NEW MASBATE PORT SEEN TO BOOST INTER-ISLAND COMMERCE, TOURISM

SAN PASCUAL, Burias Island, Masbate — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inaugurated Thursday (May 27) a new strategically-located RoRo (roll-on-roll-off) port here during her visit to this town.

The P46.3 million RoRo port here, conceptualized as a “bridge between Luzon and the Visayas,” was completed last year but blessing and inauguration was held when the President set foot in this remote town for the first time yesterday..

President Arroyo was the second president to visit this town, after her father President Diosdado Macapagal, who was here on December 28, 1962.

The construction of the port was supervised by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) under the Strong Republic Central Philippines Nautical Highway program of the President.

San Pascual, is bordered by Camarines Sur in the north, Albay in the east, Bundok Peninsula of Quezon in northwest, and Sibuyan Island of Romblon and Ticao Island of Masbate in the south.

This town is 3rd class municipality with an annual income of P63.7 million in 2009, produces copra, cattle, hogs, goats and fish products. It is located at the northernmost tip of Burias Island, one of the islands that make up Masbate province. It is has 22 barangays with a population of 41,736.

"We are very happy that the President visited us even if we are just a small municipality in this island of Masbate," San Pascual Mayor Zacarina Lazaro said.

The new port can accommodate bigger cargo and passenger vessels passing through routes to and from Quezon, Masbate, Romblon, Cebu and Davao.

The upgraded port facilities include a (9m x 11m) RoRo ramp, (6m x 7m) trestle deck and two (2) sets of 9-pile breasting dolphin. The port also is a safe docking port for cargo vessels during tropical storms.

With this port's strategic position, Lazaro said trade and commerce in and around the province will be significantly enhanced, with the benefits seen to trickle down directly to the municipality and its people.

"It opens bigger trade market for us as we can now easily bring our products to Camarines Sur, Quezon, Romblon, Cebu, General Santos in Davao and some other provinces in Visayas and Mindanao'" Lazaro said.

Lazaro also said the port will boost local tourism as San Pascual has numerous tourist spots like Sumbrero Island and Tinalisayan Island which are inhabited by green sea turtle or pawikans. (MALoterte, PIA V)

RDC BICOL PUSHES FOR GUICADALE ROAD PROJECT IN ALBAY

LEGAZPI CITY — The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Bicol has officially endorsed Wednesday (May 26) the Guinobatan-Camalig-Daraga-Legazpi (GUICADALE) platform project as one of the major priority measures to pursue development in Albay province.

Bicol RDC Chairman and Albay Governor Joey Salceda stated that the proposed project will consist of circumferential road and new arterial roads cascading from the urban center of Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga Jovellar towns and, Legazpi City.

Salceda averred that the project was designed to encourage economic activities safe from the threats posed by Mayon Volcano eruptions, lahar flows, flooding and tsunamis.

The project, according to him, will eventually realize the goal to establish Metro Albay comprised of Mega Daraga, and Metro Legazpi.

Salceda furthered that the road network project, when completed, will provide easy and efficient access to the Bicol International Airport, new economic investment opportunities, increased farm income through reduced transport costs, improved living condition through efficient access to health and welfare facilities, linkage of agricultural areas to the market centers and integration of the economies of Albay and Sorsogon provinces.

“Areas within the periphery of the road network will also provide safer relocation sites for communities displaced and threatened by typhoons, flood, volcano eruption and tsunamis,” he added.

The project will consist of 17 road sections, wherein 11 sectors will comprise the circumferential road and six are arterial roads, involving new road opening and improvement of existing ones with a total length of 109.3 kilometers.

Salceda said that the project will cost some P854.2 million, with funding requirement for local roads and barangay roads amounting to P739.5 million, while for the national roads is P114.7 million.

“It will benefit a total population of 187,314 covering the municipalities of GUICADALE,” Salceda added.

The GUICADALE project is consistent with the Regional Physical Framework Plan in terms of land use, settlement and infrastructure planning.

The provincial government of Albay has completed the feasibility study of the project in July 2008.

The economic internal rate of return of the project is estimated at 23.65 percent while the net present value is P872.54 million. (MALoterte, PIA V)

DEPED, PHO WATCH OVER POSSIBLE DISEASE OUTBREAK ON THE ONSET OF SCHOOL OPENING

LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Albay are now monitoring and preparing for possible outbreaks of flu and other diseases in time for the opening of classes in June.

Albay Schools Division Superintendent Epifanio Buela he has directed all heads of public elementary and high schools here to ensure the cleanliness of their respective schools and surroundings.

Buela said that while sanitation should perk-up weeks before schools open, students, on the other hand, will be taught the proper hygiene during the first week of school year.

