DA, GK, ETC. TEAM-UP FOR BAYAN-ANIHAN PROJECT

CADLAN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR - to eradicate hunger among food deficient families in the country The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Gawad Kalinga (GK) harnessed the efforts and resources of GK communities, LGUs, schools and private sector and implement the Bayan-Anihan food sufficiency project to eradicate hunger among food deficient families in the country.

With this project poor families will be empowered to produce their own food for their own consumption.

The launching ceremony held March 28 in selected GK sites nationwide was highlighted by simultaneous planting dubbed as SaBAYANg PagtaTANIM. It was also the start of the first batch of 100 Bayan -Anihan sites in Luzon, 45 of which are in Bicol. The official launching in Bicol was held in F.T. Pagkamoot GK Village here.

DA Regional Executive Director Jose V. Dayao and GK national representative Melo Villaroman, Dr. Roman Bucad of the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College, Jeff Uy of Bayan-Anihan project management office, Allan Pato Project director of GK Cadlan and Isagani Betchayda of Shell Foundation led the launching. The local government of Pili was represented by councilor Augusto Cabañero.

Villaroman in his message underscored the five core values and pledges of Bayan-Anihan advocates which are : 1) Kaya kong magtanim (I can plant ) 2) Magsisikap ako kahit may bagyo man o may peste (I will continue planting despite the threats of typhoons and pests) ; 3) Gagalingan ko pa para sa aking pamilya (I”ll strive to do better for my family); 4) Magtutulungan tayo para sa Bayan-Anihan (We will help and support each other for the success of Bayan-Anihan” and ; 5) Aalagaan ko ang aking kalusugan at kapaligiran (I will take care of my health and protect and nurture our environment).

He explained that the project is expected to produce vegetables, fruits and other food crops and bring about valuable lessons, raise the dignity of the poor families and ultimately bring about the transformation of our country where there will be no more hunger and no more squatters.

Director Dayao explained that the DA will provide vegetable seeds and seedlings, fruit tree seedlings, weighing scales and organic fertilizers to participating families. Each vegetable-growing site or module will be at least 10 square meters for a family with adequate freshwater source and open pollinated seed varieties will be used to allow replanting of seeds from the produce. Types of vegetables to be planted are grouped according to a” recipe mix”, like pinakbet and sinigang.

CSSAC‘s role would be to train the participating families on proper and improved vegetable production practices.

The launching was capped by actual planting of the vegetable seedlings turned over by the DA to the first batch of 30 families in (that site) while shouting the battle cry and slogan: “Goodbye Gutom”, “Empower the Hungry”, “Eradicate Hunger”. (EBBordado, DA/PIA)


NEW CRIME LABORATORY FOR CATANDUANES

VIRAC, CATANDUANES — Crime prevention and anti-criminality campaigns of the Catanduanes Police Provincial Office got another boost following the activation of the crime laboratory at the Camp Francisco Camacho last month.

PNP Crime Laboratory director CSupt. Arturo G. Cacdac, who was here for the turn-over of the new facility, said the crime laboratory network forms part of the national operational support unit of the police which supports the anti-crime campaign in terms of Scene-Of-the-Crime Operation (SOCO), field work, laboratory examination, training and research.

Also during the turn-over ceremony Gov. Joseph C. Cua and Cong. Joseph A. Santiago of Catanduanes province and Cacdac signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) manifesting the cooperation and commitment of all agencies towards crime prevention and resolution.

Cacdac said “crime is a human aberration and it is bound to happen, whether we like it or not, and pointing out that 85 percent of the PNP’s effort is dedicated towards preventing and solving crimes.”

In 2006, he recalled, almost half of the country’s 81 provinces did not have crime laboratories, prompting him to propose a 5-year development plan dubbed "One Province, One Crime Lab" which has envisioned for each province to have its own crime lab by 2011.

“Since then, five crime laboratories were already built in 2007 and 2008, while in 2009, this (Catanduanes) facility is the third to be activated, after Davao Oriental and Antique,” he related.

