DA, PCIC GRANT CROP INSURANCE PREMIUM SUBSUDY FOR RICE FARMERS
PILI, Camarines Sur — The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol regional office here and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) has since implemented August 1 until September 15, this year the premium subsidy scheme under the GMA rice program to recoup the damages brought about by typhoons Crising and Dante during the first semester of this year,
Dr. Jose V. Dayao, DA Bicol regional executive director, said that the program was conceptualized to encourage more farmers to plant during the said period since their crops will be covered with insurance and at the same time, they are entitled to 50% seed subsidy.
Dayao added that under the approved guidelines, farmer-beneficiaries who will be planting certified, registered, foundation, and hybrid seeds during the specified period shall obtain a P10,000 per hectare coverage.
He explained that the premium rate for this shall be the discounted rate applicable in the area, which will be paid by DA Bicol.
He said farmers who will procure palay seeds under the DA Bicol seed subsidy scheme, as duly certified by the municipal agricultural officer, are qualified to avail of the premium subsidy.
The agency will download the premium allocation to PCIC, the agency mandated to implement crop insurance.
Marilyn V. Sta. Catalina, regional technical director for DA Bicol Operations and Regulatory Division, said that some 15,000 hectares high-risk areas are targeted for coverage in the region.
Catalina added that this program is unique since it is only in the Bicol region that insurance premium subsidy is being implemented.
Dayao, on the other hand, stressed that more farmers will be encouraged to plant from August to September because they will get indemnity checks from PCIC in case calamity damages their crops..
Dayao urged qualified farmers to avail this premium subsidy and already coordinated the municipal agriculturist or agriculture technician assigned in their area.
Dayao remains optimistic that with this program, rice production in the region will increase and ultimately the region will achieve its target production for the year.
DA Bicol and PCIC will oversee the implementation of GMA Rice Premium Fund.
PCIC will be conduct the monitoring and provide reports to DA Bicol as to the status of the utilization of fund. It will also conduct information campaign and conduct impact assessment to determine the effectiveness of the program. (MRIlan, DA V/PIA)
541 BICOLANOS HIRED UNDER DSWD’s NHTS-PR SURVEY
LEGAZPI CITY — Some 541 Bicolanos were hired under the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) survey of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Remia Tapispisan, DSWD Bicol regional director, said that, “They were hired as enumerators, encoders, area supervisors, information technology officers, regional field supervisors and administrative support staff.
Tapispisan said that the NHTS-PR is a data management system that identifies who and where the poor are in the country.
She added that the system makes available to the public a database of poor households as reference in identifying beneficiaries of social protection program.
“This is through the conduct of household assessment which is done by the enumerators hired by the department,” she said.
About 1,126 individuals were employed under the NHTS-PR in the country.
In Bicol, NHTS-PR was launched in the province of Masbate in May, this year.
Tapispisan bared that In its second phase of implementation in the region, some 1,123 individuals will be hired, consisting of fresh graduate, out-of-school youth laid off workers children of OFWs.
She said that the second phase of implementation will be conducted in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.
“Through this project, it is very reassuring that the DSWD are able to provide job to persons needing them,” she stressed.
He noted that the Household Targeting System is a program for the people and for better ways to make it work than to let people themselves participate and earn while serving their own communities.
Meanwhile, series of orientations on the NHTS-PR are being conducted for the local chief executives, ABC presidents and the provincial and municipal social welfare and development officers across the region.
The activity aims to generate support of the local leaders in the implementation of the project. This was already conducted in the provinces of Albay and Camarines Norte, while Camarines Sur and Catanduanes will follow. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)
UNFA-DSWD STRENGTHENS MATERNAL SERVICES IN MASBATE
LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has officially launched the Maternal and Newborn Health-Demand Side Financing (MHN-DSF) project in Placer, Masbate which targets some 5,295 families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
DSWD Sec. Esperanza Cabral and UNFPA representative Suheerta Mukherje earlier signed the Letter of Understanding (LOU) for the implementation of the program.
Remia Tapispisan, DSWD Bicol regional director, explained that the MNH-DSF implementation be carried out in partnership with the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Bicol, the Provincial Government of Masbate and the Municipal Government of Placer.
Tapispisan added that DSWD will provide the UNFPA with the final list of the beneficiaries in Placer, adding that a local project support group based in the host municipality was already organized to conduct the orientations.
The orientation activities will be spearheaded by Schree Lynn Herrera, UNFPA provincial project officer, and personnel of the municipal government and Rural Health Unit (RHU).
Herrera meanwhile explained that Placer town was chosen as beneficiary of the project not only because it is a 4Ps’ area but also being one of the pilot area of UNFPA’s 6th Country Programme of Assistance since 2005, along with the towns of Planas and Dimasalang.
The MNH-DSF aims to address the maternal and newborn care that serves women and children’s lives by ensuring skilled care at delivery and accessible emergency obstetric care. It is an innovative financing scheme that will directly address maternal health.
Both the Provincial Government of Masbate and the Municipal Government of Placer will ensure that prompt and quality maternal and newborn health services are provided to the 430 master listed pregnant women and newborns referred to the Masbate Provincial Hospital, Cataingan District Hospital and the town’s RHU.
The LGU will provide transport services as its counterpart to the project.
It responds to the mandate of the UNFPA which is “every birth should be safe, every pregnancy is wanted, every girl should be treated with dignity and no woman should die giving life.” (MamzVillagomez, SMU-DSWD/PIA)
ICRC WORKERS MAKE LIFE BEARABLE FOR VICTIMS OF ARMED CONFLICT
MASBATE CITY—Volunteer workers have been quietly coming in and out of Masbate province for decades now, extending various life-saving services to those affected by the armed conflict between the government and the communist New People’s Army.
They are part of the Swiss-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization that sends out workers to conflict-ravaged areas.
The ICRC has been in the province for over three decades already and has its national headquarters in Makati City.
Two of its volunteer workers in Masbate—a senior field officer and a delegate—talked to PIA Masbate recently but requested that they not be named in line with the ICRC’s principle of secrecy.
ICRC hogged the headlines after three ICRC volunteers were kidnapped by a terror group in Jolo, Sulu in Mindanao earlier this year.
The three, who were eventually released after months of captivity in the jungles, were seized by the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo in January after they inspected a water sanitation project at the local jail.
Despite the abductions of the three workers in Jolo, their counterparts in Masbate told PIA Masbate that they remained committed to helping the victims of armed conflict here. (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)
NKTI–HOPE BEEFS UP HUMAN ORGAN DONATION PROGRAM
SORSOGON Province — The National Kidney and Transplant Institute – Human Organ Preservation Effort (NKTI-HOPE) appeals to the public, particularly to relatives of patients who were declared brain dead, to donate their organs or tissues so that others may live.
Kristine Chang–Deyto, NKTI–HOPE transplant coordinator, said that their outreach program yearns to open the minds of the public on the importance of cadaver organ donation or living-related organ donation in saving lives.
Cadaver organ donor refers to patients who are declared by their neurologist, neurosurgeon or attending physician as brain dead, which means the brain is no longer functioning and there is no more chance of recovery. Living-related donor, on the other hand, refers to patient’s living relatives or close to patient by any affiliation willing to give their human organs to save the patient’s life.
According to Deyto, about 25 human organs and tissues may be donated for transplantation, of which the most common are the kidneys.
“Aside from the kidneys, other major parts of the body which can be donated are the heart, liver, lung and pancreas and tissues such as bone and cartilage, bone marrow, corneas and skin,” she added.
She said, however, that in the Philippines only transplantation of kidneys, cornea, long bones and lungs have been performed so far.
NKTI records reveal that 13,000 Filipinos develop end-stage renal disease every year, 50% - 60% of them are kidney transplant candidates. However, less than 10% actually undergo transplant due to lack or absence of organ donors and the failure of local patients to raise sufficient fund for the life-saving procedure.
Deyto noted the survival rate of organ transplants is quite encouraging, adding that data gathered by NKTI shows that survival rates for kidney transplants during the early years were registered at 90-95% for the living-related donors and about 80-85% for diseased (cadaver) organ donors.
She explained that though they recognize living-related and/or cadaver donors as primary donors, they also accept non-related donors as long as the organs are given willingly. Non-related donors are those who are not known or not related to patients by any affiliation.
“RA 7170 or The Organ Donation Act of 1991, providess that organ donation program must be guided by the principles of equity, justice, benevolence, solidarity, altruism and volunteerism. However, donors are not also prohibited from accepting token of gratitude from the patient’s family,” she elaborated.
Deyto also explained that becoming a donor is a personal and emotional decision that is why they also advise prospected living donors to talk with their family members, friends or consult a physician for additional information or to any member of the clergy or religious organizations before finally deciding to be an organ donor.
“And if they decide to become donors, they can simply accomplish the organ donor card (ODC) which states one’s intention to become an organ/tissue donor in the event of his/her death,” she said.
ODC can be obtained from NKTI-HOPE office, local office of the Department of Health or even at the local office of the Philippine Information Agency, who are also our partners in the advocacy,” she said.
ODC has also been incorporated in all drivers’ licenses.
HOPE is the arm of the NKTI and the government to bring to the attention of the people of the need for organ donation. HOPE is usually being contacted immediately if there is a potential cadaver donor (brain dead donors) and facilitates the process of organ donation.
In Sorsogon, Dr. Edwin Tan and Dr. Jose Emmanuel Cabildo, both of the Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital are among the referral doctors of NKTI-HOPE. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
REGIONAL SEARCH FOR MS. CIVIL SERVICE SET SEPT. 10
LEGAZPI CITY — In time for the celebration of the 109th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Bicol regional office will hold the Regional Search for Ms. Civil Service on September 10, this year, 1:30 p.m., at the 3rd Floor, Entertainment Plaza, Pacific Mall here.
This event is an affirmation of the women’s crucial role in the civil service and in the society as well.
Transcending the concept of traditional beauty pageants, the search will focus on the candidates’ personality, talent, and accomplishments in their respective agency, family and the community.
The winner will become the region’s Ambassadress of Good Governance.
All government officials and employees in the civil service are invited to witness this momentous undertaking. (CSC V/PIA)
PGMA urges public to support breastfeeding in RP
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today enjoined Filipinos to support the breastfeeding movement, citing the benefits of mothers' milk to the health and well-being of infants in the country.
The President said mothers' milk "is the best source of nutrition for infants and the most economical way to nourish Filipino babies."
Breastfeeding is part of the global strategy on infant and young child feeding of the Millennium Development Goals to which the Philippines adheres.
Breastfeeding has been cited as one of the two factors that bring down infant mortality rates in the country. The other factor is vaccination coverage.
The Department of Health cited breastfeeding as a strategy to save more than 16,000 children's lives annually.
Because of her commitment to deliver the most basic health and nutrition services to the most vulnerable sectors of the country, particularly mothers and children, the President extended her support to government agencies, non-government organizations, and private individuals who were staunch supporters of breastfeeding during the celebration of World Breastfeeding Awareness Month at Heroes Hall in Malacañang.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, one of the allies of breastfeeding in the Philippines, formally opened the Synchronized Breastfeeding Worldwide during the program which is now on its third year.
He also encouraged teachers to breastfeed to create a strong message among school children that women can work and breastfeed at the same time. (PIA V Release)
RP on its way to achieve '09 growth target -- economic managers
MANILA — Economic managers are positive that the government will be able to achieve its 0.8-1.8 growth target this year as the second quarter figure surpassed expectations after it reached 1.5 percent.
The government reported today the domestic economy's output, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), which is higher than the -0.1 to 0.9 percent forecast of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
The latest growth figure is, however, lower than year- ago's actual growth of 4.2 percent.
Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, in a statement, said the growth in the second quarter this year is "indeed (a) welcome news and attests to the resilience of the Philippine economy.'
"The combination of fiscal and monetary stimulus programs enabled us to achieve growth amidst an extremely challenging economic environment, " he said.
The finance chief said they "remain focused on attaining our goal of sustaining economic growth this year by ensuring that the government has the resources to fund its programs and projects."
"We need the continued support of our citizenry to be able to achieve this," he added.
Also, Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the second quarter output "confirms that the Philippines is one of few countries across the globe that has escaped recession."
He noted that "the positive second quarter growth shows that our fiscal stimulus program is indeed working."
He was referring to the P330 billion economic resiliency program (ERP) of the government implemented to thwart the impact of the global downturn in hurting growth of the domestic economy.
He stressed that they "will work even harder with various implementing agencies for the smooth implementation of quick gestating projects to support economic growth in the second half."
"With early signs of recovery in the world's major economies, we are now more confident that our 2009 GDP growth projection of 0.8 to 1.8 percent is within reach," he added.
Relatively, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said resiliency of the country's agriculture sector also proved itself in the second quarter this year "despite the changing vagaries of the weather brought upon by climate change."
Yap said this transpired due to "focused spending in infrastructure. '
"Economic and fiscal reforms implemented prior to the crisis are bearing fruits, making growth in production and increases in rural incomes possible," he said.
Yap added that they will continue to implement the Fertilizer, Irrigation and other rural infrastructure, Extension work, Loans, Dryers and other post-harvest facilities, and Seeds (FIELDS) program "to ensure continued growth for the sector and the economy in the
remaining quarters of the year."
The said DA program is the government's measure to increase rice production in the country.
Also, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila said the country "remains as one (of) the few Asian economies that continues to evade recession."
He attributed this "respectable performance" to the "sound macroeconomic management under very trying times."
"With this positive news, we are confident that the target GDP growth of a least 0.8 percent is within reach," he added.
NEDA and the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) said drivers of growth from May to June this year are the construction and mining and quarrying sectors.
The agencies said remittances from Overseas Filipinos (OFs) also helped boost the growth.
Relatively, gross national product (GNP), or the total value of all final goods and services produced in a nation in a given time, also went up to 4.4 percent in the same period from 3.1 percent in the previous quarter but lower than year-ago's 5.3 percent. (PIA V Release)
PGMA receives Credentials of UK, Austria envoys
MANILA — Envoys from the United Kingdom and the Republic of Austria called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this morning at Malacañang to formally submit their Letters of Credentials.
Both Ambassadors were separately accorded military honors prior to the event at the Malacañang's Reception Hall.
First to arrive was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to the Philippines His Excellency Stephen Lillie. He was accompanied by his wife Madame Denise Lillie, Charge D'Affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Colin Crorkin, and First Secretary Joanne
Finnamore-Crorkin.
Next was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to the Philippines His Excellency Wilhelm Donko. He was accompanied by his wife Madame Yan Donko, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Froilan Brandi and Commercial Counsellor Walter Holfe.
Both Ambassador vowed to work towards strengthening and improving the economic, political and cultural ties between their countries and the Philippines.
The President was joined by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and Assistant Secretary Victoria Bataclan. (PIA V Release)
RP avoids recession; economy grows 1.5% in Q2
MANILA — The Philippine economy in the second quarter expanded by 1.5 percent boosted by the government's stimulus package, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).
In a briefing, Romulo A. Virola, NSCB secretary general said the modest economic growth benefited from the reinvigorated construction and mining and quarrying sectors and the big push by government services.
The economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in the second quarter last grew 4.23 percent. The first quarter GDP was revised to 0.59 percent from the earlier 0.4
percent growth. The economy's growth was supported by services, 3.1 percent and
agriculture, 0.3 percent.
The industry sector was still in contraction with 0.3 percent mainly due to manufacturing.
Virola said the seasonally adjusted estimate of the GDP grew by 2.4 percent "effectively avoiding the recession" that had threatened when the economy declined quarter on quarter by a revised 2.1 percent in the first quarter.
The gross national product, which includes net factor income from abroad (NFIA), also rose by three percent in the second quarter.
From January to June, the economy grew one percent from 4 percent last year.
Augusto Santos, acting socioeconomic planning secretary, said the 1.5 percent GDP growth is above the official forecast of negative 0.1 percent to 0.9 percent growth.
"The development occurred amidst signals that the global economic recovery was underway, with some industrialized countries already existing their recessions, like France and Germany," he said.
Santos said the Philippines remains as one of the few economies enjoying positive GDP growth rates in the second quarter.
The economy of China grew 7.1 percent; Vietnam, 4.5 percent; and Indonesia, 4 percent. The rest still contracted like Taiwan, -7.5 percent; Japan, -6.4 percent; Thailand, -4.9 percent; Malaysia, -3.9 percent; Hong Kong, -3.8 percent; Singapore, -3.5 percent and South Korea, -2.5 percent.
He added that despite earlier setbacks this year, employment growth was broad-based as employment grew strongly by 4.3 percent.
Santos said employment generation reached 1.5 million, and the unemployment rate improved to 7.5 percent from eight percent a year ago.
"Government and private sector hiring programs, flexible working arrangements, and the frontloading of infrastructure projects under the Economic Resiliency Plan, all helped cushion the economy's growth and unemployment from the global recession," he said.
Dennis Arroyo, head of the NEDA's National Planning and Policy Staff, said the 0.8 percent to 1.8 percent GDP growth target is "easy to breach."
"To breach the 1.8 percent, you have to grow 2.6 percent in the next semester, which seems easy," Arroyo said.
Santos said the key growth drivers for 2009 are trade, business process outsourcing, construction, mining and quarrying, private and government services.
"Positive prospects are seen in new markets for agricultural products, in medical tourism, in election spending during the next quarters, in the green industries, in renewable energy and in the growing profit opportunities from measures concerning climate change adoption and mitigation," Santos added. (PIA V Release)
Good benefits derived from VFA highlight LOCVFA hearing
MANILA — The good benefits that the country has obtained ten years after the implementation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States have been highlighted during the Legislative Oversight Committee on the VFA hearing held on Thursday at
the Senate building in Pasay City.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita cited the broadened RP-US security cooperation not only in defense issues but on the emerging global challenges such as terrorism, pandemics, natural disasters, piracy and transnational crimes.
"Terrorism remains an imminent threat to our peace and security. Our defense cooperation with the US, including the training exercises we undertake as facilitated by the VFA, assists us greatly in this respect," Ermita told the panel.
Ermita also noted the support of the RP-US partnership in promoting the human rights and in broader objective of achieving lasting peace and development in Mindanao.
"Many obtained advanced training on human rights and humanitarian law concepts and practices, thanks to US programs, such as the Gobal Peacekeeping Operations Initiative," he said.
"We can say that our partnership with the US is making a difference in winning the hearts and minds of people and drawing them away from the empty promises of those who would use terrorism and lawlessness to destroy and promote their evil ends," he added.
For his part, VFA Commission (VFACOM) undersecretary Edilberto Adan revealed that since the implementation of the VFA in 1999, the Philippine military has received a total of US$ 249.99 million for the acquisition of firepower, engineering, mobility and communication
equipment.
"If the VFA will be abrogated, it would mean a loss of US$ 30 to 40 million in military assistance from the US every year," Adan said.
Adan also said that since 2001, there were 25,078 Filipinos and 27,186 Americans who participated in the exercises that were conducted in various parts of the country.
"For the past ten years, US assistance to the Philippines in terms of military capability upgrade, support to AFP operations, and civic and humanitarian missions highlight the importance of US-Philippine relations in addressing common security concerns. The VFA continues to serve the national interest," Adan said.
Contrary to reports, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Agnes Devanadera said there was only one reported incident of violation when US soldier Daniel Smith has been convicted for raping a Filipino. Smith was eventually acquitted.
LOCVFA chairperson Sen. Miriam Santiago said she plans to recommend to the Senate the abrogation of the RP-US VFA, although she admitted the upper chamber of congress has no power to terminate any treaty.
"Our only power is to concur with the ratification of a treaty, but we can pass a "Sense of the Senate" resolution and I hope we should be heard as the Constitution provides share power for both the Senate and the President for it," Santiago explained.
