PHILHEALTH ASSURES LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP,
INSURANCE COVERAGE TO ELDERY

SORSOGON PROVINCE (February 11) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has assured the elderly that they will be lifetime members of the agency endowed with the same health insurance and medical benefits they enjoyed in the past.

Dr. Veronica T. Mateum, PhilHealth Bicol officer-in-charge, explained that lifetime coverage is granted to the members who have reached the age of sixty (60) and have paid at least 120 months premium to the program (including those made during the former Medicare Program).

Mateum added that these are elderly who retired or were separated from employment, individually paying members and Social Security System (SSS) members including those permanent total disability and survivorship pensioners before March 4, 1995

She elaborated that old-age members of PhilHealth can still avail of inpatient care benefits, outpatient coverage and special packages.

“During the member’s retirement years, PhilHealth will provide them financial protection necessary in maintaining their health, either here or abroad, without further paying their premium contributions,” she stressed.

PhilHealth also maintains that as lifetime members, they are also entitled to the full benefits together with their qualified dependents.

To avail of the lifetime membership, old-age members are to submit certified true copies of any of the following documents:

• Duly accomplished M1c Form (in duplicate copies)
• Two (2) latest 1" x 1" ID picture
• Certified True Copy (CTC) of the SSS or GSIS Retirement Certification and any pertinent data that Philhealth will require

Following the submission, members will be issued of his/her PhilHealth Lifetime Member Card which is a valid ID to be used in all PhilHealth transactions.

“Should there be discrepancies or any concerns pertaining to lifetime membership and benefits availment, qualified members or trusted relatives may visit the nearest PhilHealth Office in their area,” Mateum related. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

SORSOGON ARTS COUNCIL REORGANIZED

SORSOGON CITY — The reorganization of the Sorsogon Arts Council (SAC) has re-affirmed and strengthened its role as advocate for indigenous, regional and Filipino artistic talents and the enhancement, development and promotion of Filipino culture, thus remarked long-time members of the local arts council.

SAC Ad-hoc member Joseph Perez said that the reorganization is necessary and urgent to sustain the initiatives and accomplishments that the council pursued in the past 20 years under our founding chairman, Reynaldo “Tootsie” Jamoralin including the redefinition of our future plans and objectives.

Founding member Isable Gile, on the other hand, said that the local arts council, known for being Sorsogon’s vanguard for culture and the arts, is presently in the process of reconstructing its roster of membership, retrieving old records, renewing registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and linkages with Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and finally, establishing an office.

Another founding member, July Mendoza, is leading the efforts in communicating with the past members and possible new members for the added SAC general assembly and 20th foundation anniversary on February 26, 2010 at the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center here, coinciding with the celebration of the National Arts Month.

“Previous members and interested persons are very much welcomed to contact me at cp# 09298577417 or through my email alma_angela.gamil@yahoo.com for details,” SAC Secretary Jane Gamil said. (JJJPerez, SAC-Sorsogon/PIA)

SAC JOINS OBSERVANCE OF NATIONAL ARTS MONTH

SORSOGON CITY — One with the entire nation, the Sorsogon Arts Council (SAC) is lining up various activities in observance of the National Arts Month this February.

The council’s ad-hoc committee/convenor’s group will conduct a series of radio and TV guestings/interviews at the local radio and TV stations here to air updates regarding the council and the local arts scene in the province of Sorsogon, including issuance of press releases.

SAC will cap the celebration with the 20th anniversary program and general assembly slated in the afternoon of February 26, 2010 at the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center, Provincial Capitol Compound, here.

During the program and general assembly, the Community-based Theater Group (CBTG)-Bukawel Performing Arts, a member organization under the umbrella of SAC will fete the local artists, art patrons, local government officials and visitors with short performances and excerpts of some of the plays written by SAC founding chairman Reynaldo “Tootsie” Jamoralin as the highlight of the affair as disclosed by Ms. Becky Razo.

