WORLD-CLASS TRANSPORT TERMINAL OPENS IN LEGAZPI CITY

LEGAZPI CITY — The Metro Integrated Transport Terminal (MITT) started operation on Monday giving commuters from all over Albay province the experience of a world-class transport terminal.

Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal led the formal opening of the state of the art terminal l at the corner of Tahao and Alternate roads in a simple ceremony attended by top executives of the province.

“This terminal will raise the confidence of investors in Legazpi as the prime city of Bicol,” said Rosal.

He labeled the P300-million facility put up by private company LKY Group on a 25-year build-operate-and-transfer (BOT) arrangement as a “futuristic terminal” that will spur development in the whole of Bicol.

“Everyone is excited over this futuristic terminal. Even those living in far-flung villages believe that this terminal will bring progress to them,” he said.

The new Legazpi terminal will centralize all forms of land transportation that pass through Legazpi, including buses from Manila going to the Visayas and jeepneys and filcabs (FX taxis) that bring commuters to various cities and towns of practically the whole Bicol.

Since the 3.9 hectare facility expects human traffic of more than 80,000 every day, Rosal said the commercial area now being completed to house restaurants, bars and retail stores will definitely bustle with economic activity.

This early, fastfood giant Jollibee and sister company Chowking are preparing to construct stores in the terminal. Jollibee is expected to put up its biggest store in Legazpi which will be its fourth in the city.

SM Group’s Save More, meanwhile, has signified its intent to become the operator of the new terminal’s supermarket, a major development that made Rosal ecstatic
“This will be the new center of business in Legazpi,” he said.

Rosal said the formal opening of the terminal was just in time for the arrival of tourists for the region’s Ibalong Festival.

The three-term mayor added that the new terminal “will beef up the perception of organized government” in Legazpi.

“Lahat ng papasok na tao, anumang klase sila, will enter and exit Legazpi through this terminal. Pagpasok pa lang nila, they will already be impressed with this facility. Masasabi nila, ‘O, talagang iba ang Legazpi.’ There will be discussion of possible investments. Malaki ang magagawa nito in showing the people what kind of governance we have in Legazpi.”

Rosal clarified that the project to modernize Legazpi’s antiquated terminal was first offered to local business groups, but it was the LKY Group, a company from Sorsogon City, which responded to the challenge.

He said because of the vision of the LKY Group, what used to be a flood-prone area populated by squatters will now become the new central business district.
Rosal pointed to the Ibalong Center for Recreation, the only convention center in Legazpi, which he said will be restored soon. The Ibalong Center is a stone’s throw away from the new terminal.

Rosal added that because of the new terminal, business owners from other parts of the country are now eager to invest in Legazpi City. (MSA, PNA/PIA)


DEPED JOINS CAMPAIGN AGAINST POVERTY

LEGAZPI CITY — Believing that education is the solution to fight poverty, Education Sec. Jesli Lapus enjoins the whole education community to hold activities that highlight the celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Extreme Poverty on October 17-23.

The theme of the celebration is “Stand United, Fight Poverty”.

As the main focus of the observance, Lapus ordered all public school officials to hold programs in support of Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which include the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, the achievement of universal primary education, improvement of maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS diseases.

“Let us celebrate this international event on a very practical way such as community conduct of vegetable gardening, tree planting, livelihood training programs and provision of social services for the underprivileged,” Lapus said.

Other activities the schools may undertake are the holding of remedial classes in Science, English, and Mathematics.

As part of the celebration, DepEd will also enter into an agreement with non-government organizations and government organizations on child sponsorship program.

Through the Adopt-A-School Program, DepEd partners will be mobilized for the rehabilitation of school buildings and classrooms. (DEPED V/PIA)


PHILHEALTH NOW REQUIRES PIN TO CLAIM BENEFITS

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will be implementing the “No PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) – No Claim” policy starting next year, according to Orlando Iñigo, Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional vice president.

