AHECS KICKS OFF THIS YEAR, TO BENEFIT ALBAYANO STUDES

LEGAZPI CITY — The Provincial Government of Albay has slated the implementation of the Albay Higher Education Contribution Scheme (AHECS) this coming school year 2010-2011 that will benefit graduating high school and college students in the province.

Salceda said that AHECS is a concessional loan facility, adopting the Australian model, to motivate students from Albay province to finish high school because the provincial government assures them of easy access to tertiary education upon graduation.

He explained that the loan facility entails a deferred payment scheme, that is, AHECS pays fraction of school fees to the school and so to the student, adding that the same program offers P5,000 pesos loan per semester.

AHECS is an expanded version of the Brilliant Young Teacher (BRYT) and an education assistance program catered to community colleges and Bicol University satellite campuses offering tuition fee refund to qualified student-resident of Albay.

Salceda stressed that every family deserves to produce a new Albayano capable of attaining his personal happiness and well-being, fully deserving to occupy a rightful place in the society.
“The provincial government needs to complement the efforts of the parents thus intends to meet the learning needs of the individual and to improve the quality of life,” he said.

AHECS is open to all Albayanos, who are high school graduates or college students enrolled in accredited Albay-based Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and technical vocational schools taking up a minimum of two-year course.

Salceda further said that AHECS does not prohibit the granting of loans to old and returning students at any levels from HEIs and technical vocational schools; neither has it prohibited the granting of loans to new students and transferees nor the course preference required and maintaining grade.

The guidelines also sets that AHECS grantees must finish the study in the prescribed course, regularly inform the provincial government, including change of name in case of female grantee, residents and employment.

It states that the loan shall bear an interest of rate of 10 percent per annum. Monthly amortization will be seven percent of gross monthly earnings of the grantees until fully paid.

The provincial government will require loan payment after the completion of the prescribed course, when the grantee decided to stop availing the loan, and upon employment. In case the grantee stops it shall be considered a breach of agreement and the parent is immediately obliged to settle the availed loan.

This year, the provincial government has allocated an amount of P16 million for AHECS alone and P328 million for educational assistance program.

Albay provincial government has been aggressive in promoting universal access to education, also through the Project Education Quality for Albayanos (EQUAL) providing education assistance or tuition fee refund to all Albayanos enrolled in eight community colleges and three Bicol University local campuses. (MALoterte, PIA V)

100 MAGAZINE HAILS CAMSUR GOV. VILLAFUERTE

PILI, Camarines Sur — Governor LRay Villafuerte has topped the list of well-known personalities named in the “Visionaries List: 100 names to reckon with in the 2010 elections” of the prestigious 100 Magazine.

Villafuerte was cited for his development initiatives, including but not limited to the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC), considered the best wake cable park in the world, and transformation into a world-class of the natural attractions and facilities in Caramoan town catapulting the province into the top among tourism destinations of the country.

Barely a week ago, Camarines Sur was adjudged “Top Destination of the Year” by People Asia. Furthermore, the province’s domestic tourist arrivals increased by 163 percent while foreign visitors by 29 percent last year.

Aside from his inclusion in the list of noted personalities in the 100 Magazine, Villafuerte also keynoted the launching of the magazine Wednesday (January 27) at the Bonifacio High Street Activity Center, The Fort in Taguig City.

100 Magazine third issue, featuring national and local politicians, intends to boost the nationalistic spirit of the idealistic youth and to serve as inspirations to future leaders.

Other personalities in the visionaries list include Rep. Cynthia Villar, Atty. Adel Tamano and Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga.

On December 2009, the governor also earned three other accolades in prestigious magazine All New Power 88, a yearbook published by Fookien Times for individuals who represent the next generation of business movers and shakers.

The governor was also conferred the BREW Award (BizNews Asia Real Estate Who’s Who) which recognizing entrepreneurs, tycoons and taipans who made a mark in the field of real estate and in enhancing the lifestyle and lives of Filipinos.