“We are expecting the participation of all local artists representing the different artistic fields/disciplines to assess and evaluate our work during the past 20 years and plan out programs, projects and activities for the next decades in our new millennium,” Jane Gamil, incumbent secretary of SAC said.

The SAC has been at the forefront of advocating and promoting Sorsoganon, Bicolano and Filipino Arts and Culture in the province of Sorsogon since the late 1980s.

It has established partnerships with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and local organizations such as the Kasanggayahan Foundation, Inc., the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Council, and the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center, Incorporated which the SAC is a member organization. (JJJPerez, SAC-Sorsogon/PIA)

TESDA BICOL SHOWCASES CULINARY ARTS FOR
BICOL ARTS FESTIVAL 2010

LEGAZPI CITY – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Bicol joins the celebration of the National Arts Month this February bringing out the region’s best of culinary arts.

The culinary arts exhibit of innovation in native cuisine or dishes is held in connection to the month-long celebration of the arts month and Bicol Arts Festival 2010, hosted by the city government here, with the theme “Ang Kabikolan Mayaman sa Arte at Kultura”.

The culinary arts features 11 TESDA accredited schools from the six provinces in Bicol region.

Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marines Sciences showcased Sauid specialty; Masbate School of Fisheries with its cheese cakes; Bulusan National Vocational and Technical School prepared bungkang na patis; Sorsogon National Agricultural School cooked cassava roll with buklog; Cabugao School of Handicraft and Cottage Industries and San Francisco Institute of Science and Technology of Malilipot, Albay prided their food for the gods or linutuang balat ng baka, respectively; La Consolacion Collegein Daet, Camarines Norte offered pili-pina cake; Universidad de Sta. Isabel of Naga City with duck meat-corn meal or stick rice/kalamay with caramel sauce; and Philippine Women’s University of Daet with the masira-mun/bangus.

The event was also participated in by TESDA provincial directors Al Aryola of Camarines Sur, Hedy Marin of Camarines Norte and Rudy Benemerito of TESDA Sorsgoon.

After cooking presentation specialties were distributed for the audiences for free.
(MNMagdasoc, BUCAL/PIA)

DOST-TRC TO HOST TEKNOBIZ IDEA CHALLENGE

LEGAZPI CITY – The Technology Resource Center (TRC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) invites college students of public and private institutions to join the Teknobiz Idea Challenge on February 24.

Tomas Briñas, DOST Bicol regional director, said this youth business idea contest is designed to enhance and further hone their creativity and entrepreneurial skills and become successful techno-preneurs.

Participants can submit their technology-based business idea from December 2009 to January 2010.

The students who will join must be a bonafide student of a CHED-accredited educational institution during their submission and must comply will all entry requirements.

Students can form a team, maximum of five members and the team members must be enrolled in the same school and should form part only of one team.

Final judging of this competition is on February 23 and the awarding ceremonies will be on February 24.

Criteria for judging will be based on innovativeness, market potential, and feasibility which is 25 percent; social impact, 15 percent; and environmental friendly, 2 percent.

Briñas said that this DOST-TRC Teknobiz Idea Challenge: Merging Business Technology is a great opportunity for enterprising Bicolano college students who have excellent achievements in business and technology to participate in this youth competition. (JRegulacion, BUCAL/PIA)

5,000 ASPIRING TEACHERS IN BICOL
BRACE FOR LICENSURE EXAM SET APRIL 18

LEGAZPI CITY – At least 5,000 examinees from Bicol region will take the first batch of Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) board exam tomorrow (April 18), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said yesterday.

Elenita Tan, PRC officer-in-charge, said the deadline for filing the application form for the first batch of 2010 LET exam for both public and private elementary and secondary levels ended last February 10.

“The application forms are free and can be filed at PRC Legazpi and the LET examination fee will cost P900,” she said.

The applicants are advised to bring duly accomplished Teachers Application Form (TAF), Permanent Examination and Registration Card (PERC), Transcript of Records, Diploma, National Statistics Office (NSO) birth certificate, three identical passport size pictures, two pieces PRC mailing envelop with three postage stamps card, Community Tax Certificate (cedula).