Controversial Navy Lt. Sr. Grade Nancy Gadian testified in the hearing but admitted that she has no personal knowledge that the US troops have been engaged in combat against Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao.
"Nancy Gadian was not testifying from her own personal knowledge but even if you call her testimony hearsay, it is still part of the vital information the Senate needs to know in order that we can act properly on the issue," Santiago said.
The LOCVFA is co-chaired by Rep. Antonio Cuenco, House committee on foreign affairs, who said he is in favor of the renegotiation of the VFA.
Senator Rodolfo Biazon, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, also attended the public hearing along with former Senate president Jovito Salonga. (PIA V Release)
San Miguel bags Limay power plant
MANILA — The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation today (26 August 2009) successfully conducted the negotiated sale of the 620-megawatt (MW) Limay Combined Cycle Power Plant, with San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC) having exceeded the government's reserve price for the plant.
SMEC offered USD13.5 million (USD13,502,000. 00) for the Bataan-based plant.
PSALM will declare SMEC, the energy investment arm of food and beverage conglomerate San Miguel Corporation, as the winning bidder as soon as the accuracy, authenticity, and completeness of all the submitted bid documents are checked and verified by the PSALM Board.
The successful negotiated sale was the fourth attempt of PSALM to privatize the Limay plant. The power facility remained unsold after public bidding in July 2008 and January 2009 and negotiations held in March 2009, primarily due to lack of interest from investors.
Commissioned in 1993, the Limay power plant comprises two 310-MW modules, Blocks A and B, which consist of three 70-MW gas turbines and a 100-MW steam turbine, respectively. Located in Limay, Bataan in Central Luzon, or approximately 145 kilometers west of Manila, the
plant is designed to meet the base-load demand of the Luzon grid.
Although it has breached the 70% targeted privatization level for generating assets in the Luzon and Visayas grids -- one of the preconditions to the declaration of open access and retail competition (OARC) -- with the sale of the 600-MW Batangas (or Calaca) Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant last July, PSALM continues to earnestly pursue the government's power asset sale program, which is its primary mandate as specified in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.
PSALM also hopes to accelerate fulfilling the remaining precondition to the OARC declaration -- the sale of at least 70% of the total contracted capacities of the National Power Corporation in the Luzon and Visayas grids to independent power producer administrators -- starting with the rebidding of the 1,000-MW contracted capacity of the Sual power plant in Pangasinan, and the 700-MW contracted capacity of the Pagbilao plant in Quezon Province on Friday, 28 August 2009. (PIA V Release)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
NEW BICOL PNP CHIEF INSTALLED,
VOWS TO CURB CRIMINALITY IN THE REGION
LEGAZPI CITY — Chief Superintendent Rueben Padua has been installed Monday (August 24) as the new chief of the Bicol Philippine National Police regional office taking over the reigns of Chief Superintendent Cecilio Calleja, deputy regional director for administration.
Calleja was designated Thursday (August 20) officer-in-charge vice Chief Superintendent Paterno Bangui who retired also Thursday.
At the turn over ceremonies, Padua said he would pursue the programs, projects and policies laid down by his predecessors, including the police transformation program as conceptualize b PNP Director General Jesus Versosa.
The newly installed Bicol PNP chief vowed to curb criminality in the region, underlining intensified campaigns against criminal elements that have been hampering the region's economic growth and development.
He stressed, “This could only be attained through police visibility, capability building of various police units across the region and improvement of police units. “
“Aside from waging war against criminality, the drive against various illegal activities and insurgency would also be stepped up,” he said.
Chief Superintendent Abner Cabalquinto, director of PNP NHQ Personnel and Records based in Camp Crame, officiated the turn over rites. (MALoterte, PIA V)
PRIMRR HOLDS DRR CAPACITY BUILDING
SORSOGON Province – A four-day Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) capacity building seminar-workshop was held in Gubat town here seeking to improve the skills and competence of the disaster managers for a sustainable DRR implementation in the local communities.
Governor Sally Lee said that the capacity building activity forms part of the 15-month project of Oxfam–Great Britain entitled “Safer and More Prepared Women and Men through a Permanent Disaster Risk Management Office” or Project PRIMRR (Provincial Readiness to Institutionalize and Mainstream Risk Reduction) which draws funding support from the 6th Action Plan of DIPECHO.
Lee stressed “this is also our effort to replicate the experience of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), now serving as model not only in Sorsogon but also among provinces of Pampanga, Saranggani and even abroad”.
She added that the project supports partnerships and collaborative undertakings on strategies that enable stakeholders, local communities and institutions develop capacities with the end view of building disaster resilience and reduce vulnerabilities to disaster.
Activities undertaken by the participants were capacity building orientation on DRR and application through demonstration of the skills and learning acquired from the resource speakers.
Lee said that the Disaster Risk Management Office (DRMO) staff/officers, provincial planning officers, representatives from target communities and local media partners were made to answer the DRR mainstreaming tool developed by National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
“Participants are also taught of how to install, operate and read digital rain gauges which will soon be distributed to different barangays across the province,” she added.
The project is also supported by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), an international non-government organization through its Disaster Preparedness Program (DIPECHO). (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
MASBATE SETS SIGHT ON BECOMING BICOL’S TOP FISH-FARMING CITY
MASBATE CITY— From being the province’s trading hub, this city now wants to be known as the region’s top fish-farming city by turning more than 200 hectares of municipal waters into a “Mariculture Park.”
In line with this, the city government here will launch before year-end the P5-million project at Masbate Bay.
Tuesday last week, Mayor Socrates M. Tuason approved an ordinance crafted by Vice Mayor Allan B. Cos and his city councilors, which will govern the operation and financing of the mariculture park that would cover the waters off the villages of Kinamaligan, Maingaran, Batuhan, Bantigue and Pawa.
The project, which includes the establishment of small, medium and large scale mariculture operation like fish cages, fish pens and corral traps as well as the creation of the Masbate City Mariculture Executive Management Council (MCMEMC), will be jointly undertaken by the city government and its partner, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
City Councilor Lucio J. Aguilar, the project proponent, said the joint venture would give the not only the city but the province as a whole long-term economic and environmental benefits in terms of investments and livelihood opportunities.
High value species such as bangus, lapulapu, pompano, apahap, mangagat and talakitok will be grown in the park, according to Ordinance No. 112-09.
BFAR is promoting fish farming to ensure the supply of fish in the country despiute the challenges brought about by climate change, the agency said in a statement.
Citing international studies, BFAR head Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. said the climate change was making fishing trips more perilous as fishermen were compelled to venture farther in the seas to catch fish.
According to Sarmiento, fish farming provides a good alternative to open sea fishing since it ensures regular fish harvests and, therefore, a more regular source of income. (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)
BFP SORSOGON CITY RESCUERS CITED
SORSOGON CITY— The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) station here was cited by Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and C/Supt. Rolando Bandilla, BFP chief, recognizing the sacrifice and selfless deed of the local fire station personnel here.
The award was given in due recognition of the firefighters who evacuated and rescued a number of stranded and trapped residents in this city on the onslaught of typhoon Dante
It can be recalled C/Insp, Renato Marcial, BFP chief here, led a team of emergency response team from the unit in a relief and rescue operation during the height of the typhoon, saving residents who were trapped in barangays Piot, Gimaloto and Bacon district by flooding.
The same unit was also instrumental in setting up temporary footbridge when Rawis Bridge in Bacon district collapsed to transfer residents and commuters from one bank to the other. Stranded commuters were also provided assistance when Madarag Bridge in Maharlika Highway was impassable.
The “Medalya ng Pagtulong sa Nasalanta” was personally received by Marcial expressing his appreciation to the BFP national headquarters for citing the sacrifice and selfless deed of his personnel.
“In behalf of the gallant men and women of BFP Sorsogon City, I would like to convey our gratitude to Sec. Puno and Gen. Bandilla for giving due recognition to the selfless acts exhibited by my men during the height of typhoon Dante”, Marcial said receiving the medal.
This is the second time that the same unit received a national award.
Last April, this year, “Medalya ng Papuri” was conferred to the BFP Sorsogon City in due recognition of the firefighters’ heroic act of saving the life of one Nestor Chaves, passenger of a ten-wheeler truck loaded with 400 pieces of LPG that met a freak accident at sitio Tublijon here. (BFP Sorsogon City/PIA)
109th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHILIPPINE CIVIL SERVICE
LEGAZPI CITY — “Honoring our Heroes in the Republic Service: Responsive, Ethical Public Servants with Vision, Impact, Commitment and Excellence” has been aptly chosen for this year’s celebration of the 109th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service (PCS) to give due reward and recognition to the new crop of exemplars in public service.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Bicol regional office here has announced various activities in time for the celebration of the PCS in September this year, which will be highlighted the regional and national honor awards for Outstanding Public Servants for 2009.
Reynaldo Atendido, CSC Bicol personnel specialist, told PIA Ugnayan sa Bikol radio program that several government-wide activities were already in place including the airing of a taped message by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies; nationwide promotion of Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007 and Honor Awards Program; special CS anniversary TV show “Republic Service”; special edition of the Republic Service e-Newsletter; and, awards rites for the 2009 Presidential Lingkod Bayan, the Dangal ng Bayan and CSC Pagasa Award.
Atendido said that CSC Bicol meanwhile will lead the regional/provincial recognition and awards rites for the 2009 HAP Finalists, Gantimpala Agad awardees, Bilis Aksyon Partners (BAPs), and Top Rating Agencies in PASADA/”Brigada Ahensya”.
He added that the agency will also hold seminar-workshop on Public Service Ethics ad Accountability, customer service, interfacing with stakeholders, charity missions in poor communities and stage “Government Express at the Malls’.
CSC Bicol also encourages government agencies to live up to their respective Citizen’s Charter in serving the people, strengthen desks and anti-fixer campaigns, adopt of output-based performance evaluation system. (MALoterte,PIA V/RAAtendido, CSC V)
PHIVOLCS TO INSTALL DIGITAL TILT-METERS AROUND MAYON
LEGAZPI CITY – Scientists of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) here are installing two to three units of highly-accurate digital tilt-meters to get a regular reading of the inflation and deflationary trends of the edifice of Mayon volcano.
“We are currently exploring strategic locations around Mayon Volcano’s upper slopes to install the tilt-meters,” resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta of Phivolcs here said.
Laguerta explained that tilt meters will be installed on the slopes of the volcano to complement other monitoring instruments, such as the seismographs for the volcanic quakes, the Fly Spectrometers (Fly-Spec) for Sulfur Dioxide emission, the Correlation Spectrometer (Co-Spec), and the online telescoping web cameras to obtain the parameters’ data, both on scientific and physical observations of the volcano from the Liñgon Hill Observatory Center.
The tilt-meters, each costs some millions of pesos, were acquired through the cooperation of the Philippine government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Meanwhile, Phivolcs has maintained Alert Level 2 for Mayon, meaning, the volcano is in the state of unrest which could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption
Phivolcs strongly recommends anew that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rock falls from the upper slopes.
Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.
On the other hand, Alex Baloloy, Phivolcs senior science specialist, is accompanying Japanese scientists from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) in conducting other surveys around the volcano. (MALoterte, PIA V)
PGMA orders DOTC to implement necessary preventive measures
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday, expressed anger the deaths caused by bus accidents, the latest of which was the accident on Sunday in Lucena.
In a statement read for her by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in a press briefing here, the President also issued marching orders to Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro
Mendoza to implement immediately necessary preventive measures.
“A lot of accidents caused by buses have happened this week, including that of a mother and child and the incident that took place in Lucena, claiming lives. I would like to express my very serious concern about these incidents. I am very angry because of unnecessary loss of lives,” the President said.
The President added that it is really sad to lose lives, especially of loved ones on these kind of accidents that could have been prevented.
At the same time, the President called on all stakeholders to a dialogue to discuss preventive measures.
The Press Secretary also said the President will visit the victims of the Lucena bus accident after the 33rd full cabinet meeting here.
An update from the Lucena police said that another passenger who was critically injured in the head-on collision of two buses in Lucena past midnight Sunday died Monday evening, raising to nine the death toll in the bloody accident.
Shortly after midnight Sunday, a Lucena-bound Lucena Lines bus collided with Manila-bound A. Bragais Liner along the diversion road of the Maharlika Highway in the village of Domoit in Quezon province.
Eight bus passengers died on the spot and 41 others were injured. A week ago, a bus ran over a mother and child along Edsa, resulting to the death of the child while the mother was seriously injured. (PIA V Release)
Better growth for RP in Q2 ‘09- Moody
MANILA — Moody’s Investors Service projects a better performance from Philippines economy in the second quarter this year noting the same trend in other countries in the region.
In its Asia Spotlight report today, Moody’s, on the other hand, said the figure will be lower than the 0.4 percent output registered by the domestic economy in the first quarter this year.
Moody’s Economy.com forecasts a 0.1 percent year-on-year output for the Philippines from April to June this year, within the -0.1 to 0.9 percent projection of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“But this drop stems from a strong result for the second quarter of 2008,” it said.
The report added that “output is expected to have risen compared with the previous quarter.”
Philippines registered a 4.6 percent output, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in the second quarter of 2008. The GDP in the first quarter this year is lower than the 3.9 percent in the first three months last year.
Moody’s economist Alaistair Chan, the report said, almost all member-economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) “have emerged from recession” as shown by the reports of each country respectively.
The report said Thailand registered a 9.5 percent year-on-year growth for the second quarter this year from 6.2 percent in the previous quarter; Singapore by 20.7 percent from -11.5 percent in the first
quarter; and Indonesia by four percent from 4.4 percent in the previous three months.
Although Indonesia posted lower growth, Moody’s said that in general “output was lower than in the same period a year earlier but higher than in the first quarter—spectacularly so in some countries.”
Figures for the Malaysia and Philippines are yet to be released. For the Philippines the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) are set to report the 2009 second quarter output of the domestic economy on August 27, 2009.
Economic managers see a better performance for the economy in the second quarter this year due to the continued resiliency of the remittance from Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and the expected pick-up of infrastructure projects among others.
Moody’s noted that rebound of the economies in the region was first seen in the industrial production.
It said that “after reaching a bottom around January, production growth has rebounded in an almost perfect V shape.”
“Fiscal and monetary stimulus measures have played a large part, but one big factor in some economies has been inventory restocking,” it said.
It added that “the scale of the inventory reduction among ASEAN producers will boost growth in subsequent quarters, especially in Thailand, where inventories continued to fall in the second quarter.”
However, it stressed that “the pace of improvement is already slowing” now that “producers have a clearer idea of final demand and are producing at a level that does not induce large changes in
inventories.”
“If this moderation continues, it will suggest that the rebound in GDP growth in the second quarter is unlikely to be repeated in coming quarters,” it added. (PIA V Release)
Release of 14 NDF consultants legally 'doable'—Bello
MANILA — A Malacanang official on Tuesday said that the demand of the National Democratic Front (NDF) for the release of 14 peace panel consultants is legally ‘doable’.
Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a radio interview, said the only thing needed to settle was the mechanics of the release of the NDF consultants so that they could take part in the peace process of the GRP-NDF.
”That is not a problem, legally it can be done. It is a question of discussing and agreeing on the terms of reference of the release of the NDF consultants,” Bello, a lawyer and a former Justice Secretary said.
But Bello did not elaborate on what steps should be done and what would be needed to arrange the release of the NDF consultants.
Earlier, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr. had alluded that the new demand might be a sign that the NDF was not serious in pursuing peace negotiations.
"The NDF must "speak clearly" on whether it is still interested in the peace negotiations. The government remains open to pursuing the peace negotiations. We invite the NDF to speak clearly on whether or not they are returning to the peace table," Razon said in an interview over the weekend.
The NDF has set a meeting with the government on Sept. 5, results of which would make or break its decision on whether or not to continue talking peace with President Gloria Arroyo’s government, or wait for the next administration.
But Bello said the Arroyo administration considered peace as one of the most important goals, saying it was a “condition sine qua non" to progress.
He also said that NDF consultant and Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison’s new conditions for the resumption of talks dismayed him.
Bello reminded Sison that when the government and the NDF signed a joint declaration in The Hague, both agreed that "the peace negotiations should be conducted without any preconditions."
”Let us talk without such conditions, we will talk until we reach a consensus on how to achieve lasting peace for our country," Bello said. (PIA V Release)
PGMA goes to London to speak at forum of 'The Economist' media group
MANILA— President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has accepted an invitation to speak at a forum in London organized by the London-based newsmagazine, “The Economist,” in mid-September, it was confirmed today.
This is a private invitation by the media outfit — a leader in financial and business reporting in the industry - and is not a State Visit to the United Kingdom, sources clarified. The date of her appearance is on or before September 19, sources added.
It s not known what topic the President of the Philippines has been assigned to speak on, the sources said, but “most possibly it will be on emerging markets,” the sources said.
The invitation clearly indicates that the President is acknowledged for how she steered the Philippine economy out of the global financial crisis. It will be recalled that her Finance Secretary, Gary Teves, was given a special award early this year as “Financial Man of the Year.“
The Economist is a media leader in the field of economics and financial reporting.
While in London, it is only natural that the President might want to meet the Filipino community in the United Kingdom as well as have private talks with businessmen and key politicians. These are now being arranged, sources said.
The President may decide to proceed to Saudi Arabia for another visit, the sources said. (PIA V Release))
Gov't gears up for commercial exportation of yellow corn
MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap has announced that the government, for the first time in history, is gearing up for the commercial exportation of yellow corn.
The National Food Authority (NFA) has gotten in touch with its counterparts in Vietnam who have committed to prioritize buying Philippine corn.
"The government is ready to export 50,000 to 150,000 metric tons of corn. This will come from Isabela, Pangasinan, Mindoro, Bukidnon, among other provinces," NFA Administrator Jessup Navarro said.
Corn production for the second semester is expected to spike up from 656,723 MT to 802,964 MT in Region 2, while Northern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are expected to post significant increases as well.
With the increased of yellow corn production in the country, Yap sees this as a good opportunity for the country to export corn.
This new development in the corn sub-sector seeks to help farmers, mostly in corn producing provinces, such as Isabela and Pangasinan, to earn more despite the looming price drop-off foreseen in the local
corn industry due to surplus in production.
“We have consulted with the local corn farmers, and we have reached in agreeable terms,” Yap said.
Upon the proposal of Yap, the government and the farmers have agreed on a new buying price of corn pegged at P10.00 per kilo instead of the prevailing market price of P6.50-P7.00 and the cost of production of corn at 7.81 per kg.
“This will enable the government to buy more grain as well as provide income to the farmers,” he said.
“As per our arrangement, the farmers have agreed to sell their produce at P10.00 per kilo. Para maiwasan din ang pagkalugi ng mga magmamais,” he added.
NFA has reached the total buying of corn to 600,000 metric tons because of the P10 buying price. Yap said more corn produce will be bought by the NFA from the local corn farmers at P10 per kilo.
“With this, the NFA has to work round-the-clock by extending working hours and implementing a seven-day operation and to do double-shifts daily,” Yap said.
Earlier, Yap has ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) to increase corn procurement by as much as 200 percent as part of the government’s strategy to counter the effects of the looming price-crash of the grain and support the Filipino corn farmers.
Yap, who presented strategy measures as early as May 19 to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a Cabinet meeting held at General Santos City, instructed NFA Administrator Jessup Navarro to increase corn grain buying target from 100,000 metric tons to 300,000 MT as an affirmation of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) commitment to the farmers.
“We have funds for this and we will continue to support our farmers,” Yap said. He further instructed the NFA to look for other innovative ways to expand the support to the country's corn farmers. (PIA V Release))
VOWS TO CURB CRIMINALITY IN THE REGION
LEGAZPI CITY — Chief Superintendent Rueben Padua has been installed Monday (August 24) as the new chief of the Bicol Philippine National Police regional office taking over the reigns of Chief Superintendent Cecilio Calleja, deputy regional director for administration.