He was also in the cover highlight in the December, 2009 issue of the BizNews Asia magazine. (STNieves, MMEC/PIA)

SORSOGON POLICE OFFICER NAMED TO TOPWP 2009

SORSOGON Province — Police Officer 3 Judith Daria–Olbes, non-commissioned officer of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office (SPPO) was named among the 8th Search of the Ten Outstanding Police Women of the Year (TOPWP) 2009.

Olbes is the first lady law enforcer in this province feted with said recognition receiving the TOPWP Kabalikat Awards trophy.

She also received cash prize from ZONTA Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas Foundation, gift certificate from the Arms Corporation Philippines (ARMSCOR) and the Outstanding Achievement Medal from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PSSupt. Heriberto Olitoquit, police provincial director here, stated that among hundreds of nominees from the police commissioned and non–commissioned officers across the country, 28 were chosen finalists and wherefore named the deserving ten outstanding police women of the country.

“Olbes indeed deserves the recognition considering her dedication and exemplary work significantly contributing to the cause of peace and order in the local community,” related Olitoquit.

It can be recalled that Olbes was part of the successful implementation of PNP programs bridging the gap between the police and the community, including the Expanded Community Orienting Polishing System (ECOPS) that focused on the promotion of public’s health; “Kampo ng Bayan sa Lawasnon” showcasing sports development, as well as the maintenance of heightened security at the Sorsogon Baywalk.

Likewise, Olbes initiated the “Malusog na Bata, Malusog na Bansa” program targeting children in the remote barangays to be their feeding program recepients, the “Konting Tulong ni Mama at Aleng Pulis” where they chipped-in certain amount from their own pocket and used this to realize the “Kaarawang Handog ni Mama at Aleng Pulis” and the distribution of slippers, food and school supplies to children.

Olbes who is currently the SPPO’s Family Juvenile and Gender and Development PNCO is an active officer of Sorsogon Women’s Network and Development (SWND) and Visayan Forum Foundation respectively working on women and children’s welfare.

In an interview, Olbes, though didn’t expect she can really make it to the top, extends her utmost gratitude to the past provincial chiefs of SPPO including PSSupt Joel Regondola, PSSupt Henry Rañola and to PSSupt Heriberto Olitoquit, the present PD. “I am also grateful to PSupt Edgardo Ardales, Deputy Prov’l Director PSupt Elmer Ferreras and to the Non-Uniformed Personnel as well as the Police Non-Commissioned and Commissioned officers of SPPO,” she added.

Other awardees are: PSupt Lailene Amparo – Marilao Police Station, Bulacan Provincial Office (PO), Police Regional Office(PRO) 3; PCI Delia Ingalla – Taguig City PO, Southern Police District, NCRPO; PSI Lerma Tirana – Regional Police Community Relations Division, NCRPO; SPO1 Marifel Cortez – Butuan City PO, PRO 13; PO3 Zorayda Aripin – Zamboanga City PO, PRO 9; PO3 Ruth Poserio – Sta. Barbara Police Station, Pangasinan PRO, Police Regional Office 1; PO3 Lilybeth Pascual – WCPD PNCO-Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO), PRO 5; PO2 Famela Suba – Cabiao Police Station, Nueva Ecija PPO, PRO 3; PO2 Rina Salaya – Maasin Municipal Police Station, Iloilo PPO, PRO 6.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself conferred the award to the Ten Outstanding Police Women of the Philippines, Jan. 13, at Rizal Hall in Malacañang.
These awardees that make up this year’s TOPWP were chosen for the honor by the ZONTA Club of Makati Paseo de Roxas Foundation and the Philippine National Police.
(Bennie A. Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)

DOST-TRC SLATES TEKNOBIZ IDEA CHALLENGE

LEGAZPI CITY — The Technology Resource Center (TRC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) invites students of public and private higher education institutions to join the “TeknoBiz Idea Challenge” to be held in conjunction with the 1st Techno Partnering Forum to be hosted by TRC on February 24, 2010.

Evolving on the theme: Merging Business with Technology, the event typifies a youth business idea contest designed hone their creativity and entrepreneurial skills to become successful techno-preneurs in the future.

