CONSTRUCTION OF IRRIGATION PROJECT TO START SOON – PGMA

NAGA CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced here on Monday (April 20) that the construction of the multi-million peso Libmanan-Cabusao irrigation project will start soon after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) for the project.

The President made the announcement during the one-on-one interview she had with Ms. Sonia Leaño at the University of Nueva Caceres here on Monday.

The President said that the bidding for the P700 million irrigation dam that will irrigate more than 1,183 hectares of rice land in the towns of Libmanan and Cabusao in the first district of Camarines Sur will be conducted next month.

She said aside from the irrigation dam some P300 million worth of distribution canals will be constructed bringing the total cost of the project to more than P1 billion.

The project is under the multi-billion Bicol River Basin Water Management Program covering the two provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur which includes the construction of roads, flood control structures and reforestation projects aside from the irrigation facilities.

She said that when completed the palay production in the province of Camarines Sur will surely rise bringing more income to our farmers.

President Arroyo graced the opening of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games held in this City. (EAdeLeon, PIA V)


TOURISM-RELATED JOBS FOR BICOLANOS

NAGA CITY—President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who graced the formal opening of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games 2009 here, said that the government has lined-up tourism development projects in Bicol that will provide opportunities for employment to Bicolanos, who have lost their jobs locally and abroad in the wake of the global economic meltdown,.

In a one-on-one interview with Ms. Sonia Osorio Leano at the University of Nueva Caceres on April 20, the President said “with the development of Bicol region as a tourist destination, grassroots entrepreneurship, eco-tourism jobs will be available.”

The majestic Mayon Volcano, whale sharks, pristine and white fine sand beaches, caves, and other natural wonders, world-class extreme watersports are among Bicol’s leading tourist attraction.

“We are doing everything we can to support our workers during these challenging times and the Comprehensive Livelihood and Employment Program (CLEEP) is one of these programs,” the President said.

She pointed out that during the onset of the global crisis, the government directed all government agencies to allocate and utilize 1.5 percent of their operating expenses to hire workers under the CLEEP.

Since then, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the local government units are taking the lead in the implementation of the CLEEP that has benefited displaced worker and unemployed with already some very positive results

President Arroyo has also directed Cabinet officials to closely monitor the implementation of the government’s emergency employment program particularly in Region IV and Bicol to immediately provide employment to workers affected by the global economic slump. (MALoterte, PIA V)


ENVIRO-CARE EVENTS HIGHLIGHT EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS

LEGAZPI CITY – As part of the observance for the 39th Earth Day celebration, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Bicol staged several special events to emphasize strong public involvement on environmental protection towards sustainable development.

True to its commitment to the Earth Day Green Generation Campaign – as a day of action and civic participation, to defend its core principle – the Bureau spearheaded a Recyclable Fair which highlighted the exhibition of recycled products made from waste materials displayed on April 21-25 at Landco Pacific Mall here.

The event was participated in by entrepreneurs coming from the different provinces of the region who will also showcase their eco-products out of disposed materials during the fair.

Dir. Gilbert Gonzales, EMB Bicol regional director, said “the Earth Day Recyclable Fair aims to promote environmental awareness and the significance of recycling practice by becoming more creative through making useful products out of trash materials.

“In this noble way, we start to educate people to create a community of responsible individuals towards caring of the environment,” he said.

The bureau, meanwhile, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Legazpi Central (Rotaract), also launched the Enviro-Warriors, an organization of enlisted volunteers, private citizens and other civic-minded individuals that will help DENR in the carrying out environmental projects and programs in the Bicol region.

“Its specific objectives are preparation and publication of environmental manifesto, raising the level of awareness of the public to their participatory role in the implementation of government programs on environment through volunteerism, and living up to the Filipino’s spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ in clean-up drive, tree planting, among others,” said Ma. Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez, president of Rotaract. (DENR-EMB V/PIA)


CAMSUR DRAGON BOAT TEAM SCORES ANOTHER GRAND SLAM

PILI, Camarines Sur — The CamSur Dragon Boat Team proved once again its world-caliber supremacy by bagging the championship trophies in the two events up for grabs in the Manila Ocean Park Race held last April 19.

