CORD HOLDS INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON ECONOMIC CRISIS IN DAET

DAET, Camarines Norte — The country is weathering the effects of the global economic recession because of efficient fiscal policies, including the restructuring of value added tax system, according to Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr..

Andaya, who is the designated Bicol’s Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD), was speaking to some 300 participants on the first salvo in the region of the Information Campaign on Economic Crisis held at the Camarines Norte State College here last Thursday (May 14).

He said that the present global economic crisis has started in the United States and has greatly affected other developed countries, while the Philippine economy remains strong because of the economic resiliency plan pushed by the government under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He said the stimulus package was meant as a preemptive action to counter the probable effects of the global recession to the country as opposed to the economic package of the US government, which was meant to bail out financial institutions.

"Our country has experienced a 4.6 growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2008 while many of our Asian neighbors, including Japan, Singapore, South Korea, are slumping," he said.

He noted that this is because of the over-all confidence of the economy, adding that the government did not resort on borrowing more money for the past years that has enabled us to allocate more on the delivery of basic services.

He stressed that President Arroyo’s economic resiliency plan focuses on channeling funds to infrastructures, farm-to-market-roads, irrigation system, agricultural production, environment protection, job generation, education, basic social services, projects for the poor, protection and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), among others.

Under the stimulus package, bigger amount of funds was also allocated this year for Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Labor (DOLE) and several other agencies.

During the information campaign, regional directors of several executive agencies also reported on government efforts to counteract effects of global recession.

DA Bicol regional director Jose Dayao said 9, 814 bags of seeds were distributed to farmers in Bikol in 2008 while the National Food Authority had procured 16, 763 bags of play from rice farmers.

DepEd Bicol regional Celedonio Layon reported some P327 million was spent for construction of school buildings.

DPWH Bicol regional director Alejandro Roces related that DPWH is focusing in the full rehabilitation of Quirino-Andaya Highway.

Also present during the one-day activity were the regional directors of Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Daet Mayor Tito Sarion and CNSC President Dr. Winefredo Oñate. (RBManlangit/PIA Camarines Norte)


DPWH HIRES 294 WORKERS IN CATANDUANES

VIRAC, CATANDUANES — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district office here reported the other day that it has hired some 294 workers under the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) project of the government.

Eng’r Ignacio Odiaman, DPWH district engineer for Catanduanes, in his report to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, said that the workers were hired for the repair and maintenance of national roads and bridges in the province under the pump-priming project earmarked for the island province.

He said that most of the workers hired were from the barangays where the projects are located.

Odiaman said a total of P32 million was earmarked under the CLEEP program with four projects now being implemented.

He said the CLEEP program is part of the Economic Resiliency Program (ERP) to cushion the impact of the global economic crisis and generate jobs in the countryside. (EDLeon, PIA)


MANILA BULLETIN DONATES P500,000 TO SORSOGON

SORSOGON Province — Newspapers tycoon Emilio Yap, owner of the Manila Bulletin, personally turned over to Governor Sally A. Lee two checks amounting to P500,000 representing Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp.’s financial assistance to the victims of tropical storm Dante in this province.

Lee said that the Provincial Government will use the money to purchase lots for the establishment of permanent resettlement areas of residents living in highly vulnerable areas, especially along coastal communities.

The Governor’s efforts in forging linkages with various non-government and government agencies have made Sorsogon the beneficiary of many assistance programs, both from foreign and local organizations.

Among them is the donation of 100 units of core shelters from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and another 1,200 units from the Gawad Kalinga.

With the recent commitment of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide existing 1,000 shelter units in disaster-affected areas with standard water and electricity connections, the chief executive hopes to harness more support for the implementation of her program in putting up resettlement areas in every municipality of Sorsogon.

The program of the Provincial Government has also provisions for livelihood, possible job placements, and skills trainings for beneficiaries, incentive for them to relocate to the resettlement areas, where they can lead safer lives and become productive members of the society,” she noted.

