3,056 SORSOGUEñOS GET PANGULONG GLORIA SCHOLARSHIP

SORSOGON CITY— Some 3,056 students across Sorsogon province have been enlisted to various colleges, universities, and technical-vocational schools for SY 2009-2010 by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program (PGSP).

Rodolfo Benemerito, TESDA Sorsogon provincial director, stated the scholarship program is on the right track having assisted more than 3,000 local scholars with a total funding of P25,088,420.

Benemerito said the amount covers 100 percent tuition fees of the scholars, including training allowances at P60.00/day while on training, and the assessment fee of P500.00 per graduate.

He added the PGSP covers the following beneficiaries by Strategic Packages (SP) as follows:

SP IIa with 734 scholars and a total financial requirement of P6,630,160. This refers to qualifications implemented from January to April 2009. Still on-going is the Health Care Services NC II at the Lewis College, Sorsogon City, with 23 scholars.

SP IIb with 1,918 scholars and budgetary requirement of P16,848,440. This refers to qualifications which started February and for implementation until December 2009, with still on-going training courses in private tekbok schools and in TESDA schools.

SP IIb (Special Commitment Package) with 110 scholars, of which 10 are scholars of Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC II c/o TESDA Central Office thru OCSA amounting to P125,400. This also includes four (4) on-going programs involving 100 scholars in selected hotel and restaurant or tourism-related courses amounting to P697,000 for Sorsogon City as incentive for hosting the “2009 Hairecord” (Haircutting Competition) in April, 2009.

SP III which includes qualifications implemented autonomously by two TESDA schools, the Bulan Vocational Technological School with 394 scholars and Sorsogon National Agricultural School with 341 scholars.

SP V with 206 scholars of “Sa TEKBOK, May Trabaho Ka” (STMTK) Program amounting to P347,580. It covers 40 hairdressing NC II and Beauty Care NC II scholars from the 2008 STMTK balance and 40 Galing Masahista, 40 Galing Mekaniko and 46 Motorcycle/Small Engine repair scholars for SMTK 2009 with a budgetary requirement of P267,580.

SP V (NTTAQP) with 88 scholars including the National TVET Trainers and Assessors Qualification Program with financial requirement of P440,000 and the 40-hr Trainers Methodology (TM1) and 40-hr Assessors Methodology (AM1) courses designed to qualify TVET Trainers and Assessors as TQ1AQ1 Level.

“In consonance with the Economic Resiliency Program (ERP) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, TESDA remains steadfast to its mandate of ensuring a sustainable supply of skilled workers and technicians to all local industries within internationally and globally accepted standards,” the provincial director stressed. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


P100 TREATMENT PACKS FOR PHILHEALTH SPONSORED MEMBERS

LEGAZPI CITY— Eligible sponsored members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) can now avail of additional benefits from the agency’s following the launching of the P100 drugs and medicine package.

Orlando Iñigo Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional vice president, said the P100 treatment package entitles members to avail of coverage of drugs and medicines even beyond the member/patient’s confinement period.

Iñigo said the new benefit package, by virtue of PhilHealth Circular No. 20, S. 2009, intends to ensure financial protection of sponsored members in times of sickness, especially members of the marginalized sector or indigents

He added the new benefit package for indigent members is guaranteed by RA 9502 or the “Universally Accessible Cheaper Medicines Act of 2008.”

He pointed out the P100 drugs shall be given/prescribed to sponsored members, as applicable, during confinement and extra pack(s) needed beyond the confinement period subject to the following limitations:

a. Full course treatment (maximum of two weeks) for infections covering antimicrobial drugs;
b. For chronic illnesses, P100 drugs shall be limited to cover two weeks for maintenance dose after discharge;
c. For other acute illnesses, P100 drugs shall be limited to one extra pack as take home medications after discharge;
d. Should be within the prescribed in-patient benefit limits for drugs and medicines.

Iñigo further said all sponsored members and their qualified dependents, with date of confinement within the validity period of their membership as indicated in the Family Health Card/Member Data Record (MDR), are eligible to avail of the P100 treatment packs.

“Members must ensure that their qualified dependents are included in the MDR to avoid any delay in availing PhilHealth benefits,” he stressed.

The P100 treatment package took effect for benefit claims of sponsored members with admission date starting June 1, 2009.

