NSO SORSOGON URGES PUBLIC TO SUPPORT THE 2009 LFS/FIES

SORSOGON CITY — The National Statistic Office (NSO) provincial office here has urged the public to support and cooperate with the NSO statistical researchers who are currently conducting the 2009 Labor Force Survey (LFS), a nationwide survey of households, this July.

Elvira O. Apogñol, NSO Sorsogon OIC provincial statistics officer, said some 17 researchers consist of NSO regular field staff and hired statistical researchers have since July 8 been doing rounds to survey the 461 sample households in 29 barangays across the province.

She said the LFS provides data on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population on the past week reference period.

“LFS is basically geared towards the estimation of the levels of employment and unemployment and conducted every first month of the quarter in selected areas of the country, wherein Sorsogon is included among the areas surveyed,” she added.

The Labor Force Survey is now being undertaken simultaneously with the first of two rounds of the 2009 Family Income and expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted every three years by the NSO.

FIES is a rider questionnaire to the LFS conducted to gather data on the income distribution and levels of living and spending pattern of Filipino families for the first semester, January 1- June 30, 2009.

FIES is the 15th survey of its kind which will end on July 31, 2009 while the second round is slated on January 2010.

Apogñol explained FIES publications make possible the analysis of the income and expenditure pattern of Filipino families which form part of inputs to formulation of development policies, plans and programs.

She stressed the cooperation and participation of the public is deemed necessary because the survey will also determine the poverty related factors such as poverty incidences and thresholds.

Commonwealth Act 591 mandates the NSO, then known as the Bureau of the Census and Statistics, to consolidate statistical activities by enumeration, sampling or other methods.

Likewise, in consonance with the provision of Executive Order No. 121, the NSO is designated as the “major statistical agency responsible for generating general purpose statistics.” (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


UNIFORMED PERSONNEL GEARS UP FOR MAYON THREATS

LEGAZPI CITY— Uniformed agencies under the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) met over the weekend with Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) revisiting the contingency plan in response to the heightened alert level of Mayon Volcano.

Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NavForSol), led by Commodore Joel Babas, convened the emergency conference laying out the military’s proposed plan in sync with the local disaster coordinating council to effectively and efficiently carry out response and mitigating measures in the wake of the volcano’s abnormal activities.

Babas has willingly committed the military’s unequivocal support to the provincial government of Albay, through the APSEMO, ensuring that all counter measures are already in place for any eventualities.

Capt. Romeo Nebres PN (GSC), NAVFORSOL deputy commander, presided over thee conference and participated in by officials of 901st Brigade of the Philippine Army, Tactical Operations Group 5 of the Philippine Air Force, Coast Guard District Bicol, Police Bicol Regional Office, Civil Military Operations Group Southern Luzon of the Navy.

Eduardo Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, provided updates on the volcano’s seismic activity manifesting a surge in volcanic quakes, and sustained bulging at the volcano’s edifice, indicating that magma intrusion is on the rise.

He reiterated that the 6 PDZ and the 7 extended danger zone (EDZ) be off limits to people due to the threat from sudden explosions and rock falls from the volcano upper slopes.

APSEMO chief Cedric Daep, meanwhile, stressed the province primary objective to achieve anew a “zero casualty” amidst the threat of Mayon Volcano.

“Saving lives is our utmost concern,” stressed Daep.

Albay Governor Joe Salceda, in a message relayed through the APSEMO chief, has lauded the military’s initiative and support that will augment the local government’s response and mitigation measures. (DFNieva, NavForSol)


PHILHEALTH BENEFIT PACKAGE FOR INFLUENZA AH1N1

LEGAZPI CITY— As Influenza A (H1N1) virus now afflicts Filipinos, PhilHealth has approved Board Resolution 1260, s. 2009 granting additional new benefits for its members and dependents infected with the flu virus.

Orlando Iñigo, Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional vice president, stated that PhilHealth Circular No. 25, s. 2009 provides the rules on the availing the benefit package to mitigate the direct medical cost for treatment of Influenza A(H1N1).