Yap, besides his flagship publication, also publishes two other daily newspapers, Tempo and Balita, as well as nine magazines such as the Philippine Panorama, Bannawag, Liwayway, Bisaya and a host of other journals in English, Tagalog, Cebuano and other Philippine languages. He also owns the Manila Hotel and Euro-Phil Laboratories. (MFDeniega, MAIB Sorsogon/PIA)


DAY CARE WORKERS TRAINED ON HANDLING CHILDREN

NAGA CITY — A two-day Seminar-Workshop on Classroom Management in Day Care Centers and Orientation on the News Standards for Center-Based (ECCD) programs was conducted recently at Regent Hotel here.

The activity, participated in by 375 day care workers of Camarines Sur, aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the day care workers and ensure standard implementation of the Day Care Services and other ECCD Programs.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol regional director Remia T. Tapispisan explained that the DSWD as mandated by law is responsible for regulating the quality of these programs for children through various centers operated by local government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations and other private individuals.

She also bared that children are the ultimate beneficiaries of the Standards for Day Care and other ECCD centers and its service providers thus, these shall ensure that children from birth to age six receive consistently high-quality of education so that they can develop their fullest potential.

She also stressed the importance of the day care workers considering that the early years of a child’s life is the most critical period which influences chances of survival, subsequent growth and development.

“The way they handle the children under their care would definitely contribute to the kind of adult the country will have,” she said.

The two days activity was sponsored by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc., Camarines Sur Chapter in partnership with the DSWD Field Office 5 in coordination with the local government unit. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)


SORSOGON HOLDS ORIENTATION ON AH1N1

SORSOGON CITY — The Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the DOH-Provincial Health Team here conducted last week an orientation on the dreaded Influenza A (H1N1) disease was for health workers and stakeholders.

Governor Sally A. Lee has instructed the provincial health officials here to prepare all local health offices and stakeholders in the event that Influenza A is detected in the province.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the Influenza A alert level to phase 5, meaning a pandemic is imminent. Already 5,251 cases of swine flu cases in 30 countries had been reported, causing over 30 deaths worldwide.

The swine flu is caused by type A influenza virus isolated among pigs that can be transmitted to and spread among humans. Symptoms of the disease are fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, diarrhea and coughing.

Dr. Ma. Priscilla Fajardo, PHO-Technical Services Division chief, said that the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit has already been activated to coordinate with the different Municipal Health Offices (MHOs), through their Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), to monitor influenza-like symptoms in their areas as well as the arrival of travelers from outside the country.

She added that the respective municipal health offices were also directed to revisit and reorient their staff on the Provincial Avian Flu Plan which will be adapted in case of Influenza A infection.

Fajardo explained that the response mechanisms subscribed by the plan will be the same steps taken in the event that Influenza A is detected in the province.

During the orientation, all municipalities have been requested to draft individual resolutions revisiting and adapting the said plan.

She also assured the participants that medications are available at the Department of Health (DOH) to counter the disease.

At present, the Province of Sorsogon remains free from Influenza A. (MFDeniega, MAIB Sorsogon/PIA)


AGRICULTURE MANAGERS NATIONAL CONFAB IN NAGA

GUINOBATAN, Albay — The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit (DA-RFU) and various local government units (LGUs), spearheaded the 9th National Convention of the Devolved Agriculturists of the Philippines, Inc. (DAPI) held on May 13-15, 2009 at the Villa Caceres Hotel in Naga City.

Close to 500 devolved agricultural extension managers from different cities and municipalities nationwide convened in Naga City threshing out issues that affect the delivery of agricultural extension services in the country today.

The convention grounded on by the theme “Pole Vaulting the Philippine Agriculture Landscape thru Effective and Efficient Extension System”.

Addressing the participants, DA’s Undersecretary for Operations Jesus Emmanuel Paras emphasized the important role played by devolved agricultural extension managers and workers in attaining significant gains in the field agriculture over the past eight years.

“Rain or shine, LGU-based agriculture workers work with farmers and fisherfolks in the field,” he said.

“President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself came up with the FIELDS acronym thus highlighting the indispensability for agricultural extension workers, the “E” component in the FIELDS Program, in the vital job of feeding the people,” he added.

