RDC BICOL APPROVES P814.5M ROAD NETWORK PROJECT IN ALBAY

LEGAZPI CITY -- A new road network that would directly link four towns of Albay to the whale shark famed tourist town of Donsol in Sorsogon province was endorsed for funding the by the Regional Development Council (RDC) Bicol to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) central office.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, RDC chair, said the project involves the construction of 26.9 kilometers of roads and five bridges with an aggregate length of 75 linear meters that will cost some P814.5 million.

He said fund would be sourced from the Secondary National Road Development Program (SNRDP) of the Millennium Challenge Account, Philippine Compact Program (MCAPCP).
During the regular RDC meeting on Wednesday, Salceda said the project once completed would link villages in the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Jovellar and Daraga with Donsol.

He said the project will have a positive impact on local tourism since the new road network will provide a shorter and safer access to Donsol town, known worldwide for whale shark watching and interaction.

He also said the new road project will also make the Southern Luzon International Airport in barangay Alobo in Daraga accessible to residents of the third district of Albay and Sorsogon province.

He noted that the same road network will traverse the proposed PNR Mainline South Rail Extension to Sorsogon, adding that it will also pass through agricultural lands planted to coconut, corn, palay and other agricultural crops. Fishermen will also benefit directly from an improved access to inputs and to the market.

Engr. Oscar Cristobal, assistant regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said during his sponsorship of the project that the new road would open up new opportunities for trade and commerce, agriculture and fishery, tourism, among others. (EDLeon, PIA V)


DOST, ALBAY SIGN AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PROGRAM

LEGAZPI CITY — Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Estrella F. Alabastro and Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda have signed and entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on “Comprehensive Partnership on Climate Change and Countryside Development”.

The MOA, signed last week during the full council meeting of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Bicol held at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional office here, manifests the duo’s commitment and cooperation in strengthening Albay’s program on climate change adaptation and developing local government initiatives and undertakings that requires S&T interventions.

Alabastro said the agreement reflects DOST’s complimentary commitment to Albay province in terms of research and development, technology transfer and institutional capability build-up in support of the local development programs and advocacy.

She said that under the agreement the DOST will undertake, among others, research and development programs, establish food and technology centers, set up science based farms, upgrade Pagasa and Phivolcs capabilities.

She added that DOST will soon establish a Doppler radar system and a Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Weather Bureau in Albay.

The Bureau, dubbed as the Southern Luzon Weather Region (SLWR), will provide weather forecasting and warning services to the six provinces of Bicol that included Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate.

Albastro said the establishment of an SLWR is in line with the agencies regionalization program and capability building aimed at providing fast services to the public, specially in times of natural calamities.

Salceda, meanwhile, said the partnership aims to identify and develop viable local development initiatives and undertakings that require S&T interventions.

It will also promote advocacy addressing climate change, disaster management and adaptation and mitigation measures.

Salceda said the DOST has put up some P594.3 million to finance the set up of a regional weather bureau, purchase of doppler radar and other equipments that would upgrade the services of Pagasa and Phivolcs. (MALoterte, PIA V)


CHING HAI GROUP DONATES GOODS
TO TYPHOON VICTIMS IN SORSOGON

SORSOGON CITY — Residents of Bacon district in this city and four other municipalities has been named recipient of 500 sacks of rice and assorted groceries from the Master Ching Hai International Association, a humanitarian and spiritual organization.

Sorsogon Gov. Sally Lee said the relief goods will be distributed to the victims of tropical storm Typhoon Dante last May 1-3, including Bacon district here and the towns of Bulan, Juban, Matnog and Magallanes.

Four members of the association, who declined to be named, paid a courtesy call recently and relayed the good news to the Governor.

The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association was founded by Supreme Master Ching Hai, a Vietnamese who became a Buddhist nun.

Her close relationship with the Philippine Government started during the term of President Fidel V. Ramos.

The group also said that Supreme Master Ching Hai has always been grateful for the way the Philippine Government treated Vietnamese refugees in Palawan and in Bataan.

“When we heard that the Bicol region suffered once again from Typhoon Dante, we were immediately dispatched to Sorsogon where we were told a landslide resulted to many fatalities in Magallanes,” a member of the group said.

Supreme Master Cing Hai is among notable pioneers whose advocates include preserving the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Members of the association will be distributing the relief goods in the affected municipalities until Thursday.

Recipients will be identified through the assistance of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) as instructed by Lee. (MFDeniega, MAIB Sorsogon/PIA)


NYC CELEBRATES TAYO 7th YEAR

NAGA CITY — The National Youth Commission (NYC) has launched this year’s Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) consistent with the idea of bringing to the fore the achievements of groups and outstanding innovations brought about by collective action of the youth.

Youth organizations awarded by TAYO are selected through high-impact projects in the areas of education, livelihood and entrepreneurship, community service, technology, health, arts and culture, and environment.