Cacdac also said that Catanduanes province is the last in Bicol region to have its own crime laboratory, but it is the best he have seen so far in the region, adding that in some provinces, the facility is located outside the PNP headquarters due to lack of space.

He added that due inadequate funds, the police office has since sought assistance from local chief executives and legislators.

Santiago, meanwhile, related that he did not have any second thought when approached by Catanduanes Police Provincial Office director Francisco Peñaflor. Jr. and former Bicol Police Regional Office Crime Lab chief SSUpt. Lorli Arroyo proposing to set a crime laboratory in the province.

He further stated that the activation of the crime laboratory here will hasten the prosecution of cases and evidences will not be mishandled, so that once they have a conviction rate of 100%, they will send a signal to the community that means business in crime busting.

CInsp. Josephine Clemen, provincial officer and chemist of Catanduanes PPO, will head the crime laboratory unit, along with fingerprint examiner PO1 Paris Rock Lomatao and laboratory technicians PO1 Lennon Manlangit, PO1 Zarlyn Latosa and PO1 Evangeline Baitan. (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)


NURSES UNDER “NARS” PROGRAM DEPLOYED IN BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY — Some 555 registered nurses have already been dispatched since April 3 to 80 localities across the Bicol region under the Nurses Assigned to Rural Service (NARS) program, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here.

In a radio interview at the Ugnayan sa Bikol of PIA, Technical Service and Support Division chief Jose Banda of DOLE Bicol said the newly-hired nurses already underwent orientation on the training modules conducted by DOLE field offices in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon which commenced last April 1.

“The Provincial Training Teams (PTTs) composed of representatives from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), academe, the Provincial Health Officer, and Head of Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) have conducted the orientation activities,” he added.

The NARS Program is one of the job generation programs of the government, that prioritize registered nurses who remain unemployed and whose family member was displaced by the present global economic meltdown.

The newly-hired nurses are deployed at an average of 5 per town or city in the identified 3rd and 6th class municipalities and cities for a six-month tour of duty.

“While on training, hired nurses would be given a stipend of P8,000 per month, while DOLE Bicol has been lobbying to the local chief executives encouraging LGUs to provide additional incentives to the nurses assigned in their areas,” Banda related.

“The NARS program will be implemented in two batches, the first batch started April 3 while the second batch will be dispatched in October this year,” he added.

“Upon finishing the six-month contract, the hired nurses will be given a certificate of completion which can add to their qualifications if they intend to apply for work here or abroad, “ he bared.

He said that some P5.3 million have been allocated for the Bicol region for the NARS program.

The NARS program was launched by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last February as part of the government's efforts to generate jobs for the unemployed workers in line with the pump priming strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of the global financial crisis on the Filipino workforce. (MALoterte, PIA V)


DOH, NKTI INTENSIFY CAMPAIGN ON KIDNEY DISEASE PREVENTION

SORSOGON PROVINCE (April 1) – Renal or kidney diseases rank as the number 10 killer in the Philippines, causing death to about 7,000 Filipinos every year, according to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and the Department of Health (DOH)

By this alarming number, NKTI and DOH, along with the Philippine Society of Nephrology (PSN) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) have intensified the campaign on the prevention and control of kidney diseases by developing core group of trainers and advocates from Luzon to Mindanao that would serve as information multipliers in disseminating knowledge on the prevention, control and treatment of kidney diseases to the community particularly the grassroots.

Resource persons, who were at the same time the key implementers of the project and medical consultants from the NKTI, converged to batches of trainings the coordinators and advocates from the Center for Health and Development, Department of Education, PIA and other stakeholders from the different regions and provinces of the country on the Renal Disease Control Program (REDCOP).

The series of trainers’ trainings which were conducted last March provided the participants of the anatomy and physiology of human kidneys and their functions and the possible diseases that may eventually lead to kidneys disorders.

