CAMARINES SUR MAINTAINS ROBUST TOURISM GROWTH
163% domestic and 29% foreign arrivals increases

CAMARINES SUR Province — Domestic visitors to this province rose by a hefty 163 percent and foreign arrival grew by 29 percent for overall increment of 124.6 percent to sustain its stature among the most visited destinations in the Philippines at the end of third quarter of 2009.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), the province’s growing tourism allure was significantly boosted by tourism promotion initiatives of Governor LRay Villafuerte focusing on extreme sports competitions like the World Wakeboarding Championships, the International Dragon Boat Competition and the Ironman 70.3 Philippines.

Development of world-class natural attractions, particularly around Caramoan Peninsula, attracting films on location of several Survivor reality show serials also contributed a hefty share to the some 1.23 million tourists and overall tourism increment despite the third quarter traditionally being a lean tourism period.

Along with Camarines Sur, the country’s most frequented sites are traditional favourites Cebu, Bohol and Boracay. But travel trends indicate Camarines Sur showing greater potential for attracting both foreign and domestic travelers.

Volume of domestic tourists in the country has registered an increase by 21 percent, while foreign arrivals grew by 2.7 percent despite marked slowdown in tourism movement in the Southeast Asian Pacific region. The Philippines, though, is expected to sustain tourism growth in comparison with its neighbors.

Governor Villafuerte, meanwhile, has bigger and more grandiose activities lined up for CamSur for 2010. (GBClaveria, MMEC/PIA)


SALCEDA CREATES ALBAY EL NIÑO TASK FORCE

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay Governor and Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) Chair Joey Salceda has created Thursday last week the Provincial El Niño Task Force to formulate and oversee the implementation of preparedness, mitigation and response strategies in the wake of the impending dry spell.

Salceda said the task force was part of a strategy to cushion the negative effects of the dry spell, though the province was not on the list of areas which can be hit by the impending El Niño.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has recently confirmed that the natural phenomenon already entered the country’s threshold, affecting three Bicol provinces in the first half of the year.

PAGASA identified the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon among the 23 provinces that could be affected by the dry spell.

“Albay cannot afford to be complacent, considering that we experienced a six-month low rainfall level last year and we are at the middle of El Niño areas,” Salceda said.

Salceda meanwhile has released an initial fund of P1.5 million for the operation of the task force, composed of the Provincial Agricultural Services Office (PASO), Provincial Health Office (PHO), Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

The provincial task force, also chaired by Salceda, has readied initial measures to mitigate the effects of the dry spell including water conservation, cloud seeding to induce rainfall utilization of underground water, use of surface reservoir and food security.

The agriculture cluster will set up a number of small-scale irrigation system with a short gestation period, as well as hasten the rehabilitation of national and communal irrigation systems, in addition to increasing crop production, optimize area productivity, decrease water duty and diversify cropping.

El Niño phenomenon is a recurrent ocean-warming and atmospheric disturbance resulting in deficient rainfall or prolonged drought in some areas and heavy rains, storms and typhoons in other areas of the globe, and usually recurs every two to seven years.

For the past 40 years, the episode rated that of 1982-83 as the most intense because of the unusual worldwide anomalies it brought.

Adverse effects would be reduced crop yield or productivity and serious damage to livestock; reduced production capacity of industries and loss of jobs; famine due to lack of food, and desertification as a result of rapid soil degradation. The phenomenon may also cause possible outbreaks and epidemics, frequent brownouts, dropping out of pupils and students, and out-migration. (MALoterte, PA V)


BFP HOLDS FIRE SAFETY SEMINAR FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

SORSOGON CITY — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) here has spearheaded the annual seminar for business permit applicants held at during the “One-Stop-Shop” business permits renewal program of the city government.

Chief Inspector Renato B. Marcial, Sorsogon City fire marshal, said the seminar is one of the requirements in securing a fire safety clearance, most importantly reminds them of basic fire safety and prevention, emergency response, among others.

In his opening message, Marcial cited that owners and operators of business establishments should learn and understand, furthermore, observe and comply with the provisions of the newly amended Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines 2008.

Engrs. Peter Labayo and Roland Dio of the Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (IIEE) Sorsogon expound on the electrical fire safety, emphasizing avoid electrical short circuit, overload, among others, that usually are the common causes of fires.