Iñigo said the new policy will be carried out in order to update its membership and contributions database as well as ensure the delivery of quality health care services to all its members,

He averred that with this new policy, the number of unregistered members, particularly among the employed sectors, will be obliged to register with the agency that will enable them to get their PIN.

He stressed the unique identification number of every member will be required in availing PhilHealth benefits.

Iñigo stated that all employers are enjoined to update their employers’ member records from July 15 to December 30, 2009 pursuant to Rule III Section 18 of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7875 as amended which states that:

“All government and private employers are required to register their employees with the Corporation and shall be issued a permanent and unique PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN). It is likewise the obligation of the employer to report to the Corporation its newly-hired employees within 30 calendar days from assumption to office.”

“Further, the employer has the obligation to give notice to the Corporation of an employee’s separation within 30 calendar days from separation.”

He also encouraged employed members to coordinate with their respective employers for the updating of their membership records with the agency.

He said that only properly accomplished Employer’s Remittance Reports (RF1) will be accepted for posting of premium contributions to avoid inconsistency of information against the PhilHealth membership database.

For inquiries you may call PhilHealth Regional Office V at 481-5596 or you may visit us at Alternate Road, Legazpi City. (MALoterte, PIA V)


11,700 CHILDREN BENEFIT FROM LRAY VITA KIDZ PROGRAM

PILI, Camarines Sur— This year’s number of beneficiaries of the LRay Vita Kidz, has almost tripled since the program’s inception in 2005, according to the latest report of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) here.

PHO data show that LRay Vita Kidz program has benefited some 11,700 children this year compared to the previous years which averaged only at about 3,000 beneficiaries annually.

LRay Vita Kidz, a brainchild of Gov. LRay Villafuerte himself, is a program of the provincial government here which aims to eradicate malnutrition among children with ages ranging below 6 years,

The program has reached out to 459 barangays across the province. Its components include food and vitamin supplementations, de-worming before the start of the program, nutrition class for parents, and the distribution of assorted vegetable seeds intended for backyard and or community garden so that the parents will have source of food to sustain the nutritional needs of the children beneficiaries.

Launched in year 2005, the program has gained considerable headway because of its continuing success stories noted in many barangays which benefited from the program.

Local officials and barangay leaders, who were witnesses to the progress of children beneficiaries during the implementation of the program, were united in confirming its efficacy and efficiency. Children beneficiaries showed significant improvement in their weights and bearing after.

According to Dr. Gerardo N. Villafuerte, the head of the Provincial Health Office, the nutritional status in Camarines Sur is gradually improving as a result of the implementation of the LRay Vita Kidz program. (SNieves, MMEC/PIA)

MGB BICOL WARNS LANDSLIDE-PRONE AREAS TO PREPARE FOR THE RAINY SEASON

LEGAZPI CITY — Reynaldo A. Juan, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Bicol regional director, reiterated his warning to residents of at least 49 municipalities in 6 provinces of Bicol identified as landslide prone areas to prepare or evacuate to safer grounds, in the advent of the rainy and typhoon season.

Juan said the residents of the following municipalities should be prepared and evacuate to safer grounds when continuous rain in their localities occurs: Bacacay, Libon, Malilipot, Malinao, Manito, Rapu-Rapu, Sto. Domingo, Tiwi and Ligao in Albay; Basud, Capalonga, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, and Sta. Elena in Camarines Norte;

Buhi, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Libmanan, Lupi, Pasacao, Presentacion, Sagnay, Sipocot and Tinambac in Camarines Sur; Bagamanoc, Baras, Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, Pandan, Panganiban, and San Andres in Catanduanes; Aroroy, Baleno, Mandaon, Milagros, and Mobo in Masbate; and Bulan, Irosin, Juban, Magallanes, Matnog, Sta. Magdalena and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon.

The EMB director also directed his deputies to coordinate with local officials of the above municipalities in disseminating the warning.

