RP-US BALIKATAN HUMANITARIAN MISSION IN BICOL ENDS

ALBAY Province — United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney, during her visit here Tuesday (April 28), promised that humanitarian missions will continue as component of the Balikatan Exercises, with the US-RP military counterparts building roads, school buildings, providing free medical services and other humanitarian projects for the Filipino people.

“I am very impressed by the progress of the US-RP Balikatan humanitarian mission here and in the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate,” Kenney said in a media interview following the inauguration and turn-over of humanitarian-assisted projects in Pio Duran town here.

Kenney, along with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Albay Governor Joey Salceda, graced the inauguration of the 3 km. road built by the RP and the US military engineers as part of the Balikatan 2009 humanitarian projects, in Pioduran town.

The US Ambassador also visited Malipo Elementary School in neighboring Guinobatan town joining the RP and the US military contingents and local government medical personnel providing free medical services to local residents. She also proceeded to Guinobatan East Central School, where she also observed a Summer Camp for Young Emergency Response Team, sponsored by the USAID and run by Save the Children.
“I am very pleased to see the US and the Philippines work together, not just our military forces. We just came from a medical mission… we have civilian doctors, community volunteers, people from the congress and staff helping out. It is wonderful to see us coming together to give, maybe the greatest gift you can give, the gift of health to the people who are in need,” she said.

Kenny said that with or without the Balikatan humanitarian mission, US will remain a friend and a partner here, recalling on July 4 some years ago the USS Pelleliu was here in Albay and the marines providing free medical care to the locals… And we will continue to do that.

“Balikatan exercises, particularly the humanitarian aspect, provide us great opportunity to work together with our Philippine counterpart, with civilians like myself and the military, to really improve people’s lives whether building of roads, school buildings or medical care,” she related.

Teodoro, meanwhile, has maintained that this year's joint RP-US Balikatan Exercises mark the "robust, resilient and responsive" bilateral partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

He said that thousands of people benefit from the Balikatan Exercises, such as building of roads, school buildings, free medical services, among many other humanitarian-assisted projects all over the country.

He said that the Philippines cannot just turn its back on the agreement because, adding that we signed it with eyes open and that many of our countrymen benefit from it.

“As an example, we can not but appreciate the benefits that the newly-built road in Pioduran town would provide. Access to the area had been reportedly been difficult, but with the new road thousands of residents of Sorsogon and Albay will benefit from the growth of commerce trade as well as easier access,” he added.

He also said that the road network links Pio Duran in Albay with the tourist town of Donsol town in Sorsogon province which is considered the whale shark capital of the world

As this year’s exercises come to a close, the Joint RP-US Civil Military Operation Task Force reported some 17,314 residents from the three provinces have already benefited from the medical care and services in the 22 Medical Civic Action Program (MedCAP), while two roads, two 2-room school buildings and two water wells were built in the 6 Engineering Civic Action Program (EnCAP) of the Balikatan this year.
This year's exercise, which runs from April 1 to 30 is the 25th in the Balikatan series under the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). (MALoterte, PIA V)


“JOB-APALOOZA" ON LABOR DAY IN NAGA CITY

LEGAZPI CITY — Shoe Mart (SM) group of companies and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol regional office are jointly staging the JOB-apalooza on May 1, in time for the observance of the International Labor Day and opening of the SM mall in Naga City.

DOLE Bicol assistant regional director Irma Valiente stated that the JOB-apalooza has been an annual undertaking initiated by SM Supermalls nationwide on job generation intended to provide domestic and overseas job opportunities, this time to Bicolanos workers who were displaced by the global economic crisis and the unemployed.

The mega jobs fair will open at 10:30 A.M. and will be held at the 2nd floor of the SM Naga City, the newest malling center in Bicol.

JOB-apalooza is also made possible with the support of the Naga City Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and ABS-CBN regional network group based in Naga City, through its “Kaya ni Juan: Trabaho Patrol” advocacy program, in response the national government’s program on gainful employment generation in the wake of the economic meltdown.