Calleja was designated Thursday (August 20) officer-in-charge vice Chief Superintendent Paterno Bangui who retired also Thursday.
At the turn over ceremonies, Padua said he would pursue the programs, projects and policies laid down by his predecessors, including the police transformation program as conceptualize b PNP Director General Jesus Versosa.
The newly installed Bicol PNP chief vowed to curb criminality in the region, underlining intensified campaigns against criminal elements that have been hampering the region's economic growth and development.
He stressed, “This could only be attained through police visibility, capability building of various police units across the region and improvement of police units. “
“Aside from waging war against criminality, the drive against various illegal activities and insurgency would also be stepped up,” he said.
Chief Superintendent Abner Cabalquinto, director of PNP NHQ Personnel and Records based in Camp Crame, officiated the turn over rites. (MALoterte, PIA V)
PRIMRR HOLDS DRR CAPACITY BUILDING
SORSOGON Province – A four-day Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) capacity building seminar-workshop was held in Gubat town here seeking to improve the skills and competence of the disaster managers for a sustainable DRR implementation in the local communities.
Governor Sally Lee said that the capacity building activity forms part of the 15-month project of Oxfam–Great Britain entitled “Safer and More Prepared Women and Men through a Permanent Disaster Risk Management Office” or Project PRIMRR (Provincial Readiness to Institutionalize and Mainstream Risk Reduction) which draws funding support from the 6th Action Plan of DIPECHO.
Lee stressed “this is also our effort to replicate the experience of Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), now serving as model not only in Sorsogon but also among provinces of Pampanga, Saranggani and even abroad”.
She added that the project supports partnerships and collaborative undertakings on strategies that enable stakeholders, local communities and institutions develop capacities with the end view of building disaster resilience and reduce vulnerabilities to disaster.
Activities undertaken by the participants were capacity building orientation on DRR and application through demonstration of the skills and learning acquired from the resource speakers.
Lee said that the Disaster Risk Management Office (DRMO) staff/officers, provincial planning officers, representatives from target communities and local media partners were made to answer the DRR mainstreaming tool developed by National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
“Participants are also taught of how to install, operate and read digital rain gauges which will soon be distributed to different barangays across the province,” she added.
The project is also supported by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), an international non-government organization through its Disaster Preparedness Program (DIPECHO). (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
MASBATE SETS SIGHT ON BECOMING BICOL’S TOP FISH-FARMING CITY
MASBATE CITY— From being the province’s trading hub, this city now wants to be known as the region’s top fish-farming city by turning more than 200 hectares of municipal waters into a “Mariculture Park.”
In line with this, the city government here will launch before year-end the P5-million project at Masbate Bay.
Tuesday last week, Mayor Socrates M. Tuason approved an ordinance crafted by Vice Mayor Allan B. Cos and his city councilors, which will govern the operation and financing of the mariculture park that would cover the waters off the villages of Kinamaligan, Maingaran, Batuhan, Bantigue and Pawa.
The project, which includes the establishment of small, medium and large scale mariculture operation like fish cages, fish pens and corral traps as well as the creation of the Masbate City Mariculture Executive Management Council (MCMEMC), will be jointly undertaken by the city government and its partner, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
City Councilor Lucio J. Aguilar, the project proponent, said the joint venture would give the not only the city but the province as a whole long-term economic and environmental benefits in terms of investments and livelihood opportunities.
High value species such as bangus, lapulapu, pompano, apahap, mangagat and talakitok will be grown in the park, according to Ordinance No. 112-09.
BFAR is promoting fish farming to ensure the supply of fish in the country despiute the challenges brought about by climate change, the agency said in a statement.
Citing international studies, BFAR head Malcolm Sarmiento Jr. said the climate change was making fishing trips more perilous as fishermen were compelled to venture farther in the seas to catch fish.
According to Sarmiento, fish farming provides a good alternative to open sea fishing since it ensures regular fish harvests and, therefore, a more regular source of income. (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)
BFP SORSOGON CITY RESCUERS CITED
SORSOGON CITY— The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) station here was cited by Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and C/Supt. Rolando Bandilla, BFP chief, recognizing the sacrifice and selfless deed of the local fire station personnel here.
The award was given in due recognition of the firefighters who evacuated and rescued a number of stranded and trapped residents in this city on the onslaught of typhoon Dante
It can be recalled C/Insp, Renato Marcial, BFP chief here, led a team of emergency response team from the unit in a relief and rescue operation during the height of the typhoon, saving residents who were trapped in barangays Piot, Gimaloto and Bacon district by flooding.
The same unit was also instrumental in setting up temporary footbridge when Rawis Bridge in Bacon district collapsed to transfer residents and commuters from one bank to the other. Stranded commuters were also provided assistance when Madarag Bridge in Maharlika Highway was impassable.
The “Medalya ng Pagtulong sa Nasalanta” was personally received by Marcial expressing his appreciation to the BFP national headquarters for citing the sacrifice and selfless deed of his personnel.
“In behalf of the gallant men and women of BFP Sorsogon City, I would like to convey our gratitude to Sec. Puno and Gen. Bandilla for giving due recognition to the selfless acts exhibited by my men during the height of typhoon Dante”, Marcial said receiving the medal.
This is the second time that the same unit received a national award.
Last April, this year, “Medalya ng Papuri” was conferred to the BFP Sorsogon City in due recognition of the firefighters’ heroic act of saving the life of one Nestor Chaves, passenger of a ten-wheeler truck loaded with 400 pieces of LPG that met a freak accident at sitio Tublijon here. (BFP Sorsogon City/PIA)
109th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHILIPPINE CIVIL SERVICE
LEGAZPI CITY — “Honoring our Heroes in the Republic Service: Responsive, Ethical Public Servants with Vision, Impact, Commitment and Excellence” has been aptly chosen for this year’s celebration of the 109th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service (PCS) to give due reward and recognition to the new crop of exemplars in public service.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Bicol regional office here has announced various activities in time for the celebration of the PCS in September this year, which will be highlighted the regional and national honor awards for Outstanding Public Servants for 2009.
Reynaldo Atendido, CSC Bicol personnel specialist, told PIA Ugnayan sa Bikol radio program that several government-wide activities were already in place including the airing of a taped message by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies; nationwide promotion of Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007 and Honor Awards Program; special CS anniversary TV show “Republic Service”; special edition of the Republic Service e-Newsletter; and, awards rites for the 2009 Presidential Lingkod Bayan, the Dangal ng Bayan and CSC Pagasa Award.
Atendido said that CSC Bicol meanwhile will lead the regional/provincial recognition and awards rites for the 2009 HAP Finalists, Gantimpala Agad awardees, Bilis Aksyon Partners (BAPs), and Top Rating Agencies in PASADA/”Brigada Ahensya”.
He added that the agency will also hold seminar-workshop on Public Service Ethics ad Accountability, customer service, interfacing with stakeholders, charity missions in poor communities and stage “Government Express at the Malls’.
CSC Bicol also encourages government agencies to live up to their respective Citizen’s Charter in serving the people, strengthen desks and anti-fixer campaigns, adopt of output-based performance evaluation system. (MALoterte,PIA V/RAAtendido, CSC V)
PHIVOLCS TO INSTALL DIGITAL TILT-METERS AROUND MAYON
LEGAZPI CITY – Scientists of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) here are installing two to three units of highly-accurate digital tilt-meters to get a regular reading of the inflation and deflationary trends of the edifice of Mayon volcano.
“We are currently exploring strategic locations around Mayon Volcano’s upper slopes to install the tilt-meters,” resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta of Phivolcs here said.
Laguerta explained that tilt meters will be installed on the slopes of the volcano to complement other monitoring instruments, such as the seismographs for the volcanic quakes, the Fly Spectrometers (Fly-Spec) for Sulfur Dioxide emission, the Correlation Spectrometer (Co-Spec), and the online telescoping web cameras to obtain the parameters’ data, both on scientific and physical observations of the volcano from the Liñgon Hill Observatory Center.
The tilt-meters, each costs some millions of pesos, were acquired through the cooperation of the Philippine government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Meanwhile, Phivolcs has maintained Alert Level 2 for Mayon, meaning, the volcano is in the state of unrest which could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption
Phivolcs strongly recommends anew that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rock falls from the upper slopes.
Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.
On the other hand, Alex Baloloy, Phivolcs senior science specialist, is accompanying Japanese scientists from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) in conducting other surveys around the volcano. (MALoterte, PIA V)
PGMA orders DOTC to implement necessary preventive measures
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday, expressed anger the deaths caused by bus accidents, the latest of which was the accident on Sunday in Lucena.
In a statement read for her by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in a press briefing here, the President also issued marching orders to Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro
Mendoza to implement immediately necessary preventive measures.
“A lot of accidents caused by buses have happened this week, including that of a mother and child and the incident that took place in Lucena, claiming lives. I would like to express my very serious concern about these incidents. I am very angry because of unnecessary loss of lives,” the President said.
The President added that it is really sad to lose lives, especially of loved ones on these kind of accidents that could have been prevented.
At the same time, the President called on all stakeholders to a dialogue to discuss preventive measures.
The Press Secretary also said the President will visit the victims of the Lucena bus accident after the 33rd full cabinet meeting here.
An update from the Lucena police said that another passenger who was critically injured in the head-on collision of two buses in Lucena past midnight Sunday died Monday evening, raising to nine the death toll in the bloody accident.
Shortly after midnight Sunday, a Lucena-bound Lucena Lines bus collided with Manila-bound A. Bragais Liner along the diversion road of the Maharlika Highway in the village of Domoit in Quezon province.
Eight bus passengers died on the spot and 41 others were injured. A week ago, a bus ran over a mother and child along Edsa, resulting to the death of the child while the mother was seriously injured. (PIA V Release)
Better growth for RP in Q2 ‘09- Moody
MANILA — Moody’s Investors Service projects a better performance from Philippines economy in the second quarter this year noting the same trend in other countries in the region.
In its Asia Spotlight report today, Moody’s, on the other hand, said the figure will be lower than the 0.4 percent output registered by the domestic economy in the first quarter this year.
Moody’s Economy.com forecasts a 0.1 percent year-on-year output for the Philippines from April to June this year, within the -0.1 to 0.9 percent projection of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“But this drop stems from a strong result for the second quarter of 2008,” it said.
The report added that “output is expected to have risen compared with the previous quarter.”
Philippines registered a 4.6 percent output, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in the second quarter of 2008. The GDP in the first quarter this year is lower than the 3.9 percent in the first three months last year.
Moody’s economist Alaistair Chan, the report said, almost all member-economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) “have emerged from recession” as shown by the reports of each country respectively.
The report said Thailand registered a 9.5 percent year-on-year growth for the second quarter this year from 6.2 percent in the previous quarter; Singapore by 20.7 percent from -11.5 percent in the first
quarter; and Indonesia by four percent from 4.4 percent in the previous three months.
Although Indonesia posted lower growth, Moody’s said that in general “output was lower than in the same period a year earlier but higher than in the first quarter—spectacularly so in some countries.”
Figures for the Malaysia and Philippines are yet to be released. For the Philippines the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) are set to report the 2009 second quarter output of the domestic economy on August 27, 2009.
Economic managers see a better performance for the economy in the second quarter this year due to the continued resiliency of the remittance from Overseas Filipinos (OFs) and the expected pick-up of infrastructure projects among others.
Moody’s noted that rebound of the economies in the region was first seen in the industrial production.
It said that “after reaching a bottom around January, production growth has rebounded in an almost perfect V shape.”
“Fiscal and monetary stimulus measures have played a large part, but one big factor in some economies has been inventory restocking,” it said.
It added that “the scale of the inventory reduction among ASEAN producers will boost growth in subsequent quarters, especially in Thailand, where inventories continued to fall in the second quarter.”
However, it stressed that “the pace of improvement is already slowing” now that “producers have a clearer idea of final demand and are producing at a level that does not induce large changes in
inventories.”
“If this moderation continues, it will suggest that the rebound in GDP growth in the second quarter is unlikely to be repeated in coming quarters,” it added. (PIA V Release)
Release of 14 NDF consultants legally 'doable'—Bello
MANILA — A Malacanang official on Tuesday said that the demand of the National Democratic Front (NDF) for the release of 14 peace panel consultants is legally ‘doable’.
Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in a radio interview, said the only thing needed to settle was the mechanics of the release of the NDF consultants so that they could take part in the peace process of the GRP-NDF.
”That is not a problem, legally it can be done. It is a question of discussing and agreeing on the terms of reference of the release of the NDF consultants,” Bello, a lawyer and a former Justice Secretary said.
But Bello did not elaborate on what steps should be done and what would be needed to arrange the release of the NDF consultants.
Earlier, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr. had alluded that the new demand might be a sign that the NDF was not serious in pursuing peace negotiations.
"The NDF must "speak clearly" on whether it is still interested in the peace negotiations. The government remains open to pursuing the peace negotiations. We invite the NDF to speak clearly on whether or not they are returning to the peace table," Razon said in an interview over the weekend.
The NDF has set a meeting with the government on Sept. 5, results of which would make or break its decision on whether or not to continue talking peace with President Gloria Arroyo’s government, or wait for the next administration.
But Bello said the Arroyo administration considered peace as one of the most important goals, saying it was a “condition sine qua non" to progress.
He also said that NDF consultant and Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison’s new conditions for the resumption of talks dismayed him.
Bello reminded Sison that when the government and the NDF signed a joint declaration in The Hague, both agreed that "the peace negotiations should be conducted without any preconditions."
”Let us talk without such conditions, we will talk until we reach a consensus on how to achieve lasting peace for our country," Bello said. (PIA V Release)
PGMA goes to London to speak at forum of 'The Economist' media group
MANILA— President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has accepted an invitation to speak at a forum in London organized by the London-based newsmagazine, “The Economist,” in mid-September, it was confirmed today.
This is a private invitation by the media outfit — a leader in financial and business reporting in the industry - and is not a State Visit to the United Kingdom, sources clarified. The date of her appearance is on or before September 19, sources added.
It s not known what topic the President of the Philippines has been assigned to speak on, the sources said, but “most possibly it will be on emerging markets,” the sources said.
The invitation clearly indicates that the President is acknowledged for how she steered the Philippine economy out of the global financial crisis. It will be recalled that her Finance Secretary, Gary Teves, was given a special award early this year as “Financial Man of the Year.“
The Economist is a media leader in the field of economics and financial reporting.
While in London, it is only natural that the President might want to meet the Filipino community in the United Kingdom as well as have private talks with businessmen and key politicians. These are now being arranged, sources said.
The President may decide to proceed to Saudi Arabia for another visit, the sources said. (PIA V Release))
Gov't gears up for commercial exportation of yellow corn
MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap has announced that the government, for the first time in history, is gearing up for the commercial exportation of yellow corn.
The National Food Authority (NFA) has gotten in touch with its counterparts in Vietnam who have committed to prioritize buying Philippine corn.
"The government is ready to export 50,000 to 150,000 metric tons of corn. This will come from Isabela, Pangasinan, Mindoro, Bukidnon, among other provinces," NFA Administrator Jessup Navarro said.
Corn production for the second semester is expected to spike up from 656,723 MT to 802,964 MT in Region 2, while Northern Mindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) are expected to post significant increases as well.
With the increased of yellow corn production in the country, Yap sees this as a good opportunity for the country to export corn.
This new development in the corn sub-sector seeks to help farmers, mostly in corn producing provinces, such as Isabela and Pangasinan, to earn more despite the looming price drop-off foreseen in the local
corn industry due to surplus in production.
“We have consulted with the local corn farmers, and we have reached in agreeable terms,” Yap said.
Upon the proposal of Yap, the government and the farmers have agreed on a new buying price of corn pegged at P10.00 per kilo instead of the prevailing market price of P6.50-P7.00 and the cost of production of corn at 7.81 per kg.
“This will enable the government to buy more grain as well as provide income to the farmers,” he said.
“As per our arrangement, the farmers have agreed to sell their produce at P10.00 per kilo. Para maiwasan din ang pagkalugi ng mga magmamais,” he added.
NFA has reached the total buying of corn to 600,000 metric tons because of the P10 buying price. Yap said more corn produce will be bought by the NFA from the local corn farmers at P10 per kilo.
“With this, the NFA has to work round-the-clock by extending working hours and implementing a seven-day operation and to do double-shifts daily,” Yap said.
Earlier, Yap has ordered the National Food Authority (NFA) to increase corn procurement by as much as 200 percent as part of the government’s strategy to counter the effects of the looming price-crash of the grain and support the Filipino corn farmers.
Yap, who presented strategy measures as early as May 19 to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a Cabinet meeting held at General Santos City, instructed NFA Administrator Jessup Navarro to increase corn grain buying target from 100,000 metric tons to 300,000 MT as an affirmation of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) commitment to the farmers.
“We have funds for this and we will continue to support our farmers,” Yap said. He further instructed the NFA to look for other innovative ways to expand the support to the country's corn farmers. (PIA V Release))
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
DARAGANG MAGAYON JOBS FAIR SET
DARAGA, ALBAY – At least 10 local and overseas establishments have signified to take part in the jobs fair of the municipal government here, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), on August 31-September 1, 2009 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the town’s fiesta activities.
The activity, dubbed Daragang Magayon Jobs Fair, will be held at the Daraga Emergency Evacuation Center at the 3rd floor of Building 3 of the Daraga Public Market.
The job generation program is supported by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Rotaract Club of Legazpi Central.
Job seekers can easily access the services of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) at the venue for their job application requirements.
Mr. Rey Josef R. Lawenko, PESO chief, said that the jobs fair is a venue where applicants could decide on jobs suited to their qualifications where they could reduce cost, time, and effort.”
Lawenko also said that all applications will be part of the data base for job matching and that all qualified applicants will be informed through call or text messages.
He added that there is an on-going pre-registration for applicants who don’t want to wait in line on the day of the jobs fair itself. To pre-register, just go to PESO Daraga during office hours and fill-up the pre-registration form. (LGU Daraga/PIA)
DPWH BICOL FAST TRACKS ROAD PROJECTS TO BOOST TOURISM
LGAZPI CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol regional office here has doubled its efforts to expedite the completion of the Presentacion-Caramoan coastal road project in Camarines Sur province.
Danilo Manalang, DPWH Bicol regional director, said that the coastal road project when completed will boost tourism activities in Caramoan town and neighboring localities.
”We all know that income derived from foreign and local tourists frequenting the now famous Caramoan largely contributes to our economy,” Manalang said.
He added that the road network will provide new income opportunities and will support the socio-economic development of the locality thereby improving the lives of our people.
Recent data of the Department of Tourism (DOT) show that the number of tourists visiting bicol has increased during the past months.
”The improvement of the road network would surely boost the tourism industry in the region,” commented Maria Ravanilla, DOT Bicol regiona director, during a media interview.
It can be recalled that a French Network utilized Gota Beach in Caramoan for their location shooting of a famous television program. Gota Beach is fast becoming a household name and is foreseen as the next Boracay Beach.
The Presntacion-Caramoan Peninsula Road is located in the 3rd Congressional District of Camarines Sur. It is a 48.80 km. Road starting at Barangay Poblacion of the Municipality of Presentacion traversing nthe Barangays of Ankolan, Tanawan, Bicalen, San Francisco, Maligaya, Sta. Cruz, Tabiguian, Pili, Tabgon, Agas, Hanoy, Bikal, Oroc-Osoc, Caramoan Poblacion and Guijalo.
”The total project cost is P298 million that involved the concrete paving of 8.564 kilometers and regravelling of 31.0 kilometers of road inclusive of drainage structures,” said DPWH-5 Assistant Regional Director for Construction Operations Oscar Cristobal.
Once completed, Manalang said, that the project would also provide commuters with saf access and easy transport of marine, livestock. (DPWH V/PIA)
IT GENERATES NEW JOBS IN BICOL
LEGAZPI CITY — Information Technology (IT) has paved way for new job openings in the region.