He added that the DepEd will make sure that classrooms and school facilities as well as the vicinity are mosquito-free.

He further said that teachers and parents should also keep watch of students who show signs of flu and fever.

Dr. Luis Mendoza, Albay provincial health officer, meanwhile, stressed that PHO has been on watch for possible illness outbreaks, including dengue hemorrhagic fever and possible second wave of Influenza A H1N1.

Mendoza has warned the public to be wary of dengue noting that there are so far 308 cases, with 3 deaths in Camarines Sur recently, recorded from January to May, this year, across Bicol.

Dengue is caused by day-biting mosquitoes while cholera is transmitted through eating of food and drinking of water contaminated with human waste. Both diseases could prove fatal to students and adults alike.

Albay PHO has also released an advisory on different water and food borne diseases in time for the school opening.

Mendoza said that the public should exercise utmost vigilance by making sure that their water and food are clean.

Mendoza noted further that Influenza A H1N1 which hit many countries in the world in 2009, including the Philippines, is as good as gone but there is actually still much that needs to be done in order to prevent another outbreak

He said that the illness is communicable and that students, especially those who had spent their vacation abroad with cases of Influenza A, can be carriers of the virus.

The health office has advised the frequent washing of hands, proper hygiene and other measures to prevent the spread of the virus. (MALoterte, PIA V)

SEC. ALABASTRO LEADS ROADSHOW OF DOST MILESTONES IN BICOL PROVINCES

LEGAZPI CITY— Science and Technology Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro has visited three provinces in Bicol last week for a three-day road show of the agency’s milestone programs and projects science and technology research and delivery services in the region.

Albastro led the team of national and regional officials of DOST in the visit and assessment for possible intervention of the government in DOST-assisted programs and projects including the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP), Farmers’ Information Technology Service (FITS) Centers, the S&T information outlets under the Techno-Gabay Program of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD).

The Secretary went to see the project “Upgrading of Furniture Production” of A. Teves Enterprises in Barangay Calatagan of Virac, Catanduanes showcasing a micro-enterprise that adopted improved processes in furniture making and has capabilities to craft furniture with designs based on client specifications.

The team also met with Catanduanes Governor Joseph C. Cua, who relentlessly pursued the rehabilitation and development of the abaca industry in the province.

The team also dropped by the FITS Center at the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) within the provincial capitol compound.

In Barangay San Lorenzo, Baras town, Alabastro has inspected the DOST SET-UP assisted firm for “Abaca Pinukpok Project” held a dialogue with the cooperators/weavers. The cooperative managing the project has been for long a beneficiary of the agency’s programs pertaining to trainings, material dyeing and product quality development.

The team proceeded from Baras side tripping to PAGASA Radar Station in Barangay Bagumbayan in the municipality of Bato.

The Secretary’s next stop was Masbate province visiting the facilities and led an interfacing with the personnel of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa).

Alabastro met with Dr. Victor Soliman, project leader of BUTC and cooperator of “Resource Assessment of Scallops” in Asid Gulf Area in Barangay Cawayan, Masbate.

In this project, DOST is the local government units of Cawayan and other localities within Asid Gulf in generating scientific basis for the sustained exploitation and management of scallops through various entrepreneurial skills training and post-harvest processing that will later initiate the establishment of viable livelihood projects in the community.

In Masbate, the team also visited the FITS project in the municipality of Uson, two SET-UP assisted projects, namely “Mechanizing Production and Upgrading Quality of Driftwood Products” of J. Woodcrafts in Dimasalang town which availed of technology upgrading assistance in the production of innovative furniture items from wood stumps of left-over tree cuttings; and “Upgrading and Diversification of Salubre Food Products” of Salubre Processed Foods in Masbate City, wherein the agency assisted the venture through acquisition of food processing equipment for their assorted food products.

Alabastro’s visit in Sorsogon province led the team to the project “Improving Safety Equipment for Street Food” and SET-UP project “Improving Quality of Handicrafts” of Galoso Handicraft, both in Sorsogon City. (POLucena, DOSTV/ PIA)

AFP SAFEGUARDS THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN
By Maj. Eugenio Julio C. Osias IV

MANILA —The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reaffirmed its commitment and determination to protect the rights and dignity of children in the wake of the implications of the armed conflict in several areas in the country.

Brigadier General Francisco N Cruz Jr., commander of the AFP Civil Relations Service emphasized that this commitment is tangible in the sets of policies, guidelines and directives that substantially enforce Republic Act 7610 or the “Act Providing Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination” and RA 9344, otherwise known as the “Juvenile Justice Welfare Act”.