In an effort to improve the search and allow for more viable entries to the search, the organizers have come up with a new format for the requirements and a streamlined process to come up with the finalists.

Entry forms and the application briefer format are available for download through the TAYO Awards Foundation website (www.tayoawards.net) and the National Youth Commission website (www.youth.net.ph). The deadline for the submission of entries is on July 15, 2009.

For more information please contact the NYC Southern Luzon Area Office, 3rd Flr., Monzon Bldg., Elias Angeles corner Arana Sts., Naga City at telephone nos. (054) 811-5804/473-0435 and 09175800538.

TAYO 7 is presented by Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, and is organized and implemented by the TAYO Awards Foundation, the Office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan and the National Youth Commission. (NPDelfin, NYC/PIA)


LABOR DAY’s JOBAPALOOZA HIRES 441 NEW WORKERS

LEGAZPI CITY — Some 441 registered applicants were fortunate enough to land a job during the JOBapalooza held during the May 1 Labor Day in Naga City, surpassing the projected 300 hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here.

DOLE Bicol regional director Ernesto said that the 441 HOTS, comprised of 163 males and 278 females, were asked to report for work by their companies the next day following the jobs fair.

He noted that other applicants who passed the initial screening were also asked by the companies to report in their office for further interview the following day.

“With this development, DOLE Bicol is positive that at least 30 percent of the applicants who registered will be hired by the companies, adding that applicants who were requested for future interviews will be hired later. This always happened in most jobs fair,” he added.

Bihis stressed that he will continue to monitor the placement of those who qualified in the initial screening.

The job hunters, estimated around 4,000, were noted to comprise a third of the crowd that flocked to SM Naga City, which also opened its new 34th super mall on this same date.

Other government agencies like the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and National Statistics Office (NSO) put up their respective booth and catered to the needs of the job hunters from all over the Bicol region.

“Besides the DOLE-Regional Coordinating Council, we always invite and encouraged other government agencies, whose services usually needed by the applicants to comply with their requirements,” he said.

In other developments, Regional Director Samuel Madrid of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has since the beginning of May releasing to former Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), who lost their job abroad and still applying for a new one, the loan assistance amounting to P50,000.

DOLE Bicol has already released a total of P21 million for livelihood grants and emergency employment measures to spur the economy trough employment generation assistance to displaced workers under the stimulus package program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the wake of the global financial crisis.

DOLE Bicol, meanwhile, is now gearing up for the next big event dubbed Mega Jobs Fair to highlight the celebration of the 111th Philippine Independence Day on June 12 to be held here. (RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)


POPDEV MEDIA AWARDS ON PHOTOJOURNALISM

The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) announces the inclusion of the Award for Best Photo Essay in the Photojournalism category of the 5th PopDev Media Awards.

Entries to the Award for Best Photo Essay should consist of at least five (5) to 10 photos published in print media or posted on the internet between August 16, 2008 and August 15, 2009. Outstanding single photos will also be recognized as part of the Photojournalism Category, which is one of the major categories in the PopDev Media Awards along with the Print and Online, TV, and Radio categories. Citations will also be given to best blogs (text) and photo blogs.

The 5th PopDev Media Awards is open to all print, broadcast, online, photo, and citizen journalists nationwide. For this year, in the context of the approaching Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) deadline on 2015, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 15th year celebration, and the upcoming 2010 elections, entries must be able to stress the importance of the MDGs and the ICPD as electoral issues that must be put in the public agenda.

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

For more information, interested journalists may visit the PopDev Media Awards webpage at http:www.plcpd.org.ph. or contact the PLCPD secretariat at 925-1800 or 9266619. (PLCPD/PIA)


PALACE PAYS TRIBUTE TO FILIPINO MOTHERS

MANILA — Malacañang paid tribute Sunday (May 10) to Filipino mothers as the world marks Mother’s Day which falls on the second Sunday of May.

In an interview over Radyo ng Bayan, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde cited the selfless love, compassion, care and devotion mothers shower on their children.

At the same time, Remonde disputed a published report quoting a US-based group that the Philippines is not a good place for mothers.

“How could they say that about the Philippines? What is their basis for such an observation that the Philippines isn’t a good place for mothers,” he retorted.

Remonde pointed out that Filipino mothers are among the best in the world in terms of “pagkalinga, pag-aruga, pagmamahal and compassion for their children.”

The report said that the Arroyo government has not fulfilled its goals in the millennium development plans (MDP) for mothers and children in terms of delivering services needed in addressing poverty and other social ills.

Remonde pointed out that maternal child and healthcare are among the flagship programs of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The program is being implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) under the direction of the President, he added.

