STATE OF CALAMITY DECLARED IN ALBAY IN THE WAKE OF EL NINO

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (March 10) — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay has declared the state of calamity in six towns and two cities after the dry spell brought about by El Niño phenomenon is taking its toll on agriculture sector and public health.

The declaration came upon the recommendation of Provincial Agricultural Services Office (PASO) noting that already close to 6,000 hectares of agricultural land in more than half of the 15 towns and three cities of the province are affected by the dry spell.

Also upon the recommendation from PASO and Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), the declaration of the state of calamity in the six towns and two cities will be carried out to apportion the calamity fund for mitigation measures on agriculture and health interventions.

In PASO recent reports on the impacts of El Niño, the towns of Pioduran, Oas, Polangui, Jovellar and Libon in the third district of the province, Daraga in the second district, and the cities of Legazpi and Ligao are now feeling the brunt of l Niño destroying some 5,581 hectares of agricultural land.

PASO reports on damages in crops indicated that the dry spell has damage plantations of rice, corn and vegetable crops posting a production loss of 13,832.7 metric tons or equivalent to P178 million in the first two months of this year.

Similar reports stated that the loss is equivalent to 17 percent of the semestral agricultural output virtually wiping out the same amount of 17 percent growth it posted under the Department of Agriculture (DA) FIELDS program last year.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, meanwhile said that although the province was not included among areas to be affected by El Nino, but still “Albay cannot be complacent considering that we have experienced six months of rainfall below last year level and we are at the middle of El Nino areas.”

Salceda has issued earlier a directive to PASO and APSEMO to expedite impact assessment both in the province and in the region on agriculture output.

He has also instructed the Provincial Health Office (PHO) to coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) Bicol regional office to assess cases and impacts of water and heat-borne diseases.
He further instructed APSEMO to draw up a response strategies and identify specific impacts on the areas El Nino-hit provinces so pre-emptive measures could be initiated.

Still in Albay, Salceda said, “we will cap access to calamity fund to P5 million out of the P38 million and limit it to agricultural and health interventions.”

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issued advisory that the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon are among the 23 provinces in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao regions that would be affected by the dry spell.
In related reports, DA Bicol regional field office has identified close to 30 localities in the entire Bicol region directly affected by the dry spell phenomenon.

According to DA Bicol, hardest hit are the provinces of Camarines Sur and Masbate, while impact in Catanduanes and Sorsogon remains manageable.

The towns of Balatan, Nabua, San Jose, Tigaon, Del Gallego, and Pili in Camarines Sur; Aroroy, Balud, Cataingan, Claveria, San Pascual, Mandaon, Dimasalang, Palanas, Milagros, Mobo, San Fernando, Pio V. Corpus, Uson, and Masbate City in Masbate suffer most of the effects of El Niño.

DA Bicol officer-in-charge Marilyn Sta. Catalina averred the agency is closely monitoring these areas for urgent need to strengthen the cooperation between the government and the agricultural stakeholders amidst the threat of this climate abnormality,”

Catalina added that the agency had earlier proposed a P178 funding for the “El Niño Action Plan” for the dry spell which is expected to last for five months.

She also related that DA Bicol is helping the Bureau of Soils and Water Management assess the damage for the distribution of shallow tube wells (STWs). Bicol needs at least 200 STWs and 120 units are initially scheduled for distribution in Baao, Bula, Nabua, Iriga City and this town.

She bared funds for cloud seeding have also been released.

The agency has also urged farmers to plant short-term crops and those requiring minimal water. (MALoterte, PIA V)

RICEFIELD DAMAGE IN CATANDUANES REACHES P8.5 MILLION

VIRAC, Catanduanes (March 10) — Damages to rice field due to dry spell brought about by El Niño in six towns of Catanduanes have reached P8.5 million, the Provincial Agriculture and Support Services Office (PASSO) reported.

A total of 1,656 hectares of standing rice from towns of Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, Pandan and San Andres were affected. It equals to 1,976.04 metric tons of rice production.

Of the affected number of rice fields, 567 hectares are feared not to recover.

PASSO Catanduanes still expects the numbers to rise after all the reports of the Municipal Agriculture Offices are complete.

