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)