SALCEDA SEEKS MORE FUNDS FOR REHAB OF IRRIGATION FACILITIES

MANILA— Saying that it is imperative for the nation to increase its agricultural production amid the global economic downturn, Albay Governor Joey Salceda has sought for the release of more funds which, he said will be used to bankroll the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities.

Salceda, reputed as one of the top economic advisers of President Arroyo, said over a recent radio broadcast interview that the President should assure Filipinos that there’s enough food supply.

In response to Salceda’s call, Malacañang said recently that part of the stimulus package amounting to PhP 330 billion has been allocated for the rehabilitation of irrigation facilities to ensure stable agricultural production.

A fund of Php 160 billion has been added to the 2009 budget over that of 2008. This fund would also strengthen government agriculture support though the FIELDS program or known as Fertilizer, Irrigation and other rural infrastructure, Extension, Research and farmers' education, Loans, Dryers and other post-harvest facilities, and Seeds.

Initiated last year, FIELDS includes: (a) the provision of cheaper fertilizer and micronutrients; (b) rehabilitation and restoration of irrigation facilities; (c) extension, education and training; (d) loans for inputs, shallow tube wells, and surface water pumps; (e) the provision of dryers and other post harvest facilities; and (f) subsidy for seeds and adoption of quality genetic materials. (JCAtencio,PNA/PIA)


LIBMANAN-CANAMAN SKYWAY BRIDGE STARTS CONSTRUCTION WORK IN OCTOBER

CAMARINES SUR Province — The construction of a skyway bridge that will link Libmanan town in the first district to Naga City via Canaman town in the second district of Camarines Sur is expected to begin this October, this year.

Engr. Orlando Roces, regional director of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol, said the bidding for the project is set on August 23 at the DPWH central office in Manila.

Roces said the skyway bridge project has an estimated cost of P1.3 billion which forms part of the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP) and Tubig-Kalsada-Opotunidad (TKO) development program of Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroo of Camarines Sur first congressional district.

He said the project will span over a vast rice lands and two major Bicol River channels.

He averred the new skyway bridge, when completed, will cut travel time the distance from Manila to Naga Cit and the neighboring towns in the south by about 45 minutes, adding that travel time from Libmanan to Naga City will be reduced to 15 minutes from the usual 40 minute ride by passenger jeepney.

Travelers, on the other hand, are also looking forward that road accidents in Maharlika Highway from Libmanan junction towards the municipalities of Pamplona, San Fernando, and Milaor will be lessened or even prevented with the new skyway bridge.
Presidential Assistant (for Bicol Affairs) Tomasito Monzon, meanwhile, stated President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has instructed DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. to finish the project in 2010. (MALoterte, PIA V/with reports from ATVilladares, BRBPMO)


CONSTRUCTION OF BICOL IRRIGATION DAM PROJECT UNDERWAY

CAMARINES SUR Province — Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP) is overseeing the implementation of the initial development project amounting to some P712.3 million for a portion of the Libmanan-Cabusao Dam Project (LCDP).

Last month, the 1.96-km access road which runs from national highway to the project site was already opened for the construction work to commence this month.

The P1.9-billion LCDP in barangay Malaguico in Libmanan is the biggest irrigation dam in the region designed to irrigate over 4,000 hectares of rice fields and is being carried out under the irrigation-modernization component of the BRBWMP.

Monzon, who is also project director of BRBWMP, said the dam intends to address the irrigation needs of Libmanan and the neighboring towns of Cabusao, Lupi and Sipocot, all within the Bicol River Basin (BRB), which is a 312,164-hectare wetland that covers 41 municipalities of this province, Camarines Norte and Albay, said Monzon.

He added the project’s implementing agency is the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) central office in Manila.

NIA Administrator Carlos Salazar was instructed by President Arroyo to see to it that the construction of LCDP goes on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that the dam is finished right on schedule, Monzon said.

The agriculture support facility, or irrigation system, is expected to be completed in 540 calendar days.