Meanwhile, start of filing of application form for the second examination will be
from June 1 until July 16. The date of exam is scheduled on September 16. (JRegulacion, BUCAL/PIA)

PALACE URGES MORE WATER CONSERVATION
MANILA — Malacanang is calling for more water conservation efforts nationwide.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar said these efforts, particularly in urban areas, will help ensure continuing availability of water for irrigation.

"We must conserve so there's still water left for our farmers," he said.

The Palace made this appeal as the onslaught of El Nino beginning late last year raised concerns about shortage of water for agricultural and non-agricultural use.

Authorities expect the dry spell from El Nino to last until around mid-2010.

Experts say an El Nino episode occurs when there is unusual warming of sea surface temperature along the equatorial Pacific belt.

El Nino-affected areas experience dry spells from below-average rainfall there.
The National Irrigation Administration confirmed that the dry spell already caused water elevation in dams and rivers nationwide to dip about halfway from its normal level, threatening irrigation of agricultural areas.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Bernie Fondevillas reported that corn and rice damage from the dry spell already amounted to over PhP1 billion.

"The biggest damage is in the north," he said.

With this, Olivar said the government re-activated its El Nino Commission, with DA Secretary Arthur Yap as its head, to address agricultural problems arising from the prevailing dry spell.

Repair of small wells is also in progress so farmers can have additional sources of water for irrigation, Olivar said.

He noted cloud seeding is another measure to address this problem, although this could not be implemented always as there are no clouds to seed sometimes.

To help ensure irrigation amidst EL Nino's onslaught, the DA ordered scheduling of water use in farming communities.

It also reported setting aside nearly P570 million for measures aimed at helping mitigate El Nino's impact on rice production this year.

Fondevilla said this amount is part of the P1.7 billion fund the DA will realign under its regular budget for 2010 so the agency can carry out measures that will reduce the expected agricultural production loss from the drought. (PIA V Release)


NFA AND SRA RELEASE GUIDELINES ON SUGAR IMPORTATION

MANILA — Administrators Jessup P. Navarro of National Food Authority (NFA) and Rafael L. Coscolluela of Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) have released the guidelines for the importation of 150,000 metric tons of refined sugar.

The guidelines contain the mechanics of importation, eligibility rules for participants or importers, allocations per sugar end-user sector and arrival deadlines. The guidelines also provide for a protection mechanism for producers as well as consumers.

The Notice of Bidding was published by NFA on February 11, 2010 in a leading newspaper (Philippine Star) announcing that the pre-bid conference will be held on February 16 and the bidding on February 23, 2010.

The arrival period of the first tranche of imported sugar equivalent to 60,000 metric tons is scheduled to arrive not later than May 15 and the second tranche equivalent to 90,000 metric tons not later than July 31.

While the government allows the importation in its bid to stabilize the domestic price of sugar, curtail speculations and provide sufficient buffer stock at the end of the cropping season, Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap and Administrators Coscolluela and Navarro have assured that the country’s local producers and farmers would not be disadvantaged by the importation.

The program is expected to keep retail prices of refined sugar within the P 50.00 to P 52.00 per kilo level, and millgate buying prices between P 1,700 – P1,800 per 50-kilo bag of raw sugar.

In a cabinet meeting held last February 9, 2010 at the Talipapa Barangay Hall in Novaliches, Administrator Coscolluela raised the producers’ concern that during times of low sugar prices and high cost of farm inputs, the sugar industry is left on its own. Now that high prices allow them to recover from two years of difficulty, they are dismayed to hear that government wants to force prices down.

Some cabinet members, however, stressed their concern for the need to protect the consuming public from profiteers. The importation, they opined, would help balance the interest of both sectors.

The President then instructed Secretary Yap and NFA to fast-track the program that would help address the concerns raised. (DA/PIA V Release)

NFA SETS BIDDING FOR PERFORMANCE BOND TO IMPORT SUGAR

MANILA — The National Food Authority is inviting all interested sugar traders and end-users for today’s (Feb. 16, 2010) pre-bidding of the performance bond for the importation of 60,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar.