AFP is one of the signatories to the Memorandum on Agreement (MOA) on the Handling and Treatment of Children Involved in Armed Conflict where among its duties is to “rescue or facilitate the surrender of children involved in armed conflict and shall report within 24 hours of such rescue or surrender to the Dept of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office and/or to the local chief executive”.

Other signatories of the MOA are the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Dept. of National Defense (DND), Dept of Health (DOH), Dept of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), National Program for the Unification and Development Council (NPUDC), and Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Among the AFP’s first priority is to prevent recruitment of child combatants. We complement the child protection laws with our own operations and guidelines to facilitate the rescue of these children; and we cooperate with other government agencies and organizations to trace these child combatants’ families or guardians, and in finding the best solutions congenial to their rehabilitation, needs, and development,” Cruz said.

The MOA has been translated by the AFP into standard operating procedures for its troops on the ground where certain steps are strictly followed. The most immediate action of which is to provide medical treatment to children wounded in the firefight, including psychological treatment when necessary. The AFP is also tasked “to protect the child from further exploitation and trauma,” as well as “to provide the child with subsistence and other basic needs while in custody.”

DSWD records show that from year 2000-2006, it has served 925 child combatants turned over by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Of this figure, four children belong in the age bracket of 0-4 years old; while most of the children rescued, numbering up to 256, belong to the age bracket of six to twelve years old. DSWD defines that children involved in armed conflict are “those who are direct or indirect participants to armed hostilities either as combatants, guides, couriers, spies, medical aide, and cooks, among others.

“Through the years, we have been fulfilling our side when it comes to children involved in the armed conflict. There may be debriefings of the child rescued but these are done in the presence of a DSWD representative, and which intends to help the child cope with his/her situation. The UN report citing AFP as violator of children’s right seemed inaccurate and without sufficient basis”, Cruz said.

Included in child combatants turned-over by the AFP to the DSWD are the three boys (ages 14, 15, and 16) who were sent by the CPP-NPA on a test mission to assassinate an entire family of a former rebel on August 27, 2006 in Brgy Agutaya, San Vicente, Palawan.

For 2009, a total of 23 teenagers, the youngest being and the oldest 19, were accounted to have been recruited by the New People’s Army. From the 23, 14 voluntarily surrendered, eight (8) were captured in military operations; while one (1) unfortunately died in encounters. While for the first quarter of 2010, at least four (4) child combatants have been accounted.

The strongest military operations are directed against the CPP-NPA as a persistent violator. This has also been consistently listed in the UN Secretary General’s reports that the CPP-NPA has “shamelessly defied the Security Council by using children as soldiers”. The reports were issued in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, and on 2009. No reports were issued on 2004 and 2008.

“The enemies of the state have been recruiting child combatants to replenish their dwindling strength. The NPAs especially, are the number one recruiter of child warriors due to its difficulty recruiting from the older youth and peasants. This is desperate on their part. The minors are deceived into joining the rebel movement and later on given military tasks like participating in ambushes and extortion. The only way to end this practice is to end armed struggle by addressing their root causes like injustice, ignorance, deprivation and poverty,” expresses BGen Cruz.

The AFP once again exhorts all stakeholders, particularly the LGUs to work hand-in-hand with the military to solve the problem, “The military cannot do it alone. The AFP can only address its symptoms like terrorism and violence and protect communities. The strategy must be holistic, comprehensive with all elements of national power tapped. Counterinsurgency must be a priority of government. And effective governance, local and national, must prevail. Most LGUs are beginning to take active role in suppressing insurgency in their areas. We hope the newly elected local executives will do their part,” concluded Cruz. (CRSAFP/PIA/mal)

SOLON HAILS SPAIN FOR AID TO RP’S ABACA INDUSTRY
By Danny O. Calleja

VIRAC, Catanduanes — Outgoing Rep. Joseph Santiago of the lone district of this abaca-rich island province has cited the Spanish government for its P30 million grant for the building up of the Philippines’ abaca industry that he said remains an enormous potential driver of economic growth in the countryside.

Abaca (Musa textilis Nee) or Manila hemp, a fiber crop indigenous to the Philippines, as a main source of strong natural fibers for domestic and international markets, brings an annual US$ .6 million to the country.

The fund assistance released late last year to the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) by the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para Desarollo (AECID), was used for the acquisition of mechanized abaca-stripping machines as part of the aggressive abaca development program being undertaken by the government.

The amount covers this province, noted as the “abaca capital of the Philippines,” and Caraga, also a promising abaca producing region in Mindanao.

Out of the grant, nine of Catanduanes’ abaca-producing municipalities initially receive one unit each of the machine, Santiago said.