The grand slam win was the second this year for the CamSur Team which is continually supported by Governor LRay Villafuerte since the time the provincial chief executive assumed the reins of the provincial government.

The province’s team also achieved a grand slam in the Dragon Boat Festival held in Olongapo City just last March 22 by capturing the gold medals for Men, Women and Mixed Teams.

In the Manila Ocean Park Dragon Boat race, the CamSur team won the championship in the Men’s Final by beating the Philippine Navy Team, which settled for the first runner up honors.

CamSur was a run away winner in the Mixed team beating the De La Salle University team (DLSU) by 2.94 seconds to romp home with the second championship in the Manila race.

The CamSur Team has been a consistent winner in the dragon boat race whether held in the waters of the Philippines or in other parts of the world.

Meanwhile, Governor Villafuerte has announced that the province is hosting the Dragon Boat Festival on May 8 to 10 to be held at the classy Lago Del Ray at the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC). (SNieves, Cam. Sur Multi-media Educ. System)


DMCI POWER PLANT SWITCHES FROM COAL TO DIESEL

Masbate Province – An official of David M. Consunji Holdings, Inc. (DMCI) announced the power company had decided to shelve the coal-fired power plant project in barangay Tugbo following the threats of successive protest rallies to those opposed to the project.

DMCI official in charge Nolasco Pasion said that the company has decided to replace its proposed coal operations with diesel–fed power plant, that has won acceptance among Masbateños,

The switch was announced immediately after the creation by the Masbate City government, led by Mayor Socrates M. Tuason, and the Catholic Church, headed by Bishop Joel Z. Baylon, of a task force to monitor the company’s coal operations.

The task force will check the potential carbon dioxide and mercury emissions from the ash byproducts of the coal plant.

Pasion told provincial government officials here that construction of diesel-fed plant on the same site in Tugbo is already in progress and that DMCI aims to start generating power by next June.

The DMCI official said the company will operate the diesel-fed plant for at least three to five after which it will resume the coal plant project.

He said DMCI Power, the DMCI subsidiary that is undertaking the power plant, will rework its commitment to provide coal-fired power to Masbate Electric Cooperative (MASELCO) to conform to diesel-fed power plant.

Energy officials and DMCI Power have claimed that a coal plant is the most viable source of additional power supply in Masbate because of the lack of sources or renewable energy.

MASELCO is depending on the National Power Corp.’s diesel-fed power plant that produces up to eight megawatts only, or less than the power need of Masbate mainland’s 14 towns and one city.

Citing recent studies that exposed the toxic emission from coal-fired power plants which are potential hazards to his marine life conservation program in the municipal waters of the city, the mayor questioned claims that the proposed coal plant is safe to human health and the environment. This triggered successive rallies by militant groups, branding the coal plant a toxic polluter and climate killer. (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)

DENR V PROBES DEATH IN MASBATE MINING OPERATIONS

LEGAZPI CITY— A joint investigating team composed of technical personnel from the Bicol regional offices of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has investigated the death of two persons in sitio Gintong Araw, barangay Panique in Aroroy, Masbate.

Media reports as well as complaints from the next of kin of the victims prompted the DENR bureaus to investigate the death of siblings Romely and Ronalyn Danao, whose mother claimed that the source of potable water has become polluted caused by the operations of the Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC).

The investigating team conducted water sampling at source as well as four other sources of potable water in barangays Capsay and Panique last March 19.

Personnel of the EMB and the DOH Bicol Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Water analyzed the water samples and showed presence of E-coli bacteria.

Reports released last March 23 showed findings of the Aroroy municipal health office pointed out cardio respiratory arrest secondary to acute gastroenteritis with severe dehydration caused the death of the siblings.