This was disclosed after the regional offices here of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) consolidated records on the trends of employment in the IT field.
Some 1,106 IT stores or shops have opened across Bicol generating an estimated 3,124 job placements.
DOLE Assistant Regional Director Irma S. Valiente opined that IT is a booming industry in the region and is one of the TOP contributors in creating jobs.
“We are happy that we have a new player in the job industry thru the influx of Information Technology, she said.
Valiente explained that although most of the jobs that IT industry generated fall on the informal sector, like individual computer technicians, programmers, web developers and software developers, they have contributed a lot to the development of the region by providing an alternative source of income for locals.
In anticipation of the IT influx, TESDA Bicol has developed training packages for schools offering IT courses. As of June 2009 TESDA conducted IT related trainings and recorded some 265 IT courses being offered by 77 schools region wide.
DOLE Bicol is also projecting that the region may have at least 30 per cent increase in IT employment in line with call centers.
“We think that by the end of this year, especially when the call centers of Embarcadero opens, Bicol will definitely have additional employment. We see IT as the sunrise industry here,” Valiente added.
The number of call centers in the region has almost doubled for the past three years which now have some 3,000 employees. (RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)
PEO-SORSOGON BARES COMPLETED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
SORSOGON Province — The Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) here has released report of the various infrastructure projects including rehabilitation and concreting completed in various municipalities across the province.
Engr. Mary O. Lamban, PEO chief, said that five out of ten municipalities benefited from under the 20% Local Development Fund, including the improvement of Abucay-Cabiguhan road in Pilar town, concreting along Buhang–Sta. Barbara road in Bulusan and Talisayan–Manlabong road in Pto. Diaz, improvement and concreting along Cumadcad–Macalaya road in Castilla and repair of Macawayan box culvert, riprapping and approach in Bacon district in Sorsogon City.
“From the Office of the Civil Defense–Calamity Assistance and Relief during Emergency (OCD – CARE) program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, PEO completed three major rehabilitation projects to the Cawayan River Control in Guinlajon,” Lamban said.
She added that under the Special Local Road Fund – Motor Vehicles User Charge (SLRF – MVUC), the rehabilitation/ improvement of roads in Bulan and Castilla were also completed.
“The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also allocated funds for road improvements in Castilla, including some other on-going projects in Bulusan, Bulan and Gubat,” she stated.
“Eight irrigation projects in several barangays in Irosin town were also accomplished,” she added.
It can be recalled that in May this year, some 4.3-kilometer road project from barangay Pawa to Poblacion in Sta. Magdalena town traversing through eight barangays which is part of the 8.8 kilometer dilapidated asphalt road was inaugurated.
Sta Magdalena town is classified as fifth class municipality and is one of the poorest in the province.
“This road section also connects the town of Sta. Magdalena to the municipality of Bulusan which also traverses six barangays,” Lamban said.
With the completion of the project, travel time and cost as well as maintenance expenses were notably reduced benefiting not only the transportation industry but also the agricultural sector.
The project was funded through the Land Bank loan of the provincial government for roads improvement and rehabilitation.
The same funds were utilized to carry out various climate change mitigation measures such as construction of sea wall, shore and slope protection, construction of permanent evacuation centers and access roads, construction of school buildings, establishment of a management information system and other barangay development projects. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
CLEEP BENEFITS MORE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN CAMARINES NORTE
DAET, Camarines Norte – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has carried out anew several programs to help unemployed, disadvantaged and displaced workers in the province of Camarines Norte under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Ruben Romanillos, DOLE provincial chief, said that some 50 nurses were already given jobs from April until October this year assigned in the 10 municipalities of the province receiving a salary of P8,000 per month plus P2,000 allowance from the host local government units.
He said that another 50 nurses will be given a chance to work from October 2009 to March 2010 also to be dispatched in the same 10 towns with similar remunerations.
He also said that a total of 115 were also given jobs as laborers for two months recently under the program Tulong sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
The program was implemented by the provincial government of Camarines Norte and the municipal government here.
Romanillos also cited that the another program implemented recently was the Integrated Services for Livelihood Assistance (ISLA) in order to help the fishermen of Mercedes and Vinzons towns.
He said that the fishermen of barangay Catandunganon of Mercedes was given as grant a P150,000 for the mud crab fattening project while the fishermen of barangay Sabang of Vinzons was also given as grant a P200,000 for the procurement of lobster nets and motorized fishing boats.
He added that the project will help fishermen in their day to day income and will alleviate their situation. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)
Media Statement:
ON ISSUE ACTUARIAL LIFE OF PHILHEALTH FUNDS
PhilHealth would like to assure its members and stakeholders that there is no reason to be worried about its financial stability. The National Health Insurance Fund remains stable and it can very well provide for the hospitalization benefits of PhilHealth members from the different member agencies.
With an investment portfolio of about P91 billion as of July 31, 2009, PhilHealth remains solid, and is poised to remain so in the years to come.
However, there is a need to step-up collection of premium contributions from the different paying programs to ensure the sustained life of the fund, especially with the recent enhancement in inpatient care benefits without any immediate increase in premium contributions.
It is for this reason that PhilHealth is exerting all efforts to prompt employers to remit their counterpart contributions for the benefit of their employees.
While we indeed have collectibles from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) representing the National Government’s counterpart premium as an employer for the period 2001 to 2008, the DBM has remitted about P388 million for 2006 and P85 million for 2007, and another P610 million has been duly appropriated under the GAA for 2009. We continue to bill the DBM for the said amounts, and with close coordination, we remain optimistic that the DBM will fully settle its obligations soon. PhilHealth V/PIA)
GSKF to deploy 100 nurses
MANILA — GlaxoSmithKline Foundation (GSKF) will deploy 100 nurses to 20 poor municipalities under Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Services).
DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque and GSKF president Roberto Taboada signed the Memorandum of Agreement that calls for GSKF to provide nurses with an P8,000 stipend each.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who launched project NARS in February this year, was on hand to witness the signing ceremony in Malacanang.
So far, more than 5,000 previously unemployed nurses have been assigned to the countryside under the program.
Commissioner Ruth Padilla of the Professional Regulatory Commission and Oscar Aragon president of Pharmaceutical and HealthCare Association of the Philippines Cares Foundation (PHAPCARES) also signed the memorandum.
According to Roque, the latest GSKF support follows the earlier commitment to the Project NARS forged by PHAP Cares Foundation which assured the deployment of a similar number of nurses in an accord inked last May 21.
A number of local government units, Roque said, have also provided additional support such as transportation allowance ranging from P500 to P2,000 monthly, free board and accommodation, and free food when on duty.
The project aims to mobilize nurses as “warriors for wellness” in poor municipalities to initiate primary health, school nutrition, maternal health programs, and first line diagnosis.
They are also tasked to inform about community water sanitation practices and do health surveillance, immunize children and mothers and act as roving nurses for rural schools. (PIA V Release)
Palace appeals to religious leaders: Do not use your positions as political leverage
MANILA — Malacañang appealed Sunday (August 23) to men of the cloth who plan to run for government positions in next year’s national elections not to use their occupation as leverage to bring more votes their way.
Deputy Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar said in an interview this afternoon that the political arena is very different from what they are used to and that they should be prepared for this.
“Ang apela lang po namin sa kanila ay huwag po nilang hilingin sa mamayanan o botante na sila ay may espesyal na katayuan o sila ay mas magaling sa ibang kandidato dahil dati silang pastor o dati silang pari,” Olivar said.
“Ang pag-pasok sa larangan ng pulitika ay ibang usapan na at maging handa na po sila na makipag-palitan o makipag-tuus sa mga tao na dati nang may karanasan sa larangan ng pulitika,” he added.
He pointed out that although he expects that these religious leaders may have a hard time going up against persons with more political experience, he wishes them well.
“Ang masasabi na lang natin ay good luck sa ating mga butihing men of cloth. Mahihirapan po sila but we wish them well,” Olivar said. (PIA V Release)
Palace_challenges Sen. Noynoy Aquino to build political platform based on achievements
MANILA — Malacañang Sunday (August 23) challenged Senator Benigno Noynoy Aquino III to build his political platform in next year’s national elections based on his own achievements rather than those of his parents.
“Be your own man,” said Deputy Spokesman for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar in an interview over government-run DZRB this afternoon.
“Wag na po yung kumakampanya siya dahil lang po sa anak siya nila Senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino and former President Corazon Aquino.
He has to show that he is his own man kung gusto niyang maging presidente ng bayan natin,” he added.
He has to set up his own identity and his own record if he wishes to be the next President of the Philippines, Olivar said. (PIA V Release)
Velarde pledges support to PGMA until her term ends
MANILA — Brother Mike Velarde vowed full support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo until her last day in office next year.
Velarde made the pledge at his 70th birthday celebration which coincided with the inauguration of the ministry’s sprawling House of Prayer and College of Divine Wisdom at the Amvel City Business Park in San Dionisio, Paranaque.
The charismatic Catholic leader expressed confidence that a clean, credible and honest election would be held next year contrary to claims of critics.
After inaugurating the nearby fly-over of the C-5 extension, the President proceeded to the El Shaddai rites wearing a Filipiniana gown in observance of the event’s theme.
After two hours of concelebrated Eucharistic mass that started at 6 p.m. and presided by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Velarde, wearing a long-sleeved barong, introduced the President who gave a brief message to the birthday celebrator.
“We thank God for giving Bro. Mike Velarde to us, for his 70 years of service to the Lord and for the 25 years of his El Shaddai ministry. We hope you have many more birthdays to come,” she said.
The President earlier held a meeting with the charismatic leader at the 6th floor of the College of Wisdom, a new school beside the “Noah’s ark-inspired” El Shaddai International Church of Prayer that sits on a six-hectare prime property in Sucat, Paranaque.
The President never fails to attend every year the El Shaddai anniversaries. (PIA V Release)
Malacanang to submit 2010 budget this week
MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is expected to submit to Congress this week the P1.54 trillion national budget for next year.
In a media briefing at Malacanang, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the they plan to submit to Congress the proposed 2010 budget on August 26.
Andaya pointed out that the P1.54-trillion proposed 2010 budget will support fiscal consolidation and help the country attain a balanced budget as early as 2012.
“Ito ang huling budget na ibibigay namin sa Kongreso for the next administration. We want to leave a budget that will reliably support fiscal consolidation and fiscal discipline,” he said.
With the proposed budget, Andaya said he is optimistic the government can rein in the country’s deficit including realizing the deficit target of P250 billion this year.
“I think we’ll come in kung ano ang deficit target natin for this year,” he said.
Andaya noted that the proposed 2010 budget will be P155 billion more than the 2009 budget.
He said the additional P155 billion will be sourced through a loan acquisition of a P233 billion or 2.8 percent of GDP. (PIA V Release)
PhilHealth a strong and stable, Palace assures
MANILA — Malacañang assured the public that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is financially “strong and stable.”
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. made the assurance in response to reports that the agency is on the brink of bankruptcy and that the only remedy is for the government to pay its legal obligation to it.
“Hindi po ito totoo at malayo sa katotohanan ang bagay na ito,” Andaya told reporters during a press briefing.
In fact, he added the PHIC posted an income of P10 billion last year, compared to P5 billion in 2001. He also said that aside from the annual income, the agency has a reserve fund of P63 billion to finance future contingency.
“So, nais lang po naming ipaabot sa inyo na sapat ang pondo ng PHIC, wala pong pangamba ni anuman na magsasara ito o maba-bankrupt (We just want to inform all of you that PHIC has enough funds, and there is no indication that it will close down or go bankrupt),” Andaya stressed.
Under the 2009 General Appropriation Act (GAA), Congress appropriated P610 million for PHIC.
Therefore, Andaya said, there is no basis to hold DBM responsible for its allegedly P19 billion arrears or obligations.
PhilHealth vice president and acting chief executive officer Melissa “Baby” Mercado, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) remitted P288 million in 2006 and another P85 million in 2007.
She assured the employees, both private and public, who pay their contributions to the PHIC, that they can readily avail themselves of healthcare benefits when they need them. (PIA V Release)
DARAGA, ALBAY – At least 10 local and overseas establishments have signified to take part in the jobs fair of the municipal government here, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), on August 31-September 1, 2009 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the town’s fiesta activities.
The activity, dubbed Daragang Magayon Jobs Fair, will be held at the Daraga Emergency Evacuation Center at the 3rd floor of Building 3 of the Daraga Public Market.
The job generation program is supported by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Rotaract Club of Legazpi Central.
Job seekers can easily access the services of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) at the venue for their job application requirements.
Mr. Rey Josef R. Lawenko, PESO chief, said that the jobs fair is a venue where applicants could decide on jobs suited to their qualifications where they could reduce cost, time, and effort.”
Lawenko also said that all applications will be part of the data base for job matching and that all qualified applicants will be informed through call or text messages.
He added that there is an on-going pre-registration for applicants who don’t want to wait in line on the day of the jobs fair itself. To pre-register, just go to PESO Daraga during office hours and fill-up the pre-registration form. (LGU Daraga/PIA)
DPWH BICOL FAST TRACKS ROAD PROJECTS TO BOOST TOURISM
LGAZPI CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol regional office here has doubled its efforts to expedite the completion of the Presentacion-Caramoan coastal road project in Camarines Sur province.
Danilo Manalang, DPWH Bicol regional director, said that the coastal road project when completed will boost tourism activities in Caramoan town and neighboring localities.
”We all know that income derived from foreign and local tourists frequenting the now famous Caramoan largely contributes to our economy,” Manalang said.
He added that the road network will provide new income opportunities and will support the socio-economic development of the locality thereby improving the lives of our people.
Recent data of the Department of Tourism (DOT) show that the number of tourists visiting bicol has increased during the past months.
”The improvement of the road network would surely boost the tourism industry in the region,” commented Maria Ravanilla, DOT Bicol regiona director, during a media interview.
It can be recalled that a French Network utilized Gota Beach in Caramoan for their location shooting of a famous television program. Gota Beach is fast becoming a household name and is foreseen as the next Boracay Beach.
The Presntacion-Caramoan Peninsula Road is located in the 3rd Congressional District of Camarines Sur. It is a 48.80 km. Road starting at Barangay Poblacion of the Municipality of Presentacion traversing nthe Barangays of Ankolan, Tanawan, Bicalen, San Francisco, Maligaya, Sta. Cruz, Tabiguian, Pili, Tabgon, Agas, Hanoy, Bikal, Oroc-Osoc, Caramoan Poblacion and Guijalo.
”The total project cost is P298 million that involved the concrete paving of 8.564 kilometers and regravelling of 31.0 kilometers of road inclusive of drainage structures,” said DPWH-5 Assistant Regional Director for Construction Operations Oscar Cristobal.
Once completed, Manalang said, that the project would also provide commuters with saf access and easy transport of marine, livestock. (DPWH V/PIA)
IT GENERATES NEW JOBS IN BICOL
LEGAZPI CITY — Information Technology (IT) has paved way for new job openings in the region.
This was disclosed after the regional offices here of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) consolidated records on the trends of employment in the IT field.
Some 1,106 IT stores or shops have opened across Bicol generating an estimated 3,124 job placements.
DOLE Assistant Regional Director Irma S. Valiente opined that IT is a booming industry in the region and is one of the TOP contributors in creating jobs.
“We are happy that we have a new player in the job industry thru the influx of Information Technology, she said.
Valiente explained that although most of the jobs that IT industry generated fall on the informal sector, like individual computer technicians, programmers, web developers and software developers, they have contributed a lot to the development of the region by providing an alternative source of income for locals.
In anticipation of the IT influx, TESDA Bicol has developed training packages for schools offering IT courses. As of June 2009 TESDA conducted IT related trainings and recorded some 265 IT courses being offered by 77 schools region wide.
DOLE Bicol is also projecting that the region may have at least 30 per cent increase in IT employment in line with call centers.
“We think that by the end of this year, especially when the call centers of Embarcadero opens, Bicol will definitely have additional employment. We see IT as the sunrise industry here,” Valiente added.
The number of call centers in the region has almost doubled for the past three years which now have some 3,000 employees. (RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)
PEO-SORSOGON BARES COMPLETED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
SORSOGON Province — The Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) here has released report of the various infrastructure projects including rehabilitation and concreting completed in various municipalities across the province.
Engr. Mary O. Lamban, PEO chief, said that five out of ten municipalities benefited from under the 20% Local Development Fund, including the improvement of Abucay-Cabiguhan road in Pilar town, concreting along Buhang–Sta. Barbara road in Bulusan and Talisayan–Manlabong road in Pto. Diaz, improvement and concreting along Cumadcad–Macalaya road in Castilla and repair of Macawayan box culvert, riprapping and approach in Bacon district in Sorsogon City.
“From the Office of the Civil Defense–Calamity Assistance and Relief during Emergency (OCD – CARE) program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, PEO completed three major rehabilitation projects to the Cawayan River Control in Guinlajon,” Lamban said.
She added that under the Special Local Road Fund – Motor Vehicles User Charge (SLRF – MVUC), the rehabilitation/ improvement of roads in Bulan and Castilla were also completed.
“The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also allocated funds for road improvements in Castilla, including some other on-going projects in Bulusan, Bulan and Gubat,” she stated.
“Eight irrigation projects in several barangays in Irosin town were also accomplished,” she added.
It can be recalled that in May this year, some 4.3-kilometer road project from barangay Pawa to Poblacion in Sta. Magdalena town traversing through eight barangays which is part of the 8.8 kilometer dilapidated asphalt road was inaugurated.
Sta Magdalena town is classified as fifth class municipality and is one of the poorest in the province.
“This road section also connects the town of Sta. Magdalena to the municipality of Bulusan which also traverses six barangays,” Lamban said.
With the completion of the project, travel time and cost as well as maintenance expenses were notably reduced benefiting not only the transportation industry but also the agricultural sector.
The project was funded through the Land Bank loan of the provincial government for roads improvement and rehabilitation.
The same funds were utilized to carry out various climate change mitigation measures such as construction of sea wall, shore and slope protection, construction of permanent evacuation centers and access roads, construction of school buildings, establishment of a management information system and other barangay development projects. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
CLEEP BENEFITS MORE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN CAMARINES NORTE
DAET, Camarines Norte – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has carried out anew several programs to help unemployed, disadvantaged and displaced workers in the province of Camarines Norte under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Ruben Romanillos, DOLE provincial chief, said that some 50 nurses were already given jobs from April until October this year assigned in the 10 municipalities of the province receiving a salary of P8,000 per month plus P2,000 allowance from the host local government units.
He said that another 50 nurses will be given a chance to work from October 2009 to March 2010 also to be dispatched in the same 10 towns with similar remunerations.
He also said that a total of 115 were also given jobs as laborers for two months recently under the program Tulong sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
The program was implemented by the provincial government of Camarines Norte and the municipal government here.
Romanillos also cited that the another program implemented recently was the Integrated Services for Livelihood Assistance (ISLA) in order to help the fishermen of Mercedes and Vinzons towns.
He said that the fishermen of barangay Catandunganon of Mercedes was given as grant a P150,000 for the mud crab fattening project while the fishermen of barangay Sabang of Vinzons was also given as grant a P200,000 for the procurement of lobster nets and motorized fishing boats.
He added that the project will help fishermen in their day to day income and will alleviate their situation. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)
Media Statement:
ON ISSUE ACTUARIAL LIFE OF PHILHEALTH FUNDS
PhilHealth would like to assure its members and stakeholders that there is no reason to be worried about its financial stability. The National Health Insurance Fund remains stable and it can very well provide for the hospitalization benefits of PhilHealth members from the different member agencies.
With an investment portfolio of about P91 billion as of July 31, 2009, PhilHealth remains solid, and is poised to remain so in the years to come.