Drugs and medicines covered by the P100 treatment package are Anti-Hypertensive – Amlodipine 5 and 10 mg tablet, Atenolol 10 mg tablet, Felodipine ER 2.5, 5, and 10 mg tablet; Anti-Infectives/Antibiotics/Antibacterial – Cefalexin 500mg capsule, Clindamycin 150mg capsule, Cotrimoxazole 800/160mg tablet, Co-Amoxiclav 625mg table, Amoxicillin 500 mg tablet; Anti-gout – Allopurinol 100mg tablet; Antiprotozoal/Anti-amoeba – Metronidazole 500mg tablet; Antidiabetic – Glibenclamide 5mg table, Metformin 500mg tablet; Anti-ulcer/Gastrict acid suppressant – Omeprzole 20mg capsule, Ranitidine 150mg tablet; Anti-Asthma – Salbutamol 2mg/2.5mg nebulas; Anti-hyperlipidemia/Anti-cholesterol – Simvastatin 10, 20 and 40mg tablet; Multivitamins – Ascorbic Acid 500mg tablet. (PhilHealth release/PIA)


CALABANGA DCC NAMED GAWAD KALASAG AWARDEE

CALABANGA, Camarines Sur — The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) in Bicol, through the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), has declared the municipal government here as this year’s Gawad Kalasag awardee (LGU 1st-3rd class category) in recognition of its best practices in disaster risk reduction.

Mayor Evelyn S. Yu revealed Calabanga town won the Gawad Kalasag award at the regional level and is a finalist in the national level competition.

The awards program forms part of the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) this July.

Yu explained that “it is important for everyone to understand the importance of the Gawad Kalasag, stressing that it more than recognizing the achievements and must be taken as a challenge to do better in protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people from disasters and the negative effects of climate change.”

She attributed the local government’s success to a large extent to the partnership of the LGU with CARE Nederland, CNDR, AADC, and to the continuing support of the European Commission.

Meanwhile, barangay Cagsao in this municipality also bagged the Gawad Kalasag Award (barangay level) for its effective disaster preparedness and mitigation measures and ever reliable local disaster coordinating council,

Also part of this year’s NDCM, the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council (MDCC) here sets up a photo exhibit of a wide range of activities undertaken under the ACCORD Project including trainings, contingency planning, drills, public awareness activities, construction of small-scale mitigation projects and mangrove reforestation.

Prior to the awarding ceremonies, the local disaster council conducted an earthquake drill participated in by LGU officials and employees.
(MALoterte, with reports from CSantiago III of LGU Calabanga/PIA)


CALABANGA SCHOOLS HIGHLIGHT EDUCATION SECTOR’s ROLE IN DRR

CALABANGA, Camarines Sur — Students from eight schools here competed in “quiz bee” and art competitions to showcase awareness and knowledge in disaster reduction in public schools.

Public elementary schools in Balatasan, Balongay, Bonot-Sta. Rosa, Dominorog, Cagsao, Sabang, Punta Tarawal and San Bernardino vied for honours in the quiz bee and art competition on the subject of the education sector’s role in disaster risk reduction.

Janyn Veri (Grade 3, Balongay Elementary School), Jane Adelaine Villar (Grade 4, Balongay ES), Elrey Panciles (Grade 5, San Bernardino ES) and Christian Aguila (Grade 6, Balatasan ES) won top honours in their respective grade level quiz bee competitions.

Reymark Artista (Grade 3), Michael Rojo (Grade 4), Erwin Artista (Grade 5) all of G. Dumalasa Elementary School, and Jeremy Bronzal (Grade 6) of Cagsao Elementary School garnered the top spots in their respective grade level on-the-spot poster-making contest.

Lita T. Mijares, DepEd Camarine Sur schools division superintendent, explained the school competitions highlight the series of disaster reduction activities undertaken by teachers and students, and is aimed to test the effectiveness of these risk reduction activities.

Mijares added these activities include teachers’ training on disaster risk reduction, school contingency planning, conduct of earthquake drills, integrating disaster risk reduction messages in lesson plans as part of our curriculum development, and classroom discussions on disaster risk reduction, all undertaken in collaboration with the ACCORD Project.

ACCORD is a community-based disaster risk reduction project being implemented by the local government units (LGUs) here and four others, in partnership with CARE Nederland, Corporate Network for Disaster Response and Agri-Aqua Development Coalition, and funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department.

Mijares further said DepEd has organized the school competitions to be part of the disaster risk reduction festival the agency, municipal government and the ACCORD Project erlier launched in observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month this July..

“The school has an important role in creating a culture of disaster reduction in the country,” she concluded.