DOST’s promotional papers states that entries on technology-based ideas should be innovative, must not have been introduced elsewhere in the country and have market acceptability both to the Philippine and foreign markets.

It added that the entries must be endorsed and signed by the school’s authorized representative (College Dean or President) shall be accepted.

The entry form and requisite proofs of registration shall likewise be submitted in a folder in two sets and similarly labeled on the outside for easy and clear identification.

Elimination will be held on January 27, 2010 and winners will be duly notified by the Contest Secretariat through email and call-out.

Pre-requisites for participation include the following:

a) All registered students should submit their technology-based business idea between December 15, 2009 and February 5, 2010.
b) Must be a bonafide student of a CHED-accredited educational institution or a state college/university during the abovementioned period. Proof of enrolment in the form of a photocopy of each team member’s Registration Form or school I.D. for SY 09-10 must be attached to the Entry Form.
c) Must comply with all contest entry requirements (eligibility, entry form, formats for concept paper and presentation, and school endorsement) per information kit.
d) Must agree to abide by the TeknoBiz Idea Challenge contest rules and the decision of TRC, the Contest Organizer.
e) Students may opt to form a team but should not be more than five. All team members must be enrolled in the same school.
f) A student can be a member of only one team.

In addition, participants are required to submit a concept paper or the executive summary of their business technology idea. Participant are also encouraged to submit a prototype/model/design mock-up/sample product to support their idea.

Entries must be submitted to TRC’s Technology Livelihood & Information Dissemination Services Group (TLIDSG), TRC Bldg., #103 J. Abad Santos St., Little Baguio, San Juan City, Metro Manila 1500 with contact nos. (632) 727-6205 locals 201 or 206 (telephone); (632) 721-0063 (fax) and tlidsg@yahoo.com (email/Mr. JC Amobit, Junior Technical Expert as contact person) on or before 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2010 and to consider the other contest timeline as follows:

Deadline for submission of entries : February 5, 2010
Announcement of 10 Finalists : February 12, 2010
Presentation at the Technology Forum/
Final Judging : February 23, 2010
Awarding Ceremonies : February 24, 2010

All basic criteria must be met and judging will be based on the following factors:

Innovativeness - 25%
Market Potential - 25%
Feasibility (Philippine Contest) - 25%
Social Impact - 15%
Environment Friendly - 10%
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T o t a l 100%

The DOST-TRC TeknoBiz Idea Challenge: Merging Business with Technology is a great opportunity for enterprising Bicolano college students who have excellent achievements in Business and Technology to participate in said youth competition. (POLucena, DOST V/PIA)

DENR INTENSIFIES CLIMATE CHANGE ADVOCACY

LEGAZPI CITYY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has reaffirmed it commitment and relentlessly pursued climate change adaptation and mitigation information and education drives

DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada stated the agency has since last year provided technical assistance to local government units (LGUs) on climate change adaptation and mitigation planning activities and intensified enforcement of air pollution laws to contain emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Fragada pointed out that Republic Act No. 9728 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on October 23, 2009 explicitly mandates local government units to be “the frontline services in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas.”

He noted that DENR has long been a partner of LGUs in crafting measures to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change

“These include the implementation of smoke belching regulation to contain the excessive emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from transport vehicles, provision of technical support for Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM), particularly in setting up and operation of material recovery facilities and sanitary land fills,” he said.

DENR has recently been assisting LGUs in planning formulation of mitigation and adaptation projects to address global warming and climate change.

Fragada also said that the DENR Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) has been complementing the climate change advocacy of the EMB thru press and broadcast releases to local newspapers, radio and television, and production of information materials on climate change which are distributed to school libraries, barangay information centers (GMACs) and other institutions and individuals.

DENR-RPAO staff also provided library services and assistance to researchers on climate change.

Fragada recently created the Climate Change Regional Desk which will provide focus assistance to students, teachers, local government officials and other persons seeking information on climate change. (AMContreras, DENR/PIA)

POLICE NABS ILLEGAL DRUG PUSHER IN SORSOGON

SORSOGON CITY— Police operatives here arrested a drug pusher in a buy bust operation last Monday (January 25) in Purok Dapdap, Barangay Balogo, this city.