Senior Fire Officer Tomas Dio, BFP Fire Safety Enforcement Section chief, stressed applicants of fire safety clearance will not be given their fire safety inspection certificate without first attending the seminar.

Dio noted that the newly amended Fire Code of the Philippines introduces some changes in terms of grace period to comply and given to those establishments that were found to have violated the new law.

“Under the old fire code or PD 1185 the maximum grace period given to correct then violation is up to 60 days, however under RA 9514 the maximum grace period given is only up to 15 days,” he added.

He warned that stringent penalties were introduced under this new law, wherein private person as well as public officer shall be meted with administrative or punitive sanction if they will violate the said law.

He explained that under Sec. 13.0.0.7 of the code, the owner, administrator, occupant or other person responsible for the condition of the building structure and their premises or facilities who violates any provision of the Fire Code shall be penalized by an administrative fine of not exceeding fifty thousand pesos or stoppage of operation or by closure of such buildings, structures and their premises or facilities.

He further said that in case of willful failure to correct the deficiency, they can be punished by imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than six years or a fine of not more than P100,000.

He noted that on the part of the public officer, they can be punished by reprimand, suspension or removal from the service depending on the gravity of the offense committed.

Marcial has appealed anew to all the owners of the establishment to cooperate with the fire bureau in the implementation of the newly amended Fire Code.

He reiterated that BFP will not issue a fire safety inspection certificate to those establishments who were found with deficiencies or have violated the rules and regulations of this code.

“One-Stop-Shop”, meanwhile, is a program of the city government carried out every January to expedite the processing of permits and other necessary requirements for those who will renew their licenses, by detailing personnel from different line agencies needed in the renewal at the city hall.

Two hundred twenty five participants attended the fire safety seminar that started on the first week and more are expected to troop to the city hall for the program.

The seminar is held at the 2nd floor of the City Hall every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 o’clock in the morning and 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon. (LGFuntanares, BFP Sorsogon City/PIA)


PATIENTS WAIVER FOR CLAIMS ON CHILD BIRTH AND MATERNITY CARE PACKAGE

LEGAZPI CITY— The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) announces that payment for the Normal Spontaneous Delivery (NSD) Package and Maternity Care Package (MCP) was increased to P6,500 in all accredited providers, in accordance with PhilHealth Circular No. 39, s. 2009.

The circular states that the total amount is comprised of P2,500 for payment hospital facility, P2,500 for professional or doctor’s fee, with an additional amount of P1,500 for prenatal medicines, laboratory and consultation components.

Prenatal component of the packages shall cover prenatal expenses incld\uding drugs and medicines, laboratory tests and ancillary procedures, tetanus immunizations; and prenatal consultations as supported by official receipts.

The same directives clarifies that if a PhilHealth member of his/her dependent benefited from prenatal services provided by the accredited facility, payment for the reimbursement of the P1,500 for the prenatal component may be authorized to the accredited facility.

It further stressed that the member should first acknowledge that all the required services like drugs, laboratory, tetanus immunization and consultation were provided by the accredited facility.

Hence, a member must not sign the preformatted form if no prenatal services were availed of. (MALoterte, PIA V)


NAGA CITY RENAMES STREET IN HONOR OF VILLANUEVA

NAGA CITY – Renaming of Liboton Street to M.T. Villanueva Avenue of this city is now is now affirmed under Republic Act No. 9704, as duly signed and approved by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Speaker of the House Prospero Nograles, and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Blessing and unveiling of street signs and marker at the M. T. Villanueva Avenue and corners of Peñafrancia Avenue and Bagumabayan were held last January 6, 2010.

Atty. Carlo C. Villanueva, Jr., current Naga College Foundation Alumni Association (NCFAA) president, led the ‘renaming petition’ by means of a written communication to the Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte of the third congressional district of Camarines Sur.

The said street is named after the late Dr. Melchor Trinidad Villanueva, founder of Naga College Foundation (NCF).

The avenue houses the mentioned institution which originally started from a single-built school building; to having the tallest school facility in the city – the seven story Melchor Trinidad Villanueva Hall.

Villanueva, who had contributed quality yet affordable education for the Bicolanos, is not only a dedicated educator but also an acknowledged war hero serving as a Lieutenant during World War II.