Mayor Evelyn S. Yu, Zueno Luzada, who represented schools division supervisor Emma I. Cornejo, Neptuno Bueza of RDCC-OCD V and CARE Nederland country representative Celso B. Dulce, Jr. led the awarding of prizes for the quiz bee and art competitions.
(MMVBrusola, ACCORD 2/PIA)


PCG, COPS DOUBLE EFFORTS VS TERROR THREATS

MASBATE CITY—Port authorities here have doubled their efforts to curb the threat of terrorism following the discovery of improvised explosives with detonator at a roll-on, roll-off (RO-RO) passenger ship that arrived here Sunday (July 26).

The devices—12 glass bottles filed with ammonium nitrate mixed with nails—were found aboard MV Blue Water Princess II that was then set to leave the pier in barangay Dalahican in Lucena City for this city at 6 p.m Saturday.

Discovered by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) K9 team inside a trash bin in one corner of the ship, the homemade bombs had electric wires connected to an improvised detonator and were supposed to be detonated while the vessel was sailing to Masbate, a sea marshal who was not authorized to give his name told reporters here.

The explosion would likely have sunk the vessel, the same undercover policeman detailed with MV Blue Water Princess II to counter any threat of terror attacks said.

Authorities theorized the bombs were intended to be used by communist rebels to create a destabilization scenario in time for last Monday’s State of the Nation Address of President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Lt. Commander Siegmond Duque of the PCG station and Senior Inspector Lope Llorca, deputy chief of the Police Maritime Group (PMG) here, told in separate interviews that they have directed their men to maintain an active role in the suppression of groups engaged in terrorist activity in passenger ships.

“We have been subjecting all sea vessels to stringent scrutiny as a measure to protect the passengers and maritime industry from sabotage,” Duque said. (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)


CSC IS BICOL’s ECO-FRIENDLIEST SCHOOL

VIRAC, Catanduanes — The Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) here notched the top place in this year’s Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools in the Bicol region for carrying out various institutional initiatives on environmental protection and conservation.

Engr. Gilbert Gonzales, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Bicol chief, announced that the regional screening committee has chosen thee CSC as the regional winner in the tertiary school category of the awards program.

Gonzales also informed Dr. Asuncion V. Asetre, CSC president, for this achievement, adding that the same state college will represent the Bicol region in the national finals in time for the National Environment Awareness Month on November, this year.

He said CSC has been cited for programs promoting environment-friendly atmosphere in the campus, including recycling of scrap materials and converting them into source of revenues for the school, greening program, implementation of waste segregation and putting up of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), off-season vegetable production, urban agriculture and bio-intensive gardening, among others.

DENR-EMB V has also commended CSC for its environment-related features in its curriculum as well as presence of vibrant eco organizations, linkages in environmental programs and projects with other agencies and organizations also bannered the school’s winning in the said competition.

Over the years, the CSC has been an active front liner in various coastal clean-up drives, biodiversity and natural resources studies.

CSC is also one of the higher education institutions in the country that has tied up with Tanggol Kalikasan in establishing the Institute of Environmental Governance.

This has provided training programs, extension activities and consultancy services to local government units.

In June 2008, the CSC was also a recipient of the much coveted Saringgaya Award, a regional citation conferred by the DENR for its efforts and support for maintaining meritorious and outstanding initiatives in environment protection and conservation.

Sustainable eco-friendly schools are environment-friendly learning institutions that have initiated and integrated in their instruction, research, extension and administration programs which are environment-friendly.

Programs can be in the form of environmental policies, physical cleanliness, energy and water conservation, waste recycling and waste reduction, pollution control, reforestation and other greening projects.

Other initiatives that are considered in evaluating the school’s pro-environment program are environmental audit of school’s operations and facilities, integration of environmental themes into the school curriculum, including environment-centered curriculum and co-curricular activities, environment and natural resource-related research works, linkages with government and NGOs.

The CSC earned high points for its environment-related school policies such as its systems and procedures on waste management, energy conservation, and creation of waste management committees which were all covered under Office Circulars issued by the CSC Office of the President.

DENR-EMB V, in cooperation with Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART), under its Kabalikat sa Kalikasan, Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), spearheaded the contest among elementary, secondary and tertiary public and private schools. (GSRubio, CSC/PIA)


PGMA’s Washington trip elicits praise, accolades, Remonde says

WASHINGTON DC -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s eight-day working visit to the United States that brought her to Washington has elicited praise and accolades as well as the “respect” of US President Barack Obama and other world leaders.

“As you can see from this trip, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has command of the facts and commands the respect of other world leaders -- from Speaker Nancy Pelosi to President Obama. They have been outspoken in their praise for her commitment, ability and leadership,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a media briefing at the Beacon Hotel here Sunday (August 2).