Among these diseases are diabetes, chronic glumerulonephritis (CGN), hypertension, kidney stones and Urinary Track Infection (UTI) which, if not detected earlier would lead to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Philippine Renal Disease Registry of DOH-NKTI-REDCOP statistics reveal that, at present, complications in the kidney from diabetes mellitus, CGN and hypertension are among the leading causes of ESRD.

CGN or swelling of small veins in the nephrons or “blood filters” used to be the most common cause of ESRD in the third world countries including the Philippines. It usually afflicts children, adolescents and young adults in their productive years. Children and young adults can escape detection for months or years, causing the condition to progress to a chronic stage.

According to Dr. Antonio Paraiso, NKTI nephrology consultant, these diseases are potentially preventable if diagnosed early in the course of illness.

“I also recommend a regular once a year urinalysis to detect the presence of such diseases, and development of healthy habits and practices in order to prevent having diseases in our kidneys,” he further stressed out.

Meanwhile, new REDCOP advocates and trainers are now deployed in their respective communities and areas of concern to implement their action plans which focus on empowering people so as to reduce the number of kidney disease patients and avoid the need for expensive ESRD treatments such as dialysis or kidney transplantation. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


CAMSUR WON GRAND SLAM IN SUBIC DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

CAMARINES SUR Province — Governor LRay Villafuerte was ecstatic upon learning that the Camarines Sur Dragon Boat (CSDB) team dominated anew the Dragon Boat Festival 2009 held in Olongapo City, Zambales last March 21-22, 2009.

CSDB notched the gold medals for men, women and mixed team events proving anew they are one of the toughest team in the country today in dragon boat racing.

The veteran men’s team, which is the defending champion in its category, the newly formed women team as well as the mixed team comprising the CSDB, had edged their all their opponents in the elimination rounds and were victorious in every event they competed until finally proclaimed winners in their respective categories.

The formidable CamSur team trounced the teams of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Navy (PN) and PDRT, its toughest rivals to the throne and would now probably have second thoughts of joining a similar race wherein the CamSur team is also participating.

The CamSur men’s team registered a clear victory when it cleared the 300 meter distance in the final round in 46.89 seconds, 1.14 seconds faster than the Navy Team’s 48.03 seconds clocking for the second place and 1.73 seconds better than the PDRT’s 48.62 seconds clocking for the third place.

Displaying the same might, the newly formed women and mixed teams dominated their events. The women team clocked 56.10 seconds, 1.15 and 3.15 seconds ahead than the PNP and PDRT, respectively.

CamSur mixed team, meanwhile, had a neck and neck contest with its rivals posting 0.91 seconds advantage over PDRT and 1.91 over the Philippine Navy team.

Villafuerte fervently believed that the Camarines Sur Dragon Boat team is a world class team which can compete with and already outclass even foreign teams who had been into these sports for a long time.

The sports-minded governor, who has already transformed his province into a world class watersports destination, further announced that the Provincial Government here has already made arrangements for its hosting of a similar major competition next month during the Kaogma Festival. (CRFernandez, Multi-Media Educ. Cen./PIA)

AQUINAS UNIVERSITY OF LEGAZPI CONFERS HONORARY DEGREE ON JUDGE IGLESIA

Aquinas University of Legazpi is set to confer Doctor of Laws, honoris causa on California Superior Court Judge Efren N. Iglesia, April 4, 2009, 2:00 p.m. at the AQ Dome of the University during the 61st Solemn Investiture.

He will be the 15th recipient of an honorary degree conferred by the University and the second to receive Doctor of Laws. Other notable previous recipients include former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin in 1985 and educator Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos in 1974.

Judge Iglesia spent three years as a Political Science student in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences in the 1970s. In his years with the College, he was an active student leader and was editor-in-chief of the University publication The Aquinian for three consecutive years. In 1970, he was honored as one of the Legazpi Rotary Club’s Ten Outstanding Young Students in recognition of his “fruitful youth leadership and meaningful involvement in community affairs.”

