ALBAY READY TO EVACUATE CLOSE TO 1 MILLION RESIDENTS

LEGAZPI CITY – Albay province is preparing all resources and getting ready to evacuate 884,041 Albayanos in case super typhoon Pepeng changes course leading towards the province, Albay Governor Joey Salceda told the press in a conference here Thursday morning.

Salceda reiterated the province’s zero casualty measures, thus reminding anew all concerned disaster coordinating councils (DCCs) to implement response preparedness in their respective area of responsibility and to prepare their constituents for the next typhoon (Pepeng).

He said all concerned must carry out response preparedness, among others, pre-positioning of response assets, stock piling of foods and non-food items (NFI), identification of evacuation centers and the implementation of ‘pre-emptive evacuation.’

The governor, meanwhile, thanked the Albay media for their expertise that blend with the overall disaster risk reduction strategy of the province in terms of reporting, proper analysis and prompt cascading of information to the residents at the shortest possible time.

He also called for an Executive Meeting with the members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to discuss the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng.

Salceda called all municipal, barangay officials as well as private organization to review, if necessary their evacuation plans.

Salceda explained that the pre-emptive evacuation of Albay shall only start if the typhoon is at least as strong as 120 kilometers per hour and if the province is identified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrator (Pagasa) as direct hit of the path.

“It is our strict policy to implement pre-emptive measure during calamity to ensure the safety of the people,” the governor said.

“Pagasa weather bulletin, as of Thursday 11 AM, shows that typhoon Pepeng now records a maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and 210 kph gustiness, which is more than enough to order pre-emptive evacuation. However, we still have to determine if it will hit Albay or not, so the two parameters are needed, that is, the wind speed and the direction, or if Albay is already under signal number 2, and that is the time for the evacuation,” Salceda explained.

Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office director Cedric Daep meanwhile noted that the current direction is not directly towards Albay but, in case it changes to downward direction and threatens Albay, it might severely affect the province.

“So we are preparing for storm surges, wind strength, possible landslides, heavy rains and lahar flash flood,” he said.

Daep assured that the 24 rain gauges across the province have already been activated to monitor the rain density and the APSEMO has given lead time of only 2 hours for the relay of information to the residents and the respective DCCs.

The preparation, just in case Peping threatens Albay, would be the same as the scenario for past typhoons such as Reming and Rosing, according to Daep.

“What we are anticipating is the heavy rains brought by typhoon because our focus would be in the highly risk areas,” the governor added.

Meanwhile, three provinces in the Bicol region, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes, are now under typhoon signal number 1.

Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes under signal #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Pagasa said the public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 pm today. (MALoterte, PIA V)


PRE-EMPTIVE EVACUATION IN ALBAY UNDERWAY

LEGAZPI CITY – Albay Governor Joey Salceda has directed today the evacuation of residents who are threatened by landslides, lahar flow and flooding in several disaster prone areas in the province in the wake of typhoon “Pepeng”.

As of 10:30 am today, close to 3,000 residents have so far been evacuated while several thousands more are being readied to be relocated to safer grounds in their respective evacuation centers.

Cedric Daep, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) chief, said that there are already some 577 families, consisting of 2,808 individuals, already transferred to their respective evacuation centers.

He said that these evacuees include residents of barangays Binitayan, Matnog, Bañadero and Alcala, all in Daraga town; barangays Tagaytay and Ilawod in Camalig, Batan Island in Rapu-Rapu and Basud in Polangui, Albay.

In the municipality of Daraga, AECID (second floor of public market), Daraga High School, Tabon-Tabon and Daraga North Central School are the designated evacuation centers for the residents living at low-lying areas.

According to Daep, barangay halls of Tagaytay and Ilawod, Camalig were occupied by the evacuees, the municipal guest house of Rapu-Rapu town, the barangay hall of Basud, Polangui and Mormon Church in Polangui were likewise opened for the fleeing residents.

Salceda, meanwhile, has also already instructed all mayors to review their preparedness and activate their contingency plans.

Pre-emptive evacuation for storm surge, winds and mud flow will be undertaken by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) while that for flood and landslide will be ordered by the City and Municipal Disaster Coordinating Councils and the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils concerned following the cue from river and water level observations as well as rainfall observations using the rain gauges installed in selected rainfall stations. (MALoterte, PIA V)


YOUTH LEADS DRIVE IN SAVING MASBATE MANGROVES

MASBATE CITY—Nothing like starting them young.

