BICOLANO STUDES NAMED TO THE ELITE GROUP OF YOUNG PINOY MATH WIZARDS

LEGAZPI CITY — Errol John Suarez, a Grade 4 pupil of the Bicol University Integrated Laboratory School (BUILS), has qualified, along with some 122 qualifiers and 137 alternates from different schools nationwide, to represent the country in the forthcoming math competitions.

Suarez was selected from among the 700 elementary math wizards vying for the slots during the the 2010 Young Mathematicians' In-house Intensive Training Program (YMIITP) in Balanga City, Bataan March 26-29.

The BUILS pupil is also the lone Bicolano named to the elite qualifier group of young Pinoy math wizards.

Suarez, at his age of nine, also made it to the national limelight in February last year following his fete as the youngest Kumon Math completer in the country.

Meanwhile, five other Bicolanos pupil were named alternates including Edrian M Octavo of BUILS and Sophia Lore Abad of the Blessed Lights International Christian Academy (BLICA) in Naga City for Grade 3; Tatyana Marie Gonzaga of the Unibersidad de Sta. Isabel, also in Naga City, for Grade 5; Danica Mae Berunio and Christina Marie Moneda of BLICA for Grade 6.

The young Pinoy math wizards, who ranged from grade 2 to grade 6, were all determined and confident to crack the mind-boggling math problems within the three straight strenuous days. Both new trainees and "old" yet so young members were not spared by sheets after sheets of math problems which came from session after session.

Though tired and beaten, their strength of mind made them succeed to meet the dominant purpose of the training, that is, to select the best from the best for the international math contest, consequently, Suarez along with other 122 qualifiers and 137 alternates grabbing the spots to represent the country in future international math Olympiads.

However, those MTG kids who were not able to make it for the 2010 Math Olympiad Summer Training Program (MOSTP) pledged to be back next year for they were challenged not to let go their math skills.

Suarez, along with this year's batch of qualifiers and alternates, were set into another tough training under the MOSTP from April 12 to May 14 at the Deeco Technological Institute in Santolan, Pasig City.

MOSTP is a must for all those qualifiers who wish to participate in the international math contest, wherein they will be exposed to a more rigid training experience by solving really more challenging math problems. (MALoterte, PIA V)

RDCC ASSURES ADEQUATE POWER SUPPLY IN BICOL ON ELECTION DAY

LEGAZPI CITY — The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) in Bicol has assured the public that there will be adequate power supply in time of the national and local elections on May 10, this year.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol director Raffy Alejandro said all local disaster councils (DCCs) will be ready to provide back up power source, with functional electric generator sets prepositioned in polling centers, in case power brownouts occur during the election day.

In a conference Tuesday (April 13), RDCC crafted measures to ensure adequate power supply on May 10 elections, in line with Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales directive.

Alejandro said that the initiative form part of the NDCC’s operation plan to guarantee a credible and efficient electoral process on Election Day.

Although the Commission on Election (COMELEC) has assured that counting machines will not be affected by power failure because of back-up battery and stable power supply, the generator sets will serve as back-up to ensure that the polling places are well-lighted and visible, Alejandro said.

Meanwhile, OCD Bicol has already created a special task force to carry out the measures, including planning, preparation, management and implementation to ensure the proper mobilization of back-up power supply.

Director Blandino Maceda of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Bicol has issued Wednesday a regional memorandum directing all national government line agencies in the region to submit an inventory of all functional electric generators and DCCs, to include in their inventories sets owned by private firms and individuals, that can be used in their respective localities.

DepEd Bicol, on the other hand, has also instructed all school heads to inventory their respective schools’ facilities in order to be well-equipped in time for the elections.

The military, on the other hand, was directed to assist in the transport, deployment and protection of said generator sets to and from their sources.

Navy Commodore Joel E. Babas said that the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) will ensure the task of mobilizing the back-up generators in the precincts in the region as directed by Secretary Gonzales. (MALoterte, PIA V)

LAKAS-KAMPI ALLIES IN ALBAY STICK WITH GIBO

TABACO CITY — Albay I District Rep. Edcel Lagman, regional chair of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD in Bicol, said Wednesday party members in Albay will remain steadfast in supporting their standard bearer, former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro.