However, there is a need to step-up collection of premium contributions from the different paying programs to ensure the sustained life of the fund, especially with the recent enhancement in inpatient care benefits without any immediate increase in premium contributions.
It is for this reason that PhilHealth is exerting all efforts to prompt employers to remit their counterpart contributions for the benefit of their employees.
While we indeed have collectibles from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) representing the National Government’s counterpart premium as an employer for the period 2001 to 2008, the DBM has remitted about P388 million for 2006 and P85 million for 2007, and another P610 million has been duly appropriated under the GAA for 2009. We continue to bill the DBM for the said amounts, and with close coordination, we remain optimistic that the DBM will fully settle its obligations soon. PhilHealth V/PIA)
GSKF to deploy 100 nurses
MANILA — GlaxoSmithKline Foundation (GSKF) will deploy 100 nurses to 20 poor municipalities under Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Services).
DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque and GSKF president Roberto Taboada signed the Memorandum of Agreement that calls for GSKF to provide nurses with an P8,000 stipend each.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who launched project NARS in February this year, was on hand to witness the signing ceremony in Malacanang.
So far, more than 5,000 previously unemployed nurses have been assigned to the countryside under the program.
Commissioner Ruth Padilla of the Professional Regulatory Commission and Oscar Aragon president of Pharmaceutical and HealthCare Association of the Philippines Cares Foundation (PHAPCARES) also signed the memorandum.
According to Roque, the latest GSKF support follows the earlier commitment to the Project NARS forged by PHAP Cares Foundation which assured the deployment of a similar number of nurses in an accord inked last May 21.
A number of local government units, Roque said, have also provided additional support such as transportation allowance ranging from P500 to P2,000 monthly, free board and accommodation, and free food when on duty.
The project aims to mobilize nurses as “warriors for wellness” in poor municipalities to initiate primary health, school nutrition, maternal health programs, and first line diagnosis.
They are also tasked to inform about community water sanitation practices and do health surveillance, immunize children and mothers and act as roving nurses for rural schools. (PIA V Release)
Palace appeals to religious leaders: Do not use your positions as political leverage
MANILA — Malacañang appealed Sunday (August 23) to men of the cloth who plan to run for government positions in next year’s national elections not to use their occupation as leverage to bring more votes their way.
Deputy Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar said in an interview this afternoon that the political arena is very different from what they are used to and that they should be prepared for this.
“Ang apela lang po namin sa kanila ay huwag po nilang hilingin sa mamayanan o botante na sila ay may espesyal na katayuan o sila ay mas magaling sa ibang kandidato dahil dati silang pastor o dati silang pari,” Olivar said.
“Ang pag-pasok sa larangan ng pulitika ay ibang usapan na at maging handa na po sila na makipag-palitan o makipag-tuus sa mga tao na dati nang may karanasan sa larangan ng pulitika,” he added.
He pointed out that although he expects that these religious leaders may have a hard time going up against persons with more political experience, he wishes them well.
“Ang masasabi na lang natin ay good luck sa ating mga butihing men of cloth. Mahihirapan po sila but we wish them well,” Olivar said. (PIA V Release)
Palace_challenges Sen. Noynoy Aquino to build political platform based on achievements
MANILA — Malacañang Sunday (August 23) challenged Senator Benigno Noynoy Aquino III to build his political platform in next year’s national elections based on his own achievements rather than those of his parents.
“Be your own man,” said Deputy Spokesman for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar in an interview over government-run DZRB this afternoon.
“Wag na po yung kumakampanya siya dahil lang po sa anak siya nila Senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino and former President Corazon Aquino.
He has to show that he is his own man kung gusto niyang maging presidente ng bayan natin,” he added.
He has to set up his own identity and his own record if he wishes to be the next President of the Philippines, Olivar said. (PIA V Release)
Velarde pledges support to PGMA until her term ends
MANILA — Brother Mike Velarde vowed full support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo until her last day in office next year.
Velarde made the pledge at his 70th birthday celebration which coincided with the inauguration of the ministry’s sprawling House of Prayer and College of Divine Wisdom at the Amvel City Business Park in San Dionisio, Paranaque.
The charismatic Catholic leader expressed confidence that a clean, credible and honest election would be held next year contrary to claims of critics.
After inaugurating the nearby fly-over of the C-5 extension, the President proceeded to the El Shaddai rites wearing a Filipiniana gown in observance of the event’s theme.
After two hours of concelebrated Eucharistic mass that started at 6 p.m. and presided by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Velarde, wearing a long-sleeved barong, introduced the President who gave a brief message to the birthday celebrator.
“We thank God for giving Bro. Mike Velarde to us, for his 70 years of service to the Lord and for the 25 years of his El Shaddai ministry. We hope you have many more birthdays to come,” she said.
The President earlier held a meeting with the charismatic leader at the 6th floor of the College of Wisdom, a new school beside the “Noah’s ark-inspired” El Shaddai International Church of Prayer that sits on a six-hectare prime property in Sucat, Paranaque.
The President never fails to attend every year the El Shaddai anniversaries. (PIA V Release)
Malacanang to submit 2010 budget this week
MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is expected to submit to Congress this week the P1.54 trillion national budget for next year.
In a media briefing at Malacanang, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the they plan to submit to Congress the proposed 2010 budget on August 26.
Andaya pointed out that the P1.54-trillion proposed 2010 budget will support fiscal consolidation and help the country attain a balanced budget as early as 2012.
“Ito ang huling budget na ibibigay namin sa Kongreso for the next administration. We want to leave a budget that will reliably support fiscal consolidation and fiscal discipline,” he said.
With the proposed budget, Andaya said he is optimistic the government can rein in the country’s deficit including realizing the deficit target of P250 billion this year.
“I think we’ll come in kung ano ang deficit target natin for this year,” he said.
Andaya noted that the proposed 2010 budget will be P155 billion more than the 2009 budget.
He said the additional P155 billion will be sourced through a loan acquisition of a P233 billion or 2.8 percent of GDP. (PIA V Release)
PhilHealth a strong and stable, Palace assures
MANILA — Malacañang assured the public that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is financially “strong and stable.”
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. made the assurance in response to reports that the agency is on the brink of bankruptcy and that the only remedy is for the government to pay its legal obligation to it.
“Hindi po ito totoo at malayo sa katotohanan ang bagay na ito,” Andaya told reporters during a press briefing.
In fact, he added the PHIC posted an income of P10 billion last year, compared to P5 billion in 2001. He also said that aside from the annual income, the agency has a reserve fund of P63 billion to finance future contingency.
“So, nais lang po naming ipaabot sa inyo na sapat ang pondo ng PHIC, wala pong pangamba ni anuman na magsasara ito o maba-bankrupt (We just want to inform all of you that PHIC has enough funds, and there is no indication that it will close down or go bankrupt),” Andaya stressed.
Under the 2009 General Appropriation Act (GAA), Congress appropriated P610 million for PHIC.
Therefore, Andaya said, there is no basis to hold DBM responsible for its allegedly P19 billion arrears or obligations.
PhilHealth vice president and acting chief executive officer Melissa “Baby” Mercado, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) remitted P288 million in 2006 and another P85 million in 2007.
She assured the employees, both private and public, who pay their contributions to the PHIC, that they can readily avail themselves of healthcare benefits when they need them. (PIA V Release)
DARAGANG MAGAYON JOBS FAIR SET
DARAGA, ALBAY – At least 10 local and overseas establishments have signified to take part in the jobs fair of the municipal government here, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), on August 31-September 1, 2009 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the town’s fiesta activities.
The activity, dubbed Daragang Magayon Jobs Fair, will be held at the Daraga Emergency Evacuation Center at the 3rd floor of Building 3 of the Daraga Public Market.
The job generation program is supported by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Rotaract Club of Legazpi Central.
Job seekers can easily access the services of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) at the venue for their job application requirements.
Mr. Rey Josef R. Lawenko, PESO chief, said that the jobs fair is a venue where applicants could decide on jobs suited to their qualifications where they could reduce cost, time, and effort.”
Lawenko also said that all applications will be part of the data base for job matching and that all qualified applicants will be informed through call or text messages.
He added that there is an on-going pre-registration for applicants who don’t want to wait in line on the day of the jobs fair itself. To pre-register, just go to PESO Daraga during office hours and fill-up the pre-registration form. (LGU Daraga/PIA)
DPWH FAST TRACKS ROAD PROJECTS TO BOOST TOURISM
LGAZPI CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol regional office here has doubled its efforts to expedite the completion of the Presentacion-Caramoan coastal road project in Camarines Sur province.
Danilo Manalang, DPWH Bicol regional director, said that the coastal road project when completed will boost tourism activities in Caramoan town and neighboring localities.
”We all know that income derived from foreign and local tourists frequenting the now famous Caramoan largely contributes to our economy,” Manalang said.
He added that the road network will provide new income opportunities and will support the socio-economic development of the locality thereby improving the lives of our people.
Recent data of the Department of Tourism (DOT) show that the number of tourists visiting bicol has increased during the past months.
”The improvement of the road network would surely boost the tourism industry in the region,” commented Maria Ravanilla, DOT Bicol regiona director, during a media interview.
It can be recalled that a French Network utilized Gota Beach in Caramoan for their location shooting of a famous television program. Gota Beach is fast becoming a household name and is foreseen as the next Boracay Beach.
The Presntacion-Caramoan Peninsula Road is located in the 3rd Congressional District of Camarines Sur. It is a 48.80 km. Road starting at Barangay Poblacion of the Municipality of Presentacion traversing nthe Barangays of Ankolan, Tanawan, Bicalen, San Francisco, Maligaya, Sta. Cruz, Tabiguian, Pili, Tabgon, Agas, Hanoy, Bikal, Oroc-Osoc, Caramoan Poblacion and Guijalo.
”The total project cost is P298 million that involved the concrete paving of 8.564 kilometers and regravelling of 31.0 kilometers of road inclusive of drainage structures,” said DPWH-5 Assistant Regional Director for Construction Operations Oscar Cristobal.
Once completed, Manalang said, that the project would also provide commuters with saf access and easy transport of marine, livestock. (DPWH V/PIA)
IT GENERATES NEW JOBS IN BICOL
LEGAZPI CITY — Information Technology (IT) has paved way for new job openings in the region.
This was disclosed after the regional offices here of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) consolidated records on the trends of employment in the IT field.
Some 1,106 IT stores or shops have opened across Bicol generating an estimated 3,124 job placements.
DOLE Assistant Regional Director Irma S. Valiente opined that IT is a booming industry in the region and is one of the TOP contributors in creating jobs.
“We are happy that we have a new player in the job industry thru the influx of Information Technology, she said.
Valiente explained that although most of the jobs that IT industry generated fall on the informal sector, like individual computer technicians, programmers, web developers and software developers, they have contributed a lot to the development of the region by providing an alternative source of income for locals.
In anticipation of the IT influx, TESDA Bicol has developed training packages for schools offering IT courses. As of June 2009 TESDA conducted IT related trainings and recorded some 265 IT courses being offered by 77 schools region wide.
DOLE Bicol is also projecting that the region may have at least 30 per cent increase in IT employment in line with call centers.
“We think that by the end of this year, especially when the call centers of Embarcadero opens, Bicol will definitely have additional employment. We see IT as the sunrise industry here,” Valiente added.
The number of call centers in the region has almost doubled for the past three years which now have some 3,000 employees. (RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)
PEO-SORSOGON BARES COMPLETED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
SORSOGON Province — The Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) here has released report of the various infrastructure projects including rehabilitation and concreting completed in various municipalities across the province.
Engr. Mary O. Lamban, PEO chief, said that five out of ten municipalities benefited from under the 20% Local Development Fund, including the improvement of Abucay-Cabiguhan road in Pilar town, concreting along Buhang–Sta. Barbara road in Bulusan and Talisayan–Manlabong road in Pto. Diaz, improvement and concreting along Cumadcad–Macalaya road in Castilla and repair of Macawayan box culvert, riprapping and approach in Bacon district in Sorsogon City.
“From the Office of the Civil Defense–Calamity Assistance and Relief during Emergency (OCD – CARE) program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, PEO completed three major rehabilitation projects to the Cawayan River Control in Guinlajon,” Lamban said.
She added that under the Special Local Road Fund – Motor Vehicles User Charge (SLRF – MVUC), the rehabilitation/ improvement of roads in Bulan and Castilla were also completed.
“The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also allocated funds for road improvements in Castilla, including some other on-going projects in Bulusan, Bulan and Gubat,” she stated.
“Eight irrigation projects in several barangays in Irosin town were also accomplished,” she added.
It can be recalled that in May this year, some 4.3-kilometer road project from barangay Pawa to Poblacion in Sta. Magdalena town traversing through eight barangays which is part of the 8.8 kilometer dilapidated asphalt road was inaugurated.
Sta Magdalena town is classified as fifth class municipality and is one of the poorest in the province.
“This road section also connects the town of Sta. Magdalena to the municipality of Bulusan which also traverses six barangays,” Lamban said.
With the completion of the project, travel time and cost as well as maintenance expenses were notably reduced benefiting not only the transportation industry but also the agricultural sector.
The project was funded through the Land Bank loan of the provincial government for roads improvement and rehabilitation.
The same funds were utilized to carry out various climate change mitigation measures such as construction of sea wall, shore and slope protection, construction of permanent evacuation centers and access roads, construction of school buildings, establishment of a management information system and other barangay development projects. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
CLEEP BENEFITS MORE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN CAMARINES NORTE
DAET, Camarines Norte – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has carried out anew several programs to help unemployed, disadvantaged and displaced workers in the province of Camarines Norte under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Ruben Romanillos, DOLE provincial chief, said that some 50 nurses were already given jobs from April until October this year assigned in the 10 municipalities of the province receiving a salary of P8,000 per month plus P2,000 allowance from the host local government units.
He said that another 50 nurses will be given a chance to work from October 2009 to March 2010 also to be dispatched in the same 10 towns with similar remunerations.
He also said that a total of 115 were also given jobs as laborers for two months recently under the program Tulong sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
The program was implemented by the provincial government of Camarines Norte and the municipal government here.
Romanillos also cited that the another program implemented recently was the Integrated Services for Livelihood Assistance (ISLA) in order to help the fishermen of Mercedes and Vinzons towns.
He said that the fishermen of barangay Catandunganon of Mercedes was given as grant a P150,000 for the mud crab fattening project while the fishermen of barangay Sabang of Vinzons was also given as grant a P200,000 for the procurement of lobster nets and motorized fishing boats.
He added that the project will help fishermen in their day to day income and will alleviate their situation. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)
Media Statement:
ISSUE ON ACTUARIAL LIFE OF PHILHEALTH FUNDS
PhilHealth would like to assure its members and stakeholders that there is no reason to be worried about its financial stability. The National Health Insurance Fund remains stable and it can very well provide for the hospitalization benefits of PhilHealth members from the different member agencies.
With an investment portfolio of about P91 billion as of July 31, 2009, PhilHealth remains solid, and is poised to remain so in the years to come.
However, there is a need to step-up collection of premium contributions from the different paying programs to ensure the sustained life of the fund, especially with the recent enhancement in inpatient care benefits without any immediate increase in premium contributions.
It is for this reason that PhilHealth is exerting all efforts to prompt employers to remit their counterpart contributions for the benefit of their employees.
While we indeed have collectibles from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) representing the National Government’s counterpart premium as an employer for the period 2001 to 2008, the DBM has remitted about P388 million for 2006 and P85 million for 2007, and another P610 million has been duly appropriated under the GAA for 2009. We continue to bill the DBM for the said amounts, and with close coordination, we remain optimistic that the DBM will fully settle its obligations soon. (PhilHealth V/PIA)
GSKF to deploy 100 nurses
MANILA — GlaxoSmithKline Foundation (GSKF) will deploy 100 nurses to 20 poor municipalities under Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Services).
DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque and GSKF president Roberto Taboada signed the Memorandum of Agreement that calls for GSKF to provide nurses with an P8,000 stipend each.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who launched project NARS in February this year, was on hand to witness the signing ceremony in Malacanang. So far, more than 5,000 previously unemployed nurses have been assigned to the countryside under the program.
Commissioner Ruth Padilla of the Professional Regulatory Commission and Oscar Aragon president of Pharmaceutical and HealthCare Association of the Philippines Cares Foundation (PHAPCARES) also signed the memorandum.
According to Roque, the latest GSKF support follows the earlier commitment to the Project NARS forged by PHAP Cares Foundation which assured the deployment of a similar number of nurses in an accord inked last May 21.
A number of local government units, Roque said, have also provided additional support such as transportation allowance ranging from P500 to P2,000 monthly, free board and accommodation, and free food when on duty.
The project aims to mobilize nurses as “warriors for wellness” in poor municipalities to initiate primary health, school nutrition, maternal health programs, and first line diagnosis.
They are also tasked to inform about community water sanitation practices and do health surveillance, immunize children and mothers and act as roving nurses for rural schools. (PIA V Release)
Palace appeals to religious leaders: Do not use your positions as political leverage
MANILA — Malacañang appealed Sunday (August 23) to men of the cloth who plan to run for government positions in next year’s national elections not to use their occupation as leverage to bring more votes their way.
Deputy Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar said in an interview this afternoon that the political arena is very different from what they are used to and that they should be prepared for this.
“Ang apela lang po namin sa kanila ay huwag po nilang hilingin sa mamayanan o botante na sila ay may espesyal na katayuan o sila ay mas magaling sa ibang kandidato dahil dati silang pastor o dati silang pari,” Olivar said.
“Ang pag-pasok sa larangan ng pulitika ay ibang usapan na at maging handa na po sila na makipag-palitan o makipag-tuus sa mga tao na dati nang may karanasan sa larangan ng pulitika,” he added.
He pointed out that although he expects that these religious leaders may have a hard time going up against persons with more political experience, he wishes them well.
“Ang masasabi na lang natin ay good luck sa ating mga butihing men of cloth. Mahihirapan po sila but we wish them well,” Olivar said. (PIA V Release)
Palace challenges Sen. Aquino to build political platform based on achievements
MANILA — Malacañang Sunday (August 23) challenged Senator Benigno Noynoy Aquino III to build his political platform in next year’s national elections based on his own achievements rather than those of his parents.
“Be your own man,” said Deputy Spokesman for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar in an interview over government-run DZRB this afternoon.
“Wag na po yung kumakampanya siya dahil lang po sa anak siya nila Senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino and former President Corazon Aquino. He has to show that he is his own man kung gusto niyang maging presidente ng bayan natin,” he added.
He has to set up his own identity and his own record if he wishes to be the next President of the Philippines, Olivar said. (PIA V Release)
Velarde pledges support to PGMA until her term ends
MANILA — Brother Mike Velarde vowed full support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo until her last day in office next year,
Velarde made the pledge at his 70th birthday celebration which coincided with the inauguration of the ministry’s sprawling House of Prayer and College of Divine Wisdom at the Amvel City Business Park in San Dionisio, Paranaque.
The charismatic Catholic leader expressed confidence that a clean, credible and honest election would be held next year contrary to claims of critics.
After inaugurating the nearby fly-over of the C-5 extension, the President proceeded to the El Shaddai rites wearing a Filipiniana gown in observance of the event’s theme.
After two hours of concelebrated Eucharistic mass that started at 6 p.m. and presided by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Velarde, wearing a long-sleeved barong, introduced the President who gave a brief message to the birthday celebrator.
“We thank God for giving Bro. Mike Velarde to us, for his 70 years of service to the Lord and for the 25 years of his El Shaddai ministry. We hope you have many more birthdays to come,” she said.
The President earlier held a meeting with the charismatic leader at the 6th floor of the College of Wisdom, a new school beside the “Noah’s ark-inspired” El Shaddai International Church of Prayer that sits on a six-hectare prime property in Sucat, Paranaque.
