DND CHIEF KEYNOTES OPENING OF KASANGGAYAHAN 2009
… underscores preservation of the environment and compassion to one another

SORSOGON PROVINCE (October 19) – National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro emphasizes on eco-tourism, peace and order situation, unanimity, and concern for each other as strong points in combating the ill-effects of disaster and climate change, now felt not only in the Philippines but across the world.

“Our care for and preservation of environment and our compassion for others are best solutions to address the various environmental problems besetting the country, including global warming and climate change,” Teodoro said during the opening of the Kasanggayahan Festival ‘09 here, held Saturday, October 17, where he served as the guest of honor.

Saying the life of the next generation depends on how we care for and preserve our present environment, Teodoro delved on four-point agenda in his visit to the Land of Kasanggayahan.

First, he underscored sustainable eco-tourism which is now being advocated by the province as potential for its development. “Through this, the capacity of Sorsogon will be strengthened, tourists will flock, businesses will boom and the locals will have employment.”

“And since the province’s, city and municipalities’ income will grow, there will be sufficient budget for infrastructure projects that will protect the community and sustain the “build better, be better” program,” he further said.

According to him, if Sorsogon aims to become a premier tourist destination, its environment must be protected to uphold its advancement. “The local government must be very careful in advocating progress since borne as a burden of every development are damages to environment and the community as well,” he stressed out.

Second, Teodoro delved on peace and order situation. As DND Secretary, he believes that use of armaments has no space in democracy, “what is needed instead, is a clear-headed dialogue so as to meet each one’s purpose.”

He also called for the insurgents to drop off their arms and help in promoting Sorsogon, likewise, the public to accept and give them the chance to live a peaceful and normal life.

Thirdly, he conveyed his greetings and gratitude for the very laudable outpour of support from the local government units not only here in Sorsogon but even in Visayas and Mindanao in sharing part of what they will get from their festivals to help victims of the past two deleterious typhoons.

He also called on LGUs here to finish or review at once their respective Zoning and Land Use Plan before Sorsogon becomes a highly urbanized province.

Fourth, is to encourage Sorsoganons that besides material help, inspiration must also be provided for the immediate resurgence of our fellow Filipino every after a disaster strike.

Teodoro also said that the clear theme of Kasanggayahan festival convinced him that this has to be pushed through amidst the crises faced by Filipinos in Central and Northern Luzon due to the onslaught of successive typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng”.

“Kasanggayahan Festival is needed for us to truly feel the real spirit of compassion,” he said. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

ARMY SEIZED REBEL CAMP IN CATANDUANES

LEGAZPI CITY --- Government soldiers seized Monday another rebel encampment in sitio Taprang-Taprang, barangay San Miguel in Panganiban town in the island province of Catanduanes, an official of the Philippine Army (PA) said.

Capt. Razaliegh Bansawan, 901st Army Brigade spokesman, said the scout platoon of the Army 83rd Infantry Battalion, led by 1st Lt. Alex Parohinog, discovered the New People’s Army (NPA) camp around 10:00 am with the help of concerned residents in the area providing information to the troopers on the presence of the campground.

Parohinog bared in his report that the camp appeared newly abandoned by the communist rebels, who now fled to the hinterlands following a series of tactical offensive launched recently by the military in the province.

The government troopers accounted from the camp five big huts, a comfort room, a kitchen and a conference area, a couple of guard houses. More or less 30 individuals took shelter in the site.

He added the camp was used by the communist guerillas in their Batayang Kursong Panlipunan lectures for the new recruits.

Lt. Col. Romeo Basco, 83rd Infantry Battalion commander, said persistent reports on sightings of NPA rebels in Bagamanoc and Panganiban towns prompted the military to conduct anew military operations.

Bansawan, meanwhile, said the series of military operation in Catanduanes already led to the discovery of the fourth guerilla camp in the island province since the deployment of military troops in the area intensifying counter insurgency campaign. (MALoterte, PIA V)

CAMARINES SUR’S NIHONGO PROFICIENCY PROGRAM ON
…holds “Bunkusai” Cultural Day

PILI, Camarines Sur — The provincial government’s program on Japanese language proficiency continues to provide quality training on Nihongo to Camarines Sur constituents for free spearheading the “Bunkasai” or Cultural Day on October 16 at the Camarines Sur IT Park.

The program, debuted on February 15, 2005, has since undergone changes in its curriculum in order to ensure greater proficiency of the language for the graduates, giving them the edge in applying for work in Japanese owned corporations and outfits anywhere in the world.