Dr. Marilou A. Hernandez, Arorory municipal health officer, certified that the Danao sisters died last February 24, 2009 of severe dehydration secondary to diarrhea caused by drinking water contaminated with Fecal Coli form or E-Coli.

Dr. William Ecalnir of the Aroroy District Hospital, who was also interviewed by the investigating team, said the bacteria contaminated the water source and poor hygiene usually caused gastroenteritis, parasitism, infectious diarrhea leading to loose bowel movement and dehydration.

Ecalnir also said diarrhea and gastroenteritis are the most common illnesses attended to and treated in the district hospital.

Reports of the investigating team noted that the mother of the victims related her deceased children had diarrhea and were vomiting for almost three days after drinking water from the shallow well and were not given immediate medical treatment due to financial difficulties of the family.

Romelyn and Ronalyn’s death could have been avoided if they were immediately brought to the hospital for treatment, stated the report. (DENR-MGB V/PIA)


WTF NAMES RP AS ASIA’s MOST WELL-LIKED TRAVEL DESTINATION

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed elation over the accolade heaped on the Philippines as the most popular and well-liked travel destination in Asia in this year’s World Travel Fair held in Shanghai, China.

The citation for the Philippines was made after a public vote and an evaluation process by professional jurors from the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration and the VNU Exhibitors Europe.

“In spite of the global financial crisis, things continue going our way,” the President said as she cited some very encouraging developments that have raised the Filipinos’ optimism about the future of the country.

These recent developments, she said, include the continued decline in self-rated poverty and the downward trend in poverty incidence as attested by the latest SWS surveys; the gains in the fight against graft and corruption as shown by the results of the PERC surveys which brought the Philippines from number one to number six; the stable outlook for the Philippine economy as expressed by Moody’s; and the hopeful business community outlook as evaluated by the well-respected Grant Thornton consulting firm.

“This unprecedented accolade given by the WTF is another special feather in our cap that places us over and above other tourism sites in the region, perhaps in the rest of the world,” the President said.

President Arroyo noted that the country’s competitive tour pricing, remarkable progress in transportation and tourism facilities, and the Filipinos’ innate friendliness and hospitality are some of the major factors that made the Philippines a most desired tourist destination and a haven for tourism investment.

“It is payback time for our efforts at creating a most inviting tourism industry and a resilient economy,” she added.

The Philippines is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in China’s outbound travel industry, recording a 74-percent month-on-month growth rate in visa issuances for February this year.

Chinese travelers rank the country’s beaches and heritage sites high, as proven by the various recognitions they have awarded to the Philippines’ tourist spots. (PIA V Release)


IMF FORECAST OF RP ZERO GROWTH IS NEGATED BY CURRENT REALITIES

MANILA — Malacañang disputed the forecast of zero growth of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) saying the projection is negated by current realities like increased remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in February, more job deployments overseas and adjustments in the budgetary deficit to pump prime the economy.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) based its projections on assumptions of a zero growth on a) remittances by overseas Filipino workers declining by 7.5 percent; b) exports dropping by 20 percent and c) imports would drop by 18 percent.

He said these projections are “well below the estimates of a flat growth because February numbers showed a 4.9 percent growth in OFW remittances, so, that alone would negate what the IMF projected.”

Second, there is a continuing deployment of OFWs, which means that OFW remittances will further increase, he said.

Golez said the original budgetary deficit target of P177 billion was revised upward to P199 billion and this will contribute largely to stimulate the economy. This means, he explained, that the government foresees a favorable growth situation.

Additionally every campaign season perks up the economy and “we are headed for a campaign season.”

The economic resiliency package (ERP) being implemented by the government to help the country weather the current global economic crisis has been noticed by the IMF itself when it said that the “Philippines is in a good position to weather the storm due to its strong fiscal track record.” “So in the middle of a crisis we are in a better position,” Golez said.