He said guidelines for the Influenza A (H1N1) benefit package include:

a) The benefit is limited to PhilHealth members and dependents with novel swine-origin Influenza A(H1N1) virus infection confirmed by the Department of Health (DOH).
b) Hospitalization benefit for PhilHealth members and dependents is set at a maximum of P75,000;
c) The benefit is set at a maximum of P150,000 for qualified health care workers (HCWs);
d) The benefit covers payment for the following:
Members/Dependents HCW

Room and Board P1,500 per day P1,500 per day Max = 10,000 Max = 20,000

Drugs/Medicines
X-ray, Laboratory and Others
* Suppliers including Personal
Protective Equipments (PPE)
* Transfer services
(Ambulance)

Operating Room Fee
Professional Fee P1,000 per day P1,000 per day
Max = 15,000 Max = 30,000

e) The use of operating room complex and other medically-necessary care may also be covered provided that the total cost shall not exceed the amount of P75,000 and P150,000 for HCW;
f) The benefit may be availed by all qualified PhilHealth members and dependents including cases confined abroad.
g) Except for confinements abroad, this benefit covers only cases admitted in hospitals designated by DOH as referral centers (national, sub-national and satellite) for Influenza A(H1N1) and other emerging and re-emerging diseases;
h) Patients admitted in private hospitals may be covered for Influenza A(H1N1) provided that confirmatory tests were coordinated with or confirmed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) or with DOH Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) or other DOH Certified Laboratory.

Iñigo noted that in order to avail of this new benefit package, a member should have at least three months of premium payment within the immediate 6 months prior to the month of admission.

He said Influenza A(H1N1) benefit package shall take effect for all admissions starting May 1, 2009. (PhilHealth Release/PIA)


KABIHUG GETS NEW HOME

LABO, Camarines Norte — It was a red letter day on June 18 in the calendar of the five Kabihug families who were awarded certificate of ownership for the shelter units given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Kabihug tribe is one of the surviving minorities in Camarines Norte province residing on the hill top of barangay Guisican, this municipality.

Unknown to many, this indigenous community has no place to call its home. Kabihugs usually take shelter in dwellings made of wooden structures with leaves for roofs and the hard ground for floor and makeshift beds. Come the typhoon months or cold and rainy season, they only huddle under a big tree for refuge. They were also greatly affected by the flashfloods brought by a strong typhoon which hit Camarines Norte in 2008

To put an end to their plight, DSWD Bicol, in partnership with the provincial government and municipal government here, has implemented the Core Shelter Assistance Project (CSAP) benefiting five Kabihug families.

Corazon Pitero, DSWD Bicol Operations Division chief, said five shelter units were initially released for five out of the 18 families from the Kabihug tribe who expressed willingness to be relocated to a permanent site

“Matagal na naming inasam-asam na magkaroon ng permanenteng tirahan, lalo pa na nag-aaral na an gaming mga anak (It is our dream to have a permanent dwelling especially that our children are already attending school),” sighed Tiyo Caloy, a beneficiary and the NASA chairman.

“At last our wish of owning a decent home has now been granted,” he added.

Marilyn Villanueva, municipal social welfare officer here, explained the idea of establishing a housing project for the tribe has been envisioned some time ago.

“The local government is very grateful to the national government, through DSWD, for providing the initial housing units and remains optimistic that funds will also be allocated for the remaining Kabihug members who have now appreciate of owning a house to stay,” she said.

The Kabihugs are now more involved and participative in community activities, doing their share in community building. These five Kabihug families finally realized that there is more than life outside their tribe. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)


OFWs NOW ENJOY PHILHEALTH OUT-PATIENT BENEFIT PACKAGE

LEGAZPI CITY — As PhilHealth carries on its mandate to provide affordable quality health insurance for all Filipinos, it also offers significant outpatient services to our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

PhilHealth, by virtue of the agency’s circular No. 13, s. 2007, has stepped up its Enhanced Out-Patient Benefit Package (OPB) for members of the Overseas Workers Program (OWP) and their dependents implemented since July 1, 2007.

With the circular, the Enhanced OPB is consist of consultations, diagnostics, promotive/preventive and curative services that can be availed by a land-based OFW and his/her qualified dependents in hospitals identified by the Department of Health (DOH) to provide such services at no additional cost to the patient/members (zero co-pay).

The diagnostic services included in the OPB are as follows: blood count (CBC), routine urinalysis, fecalysis, fasting blood sugar, blood typing, hemoglobin/hematocrit, electrocardiogram (ECG), anti-streptolysin O (ASO-Titer), Hepatitis B Screening Test, Treponema pallidum hemaglutination assay (TPHA), Potassium hydroxide (KOH), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), pregnancy test, x-ray (skull, chest lower and upper extremities), sputum microscopy, and pap smear.