The city government on Saturday (September 26) organized its residents to plant mangroves in Barangay Pawa, and tapped Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairs to lead more than a thousand government officials and employees and members of various private organizations in the mass mangrove planting.

Rogelio Magalang, the city agriculture officer, said the mass planting was not only part of the 9th city anniversary but also the best effort to restore the mangrove cover along the coastal area.

Mangrove forest does not only provide coastal communities with natural armor against tsunamis but also create fish and wildlife sanctuaries, and Mayor Socrates Tuason acknowledged this by initiating the massive mangrove planting, he said.

Government data showed that from 1951 to 1998, around 75 percent of mangroves in Masbate were cut down to make way for fish ponds.

Aside from conversion to fish pond areas, mangroves are also being decimated by subsistence wood gatherers and makers of charcoal and Christmas trees.

Tuason hopes to reverse this grim state through massive mangrove planting and alternative livelihood projects for families who eke out a living from mangrove forests, he said.

Other participants to Saturday’s mass planting: city council, barangay captains, police, City Hall, Department of Education, Municipal Trial Court in City, Commission on Elections, City Prosecution Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Coast Guard. (EA, Delgado, PIA Masbate)


MEET TACKLES BUSINESS EXPANSION IN MASBATE

MASBATE CITY— Amidst the influx of businesses due to its burgeoning market for goods and services, fostering capital expansion remained a top priority of this city.

Proof is the holding of the 1st Masbate Investment Opportunities Clinic at the Magallanes Coliseum September 21-22.

The event focused on untapped opportunities, available manpower, financing schemes, and unveiling of a package of stimulus under the city’s incentive code.

Mayor Socrates Tuason said the direct participation of the Franchisers Association of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Trade and Industry has made the event significant. (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)


CAMARINES SUR PSSO/PDCC SUCCURS DEL GALLEGO RESIDENTS

CAMARINES SUR Province — The heavy downpour on the over the week end due to typhoon Ondoy prompted the immediate dispatch of the personnel of the Provincial Social Services Office (PSSO) to conduct relief operations to constituents of the province who were severely affected by this typhoon, the worst ever to hit the country since 1967.

Del Gallego town, one of the hardest hit areas in the province by typhoon Ondoy, was the earliest to send the distress call thru Vice Mayor Lydia Abarrientos.

Despite its personnel barely having “re-charged” from the exhaustion from the prior day’s barangay visitation in the municipality of Lupi, amid the uncooperative weather condition, PSSO together with the volunteers of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) immediately dispatched relief operations in the barangays of Del Gallego last September 27 and 28 (Saturday and Sunday).

Food packs totaling to 365 where distributed on the first day of relief operations in Barangay Sabang while another 500 food packs where distributed the following day among the constituents of Barangay Poblacion 2 and Poblacion 3.

Similar relief distribution was done in the other barangays of Sta Rita, Bagong Silang, Manansala, Sinuknipan, Palaspas and San Pablo.

Governor LRay Villafuerte directed the immediate dispatch of relief goods to Del Gallego’s hardest hit barangays to alleviate the sufferings of the constitutuents pending the total assessment of damages suffered by the municipality.

PDCC continues to gather reports coming from various municipalities on the extent of damage to their towns as they will be the basis for the support to be given by the provincial government. (CRFernandez/ANTuy, MMEC/PIA)


Envoys extend sympathies to RP

MANILA — Envoys from Egypt, Norway, Belgium and Greece sympathize with the people of the Philippines for the tragedy that befell them as a result of tropical storm Ondoy.

All four ambassadors extended their respective countries’ sympathies when they presented their credentials to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at Bahay Pangarap in the Presidential Security Group Compound in Malacañan Palace. They arrived a few days before to assume office as their countries’ representatives.

Ambassador Ahmed Mahmoud Maher Abbas extended Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak’s condolences “for the loss of lives in the tragic event.”

In return, President Arroyo asked Abbas to send her thanks to King Mubarak for the warm accommodation accorded her in her previous visits to Egypt.

Ambassador Knut Solem, for his part, told President Arroyo that Norway, in close coordination with the United Nations, has already contributed to the relief and rehabilitation of the typhoon victims.