Offering Level IV (Basic Conversational Skills Level) and Level III (Low Intermediate Level) at the onset of the program, now it offers Preparatory, Level IV, Level III and Level II (High Intermediate Level) conducted under the auspices of the Camarines Sur Japanese Language and Culture Center (CSJLCC).

The preparatory course (9 hours) is actually a new addition to the curriculum aimed at gradually introducing the students to Nihongo, allowing them a better grasp and appreciation of the language.

Gov. LRay Villafuerte, in his bid to overcome the “language barrier” which is actually the stumbling block not only for Filipinos but also for foreigners in penetrating the Japanese workforce, established CSJLCC initially called Japanese Language Learning Course (JLLC) by virtue of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution Number 099 aimed at effectively addressing the problem, especially for his provincial constituents.

At present time, CSJLCC has produced 431 graduates in Level IV, 90 graduates in Level III and 20 graduates in Level II. Of said tally, 87 graduates are JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) passers for level IV, 44 graduates passed Level III and 2 graduates passed Level II respectively. Moreover, additional classes for preparatory course are slated to be held at its new satellite office in Naga City in order to accommodate more students upon the request of the public.

As a customary means of giving a foretaste of the rich Japanese culture, CSJLCC is once again holding a “Bunkasai” or Cultural Day which will showcase among others Ikebana Flower Making Contest, Calligraphy, Origami Making Contest, games and cultural competition.

For more information on the free Nihongo course and the schedule of classes, interested person may call CSJLCC at 473.03.92. (CRFernandez, MMEC/PIA)

CAMARINES NORTE FETED OUTSTANDING OTOP STAKEHOLDERS

DAET, Camarines Norte – Stakeholders of the One Town One Product (OTOP) in Camarines Norte were conferred with awards and certificate of assistance worth P50,000 during the 2nd Camarines Norte OTOP Congress held here last October 14.

Rodrigo Aguilar, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) assistant regional director, said the cooperation between the business sector and the local government units (LGUs) deserves the credit for the success of the OTOP which has gainfully brought relief and development to both the entrepreneurs themselves and development to the local economy as well.

Aguilar said the congress served as venue to recognized the initiatives and exemplary achievements of the program, consequently, encourage more aspiring and existing enterprises to venture into the product showcase of their locality.
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He also cited the LGUs for their relentless support to the OTOP program, adding that DTI, on the otherhand, will continue to give financial and technical assistance to them.

For the Most Supportive LGUs, Labo town bagged the first place receiving a plaque of recognition, followed by the municipalities of Basud and Mercedes capping the second and third places, respectively, which also both received certificates of recognition.

Labo Progressive Multi-Purpose Cooperative topped the Outstanding Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME), which received a plaque of recognition. Caayunan Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Basud and the Abby’s Pasalubong of Daet notched the second and third respectively, which also both received certificates of recognition.

A certificate of financial assistance for special project worth P50,000 was also awarded to some ten OTOP players who participated to the OTOP Congress, wherein funds were provided for through the Priority Development Fund (PDF) of Congw. Liwayway Vinzons Chato of the province’s lone district.

Ernesto Pardo, DTI Camarines Norte provincial director, meanwhile said that it is the agency’s goal to bring products on higher level by ensuring their good quality and massive production to cope up with the market demands.

OTOP products of the different municipalities include pineapple of Basud, mud crabs of Capalonga, pineapple-pili based products of Daet, fine jewelry of Paracale and Jose Panganiban, pineapple fiber products of Labo, processed marine products of Mercedes, pineapple beverage of San Lorenzo Ruiz, pineapple fiber of San Vicente, dalanghita of Sta. Elena, dairy products of Talisay and sweet pastries of Vinzons. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

Feature

MILLIONS OF FILIPINOS EXPERIENCE FOOD SECURITY

Food security as defined in the World Food Summit exists when all people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet the dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy lifestyle.

In the Philippines, achieving food security ma be farfetched since millions of Filipinos continue to suffer from hunger and malnutrition.

Results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey showed that more than three million preschool children suffer from undernutrition. School children, adolescents and adults also suffer from protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition among these age groups can be attributed to the unavailability of sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet the individual’s dietary needs.

According to the Food Insecurity Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute as part of the 7th NNS, three in every 10 mothers and two out of 10 children experienced food insecurity in the past three months because there was no food to eat or no money to buy food. Two out of 10 mothers, while one out of 10 children experienced hunger. Skipping or missing meals was the most frequent experience among food insecure mothers and children.

About seven out of 10 mother respondents expressed anxiety regarding the sufficiency of the food in the household and the money to buy food.

