SORSOGON BAY NOW FREE FROM RED TIDE TOXIN

SORSOGON PROVINCE (March 24) — For more than three years now, shellfish enthusiasts famished from consumption of different kind of shellfish particularly of green mussel (locally known as tahong) harvested from Sorsogon Bay, but has now a reason to party following result that the bay is finally free from the deadly red tide toxin.

Latest laboratory results of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Local Government Units (LGUs) in its Shellfish Bulletin No. 06 dated March 17, 2010, says shellfish collected at Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon City, this province, is now free from the toxic red tide.

Gil A. Adora, officer-in-charge of BFAR laboratory in Diliman Quezon City said that with the negative results obtained from the water and shellfish meat samples at Mandaon and Milagros waters in Masbate, Juag Lagoon in Matnog, Sorsogon, which was declared negative of harmful algal bloom or red tide in February this year, and now, Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon City, coastal waters of Bicol region is generally safe from the noxious red tide toxin.

He, however, despite of the declaration, reminded the public to remain on guard advising them to buy only fresh marine products and wash (them) thoroughly, removing internal organs before cooking.

“Particularly that the country is currently suffering from El Niño phenomenon, there is a high possibility of re-occurrence of harmful algal bloom or red tide to previously contaminated coastal waters, so the public has to take necessary precautions and be kept updated of the latest results of BFAR’s regular monitoring activities,” he added.

Significantly, coastal waters in some 19 provinces in the country are free from said toxin. However, shellfish collected at Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur and Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental are still positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit.

“Furthermore, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar is now positive for red tide toxin,” says BFAR Bulletin.

Meanwhile, with the lifting of shellfish ban in Sorsogon Bay, locals here expect a remarkable recovery of shellfish industry which was hurt for quite a long time now displacing thousands of populace dependent on the industry and impairing economic growth of five towns surrounding Sorsogon Bay. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

NEW ARMY CHIEF VISITS ARMY HEADQUARTERS IN BICOL

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur (March 24) – Newly installed Army Chief, Lieutenant General Reynaldo Mapagu has visited Thursday (March 18) 9th Infantry Division headquarters of the Philippine Army and led the awarding of medals for the heroic fete of soldiers.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, 9ID spokesman, said that 16 soldiers who scored against NPA rebels in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Catanduanes were conferred of the medals for bravery.

Among the awardees is Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Basco, commander of the 83rd Infantry Battalion, who confiscated eight high powered firearms in two separate encounters this year.

Basco’s unit also confiscated over 600 color-coded permit-to-campaign cards distributed by NPA extortionists in the island province of Catanduanes. For his heroic feat, Basco awarded the Bronze Cross Medal.

Major General Ruperto Pabustan, commander of the 9ID, averred that the internal security operations (ISO) campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is gaining more grounds in Bicol Region following the successful campaigns against insurgents in the area, said.

“As of today, we have recovered 34 high-powered firearms and 16 low powered firearms,” he noted.

Enemy strength is significantly reduced with the killing of four NPA rebels and the capture of two others. As of December 2009, the NPA strength was reduced by 120 from its original strength of 520 in CY 2008.

9ID is the first field unit visited by General Mapagu after his assumption of command on March 12, 2010. As part of his visit, he also led the inauguration of the Army Store which will cater the issuance of combat uniforms and other supplies for the operating troops.

Bicol Region is one of the national priority areas in the AFP’s ISO campaign nationwide. (Maj. HMCabunoc, PAO 9ID PA/PIA)

300 EXAMINEES TO TAKE CSE-PPT ON APRIL 25

LEGAZPI CITY (March 24) — At least 300 examinees around the region will take the first batch of Career Service Examination – Paper and Pencil Test (CSE-PPT) this year for the Professional and Sub-Professional levels on April 25.

Buddy Villaroza, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Assistant Regional Director, said the examination will be held in different testing centers.

He said here the venue of the exam is in Divine Word College, Divine Word High School Department, Marines Polytechnic College Foundation and in Pag-Asa National High School; while in Camarines Sur will be held in Camarines Sur National High School.

“The examinees should familiarize the place they will be assigned to take the exam, current events, and should have basic in Mathematics,” Villaroza said.

He said that examinees should not concentrate on difficult question when taking the exam because he is allowed to go back if there is time.