Joint elements of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Safety Management Company and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bicol, led by Intelligence Officer Juan Arnel Lasay apprehended one Antonio Labitag Y Peralta, 34 yrs. old, single and a resident of said barangay while selling marijuana to some students of Sorsogon National High School (SNHS) around 6:45 pm.

Initial investigation shoed that majority of his clients are students from the said school.

Confiscated from Labitag are four (4) sachets of marijuana leaves, Php200.00 marked money and one (1) 1100 unit cellphone.

Labitag is also an active barangay tanod in Balogo and already in the authority’s watch list since 2009.

The suspect is now under the custody of PDEA ROV Legazpi City in Albay for further investigation for record filing purposes and inquest proceedings.

Lasay said the feat has manifested the local authority’s commitment to intensify anti-drug campaign activities here. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

2009 GDP growth within target

MANILA — Fuelled by government spending and Christmas retail sales, the Philippine economy grew by 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, pushing the full-year growth of the gross domestic product (GDP), or the sum of goods and services produced in the country, to 0.9 percent.

This was within government’s target range of between 0.8 percent and 1.8 percent but lower than the previous year’s growth of 3.8 percent.

“The positive GDP growth is a clear indication that the country has already survived the worst effects of the global economic crunch,” Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said in a press briefing today after the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) released this morning its latest economic data.

The Philippines is one of only a few Asian countries that escaped recession last year.

If remittances are factored in, the country grew by three percent last year compared to the previous year’s 6.2 percent.

This year, the inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) projects GDP growth of between 2.6 percent and 3.6 percent.

Olivar said another 0.5 percent may be added to this year’s GDP due to the massive rehabilitation of Luzon as a result of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last year.

Earlier, the World Bank revised its GDP forecast of the Philippines from 3.1 percent to 3.5 percent. (PIA V Release)

PGMA stresses importance of education

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on Thursday (January 28) the youth to get involved in a positive way in the civic life of the nation by helping ensure free, fair and non-violent elections.

The President, during a visit to the Holy Spirit College of Manila in Mendiola, the second in a series of campus tours aimed at reaching out to the youth, also urged the students to finish their college courses “because education is a ticket to a better life.”

According to the President, the combined budgets of the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education has doubled during her term, from P90 billion to P180 billion.

To improve the quality of education, she said, more classrooms were built—100,000 so far— especially in far-flung barangays.

She added that teachers were trained, especially in English, Math, and Science so that they can prepare their students for global competition. For the poorest of the poor, she also said, cash allowance is given to encourage them to keep their children in school.

“I want to instill in our youth pride in our nation and a desire to get involved in the civic life of their country. To that end, I call on the youth to help our society become more safe and less violent,” the President said.

The President said her administration has worked hard to ensure a safe and peaceful nation by putting an end to kidnapping, insurgency and terrorism.

The President’s visit to the College of the Holy Spirit is the second in her campus tour. The first campus she visited was the Don Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte Wednesday. (PIA V Release)

PGMA all set to sign Senior Citizens Act of 2010

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is set to sign into law another major social legislation—the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010—that will exempt the country’s estimated 4.6 million senior citizens from paying the 12 percent expanded value added tax (EVAT) and thus enable them to enjoy fully a 20 percent discount on the purchase of essential goods and services.

The original law, Republic Act 7432, gives senior citizens the discount. However, since the elderly are required to pay EVAT like anybody else, the discount has been effectively reduced to only eight percent.

The measure, titled “An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens, Further Amending Republic Act No 7432, also known as “An Act to Maximize the Contributions of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges, and for Other Purposes,” was passed by both Houses of Congress on Wednesday.

It is this jointly approved measure that President Arroyo intends to sign.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles has described it as “early Valentine's gift to senior citizens.”

The bill exempts senior citizens, or those who are 60 years and above, from paying the 12 percent EVAT on medicines and essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment; fees of attending physicians; medical, dental fees and diagnostic and laboratory fees; fares for buses, jeepneys, taxis, AUVs, shuttle services, public railways, domestic air and sea transport craft.