The food insecurity survey results are consistent with the results of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) hunger survey which showed an increase in the number of Filipinos who suffered from involuntary hunger. (CPBabaran, NNC/PIA)

KALAHI-CIDSS BRINGS GOOD ROADS, SERVICES TO A REMOTE VILLAGE

What difference do years of KALAHI-CIDSS project implementation make?

For the past six years, Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services or KALAHI-CIDSS has proven how collective action brought change for the communities, a shared responsibility for an improved quality of life.

The emergence of KALAHI-CIDSS, championed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with various government agencies and non-government organizations, has marked a turning point in Pioduran, Albay, setting up initiatives and innovative projects like roads, water system, bridges, school buildings, health stations, post-harvest facilities, irrigation and flood control system.

Roads bringing in development

For years, as if no vehicle could reach barangay Lawinon in Pioduran town, not even a motorcycle or an animal-drawn carriage and villagers needed to hike for hours to reach the nearest barangays and neighboring ones, including Poblacion.

Lawinon is seemingly isolated from the rest of the barangays in the municipality and deprived of the basic social services.

Pioduran Mayor Dante Arandia admitted that KALAHI-CIDSS brought changes in his municipality.

“The local government and people of Pioduran are just so thankful that now that we have a partner in bringing development to thisbarangay. It wasn’t easy at first. The people didn’t know the procedures in building projects. But KALAHI has provided different trainings for the community,” Arandia noted.

Access has been the top priority of the people manifested by their longing to have their roads opened and improved. The people pressed for the roads foremost; “this is what we have been waiting for”, said Arnel Timplancia, procurement team volunteer.

“When we have good roads, the rest follows for services to come in,” said Timplancia.

Volunteers explained how different barangays united for the same road project, as barangay officials and the project preparation team realized that individual projects would not be implemented well because of possible hauling problems for their materials (with the road’s absence). Moreover, the dire need to have roads improved would entail higher costs.

The municipal government meanwhile has funded extensions of road projects that included the Rawis-Mamlag road, also opening access to Lawinon.

Improving the road network in Pioduran town is a major thrust of the local government in bringing development to all its covered villages. By bringing development projects that the people themselves initiated, the local government would continuously be guided on the town’s future development goals.

The people of Pioduran now have this inexplicable joy for every vehicle that they could hitch along the new roads in their barangays. Motorcycle or locally known as “habal-habal” now operates in the community. And for people who take their first ride in a vehicle, getting dizzy and throwing-up after a ride is nothing.

For now at least, they could cut trips from days to hours. Little by little, they can now feel progress in their midst sari-sari stores begin to operate, more and more products are transported to and from nearby towns of Pioduran.

Truly, there is a promise for the people who showed cooperation and commitment with the local government units. With new roads to be taken, now all is set for the making of a better community. (CLMartinez, KCRSMO-DSWD/PIA)

WWF lauds PGMA initiatives on climate change

MANILA — The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), an international non-government organization with a mission to halt and reverse the destruction of environment, lauded President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for calling attention to climate charge and its effects on the environment.

In a courtesy call on the President Sunday night, WWF International Director General James P. Leape described typhoons Ondoy and .Pepeng as a horrifying reminder on what destructive forces climate change can unleash on the Philippines and the rest of the world.

He said that President Arroyo is adopting policies and initiatives designed to raise public awareness on the issue.

During the meeting, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza joined the discussion on climate change and deliberated on what needs to be done in the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference slated to be held in Copenhagen in December.

Leape likewise praised the President for encouraging private sector participation in support of the Coral Triangle Initiatives.

The Philippine government is working closely with the Conservation International and WWF to identify priority projects to protect the Ocean.

The Coral Triangle is a geographical term that refers to the waters of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste that encompass 75 percent of all species known in the world. (PIA V Release)

PGMA to lead 65th anniversary of Leyte Gulf Landing

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead tomorrow (October 20) the 65th anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landing that led to liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation in World War II.

The affair will be held at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Candahug, Leyte. The monument marks the spot where General Douglas MacArthur landed with the American Liberation Forces on October 20, 1944, starting the Battle of Leyte.

President Arroyo will be joined by the ambassadors of the United States and Japan, diplomatic representatives of Australia and Canada, the Veterans Federation of the Philippines of Region 8, and officials of the host province of Leyte.

Other government officials who will grace the event are Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Lead Convenor Secretary Domingo Panganiban, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla and Palo Mayor Teodoro Sevilla.

During her visit, the President will hold a regional one-on-one media interview that will be broadcast live on the government run station DZRB Radyo ng Bayan and other participating local broadcast stations.

After the media interview, there will be a lighting of the Veterans' Torch for Peace, invocation by Monsignor Raul Aguilos, and brief remarks from the ambassadors.