In a statement, Lagman stressed that “I, together with Lakas-Kampi allies in Albay like Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman Luistro and Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal and a host of municipal mayors and officials will remain supporting Gibo Teodoro in his bid for President.”

He said Teodoro is a cut above the rest in competence, capacity, integrity and sincerity.

Lagman said Teodoro’s politics and campaigns are anchored on issues and principles without any mudslinging and character assassination.

Quoting Dr. Mahar Mangahas, the dean of Filipino pollsters, in a paper for the Second International Conference of Public Opinion Polls in Cairo, Egypt in November 2009 asserted that: “The effect of election surveys is small, and may even be more pro-underdog rather than pro-bandwagon.”

The study shows that 53 percent of the voters are unaware of surveys, 32 percent are aware but say the surveys have no effect on them, while only eight percent said surveys influenced them to switch votes partly to favored candidates and partly underdogs.

Five percent said the surveys have induced them to switch to underdogs and only three percent said surveys have induced them to switch to favored ones.

Lagman said not a few say that it would be unfortunate and a waste if Teodoro does not win the Presidency because of his sterling qualifications.

Lagman said that to avert this misfortune, “we must campaign and vote for Teodoro and prove the surveys wrong because the real survey is conducted on election day.” (MSArguelles, PNA Bicol/PIA)

MOUNTAINEERING GROUPS IN THE COUNTRY JOIN MT. BULUSAN CONQUEST SPECIAL

BULUSAN, Sorsogon — The Aggrupation of Advocates for Environmental Protection (AGAP-Bulusan) Inc. has successfully launched recently the Mt. Bulusan Conquest Special held here recently highlighting Mt. Bulusan Mountaineering as its major activity.

AGAP-Bulusan President Philip Bartilet said the mountaineering activity promotes and develops Mt. Bulusan and its environs as a competitive tourism product not only of Sorsogon but also of the Bicol region.

“We have also officially launched the Mt. Bulusan mountaineering as a major ecotourism activity in Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) to encourage mountain enthusiasts to explore the beauty of Mt. Bulusan, promote protection and conservation of BVNP through eco-adventure and at the same time generate revenue through eco-tourism activities,” said Bartilet.

Some 30 mountaineers joined the hike from Ayala Mountaineers Club, Inc., AGAP-Bulusan, Inc. and its Eco-Tourism Beneficiaries who at the same time served as guides and porters, representatives from the local government unit of Bulusan and the Sangguniang Bayan for Tourism and Environment, Sorsogon Provincial Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Tourism Regional Office V.

“Aside from the official launching of Mt. Bulusan Mountaineering as major ecotourism activity in BVNP, clean-up drive and tree planting activity were also conducted as part of maintenance and ecological protection of the said park,” Bartilet said.

He also added that an orientation program before the actual hike in Mt. Bulusan was conducted explaining to them the PRESERVE BVNP Conservation Program as well as the Mountaineering Safety and Security Guidelines to ensure protection of mountain and safety of the mountaineers.

Bartilet shows optimism that the commitment of AGAP-Bulusan members and the launching activity will promote further Mt. Bulusan and Bulusan Lake which is also dubbed as “Switzerland of the Orient”, because of its pristine beauty and the unusual ecological experience it provide to both foreign and domestic tourists visiting the place.

AGAP-Bulusan, Inc. is a non-government organization that maintains and protects BVNP and its surroundings. The organization is likewise responsible for the promotion of Bulusan Volcano and Bulusan Lake as one of the prime eco-tourist destinations in the province. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

MSWDO LEADS OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR STREETCHILDREN IN DAET

DAET, Camarines Norte — Some 57 street children benefited from an outreach program spearheaded by the Daet local government held at the Little Theater, Provincial Capitol Compound here yesterday.

Nora Miraflores, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) chief, said the program were able to help children, ages ranging from 5 to 7, from indigent families in Barangays 4 and 5 of this municipality.

Miraflores related the outreach program was held every year, providing the children food supplementation and school supplies in line with the LGU’s Back-To-School program in preparation for the school year 2010-2011.

Women Desk Officer PO2 Maricel Labarro and PO2 Rosalinda Tensu of the Municipal Police Station here, meanwhile, discussed with the children “The 10 Rights of the Child”.