In fact he was awarded the prestigious Presidential Gold Medal for his heroic exploits during the guerilla movement. He was a man of talents and skills. He was a musician, a violinist in particular.

He was also considered a sportsman; as he was a weightlifter and boxer during his time. His physical regimen even enabled him to live up to the age of 93. Dr. Villanueva passed away June 13, 2000; leaving his legacy as an Educator, a Hero, a Musician, a Sportsman… but above all as our inspiration… He will live on through the street named after him.

Present during the occasion were Cong. Villafuerte, representatives from the city government, family and relatives of Villanueva, faculties and students of NCF, and witnessed by the general public. (DC Abad, PIA CamSur)


NSO RELEASES CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IN BICOL REGION AS OF DECEMBER 2009

Price Situation: Year-on-Year

At the regional level, the year-on-year inflation rate continued to increase at 5.5 per cent in December 2009 from 4.2 percent in November 2009 as higher annual rates were recorded in all the commodity groups except for miscellaneous items where inflation rate declined by 2.1 percent from 2.5 percent.

Rates recorded were 6.9 percent from 6.2 percent in food, beverages and tobacco; 1.5 percent from 1.4 percent in clothing; 0.8 percent from 0.6 percent in housing and repairs; 10.0 percent from 1.6 percent in fuel, light and water and 3.7 percent from 1.7 percent in services.

The average annual inflation rate in Bicol region for the year 2009 was 4.6 percent, slower by 4.9 percentage points than the 9.5 percent in 1008.

Province-wise, all provinces in the region recorded higher annual inflation rate in December compared to November as follows – Albay, 3.6 percent from 2.5 percent; Camarines Norte, 3.8 percent from 2.3 percent; Camarines Sur, 6.3 percent from 5.0 percent; Catanduanes, 6.0 percent from 5.3 percent; Masbate, 6.7 percent from 5.4 percent and Sorsogon, 6.2 percent from 4.7 percent.

Price Situation: Month-on-Month

On a month-on-month basis, the consumer price index for all income households in the region was registered at 164.6 in December 2009, higher by 0.8 index points as compared to the 163.6 index in November 2009. In terms of price movement, it went up at a slower pace of 0.5 percent in December from 0.8 percent in November.

Across food, beverages and tobacco (FBT) commodity group, slower price increases were noted in the indices of all the food items except meat and miscellaneous foods where prices slightly increased by 0.8 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively, from their corresponding last month’s rates of 0.6 percent and 1.1 percent due to higher demand for meat and meat products during the holiday season and continued price increments in sugar and selected spices and seasonings under the miscellaneous foods.

On the other hand, the sufficient supply of rice and corn pulled down the cereal and cereal preparations index by -0.6 percent from 1.1 percent while a zero percent growth was recorded in the dairy products index from 0.1 percent a month ago.

Price add-on in the rest FBT items were recorded at 0.3 percent from 0.5 percent in eggs; 0.9 percent from 1.4 percent in fish; 1.5 percent from 5.3 percent in fruits and vegetables; 0.1 percent from 0.3 percent in beverages and 0.1 percent from 0.8 percent in tobacco. Overall rate of FBT index was registered at 0.4 percent in December from 1.3 percent in November.

Under the non-good group, upward adjustments in the prices of kerosene and LPG raised the fuel, light and water index in the region by 2.3 percent from 0.2 percent.

The increase in the services index in the region was at 0.5 percent from 0.0 percent due to the continued price hikes in gasoline and diesel. Price gain in clothing index increased slightly by 0.1 percent from 0.0 percent while price increase in miscellaneous items slowed by 0.1 percent from 0.2 percent.

On the other hand, housing and repairs continued to record a zero percent growth. Overall rate of non-food group was registered at 0.6 percent from 0.1 percent.

With such rate in the price change of commodities in the region, the Bicol region’s purchasing power of the peso (PPP) in December 2009 remained at P0.61. Similarly, previous month’s PPP was maintained in Albay (P0.60), Camarines Norte (P0.60), Catanduanes (P0.56), Masbate (P0.61) and Sorsogon (P0.61). On the other hand, worth of peso declined b one centavo in Camarines Sur (P0.63 from P0.64). (NSO V/PIA)


(SPECIAL REPORT)
PGMA surpasses accomplishments of 3 predecessors in terms of infrastructure projects

MANILA –- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may have been receiving a seemingly unending criticisms, but these have never diminished the enthusiasm of the second woman to lead this country to perform better.