LCDP is part of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s commitment to provide Bicol with sufficient and efficient irrigation systems, as its estimated 200,000 rice lands are only 54-percent irrigated, Monzon said. <strong>(MALoterte, PIA V/with reports from ATVilladares, BRBPMO)


CSC ENROLMENT UP BY 3.36 PERCENT

VIRAC, Catanduanes — A 3.36 percent net increase in enrolment was posted by the Catanduanes State Colleges tertiary level this first semester of school year 2009-2010.

As of July 3, the total number of students enrolled both at CSC Main Campus here and CSC Panganiban Campus collegiate level reached 5,644, which is 184 higher as compared last year.

At the main campus, the College of Technology (CoT) posted a total of 2,203 enrollees, while the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA) has 892; College of Education (CEd), 785; College of Health Sciences (CHS), 664; College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), 317; and College of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF), 270.

However, the College of Agriculture and Fisheries has the highest rate of increase in enrolment at 27.35 percent. During the first semester last school year, CAF had 212 enrollees.

The CSC Panganiban Campus meanwhile also recorded a 10.08 percent net increase of enrolment in its three degree programs this year. Its Bachelor of Elementary Education program has 201 enrollees; Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education, 154; Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, 158. (GSRubio, CSC/PIA)


GSIS ASSURES PROMPT SERVICES TO MEMBERS, PENSIONERS
…despite defective database management software


NAGA CITY— The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) continues to deliver the needs and provide financial assistance to its members and pensioners covered by the Naga Regional Office.

Regional Manager Lolita M. Pureza said during the Press Conference held at Villa Caceres Hotel in Naga City last July 3, 2009 during the first five months of this year the financial assistance has been delivered by the GSIS through its various loan products, despite the problems posed by the defective IBM-DB2 database management software.

Pureza said her office top priority is to provide service to its pensioners for pension fund despite the adverse effects of the defective IBM-DB2 software to the GSIS’s operations.

“Loan applications may be done over-the-counter during the times the kiosks are down although admittedly processing of loans will still take some time,” she added.

A total of P213.1 million in loans was disbursed from January to May 2009. Of this amount, P207.3 million in proceeds came from loans applied through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (G-WAPS) kiosk.

Among the loan products available through OTC include Consolation, Optional Policy Loan, Policy Loan and Pension Loan.

The GSIS Naga Regional Office has processed P347.4 million in retirement claims for January to May; P17 million for survivorship claims; P48.2 million for regular life claims and P6.6 million for optional life claims.

As of the end-May 2009, the GSIS Naga Regional Office, which has under its jurisdiction Legazpi and Sorsogon branch offices and Daet, Virac and Masbate satellite offices, covers a total of 74,302 active members, 10,676 old age pensioners, 3,547 survivorship pensioners and 453 remitting agencies.

Meanwhile the GSIS office assures all members and pensioners that the integrity of all membership data has not been compromised and no data is lost. For every step of a process, records are preserved and kept in perpetual storage. (DCAbad, PIA CamSur)


CAMNORTE PENRO HIRES 13 “BANTAY GUBAT” UNDER CLEEP

DAET, Camarines Norte – Some 13 “Bantay Gubat” were hired by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) as part of the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

This was bared by PENRO Elpidio Orata during the meeting of the Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (MSFPC) at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) provincial office here last week.

Orata said the newly-hired 13 “Bantay Gubat” will help forest rangers in the protection of the protected forest areas and carry out tree planting activities, especially in barangay Guisican, Labo town and in the vicinity of the Bicol National Park.

He said the “Bantay Gubat” personnel will receive a monthly honorarium in accordance with the provisions of the government’s CLEEP.

In related development, PENRO has since been intensified its campaign in protecting and conserving the forest areas, including the Bicol National Park, through conduct of check points to monitor and apprehend transport and trade of illegally cut logs.

Orata reported some 13,275.58 board feet of lumber and flitches, bacauan trunk and banca keel, 345 sacks of charcoal, 1,400 nipa shingles and 400 bamboo split were confiscated from January to June this year.

He added that at least 18 operations were carried out by MSFPC leading to the apprehension of violators and confiscation of forest products of the same period, including 4 in Labo; 3 each from Daet, Capalonga and Mercedes; 2 in Vinzons, 1 each in San Lorenzo, Basud, and Jose Panganiban, all in this province.