Among the said promotive/preventive health services are visual acetic and screening for cervical cancer, periodic digital rectal examination, periodic clinical breast examination (CBE), and counseling for cessation on smoking.

Also included in these outpatient services are visual acuity examination, psychological evaluation and debriefing and auditory evaluation.

OFWs and their dependents can avail of these benefits in identified participating DOH hospitals.

For Bicol region, the Bicol Medical Center in Naga City and the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital here are accredited to provide tertiary care and the said outpatient benefit package.

To avail of the Enhanced OWP OPB package, the OFW member or his/her dependent must present to the hospital a copy of his/her Member Data Record (MDR). In the absence of MDR, one can submit instead his/her Proof of Contribution (PhilHealth Official Receipt or
E-Receipt) or proof of dependency, in case of dependents.

It is important to note however, that the date of availment of this package must fall within the validity period as reflected on the Member Data Record of the OVFW member. After the hospital verifies the documents presented, the availee shall then proceed to the doctor for consultation.

The said Enhanced Outpatient Benefit (OPB) Package for land-based OFWs and their dependents is separate from their existing benefits such as TB-DOTS, Maternity Care Package, Outpatient Day Surgeries and Procedures, Dialysis and In-Patient Care. Thus, this will not be deducted from the 45-day room and board allowance for members and their dependents.

OFWs and their dependents are encouraged to avail of this benefit package as we ceaselessly provide affordable and quality health care services that is well-deserved by our modern day heroes and the families they leave behind. (PhilHealth Release/PIA)


F.I.E.L.D.S. PROGRAM BOOSTS AGRI. DEVT. IN BICOL
…ensures food security, improved facilities and jobs generation

by; Danilo C. Abad

PILI, Camarines Sur — For over a year now since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the F.I.E.L.D.S. program during the National Food Summit in April 2008, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol regional office has come up with an assessment on how it fared in terms of enhancing farmer’s productivity and boost food production at the same time generating jobs for the Bicolanos.

Being a flagship program, DA has pursued FIELDS to help local farmers obtain better yield and income.

FIELDS stands for fertilizer, irrigation and infrastructure, extension and education, loans and insurance, dryer and other post harvest facilities, and seeds.

On fertilizer, DA intensifies its campaign on the use of organic fertilizer and composting. The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), in coordination with the DA and different LGUs, is set to establish 181 units of composting facility. Each facility will be provided with a shredder, compost tea brewer, vermin bed and 50 kilograms of African night crawler.

Aside from the composting facility the DA also provides trichoderma to farmers to hasten decomposition of rice straws and other farm wastes. A total of 14,456 sachets of trichoderma were distributed in the region covering about 722 hectares of rice land.

Likewise, DA gives priority to the construction and rehabilitation of small-scale irrigation projects in places with no irrigation systems.

For Bicol, P136.5 million was released for this project. Thirty-one (31) diversion dams/small water impounding projects will be constructed for the region. Today, thirteen diversion dams are on-going construction.

Under the High Value Commercial Crops (HVC) program 40 units of sprinkler irrigation is targeted for the year. This is in addition to the greenhouses previously distributed under the Programang Gulayan Para sa Masa.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has rehabilitated and restored damaged irrigation systems in the region. About 3,359 hectares were restored and an additional 6,839 hectares were rehabilitated.

All banner programs supported FIELDS, but priorities were on hard ticket or infrastructure projects. Part of the infrastructure projects is the construction and rehabilitation of farm to market roads (FMRs).

Under the 2008 release amounting to P247 million, 101 kilometers of FMR are targeted for construction. To date, 89.72 kilometers are being constructed and 2.46 kilometers has been completed which generated 2,175 jobs benefiting more than 9,342 hectares or 9,961 farmers.

For 2009, P144 million was allocated for Bicol projected to complete 82 kilometers of farm to market roads. To date 3 kilometers has been completed and 37.58 kilometers is on-going construction. The project is estimated to generate an additional 2,108 jobs and will have an influence area of 7,055 hectares benefiting 5,640 farmers and fisherfolks.