“To pass the test, the examinees should get a rating of at least 80%,” Cecilia Nieto, CSC Bicol regional director, said.

Meanwhile, start of filing of application form for the second examination will be on October 10. The date of the exam is scheduled on November 15. (JORegulacin, BUCAL/PIA)

BSP TO OPEN NEW BUILDING IN LEGAZPI

LEGAZPI CITY (March 24) – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) here is fast tracking the completion and expected to open this year of its new office building along Rizal St. in Albay District, this city to have a bigger Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC), an official of the agency reported.

Marlyn Paje, BSP Bicol acting deputy director, said that the construction of the new building is financed by the central office with P270 million and is expected to be done this March if there will be no problem or conflict that will disrupt the construction works.

She added that once everything is done, BSP will have a bigger building that will cater to its clientele.

Paje pointed out that once it is opened, BSP will admit students and interested groups and individuals who are willing to tour EFLC and be familiar more about the pillars of central banking, and BSP itself.

The public economic and financial information of BSP can be found in EFLC. Moreover, it contains of mini-museum, library, interactive section and conference rooms.

According to her, aside from the learning center, BSP’s new office will also have larger cash operations division, administration division, security section, and financial service section.
(GARosales, BUCAL/PIA)

VOTERS’ EDUCATION DRIVE HELD IN DARAGA

LEGAZPI CITY (March 24) – To help enhance voters’ awareness in the electoral process, the Bicol University (BU) Graduate School of Public Administration (PA), in coordination with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), conducted over the weekend a voters’ education in Barangay Alobo, Daraga, Albay

Alobo is one of the adopted barangays and pilot area of BU.

Spearheaded by students of the College of Business, Economics and Management and PA Graduate students, led by its Professor Dr. Rosemarie Frias, the campaign program was held at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Barangay Alobo, Daraga Albay.

The campaign aims to inform voters in the first poll automation in the country and ultimately encourage them to exercise their right to suffrage.

It was followed by a forum on values formation with speakers Atty Jasmin Cecilia Banzuela, COMELEC officer, Legazpi City, Mr. Norly P. Reyes, College of Law, Bicol College and Brigadier General Marlou Salazar AFP, Commander 901st Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

Topics on what the voters will do during the election day, familiarization on how to fill up ballots, voters profile, clustered precincts were the highlights of the voters’ information drive. The AFP, on the other hand, explained on its role in maintaining peace and order, especially in the upcoming elections.

The whole-day event was attended by 58 participants, including barangay officials, headed by Bgy Chairman Dexter Marmol, Philippine Army troops in the area, residents of Bgy Alobo, Daraga, Kusog, Kontra, Komunismo (KKK), a non-government organization against insurgency and other local media practitioners. (Capt. ALSaturnino, PA/PIA)

AFP JOINS WALK FOR HOPE TOWARDS CLEAN 2010 POLLS

LEGAZPI CITY (March 24) – In quest for clean and peaceful national and local elections, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with other government and private organizations in Bicol has joined in a Walk for Hope in Camarines Norte last March 20, 2010.

Dubbed as “Lakad sa Pagkakaisa Para sa Halalan 2010” (A Walk towards Unity in the 2010 Elections), at least 300 participants from the council of the laity, COMELEC V, LGU Daet, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), TAU GAMMA , KAAGAPAY, Kabalikat CIVICOM, PNP Cam Norte and other religious and student groups marched from Plaza Mall, Camarines Norte to Gov. Panotes Avenue, Daet, with their aim to uphold agreement among local candidates in the said province.

Led by Colonel Danilo Torralba (GSC) PA, Commander of the 902nd Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, the activity was part of the AFP’s pursuit of Honest Orderly and Peaceful Elections (HOPE), as they beef-up on national security for the first poll automation in the country, which will be on May 10, 2010. (Capt. ALSaturnino, PA/PIA)

DA TAKES STEPS TO KEEP MEAT, MILK, EGGS, AND FISH
FREE FROM VETERINARY DRUG RESIDUES

MANILA (March 24) — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has put in place measures to ensure that the meat, milk , eggs and fish intended for human consumption are free from the presence of residues of banned veterinary drugs, antibiotics, and other restricted drugs which may cause hazardous effects to humans that may lead to cancer, allergies, anaphylactic shock, drug resistance, cardiac symptoms, difficulty in breathing and other commulative effects.