This volume will be the first in the two tranches of the 150,000 MT private sector-financed sugar importation following the government approval to import the commodity using the tax expenditure subsidy of the NFA as provided under Executive Order 857 issued on January 29, 2010.

The second tranche of the importation totaling 90,000 MT will be done through the sugar industry’s export replacement scheme.

EO 857 authorized the NFA to intervene in the sugar market to soften or stabilize the domestic price of sugar and price of the commodity. This is one of the mitigating actions the government has implemented to ease the present tightness in the domestic sugar supply.

Earlier this month, the NFA also started to sell refined sugar through the Institutionalized Bigasan Sa Palengke (IBSP) at a subsidized price of P48 per kilogram.

Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) subsidized the balance differential to make the commodity more affordable to consumers.

Under the guidelines issued for sugar importation, only those traders and end-users accredited by the Sugar Regulatory Administration and registered with the SRA in the crop year 2009-2010 will be eligible to participate in the bidding.

For the first tranche, bidding shall be made on a per lot basis. Lot number I totaling 20,000 MT is allocated for industrial users, lot number 2 totaling 6,000 MT for food processors-exporter s, lot number 3 with 12,000 MT for institutions and lot number 4 with a volume of 22,000 MT allotted for repackers-retailers .

All interested accredited sugar traders and end users can participate in the bidding of one or all the lots.

The final bidding for the first tranche of the sugar imports will be on February 23 with the commodity scheduled to arrive by May 15. For the 2nd tranche, expected arrival will be up to July 31 this year.

The bidding will be held at ten in the morning at the Social Hall of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Philippine Sugar Center Bldg., North Avenue in Diliman Quezon City.

For more information on the story, the public may send their inquiries via Text NFA program through mobile number 09176210927. (NFA/PIA V Release)

PGMA signs EVAT exemption for senior citizens

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Tuesday (February 16) into law the bill exempting the country’s estimated 4.6 million senior citizens from paying the 12 percent expanded value added tax (EVAT) on basic purchases and other essential goods and services.

This was announced today by Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar.
Called the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act 9994), the new law enables senior citizens to enjoy fully the 20-percent discount on consumer goods and services provided under a 2003 legislation known as RA 7342, otherwise known as “An Act to Maximize the Contributions of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges, and for Other Purposes.”

The EVAT exemption for the senior citizens, or those who are 60 years old and above, applies to purchases of 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 Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In case of death of an indigent senior citizen, the amount of P2,000 will 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 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 between P10,000 and P50,000, or imprisonment of at least one month but not more than six months.

Administration congressmen led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, one of the bill’s sponsors, described the measure as a significant legislation that will form part of President Arroyo’s legacy to the Filipino people after she bows out of office in June.

Rep. Reynaldo Uy (Samar), and Rep. Eduardo Zialcita (Parañaque) and Sen. Pia Cayetano, principal sponsors of the bill in the House and in the Senate, hailed the measure as a tangible recognition of the role senior citizens play in Philippine society.

Cayetano explained that the senior citizen’s discount under the original law passed in 2003, had effectively translated to only eight percent since seniors were also required to pay the 12-percent EVAT in their purchase of medicines, good and services. (PIA V Release)

12,846 WW II VETERANS RECEIVE P7.2-B BENEFITS FROM USDVA

MANILA — At the close on Tuesday of claims applications for one-time benefits for living World War II veterans, 12,846 were approved and paid a total of more than P7.2 billion by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) in Manila, according to the U.S. embassy.

February 16, 2010 was the final day for such veterans to apply for one-time benefits created by the 2009 Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Between February 17, 2009 and February 16, 2010, USDVA held 22 outreach events in partnership with Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) offices around the Philippines.

