the position: Dr. Aida A. Dianella, Dr. Magno S. Conag Jr., Dr. Minerva I. Morales, Dr. Jimmy Masagca and Dr. Rogelio A. Tablizo.

The past and present Presidents of the Catanduanes State Colleges are as follows: Mr. Pedro G. Tabuzo, (1971 to 1972); Dr. Jacinto A. Medallada, (1972 to 1986); Dr. Rodolfo V. Azanza, (1986 to 1990); Dr. Ernestina P. Averilla (OIC 1990 to 1992); Dr. Adolfo S. Bagadiong, (1993 to 2003) and Dr. Asuncion V. Asetre, 2003 to present.

A panel interview of the applicants will be held on June 23. Ratings will be consolidated on June 24 and endorsement to the board will be held on June 27, 2011.

CSC's Board of Trustees will confirm the next president. (MAL/EAB, PIACatanduanes)

Malacanang assures public of safety, says intelligence report of possible terror attack in Metro Manila was raw and unconfirmed

MANILA (PIA) -- Malacanang assured the safety of the public, saying the intelligence reports indicating a possible terrorist plot in Manila was raw and unconfirmed.

“The intelligence report indicating possible terror activity on June 12 was raw and unconfirmed, and is just one of many such reports received by the government on a regular basis,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement issued on Friday at Malacanang.

Philippine authorities earlier validated intelligence reports that a top Asian terror suspect and the notorious Abu Sayyaf extremist group have sent militants to bomb targets in Manila, supposedly on June 12 when the country celebrated its 113th Independence Day. The intelligence reports turned out to be unsubstantiated and no terror attack occurred.

“Be that as it may, our intelligence and law enforcement community has taken measures to validate these reports, preferring to err on the side of caution, he stressed.”

“As such, the current heightened alert in Metro Manila is a preventive measure more than anything else, put in place to monitor the situation so that potential danger to the people might be deterred,” Lacierda said adding that the safety of our citizens remains among the foremost concerns of the government.

Meanwhile, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters that the public has no reason to worry as security measures are now in place.

While the public is advised to remain vigilant and careful, Valte said: “Lagi po naman naming sinasabi na dapat po patuloy po ang ating pag-iingat, but again let us not let such unconfirmed reports get in the way of our daily activities.”

She said the law enforcement agencies are continuously monitoring and validating reports on possible attacks and taking steps to assure the safety of the public. “As a matter of prudence, these reports are always being validated. At this point, the public has nothing to worry,” she told reporters during the regular news briefing on Friday at Malacanang.

Malacanang orders DSWD and LGU’s to help victims of calamities in Mindanao

MANILA (PIA) -- Malacanang on Friday ordered all regional offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units to provide assistance to thousands victims of calamities in Mindanao.

In a press briefing on Friday at Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) is at the forefront in maximizing all assets and manpower of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in the evacuation efforts of the affected families.

As of press time, Valte said, the Philippine Navy, Philippine Marines, Philippine army and the PNP are currently conducting forced evacuation in the flooded areas.

“The regional offices of the DSWD and the local government units have already started delivering relief to the affected families and we are continuing to monitor the situation. Nakarating na po ang tulong natin doon sa mga apektadong lugar,” Valte said.

The NDRRMC on Wednesday night pegged the number of persons affected by the flooding in nine Mindanao provinces to more than 600,000. About 12,000 of these individuals have been forced to leave their homes due to the steady rise of floodwaters.

The rains, caused by a low pressure area off eastern Mindanao, directly hit provinces of Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

Aquino receives Nestle officials in Malacanang

MANILA (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday welcomed in Malacanang visiting two officials of Nestle S.A., one of the leading food and beverage giant in the country, who called on him as part of their routine visit in the Philippines.

The officials who were met by the President at the Yellow Room of the Presidential Guest House were Paul Bulcke, CEO of Nestle S.A. of Switzerland and Fritz Van Dijk, Nestle S.A. executive vice president for Asia, Oceania. Africa and the Middle East.

They were accompanied by John Martin Miller, chair and CEO Nestle Philippines and Edith De Leon, Nestle Philippines senior vice president and head of corporate affairs.

Also present were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, DOLE acting Secretary Danilo Cruz and DTI Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio.

During the call, Bulcke informed the President of the forthcoming completion of the P5 billion facilities of Nestle Philippines in Tanauan, Batangas to complement their non-dairy coffee creamer manufacturing plant. He hopes that the new facilities on its 27-hectare property would to completed in March next year.

He said once completed, the Tanauan manufacturing plant will generate job opportunities to hundreds up to thousands of individuals.

Currently, Nestle Philippines has P100 billion total investments in the country and employs some 3,300 workers in their factories nationwide.

Malacanang welcomes decision of regional trial court dismissing a petition filed against APO

MANILA (PIA) -- Malacanang welcomed the decision issued by a regional trial court dismissing a petition filed against a government-recognized printing company noting that the ruling allows printing works to continue unhampered.

Judge Evangeline C. Castillo-Marigo-men of Branch 101, Regional Trial Court in Quezon City dismissed the petition filed by a certain Richard Oderon on June 15 asking the court to halt the operations of APO Production Unit (APO)

The judge has thrown out the petition for a temporary restraining order against the APO after she found the petition baseless and without merit.

In a statement, Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the ruling favors the government because printing works could continue.

“We are pleased that the court did not give due course to the petition as this would have hampered APO’s operations as a recognized government printer serving the needs of the national government and local government units,” Coloma said.

APO and National Printing Office (NPO) are both attached agencies of the PCOO.

Coloma said that in the recently enacted GOCC Governance Act, APO Production Unit Inc. was recognized as a “government entity with corporate powers.”

Oderon, an employee of NPO, who represented himself as a taxpayer and not as an NPO employee in filing the petition, claimed that the continuing operation of APO puts Filipino taxpayers at the losing end. APO prints security and accountable forms for government.

A smear campaign, allegedly financed by a consortium of private printers and big paper suppliers of the NPO, was reportedly launched against APO. These consortium and suppliers were hurt by the reforms being carried out by the Aquino administration.

NPO has been outsourcing its printing needs for years because of the lack of machines capable of printing government forms.