In the interest of the services and to further promote public health through food safety, the Philippines has streghthened its Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program through the DA Administrative Order (AO) No. 14 series of 2006: Implementation of the National Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program and Creation of the Inter-Agency Committee.

In a report to DA Secretary Bernie Fondevilla, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Davinio Catbagan said DA-A.O. No. 24 Series of 2009: The Implementing Guidelines on the National Drug Residues Control Program in Foods Pursuant to A.O. No. 24 Series of 2006 has been approved by Secretary Arthur C. Yap on the 3rdday of November, 2009. The program is currently implemented by the BAI, National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the National Dairy Authority (NDA). These said DA agencies are now continuously enforcing their respective strenghtened activities on drug residue control program.

There are Administrative Orders issued by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health on the banning of the following Veterinary Drugs. To wit;

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER SUBJECT DATE OF ISSUANCE

DA-A.O. No 60 Series of 1990 and DOH A.O No. 91 Series of 1990
Declaring a Ban on the Use of Chloramphenicol in Food Producing Animals
April 30, 1990

DA-AO No. 1 Series of 2000 and DOH-AO No. 4-A, series of 2000
Banning and withdrawal of Olaquindox and Carbadox from the Market
January 11, 2000

Joint Administrative Order of DA-DOH No. 2 Series of 2000
Declaring a ban / Phase-Out of the use of Nitrofurans in Food-Producing Animals
August 17, 2000

DA-AO No. 14 Series of 2003
Ban on the Use in Food Animals of Beta-Agonist Drugs in Human as Bronchodilators and Tocolytics and Tocolytic Agents
May 12, 2003

BAI continuously undertakes the monitoring and surveillance of animal feeds and veterinary drugs and products among the manufacturers, importers, distributors, and outlets for the presence of banned veterinary drugs and compliance to the Republic Act (RA) 1556 otherwise known as the “Livestock and poultry Feeds Act”, and the RA 3720 (Foods, Drugs, Devices and Cosmetics Act), RA 6675 (Generics Act of 1988) and other relevant laws.

It had collected feed samples for laboratory analysis from the accredited piggery farms in Mindanao for export purposes and the results of which were found to be negative of banned veterinary drugs.

The safety and quality of food is a matter of concern for everyone and everywhere. The responsibility for drug residue control and prevention cannot lie solely within the government agency, rather the responsibility must be shared by the government, producers, veterinarians, teachers, academicians, marketing associations and all of us who must strive to produce both healthy and drug residue-free animals to have healthy animals and safe food for everyone. (DA-BAI/PIA)

NEW DA CHIEF VOWS TO SUSTAIN PROGRAMS FOR HOG INDUSTRY EXPANSION

MANILA (March 24) — Newly appointed Secretary Bernie Fondevilla of the Department of Agriculture has assured the hog industry that the DA will continue the programs initiated by his predecessor to help the sector sustain its rebound last year, including the implementation of big-ticket projects like a modern slaughterhouse and an egg processing center.

Fondevilla said that just like former DA Secretary Arthur Yap, the country’s hog raisers can count on their open line of communication to him to urgently address pressing concerns that could plague the industry.

“We would like to assure our hog raisers that the programs that our Secretary Yap has started will continue to be pursued,” Fondevilla said at the recent 19th National Convention of Hog Raisers held in Tagaytay City. “Among the projects lined up are the constructions of a Triple A slaughterhouse in Marulas and an egg processing plant.”

Fondevilla was referring to the modern slaughterhouse that the DA will help build BAI compound in Marulas, Valenzuela 50 heads per hour capacity and the 900 square-meter (floor area) egg processing center in San Jose, Batangas that will be operated by the private sector.

Also present at the Tagaytay event were Yap , Bureau of Animal Industry Director Davinio Catbagan, and other BAI officials.

On Catbagan’s watch, total livestock and poultry industry sub-sector has consistently contributed 26%-28% to the whole agriculture output production increased by 1.49% in 2009 compared to 2008, which is no mean feat given the bureau’s tasks in keeping the Philippines free of the dreaded avian influenza (AI) or bird flu virus, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other threats to the animal industry.

In 2009, livestock production increased by 1.20% while poultry output increased by 1.82%. For broiler production, supply is projected to be higher that the demand in the first semester of 2010.