Miraflores added that MSWDO will also conduct another outreach program for the parents of street children to enlighten them that children should be in school and not in the street. (RBManlangit, PIA Cam Norte)

Spanish dairy firm eyes 6M Euro investment in RP

MADRID, Spain — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met Thursday with Grupo Leche Pascual President Tomas Pascual Gomez Cuetera to discuss the projected six million euro investment of one of the biggest dairy companies in Spain.

In the meeting held at the Ritz Hotel here, Pascual presented to the President his plan to invest in the Philippines.

Pascual's company will build a plant for the production of long life yogurts (non-refrigerated) and soy products.

Trade Secretary Jesli Lapus said executives of San Miguel Corporation, Magnolia and Purefoods, who earlier met with Pascual, were impressed with the project.

Lapus said Grupo Leche Pascual is determined to achieve with a local partner the double goal of meeting domestic and regional market demand.

''This is a good investment...part of their marketing educational campaign is to do yogurt feeding in Philippine schools,'' Lapus said.

Considering the nutritive value of yogurt, the feeding program will greatly improve the Filipinos’ eating habits.

Lapus added that Leche Pascual chose the Philippines for its first Asian venture due to its strategic location.

''The Philippines can be a hub for export,'' he said. (PIA V Release)

Spanish course in RP schools focus of RP-Spain bilaterals

MADRID, Spain — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and His Majesty King Juan Carlos I Thursday agreed to push for a four-year program in the teaching of the Spanish language in Philippine schools and the training of Filipino teachers in Spain.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the teaching of the Spanish language in Philippine schools was among the topics discussed during the bilateral meeting between the President and the Spanish King held at the Palacio de la Zarzuela. The meeting was held after President Arroyo was awarded the prestigious Premio International Don Quijote de la Mancha in recognition of her efforts to bring back the Spanish language training in public schools in the country.

His Majesty Juan Carlos 1 presented the Manolo Valdes sculptured trophy to the President.

The President was in the Spanish capital for a two-day official visit. She arrived at the Barajas International Airport here Wednesday from a successful trip to Washington DC where she participated in the Nuclear Security Summit.

The International Don Quijote Award, now on its second year, was given to the President in the category Best Institutional Contribution.

In giving the award, the sponsoring Fundacion Santillana and the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha considered that by incorporating the Spanish language in the school curriculum, the Philippine government had recognized the growing importance of Spanish as a world language.

Furthermore, the awards body said the teaching of the Spanish language in Philippine schools broadens the scope for political, institutional and economic collaboration with regards to the Spanish language.

The International Don Quijote de la Mancha Award was, established in 2008, and is aimed at giving institutional recognition to the work of candidates of any nationality who contribute most to the international awareness and promotion of Spanish culture and language. (PIA V Release)

PGMA’s foreign travels reaped P500B investments, trade & grants, Palace says

MANILA — Malacañang said Thursday (April 15) the travel expenses incurred by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2007 to 2008 reaped P500 billion in investments, grants and trade from the countries she visited.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Gary Olivar said in a briefing that “we certainly don’t claim all the credit for that, but it seems clear that this kind of return is not bad.”

From 2009 onwards, the President’s travel expenses reached P921 million.

Olivar also said that contrary to some critics that “public finances are nearing final collapse, this is not the view of ratings agencies like Moody’s Investors Services—which do not have hidden agendas and are paid to be dispassionate. We enjoyed most recently a full letter upgrade from Moody’s with stable outlook which should comfort foreign lenders and investors who are risking their money precisely on the fiscal health of the country.”

Moody’s gave the Philippines a Ba3 rating while other rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s gave the country a BB-rating, the same as Indonesia, and Fitch Ratings gave a BB rating.

The President’s achievement of maintaining positive economic growth throughout the global recession and getting rating upgrades during the period certainly came with a price like allowing the budget deficit to reach P298.5 billion by implementing stimulus spending worth P330 million and other social safety nets last year, he stated.