President Arroyo has actually surpassed the records of her three predecessors in terms of the infrastructure projects accomplished by her administration in nine years in an effort to deliver the development she promised in the rural areas throughout the country.

As of December last year, the Arroyo administration has already spent P97.3 billion for the construction of roads and bridges, farm-to-market roads (FMRs), school buildings, classrooms, flood control and irrigation systems, airports, seaports and fish ports.

Actually, more roads and bridges were built nationwide during President Arroyo’s term than in the past three administrations, promoting domestic and foreign tourism while reducing the cost of travel and stimulating investments and trade.

From 2001 to 2009, a total of 47,773 kilometers of road were constructed, surpassing the 34,327 kilometers of road built during the time of former Presidents Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada.

From 1986 to 2000, the three presidents built national bridges with a total of 274,747 lineal meters, but under President Arroyo’s term, the government has constructed 289,944 lineal meters of national bridges.

Farmers and traders have experienced more efficient transport of produce, thanks to the 17,517 kilometers of farm-to-market roads built for the last eight years that also lowered the prices of produce and provided more income for the farmers.

Traders from the various regions have enjoyed cheaper costs of transporting their goods with the construction and rehabilitation of the roll-on, roll-of (ROR0) ports. The RORO operation has also significantly increased local tourism as it connects the different provinces and islands of the archipelago.

The tourism industry also experienced a boom with the construction of three new airports. Under the present administration, three airports have also been upgraded, 71 others got major facelift, while five are still under construction, including the Caticlan International Airport in Aklan.

President Arroyo described the Caticlan airport as a dream come true since the P2.507-billion project will serve the local and foreign tourists going to Boracay Island, famous the world over for its white, powdery sand beach.

“I saw this as a challenge since not all tourists are rich and have the money to spend for frequent bus and ferry transfers,“ the President said during the recent lowering of the time capsule of the airport.

The President said she is happy that airport modernization and construction, “which is one of my State- of-the-Nation Address (SONA) promises, is about to make a positive impact on the lives of the people.”

The construction and completion of more infrastructure projects have not only improved the delivery of services but also boosted the administration’s bid to post the highest average gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.6 percent since 1966.

According to Albay Governor Joey Salceda, who is the presidential economic adviser, the GDP peak growth of 8.3 percent, which happened in the second quarter of 2007, was the highest in 30 years.

In an effort to provide better learning environment, the Arroyo administration has constructed more than 100,000 new classrooms, bringing the total to 323,684 as of last year.

The country's Region 1 composed of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and La Union provinces got the highest budget of P223 million for the construction of classrooms, followed by Bicol Region with P61 million, and Cordillera Administrative Region with P44 million.

The government has spent a total of P586.5 million for the construction of classrooms nationwide.

Before her term ends in June, the President is expected to inaugurate the much-awaited connection of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 North Extension from the Monumento Station in Caloocan City to Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 North Station near SM North EDSA in Quezon City.

With the completion of the North Extension project next month, the LRT ridership is expected to hit another new record high.

Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) Administrator Melquiades Robles said a total of 149.44 million passengers used the Baclaran-Monumento Line (Line 1) in 2009, beating the old record of 145.83 million passengers set in 1994.

Robles said the record-breaking feats were also achieved because of the LRTA’s Capacity Expansion Project (Phase II), which was completed in 2007, the acquisition of new trains as well as the speedy rehabilitation of all idled trains, some of which were inoperative for almost 15 years.

More infrastructure projects are expected to be built and completed this year and onward with the allocation of big budget for this purpose in the 2010 national budget approved by Congress.

Senate finance committee chairman Senator Edgardo Angara has said the P1.541-trillion national budget channels vital resources into the construction of major roads and bridges that will open up the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector across various provinces in the country, and create additional jobs for many Filipinos.

These include the Los Baños Interchange (P500 million), the Dinadiawan-Madela National Road in Quirino and Aurora provinces (P470 million), Pantabangan Bridge in Nueva Ecija (P502 million), the Butuan City Bypass Road (P185 million), the Allen-Malaga Road Section in Northern Samar (P500 million), Surigao-Davao Coastal Road (P728 million), Cebu North Coastal Road (P597 million), the Upgrading of Junction Sayre Highway in Valencia City, Bukidnon (P120 million) and the Sinsayon-Dabinan West Plaridel-Patul-Rosario-Caloocan (P200 million).