Lack of rainfall since September 2009 has led to dried and cracked rice paddies in the province.

Records at the PAGASA Virac Synoptic Station shows that rainfall for the four-month period from November 2009 to February 2010 fell by an average of 67.5 percent compared to the same period one year ago.

PAGASA weather specialist Jun Patino said that this February, it has rained in only eight of the 28 days, with a total volume of 46.5mm, far from the 279.3mm recorded a year ago. The last time rain fell in the province was on Febriary 17, this year. (OMAPrivaldos, BUCAL/PIA)

ALBAY CLIMATE CHANGE ENVOY NAMED BB. PILIPINAS UNIVERSE

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (March 10) — Albay’s youth ambassador on climate change has brought another honor to the province after she was proclaimed as this year’s Binibining Pilipinas Universe.

Maria Venus Raj, who won the title last Saturday night, hails from Bato, Camarines Sur. She graduated with honors (Cum Laude) from Bicol University with a degree in Bachelor Culture and the Arts major in Journalism.

In 2008, Raj was appointed by the Center for Initiative and Research on Climate Change (CIRCA) as youth ambassador on Climate Change Adaptation in the province of Albay.

For the past two years, she actively participated in the local climate advocacy. She also bagged the Best Developmental Case Study plum in Bicol University for her paper entitled “The Role of Local News Papers in Climate Change Adaptation in 2009.”

In a telephone interview, Raj stated that she will continue to pursue her goal to encourage the youth to actively do their part in saving the environment. “I will not abandon my post as climate change ambassador of Albay,” she said.

Nhong Rangasa, CIRCA executive director said that Raj’s contribution in the Climate Change Adaptation advocacy continues. “I personally urged Venus to make use of her talent in the promotion of climate change adaptation, mitigation specially in food security,” he said.

Rangasa also recommended the provision of cash incentive and certificate of citation to Raj for winning the title of Bb. Pilipinas Universe. (MDRama, PNA Bicol/PIA)

DENR-EMB BICOL LEADS OBSERVANCE OF WORLD WATER DAY

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB ) in Bicol will lead the celebration of the World Water Day and The Philippine Water Week set on March 22-26, 2010.

Evolving on the theme “Clean Water for a Healthy World”, the celebration emphasizes on the importance of conservation of water through educating the people regarding the issue.

The highlight of the event is a film presentation of video documentary entitled “Blue Gold: World Water Wars” that will be shown at the Landco Pacific Mall and SM Cinema.

Also, they will be having an Information Dissemination Campaign thru installation of streamers and radio plugging with the help of other government agencies and academic institutions.

The World Water Day 2010 envisions are to raise awareness about sustaining healthy ecosystem and human well-being through addressing the increasing water quality challenges in water management; and to raise the profile of water quality by encouraging government, organizations, communities, and individuals around the world to actively engage in proactively addressing water quality (e.g. in population prevention, clean up and restoration).

In addition, EMB encourages the Bicolano community to be united on March 27 at 8:30 p.m. for the Earth Hour where in cities and towns across the world will turn off their lights for one hour to send a message that it is possible to take action on global warming. (ICascante, BUCAL/PIA)

RAMOS CHALLENGES KEY PLAYERS, STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur (March 10) — Former President Fidel V. Ramos challenged anew Bicolanos to seize the opportunity to be caretakers of our environment, especially amid the growing concerns on the danger posed by climate change and to rise up from the catastrophes that ravaged our nation.

Ramos, the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines has continuously promoted, even after his term, the principles of people empowerment and global competitiveness
On 5th and final leg of the Philippine Conference on Ecotourism and Eco Productivity held here recently, Ramos called on tourism key players and stakeholders to protect the environment from the harsh challenges ahead.

“We have to safeguard Mother Nature from man’s destruction, threats of climate change and conserve the resources that once flourished and inhabited the earth,” he stressed.

In response, key players and stakeholders have mapped out and created a blueprint for responsible tourism geared towards the attainment of sustainable development across the country.

Members of the academe, heads of private and government organizations, entrepreneurs and environment advocates were present during the interfacing held at the Provincial Capitol Convention Center in Pili, Camarines Sur.