Meanwhile, Rosalita Manlangit, PIA Camarines Norte chief, was elected as the new chair of the MSFPC after the former head of the committee for several years already retired from government service. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)


PGMA TO BRING RP CAUSE TO NAM SUMMIT

MANILA — President Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo Arroyo will join hands with 117 other heads of state during the 15th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Egypt to strengthen regional and global cooperation on various political, economic and social issues affecting developing countries like the Philippines.

In media briefing this afternoon in Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the President is scheduled to attend the 15th NAM summit on July 15 and 16 in Sharm El Sheikh.

Fajardo said the opening ceremonies of the 15th NAM summit will be held in the morning of July 15 while debate sessions will be held in the afternoon.

On July 16, Fajardo said the NAM leaders will hold a general assembly and bilateral talks before the closing of the 15th NAM summit at 5 p.m.

For sure, Fajardo said the President will maximize and capitalize on the opportunities during the 15th NAM summit.Egypt is one of the founding countries of NAM which also hosted the second summit in Cairo in 1964.

The NAM, whose membership counts 118 heads of State, make up nearly two-thirds of the members of the United Nations (UN), making it an important forum for developing countries to work out a coordinated stance on various political, economic, and social issues on the international agenda.

The visit to Egypt is part of the President’s international commitment to seek better relationships and give a stronger voice for developing countries to promote their socio economic and political growth.

As the leading voice of developing countries, the President has been at the forefront in combating domestic and regional terrorism, promoting interfaith dialogue to attain durable peace, including stronger cooperation against poverty to advance peace and development in the region.

In recent years, NAM has elevated the interests of developing countries in its struggles for self-determination, the pursuit of world peace and the search for a more equitable and just global order.

These include proposals for a more balanced global growth through constructive and realistic positions that are approved by its members.

The 15th NAM summit will be also attended by around 22 observer and guest states.

Held every three years, the last NAM summit was held in September 2006 in Havana, Cuba.Egypt will remain as chairman of the movement until 2012. (PIA V Release)


PGMA TAKES CLOSER LOOK AT NATIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAM

MANILA — An assessment of the country’s social welfare policy programs and domestic as well as international trends and scenarios likely to impact on social security, among others, will be presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo tomorrow (Tuesday, July 7) at the close of the two-day Strategic Conference on Social Welfare and Protection.

Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral will present the summary of the assessment which is expected to give impetus to the national social welfare program and fulfill the Arroyo administration’s commitment under the social reform agenda.

The Strategic Conference, which opened Monday at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, aims to strengthen existing social welfare projects and programs, generate multi-stakeholder commitment, and create a framework for greater social cohesion among governments, business, international, and civil society organizations.

National Social Welfare Program Chair Romulo Neri bared that plenary sessions on the perspectives of the government, non-government, think tanks and international organizations on social welfare and protection were held today.

The participants assessed the Philippine social welfare policy and programs, domestic and international trends and scenarios likely to impact on the country’s social security, best practices/country experiences on social welfare, and policy reforms and other necessary measures.

In July last year, the President signed Administrative Orders 232 and 232-A, setting in motion a strategy that will address the impact of the current global economic slump fueled by rising energy costs, especially to the poor.

Thus, the existing programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, and the Department of Labor and Employment and other agencies concerned on social welfare were clustered together to form a national social welfare program. (PIA V Release)


DESPITE COTABATO BLAST, PALACE UPBEAT ON MILF TALKS

MANILA — Malacanang remains optimistic that the stalled peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume despite the alleged involvement of MILF renegade members in the recent Cotabato City bombing that killed at least five innocent civilians.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said in a press briefing in Malacanang that ending the decades-long hostilities in Mindanao is part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s 10-point legacy agenda.

Although she did not deny that the explosion in Cotabato City may cause a delay, she expressed confidence that the stalled talks will be completed before the President steps down next year.

On Sunday, the President instructed Secretary Jesus Dureza to lead all concerned agencies in the distribution of assistance to the victims of explosion.