Remonde described the Chief Executive as a leader, who can hold her own with any leader anywhere in the world adding that this ability gives her the clout, credibility and strength to protect and advance the interest of the Philippines..

According to the Press Secretary, President Macapagal-Arroyo’s trip (to Washington, USA) is about upholding the deepest obligation of a President - namely, to ensure the peace, order and security of our nation and meeting with President Obama and American leaders helps keep the Philippines strong.

“There is no price that can put on the safety and security of our nation and the value of establishing personal rapport through personal diplomacy as President Arroyo gained in her meetings with President Obama is priceless, “ he declared..

Whether in public and behind the scenes, Remonde noted that the President has been operating the levers of power with US policy makers to assure our national defense, advance our economic prosperity and promote the importance of the Philippines.”

“The Presidency is ultimately about leadership. Our President has been strong, assertive, and straightforward in expressing her opinions and advancing the needs of the Philippines while in Washington,” he stressed.

Remonde pointed out that while too many Philippine politicians act as “if we truly are merely an island nation, isolated, detached and unaware of the world around us, President Arroyo has a different vision. “She understands that no person or any nation is an island. We are all connected and must be. This is a global world and she has the global vision to connect our nation and lift up our people.”

“It is likewise a dangerous world and the President will continue her assertive style of foreign engagement. From the moment President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took office, she made global engagement a pillar of strength for the Philippines,“ he said.

Citing the President’s achievements, Remonde emphasized that the President, under her watch, has worked to expand markets, increase investors, build new alliances. And when the global economic crisis hit, we were better prepared to handle the flood than most every other nation.

“It is also clear from her talks with President Obama that her relentless pursuit of peace in Mindanao is paying off. And the United States willl help provide the political, security and economic support to give peace a real chance in Mindanao,” Remonde said. (PIA V Release)


RP to make strong bid to attain Millennium Challenge Goals

NEW YORK (via PLDT) – The Philippines will strongly push to meet the eligibility requirements set by independent US government agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), to attain the coveted compact status that would help the government’s anti-poverty programs and sustain growth.

In a press briefing with Press Secretary Cerge Remonde and Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel here, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Philippines is eyeing to obtain the eligibility for compact status before the end of the year.

Ermita said he will return to Washington DC within the month to submit a “report card on what we have been doing to pass the criterion that we have not yet passed” so that the Philippines can avail of as much as $500 million under the MCC account.

Earlier, the Philippines fell short by 0.01 percent in attaining the compact status grant.

“After that I suppose they will evaluate our submissions and that towards December they will make an announcement on whether we made it or not. And we are more than confident that we will be able to get this so-called compact status for the Philippines,” he said.

During the call of MCC officials to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Washington, Ermita said the MCC has promised to support the Philippines in this regard.

Under the compact status, Ermita said 35 countries belonging to the third world economies will be assisted economically through cash grants by the US government through the MCC.

“And the Philippines is about to get that compact status approved except that we still have to overcome the grades in our conduct against corruption. And we are still short of .01 percent for us to make the grade. We feel confident though that we will be able to make the grade so that come the end of this year we can take advantage of anywhere from three to 500 million dollars grant,” he said.

As task force head of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), Ermita said his team that includes Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Ambassador Cesar Bautista, would meet with the MCC Board in Washington DC by the end of the month.

“All this for the purpose of being able to take advantage really first of having passed the requirements so they will know that the Philippine government is doing enough to fight corruption, improve our governance so the money that they will give us will be properly used for the projects to be covered by the MCC,” Ermita said.

To further strengthen our anti-corruption efforts, the President beefed up lawyers at the Office of the Ombudsman while the Supreme Court has directed the lower courts to hasten anti-corruption trials to immediately punish those who would be found guilty.

The criteria set by the MCC to determine whether a developing country will be granted aid are the categories in ruling justly, encouraging economic freedom and investing in people.

Among the proposed Philippine MCA compact projects are the expansion of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS 2); Secondary National Roads Development (SNRD) Program; and the Integrated Revenue Information System (IRIS) for Sustained Fiscal Governance. (PIA V Release)


The good news: Coca-Cola to expand RP investment

NEW YORK (via PLDT) – World beverage giant Coca Cola has joined the billion dollar club of investors in the Philippines in an expansion plan expected to boost further the investment climate in the country amidst the global economic downturn.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo relayed the good news to the Filipino community during a dinner meeting at the Sheraton Hotel in Newark on Saturday night.

The President had earlier met with the private sector including financial leaders in New York at the Waldorf Hotel, among them executives of the Coca-Cola Company who had just brought back their plant in the Philippines with a $100 million dollar investment.