The IMF’s projection is way below the World Bank projection of 1.9 percent growth and the Asian Development Bank’s 2.5 percent, Golez said. (PIA V Release)


ASIAN REGION BEST SUITED TO WEATHER THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC STORM — PGMA

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo batted for an Asian Economic Community (AEC) to bolster the region’s economy, security and prosperity amid the global financial crisis.

In her address Thursday (April 23) before the 28th general assembly of the Asian and Oceanian Stock Exchanges Federation (AOSEF) at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort in Cebu, the President said that the Asian region is “best suited to weather the global crisis and come out the strongest compared with other regions.”

The AOSEF is holding a four-day general assembly at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort here.

In her speech, the President welcomed the chairmen and presidents of 17 stock exchanges in the region as she noted that the general assembly now being held in the country is a “fitting homecoming for the federation which was organized in the Philippines in 1990 in order to promote closer ties among the stock exchanges in the East Asian and Oceanian region.”

“It is a good idea that we should put together the economic and financial activities of Asia and Oceania,” the President stressed.

“In fact, I have been advocating that we should push for an Asian Economic Community including the Middle East, Central and South and East Asia, Russian and Oceania to maximize growth and trade and investments and financial stability in the Asian region,” she said.

The President noted that this is the first time in its history that the AOSEF is welcomed by the head of state of the nation hosting a “very important general assembly.”

“Welcome to the Philippines and I understand that it is the first time that a head of state welcomes you to a conference so I am very glad that we showed you how important the capital market is to our country and to the region,” the President told the leaders of the stock exchanges in the region.

Attending the four-day general assembly are the Australian Securities Exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Korea Exchange, Taiwan Stock Exchange, Indonesia Stock Exchange, Bursa Malaysia, The Stock Exchange of Thailand, Shanghai Stock Exchange;

Mongolian Stock Exchange, Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, Shenzen Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, National Stock Exchange of India, Bombay Stock Exchange, Osaka Securities Exchange, Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation and the Bursa Malaysia Berhad.

“It is not a question of whether a larger fund of a regional body is necessary. The question is, rather, will we be stronger with a more united region?

“And the answer should be: ‘An Asian community including Oceania will strengthen our regional economy, our security, and our prosperity.”

The President was welcomed to the AOSEF general assembly by Goban Arasu, chairman of the AOSEF Working Committee and head of Global Markets and Strategy of Bursa Malaysia, together with the officers of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), namely PSE chair Jose Vitug and PSE president and chief operating officer Francisco Ed Lim.

The PSE is hosting this year’s general assembly.

The AOSEF said the General Assembly is its “supreme decision-making body.” (PIA V Release)


HUDCC WARNS PUBLIC OF LAND SCAMS

MANILA — Estafadores and professional squatters are back from the grave.
Housing authorities warned the public Thursday (April 23) about groups selling properties with fake titles.

Vice President and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Noli De Castro clarified that documents such as Titulo de Proprieda (4136) or Original Certificate of Title (OCT) 01-4 are no longer used in land registration.

The Vice President revealed that some of these groups are requiring their target victims to join associations before they can buy properties under prices lower than current market values.

Reports say the lands being offered by land scam syndicates are located in Metro Manila and surrounding areas. (PIA V Release)


PALACE WILL RESPECT CA’s RULING ACQUITTING SMITH

MANILA — Malacanang accepted the Court of Appeals ruling that overturned a lower court's decision convicting a US marine for raping a woman in Subic Bay Freeport in 2005.
“We will respect its verdict,” said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

Associate Justice Monina Arevalo- Zena of the Special 11th Division ordered Thursday the immediate release of US Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith after the CA found no evidence to prove that he used force, threat and intimidation to force himself into the victim, Suzette Nicolas, also known as Nicole.

“What we see was the spontaneous , unplanned romantic episode with both parties carried away by their passions and stirred up by the urgency of the moment caused probably by alcoholic drinks, " the CA ruling said in a document that is 71 pages long.

In March 22, Nicole has withdrawn her complaint because she had doubts whether the rape took place or not.

She left for the Unites States while Smith is under custody of the US Embassy in Manila. (PIA V Release)