Belgian Ambassador Christian Meerschman and Greek envoy Polyxeni Stefanidou likewise voiced their condolences to those who suffered in the typhoon.

“I am also expressing my own condolences to the country. I feel sad about what happened here. I am confident that the Filipino people, who are so industrious, will rise from this again,” Stefanidou said.

President Arroyo told the envoys that she is looking forward to stronger relations with their respective countries. (PIA V Release)


‘Oplan Sagip Bayan’ donations reach P8M

MANILA — Malacanang’s “Oplan Sagip Bayan” has so far received, processed, and distributed food packages worth almost P8 million to some 56,180 families affected by typhoon “Ondoy”.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Hanjin Philippines vice president Myung Goo Kwon this morning personally turned over 1,000 sacks of rice and 2,500 boxes of mineral water worth P1.1 million.

“The government is now shifting to rehabilitation mode. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be able to get back on our feet in no time at all. Our gratitude goes to the Good Samaritans, many of whom will have to be nameless for now,” Remonde said in a press briefing today.

As of Friday, the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) reported volunteers now number 2,195. Student-volunteers come from Far Eastern University, Centro Escolar University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines-Manila, University of Santo Tomas, and Philippine Normal University.

PMS also said 1,497 food bags are ready for distribution by the President to victims in evacuation centers in Pasig City, Marikina, Quezon City, Laguna, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa City, Pasay City, Pateros, Caloocan City, Taguig City, and the Rizal local government units of Taytay, Cainta and Antipolo City. (PIA V Release)


PGMA declares state of national calamity

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today approved the proposal of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to place the entire country under a state of national calamity.

A state of national calamity gives local government units (LGUs) access to their calamity funds, protects consumers from price manipulators, speeds up the rehabilitation of areas devastated by typhoon “Ondoy”, and provides immediate assistance to those still to be hit by super storm “Pepeng”.

Presiding at the NDCC meeting at the Cainta Capitol, the President received updates from her Cabinet on relief, clearing and rehabilitation efforts undertaken in Metro Manila and redirected efforts to Cainta and other parts of Rizal province which are still under flood water.

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila proposed expanding price control coverage to include petroleum products, oils and lubricants, auto repair, and even funeral services, which have reportedly doubled their rates since “Ondoy” hit the country last Saturday. He said placing price ceilings on petroleum products is now being reviewed by the Department of Justice.

Favila said price monitoring should not just cover retailers but also wholesalers, suppliers and viajeros.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will coordinate closely with the Philippine National Police and local government units to enforce price controls at the local levels.

“When we declare an establishment closed for overpricing and revoke their business name, the LGUs do not revoke the business permits, so they continue operating legally. This makes a mockery of our effort,” Favila explained adding that he is also working closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the revocation of corporate records of shops that are found overpricing essential items like food commodities, construction materials and medicines,” Favila said.

Meanwhile, the President asked the Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS), the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), and the two private concessionaires in Metro Manila—Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc.—to help the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in supplying potable water to the hapless victims of “Ondoy”.

Based on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), over 3 million people have been affected by “Ondoy”. (PIA V Release)


Palace assures enough relief funds

MANILA — The national government has enough funds to sustain ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts for victims of tropical storms “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) can use a P500-million standby fund on top of the P2 billion that has already been disbursed this week for relief and rehabilitation operations.

“They (DBM) are setting aside an additional P6 billion. I think we will have enough funds to sustain these efforts,” Remonde said, adding that Congress is expected to approve an additional P10 billion to augment the present funds.

Remonde also thanked volunteers from the private sector such as corporations, socio-civic groups, and sorority and fraternity organizations who are helping Malacañang’s “Oplan Sagip Bayan” in soliciting donations and in repacking and distributing relief goods.

“These entities are so numerous that I will not attempt to name each one of them. But I wish to thank them, on behalf of our suffering countrymen, for their kindness and generosity,” Remonde said.

Remonde said the Philippine government also wants to thank all foreign donors for their generous support in cash and kind to help the country provide temporary relief to all victims of “Ondoy”.

He noted donations from neighboring countries are the result of the foreign relations policy that has been pursued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (PIA V Release)


PGMA orders preemptive evacuation in preparation for Pepeng

MANILA — Prepare for the worst.

This was the instruction given by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the governors of the provinces expected to be hit by super typhoon Pepeng as the country braced to mitigate losses to lives and property.