Among the participating agencies and companies are SM conglomerates and affiliates like Watsons, Ace Hardware, Appliance Center, BDO, Sum Supermarket, SM Department Store and Shopping Center Management Corporation; eleven (11) local companies including Bigg’s, Inc., Dranix Distributor, Inc., Milaor Trading Corporation, Filway Marketing, Inc., Grepalife, Bon Manpower Services, Sutherland Global Services, Mang Inasal Phils. Inc.; and, three (5) overseas recruitment agencies namely Accelerated Distribution, Inc., Isearch International Co., Nonstop Overseas Employment, P&R Manpower Services, Inc., and, Mori International Agency Corporation.

Valiente said that the National Statistics Office (NSO), Social Security System (SSS) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will also be setting up booths to process job placement papers for prospective applicants.

“Some 3,000 jobs are up for grabs during this mega jobs fair, which coincides and definitely will make our observance of the Labor Day more productive and meaningful,” she said. (MALoterte, PIA V)

8 INDIGENT GROUPS TO BENEFIT FROM SEA-K

DAET, Camarines Norte — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol has targeted eight indigent groups from the different municipalities of Camarines Norte province to benefit from the Self-Employment Assistance-Kabataan (SEA-K) this year.

Earl Maximillan Cecilio, project development officer of the DSWD Bicol, said that the lending and capability building components of SEA-K program correspond to the economic stimuli package of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in generating employment thru micro-enterprise in the wake of the present global economic crisis.

He added that the different Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs) will identify the prospective indigents in their respective localities, while DWSD will provide them the series of trainings on basic management.

He explained that within a group of indigents, composed of 20-25 persons, each member will be given a loan of P5,000 which the recipient will pay the amount in one year and with zero interest.

He said that if the borrower is a good payer for two or more loans they have earlier availed, he/she will qualify for Level 2 wherein they can borrow P10,000 capitalization for micro-enterprise, P10,000 for home improvement and P25,000 for housing loan with very low interest.

Indigent groups from the towns of Basud and Capalonga have now qualified for the Level 2.

The funds will be provided by the DSWD V upon identification and approval of the recipient’s application. (RBManlangit, PIA Cam. Norte)


NAGA CITY SETS NEW TRAFFIC SCHEME…
SM Supermalls opens in Naga City

NAGA CITY — The City Police Office (CPO) and the Public Safety Office (PSO) here have since April 21 started an experimental rerouting scheme along Panganiban Drive in preparation of SM City Naga’s grand opening on May 1.

PSSupt Edwin Jose G. Nemenzo, police chief of Naga City, said that the implementation of the new traffic scheme is going-on smoothly and showing positive signs of public acceptance.

“The dry-run intends to make motorists more familiar with some change on the traffic in the area. SM City Naga, which opens on May 1, is expected to draw shoppers across the region and may congest traffic in the vicinity,” he related.

From the eastern part going to SM City Naga, Del Rosario-Concepcion jeeps via Panganiban going to Centro are to turn left to Plaza Medica (one way direction south) and right to East Bound terminal (one way direction west) going to the Loading and Unloading Zone of the mall. Going back to Panganiban, they are tu turn left and circumvent the CBD2 Bus Terminal block (one way direction south).

From the city proper going to SM City Naga, Del Rosario-Concepcion jeeps via Panganiban are to turn right (one way direction south) and circumvent CBD2 Bus Terminal (one way direction north and west) then right to the mall’s Loading and Unloading Zone along CBD Service Road, and then right towards Panganiban Drive. If not heading for the mall, after circumventing CBD2 Bus Terminal, they are to turn right to the East Bound terminal, then left to Carnation St., right to Naga City Subdivision, then left going back to Panganiban.

From the eastern part going to SM City Naga, Del Rosario-Concepcion jeeps and buses are to take the Almedia Highway leading to Diversion Road and then right to the CBD Bus Terminal (one way direction north), then left to the mall’s Loading and Unloading Zone.

From the east, intra city vehicles such as vans and jeeps going to the mall are to take the Almeda Highway going to Diversion Road. They are to turn right and circumvent the CBD 2 Bus Terminal (one way direction north) and then go left (one way direction west) to the mall’s Loading and Unloading Zone and then right heading to Panganiban. Going to the mall, they can also turn right to Carnation St. from Almedia Highway, then go left toward the mall’s Loading and Unloading Zone.

From the south, intra city PUVs and Del Rosaio Concepcion jeeps via Diversion Road are to turn left to circumvent the CBD2 Bus Terminal (one way direction north and west) toward the mall’s Loading and Unloading Zone and then right to Panganiban Drive.