Amidst the political upheaval in the country, he abruptly left in 1971 to pursue his studies in the United States with the help of his foster family and other friends, having been in America Field Service Exchange student during his senior year in high school.

He eventually earned his Associate in Arts Degree in the same year at Reedley College in California. In 1972, the Fresno Pacific College granted him a Bachelor of Arts degree major in Social Science. In 1976, he graduated from the San Joaquin College of Law with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. He passed the California Bar Examination immediately after graduation from law school.

Judge Iglesia started his career as a criminal defense attorney with the law firm Gendron and Gendron (now defunct) in Madera, California from 1976 to 1979. After leaving the firm in 1979, he accepted a position with the Imperial County Counsel in El Centro, California, as a deputy counsel, eventually rising to become assistant country counsel. On August 20, 2007, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him to the Monterey Country Superior Court. He took his oath of office on August 29 and his formal investiture took place on September 17, 2007. His current assignment on the Monterey Country Superior Court bench is in Department 7, presiding over criminal cases.

Since his high school and college years in the Philippines, Judge Iglesia has exhibited a refreshing attitude for the upliftment of public welfare through his writing.

In the US, he occasionally shares his legal expertise by speaking in various Filipino organizations as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, San Francisco Chapter and the Filipino Bar of Northern California, among others.

The investiture Saturday will be attended by Angelita “Lite” Arroyo, Iglesia’s wife and best friend, who was also a former student of Aquinas University of Legazpi. (AUL Release/PIA)


PGMA LEADS 67TH ARAW NG KAGITINGAN COMMEMORATIVE RITES IN BATAAN

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Tuesday (April 7) the wreath-laying ceremonies at the foot of the towering white cross of the Dambana ng Kagitingan in tribute to the soldiers who died in Bataan and Corrigedor in World War II.

The occasion was the commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the Araw nga Kagitingan.

On hand to receive the President upon alighting from her vehicle at 10:30 a.m. were Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Alexander Yano and the AFP service commanders.

She was given full military honors, including a 21-gun salute, by elements of the Security and Escort Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) in Katipunan rayadillo attire.

Climbing the first flight of stairs leading up to the colonnade where the history of the Fall of Bataan is etched in marble, the President was met by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Defense Undersecretary for Veterans Affairs Ernesto Carolina.

The President laid a wreath of white blooms at the center of the colonnade which features three glass murals depicting the Filipino people.

Earlier, United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney and Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura laid wreaths at the colonnade.

After the invocation by Fr. Delbert Jardinaso, parish priest of St. Joseph Church in Balanga City, and the welcome remarks by Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia Jr., the President witnessed the tolling of the Dambana bell by WWII veteran Luis Siasat.

Together with Ambassador Kenney, the President then presented the framed Citation of Approval to the veterans who will be receiving their lump-sum grants under the newly-approved Filipino Veterans Equity Benefits of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The citation, which was signed by Ambassador Kenney, was received by two WWII veterans, Colonel Estrada and General Pestana.

In brief remarks, Ambassador Katsura expressed his “greatest tribute to all those who fought and fell, and my heart-felt apology and great sense of remorse over the damages caused by the Japanese… in the cities during WW II, including the tragic Bataan Death March.”

For her part, Ambassador Kenney paid tribute to the “beloved veterans, who, 67 years ago, stood up for the future of the Philippines and the people of other nations.”

After the ceremonies here, the President flew to the campus of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) in Mariveles to
inaugurate the new P1-billion facility of the academy which features a fully-equipped and self-sustained academic building, a mess hall and dormitory that can accommodate up to 1,000 midshipmen or cadets.

The facility, whose cornerstone was laid by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in Jan. 2008, also features a $5-miilion Full-Mission Navigational Bridge Simulator with a 360-degree field of vision on a motion platform – the only one of its kind in the Far East. (PIA V Release)


PGMA ORDERS PROBE OF RECENT OIL PRICE HIKES

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has instructed the Department of Energy (DoE) to investigate whether or not the recent oil price increases were justifiable, Malacañang said.