The President never fails to attend every year the El Shaddai anniversaries. (PIA V Release)
MALACAÑANG TO SUBMIT 2010 BUDGET THIS WEEK
MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is expected to submit to Congress this week the P1.54 trillion national budget for next year.
In a media briefing at Malacañang, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the they plan to submit to Congress the proposed 2010 budget on August 26.
Andaya pointed out that the P1.54-trillion proposed 2010 budget will support fiscal consolidation and help the country attain a balanced budget as early as 2012.
“Ito ang huling budget na ibibigay namin sa Kongreso for the next administration. We want to leave a budget that will reliably support fiscal consolidation and fiscal discipline,” he said.
With the proposed budget, Andaya said he is optimistic the government can rein in the country’s deficit including realizing the deficit target of P250 billion this year.
“I think we’ll come in kung ano ang deficit target natin for this year,” he said.
Andaya noted that the proposed 2010 budget will be P155 billion more than the 2009 budget.
He said the additional P155 billion will be sourced through a loan acquisition of a P233 billion or 2.8 percent of GDP. (PIA V Release)
PHILHEALTH STRONG AND STABLE, PALACE ASSURES
MANILA — Malacañang assured the public that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is financially “strong and stable.”
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. made the assurance in response to reports that the agency is on the brink of bankruptcy and that the only remedy is for the government to pay its legal obligation to it.
“Hindi po ito totoo at malayo sa katotohanan ang bagay na ito,” Andaya told reporters during a press briefing.
In fact, he added the PHIC posted an income of P10 billion last year, compared to P5 billion in 2001. He also said that aside from the annual income, the agency has a reserve fund of P63 billion to finance future contingency.
“So, nais lang po naming ipaabot sa inyo na sapat ang pondo ng PHIC, wala pong pangamba ni anuman na magsasara ito o maba-bankrupt (We just want to inform all of you that PHIC has enough funds, and there is no indication that it will close down or go bankrupt),” Andaya stressed.
Under the 2009 General Appropriation Act (GAA), Congress appropriated P610 million for PHIC.
Therefore, Andaya said, there is no basis to hold DBM responsible for its allegedly P19 billion arrears or obligations.
PhilHealth vice president and acting chief executive officer Melissa “Baby” Mercado, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) remitted P288 million in 2006 and another P85 million in 2007.
She assured the employees, both private and public, who pay their contributions to the PHIC, that they can readily avail themselves of healthcare benefits when they need them. (PIA V Release)
DARAGA, ALBAY – At least 10 local and overseas establishments have signified to take part in the jobs fair of the municipal government here, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), on August 31-September 1, 2009 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of the town’s fiesta activities.
The activity, dubbed Daragang Magayon Jobs Fair, will be held at the Daraga Emergency Evacuation Center at the 3rd floor of Building 3 of the Daraga Public Market.
The job generation program is supported by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Rotaract Club of Legazpi Central.
Job seekers can easily access the services of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) at the venue for their job application requirements.
Mr. Rey Josef R. Lawenko, PESO chief, said that the jobs fair is a venue where applicants could decide on jobs suited to their qualifications where they could reduce cost, time, and effort.”
Lawenko also said that all applications will be part of the data base for job matching and that all qualified applicants will be informed through call or text messages.
He added that there is an on-going pre-registration for applicants who don’t want to wait in line on the day of the jobs fair itself. To pre-register, just go to PESO Daraga during office hours and fill-up the pre-registration form. (LGU Daraga/PIA)
DPWH FAST TRACKS ROAD PROJECTS TO BOOST TOURISM
LGAZPI CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol regional office here has doubled its efforts to expedite the completion of the Presentacion-Caramoan coastal road project in Camarines Sur province.
Danilo Manalang, DPWH Bicol regional director, said that the coastal road project when completed will boost tourism activities in Caramoan town and neighboring localities.
”We all know that income derived from foreign and local tourists frequenting the now famous Caramoan largely contributes to our economy,” Manalang said.
He added that the road network will provide new income opportunities and will support the socio-economic development of the locality thereby improving the lives of our people.
Recent data of the Department of Tourism (DOT) show that the number of tourists visiting bicol has increased during the past months.
”The improvement of the road network would surely boost the tourism industry in the region,” commented Maria Ravanilla, DOT Bicol regiona director, during a media interview.
It can be recalled that a French Network utilized Gota Beach in Caramoan for their location shooting of a famous television program. Gota Beach is fast becoming a household name and is foreseen as the next Boracay Beach.
The Presntacion-Caramoan Peninsula Road is located in the 3rd Congressional District of Camarines Sur. It is a 48.80 km. Road starting at Barangay Poblacion of the Municipality of Presentacion traversing nthe Barangays of Ankolan, Tanawan, Bicalen, San Francisco, Maligaya, Sta. Cruz, Tabiguian, Pili, Tabgon, Agas, Hanoy, Bikal, Oroc-Osoc, Caramoan Poblacion and Guijalo.
”The total project cost is P298 million that involved the concrete paving of 8.564 kilometers and regravelling of 31.0 kilometers of road inclusive of drainage structures,” said DPWH-5 Assistant Regional Director for Construction Operations Oscar Cristobal.
Once completed, Manalang said, that the project would also provide commuters with saf access and easy transport of marine, livestock. (DPWH V/PIA)
IT GENERATES NEW JOBS IN BICOL
LEGAZPI CITY — Information Technology (IT) has paved way for new job openings in the region.
This was disclosed after the regional offices here of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) consolidated records on the trends of employment in the IT field.
Some 1,106 IT stores or shops have opened across Bicol generating an estimated 3,124 job placements.
DOLE Assistant Regional Director Irma S. Valiente opined that IT is a booming industry in the region and is one of the TOP contributors in creating jobs.
“We are happy that we have a new player in the job industry thru the influx of Information Technology, she said.
Valiente explained that although most of the jobs that IT industry generated fall on the informal sector, like individual computer technicians, programmers, web developers and software developers, they have contributed a lot to the development of the region by providing an alternative source of income for locals.
In anticipation of the IT influx, TESDA Bicol has developed training packages for schools offering IT courses. As of June 2009 TESDA conducted IT related trainings and recorded some 265 IT courses being offered by 77 schools region wide.
DOLE Bicol is also projecting that the region may have at least 30 per cent increase in IT employment in line with call centers.
“We think that by the end of this year, especially when the call centers of Embarcadero opens, Bicol will definitely have additional employment. We see IT as the sunrise industry here,” Valiente added.
The number of call centers in the region has almost doubled for the past three years which now have some 3,000 employees. (RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)
PEO-SORSOGON BARES COMPLETED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
SORSOGON Province — The Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) here has released report of the various infrastructure projects including rehabilitation and concreting completed in various municipalities across the province.
Engr. Mary O. Lamban, PEO chief, said that five out of ten municipalities benefited from under the 20% Local Development Fund, including the improvement of Abucay-Cabiguhan road in Pilar town, concreting along Buhang–Sta. Barbara road in Bulusan and Talisayan–Manlabong road in Pto. Diaz, improvement and concreting along Cumadcad–Macalaya road in Castilla and repair of Macawayan box culvert, riprapping and approach in Bacon district in Sorsogon City.
“From the Office of the Civil Defense–Calamity Assistance and Relief during Emergency (OCD – CARE) program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, PEO completed three major rehabilitation projects to the Cawayan River Control in Guinlajon,” Lamban said.
She added that under the Special Local Road Fund – Motor Vehicles User Charge (SLRF – MVUC), the rehabilitation/ improvement of roads in Bulan and Castilla were also completed.
“The Department of Agriculture (DA) has also allocated funds for road improvements in Castilla, including some other on-going projects in Bulusan, Bulan and Gubat,” she stated.
“Eight irrigation projects in several barangays in Irosin town were also accomplished,” she added.
It can be recalled that in May this year, some 4.3-kilometer road project from barangay Pawa to Poblacion in Sta. Magdalena town traversing through eight barangays which is part of the 8.8 kilometer dilapidated asphalt road was inaugurated.
Sta Magdalena town is classified as fifth class municipality and is one of the poorest in the province.
“This road section also connects the town of Sta. Magdalena to the municipality of Bulusan which also traverses six barangays,” Lamban said.
With the completion of the project, travel time and cost as well as maintenance expenses were notably reduced benefiting not only the transportation industry but also the agricultural sector.
The project was funded through the Land Bank loan of the provincial government for roads improvement and rehabilitation.
The same funds were utilized to carry out various climate change mitigation measures such as construction of sea wall, shore and slope protection, construction of permanent evacuation centers and access roads, construction of school buildings, establishment of a management information system and other barangay development projects. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
CLEEP BENEFITS MORE MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN CAMARINES NORTE
DAET, Camarines Norte – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has carried out anew several programs to help unemployed, disadvantaged and displaced workers in the province of Camarines Norte under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Ruben Romanillos, DOLE provincial chief, said that some 50 nurses were already given jobs from April until October this year assigned in the 10 municipalities of the province receiving a salary of P8,000 per month plus P2,000 allowance from the host local government units.
He said that another 50 nurses will be given a chance to work from October 2009 to March 2010 also to be dispatched in the same 10 towns with similar remunerations.
He also said that a total of 115 were also given jobs as laborers for two months recently under the program Tulong sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
The program was implemented by the provincial government of Camarines Norte and the municipal government here.
Romanillos also cited that the another program implemented recently was the Integrated Services for Livelihood Assistance (ISLA) in order to help the fishermen of Mercedes and Vinzons towns.
He said that the fishermen of barangay Catandunganon of Mercedes was given as grant a P150,000 for the mud crab fattening project while the fishermen of barangay Sabang of Vinzons was also given as grant a P200,000 for the procurement of lobster nets and motorized fishing boats.
He added that the project will help fishermen in their day to day income and will alleviate their situation. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)
Media Statement:
ISSUE ON ACTUARIAL LIFE OF PHILHEALTH FUNDS
PhilHealth would like to assure its members and stakeholders that there is no reason to be worried about its financial stability. The National Health Insurance Fund remains stable and it can very well provide for the hospitalization benefits of PhilHealth members from the different member agencies.
With an investment portfolio of about P91 billion as of July 31, 2009, PhilHealth remains solid, and is poised to remain so in the years to come.
However, there is a need to step-up collection of premium contributions from the different paying programs to ensure the sustained life of the fund, especially with the recent enhancement in inpatient care benefits without any immediate increase in premium contributions.
It is for this reason that PhilHealth is exerting all efforts to prompt employers to remit their counterpart contributions for the benefit of their employees.
While we indeed have collectibles from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) representing the National Government’s counterpart premium as an employer for the period 2001 to 2008, the DBM has remitted about P388 million for 2006 and P85 million for 2007, and another P610 million has been duly appropriated under the GAA for 2009. We continue to bill the DBM for the said amounts, and with close coordination, we remain optimistic that the DBM will fully settle its obligations soon. (PhilHealth V/PIA)
GSKF to deploy 100 nurses
MANILA — GlaxoSmithKline Foundation (GSKF) will deploy 100 nurses to 20 poor municipalities under Project NARS (Nurses Assigned in Rural Services).
DOLE Secretary Marianito Roque and GSKF president Roberto Taboada signed the Memorandum of Agreement that calls for GSKF to provide nurses with an P8,000 stipend each.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who launched project NARS in February this year, was on hand to witness the signing ceremony in Malacanang. So far, more than 5,000 previously unemployed nurses have been assigned to the countryside under the program.
Commissioner Ruth Padilla of the Professional Regulatory Commission and Oscar Aragon president of Pharmaceutical and HealthCare Association of the Philippines Cares Foundation (PHAPCARES) also signed the memorandum.
According to Roque, the latest GSKF support follows the earlier commitment to the Project NARS forged by PHAP Cares Foundation which assured the deployment of a similar number of nurses in an accord inked last May 21.
A number of local government units, Roque said, have also provided additional support such as transportation allowance ranging from P500 to P2,000 monthly, free board and accommodation, and free food when on duty.
The project aims to mobilize nurses as “warriors for wellness” in poor municipalities to initiate primary health, school nutrition, maternal health programs, and first line diagnosis.
They are also tasked to inform about community water sanitation practices and do health surveillance, immunize children and mothers and act as roving nurses for rural schools. (PIA V Release)
Palace appeals to religious leaders: Do not use your positions as political leverage
MANILA — Malacañang appealed Sunday (August 23) to men of the cloth who plan to run for government positions in next year’s national elections not to use their occupation as leverage to bring more votes their way.
Deputy Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar said in an interview this afternoon that the political arena is very different from what they are used to and that they should be prepared for this.
“Ang apela lang po namin sa kanila ay huwag po nilang hilingin sa mamayanan o botante na sila ay may espesyal na katayuan o sila ay mas magaling sa ibang kandidato dahil dati silang pastor o dati silang pari,” Olivar said.
“Ang pag-pasok sa larangan ng pulitika ay ibang usapan na at maging handa na po sila na makipag-palitan o makipag-tuus sa mga tao na dati nang may karanasan sa larangan ng pulitika,” he added.
He pointed out that although he expects that these religious leaders may have a hard time going up against persons with more political experience, he wishes them well.
“Ang masasabi na lang natin ay good luck sa ating mga butihing men of cloth. Mahihirapan po sila but we wish them well,” Olivar said. (PIA V Release)
Palace challenges Sen. Aquino to build political platform based on achievements
MANILA — Malacañang Sunday (August 23) challenged Senator Benigno Noynoy Aquino III to build his political platform in next year’s national elections based on his own achievements rather than those of his parents.
“Be your own man,” said Deputy Spokesman for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar in an interview over government-run DZRB this afternoon.
“Wag na po yung kumakampanya siya dahil lang po sa anak siya nila Senator Benigno Ninoy Aquino and former President Corazon Aquino. He has to show that he is his own man kung gusto niyang maging presidente ng bayan natin,” he added.
He has to set up his own identity and his own record if he wishes to be the next President of the Philippines, Olivar said. (PIA V Release)
Velarde pledges support to PGMA until her term ends
MANILA — Brother Mike Velarde vowed full support to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo until her last day in office next year,
Velarde made the pledge at his 70th birthday celebration which coincided with the inauguration of the ministry’s sprawling House of Prayer and College of Divine Wisdom at the Amvel City Business Park in San Dionisio, Paranaque.
The charismatic Catholic leader expressed confidence that a clean, credible and honest election would be held next year contrary to claims of critics.
After inaugurating the nearby fly-over of the C-5 extension, the President proceeded to the El Shaddai rites wearing a Filipiniana gown in observance of the event’s theme.
After two hours of concelebrated Eucharistic mass that started at 6 p.m. and presided by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Velarde, wearing a long-sleeved barong, introduced the President who gave a brief message to the birthday celebrator.
“We thank God for giving Bro. Mike Velarde to us, for his 70 years of service to the Lord and for the 25 years of his El Shaddai ministry. We hope you have many more birthdays to come,” she said.
The President earlier held a meeting with the charismatic leader at the 6th floor of the College of Wisdom, a new school beside the “Noah’s ark-inspired” El Shaddai International Church of Prayer that sits on a six-hectare prime property in Sucat, Paranaque.
The President never fails to attend every year the El Shaddai anniversaries. (PIA V Release)
MALACAÑANG TO SUBMIT 2010 BUDGET THIS WEEK
MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is expected to submit to Congress this week the P1.54 trillion national budget for next year.
In a media briefing at Malacañang, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. said the they plan to submit to Congress the proposed 2010 budget on August 26.
Andaya pointed out that the P1.54-trillion proposed 2010 budget will support fiscal consolidation and help the country attain a balanced budget as early as 2012.
“Ito ang huling budget na ibibigay namin sa Kongreso for the next administration. We want to leave a budget that will reliably support fiscal consolidation and fiscal discipline,” he said.
With the proposed budget, Andaya said he is optimistic the government can rein in the country’s deficit including realizing the deficit target of P250 billion this year.
“I think we’ll come in kung ano ang deficit target natin for this year,” he said.
Andaya noted that the proposed 2010 budget will be P155 billion more than the 2009 budget.
He said the additional P155 billion will be sourced through a loan acquisition of a P233 billion or 2.8 percent of GDP. (PIA V Release)
PHILHEALTH STRONG AND STABLE, PALACE ASSURES
MANILA — Malacañang assured the public that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is financially “strong and stable.”
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. made the assurance in response to reports that the agency is on the brink of bankruptcy and that the only remedy is for the government to pay its legal obligation to it.
“Hindi po ito totoo at malayo sa katotohanan ang bagay na ito,” Andaya told reporters during a press briefing.
In fact, he added the PHIC posted an income of P10 billion last year, compared to P5 billion in 2001. He also said that aside from the annual income, the agency has a reserve fund of P63 billion to finance future contingency.
“So, nais lang po naming ipaabot sa inyo na sapat ang pondo ng PHIC, wala pong pangamba ni anuman na magsasara ito o maba-bankrupt (We just want to inform all of you that PHIC has enough funds, and there is no indication that it will close down or go bankrupt),” Andaya stressed.
Under the 2009 General Appropriation Act (GAA), Congress appropriated P610 million for PHIC.
Therefore, Andaya said, there is no basis to hold DBM responsible for its allegedly P19 billion arrears or obligations.
PhilHealth vice president and acting chief executive officer Melissa “Baby” Mercado, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) remitted P288 million in 2006 and another P85 million in 2007.
She assured the employees, both private and public, who pay their contributions to the PHIC, that they can readily avail themselves of healthcare benefits when they need them. (PIA V Release)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
RLECC MEETING – Member-agencies of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) Bicol Fishery Sub-Committe meet Thursday (August 19) discussing plans and activities to beef up measures in protecting the coastal waters and the surrounding environment, held at the Consolidate Mess Hall, NAVFORSOL in Rawis, Legazpi City. (Alex Cal/PIA)
CWC FEATURES WORLD’S BEST TRIATHLETES IN IRONMAN 70.3 PHILIPPINES
CAMARINES SUR Province — All eyes of the sporting world will focus on this province as nine of the world’s best triathlon athletes have signed up for the Ironman 70.3 Philippines set on Sunday, August 23, at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Pili town here.
This international competition is sponsored by the Provincial Government here, under the auspices of Governor LRay Villafuerte, in partnership with Alaska Milk Corporation and Asia Brewery.
The nine elite triathletes will be part of no less than 500 expected participants from 23 countries, including the Philippines, who will compete in the triathlon
The Ironman 70.3 will be staged for the first time in the country as part of a series of triathlons in selected locations to determine this year’s World Champion.
The triathlon is a modern sport, actually a multisport integrated into the Olympic Games only in year 2000, that combines 1.2 miles (almost 2 kilometers) of swimming, 56 miles (over 90 kilometers) of cycling and 13.1 miles (over 21 kilometers) of running for a total distance of 70.3 miles or some 113.11 kilometers.
The awesome roll of triathlete-participants is led by Chris McCormack, fondly known in triathlon circles as “Macca”, resident of Cronulla, Australia and Bend, Oregon, USA, who has been Ironman Hawaii World Champion, International Triathlon Union (ITU) Olympic Distance World Champion, ITU World Cup Champion, eleven-time Ironman Champion, winner of 19 national titles, seven-time World Cup Champion, Goodwill Games Gold medallist, four-time Triathlete of the Year, two-time Competitor of the Year, four-time Escape from Alcatraz Champion, and four-time Wildflower Half Ironman Champion.
Among others expected to put up a tough run for the plum is Cameron Brown of New Zealand who has been lauded as “the most consistent ironman triathlete with eight New Zealand Ironman championships tucked under his belt, aside from having been European Ironman Champion of 2006, New Zealand Ironman Champion for eight times, New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in 2001 and New Zealand Sprint Distance champion.