Fajardo said that in compliance with the President’s directives, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed food and medical assistance to the victims while the Department of National Defense (DND) and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) gave P10,000 each as financial assistance to the families of the victims and P5,000 each for the injured individuals. (PIA V Release)


PGMA TO INAUGURATE MANILA OCEAN PARK ATTRACTION

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will inaugurate Tuesday (July 7) a new enticement at the Manila Ocean Park -- the P1 billion investment of China Oceanis Philippines, the Makansutra Asian Food Village.

The President will lead the ribbon-cutting to be followed by a brief inspection of the facilities.The opening of Makansutra is expected to boost the Manila Ocean Park as another alternative attraction to those who love interacting with marine species. Its opening is expected to generate new employment opportunities to Metro Manila residents.

Makansutra Asian Food Village is the first branch in the country of China Oceanis which specializes in the investment, building, and operation of public aquaria/oceanarium attractions.

Makansutra will add to the existing Oceanarium at the Manila Ocean Park, Hotel H2O, and the Sunset Quay.

The Makansutra Asian Food Village, a food museum and restaurant, aims to introduce "edutainment" through a multisensory dining experience and interaction. It also provides one-of-a-kind attraction that will match those in other countries.The restaurant which has a 500-seating capacity, will showcase different food types in "hawker" style food selling that is very popular in Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and China.

In the Philippines, they are popularly known as "carinderias”. (PIA V Release)


PGMA IS IN THE PINK OF HEALTH --- REMONDE

MANILA — Malacanang on Monday assured that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is in pink of health.


Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President has been given a clean bill of health after she underwent medical check-up and other procedures at Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City last week.

“I would like to assure our people that the President is in the pink of health and she is healthier than most of her critics,” Remonde said.

He said the result of the President’s biopsy for lumps on breast and groin yielded negative.

In fact, he said, the Chief Executive is “resuming to her normal duties today and will have a Cabinet meeting tomorrow and other activities.”

Speculations spread that the President underwent removal and replacement of breast silicone implants while she stayed at the hospital.

"That report is totally absurd. I stand by our statement that the President checked in at the Asian Medical Center as part of her quarantine and part of that, she had the opportunity to undergo her regular ongoing medical check-ups," he said.

The President underwent a two-day self-imposed quarantine at the Asian Hospital upon her arrival from a 13-day visit to Japan, Brazil and Hong Kong last week.

While at the same time, Remonde said, the Chief Executive underwent a routine medical check-up where it was found out that there lumps on her breast and groin based on the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.

He said the President then subjected to a biopsy examination where the results were all negative.

"When she was admitted for quarantine in accordance with the Influenza A(H1N1) advisory, biopsies were done which turned out to be negative and she was discharged with a clean bill of health," he added. (PIA V Release)


PALACE CONDEMNS COTABATO CITY BOMBING;ORDERS AFP, PNP TO GET PERPETRATORS


MANILA — Malacanang on Monday strongly condemned Sunday’s bomb attack in Cotabato City and ordered the law enforcement agencies to track down the suspects behind such despicable act that killed five persons and injured 29 others.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said President Macapagal-Arroyo has immediately ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to make a thorough investigation of the blast and apprehend the culprits as soon as possible.


“We strongly condemned that barbaric act and whoever are the perpetrators behind that bombing. We have ordered all the security forces, the AFP and PNP to get into the bottom of the issue and apprehend the people who are responsible as soon as possible and to ensure security of the residents in the area,” Remonde said.

Likewise, the Press Secretary said the President has directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assist and attend to the needs of the victims and their families.

Police reports said an improvised explosive device (IED) went off at a lechon (roasted pig) house in front of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral along Quezon Avenue at around 8:50 a.m.

Two of the victims were reportedly killed on the spot. They were identified as as Ruby Ramirez, 43, of Philippine Trade in Barangay Bulalo in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao and owner of LC Omega Lechon Haus where the explosive was planted. The other one was remained unidentified and known only to be mentally ill.

Two other victims died later at the Cotabato City Emergency and Medical Specialist Hospital. They were identified as Prince Salem Cang Diaz and certain Paulo Kahar.

The fifth fatality was identified as Elmer Noble who succumbed to severe injuries hours after the blast.

The 32-year-old Noble was member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu). He died at the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (PIA V Release)