The Congress has also approved a P12-billion supplemental budget for reconstruction since last year’s typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng caused a total damage of P4.74 billion to infrastructure facilities. (PNA Release/PIA)


PGMA has the prerogative to appoint next SC Chief Justice -- Gonzalez

MANILA — Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Raul M. Gonzalez Sr. said on Monday
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can appoint the replacement or successor of Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Reynato Puno who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 on May 17, 2010.

"For me, the President (PGMA) has the prerogative to appoint the Chief Justice once Justice Puno retires," Gonzalez stressed.

The retirement of Puno comes a week after the scheduled May 10, 2010 presidential elections and 45 days before the end of President Arroyo's term on June 30.

"There are instances that the submission of a list of nominees is delayed due to certain requirements and processing," Gonzalez noted.
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), a constitutional body, submits its short list of nominees, at least three or four aspirants, to the Office of the President (OP) once vacancy exists in the Judiciary.

"President Arroyo can appoint, but the list of nominees cannot be made
in advance," Gonzalez pointed out. Likewise, the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel negated the statement of Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III that he will not recognize whoever President Arroyo will appoint as the next SC Chief Justice.

"Noynoy Aquino is very arrogant in this issue and presuming that he will be the next President," Gonzalez stressed.

Aquino has stated that once he is elected president, he will not recognize the appointment of the new SC Chief Justice by President Arroyo, adding that such appointment is covered by the "prohibitive period" such that the President cannot make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions, 60 days prior to the next succeeding presidential elections until his/her term expires.

"I don't think Noynoy knows the integrity of the Constitution," Gonzalez said. (PIA V Release)


NBDB again takes train passengers on a “poetic ride of their lives”

MANILA — The National Book Development Board (NBDB) in partnership with the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Vibal Foundation, Optical Media Board, and the Book Development Association of the Philippines formally launched the “Tulaan sa Tren 2” last Saturday, January 16 at the LRT Santolan Depot in Pasig City.

“Tulaan sa Tren 2” is a readership promotion campaign that aims to bring Philippine poetry closer to the general public.

National artist for literature Bienvenido Lumbera, the event’s guest speaker, stressed the need for the Filipino people to be aware of Philippine poetry. He said that Tulaan sa Tren is the easiest way that this can be achieved.

The Tulaan sa Tren 2 featured poems by the country’s best poets and the winning entries of the Tulaan sa Tren 2 Poetry Writing Contest, launched by the NBDB in 2009.

Featured alongside the works of revered Filipino poets like Lumbera, Rio Alma, Jose Lacaba, Marra Lanot, Marjorie Evasco, and Alfred Yuson were the winning entries by Joselito de los Reyes (1st Prize, Filipino category), Gexter Ocampo Lacambra (2nd Prize, Filipino category), Abdon Balde, Jr. (3rd Prize, Filipino category), Kristian Sendon Cordero (Runner-up, Filipino category), Danilo Diaz (Runner-up, Filipino category), Raymond Falgui (1st Prize, English category), Louella Santiago Suque (2nd Prize, English Category), and Raymund Reyes (3rd prize, English category). Mr. Lumbera and Italy’s Premio Feronia recipient Gemino Abad selected the winning poems.

The launching also witnessed the inaugural train ride from the Santolan Station to Recto Station where the poems were simultaneously read.

The affair showcased poems about travels and places, from moving house and leaving behind one’s childhood memories, to the OFW’s longing for his own country and family, the Filipino’s globalization experience, escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, and many more.

The poems also ranged from happy and nostalgic, to distressing and heart-breaking, so that even for just a few minutes, a train passenger would get a momentary break from the daily stress of every day commute. The featured poems are compiled in the book Off the Beaten Track, printed by Vibal Foundation.

Tulaan sa Tren was first launched in 2008 to bring Philippine poetry closer to the general public. Posters of poems are posted inside LRT trains, while the audio versions recorded by celebrities are played over the LRT’s public address system. (PIA V Release)


Usec. Ebarle thanks NBI, Police for Ivler’s arrest

MANILA — Presidential Chief of Staff Undersecretary Renato Ebarle Sr. on Monday thanked the law enforcement authorities for the successful arrest of road rage suspect Jason Ivler who is accused of shooting to death his son, Renato Jr. during a traffic altercation in Quezon City late last year.