Tricycle color coding will also be in effect along Panganiban Drive preventing entry of certain colors on a designated day. Mondays will be a no entry for red tricycles, Tuesdays for yellow, Wednesdays for green and Thursdays for blue. Fridays-Saturdays will be a free day for all colors.

Likewise there will also be a public and private vehicles number coding along Panganiban Drive. Mondays will not see plate numbers ending in 1-2, Tuesdays 3-4, Wednesdays 5-6, Thursdays 7-8, and Fridays 9-0. Saturdays-Sundays will be a free day for all vehicles. Number and color coding will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. only.

Public Safety Office (PSO) head Lito del Rosario, meanwhile, noted that traffic congestion has been a perennial problem along Panganiban Drive long before the opening of the SM mall.

“We hope that the rerouting scheme will once and for all untangle traffic knots in the area during busy days.

Along with traffic signs and barricades in key areas, PNP and PSO personnel will be detailed along Panganiban Drive and CBD Service Road to guide motorists. (DCAbad, PIA Cam. Sur/PIA)


PINYASAN FESTIVAL 2009 SHINES IN ROCKWELL

DAET, Camarines Norte — Pinyasan Festival 2009 shines as the Media Trade Exchange, Inc., in partnership with this local government here, launched the 17th Pinyasan Festival at Cucina Victoria, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City on April 21, 2009.

Resti Reyes, president of the Media Trade Exchange, Inc., Daet Mayor Tito Sarion and Congresswoman Liwayway Vinzons-Chato of the Lone District of Camarines Norte, signed and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the press conference following the launching of the festival.

The conference also marked the launching of the official website of the 17th Pinyasan Festival, http://www.mediatrade.com.ph/daet, where everyone can access information on Pinyasan Festival, news, event schedules, photos, among others.

Known celebrity Bing Pimentel, a Daet native, hosted the event.

In gracing the occasion, Chato offered the guests and tourists attending the Pinyasan Festival to taste the mostly unique local food products and crafts of this town, made from its famous pineapple, Queen Formosa variety.

Political figures, celebrities and entertainers, the likes of Mayor Jejomar C. Binay of Makati City and former hotshot playmaker Atoy Co, added color to the occasion and showed their appreciation and support for the Pinyasan Festival.

Mr. Dondi Ong III, a proud son of Daet and a member of the UP Singing Ambassadors, provided an artistic dimension to the event, performing Josh Groban’s song You Raise Me Up, as well as the aria Nessun dorma from Puccini’s opera Turandot.

Daet’s most famous annual event is held every year to showcase its prime agricultural product, the sweet Queen Formosa pineapple. (RCYu, LGU Cam. Norte/PIA)


PLCPD ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THE 5th POPDEV MEDIA AWARDS

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) announces the Call for Entries to the 5th PopDev Media Awards.

The contest is open to all print, broadcast, online, photo, and citizen journalists nationwide. Entries must deal with population and human development issues such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), public health (especially reproductive health), reproductive health policy and governance, economic growth and poverty, climate change, housing and urban development, sustainable development, environment, education, gender, maternal health, adolescent reproductive health, family planning, food security, reproductive rights, migration, and population ageing.

For the Print and Online Category, awards will be given for Best News Reportage (should consist of a body of work or a series of at least three spot news reports); Best Opinion or Editorial Piece; Best Investigative Report, and Best Feature or Magazine Article.

For Television, awards will be given for Best TV Documentary and Best Magazine Program or Talk Show.

For Radio, awards will be given for Best Radio Program. Entries to this could be news, commentary (should consist of a series of at least three separate news reports or commentaries) or a special production of media agencies.

For the Photojournalism category, awards will be given for Best Single Photo and Best Photo Essay.

Citations will also be given for blog (text) and photo blogs (single photo and photo essay) in recognition of the significant contribution of citizen journalists in the informed discussion of population and human development issues. Entries from professional journalists may be considered as long as these were posted in their personal blogs.

Entries should have been published, aired, or posted between August 16, 2008 and August 15, 2009 in a publication or network that has been in existence for at least one year, or in a blog site that has been created at least since January 1, 2008. Deadline for submission of entries is on August 31, 2009.

Interested parties may send as many entries in a chosen category. Winners will receive a cash prize, trophy, certificate, and a chance to go into a study trip to a PLCPD project area in the Philippines .