On extension and education, DA continued to undertake its R & D efforts and also conducted trainings for farmers on various production enhancing technologies and sustainable and market driven technologies.

Nine trainers’ trainings on palay check were conducted and 141 Farmers Field School were completed with 21 field days/harvest festivals. While another 108 FFS will be conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute and 37 by DA RFU 5 for the wet season cropping. Twenty-three (23) FFS conducted by the ATI had been completed. The Institutional Development Section of DA was able to conduct thirteen (13) trainings for mango growers, corn farmers and rice farmers with a total of 590 participants. For corn, six FFS were conducted out of the 35 targeted for the year.

Meanwhile, the Palayamanan project, which demonstrates diversified farming system, has established 23 techno-demos during the dry season cropping. Fourteen more techno-demo sites will be established for the wet season planting. Other trials include: ten (10 ) adaptability trial of new inbred and hybrids; techno-demo using Mestizo 1 and Mestizo 7 showcasing the cultural management technology for hybrid rice in 110 sites were established, two techno-demo in flood prone areas in 7 sites and two techno demo for saline rice varieties in Calabanga and Canaman

Techno demo on Modified Rapid Composting were established during the dry season cropping in 80 sites covering 400 hectares. Another 40 sites will be established this wet season covering 200 hectares. Likewise, DA recorded a total of 904 farmer adopters of modified rapid composting technology covering 945 hectares.

For biological control of Asian corn borer, DA distributed 19,773 trichochards to corn farmers and 40,300 pieces of earwigs. About 2,437 hectares of cornfields were monitored for pest and diseases.

IEC materials were produced and distributed as part of the DA’s advocacy and promotion of its programs projects and technologies. For the first semester, DA distributed 3,279 copies of IEC materials to rice farmers 7,976 copies to corn farmers and 4,431 copies for HVCC.

The Land Bank of the Philippines extended Ps 65.86 million production loan to thirty-four (34) Cooperative Financing Institutions (CFI) benefiting 980 farmer beneficiaries. Another 17 farmer’s organization availed of the production loan amounting to Ps 5.860 million benefiting 283 farmer beneficiaries covering 446.54 hectares. As of June 30, 2009 LBP has provided a total of 70.922 million pesos production loan to farmers in the Bicol region.

To reduce post-production losses and preserve the quality of farm produce, DA, together with the Bureau of Post-harvest Research and Extension installed and distributed biomass-fed flatbed dryers in rice cluster areas in the region.

A total of 175 units of flatbed dryers were established in the region broken down as follows: 21 funded under ACEF, 11 units under the hunger mitigation, 139 units under the DA and 56 units for the wet season cropping. Seventy-seven units are now operational and 48 units is on-going construction while the rest are for validation.

In order to reduce multi-layered marketing and provide affordable and fresh basic agricultural commodities to consumers 31 Barangay Bagsakan Centers are now operational in the region.

Under the corn program one unit village type corn dryer will be installed in Albay. Likewise, under the high value commercial crops 12 units processing facilities will be established in the region.

To ensure quality seeds and genetic materials, DA region V purchased 12,922 bags of certified seeds from seed growers outside the region to ensure that the region has adequate seed stocks. The Albay Seed Growers Cooperative on the other hand has a 5,000 bags purchase request from region IVA. Initially, 1,400 bags were delivered to the said region. Meanwhile, the NSQC reported that there were 74,504 bags of palay that passed seed certification and to date 20,830 bags were distributed of the 73,000 bags targeted for distribution.

The National Food Authority (NFA) reported that their procurement for the first semester was recorded at 493,758 bags of palay or 59.27% of their annual target of 833,200 bags.

According to Regional Executive Director Jose V. Dayao, DA will continue with its projects and focus more on the implementation of FIELDS to ensure adequate, accessible and affordable food for the Bicolanos.

He urged the farmers to support the programs and projects of the DA and be part in promoting technologies that would increase production without harming the environment. (PIA CamSur)


Arroyo-Obama meeting may dwell on regional peace, prosperity

MANILA — If the statement of Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta is any indication, expect the forthcoming meeting between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and US President Barack Obama as one which would focus on peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia as well as the entire Asian region.

Panetta, during his Malacanang visit last Sunday, told President Arroyo that the leadership of the Philippines in Southeast Asia is important to the United States in advancing peace and prosperity in the region.