“But the cost was worth it if we look at the benefits generated: billions of pesos in interest savings, together with greater liquidity from more borrowing availability, due to higher credit ratings, jobs and livelihoods that were kept afloat by positive growth no matter how small, rather than negative, and millions of poor families who were protected from the worst of the recession by government’s social spending,” Olivar said. (PIA V Release)

PGMA orders LGUs to promote law on persons with disability

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed Republic Act 10070, a law establishing the institutional mechanism to ensure the implementation of programs and services for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in every province, city and municipality, as envisioned by RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

The law, signed last April 6, promotes the creation of organizations of PWDs in their respective territorial jurisdictions.

National agencies and local government units may enter into joint ventures with organizations or associations of PWDs to explore livelihood opportunities and other undertakings that shall enhance the health, physical fitness and economic and social well-being of PWDs.

The law mandates the creation of Persons with Disability Affairs Office [PDAO] in every province, city and municipality with the local chief executive appointing a PWD affairs officer to manage and oversee the operations of the office. Priority shall be given to a qualified PWD to head and man the office in carrying out the following functions:

1. Formulate and implement policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs in coordination with concerned national and local government agencies.

2. Coordinate the implementation of this Act, Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or the Accessibility Law and other relevant laws at the local level.

3. Represent PWDs in meetings of local development councils and other special bodies.

4. Recommend and enjoin the participation of NGOs and people’s organizations (POs)in the implementation of disability-related laws and policies.

5. Gather and compile relevant data on PWDs in their localities.

6. Disseminate information including programs and activities for PWDs, statistics on PWDs, including children with disability and training and employment opportunities for PWDs.

7. Submit reports to the office of the local chief executive on the implementation of programs and services for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

8. Ensure that the policies, plans and programs for the promotion of the welfare of PWDs are funded by both the national and local government.

9. Monitor fundraising activities being conducted for the benefit of PWDs.

10. Seek donations in cash or kind from local or foreign donors to implement an approved work plan for PWDs in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

11. Perform such other functions as may be necessary for the promotion and protection of the welfare of PWDs.

Within three years from the effectivity of this Act, appropriate agencies headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in consultation with the National Council on Disability Affairs and other relevant NGOs and POs shall review the implementation and recommend to Congress the need to mandate the establishment of a PDAO in 4th, 5th , and 6th class municipalities.

The national government, through the DSWD, shall ensure that the annual budget includes provisions to fund programs and provide support to PWDs.

Local governments shall ensure that the necessary funds from any available local revenue are allocated for the implementation of this Act for the benefit of PWDs. (PIA V Release)

BIR exceeds 1st quarter collection target

MANILA — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has exceeded its collection target for the first quarter of the year by P14.6 billion or 9.27 percent.

BIR Commissioner Joel Tan-Torres said that from January to March, BIR’s income tax collection reached P172 billion, higher than its target of P157.7 billion.

“We are off to a good start. We have exceeded the collection target for the past three months of the year,” Tan-Torres said in a news conference in Malacañang this afternoon.

He attributed the feat to the continued support of the taxpayers and the efforts of the BIR in enhancing taxpayers’ service and enforcement and collection strategies.

The last time the BIR exceeded annual collection target was in 2003.

“If we continue this, it will benefit all of us. The deficit will be better managed. We would be able to borrow less. We’ll have more funds for developmental needs,” Tan-Torres said. (PIA V Release)

No martial law in Basilan -- Malacañang

MANILA — Malacañang scoffed Thursday (April 15) at proposals to declare martial law in Basilan in the aftermath of recent bomb attacks from the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Isabela City.

“The level of concern that we should have over what is happening in Basilan does not rise to a level that would warrant a serious consideration of martial law for the time being,” Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Gary Olivar said in a press briefing today.

Olivar indicated that the siege of Isabela City by the ASG could not be compared with the situation on Maguindanao, which was briefly placed under martial law following the November 23, 2009 massacre of 57 people, mostly journalists.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad has asked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to “suspend some civil liberties and to declare martial law” after the ASG attacks that left 15 people dead and dozen others wounded.

Olivar said that if there were serious proposals to declare martial law, the security authorities will study it before recommending it to President Arroyo. “I am not aware of moves to review that possibility” he added.

The government has already mobilized the anti-terrorism task force and dispatched more troops to Basilan to go after the ASG. (PIA V Release)