He, however, clarified that residents of other municipalities not named are encouraged to observe the necessary precaution and preparation to evacuate to safer grounds when in their area signs of an impending landslide may occur or have history of landslide in the past. (MGB V/PIA)


Oplan Sagip Bayan donation reaches P28.5M

MANILA — Donations for Malacanang’s Oplan Sagip Bayan has reached P28. 5 million since it started operations last Monday. The donations will be distributed to the thousands of calamity victims in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Rizal Province.

In a press briefing, Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Golez said 103,676 families affected by tropical storm Ondoy have been served by Oplan Sagip Bayan while volunteers for the government’s relief and evacuation efforts totaled 4,203.

Many of the volunteers are students from different schools, colleges and universities who made the most out of the suspension of classes last week in Metro Manila and Rizal Province.

Golez thanked Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo for donating P2 million from the Antonio O. Florendo Foundation to the relief efforts of the government. The donation was received by Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Head Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.

Private companies and non-government organizations likewise continue to provide food and non-food items to the Oplan Sagip Bayan center at the Kalayaan Hall of Malacanang. These items are repacked and distributed to affected families in Metro Manila and Rizal Province.

Aside from Lagdameo, other donations came from Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., P5 million in cash; Asia America Initiative, water purifiers and sachets worth P2.27 million; Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd, P1.013 million worth of rice and mineral water; the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), P962,000 worth of plastic mats; food items from the PNOC Exploration Corp. worth P880,769;

National Food Authority (NFA) Central Office with 500 sacks of rice worth P625,000; Coca Cola Co. with 160 cases of beverages and mineral water worth P500,000; Euro Med Laboratories Phils. Inc. with P376,320 worth of distilled water; Liwayway Marketing Corp. with P332,400 worth of bread; M/Sgt. Arnel Florian Dado with P250,000 worth of groceries; Mayor Kimi Cojuangco with P225,000 worth of t-shirts and canned goods; Pampanga Mayors’ League with hamburgers worth P178,000; and Office of the Vice President with assorted food items worth P161,576, among others.

Oplan Sagip Bayan was launched by President Arroyo last Monday following the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy. She opened the gates of Malacanang as relief and evacuation center for the victims. The center also provides temporary shelters for hundreds of individuals displaced by the typhoon. It is being managed by the Presidential Management Staff and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (PIA V Release)


Ondoy victims welcome water-bearing fire trucks from Palace

MANILA — Waterless for the past few days, residents of Metroville subdivision in Pasig near the boundary with Cainta woke up to a pleasant surprise Sunday.

A fire truck loaded with water for their clean-up chores was at their doorsteps, ready to fill up their need. Buckets in hand, they came out of their muddy households and profusely thanked the firemen who came all the way from Malacanang’s Oplan Sagip Bayan center to help residents affected by the onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy last week.

Oplan Sagip Bayan was launched by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last Monday in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by Ondoy.

“Maraming salamat po. Ilang araw na kaming walang kuryente, walang tubig. Ni hindi kami makapaglinis at makapaghugas (Thank heavens. We’ve been waterless and powerless the last few days. We can’t even wash up nor clean our homes),” shouted one of the residents. The firetruck was one of several dispatched for the day by the Malacanang Fire Brigade to provide potable water and clean-up operation drive to the different areas affected by the massive flooding brought by Ondoy.

Focus of the operation was Marikina City and San Mateo, Rizal where some 35,000 gallons of water have been distributed according to an after operation report made by Brigade Commander Joselito Reyes to Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon.

The operation, Reyes said, is a tie-up with the military’s civic work at the said area.

The brigade is composed of government and volunteer groups from Malacanang, Sampaloc, Tondo, San Juan, Nazareth and Cubao fire stations.

The priority areas for the clean-up drive, launched on orders of President Arroyo , are Marikina, Pateros, Caloocan and Quezon City in the National Capitol Region and Cainta, and Antipolo in Region IV-A. (PIA V Release)


PGMA orders assistance to farmers to ensure adequate supply of goods

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has directed concerned government agencies to extend assistance to farmers displaced by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, and ensure adequate supply of goods in the coming months.

In a press briefing at Malacanang, Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Golez said that initial damages to the farm sector has reached P5.5 billion.