The assembly was spearheaded by Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV), led by Ramos, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under the dynamic leadership of Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte.

Among the foremost figures who shared their viewpoints on ecotourism and eco-productivity were World Wildlife Fund-Philippines Vice Chairman Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan; DAP Center for Sustainable Human Development Vice President Alan Cajes; El Nido Resorts Environmental Manager Mariglo Laririt; and Asia Pacific Projects President Narzalina Lim. Director Maria Ravanilla, DOT-V Regional Director who represented Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, also graced the said occasion.

Villafuerte, for his part, said that the significant leap of Camarines Sur as one of the hottest tourist destination in the Philippines is a result of hardwork and perseverance.

“Camarines Sur’s transformation did not happen overnight for I have fought a battle against the traditional mindset,” he related

These measures include aggressive move to turn poverty to progress, metamorphose a typhoon-stricken province to an opportunity-driven arena and from an unknown tourism potential to a province now known for the significant leap of its tourists arrivals.

Ultimately, the conference aspires to create a venue that will define each stakeholder’s role in environmental conservation, its responsibility as the earth’s caretaker, its role in eco-tourism development and its task as a responsible contributor in ecological productivity. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur))

PGMA LEADS CAMP AGUINALDO RITES INSTALLING NEW AFP CHIEF

MANILA (March 10) — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presided Wednesday (March 10) over the assumption of command by new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Delfin N. Bangit, who she said, will ensure the continuity of the military’s role in keeping the nation strong.

The President, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, also stressed that Bangit “will always put the nation first in performing his duty to uphold the Constitution and protect our citizens.”

“Congratulations,” the President said to Bangit as the latter assumed the AFP command from Gen. Victor Ibrado, who retired today upon reaching his mandatory retirement age of 56. It was Ibrado’s 56th birthday today.

“With the appointment of General Bangit we are pleased to provide the continuity required to keep our nation stable and strong. As we have heard from the endorsement of General Ibrado, as we have heard from the remarks of General Bangit, General Bangit will always put the nation first in performing his duty to uphold the Constitution and protect our citizens,” the President said in her speech during the turnover ceremonies at Camp Aguinaldo.

The President conferred on Ibrado the Philippine Legion of Honor award after the military honors.

In her speech the President cited Bangit’s 32 years of patriotic service and experience as a soldier, adding he will have the role of keeping the continuity to keep our nation strong.

In his farewell speech, General Ibrado thanked the President for her “resolute and caring leadership,” stressing that the President made the right choice in appointing Bangit.

For his part, Bangit sought to dispel criticisms about his being supposedly handpicked by the President for the top AFP post mainly on account of his being her former security chief.

He said that his career and promotions did not start when he became head of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in Malacanang, but through struggles and sacrifices in the battlefield away from his family since he was a young lieutenant 32 years ago.

“My purpose as the Chief-of-Staff is to lead the Armed Forces of the Philippines to render professional and patriotic service worthy of the Filipino people’s respect. I am not the kind of commander who will lead our soldiers astray. I will not allow anybody to use me for partisan politics. Sa Diyos lang ako magpapagamit,” Bangit said.

On his PSG posting, Bangit said: “Every single day, I had to make sure that our country has a President who is alive to serve you. I have done my duty well. But ever since I left the PSG, every time I got promoted, people think I was there either because I kowtowed, or because I will be used for something illegal. As you know even my assumption as Chief of Staff is not without those doubts.”

Bangit stressed that he will not taint his name and compromise his years of hard work and sacrifice and even betray the people “in this time when our country needs faithful service the most.”

Bangit emphasized that he admires the President who never gave illegal orders to him.

“The reason why I have so much respect for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is because after all these years, never have I receive illegal orders from her. I am sorry if that is not what you want to hear, but that is the truth,” Bangit said.

Bangit said the AFP will continue supporting the President’s modernization program and national development as the tool for attaining peace including the holding of a credible election which he has been advocating since he was in the Philippine Army.

Four days ago, Bangit said 11 soliders died in Oriental Mindoro in fight against the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who wanted to extort permit to campaign fees in the area.