If the DoE finds no justifiable reason for the oil companies to increase pump prices, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Department of Justice (DoJ) will determine whether or not charges will be pursued against the oil firms.

“Pinapa-examine ng pangulo sa DoE, kung ano ang rason na nagtaas ng presyo ng gasoline [The President asked the DoE to examine of there is reason to increase fuel prices],” Remonde told radio station dzMM.

“If the DoE finds out that the adjustments are unreasonable, then it will study possible actions that can be undertaken under the oil deregulation law,” he said.

Remonde said the President directed Secretary Secretary Angelo Reyes to ask oil
firms to explain why they were raising pump prices, when there were no
similar price adjustments in the world market.

The President told Reyes to finish his inquiry “as soon as possible,” Remonde said.

On Sunday evening, oil firms raised gasoline prices by P0.50 per liter and diesel prices by P1.00 per liter, just days after they raised gasoline prices by P1.00 per liter and diesel prices by P1.50 per liter. (PIA V Release)


PALACE LEAVES FARE ISSUE TO LTFRB

MANILA — Malacanang said the clamor for the restoration of the P7.50 minimum rate is better left to the Land Transport Franchise Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to decides.

The LTFRB is the proper forum for ventilating this issue, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in an interview.

He reiterated the government’s position that the oil companies must explain why they keep raising their fuel prices, Remonde said that "if the oil companies fail to explain the issue to the satisfaction of the Department of Energy and the public, then the DOE must look into the increases and investigate the books of the oil companies."

"If the DoE finds any possible violation of any existing rules and regulation then DOE will coordinate with the Department of Justice for the possible filing of appropriate charges against the oil companies, if they are found to be violating any laws under the current deregulated regime," Remonde said.

On the snail's pace of investigation by DOE, Remonde said "we must ask DOE to explain that. But we are confident that Secretary Angelo Reyes can explain the results of their inspection, investigations that the department has done so far."

He said there is no fixed timetable for DOE to submit its findings. "Of course, it is expected that DOE will do this at an acceptable period of time," Remonde added. (PIA V Release)


PGMA FLIES TO THAILAND FRIDAY FOR ASEAN SUMMIT;
MIDDLE EAST FOR MORE JOBS FOR FILIPINO WORKERS

MANILA — Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is flying to Thailand on Good Friday (April 10) to attend the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders’ summit on April 10-12 in Pattaya City.

After the Thailand summit, she will proceed to Dubai for an overnight stay to meet with Filipino workers and discuss with Arab companies employment opportunities for Filipino workers in the oil-rich Middle East country.

Dubai is the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. Between 280,000 and 450,000 Filipinos work in the UAE.

In an interview with Radyo ng Bayan, Remonde said the ASEAN leaders meeting, to be attended by heads of state of the 10 member nations, will tackle the regional bloc’s response to the global financial crisis, similar to the G20 initiative this past week in London.

The ASEAN member-countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

As in previous ASEAN summits, there will be a lot of bilateral meetings, Remonde added.

The President will ask Dubai and Saudi Arabian companies in the UAE, which have not been affected by the current global financial crunch, to hire more Filipino workers.

“Since I will be with the President, I will give periodic reports on her foreign travels,” Remonde said. (PIA V Release)



Good Friday Message of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
“CHRIST’S DEATH: THE GENEROSITY OF GOD’S LOVE FOR US”

Today, Good Friday, with the rest of the Church and Christendom, we commemorate the Passion of our Lord – His descent unto death only to rise again, to gain for us the hop of eternal life.

Truly, the generosity of God the Father knows no bounds. As St. John reminds us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish but have everlasting life.

We who are God’s children must also dare to love and care for each other. We do this not in expectation of reward – although this too is promised to us – but in obedience to His Great Commandment and order to show our gratitude and add our own meaning to the sacrifice of He who died on the Cross for us.

And when Jesus asks us, “Who do you say that I am?” we raise our hearts in reverent answer “You are the Lord our God, come to redeem the world through your sacrifice on the Cross.”