“But today they announced their expansion plan that will total, including what they put in since they bought the firm and what they had to put in the next few years, they announced that their total investment is going to be $1 billion dollars,” the President said.

As part of their corporate social responsibility, Coca-Cola Philippines has also partnered with the Food and Nutrition research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to help address iron-anemia deficiency in the Philippines by providing malnourished schoolchildren since 2005 with NutriJuice which is fortified with iron, zinc, lysine and vitamins A and C.

For 2009-2010, Coca-Cola Philippines will distribute NutriJuice to some 30,000 schoolchildren for 120 feeding days in the provinces of Quirino, Zambales, Palawan, Davao, Bukidnon and the cities of Tacloban, Marikina, Taguig and Pasig.

During the media briefing Saturday morning at the Waldorf Hotel here, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Philippines continues to enjoy a conducive investment climate due to the President’s timely reforms and masterful steering of the economy.

He said the President met with Dr. Vassils Morfopoulos of Basic International Development Corporation, one of the prospective investors in the Philippines

Remonde said a number of hedge fund managers based here in New York, the world’s top financial market, also discussed with the President various investment prospects in the Philippines.

The President, according to him, had a lunch meeting with hedge fund managers in the US “who are looking for a safe and attractive investments abroad to ensure the growth of the capital entrusted to them.”

“And because of the upgrade Moody’s gave us, very rarely during the time of the global crisis, the Philippines is now emerging as an attractive investment destination,” Remonde said. (PIA V Release)


PGMA to cut short US trip, declares Aug. 5 special non-working holiday

NEW YORK (via PLDT) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has decided to cut short her trip in the United States and declared Wednesday, August 5, as a special non-working holiday nationwide to give the entire Filipino nation proper time and opportunity to grieve and honor the late former President Corazon Aquino.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said former President Aquino, who succumbed to colon cancer early Saturday in Manila will be laid to rest on August 5.

Remonde read the proclamation which the President signed Saturday (Sunday in Manila) during a media interaction with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel here.

“I, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo do hereby declare August 5, 2009, Wednesday, to be a special non-working holiday nationwide in honor of the late former President Corazon C. Aquino,” Remonde quoted the President in her proclamation.

Under the Proclamation, the President said it is but proper to give the entire nation “the opportunity to honor and show their respect, appreciation and gratitude to the beloved former President in their own respective ways.”

Before leaving Washington, D.C. the other night, the President also issued Presidential Proclamation No. 1850 declaring a 10-day period of national mourning from August 1-10.

During the period, Ermita said the Philippine flag in all government offices nationwide will be flown at half mast.

In due respect to the death of former President Aquino, Ermita said President Arroyo also decided to cut short her itinerary to meet with investors and overseas Filipinos in Chicago and Guam.

“The President made the decision to cut short her trip so that we will be there in time for the day of interment of former President Aquino,” he said.

Ermita said the President and her official party will leave here tomorrow, Sunday (Monday in Manila), and will arrive early morning of August 5 in time for a chance to visit the remains of former President Aquino.

Upon their arrival, Ermita said a mass would be held in Malacanang in honor of former President Aquino.

The Aquino family, according to Ermita, has decided to forego the offer of state honors in Malacañang and “politely wished that the interment of President Aquino be as simple as much as possible.”

At the start of her speech during the meeting with the Filipino community at the Sheraton Hotel in Newark on Saturday night, the President also offered a minute of silence in honor of former President Aquino. (PIA V Release)


Malacanang: Former president Aquino has special place in history of democracy

MANILA — Malacañang expressed profound grief over the loss of former president Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, saying the national icon has a special place in the history of democracy not only in the Philippines but throughout the world.

In a radio interview, Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joins the entire nation in mourning her death.

“All of us enjoy the blessing of freedom in the democratic environment and system, and we are all indebted, in gratitude to President Cory beyond words,” he said.

Claudio appealed to critics of President Arroyo not to politicize the sad event because Malacañang has no political agenda and motive in expressing its sincere grief over the passing of the former leader.

Claudio pointed out that President Arroyo is sincere in expressing her sorrow.

He expressed hope ithat through this sad occasion, Filipinos will unite and heal the political wounds brought by certain events in the country’s history.

“It is only befitting the occasion be observed in a spirit of unity,” he said.

President Arroyo has declared August 5 as non-working holiday to give Filipinos a chance to take part in the burial rites of the former leader.

The Chief Executive is also cutting short her visit to the United States to pay her last respects to former president Aquino. (PIA V Release)