“They were our first casualties in our advocacy for a credible election. And I believe that our young and idealistic soldiers, our senior non-commissioned officers who are the backbone of the institution will never waste the sacrifice of our comrades. I am one with them in defending this institution from partisan politics. We will give honor to their sacrifices by protecting your votes as if they were our own. This is not lip service. We have concrete plans for this. If you want proof, join our crusade for credible elections. We need you more than ever,” Bangit said. (PIA V Release)

RP medical tourism: a $3 B industry by 2015

MANILA (March 10) — Even the next administration will continue to gain from the growing medical tourism industry which is expected to become a $3-billion industry by 2015.

This was pointed out by National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Director Dennis Arroyo during the press briefing that followed the joint NEDA-Cabinet meeting held Tuesday morning (March 9) in Malacanang.

Arroyo said that around 200,000 foreign patients are expected to come to the Philippines every year which would tremendously help boost tourism into a $3-billion industry by 2015.

In 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo started promoting the Philippines as a medical tourism and retirement haven with the issuance of Executive Order 372 which aims to develop the Philippines communication industry, logistics and health and wellness.

The Philippines now ranks among the top countries in medical tourism with the continuous renovation and upgrading of more hospitals to meet international standards.

In the Central Philippines tourism super region, the base of the country’s tourism industry, there are now 44 hospitals and health facilities accredited for medical tourism by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Three of these medical facilities have been accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), an international organization providing accreditation for hospitals and other healthcare facilities worldwide.

Arroyo said among our advantages are our state-of-the-art facilities, competent health care professionals with excellent English communication skills, reasonably priced medical services, and the innate hospitality of Filipinos. (PIA V Release)

GOV’T OPERATIONS REMAIN STABLE; MORE NEW APPOINTEES

MANILA (March 10) — Press Secretary Cris Icban Jr. assured Tuesday (March 9) that government operations remain on track, with the new appointees to the Cabinet providing continuity of services as they took over from those who resigned recently to seek elective positions in the May 10 elections.

“We have good reason to be confident that continuity of government operations and services to the people is sustained, if not enhanced, since most of the new appointees are career officials with impeccable track records as public servants,” Icban told Malacanang reporters during a media briefing this afternoon.

“We are also highly confident that implementation of government projects, notably those enunciated by the President in her State of the Nation addresses, would push through without unnecessary delays despite changes in the Cabinet,” Icban added.

He said the recent cabinet shuffle consequent to a Supreme Court ruling on the tenure of appointive officials running for elections “in all likelihood, would be the last in the Arroyo Cabinet,”

During the same media briefing, newly appointed Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza announced that former Undersecretary Anneli R. Lontoc of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has taken over his DOTC post.

Mendoza left the DOTC after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated him as replacement for Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who is pursuing a bid for a Congress seat representing Batangas province.

Mendoza also disclosed that Cebu Ports Authority chief Angelo Verdan was appointed as the Maritime Industry Authority administrator vice Ma. Elena Bautista who moved over to the Presidential Management Staff.

Inducted on Monday were Office of the Government Corporate Counsel head Alberto G. Agra as Justice Secretary, replacing Agnes Devanadera; former Undersecretary Bernie G. Fondevilla vice Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap; former Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Administrator Ma. Elena H. Bautista replacing Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr.; TESDA deputy director general for fields operation Rogelio Peyuan vice TESDA Director Deneral Secretary Augusto Syjuco; Deputy Executive Secretary Joaquin Lagonera replacing Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr.; and Deputy Executive Secretary Natividad Dizon vice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, the President’s chief presidential legal counsel.

Devanadera is vying for a congressional seat in Quezon province while Esperon is running as a representative of a district in Pangasinan. Yap is seeking to be a Representative of Bohol.

Syjuco and Andaya are also candidates for congressional seats in their respective provinces of Iloilo and Camarines Sur, respectively, while Gonzalez is running for mayor in Iloilo City. (PIA V Release)

PNP WELCOMES SIGNING OF PEACE COVENANT AMONG POLITICIANS IN MASBATE

MANILA (March 10) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday expressed elation over the forging of a covenant for honest, orderly and peaceful elections (HOPE) in May among political candidates vying for local elective positions and leaders of contending parties in Masbate province.