In addition, USDVA-Manila Director Jon Skelly and his staff appeared in dozens of TV and radio interviews to explain the benefit and the process, and to remind veterans of the application deadline of February 16, 2010. The USDVA even accommodated applications on February 15, even though it was a U.S. legal holiday.

Skelly thanked the Philippine news media and the PVAO in helping get out the word about the benefits claims. “Thanks to the Philippine news media and our partners at the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, we were able to get the word out about the benefit to veterans living all over the Philippines and in the United States,” said Skelly in a statement to media.

“We had thousands of applicants on the final two days at our office and at PVAO, so we really did get the word out,” he pointed out.

To date, of some 40,000 applications received, around 7,000 have been duplicate applications, and 14,500 cases remain pending, the embassy clarified. Those cases will be adjudicated without delay, so that qualified veterans will get their benefit as quickly as possible, according to the USDVA. The USDVA-Manila staff includes 222 Filipino employees, working hard every day to serve these honored veterans.

USDVA also said that veterans who have already applied for this one-time benefit will receive an acknowledgement receipt from USDVA. There is no need to obtain additional military service information unless requested by the USDVA.

“We continue to pay around million monthly in previous and continuing benefits to Filipino veterans and their family members,” Skelly further said. “My staff will gladly review records of individual Filipino WW II veterans or their survivors because we want to make sure these heroes are receiving all benefits to which they are entitled.” (PIA V Release)

NGCP SAYS POWER SUPPLY IN LUZON GRID STABLE‏

MANILA — The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) on Wednesday said power supply in the Luzon grid is now stable after the 620 Limay combined cycle plant has been put online today.

The NGCP said Limay as of 1 p.m. started running at 240 megawatt (MW) and is expected to increase its capacity at 360MW within the day.

”The Luzon grid has stabilized and is under normal status as of February 17,” the NGCP said in a statement.

NGCP, the country’s operator of transmission highway, also ruled out any uninterrupted power supply until June 2010.

Based on the power update of the NGCP, Luzon grid has a reserve of 929MW after its available capacity was placed at 7,565MW and peak demand hit 6,636MW.

Aside from coming on stream off Limay plant, the NGCP said Kalayaan, Binga and Casecnan added in the increased capacity of the Luzon grid.

Kalayaan from 360MW last Monday has increased its production to 540MW, Binga from zero capacity to 20MW and Casecnan from zero to 75MW capacity today.

The NGCP also reported that they expect maintenance shutdown of four plants to be completed before the end of this month and early next month.

Among the plants that are under maintenance shutdown includes Binga 1 hydro plant; Bacman 4, Sta. Rita Gas 1, Sta. Rita Gas 3, Ilijan A1, Ilijan A2, Ilijan A3 and Makban 7.

In Luzon, the continued maintenance shutdown of Malampaya SPEX until March 11, 2010 has limited the supply of natural gas to Sta. Rita plant which has already shut down two of its gas turbines for the said annual preventive maintenance.

Meanwhile, the NGCP said Visayas and Mindanao grid will continue to suffer rotating brownouts.

Visayas has an available capacity of 1,098MW as against peak demand of 1,199MW or a shortfall of 101MW.

Mindanao, on the other hand, has higher power shortage of 159MW after its available capacity was placed at 1,021MW as compared to its peak demand of 1,180MW.

As the System Operator, NGCP’s main responsibilities are to transmit high-voltage power from generators to distributors and to operate the power system in accordance with the Philippine Grid Code. The NGCP does not own nor operate and maintain any power generation and distribution facilities.

The shutdown of power plants, the increase in power demand among customers, and the dry weather of the El Niño have been limiting the available capacity or supply in the power system.

In Visayas and Mindanao, electricity supply generated from power plants continues to be low and may not be enough to meet the demand of power grid users.

Because of the lean power reserves, the system may be forced to implement load curtailment among Visayas and Mindanao grid users to ration the available power and to ensure the reliability and stability of the entire transmission network.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes warned last week that the metropolis will suffer one hour rotating brownouts after Limay plant failed to go online while the Malaya plant runs low on its rated capacity. (PIA V Release)