In a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the President ordered the governors of Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Isabela, Cagayan, Pollilo, Quezon and Aurora to undertake “pre-emptive evacuation” of their constituents from the danger zones to safer grounds.

The President said she wanted them to be prepared for the worst to mitigate losses to lives and properties.

At the same time, she said, “we pray that the storm will not hit us and be grateful if it does not.”

The President also reminded the local officials of Metro Manila and Rizal provinces, especially those whose areas are still under floodwater, to undertake precautionary measures. She asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to act double time in its clearing of debris and obstructions on the streets and waterways.

She asked the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to update local officials regarding of water releases from the dams so that the people will be better prepared. (PIA V Release)


Razon says gov’t to pursue peaceful end to armed conflict

MANILA — The road to peace is a protracted and exacting journey, but the government is steadfast in its effort to put an end to the long-drawn armed conflict besetting the country.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino I. Razon Jr. said this in reiterating the government’s policy to achieve a comprehensive agreement with two major rebel groups through peaceful means.

Razon stressed anew the government’s commitment to the peace process in a speech at the Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Distinguished Lecture Series held at the Ateneo Law School Auditorium at Rockwell Center in Makati City on Wednesday.

“Looking back on how the previous as well as the present government dealt the problem of armed conflict would reveal how our government had worked hard to address the structural causes of violent conflict and negotiated for a peace settlement with the rebels," Razon said.

The Philippines is facing a two-pronged insurgency war -- one against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the other against the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Fighting between the military and the Muslim rebels in Mindanao had killed over 120,000 since the armed conflict broke out in 1973, while tens of thousands had been killed in the communist insurgency war the past 40 years.

Razon said the earnest effort to end the bloodshed by putting peace at the forefront is proof that the government is serious in ending the armed conflict as soon as possible.

“But the foremost manifestation of government’s commitment to peace through peaceful means is the government’s affirmation of the primacy of the peace process in spite of the legal setback, cycle of violence and political opposition, especially during the MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain) debacle last year,” Razon said.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court had struck down the MOA-AD as unconstitutional in August last year.

The aborted signing of the highly controversial document between the government peace panel and the MILF in Kuala Lumpur angered the MILF that latter launched attacks in some parts of Central Mindanao, prompting government forces to launch counter actions.

But the government pursued back-channeling talks even at the height of the renewed fighting to show to the MILF that it is ready to continue the peace talks.

Last month, the peace panels of both the government and the MILF agreed to tap an International Contact Group (ICG) for the resumption of the stalled negotiations.

Razon said hopes are bright for the government and the MILF peace panels to return to the negotiating table.

In fact, Razon said the Philippine government is just awaiting words from Malaysia as a third party mediator for the talks to resume.

In his speech, Razon said the government’s “peace policy was an offshoot of a nationwide and multi-sectoral consultation, spearheaded by the National Unification Commission (then) chaired by the late Atty. Haidee Yorac, to determine the root causes of the armed conflict and to formulate policy measures to address them.”

He assured that the peace policy of the government “is a product of consultation and dialogue with our people from the northernmost to southernmost parts of the Philippine archipelago.

In fact, the consultation and dialogue included the various rebel groups such as the CPP/NPA, MILF, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which later signed a peace accord with the government in 1996, and the military rebels known as the RAM-SFP/YOU, he said.

Razon enumerated the six paths to peace being pursued by the government. These are:
1. Pursuit of social and economic reforms;
2. Consensus-building and empowerment for peace;
3. Peaceful, negotiated settlement with the different rebel groups;
4. Programs for reconciliation, reintegration into mainstream society
and rehabilitation of former rebels;
5. Addressing concerns arising from continuing armed hostilities; and
6. Nurturing a climate conducive to peace.

The lecture-forum was a joint project of the Supreme Court, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and the Ateneo Law School.

Among the guests were SC Chief Justice Renato S. Puno, Justice Consuelo Ynares Santiago, Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Justice Renato C. Corona, Justice Teresita De Castro, Justice Arturo D. Brion, Justice Roberto Abad, Chancellor Adolfo Azcuna of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PhilJa), PhilJa Chancellor Emeritus Ameorfina Herrera, and Courts of Appeals Justices Normandie Pizarro, Sixto Marella Jr. and Michael P. Elbinias. (PIA V Release)