The Palace official also extended his greetings to the Iglesia ni Cristo on the 123rd birth anniversary of its founder, the late Felix Manalo. (PIA V Release)


WE MUST THANK GOD FOR SPARING RP FROM SWINE FLU -- REMONDE

MANILA — Malacañang said Sunday (May 10) Filipinos have a lot to thank God for sparing the Philippines from the swine flu virus sweeping several countries around the world.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde admitted that while it may be premature at this stage to feel totally safe from the swine flu scourge, the good news is that the global pandemic has not reached Philippine shores.

He lauded the vigilance and joint efforts of health workers, port authorities and other groups as well as individuals in keeping the guard up against the entry of the dreaded virus.

“We thank Almighty God for sparing us from this virus,” Remonde said.

He also thanked “our countrymen and visitors for their cooperation, and we must commend our health authorities, port authorities, and others for their vigilance and consistent preventive measures,” he added.

On Malacañang’s stance regarding the grant of executive clemency to elderly inmates, the infirm and sickly women in detention centers, Remonde reiterated that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s role is merely “ministerial although it is her exclusive prerogative.”

“She acts only on cases that have gone through the proper process from the Board of Pardons and Parole of the Department of Justice (DOJ) which are passed on to her,” he explained.

He pointed out that the established policy is if an inmate is 70 years old and above, sickly and has practiced good behavior, he is qualified for parole or executive clemency.

Still the case of the inmate must be properly processed by the Board of Pardons and Parole, he added. (PIA V Release)


INFLATION DOWN; EXCHANGE RATE UP; 4% GROWTH STILL POSSIBLE IN 2009

MANILA — While most countries worldwide continue to reel from negative or no- growth situations, the Philippines is experiencing three positive economic developments: lower inflation rate, weathering the global economic slump and indications that it will post growth this year.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) reported over the weekend that inflation was down to 4.8 percent, the lowest in 16 months, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The same report said the Philippines has weathered the worst of the worldwide economic slump and is on track to register a 4 percent growth this year.

Another bit of good news is that the peso continued to gain against the US dollar.

The “worst seems to be over for the Philippines,” NEDA said.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan, said these economic indicators are good signs for the economy. They could indicate that the worst is over and the best is yet to come, he added.

He attributed these positive developments to the able management of the economy by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, especially the fiscal reforms that she adopted even before the current financial crisis swept across continents.

Remonde cited the President’s push for the unpopular expanded value added tax (EVAT), “for which she had been condemned and criticized and for which she has paid a very dear political price.”

As shown by the President, “real leadership means making the right decisions, no matter how unpopular they are,” he said. (PIA V Release)

PGMA TO SIGN INTO LAW NATIONAL TOURISM BILL

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to sign in Cebu City tomorrow (Tuesday) the proposed National Tourism Policy Act of 2009 or Republic Act (RA) 9593, declaring a national policy for tourism as an engine of investment and employment, growth and national development.

The proposed law is seen as a big boost to the Philippine tourism industry, and the choice of Cebu as the setting of the signing ceremony is deemed highly appropriate considering the province’s emergence as one of the country’s premier tourist destinations.

RA 9593 or "An Act declaring a national policy for tourism as an engine of investment, employment, growth and national development, and strengthening the Department of Tourism and its attached agencies to effectively and efficiently implement that policy, and appropriating funds therefore."

The Act declares that tourism is an "indispensable element of the national economy and an industry of national interest and importance, which must be harnessed as an engine of socio-economic growth and cultural affirmation to generate investment, foreign exchange and employment, and to continue to mold an enhanced sense of national pride for all Filipinos."

The tourism statute aims to promote the country as the premier tourist destination in Asia and to upgrade its level of international competitiveness through a system of accreditation, standards-setting and classification.

The new law empowers the Department of Tourism by strengthening its different agencies to more efficiently and effectively coordinate the functions and resources of government for tourism promotions and development programs, as well as eliminate overlapping of functions.

Under RA 9593, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) will be reorganized as the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), a corporate body responsible for the marketing and promotion of the Philippines as a global tourism destination, highlighting its tourism products and services.

It will reorganize the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) to become the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), a corporate body mandated to designate, regulate and supervise tourism enterprise zones (TEZs) as well as develop, manage and supervise tourism projects in the country.

The Duty Free Philippines will also be reorganized and renamed the Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC), a corporate body mandated to operate the duty and tax free merchandising system in the country.

The Act provides that the TPB and TIEZA will each have a capitalization of P250-million and subscribed by the national government.

The Act also establishes "tourism enterprise zones" in strategic areas, such as Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Laguna, Cavite, Boracay, Palawan and Iloilo, in the country to lure foreign investors and tourists to visit places rich with history and culture.

The tourism enterprise zones are expected to spur the creation of jobs and open additional channels for the infusion of much-needed investments in the country as well as enable the people to pull themselves out of the economic recession. (PIA V Release)