He expressed appreciation for the leadership of President Arroyo particularly in promoting and protecting human rights and in advancing cooperation on counter-terrorism.

The President has been invited by Washington to meet with Obama on July 30, making her the first Southeast Asian leader to visit the United States under the Obama administration.

Panetta, during his talk with President Arroyo, noted the “great cooperation relationship” between the Philippines and the United States, stressing that the country is “part of the family – a great ally, friend and partner of the United States.”

Panetta’s call was an opportunity to discuss the partnership between the Philippines and the United States especially in the area of counter-terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation in the region and other regional security issues such as developments in Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

The situation in the Middle East is of particular importance to the Philippines because of the 2.4 million Filipinos in the area. Their safety and security is always given the highest priority by the Arroyo administration.

The President and Panetta also discussed how economic development is part of the strategy to root out the conditions that breed and support terrorism. (PIA V Release)


PGMA arrives in Egypt for 15th NAM Summit

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrived at the Sharm El-Sheikh airport in Egypt 9 p.m. Tuesday (2 a.m. Wednesday Manila time) for the 15th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.

The President immediately proceeded to the Savoy Hotel where she was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Egypt Oscar Valenzuela and Ambassador Leslie Gatan, Philippine deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

The Chief Executive is scheduled to speak on behalf of Asian leaders at the opening ceremonies of the 15th NAM Summit at 4 p.m. this afternoon (Manila time) at the Maritim Congress Center in the famous tourism destination of Sharm El-Sheikh.

She was requested by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to speak on behalf of the Asian leaders as conveyed last week to Philippine Representative to the UN Ambasador Hilario Davide Jr. by Amb. Maged Abdelaziz, Egypt’s Permanent Representative to the UN.

Amb. Davide immediately relayed the request of the Egyptian President to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

The President is one of the seven vice chairpersons from Asia in the Bureau of the 15th NAM Summit.

Her invitation is part of a tradition in a NAM high level meeting wherein the Chairman selects a representative from each regional grouping as its spokesperson at the opening ceremonies.

It is also tradition that as NAM host, Egypt is the chairman of the movement for the next three years or until 2012.

During the President’s working visit to Cairo last May 2, President Mubarak invited the President to attend this year’s NAM Summit.

The theme of the 15th summit is “International Solidarity for Peace and Development,” an apt topic with the President as the leading voice of developing countries in combating terrorism, promoting interfaith dialogue to achieve durable peace, and advancing peace and development to fight poverty. (PIA V Release)


Performance, not popularity is PGMA’s yardstick: Palace

MANILA — Performance, rather than popularity, is what is more important to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to Presidential Spokesperson on Economic Matters Gary Olivar.

In a press briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Olivar said the Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showing a dip in the popularity rating of President Arroyo “is not news anymore.”

“No popularity ratings are news (to the Palace) anymore,” Olivar said adding that President Arroyo’s performance while in office will speak for itself.

He said the President’s accomplishments in various fronts will be detailed in her last State of the Nation Address on July 27.

It will summarize substantively all the achievements under her watch and how these accomplishments have brought her closer to her vision for the country, Olivar said.

Though the new second quarter 2009 SWS survey—covering June 19-22, found 26 percent satisfaction and 56 percent dissatisfaction for the President’s performance, the SWS noted that her overall satisfaction rating “has remained stable due to lessened dissatisfaction in Mindanao and the Visayas, which, however was offset by increased dissatisfaction in Luzon.”

The SWS said the President’s net satisfaction became “less negative in Mindanao at minus 21 and in the Visayas at minus 28 but intensified in Luzon at minus 32 and in Metro Manila at minus 46 percent.” (PIA V Release)


PGMA acted with prudence in imposing drug price ceilings, says Palace

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo only acted with prudence in not immediately imposing price ceilings on medicines as doing otherwise “could send wrong signals to the foreign community.”

This was the explanation of Presidential Spokesperson for Economic Matters Gary Olivar by way of rationalizing President Arroyo’s 10-day ultimatum to pharmaceutical firms to reduce their prices by half.

“The President tried to balance the impact of the maximum retail prices to her efforts to attract and maintain foreign investments in the country, and in a way to keep jobs here, in the face of recessionary environment abroad,” Olivar said in a press briefing this afternoon in Malacanang.