BAI also efficiently marshaled its resources to prevail over the huge difficulties of two El Niño episodes; the series of powerful tropical cyclones; and the reemergence of diseases such as the Ebola Reston Virus.

It has successfully kept the Philippines bird flu-free, which has allowed the Philippines to export poultry meat and poultry products to Japan, Hong Kong and the Middle East; as well as breeder chicks to Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Nepal and the Middle East.

The BAI also maintained the internationally recognized freedom of Mindanao, Visayas, Palawan and Masbate from the FMD since 2001 and 2002 respectively, and the looming declaration of Luzon recorded a zero incidence from FMD for the last 51 months by the Office Internationale des Epizooties (OIE) or World Organization for Animal Health, which will add to the country’s attractiveness as a reliable source of high-quality livestock products, notably for the global Halal market that the DA is trying to develop.

It was also able to:

1) eliminate non-effective imported drugs and biologics from the local market through field-testing and validation;

2) develop technologies on the production of local diagnostic antigens as alternative to expensive imported antigens;

3) implement a successful disease monitoring and surveillance system resulting in the non-entry of exotic animal diseases into the country;

4) develop and standardize practical diagnostic tests and protocols for the prompt and accurate diagnosis of disease outbreaks;

5) formulate and validate several cost effective control measures against several parasitic disease problems; and

6) transfer diagnostic technologies to upgrade the capabilities of the DA-Regional Diagnostic Laboratories. (DA/PIA)

ARROYO-FORMED BODY MOVES DECISIVELY VS. PRIVATE ARMIES

MANILA (March 24) — The Independent Commission Against Private Armies (ICAPA), the Presidential body created by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to look into the existence of partisan armed groups in the country, has directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police(PNP) to step up efforts to dismantle these groups to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections in May.

The directives were contained in two resolutions the ICAPA forwarded to the AFP and PNP through their representatives in simple ceremonies held Wednesday (March 24) at the Conference Room of the Mabini Hall in Malacañang .

ICAPA Chair Monina Zenarosa, retired associate justice of the Court of Appeals, presented ICAPA Resolutions No. 001-10 and 002-10 to Colonel Ricardo Nepomuceno of the Operations Division of the AFP and Chief Superintendent Cipriano Querol, Jr., Executive Officer of the Directorate for Police Community Relations of the PNP.

“Today I am pleased to announce that the Commission after thorough deliberations, interviews, consultative meetings with politicians and other stakeholders have come up with these two resolutions, ” Zenarosa said.

Under Resolution No. 001-10, the ICAPA strongly urged the AFP to conduct an inventory of firearms and ammunition issued to Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and to monitor CAFGU and Special Civilian Active Auxiliaries personnel to detect the possibility of them getting involved in election-related violence.

The Commission asked the AFP to report on the matter to the Commission within 10 days.
The Commission also directed the AFP to beef up troop presence in identified security-risk areas, such as Lanao del Sur and Masbate, and to set up more checkpoints in the coastal areas of the two provinces, amid reports of unregulated firearm shipments.

The commission also requested the beefing up of military and police checkpoints in Abra, particularly in the far-flung towns of Tineg and Malibcong, to ensure strict compliance with the gun ban to deter not only political groups but armed insurgents from disrupting the election process.

In the other resolution (No. 002-10), the ICAPA also directed the PNP to conduct a physical inventory of firearms issued to Provincial Jail Guards, Provincial Security Forces, Civilian Volunteer Organizations, police auxiliary units and/or Barangay tanods and to submit a report to the Commission within 10 days.

Part of the directive was for the PNP to regulate the unauthorized use of police and military uniforms and vehicles and to cause the arrest of civilians and unauthorized personnel in violation of such.

The ICAPA was created by President Arroyo’s Administrative Order No. 275 issued by on December 8, 2009. The AO gave further directions to PNP and AFP with an additional impetus in dismantling partisan private armies in the country.

President Arroyo created the commission in the aftermath of the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao that has involved the Ampatuan clan and its private army.