Terenzo Bezzone, a 24-year old South African-born now residing in New Zealand, is another professional triathlete to look out for, an upcoming sports wonder who focused in multisports like cross country running, cycling and swimming while very young who has amassed a pile of victories since leaving school, lately the championships in the World Champ 70.3 in Clearwater, USA, the Vineman 70.3 in California, the Kansas 70.3 in Kansas and named top 70.3 Athlete of the year in 2008. Before that he won Eagleman 70.3 USA, the Columbia in Maryland, the Buffalo in Minnesota, and placed second in St. Anthony’s in Florida and in the Ironman Debut in New Zealand.
Other highly rated triathlon professionals are eleven-time Ironman Hawaii champion of Hawaii Tim Marr of Hawaii and Pete Jacobs of Australia who recently placed second in Ironman Australia.
Top-rated female triathletes include the veteran 35-year old Charlotte Paul of the United Kingdom, cited one of the fasted female Ironman triathletes in the world today who finished third in the Busselton Half Ironman last year and was champion of the IM Western Australia and Port Macquarie Half Ironman in 2007.
Also expected to turn out a fine performance is another veteran, Gina Kehr of California who, at forty, is still considered among the finest female triathletes in the world today. Kehr’s bag of successes include the Southbay Triathlon and the Stealhead 70.3 last year and she was Ironman National Champion and first placer in the ITU Boston Southbay Triathlon in 2003 and in the Sandman Triathlon in 2002.
Expected to give them a run for the glory are Canadian Liza Bentley, also a 40-year old veteran of the game who is an eleven-time winner of the Hawaii Ironman Championships, second placer in the 70.3 World Championships and Triathlete of the Year in 2004, and Florida-born now Hawaiian resident Bree Wee who has consistently been a top contender in many triathlon games.
Along side these international triathletes are a long roster of prominent local triathlon enthusiasts who have already enlisted for the games. They include Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., Senator Pia Cayetano, Wilfred Steven Uytengsu of Alaska Milk, ABS-CBN bigwig Ernie Lopez, Tessa Prieto-Valdez of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Fernando Zobel of Ayala Corporation. (GBClaveria, MMEC/PIA)
SORSOGON’S POLICE CITED BEST PCR SNC OFFICER
SORSOGON CITY — SPO2 Nestor Jardin Aguirre was cited as Best Senior Police Community Relations Police Non-Commissioned Officer for 2009 during the 14th Police Community Relation Month culminating activity held at Camp Simeon Ola, Legazpi City recently.
In a press statement, PC/Insp. Alfredo Nierva, Public Information Officer of Sorsogon Police Provincial Office said the awards program, which is open to all police officers and units region wide, aims to pay tribute to outstanding police units and police officers who provided concrete examples and inspirations to police force, at the least of making even a little difference in bringing in more improved police service and good relations with the community.
“The selection is done annually not only for PNP to inspire the police force but to make them more effective in serving the public and at the same time draw support from the community noting that mamang pulis at aleng pulis are worth it,” said Nierva.
SPO2 Nelson J. Aguirre, who elicited all accolades from his colleagues after capping the said honor, is a licensed criminologist assigned at the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, Camp Salvador C. Escudero, Sr., Sorsogon City .
It can be noted that Aguirre has become instrumental in introducing and bringing the SPPO’s various programs and services to the community.
Topping Aguirre’s highlight of accomplishment is the free swimming tutorials which he has provided for Sorsogon’s youth.
Aguirre said his primary goal of offering his free services is to deviate budding youths from vices and other unworthy practices. “Swimming is an effective approach towards bringing the youth to more worthwhile activities for aside from it is a good exercise, the skill can also be used to save lives,” he narrated.
Aguirre is also currently teaching swimming lesson patiently to children with special disabilities, who according to him need utmost attention and skills development.
Aguirre was also the police officer behind the implementation of PNP’s community programs such as distribution of free food packs and feeding program for elementary school children, distribution of footwear and school supplies for graders so to help underprivileged school children in different barangays in the province.
The award was conferred to him by Police Chief Superintendent Paterno Palding Bangi, Bicol PNP Regional Director. (BA Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)
PHILHEALTH ADOPTS SINGLE EMPLOYER REGISTRATION
LEGAZPI CITY — Streamlining the employer registration process through the adoption of Single Employer Registration Process (SERP) impelled the Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Social Security System (SSS)
Orlando Iñigo Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional director, said that an employer who registers with SSS becomes automatically registered with PhilHealth.
Iñigo added that an employer shall no longer be required to go personally to PhilHealth for initial registration.
He explained that all employer’s data received from SSS will be processed by PhilHealth, consequently, issuance of PhilHealth Employer Number (PEN) to the employer.
He said the PEN serves as the permanent identification number for all transactions with the PhilHealth.
Iñigo stressed the employer will be required to submit the post registration requirements, after 30 days following the initial registration from SSS,:
PhilHealth
1. Accomplished report of employee members (Er2)
2. Member data record for employed member (M1a) and supporting documents for declarations dependents:
* Photocopy of marriage contract for spouse who is not a PhilHealth member
* Copy of birth certificate for children below 21 years old
* Copy of birth certificate for parents 60 years old and above
SSS
1. Employment report (SS Form R-1A)
2. Specimen signature card (SS Form L-501)
3. Sketch of business address; and
4. Validated miscellaneous payment return form (SS Form R-6) or special bank receipt, showing payment for the employer registration plate, if not paid upon initial registration. (PhilHealth V/PIA)
MORE JOBS CREATED DESPITE GLOBAL ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN – DOLE V
LEGAZPI CITY — Jobs created, jobs lost.
Alarmed by the impact of the fluctuating dollar-peso exchange rates to local industries and the possible after-effect of the global financial crisis, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here is doing rounds in several businesses across the region assessing the assess hiring ‘capabilities’ and retrenchment percentage.
Ernesto C. Bihis, DOLE Bicol regional director, said that the ‘assessment’ drive, dubbed “Labor Trending”, is actually an interpretation of regional statistical data culled and consolidated by the agency..
Bihis said that the activity is an in-depth study of the results of our various programs, the agency’s accomplishments in numbers, quantified and real.
He related for the first semester, 4,560 Bicolanos were ‘lucky’ to land a job thru DOLE and PESO assisted programs like Jobs Fair.
He explained that this number quantifies an almost 41 per cent accomplishment of the 11,182 target for the whole year – not bad considering the onset of the GFC. The job placement is ‘more than enough’ to absorb workers affected by the GFC.
Iñigo stressed that DOLE Bicol created at least 4,560 jobs and recorded some 441 displacements showing that about 150% more jobs were created than we lost in the region
It can be recalled that for the last quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009, at the peak of the economic meltdown, DOLE Bicol recorded 11 establishments which either permanently shutdown or retrenched workers.
Irma S. Valiente, DOLE assistant regional director, however, said that it is very “interesting to note” that of all the provinces, Masbate may seem to have a “stable” business with only one establishment reporting and verified to have been affected by the global economic crisis.
“Bicol have experienced an increase in retrenchment last year and early this year. But we were able to turn the tide around through the jobs fair. Data shows that our generated employment is more than or rather three times than the retrenched workers because of GFC,” Valiente said.
At present, DOLE Bicol has streamlined new livelihood programs up for implementation in the region including the “Trabaho sa Bag” – a livelihood program for the informal sector, NARS program – for nurses, SPES – for students and WINAP, ISLA and TUPAD for displaced workers, the unemployed and fisher folks.
Bihis noted that DOLE Bicol’s efforts here are paying off. Aside from our livelihood programs establishments are slowly getting back to its business, for example in Camarines Norte about 2 mining firms have already re-opened.
(RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)
CONSULTATIONS ON MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE UNDERWAY
LEGAZPI CITY — Consultations for the long awaited increase in the minimum wage rates are still being conducted by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol regional office here and the RTWPB.
Series of wage consultation in the provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay are now being mulled to determine whether or not an increase is due this year.
Ernesto C. Bihis, DOLE Bicol regional director and RTWPB chair, explained that several hearings are being carried out annualy to assess if a wage increase is necessary or if the existing wage order will stand.
Workers here are speculating of the amount that may be added in the increase but the DOLE and RTWPB will remain silent until the study is finished.
Irma S. Valiente, DOLE Bicol assistant regional director, assures Bicolanos that deliberation on the issue of wage increase is the priority of the agency and the regional wage board.
Valiente added that this is not an easy matter and should be studied thoroughly since the fate of the workers will depend on these talks.
“We would like to let the public know that this is not a simple job and a lot of factors must be considered. The matter of wage increase entails a delicate balancing act of weighing the needs of workers against the employer’s capacity/ability to pay,” Valiente said. (RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)
KBP SORSOGON HOLDS FIRST MEDIA OLYMPICS
Sorsogon Province -- The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) - Sorsogon Chapter on August 13-15, has organized for the first time the Media Olympics, an athletic event that aims not on competing against who has the best vigor and physical prowess but primarily on getting acquainted with and strengthening camaraderie among media personalities here.
"KBP is very much elated upon seeing that the sports event which we conceptualized under the theme 'Together As One' was successful in its attempt to foster in-depth friendship among media community in Sorsogon," said Andy Espinar, KBP-Sorsogon Chapter president.
Espinar said that over the years, the media community here has never been provided with activities that would make them 'together as one'. "This is why, we thought of the media Olympics, the first activity ever, to serve as vehicle towards unifying and at the same time, serve as an avenue to develop hale and hearty skills among Sorsogon media," he said.
He added that through the activity, each one was chanced to be acquainted with other personalities in the media community of Sorsogon, who according to many "were only known to them either by name or by voice."
The activity kicked off, August 13, with a motorcade along the city's main thoroughfare and a short opening program which was graced by National Telecommunications Bicol Regional Director Engr. Ariel H. Padilla.
The games officially started in the afternoon with basketball and volleyball games for its opening salvo.
The three day Media Olympics featured nine events to include basketball, volleyball, chess, scrabble, table tennis, dart, badminton, billiards and bowling held at the Aemilianum College Gymn, X-trim Badminton Gymn and Dino Mark Bowling House respectively.
"More than hundred of media personalities here put across their intention to be part of and have joined this very first significant event. They were divided into green team, blue team, yellow team and red orange team, each has its own knacks and eccentricity, which has added zest to the affair," said Espinar.
Meanwhile, the awarding and closing ceremony, August 15, highlighted the covenant signing among media practitioners.
"The covenant provides guarantee of promoting effective cooperation and unity among practicing media enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity for their personal growth and public advancement as well as in furthering communication development," said Espinar.
The covenant will also serve as a reminder for the media practitioners here to abide by the journalist's code of ethics, setting as well, a good example by providing the public right, accurate and timely information. (BA Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)
June ’09 remittance posts record high inflows of US$ 1.5B; totals US$ 8.5B in H1 of '09
MANILA -– The record-high of nearly US$ 1.5 billion Overseas Filipino (OF) remittances in June 2009 alone is a testimony of earlier projections that inflows would remain resilient this year amid the global downturn.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday said remittances grew 3.3 percent in June this year to US$ 1.49 billion from the US$ 1.45 billion in June 2008.
This brought the inflows in the first six months this year to US$ 8.5 billion, or a jump of 2.9 percent compared to the US$ 8.24 billion in end-June last year.
Bulk of these came from the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UK, Japan, Singapore, UAE, Italy, and Germany.
BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said inflows from land-based and sea-based workers both registered higher inflows of 2.5 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.
“The continued growth of remittance flows since January this year, accompanied by emerging signs of improving global economic conditions, have affirmed the positive outlook for steady remittance for 2009,” he stressed.
Tetangco traced the continued strong inflows to both the high demand for highly-skilled and professional Filipino workers and the wide array of services and products being offered by domestic banks and their counterparts abroad.
He said deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) is expected to remain robust in the coming months due to, among others, the employment arrangements of the Philippine government with its counterpart in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, and SouthKorea.
Apart from the possible recruitment of around 4,000 Filipino medical workers in Libya, the BSP chief said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Tripoli is checking out employment possibilities for Filipinos in non-traditional markets like Algeria, Chad, Malta, and Morroco, particularly in the hotel, oil, gas and technical services sectors.
The central bank also said that more OFWs are expected to be deployed in Taiwan, among others, due to the Special Hiring Program for Taiwan (SHPT). (PIA V Release)
PGMA signs Food and Drugs Act of 2009
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed into law Republic Act 9711 otherwise known as the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Act of 2009.
The FDA Act of 2009 is said to complement RA 9502, or the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008. It renames the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to FDA and strengthens its regulatory powers, resources and capabilities to efficiently and expeditiously perform its mandate.
Under Republic Act. No. 9711, FDA will have the powers that BFAD currently does not have. It can order the ban, recall and withdrawal of health products that cause or has the potential to cause death, serious illness or injury to people. It can also do the same to products that make deceptive claims.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who attended the signing ceremony, noted that the new law also authorizes FDA to retain all income in addition to its annual budget, thus providing the agency the resources to meet operational cost and to fund the purchase of laboratory equipment and increase its manpower resources.
Duque added that under the law. FDA can seize without hearing or court order health products found to be in violation of the laws or rules and regulations pending further proceedings.
Another salient feature of the law is the establishment of modern and complete testing laboratory facilities in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, apart from the existing central office laboratory, which will be equipped with the necessary and appropriate provision of the latest laboratory equipment and procedures. This assures the delivery of FDA services to its clients at the shortest time possible anywhere in the country.
Rep. Arthur Pingoy, Jr., chair of the House committee on health, said President Arroyo’s signing into law of the FDA Act of 2009 is “one of the greatest legacies of the President to the Filipino people.”
“The BFAD strengthening bill has long been a priority legislative measure of Malacanang aimed at protecting and promoting the right to health of the Filipino people through an effective regulatory system of all health products responsive to the country’s health needs and problems,” Pingoy said.
He added that a stronger FDA will make the country more effective in monitoring and ensuring the entry of quality, affordable food and medicines in the country.
Without a tougher and stronger FDA, Pingoy noted, the implementation of the Cheap Medicines Law would not be effective and complete, as it is a necessary component to it. (PIA V Release)
PGMA witnesses DOH turnover of P50-M to UP-PGH
MANILA — The Department of Health today turned over P50 million to the University of the Philippines Manila-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in ceremonies held at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the main supporter of the DOH’s health facilities enhancement program, witnessed the turnover rites which coincided with the UP-PGH’s 102nd foundation day.
The fund is intended to procure a second angiography system for the PGH – a single plane flat panel detector digital angiography system.
Also in attendance were Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Dr. Emerlinda Roman of UP Manila-PGH.
The project was facilitated through the generosity of President Arroyo and the assistance of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral.
With the increasing trend in cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery diseases, myocardial infarction, hypertension and stroke, the services of the cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cathlab) are imperative and critical since it offers a wide range of diagnostic and treatment modalities for these diseases.
The P50 Million allotment made by President Arroyo comes at a most opportune moment, helping PGH achieve its vision of being “globally competitive, committed to the health of the Filipino people through a system of networking, served by competent, compassionate, and ethical health professionals working as a team, and in being the center of excellence in leadership in health care, training and research, that creates an impact on health policies.” (PIA V Release)
Palace awaits Comelec decision on Lakas merger
Malacanang will wait for the final decision of the Commission on Elections on the Lakas-Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-KAMPI-CMD) merger before it issues any official announcement.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued the statement when asked for a reaction on former President Fidel V. Ramos’ rejection of the coalition’s post as chairman emeritus.
He noted that it is “hard” for him to say anything on the issue for some people may use or misuse his statements.
“He (Ramos) is just coming out with his own position,” he added.
Ermita said that matters like the announcement of Ramos is something that cannot be set aside especially since it comes from the former leader.
Earlier, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. filed a petition before the Comelec, asking to nullify the merger and invalidate the positions and appointment of the officials of the coalition.
De Venecia also asked Comelec to nullify the merger of the parties involved.(PIA V Release)
THIS AUGUST, START TAKING CARE OF YOUR EYES – DOH
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) today reminded the public to take care of their eyes as approximately 314 million people worldwide are estimated to live with low vision and blindness, according to the 2002 World Health Organization data.
“We have coordinated a nationwide eye screening and cataract surgery with selected government and private hospitals, so I urge the public to have their eyes checked up to prevent blindness later in life”, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
The global figure translates to 3.4 million Filipinos who are visually impaired, according to the 3rd National Blindness Survey done in 2002. Of these, 3.2 million have visual impairment in one or both eyes while 461,121 are blind in both eyes.
“According to the same survey, blindness was most common among the elderly and the poor who have no access to health facilities”, Duque said, adding that as one grows older, one gets more prone to have an error of refraction, or glaucoma, or cataract, or blindness due to diabetes, hypertension.
Based on the same survey, the top three causes of visual impairment are cataract, error of refraction, and glaucoma. Cataract is the number one cause of reversible blindness in the country, with prevalence highest among the poor and underserved. Errors of refraction can usually be corrected with eyeglasses.
Experts said that glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually lead to loss of vision, often without warning. This disease is hardly preventable when blindness has set in.
What is important is early detection; however, this can only be done with high technology equipment. This makes the number of glaucoma cases under-estimated.T
he reminder was made as part of the national observance of this month as Sight-Saving Month whose theme is, “Excellence and Equity in Eye Care: A Human Right”.“Quality and affordable eye care must be made accessible to all Filipinos of all social strata.
This is a basic right that should be accorded to everyone, without discrimination as to age, sex, gender, religion, race, or social standing”, declared Duque adding that the challenge now is how to bring affordable and excellent eye care to all areas of the country.
This year, the DOH and its partner agencies and organizations under the National Committee for Sight Preservation, aims to put up local Committees for Sight Preservation in the different regions and provinces of the country.
Under their local chief executives (LCEs), these committees will coordinate the delivery of eye care services at the local level, such as eye screening and cataract surgery programs for the indigent constituents of the community. (PIA V Release)
RP government still pushes for peace talks – Ermita
MANILA –- The Philippine government is still pushing for peace talks with the communist and Islamic rebels across the country despite all odds.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita made this pronouncement following a call to shelve the peace talks and the peace process.
Ermita also said Malacañang is also awaiting the investigation by the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the role of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Basilan encounter last weekend.
“There are plenty of things to consider in the name of peace in Mindanao,” according to Ermita adding that it is so hard to accuse who had done it because they have no basis and they don’t know the real story in the said operation.
Last Monday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that it is the government’s fundamental commitment to continue the peace talks in Mindanao despite what happened in Basilan.
“If there are challenges such as rogue rebels like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the government has to reaffirm its commitment on both sides to have peace talks but we have to deal with the terrorists separately,” Fajardo said.
Meanwhile, Fajardo said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave instructions to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assist the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Basilan and nearby areas.
Fajardo said affected by the firefight are about 435 villages in region 10, 11 and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). “The IDPs were given shelters, relief packages and livelihood projects,” she said. (PIA V Release)
CAMARINES SUR Province — All eyes of the sporting world will focus on this province as nine of the world’s best triathlon athletes have signed up for the Ironman 70.3 Philippines set on Sunday, August 23, at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Pili town here.
This international competition is sponsored by the Provincial Government here, under the auspices of Governor LRay Villafuerte, in partnership with Alaska Milk Corporation and Asia Brewery.
The nine elite triathletes will be part of no less than 500 expected participants from 23 countries, including the Philippines, who will compete in the triathlon
The Ironman 70.3 will be staged for the first time in the country as part of a series of triathlons in selected locations to determine this year’s World Champion.
The triathlon is a modern sport, actually a multisport integrated into the Olympic Games only in year 2000, that combines 1.2 miles (almost 2 kilometers) of swimming, 56 miles (over 90 kilometers) of cycling and 13.1 miles (over 21 kilometers) of running for a total distance of 70.3 miles or some 113.11 kilometers.