The President will then motor to the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) at the Cabalawan town for the installation and commissioning of the P48.34 million state-of-the art maritime training simulators and equipment.

NMP is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mandated to provide maritime training and research that measures up to international standards.

The simulators and equipment were acquired by the NMP through the government capital outlay which ensures that Filipino seafarers will gain, upon completion of upgrading training courses, the knowledge and competence in operating navigational equipment installed in a ship's bridge, monitor and control the operation of a ship's engine and electrical power plant, or operate equipment used in handling liquid cargos, and gain confidence to take on higher responsibilities on-board ships. (PIA V Release)

Palace assures public gov't a uthorities on top of Sinnott abduction case

MANILA — Malacañang assured Sunday (October 18) the public that government forces are on top of the situation to rescue Irish priest Father Michael Sinnott from his abductors in Pagadian City.

The 79-year old Fr. Sinnott is a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban in Pagadian City.He was abducted in the early evening of October 11, 2009 at the Columban House in Gatas District in Pagadian City.

In a radio interview at DZRB Radyo ng Bayan, Presidential Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Professor Gary Olivar said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are doing their utmost best to rescue the priest from his abductors.

He noted that the military had earlier claimed it had information on the whereabouts of the priest. The military said that abductors are holding Sinnott in Sultan Naga Dimaporo.

The Columban Missionaries have already sent a letter to United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hoping that the assistance of US President Barrack Obama would pave the way for the release of the priest.

Olivar said the Palace is respecting the decision of the missionaries and understands their appeal since Fr. Sinnott has a heart condition. Everyone, he added, is entitled to seek help outside.

However, he stressed that the Filipino authorities will be the lead in the rescue operations of Fr. Sinnott since the local forces know the situation on the ground.

He pointed out that the Philippine government welcomes any assistance from other countries to help in the rescue of the Irish priest.

According to the military, checkpoints are now being put up in some strategic areas to prevent kidnappers from slipping out.

The military has also established a tactical command post in Sultan Naga Dimaporo but maintained that the deployment of more soldiers there was only for “containment operations.”

The priest is a long-time missionary in the Philippines who has served children with special needs.

The government is appealing to the abductors for his safe and immediate release given his advanced age and health condition. (PIA V Release)

PGMA orders CICT to ensure permanent internet connection in I-HUB, schools nationwide

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Sunday (October 18) directed the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) to ensure that all iHub centers including high schools nationwide will have permanent access to internet connection.

The Chief Executive issued the directive after she spearheaded the launching ceremonies of the Information Hub (iHub) for the second district of Bataan at the Mariveles National High School (Poblacion campus). The project is part of the government’s effort to attain a higher computer literacy rate among students in public schools.

In his welcome remarks, Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia thanked the President for the project which, he said, the previous administration failed to provide them.

“Umasa kayo Madam President na ang lahat ng mga proyektong ibinigay ninyo para sa probinsiya ng Bataan ay hindi mapapariwara (We will assure you Madam President that all projects you provided for the province will be taken care of),” Governor Garcia said.

Some 500 computer units, which include computer laptops with LCD monitor, wi-fi routers and printers were also distributed to the 14 high schools within the 2nd district of Bataan.

This district has 14 public high schools with a combined a student population of 23,966 and total teaching force of 769 teachers as of April 2009.

Initiated by Rep. Albert Garcia of the 2nd District of Bataan, the iHub project give high school students hands-on experience on the computer and the wonders of getting connected to the world via the Internet. (PIA V Release)

Palace says Santiago's bill merits special attention

MANILA — Malacañang said Sunday (October 18) the proposed bill of administration Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago seeking to penalize persons or organizations that would encroach on any waterways should merit special attention following the damage wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in terms of lives and property.

Santiago filed Senate Bill No. 3483 to punish those who encroach on waterways and disrupt the natural flow of water which eventually leads to frequent and massive flooding.

In an interview, Presidential Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Professor Gary Olivar said the proposed bill should be considered and implemented.

“I think a law like that will have a place in the overall revised planning framework for developing Metro Manila,” he noted.

The Palace, according to Olivar, is in favor of any solution that will minimize in the long term the vulnerability of the provinces to natural disasters, including suggestions to improve the country’s capability to respond to calamities and institute rehabilitation efforts.

In her proposal, Santiago cited the indiscriminate construction of buildings and subdivisions along waterways, as well as poor planning which vastly altered the urban landscape of Metro Manila -- resulting to the disruption of the natural flow of water leading to massive floods.

Due to the catastrophe wrought by the two typhoons, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier ordered the permanent relocation of informal settlers, particularly those in the river banks and lake areas. (PIA V Release)