FIELDS stands for the key programs in agriculture – F for fertilizer, micronutrients, use of the leaf color chart and minus-one element technique; I is for irrigation facilities rehabilitation and restoration; E is for extension, education, and training; L is for loans for inputs, shallow tube wells and surface water pumps; D is for dryers and other post harvest facilities provision; and S is for seed subsidy on quality genetic materials.

ATI Director Asterio Saliot, meanwhile, encouraged the devolved agriculture managers to continue fighting for their ideals and dreams, and not to lose heart.

“Characteristically impassioned and outspoken, he said they convened not only to be reacquainted with one another, to rally behind their aspirations, but most importantly to plan new ways to help farmers and Fisherfolks, who remain poor. Many things have to be done, he said.

In particular, he cited the need to endorse the Extension Bill, stressing on the holistic provincial level planning for agriculture and rural development including its municipalities, the creation of subject matter specialists positions and more room for promotion, standardized salaries of extension personnel across LGUs from the national government, and appointment of personnel at the provincial and municipal levels by Secretary of Agriculture of the Director of the Extension Bureau, in consultation with the governor and mayor.

ATI’s Knowledge Products and Services chief Antonieta Arceo, on the other hand, discussed updates on the electronic extension program of the Department, which ATI spearheads in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as well as state universities and colleges.

Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City also came to grace and welcome the delegates.

Also present during the convention were Provincial Board Member Ernie Verdadero of Camarines Sur and Naga City administrator, budget officer and concurrently acting City Agriculturist Frank Mendoza. (ECSabularse, DA-ATI Release/PIA)


PGMA KEEPS GOVERNMENT’S FOCUS ON JOBS CREATION

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said her administration keeps its focus on jobs creation to address the immediate concerns of workers who lost their jobs or who remain unemployed because of the global economic meltdown.

The President who visited and held her Cabinet meeting in General Santos City Tuesday (May 19) said the beneficiaries of her job creation and livelihood assistance initiatives include many workers from Central Mindanao, many of whom are fisherfolks and out-of-school youths.

She said retrenched and jobless workers in Central Mindanao now benefit from Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) administered by the Department of Labor and Employment.

The beneficiaries, she said, have availed of emergency employment opportunities under the Tulong Panghanap-buhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and Integrated Services for Livelihood Advancement of the Fisherfolks (ISLA) projects.

The President also said jobs generation remains a special government focus and even the forthcoming 111th Independence Day celebration will be focused on assisting displaced workers.

The Independence Day rites will be highlighted by the conduct of a three-day job and livelihood fairs that will include the awarding of employment certificates, livelihood assistance packages and training scholarships.

On the Jobs Fair’s first day, she said, job seekers may vie for a good number of government unfilled plantilla positions and vacancies for emergency or short term employment under the 1.5% MOOE fund based on E.O. No. 782.*

Emergency employment contracts and livelihood checks will also be awarded on June 12 to lucky job seekers. The rest of them may explore both overseas and local job opportunities on the second and third day.

President Arroyo also shared the good news that DOLE, in its latest report said 14,021 employees earlier retrenched by their local employers got their jobs back as companies hit by the economic slump have started to rehire their workers with new product orders having started to come in.

DOLE also said business firms are slowly returning to their normal operations, even as the demand for OFWs continues with new hires narrowing the gap if not offsetting the number of those earlier displaced as the situation in many countries appear to have stabilized. (PIA V Release)


PGMA: ASIAN REGION MUST HAVE A VOICE IN SHAPING THE WORLD

MANILA — The Asian region can survive global economic slowdown and come out the strongest compared to other continents, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said on Monday.

In her speech at the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines, the President said the time has come for the region to have a voice in shaping the world.

"It is time to harness the potential of Asia, to capitalize on its resources and to give the Pan-Asian Region a stronger voice in shaping the world economic order," the President said, "One way to achieve this is for ASEAN and India to accelerate the negotiations for an ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement."

The President called on the Filipino-Indian business community and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, Inc. to make the advocacy for the ASEAN-India Free Trade greement a mission for the 60th Anniversary of Filipino - Indian relations.