“It is still rising because we have yet to receive reports from different regions,” he said.

Golez said that Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has assured the Cabinet and the public that there is enough stock of agriculture products for the whole year.

However, he added that the effect of typhoons in agriculture stocks can be felt by the first half of next year.

Golez stressed that Yap will import rice the earliest possible time to meet the demand of Filipino consumers next year.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila, he said, has assured the public that there is no problem in the manufacturing of goods being sold in the supermarkets and groceries.

“The setback is in the distribution. He already requested the private sector if they can lend delivery vans to ensure continuous supply in all supermarkets and stores. We would like to assure the public that there is no shortage in the supply of goods,” Golez said.

The President has also directed Favila to take measures to punish profiteers who take advantage of the crisis.

Accordingly, those who will be caught profiteering will be meted the maximum penalty of P2 million and 15 years of imprisonment.

Golez asked the media to help the government monitor prices of goods being sold in the markets. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has already published in the newspapers the ceiling prices for basic commodities. (PIA V Release)

PGMA ensures liquidity for consumers, SMEs
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over the weekend moved quickly to minimize the impact of typhoon “Ondoy” on the economy of Mega Manila, which accounts for a third of the country’s entire gross domestic product (GDP).

Being a consumer-driven economy, the President ensured that ready cash or liquidity was made available by ordering the one-year deferment of housing, salary, and other loans worth P32 billion by pension funds such as the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as well as the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-Ibig). Another P15 billion in liquidity will be provided by Pag-Ibig’s lending of P150,000 per borrower for home repairs.

The President also asked the Monetary Board, the policy-setting body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) , to keep interest rates low and to set up a special five-year rediscounting window for the country’s entrepreneurs and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

After signing Proclamation No. 1898 placing the entire country under a state of calamity, the President also announced the following measures:

• Immediate clearing of garbage in primary and secondary roads by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) so that vehicular traffic and movement of people, particularly in Marikina and several parts of Quezon City, will not be impeded;
• Clearing all waterways obstruction, using the map of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
• The coordination among the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFD), the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and its two private concessionaires (Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc.), and the Local Water Utilities Administration (for the Rizal province) in providing adequate potable water supply to evacuees;
• Ensuring adequate stocks of medicines for respiratory, diarrhea, and skin infections in all botika ng barangay outlets and deployment of health workers, particularly in cramped evacuation sites, by the Department of Health (DOH); and
• Immediate rehabilitation of damaged irrigation systems, which the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported at over P1 billion.

Meanwhile, the President said her administration has been investing in improving the Doppler radar capability of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in detecting rainfall for better risk management.

“We have already installed and would soon operate our Doppler radar in Baler. Under testing is the Doppler in Baguio City while those in Cainta, Surigao, South Cotabato, Aparri and Virac are now being installed,” she said. (PIA V Release)

DOH allows damaged private hospitals to use their 3-months Philhealth income for repair

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) will allow private hospitals damaged by typhoon “Ondoy” to use their three-months’ worth of income from collections of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) to repair these facilities and equipment.

“Let us wait for the technical evaluation to be conducted by the DoH on their damaged facilities. If these facilities and equipment cannot be repaired, the DoH will decide if it can intervene in their importation of new machineries,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

Duque admitted many government hospitals suffered heavy damages from “Ondoy”, citing the medical center in Marikina and San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.

Duque said prices of basic medicines and medical supplies have remained stable since the Cheaper Medicines Act was implemented on Aug. 15, 2009.

“Under pain of heavier penalties of up to P6 million and even closure or revocation of license, pharmaceutical companies and drugstores are now obeying the price ceilings we have imposed on medicines and medical supplies. They have also been ensuring adequate supplies of these vital items,” he said.

Duque said DOH has fielded several medical teams to treat the sick in evacuation centers. He said common ailments in evacuation centers are skin injuries (particularly fungal infections) because people waded and swam in dirty, muddy water; diarrhea ,and common respiratory ailments. (PIA V Release)