For more information, interested parties may contact PLCPD at (02) 9251800 or (02) 4362373 or visit http://www.plcpd.org.ph/Media%20Awards/default.asp. (PLCPD/PIA)


ORIENTATION ON RECOVERY PROJECT IN BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) field office here convened Tuesday (April 28) the provincial chief executives of Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Albay as well as heads of the different partner agencies for the Briefing on the Recovery Project for Typhoon-Affected Provinces in Bicol.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera explained the Recovery Project for Typhoon Affected Province in Bicol aims to:
• Complement the on-going recovery efforts in Bicol region;
• Assist the families and communities currently experiencing difficulty in regaining normal lives;
• Implement a disaster preparedness and mitigation program in partnership with the government and other UN agencies; and
• Establish a tracking and coordination mechanism for the government, UN agencies, NGOs and CSOs on early recovery efforts and future emergencies.


The project is being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), local government units (LGUs) and DSWD.

Cabrera said that the recovery project will be implemented in the typhoon-affected areas of Bicol region giving priority to the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon having the most number of affected families, damaged houses and prevailing recovery/rehabilitation gaps.

The UNDP-funded project will be implemented starting this year up to 2011.
Present during the briefing were Mr. Renaud Meyer, the Country Director of UNDP; USEC Celia C. Yangco, National Project Director; UNDP Program Officer Ms. Alma Evangelista; regional directors of OCD, DOLE, NEDA, DSWD, Gov. Sally Lee of Sorsogon, and representatives from the provincial government of Albay and Camarines Sur. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)


PGMA's SYRIAN STATE VISIT TO FOCUS ONPEACE AND BUSINESS

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo embarks on a mission of peace and search for new business and investment opportunities for the country during her scheduled state visit to Syria on May 3 and 4.

Syria is among the newest strategic partners of the Philippines in the Middles East. The Philippine Embassy in Damascus was officially inaugurated only last April 13 this year, following its upgrade from its former consular office status.

It now serves the estimated 17,000 Filipinos working in Syria.

The former Philippine consulate in Damascus used to serve as transit point for Filipinos in times of crisis in the Middle East. It served as an exit point for thousands of Filipino workers fleeing the war in Lebanon in 2006.

Aside from being one of the supporters of the country’s peace and development initiatives, Syria is a crucial player in the Middle East on account of its energy resources and fertile lands. It is a key player and a major participant in the struggle for peace and security in the region.

Before going to Syria, President Arroyo will first have a working visit in Egypt on May 2-3. She will leave Cairo on May 3 and proceed to Damascus for her state visit upon the invitation of the Syrian government.

The President is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting and sign partnership and cooperation agreements with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who will tender a state dinner in her honor.

The Chief Executive is also scheduled to address the People’s Assembly of Syria and hold meetings with leading Syrian business leaders and prospective investors.

President Arroyo will likewise visit one of the biggest container terminals in the Middle East operated by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) before heading back to Manila on May 5. (PIA V Release)


PGMA TO GRACE AFP LEADERSHIP TURN-OVER

Manila — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will grace Friday (May 1) the leadership turn-over of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The President will be given full military honors upon her arrival at the AFP’s general headquarters (GHQ) for the 11:30 a.m. ceremonies that will also feature a testimonial parade and review in honor of outgoing AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Alexander Yano.

The change of command from Gen. Yano to incoming AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, Philippine Army (PA) commanding general, will start with the reading of the Relief And Designation Orders, followed by the remarks of Gen. Yano who will then read and sign his Relinquishment Order as his personal flag is lowered.

Ibrado will then read and sign his Assumption Order before the hand-over of the command symbol and the raising of his personal flag.

The President will deliver her speech following the remarks of the newly installed AFP chief of staff.

The ceremonies will be followed by a March in Review, and concluded with departure honors for President Arroyo, and then for Gen. Yano who will don a new hat as Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. (PIA V Release)


PGMA WANTS EARLY RELEASE OF P1B SUPPORT FUND FOR EXPORT SECTOR

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today directed Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila to facilitate the release of the P1-billion Export Support Fund to help export industries cope with the global economic fallout.

The President issued her directive during the closing ceremonies of the 30th National Conference of Employers (NCE) this morning at the Manila Hotel.

In her speech, the President instructed Favila to coordinate with the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Finance (DOF) to expedite the release of the export support fund under the Economic Resiliency Plan (ERP).