She also urged the Philippine-Indian business community to "ensure that the two countries work together to build a more cohesive regional community that will strengthen the economic clout of all nations in our rapidly growing region."

President Arroyo vowed to work harder to ensure that the Philippines remains a "competitive player within the region" and to attract investments from countries like India, with the support of the Indian business community and the Indian Chambers of Commerce, Inc.

"We have invested heavily in improving the quality of the country's human resources, in lowering transaction flows and the costs of doing business, in developing efficient access to financing, and building a seamless infrastructure network," the President said.

She noted the ease now of immigration procedures for the Indian business community and the removal of many other types of red tape which "we did away with because you pointed them out to us."

The President also pointed out that the government is focusing on developing and strengthening industry sectors such as commodities, business process outsourcing and "niche tourism."

"One of the niche tourism sectors we identified is to invite Indian movie companies in Bollywood to come and do films in the Philippines," she said. (PIA V Release)


DEPED SEES INCREASED SCHOOL ENROLMENT

MANILA— School enrolment this school year is expected to increase despite the economic crunch, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported Monday (May 18).

In a media briefing in Malacanang, DepEd Undersecretary Vilma Labrador also said there will be a lower drop-out rate among elementary and high school students nationwide this year.

With Labrador during the briefing were Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo and Presidential Assistant for Education Mona Valisno.

Labrador said enrolment this year is expected to reach some 22.4 million, up from the 20 million last year.

She said some 19.46 million students are expected to enroll in public schools; 2.98 million in private educational institutions.

This shows, Labrador said, that the various educational reforms to combat poverty initiated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are bearing fruits.

“Because of the fruits of our initiatives, we will have a lower drop-out rate and many students would still be enrolled this year in elementary and high school despite the economic crunch,” Labrador said.

From the previous 1:60 teacher-student ratio, Labrador said DepEd has now achieved a more desirable: 45 teacher-student ratio.

In compliance with the President’s educational reform thrust, Labrador said DepEd is also continuously monitoring the classroom backlog in all regions in time for the school opening on June 1.

She advised the public to immediately report to DepEd any unjustifiable collections that deter parents from enrolling their children in both public and private schools. (PIA V Release)


PALACE GETS MORE SUPPORT FOR CARP LAW EXTENSION

MANILA — Malacanang gained Congressional support for the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) law.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said Senate and House leaderships vowed in meeting on Monday (May 18) to prioritize the proposed extension of the law that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had certified as urgent.
CARP law will expire this month.

Among those who attended the meeting were Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Prospero Nograles, Senate Agrarian Reform Committee Chair Gringo Honasan and members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The President is seeking a 10-year extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) to 2018 to allow government to fully cover the remaining two million hectares that would benefit an additional two million farmers.

Some seven million hectares have already been placed under CARP since 1988, benefiting more than four million farmers.

The President said the extension of the CARP law would not only emancipate but empower more farmers to become agribusinessmen. (PIA V Release)


COMELEC: SELECTION OF POLL AUTOMATION CONTRACTOR TO CONCLUDE IN A FEW DAYS

MANILA — The Commission on Elections is working double time to get back on schedule.

Despite the emergence of a supplier with the lowest bid, the commission’s special committee will have to spare time to hear pending motions for reconsideration from previous disqualified bidders such as Sequia Voting Systems, FF Cruz/Gilat and AMA ES&S.

On Monday, the Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) found the Smartmatic-Total Information Management consortium’s bid compliant with the commission’s requirements after the committee completed the evaluation of the remaining financial bids.

Smartmatic made a Php 7.2 Billion bid for the automation of the 2010 polls which covers 82,200 automated counting machines.

Its close competition, Indra Sistemas, was disqualified because its Php 11-Billion offer is limited to 52,000 machines units.

Even though they are seven days behind in the selection of the contractor for the upcoming poll’s computerization, SBAC Chair Ferdinand Raffanan expressed optimism that the commission will recovered to its target timeline by June.

Raffanan estimated that the selection process will be completed in next two to three days. (PIA V Release)