“We thank the Philippine National Police (PNP), Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for the speedy solution of my son’s case. Mr. Ivler has disturbed a lot people,” Ebarle said in a telephone interview.

The elder Ebarle said Ivler and those involved in hiding him should be given a hold departure order including his step father, Stephen Pollard.

Undersecretary Ebarle noted Ivler's mother even told police that she received an e-mail from her son, saying that he was already in the United States.

The elder Ebarle said charges should be filed against the house staff of the Ivler home as well as Ivler's father, Asian Development Bank official Stephen Pollard, for harboring a known criminal.

The Palace official thanked law enforcers for not letting up on the case and for finally arresting Ivler. "It's good that he was finally arrested because he could hurt a lot more people," he said.

"Today, January 18, is the 60th day since my son was killed. He was killed on November 18. This is my only son. It's been very hard for us but this morning, our prayers were answered," he added.

Ivler, the suspect in the killing of the son of a Malacañang official, was finally arrested Monday morning by NBI operatives after a gunfight that injured an agent and allegedly, the suspect himself in Quezon City.

Initial reports showed that at 7:35 am NBI agents arrested Ivler, who was allegedly hiding inside his room located at the basement of their residence in No. 23 Hillside Drive in Blue Ridge A Subdivision in Libis, QC.

The NBI agents arrived at the suspect’s residence at around 6 a.m. Monday. Before the arrest, NBI agents were posted around the residence of Marlene Aguilar, after receiving a tip-off that Ivler had been "hiding" in the said mansion for several weeks now.

Using two ladders, several operatives went over the gate of the Aguilar residence and searched the entire house. They were greeted by the protestations of Aguilar, who earlier claimed that she was not aware of the whereabouts of her son.

A wet towel, which was seemingly dumped hurriedly at the basement floor, however, tipped NBI agents further that "someone" was inside one of the basement rooms.

NBI agents converged at the area. When agents were about to arrest Ivler, the latter allegedly open fired at the arresting team, hitting Special Investigator (SI) Anna Labao in the right leg.

Ivler, while being whisked out of the mansion, also seemed to have been hit. NBI lawyers were present during the NBI operation.

Ivler was implicated in the killing of Renato Ebarle Jr., who was gunned along Boni Serrano in Barangay Socorro, Quezon City, after figuring in a traffic altercation on November 18, 2009. Ivler was rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) after sustaining gunshot wounds to the right shoulder and left upper abdomen.

Dr. Fernando Lopez, chief of the QMMC Surgery department, said in a telephone interview Ivler's vital signs have already stabilized although he would have to undergo surgery to remove his spleen.

"The patient has been stabilized and his vital signs are OK at the moment. He's currently under general anesthesia. The bullet went through his abdomen and pierced his large intestine," he said.

Ivler’s name was already on the Interpol Red Notice List since his warrant of arrest was released in the Philippines on December 23, 2009.

Malacañang also offered a P1-million reward for any information that would lead to Ivler’s arrest.

Ivler, an American citizen, is the stepson of an Asian Bank economist. He faced a criminal case in 2004 which accused him of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
He was involved in a deadly car accident that killed presidential adviser Nestor Ponce Jr. in August 2004.

Road rage suspect Jason Ivler was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before dawn Monday at his family residence in Blue Ridge, Quezon City. (PIA V Release)


LPA to bring rains over southern Philippines

MANILA — The state weather bureau warned of possible landslides and flashfloods triggered by continuing rains over southern Philippines due to a low pressure area spotted near southern Mindanao, the weather bureau said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the weather disturbance was located at 230 kms West of Southern Mindanao.

"Occasional to frequent rains over Visayas and Mindanao can be expected, particularly over the Central and Eastern sections which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," it said.

"Residents along the flood and landslide prone areas are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures," Pagasa added.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered light rains.

The northeast monsoon is still affecting eastern seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which may cause rough seas.

Pagasa also warned operators of small fishing boats or sea crafts against strong to gale force wind which is expected to affect the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas and Eastern Mindanao while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. (PIA V Release)