Though the Cheaper Medicines Act provided the President with the authority to impose maximum retail prices, it does not mandate or compel her to do so, according to Olivar. “Which is why President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opted to give the drug companies 10 days to reduce their prices by half.

Asked if the Palace would be happy if the drug companies decide to reduce prices by only a few centavos, Olivar said: “If you talk about drug prices like P50, P70 or P100, a few centavo reduction is not satisfactory and could be a reason for the President to think if that was a bonafide compliance to her order or not. This could also be a ground for her to start thinking about imposing maximum retail prices, or a price control regime.”

The ideal situation, he said, would be a voluntary compliance by the drug companies to reduce their prices, in a practicable and credible manner to a level the President can best serve the public welfare. (PIA V Release)


PGMA assures NAM of Asian support and solidarity

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured today Asia’s commitment in strengthening regional and global cooperation under the principles and objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to address political, economic and social issues affecting the world order.

Speaking on behalf of Asian leaders at the opening ceremonies of the 15th NAM Summit this afternoon (Manila time) at the Maritim Congress Center in Sharm El-Sheikh, the President said international cooperation needs to be heightened to immediately address pressing global issues such as the current global financial crisis, nuclear-nonproliferation, climate change, protection of migrant workers, and interfaith and cultural understanding.

For more than 50 years, the President said NAM has been one of the most respected platforms for dialogue among the developing countries.

She said International solidarity can be effectively developed through dialogues which create mutual understanding respect and tolerance amongst peoples, civilizations and religions.

“If the developing world speaks as one, and the Non-Aligned Movement speaks as one, we have the potential to speak as one, then we have the power to move forward towards faster solutions to the many challenges facing the world today,” the President said.

Before the chairmanship of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, President Arroyo committed Asia’s full support and cooperation towards the attainment of global peace and development efforts under the objectives and principles of NAM.

“In behalf of Asia, Mr. President, I am sure I speak for each and every member country coming from Asia when I say that you can count on the full cooperation of all the Asian Non-Aligned Movement member countries in the pursuit of the goals and principles of our great movement,” the President said. (PIA V Release)


PGMA signs Rent Control Act into law

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Tuesday (July 14) Republic Act No. 9653, otherwise known as the Rent Control Act of 2009, which authorizes a one-year moratorium on rent increases in residential units to protect more than 1.5 million low-income tenants from indiscriminate rent increases.

The President enacted R.A. 9653, “An Act Establishing Reforms in the Regulation of Rent of Certain Residential Units, Providing the Mechanisms Therefore and For Other Purposes,” in simple ceremonies Tuesday morning in Malacanang.

Witnessing the enactment of the consolidated version of Senate Bill 3163 and House Bill 6098 were Vice President Noli de Castro, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Senate majority floorleader Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, House Deputy Speaker Rep. Amelita Villarosa and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, who is also member of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Also witnessing the signing were principal author Oriental Mindoro First District Rep. Rodolfo Valencia and several House members who were co-sponsors of the new rent control law.

Under the law, no rent increase shall be imposed in any residential units covered under the Act for a period of one year its effectivity.

After such period until December 31, 2013, the increase in rent should not be more than seven percent annually.

In case of boarding houses, dormitories, rooms and bedspaces offered for rent to students, increase in rental should be allowed only once a year.

Under the new law, owners of residential units are allowed to impose not more than one month advance rent and not more than two months deposit.

Covered under the Rent Control Act of 2009 are dwelling units in the National Capital Region NCR and highly urbanized cities whose monthly rent ranges up to P10,000; as well as units located in other areas whose rent ranges up to P5,000.

These include apartments, houses and/or lands, buildings or parts thereof, boarding houses, dormitories, home industries, and retail stores being rented but are also used as dwelling places.

Based on the 2006 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, about 1.6 million families are renting their dwelling units nationwide with about 1.55 million or 96 percent paying monthly rent of P10,000 or less.

HUDCC Assistant Secretary Celia Alba said their office and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with other concerned agencies, are tasked to conduct a nationwide information drive on the provisions of the new rent control law.

Alba said the HUDCC was also tasked to conduct a review of the implementation of the new law, a study on rental regulation, and submit to Congress its recommendation whether a continuing regulation or deregulation is necessary.

As government continues its low-cost housing program, the new rent control law is part of the social reform legislations to help poor families as well as students cope up with the effects of the global financial crisis. (PIA V Release)