She pointed out that the fund would help the various export groups ride the storm brought about by the global financial meltdown.

The President said the government’s assistance to the export-oriented sector would eventually help the more than 50,000 local workers displaced by the crisis get new jobs.

“I have instructed Secretary Favila to work with the PMS, DBM and DOT a final evaluation of the various proposals with the intent of releasing the fund soonest,” the President said. (PIA V Release)


PALACE ALLAYS FEARS OVER SWINE FLU

MANILA — Malacanang today advised the people not to panic over the swine flu epidemic because “we do not have that disease” in our country.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan, that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to closely monitor the epidemic that has already killed more than 100 people in Mexico and the United States.

Likewise, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro was ordered by the President to convene the NDCC and review contingency plans already in place in case swine flu is reported in the country.

He said this is not the first time that a pandemic scare has gripped the world. The first was in 2003 when SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) broke out, and also in 2006 when the avian influenza spread to some parts of the world.

Golez said the country has had experiences in contingency planning, with the NDCC as the lead agency and the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Agriculture (DA) as members.

He said contingency plans now have been drawn up to address flu epidemics. “What is important is that aside from the government, the people help so that we can all prevent the Mexican swine flu from reaching our country,” he said.

Golez explained that swine flu that has infected a number of people in Mexico is a mixture of the flu virus from pigs and from humans, which made the SI evolve into a different strain of virus.

There has been no vaccine discovered to treat the Mexican swine flu. He said vaccines manufactured in the past were found not effective in treating current or new viral strains. The strains mutate, added Golez, a doctor of medicine.

He said the mortality rate from Mexican swine flu has reached two percent or two persons out of every 100 contaminated by the virus.

Reports said the virus has spread to the United States, Spain and even Australia. (PIA V Release)


PGMA SIGNS RA 3591 INCREASING BANK DEPOSIT INSURANCE COVERAGE

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed today the amendments to Republic Act (RA) No. 3591 increasing by 100 percent, from P250,000 to P.5 million, the insurance coverage by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) of bank deposits.

The President signed Republic Act No. 9576, the PDIC charter amendments, during the Philippine Economic Zone Authority PEZA (PEZA) Investors’ Recognition Day at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City on Wednesday (April 29).

Witnessing the signing ceremony were Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. and PDIC president Jose C. Nograles.

Also present were the principal authors and sponsors of the amendments, namely, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Manila Rep. Jaime Lopez, Quezon City Rep. Matt Defensor, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson.

Amendments to the PDIC charter form part of the financial reforms designed to bolster the protection of bank deposits, and enhance confidence in and contribute to a stronger banking system.

The increase of the deposit insurance coverage to P500,000 is expected to encourage depositors to keep their money in the banks against effects from the present global financial crisis. (PIA V Release)


PGMA CITES BUSINESS AND LABOR SECTORS IN OVERCOMING GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today cited the role of the business and labor sectors in nation-building and in helping the government overcome the challenges arising from the global economic crisis.

The President expressed her gratitude for the “sense of community” of employers in the business sector during the closing ceremonies of the 30th National Conference of Employers (NCE) this morning (Wednesday, April 29) at the Manila Hotel.

Saying the global crisis also offers opportunities, the leaders of the business sector who are the country’s biggest employers assured the President that they will work with the government in preserving jobs and businesses.

The employers’ expression of “community” with the government in the midst of the worldwide economic downturn was contained in a resolution they presented to the President.

In their resolution, the employers also vowed to minimize job losses and business dislocations; build the capacity of the domestic economy to create jobs and business; and unite in support of reform and transformation in society, particularly in improving economic and political governance.

In her speech, the President also thanked the business sector for sharing the sacrifices of their workers by letting them undergo work-sharing and training arrangements instead of directly laying them off.

Instead of lay-offs, the President urged companies to pay half the minimum wage of their workers to undergo training at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for them to become more competitive and productive when they find new employments.

The President thanked companies like the Calamba-based Yazaki Torres which continues to provide half of the basic pay of its workers who are “on vacation.”

She also expressed her gratitude to the country’s labor sector for its strong bond with employers, thus resulting in sustained industrial peace in the workplace.

“We must and we will sustain this partnership as we work together to hasten our country’s economic rebound. And that is our response to the global crisis,” the President said. (PIA V Release)