The awesome roll of triathlete-participants is led by Chris McCormack, fondly known in triathlon circles as “Macca”, resident of Cronulla, Australia and Bend, Oregon, USA, who has been Ironman Hawaii World Champion, International Triathlon Union (ITU) Olympic Distance World Champion, ITU World Cup Champion, eleven-time Ironman Champion, winner of 19 national titles, seven-time World Cup Champion, Goodwill Games Gold medallist, four-time Triathlete of the Year, two-time Competitor of the Year, four-time Escape from Alcatraz Champion, and four-time Wildflower Half Ironman Champion.
Among others expected to put up a tough run for the plum is Cameron Brown of New Zealand who has been lauded as “the most consistent ironman triathlete with eight New Zealand Ironman championships tucked under his belt, aside from having been European Ironman Champion of 2006, New Zealand Ironman Champion for eight times, New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in 2001 and New Zealand Sprint Distance champion.
Terenzo Bezzone, a 24-year old South African-born now residing in New Zealand, is another professional triathlete to look out for, an upcoming sports wonder who focused in multisports like cross country running, cycling and swimming while very young who has amassed a pile of victories since leaving school, lately the championships in the World Champ 70.3 in Clearwater, USA, the Vineman 70.3 in California, the Kansas 70.3 in Kansas and named top 70.3 Athlete of the year in 2008. Before that he won Eagleman 70.3 USA, the Columbia in Maryland, the Buffalo in Minnesota, and placed second in St. Anthony’s in Florida and in the Ironman Debut in New Zealand.
Other highly rated triathlon professionals are eleven-time Ironman Hawaii champion of Hawaii Tim Marr of Hawaii and Pete Jacobs of Australia who recently placed second in Ironman Australia.
Top-rated female triathletes include the veteran 35-year old Charlotte Paul of the United Kingdom, cited one of the fasted female Ironman triathletes in the world today who finished third in the Busselton Half Ironman last year and was champion of the IM Western Australia and Port Macquarie Half Ironman in 2007.
Also expected to turn out a fine performance is another veteran, Gina Kehr of California who, at forty, is still considered among the finest female triathletes in the world today. Kehr’s bag of successes include the Southbay Triathlon and the Stealhead 70.3 last year and she was Ironman National Champion and first placer in the ITU Boston Southbay Triathlon in 2003 and in the Sandman Triathlon in 2002.
Expected to give them a run for the glory are Canadian Liza Bentley, also a 40-year old veteran of the game who is an eleven-time winner of the Hawaii Ironman Championships, second placer in the 70.3 World Championships and Triathlete of the Year in 2004, and Florida-born now Hawaiian resident Bree Wee who has consistently been a top contender in many triathlon games.
Along side these international triathletes are a long roster of prominent local triathlon enthusiasts who have already enlisted for the games. They include Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., Senator Pia Cayetano, Wilfred Steven Uytengsu of Alaska Milk, ABS-CBN bigwig Ernie Lopez, Tessa Prieto-Valdez of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Fernando Zobel of Ayala Corporation. (GBClaveria, MMEC/PIA)
SORSOGON’S POLICE CITED BEST PCR SNC OFFICER
SORSOGON CITY — SPO2 Nestor Jardin Aguirre was cited as Best Senior Police Community Relations Police Non-Commissioned Officer for 2009 during the 14th Police Community Relation Month culminating activity held at Camp Simeon Ola, Legazpi City recently.
In a press statement, PC/Insp. Alfredo Nierva, Public Information Officer of Sorsogon Police Provincial Office said the awards program, which is open to all police officers and units region wide, aims to pay tribute to outstanding police units and police officers who provided concrete examples and inspirations to police force, at the least of making even a little difference in bringing in more improved police service and good relations with the community.
“The selection is done annually not only for PNP to inspire the police force but to make them more effective in serving the public and at the same time draw support from the community noting that mamang pulis at aleng pulis are worth it,” said Nierva.
SPO2 Nelson J. Aguirre, who elicited all accolades from his colleagues after capping the said honor, is a licensed criminologist assigned at the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, Camp Salvador C. Escudero, Sr., Sorsogon City .
It can be noted that Aguirre has become instrumental in introducing and bringing the SPPO’s various programs and services to the community.
Topping Aguirre’s highlight of accomplishment is the free swimming tutorials which he has provided for Sorsogon’s youth.
Aguirre said his primary goal of offering his free services is to deviate budding youths from vices and other unworthy practices. “Swimming is an effective approach towards bringing the youth to more worthwhile activities for aside from it is a good exercise, the skill can also be used to save lives,” he narrated.
Aguirre is also currently teaching swimming lesson patiently to children with special disabilities, who according to him need utmost attention and skills development.
Aguirre was also the police officer behind the implementation of PNP’s community programs such as distribution of free food packs and feeding program for elementary school children, distribution of footwear and school supplies for graders so to help underprivileged school children in different barangays in the province.
The award was conferred to him by Police Chief Superintendent Paterno Palding Bangi, Bicol PNP Regional Director. (BA Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)
PHILHEALTH ADOPTS SINGLE EMPLOYER REGISTRATION
LEGAZPI CITY — Streamlining the employer registration process through the adoption of Single Employer Registration Process (SERP) impelled the Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Social Security System (SSS)
Orlando Iñigo Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional director, said that an employer who registers with SSS becomes automatically registered with PhilHealth.
Iñigo added that an employer shall no longer be required to go personally to PhilHealth for initial registration.
He explained that all employer’s data received from SSS will be processed by PhilHealth, consequently, issuance of PhilHealth Employer Number (PEN) to the employer.
He said the PEN serves as the permanent identification number for all transactions with the PhilHealth.
Iñigo stressed the employer will be required to submit the post registration requirements, after 30 days following the initial registration from SSS,:
PhilHealth
1. Accomplished report of employee members (Er2)
2. Member data record for employed member (M1a) and supporting documents for declarations dependents:
* Photocopy of marriage contract for spouse who is not a PhilHealth member
* Copy of birth certificate for children below 21 years old
* Copy of birth certificate for parents 60 years old and above
SSS
1. Employment report (SS Form R-1A)
2. Specimen signature card (SS Form L-501)
3. Sketch of business address; and
4. Validated miscellaneous payment return form (SS Form R-6) or special bank receipt, showing payment for the employer registration plate, if not paid upon initial registration. (PhilHealth V/PIA)
MORE JOBS CREATED DESPITE GLOBAL ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN – DOLE V
LEGAZPI CITY — Jobs created, jobs lost.
Alarmed by the impact of the fluctuating dollar-peso exchange rates to local industries and the possible after-effect of the global financial crisis, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here is doing rounds in several businesses across the region assessing the assess hiring ‘capabilities’ and retrenchment percentage.
Ernesto C. Bihis, DOLE Bicol regional director, said that the ‘assessment’ drive, dubbed “Labor Trending”, is actually an interpretation of regional statistical data culled and consolidated by the agency..
Bihis said that the activity is an in-depth study of the results of our various programs, the agency’s accomplishments in numbers, quantified and real.
He related for the first semester, 4,560 Bicolanos were ‘lucky’ to land a job thru DOLE and PESO assisted programs like Jobs Fair.
He explained that this number quantifies an almost 41 per cent accomplishment of the 11,182 target for the whole year – not bad considering the onset of the GFC. The job placement is ‘more than enough’ to absorb workers affected by the GFC.
Iñigo stressed that DOLE Bicol created at least 4,560 jobs and recorded some 441 displacements showing that about 150% more jobs were created than we lost in the region
It can be recalled that for the last quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009, at the peak of the economic meltdown, DOLE Bicol recorded 11 establishments which either permanently shutdown or retrenched workers.
Irma S. Valiente, DOLE assistant regional director, however, said that it is very “interesting to note” that of all the provinces, Masbate may seem to have a “stable” business with only one establishment reporting and verified to have been affected by the global economic crisis.
“Bicol have experienced an increase in retrenchment last year and early this year. But we were able to turn the tide around through the jobs fair. Data shows that our generated employment is more than or rather three times than the retrenched workers because of GFC,” Valiente said.
At present, DOLE Bicol has streamlined new livelihood programs up for implementation in the region including the “Trabaho sa Bag” – a livelihood program for the informal sector, NARS program – for nurses, SPES – for students and WINAP, ISLA and TUPAD for displaced workers, the unemployed and fisher folks.
Bihis noted that DOLE Bicol’s efforts here are paying off. Aside from our livelihood programs establishments are slowly getting back to its business, for example in Camarines Norte about 2 mining firms have already re-opened.
(RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)
CONSULTATIONS ON MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE UNDERWAY
LEGAZPI CITY — Consultations for the long awaited increase in the minimum wage rates are still being conducted by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol regional office here and the RTWPB.
Series of wage consultation in the provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay are now being mulled to determine whether or not an increase is due this year.
Ernesto C. Bihis, DOLE Bicol regional director and RTWPB chair, explained that several hearings are being carried out annualy to assess if a wage increase is necessary or if the existing wage order will stand.
Workers here are speculating of the amount that may be added in the increase but the DOLE and RTWPB will remain silent until the study is finished.
Irma S. Valiente, DOLE Bicol assistant regional director, assures Bicolanos that deliberation on the issue of wage increase is the priority of the agency and the regional wage board.
Valiente added that this is not an easy matter and should be studied thoroughly since the fate of the workers will depend on these talks.
“We would like to let the public know that this is not a simple job and a lot of factors must be considered. The matter of wage increase entails a delicate balancing act of weighing the needs of workers against the employer’s capacity/ability to pay,” Valiente said. (RPEscalante, DOLE/PIA)
KBP SORSOGON HOLDS FIRST MEDIA OLYMPICS
Sorsogon Province -- The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) - Sorsogon Chapter on August 13-15, has organized for the first time the Media Olympics, an athletic event that aims not on competing against who has the best vigor and physical prowess but primarily on getting acquainted with and strengthening camaraderie among media personalities here.
"KBP is very much elated upon seeing that the sports event which we conceptualized under the theme 'Together As One' was successful in its attempt to foster in-depth friendship among media community in Sorsogon," said Andy Espinar, KBP-Sorsogon Chapter president.
Espinar said that over the years, the media community here has never been provided with activities that would make them 'together as one'. "This is why, we thought of the media Olympics, the first activity ever, to serve as vehicle towards unifying and at the same time, serve as an avenue to develop hale and hearty skills among Sorsogon media," he said.
He added that through the activity, each one was chanced to be acquainted with other personalities in the media community of Sorsogon, who according to many "were only known to them either by name or by voice."
The activity kicked off, August 13, with a motorcade along the city's main thoroughfare and a short opening program which was graced by National Telecommunications Bicol Regional Director Engr. Ariel H. Padilla.
The games officially started in the afternoon with basketball and volleyball games for its opening salvo.
The three day Media Olympics featured nine events to include basketball, volleyball, chess, scrabble, table tennis, dart, badminton, billiards and bowling held at the Aemilianum College Gymn, X-trim Badminton Gymn and Dino Mark Bowling House respectively.
"More than hundred of media personalities here put across their intention to be part of and have joined this very first significant event. They were divided into green team, blue team, yellow team and red orange team, each has its own knacks and eccentricity, which has added zest to the affair," said Espinar.
Meanwhile, the awarding and closing ceremony, August 15, highlighted the covenant signing among media practitioners.
"The covenant provides guarantee of promoting effective cooperation and unity among practicing media enhancing mutual understanding and solidarity for their personal growth and public advancement as well as in furthering communication development," said Espinar.
The covenant will also serve as a reminder for the media practitioners here to abide by the journalist's code of ethics, setting as well, a good example by providing the public right, accurate and timely information. (BA Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)
June ’09 remittance posts record high inflows of US$ 1.5B; totals US$ 8.5B in H1 of '09
MANILA -– The record-high of nearly US$ 1.5 billion Overseas Filipino (OF) remittances in June 2009 alone is a testimony of earlier projections that inflows would remain resilient this year amid the global downturn.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday said remittances grew 3.3 percent in June this year to US$ 1.49 billion from the US$ 1.45 billion in June 2008.
This brought the inflows in the first six months this year to US$ 8.5 billion, or a jump of 2.9 percent compared to the US$ 8.24 billion in end-June last year.
Bulk of these came from the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, UK, Japan, Singapore, UAE, Italy, and Germany.
BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said inflows from land-based and sea-based workers both registered higher inflows of 2.5 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.
“The continued growth of remittance flows since January this year, accompanied by emerging signs of improving global economic conditions, have affirmed the positive outlook for steady remittance for 2009,” he stressed.
Tetangco traced the continued strong inflows to both the high demand for highly-skilled and professional Filipino workers and the wide array of services and products being offered by domestic banks and their counterparts abroad.
He said deployment of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) is expected to remain robust in the coming months due to, among others, the employment arrangements of the Philippine government with its counterpart in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, and SouthKorea.
Apart from the possible recruitment of around 4,000 Filipino medical workers in Libya, the BSP chief said the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Tripoli is checking out employment possibilities for Filipinos in non-traditional markets like Algeria, Chad, Malta, and Morroco, particularly in the hotel, oil, gas and technical services sectors.
The central bank also said that more OFWs are expected to be deployed in Taiwan, among others, due to the Special Hiring Program for Taiwan (SHPT). (PIA V Release)
PGMA signs Food and Drugs Act of 2009
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed into law Republic Act 9711 otherwise known as the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) Act of 2009.
The FDA Act of 2009 is said to complement RA 9502, or the Universally Accessible, Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008. It renames the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to FDA and strengthens its regulatory powers, resources and capabilities to efficiently and expeditiously perform its mandate.
Under Republic Act. No. 9711, FDA will have the powers that BFAD currently does not have. It can order the ban, recall and withdrawal of health products that cause or has the potential to cause death, serious illness or injury to people. It can also do the same to products that make deceptive claims.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who attended the signing ceremony, noted that the new law also authorizes FDA to retain all income in addition to its annual budget, thus providing the agency the resources to meet operational cost and to fund the purchase of laboratory equipment and increase its manpower resources.
Duque added that under the law. FDA can seize without hearing or court order health products found to be in violation of the laws or rules and regulations pending further proceedings.
Another salient feature of the law is the establishment of modern and complete testing laboratory facilities in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, apart from the existing central office laboratory, which will be equipped with the necessary and appropriate provision of the latest laboratory equipment and procedures. This assures the delivery of FDA services to its clients at the shortest time possible anywhere in the country.
Rep. Arthur Pingoy, Jr., chair of the House committee on health, said President Arroyo’s signing into law of the FDA Act of 2009 is “one of the greatest legacies of the President to the Filipino people.”
“The BFAD strengthening bill has long been a priority legislative measure of Malacanang aimed at protecting and promoting the right to health of the Filipino people through an effective regulatory system of all health products responsive to the country’s health needs and problems,” Pingoy said.
He added that a stronger FDA will make the country more effective in monitoring and ensuring the entry of quality, affordable food and medicines in the country.
Without a tougher and stronger FDA, Pingoy noted, the implementation of the Cheap Medicines Law would not be effective and complete, as it is a necessary component to it. (PIA V Release)
PGMA witnesses DOH turnover of P50-M to UP-PGH
MANILA — The Department of Health today turned over P50 million to the University of the Philippines Manila-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in ceremonies held at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the main supporter of the DOH’s health facilities enhancement program, witnessed the turnover rites which coincided with the UP-PGH’s 102nd foundation day.
The fund is intended to procure a second angiography system for the PGH – a single plane flat panel detector digital angiography system.
Also in attendance were Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Dr. Emerlinda Roman of UP Manila-PGH.
The project was facilitated through the generosity of President Arroyo and the assistance of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral.
With the increasing trend in cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery diseases, myocardial infarction, hypertension and stroke, the services of the cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cathlab) are imperative and critical since it offers a wide range of diagnostic and treatment modalities for these diseases.
The P50 Million allotment made by President Arroyo comes at a most opportune moment, helping PGH achieve its vision of being “globally competitive, committed to the health of the Filipino people through a system of networking, served by competent, compassionate, and ethical health professionals working as a team, and in being the center of excellence in leadership in health care, training and research, that creates an impact on health policies.” (PIA V Release)
Palace awaits Comelec decision on Lakas merger
Malacanang will wait for the final decision of the Commission on Elections on the Lakas-Kabalikat Ng Malayang Pilipino-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-KAMPI-CMD) merger before it issues any official announcement.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued the statement when asked for a reaction on former President Fidel V. Ramos’ rejection of the coalition’s post as chairman emeritus.
He noted that it is “hard” for him to say anything on the issue for some people may use or misuse his statements.
“He (Ramos) is just coming out with his own position,” he added.
Ermita said that matters like the announcement of Ramos is something that cannot be set aside especially since it comes from the former leader.
Earlier, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. filed a petition before the Comelec, asking to nullify the merger and invalidate the positions and appointment of the officials of the coalition.
De Venecia also asked Comelec to nullify the merger of the parties involved.(PIA V Release)
THIS AUGUST, START TAKING CARE OF YOUR EYES – DOH
MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) today reminded the public to take care of their eyes as approximately 314 million people worldwide are estimated to live with low vision and blindness, according to the 2002 World Health Organization data.
“We have coordinated a nationwide eye screening and cataract surgery with selected government and private hospitals, so I urge the public to have their eyes checked up to prevent blindness later in life”, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
The global figure translates to 3.4 million Filipinos who are visually impaired, according to the 3rd National Blindness Survey done in 2002. Of these, 3.2 million have visual impairment in one or both eyes while 461,121 are blind in both eyes.
“According to the same survey, blindness was most common among the elderly and the poor who have no access to health facilities”, Duque said, adding that as one grows older, one gets more prone to have an error of refraction, or glaucoma, or cataract, or blindness due to diabetes, hypertension.
Based on the same survey, the top three causes of visual impairment are cataract, error of refraction, and glaucoma. Cataract is the number one cause of reversible blindness in the country, with prevalence highest among the poor and underserved. Errors of refraction can usually be corrected with eyeglasses.
Experts said that glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually lead to loss of vision, often without warning. This disease is hardly preventable when blindness has set in.
What is important is early detection; however, this can only be done with high technology equipment. This makes the number of glaucoma cases under-estimated.T
he reminder was made as part of the national observance of this month as Sight-Saving Month whose theme is, “Excellence and Equity in Eye Care: A Human Right”.“Quality and affordable eye care must be made accessible to all Filipinos of all social strata.
This is a basic right that should be accorded to everyone, without discrimination as to age, sex, gender, religion, race, or social standing”, declared Duque adding that the challenge now is how to bring affordable and excellent eye care to all areas of the country.
This year, the DOH and its partner agencies and organizations under the National Committee for Sight Preservation, aims to put up local Committees for Sight Preservation in the different regions and provinces of the country.
Under their local chief executives (LCEs), these committees will coordinate the delivery of eye care services at the local level, such as eye screening and cataract surgery programs for the indigent constituents of the community. (PIA V Release)
RP government still pushes for peace talks – Ermita
MANILA –- The Philippine government is still pushing for peace talks with the communist and Islamic rebels across the country despite all odds.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita made this pronouncement following a call to shelve the peace talks and the peace process.
Ermita also said Malacañang is also awaiting the investigation by the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the role of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Basilan encounter last weekend.
“There are plenty of things to consider in the name of peace in Mindanao,” according to Ermita adding that it is so hard to accuse who had done it because they have no basis and they don’t know the real story in the said operation.
Last Monday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that it is the government’s fundamental commitment to continue the peace talks in Mindanao despite what happened in Basilan.
“If there are challenges such as rogue rebels like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the government has to reaffirm its commitment on both sides to have peace talks but we have to deal with the terrorists separately,” Fajardo said.
Meanwhile, Fajardo said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave instructions to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to assist the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Basilan and nearby areas.
Fajardo said affected by the firefight are about 435 villages in region 10, 11 and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). “The IDPs were given shelters, relief packages and livelihood projects,” she said. (PIA V Release)
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