The tax privilege also applies to services in hotels, restaurants and similar establishments; admission fees in cinemas, theaters and other places of culture, leisure and amusement; and funeral and burial services.

Additionally, the bill provides each senior citizen a monthly stipend of P500, subject to the periodic review of Congress in coordination with the Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD).

In case of death of an indigent senior citizen, the amount of P2,000 will also be awarded to his or her nearest kin as benefit assistance.

Under the bill, senior citizens may also enjoy a five percent discount on their water and electric bills on condition that the utilities are in the name of senior citizen, and that the consumption is below 100 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 30 cubic meters of water a month.

The measure also expands the penalties for those who refuse to grant the benefits. Establishments and their owners, managers and personnel found violating any provision of the law face a penalty of not less than P10,000 but not more than P50,000, or imprisonment of at least one month but not more than six months.

Administration allies in both houses of Congress said the new measure will form part of the legacy President Arroyo is leaving the Filipino people when she steps down in June. It was early in her term, in 2003, when the original law on senior citizens benefits –RA 7432—was passed.

Rep. Reynaldo Uy (Samar), and Rep. Eduardo Zialcita (Parañaque) and Sen. Pia Cayetano, principal sponsors of the bill, hailed the measure as timely and very beneficial to many Filipinos.

Cayetano said approval of the measure would allow the senior citizens to enjoy fully the 20 percent senior citizens discount that was originally envisioned for them under Republic Act 7342.

Cayetano explained that the senior citizen’s discount has been effectively reduced to only eight percent since seniors were also required to pay the 12-percent VAT in their purchase of medicines, good and services. (PIA V Release)

Firm thanks PGMA for helping BPO sector

MANILA — Hinduja Global Solutions Inc. (HGSI) today thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for nurturing the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, thus enabling it to grow from just 4,000 workers in 2001 to half a million workers last year.

The President led the ribbon cutting and unveiling of the marker opening HGSI’s 3,000-seat facility located at 1880 Building in Eastwood Center, Libis, Quezon City.

In a press conference, Partha de Sarkar, chief executive officer, said HGSI is expanding this year to other urban centers of the country, notably Clark, Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna, all in Luzon; Cebu and Iloilo in the Visayas; and Cagayan de Oro and Davao in Mindanao.

Last year, the company’s operations grew by 20 percent and generated revenues of $16 million. It is projecting higher growth this year, with the economy recovering in most parts of the world, said HGSI Manila chief executive officer Pushkar Misra.

HGSI’s investments in the Philippines stand at $35 million, including the cost of acquiring the facility of another BPO in 2003. With additional investments this year, the company expects to double the number of its employees.

The company currently has 80 clients in different industries around the world. It employs 14,500 people in the US, Canada, Europe, Mauritius, India, and the Philippines. It also has a working relationship with partners in Colombia, China and Japan, all employing over 1,800 people. (PIA V Release)

6 OFWs return from Haiti; OWWA assures them of livelihood

MANILA — Six of the 64 Filipinos who were evacuated from Haiti arrived in Manila Friday morning, as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assured them of assistance to help ameliorate the impact of losing their livelihood following the devastating earthquake that hit the Caribbean country two weeks ago.

The repatriates arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 at 6 a.m. on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 103.

They are Gregoria Bacurin, Donna Bacurin, Rochelle Cruz, Sonny Maning, Mikaela Santos and Rosario Santos.

"We know they have been through a traumatic experience and they will not forget it," OWWA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said as she led OWWA staff in extending arrival assistance at the airport.

Other officials from the Department of Labor and Employment, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Social Welfare and Development were likewise on hand to help.
This first batch of repatriates is part of 64 Filipinos evacuated from Haiti, which was hit by a disastrous earthquake last January 12.

They were first transported to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and then took connecting flights to Florida and Los Angeles, from where they were flown home.

Another batch is expected to come home over the weekend.

Dimzon said some of the workers were not able to process their visa.
The Philippine government said the DFA and DOLE are shouldering expenses for the repatriation while OWWA and DSWD will provide psycho-social as well as reintegration assistance to the repatriates. (PIA V Release)