PNP chief director general Jesus Verzosa welcomed the signing of peace covenant where contending political parties and candidates vowed to shun violence and vicious political rivalry during the elections in May.

The signing of the Peace Covenant was the highlight of a multi-sectoral mobilization of civil society organizations in Masbate on Tuesday dubbed “A Walk for MY HOME” (Masbate Yearning for Honest, Orderly and Meaningful Election) where some 4,00 participants joined the unity walk.

Among the organizations attended the occasion held at the Magallanes Coliseum in Masbate City were the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP, government institutions, clergy, youth and non-government organizations.

Representatives from the said organizations converged and witnessed the signing of the historic peace covenant among political leaders in this island province that has long been considered among perennial election hotspots due to a long history of intense political rivalry, politically-motivated violence, aggravated by the local communist insurgency, and presence of Partisan Armed Groups.

Among the signatories to the Peace Covenant include Hon. Rizalina Lanete, 3rd District Representative and candidate for governor; Hon. Vince Revil, re-electionist candidate for vice-governor, and retired Gen. Darius Tuason, 2nd District Representative candidate; Mabel Bartolabac , candidate for mayor of Masbate City, and 18 other political leaders vying for various elective positions in the provincial and municipal levels.

Police Director Andres Caro II, PNP Director for Operations, witnessed the signing of the covenant as representative of PNP.

”The PNP leadership welcomes this gesture of peace by the political leaders of Masbate to once and for all eliminate violence from the political landscape of the island province,” said Caro, quoting Verzosa.

Caro congratulated the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the Diocese of Masbate Social Action Foundation led by Fr. Leo Casas for organizing the Masbate Walk for MY HOME and the signing of the Peace Covenant to replicate the multi-sectoral “Takbo Para sa Malinis, Maayos at Mapayapang Halalan 2010" held last January in Quezon City organized by the Military Ordinariate of the Philippines with the support of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Muslim Imams, and other religious leaders.

The PNP listed Masbate among nine provinces considered as Election Areas of Concern (EAC) due to the presence threat groups, history of election-related violent incidents in previous elections and activities of Partisan Armed Groups.

The communist New People’s Army has established three Guerilla Fronts in Masbate with 93 active members armed with an estimated 113 firearms.

The presence of the CPP/NPA has added another dimension to the volatile situation in Masbate with some insurgents being utilized as hired goons by local politicians.

A sizable contingent of police commandos from the elite Special Action Force is deployed in Masbate alongside tactical units from the Regional and Provincial Mobile Groups and AFP Units that compose the Joint Special Task Force Masbate that is the lead unit in operations against communist insurgents, criminal elements and Partisan Armed Groups in the province.

Last year, political leaders in Abra, another perennial election hotspot, forged a similar peace covenant that has resulted in a significant decline in incidents of politically-motivated violence in the province. (PIA V Release)

SSS RETAINS TOP RANK IN SWS SURVEY ON ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS

MANILA (March 10) — The Social Security System (SSS) remained the top government agency in terms of sincerity in fighting corruption for the second straight year, according to results of an annual survey of Filipino business managers across the country.

The 2009 Social Weather Stations (SWS) Survey of Enterprises showed that the SSS and the Supreme Court received a "good" net sincerity rating of +40, the highest among government institutions and second only to the +64 rating of Filipino business associations.

"The SSS values the trust of members and employers as manager of their funds, and this survey motivates us even more to provide them better services," SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Romulo Neri said.

A total of 550 business managers from the National Capital Region, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and Cagayan de Oro-Iligan participated in the SWS survey, which was conducted from November 3 to December 5.

SSS’ net sincerity rating of +46 was the highest among state-run agencies in the same SWS survey in 2008. It also placed third among government institutions with the most positive change in the past five years.

Ten percent of the respondents named SSS as "less corrupt" at present compared to five years ago and only one percent as "more corrupt" for a rounded off net rating of +8, which was behind only to the Department of Trade and Industry (+13) and Department of Health (+12).

Neri said the SWS survey reflects the general performance of SSS in its field and counter operations.

"It also indicates how members and the private sector appreciate the quality of SSS services that they receive from our employees," he said.

The annual SWS survey, which is sponsored by The Asia Foundation, is part of the Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) project. (PIA V Release)