Aside from Zenarosa, other ICAPA members are Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos, Mahmod Mala Adilao of the Bishops-Ulama Conference, retired Police Deputy Director General Virtus Gil, broadcaster Herman Basbaño, Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and former AFP Lieutenant General Edilberto Adan. (PIA V Release)

RP IS ASEAN’S CULTURAL CAPITAL FOR 2010-2011; PGMA TO SPEAK AT CLARK GAB

MANILA (March 24) — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be the keynote speaker Thursday (March 25) during the joint 4th Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts (AMCA) and the 7th Senior Officials Meeting for Culture and Arts (SOMCA) to be held in Clark Education City in Pampanga.

The Philippines has been designated the cultural capital for 2010 and 2011 by the 10 member-countries of Asean.

Patterned after the European Capital of Culture program started in 1985, the designation of the Philippines as Asean’s designated cultural capital enables the country to showcase not only its cultural life and development over the next two years but also to help use culture as a key element in the development of the country.

Singapore will be the next Asean culture capital for 2012 and 2013.

Along with the official meetings this week in Clark, the Philippines will also host the 4th Asean Festival of Arts (AFA), which aims to promote Asean’s common identity and cultural diversity.

The successful projection of the Philippines in the Asean culturescape was made possible through the National Commission for Arts and Culture (NCCA) headed by Executive Director Cecile Guidote-alvarez.

“It is also in conjunction with the twin observance of International Women and World Theatre Month coordinated through the UNESCO-ITI.

This is institutionalized under Presidential Proclamation No. 1262 by President Arroyo to showcase the vigor of Philippine theatre as a meeting ground of all the arts dynamically applied to promote a culture of peace, social justice and sustainable development as well as a radar screen to demonstrate our wealth of heritage, history, habitat and indigenous traditions,” remarked Guidote-Alvarez, the 1972 Ramon Magsaysay awardee for public service through the arts. (PIA V Release)

OVER 436,000 LAND JOBS IN GOVERNMENT EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

MANILA (March 24) — The Arroyo administration has so far provided gainful employment to 436,322 Filipino workers under three emergency programs created to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis on the people.

The figure represented 88.43 percent of the targeted 493,388 people to be given jobs under the government’s Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) created under Memorandum Circular 168.

In its latest accomplishment report to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) said P10.32 billion, or 75.12 percent of the P13.74 billion allocation have been spent for the three CLEEP employment programs as of last March 12.

Contributory factors to CLEEP’s success are the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 782 by the President last year which enjoined government agencies to institute measures to assist workers affected by the global financial crisis and temporary filling up of vacant government positions, as well as EO No. 783 which provided for government interventions “to save and create jobs” as part of the Economic Resiliency Plan.

“In crisis situations, government intervention to extend relief and comfort to the people, particularly those most vulnerable to hostile economic forces, can never be overemphasized,” Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr. said.

At least 32,410 workers landed jobs, courtesy of the two EOs, NAPC Secretary and lead convenor Domingo Panganiban reported to President Arroyo.

On the other hand, the Youth National Service program created by EO 788 has recruited a total of 16,546 persons, aged 18 to 24, to undertake a two-year national service commitment with modest stipends through the National Service Corps or the Youth Conservation Corps.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) turned out to be the biggest achiever in this department with 5,293 recruits, about 4,000 of them coming from Metro Manila; followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with 4,495; the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DNR) with 4,390; and the Department of Social Welfare an Development (DSWD) with 850.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) accounted for 1,498, while the Department of Education (DepEd) reported only 20 recruits.

Icban said the three major job generation programs instituted by the President “were extremely relevant considering the fact that not a few multinationals in the country collapsed under the sheer pressure of the global economic meltdown.” (PIA V Release)

PALACE HITS NOYNOY AQUINO ON PEOPLE POWER THREAT

MANILA (March 24) — Deputy Presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar issued today the following statements in reaction to the reported warning by Liberal Party presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino III during a campaign sortie in Pangasinan about another people power if the May elections failed:

“It seems that Sen. Aquino has finally answered our question yesterday WHY the opposition keeps trying to scare our people with all talk about election failure.

Many of his (Sen. Aquino’s) leaders appear to have developed an unfortunate addiction to EDSA adventurism.

It’s no longer people power we’re talking about here.

It’s nothing but a naked threat of power grab in case the voters turn them down at the polls.

Unluckily for them, our people have grown tired of unconstitutional shortcuts no matter how well-intentioned.

And our uniformed services will not look kindly on any new challenge to the chain of command and the laws of the land.” (PIA V Release)