"The mechanized stripping of abaca allows us to increase daily fiber output 10 to 20 times compared to what we produce from manual peeling," Santiago who would vacate his congressional seat on June 30 after completing a nine-year term said.

He ran for governor of the province but lost to incumbent Gov. Joseph Cua.

To fully develop the abaca industry, Santiago stressed the need to exploit all possible commercial uses of the plant's fiber, and enlarge its domestic as well as export markets.

Some 136,000 hectares nationwide are planted to abaca. Over 82,000 farmers directly subsist on abaca production. Annually, they produce some 70,000 metric tons of fiber, of which about 25 percent is shipped abroad, according to the FIDA.

Catanduanes is the country's largest producer of abaca, accounting for 20 percent of national output. Abaca provides livelihood to some 23,500 farmers in the province, where around 23,600 hectares are devoted to growing the plant.

FIDA said the production, however, dwindled to only 8,646 metric tons in January to May 2009 because of the series of typhoons that hit the province and the effects of plant diseases.
With the spread of two main viruses, abaca mosaic and abaca bunchy top, that inhibit growth, weaken the fibers, and result in profit loss among small abaca farmers.

The FIDA however in coordination with the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the Biotechnology Program Implementation Unit (BPIU), all attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has been making use of the expertise of abaca experts in genetically engineering an abaca plant that are resistant to these diseases.

Former Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has approved a budget for this project before he left the Department to run for congressman unchallenged in Bohol.

Dr. Vermando Aquino of the UP-Diliman (UPD) National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) and Dr. Evalour Aspuria of the UP- Los Banos (UPLB) Department of Horticulture are into the project that was started in January this year and would be completed by 2011.

According to Aquino, who has been studying the abaca bunchy-top virus (ABTV) since 1997, he and Dr. Aspuria are working on isolating genes from the pathogens and inserting them directly into the abaca’s DNA.

Once the genes are “expressed” by the abaca, the abaca will likely resist infection.
Even with the reduced production, however, Catanduanes remains the country’s top abaca-producing province, the FIDA said.

After Catanduanes, the other top producers are Southern Leyte, Leyte, Davao Oriental, Northern Samar, Davao del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Samar, Sulu, and Sorsogon.

Abaca is a species of banana native to the Philippines and cultivated in 26 provinces in Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.

The abaca plant grows 20 feet tall and is harvested mainly for its large leaves and stems that produce natural fiber.

Used to make twines, ropes and carpets, abaca fiber also has multiple applications as raw material for various functional and decorative products.

The fiber is used in clothing material and handicraft like bags and baskets. The pulp is processed into tea bags, coffee filter, vacuum cleaner bags, currency notes and other specialty paper.

Abaca-based furniture and fixtures -- from settees to lounge chairs, from dividers to coffee tables, and from sofas to loveseats -- are also widely recognized for their elegance in Europe and North America.

Studies have likewise identified abaca enzymes for use in high-value cosmetic and dietary products. (PNA Bicol)

DTI BEEFS UP MONITORING OF PRICES OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES

DAET, Camarines Norte — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office here has intensified its monitoring of prices of school supplies in preparation for the opening of classes on June 15.

DTI Camarines Norte chief Ernesto Pardo said that the agency’s monitoring team is staging a weekly check of basic commodities, adding recently the prices of school supplies like pad paper, notebooks, ball pens, pencils and crayons, among others to prevent unreasonable increase in the prices of the said supplies.

He said that recent monitoring of prices of school supplies remains normal based on the suggested retail price (SRP) implemented by the DTI.

“The prices of school supplies, however, may vary depending on the brand of the commodity,” he said.

Pardo has urged consumers to canvass the prices before buying for them to budget their money. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)


PGMA SOUND ECONOMIC POLICIES FUEL GDP GROWTH TO 7.3 % IN Q1

MANILA — Malacanang on Thursday (May 27) said the country's economic growth in the first quarter reflects the sound economic policies that the Arroyo administration initiated in the past nine years.

"We see the strong growth as benefiting from the sound economic management we had in place for years," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said in a regular press briefing.

Latest data from the National Economic and Development Authority show that the Philippines' gross domestic product (GDP) grew 7.3 percent in the first quarter, from 0.5 percent in the first three months of 2009. This is the highest in 30 years.

"We see this as a sign that confidence remains strong. This really underlines the sound management that allows you to maintain a strong growth overall," he said.

The NEDA said the uptick was attributed to the improvement in the global economy, brighter economic outlook, increased business and consumer confidence, and election-related spending. (PIA V Release)

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE TO FEATURE PGMA’S STRONG REPUBLIC MILESTONES

MANILA — This year’s 112th Independence Day celebration on June 12 will restore the pomp and significance of the civic-military parade at the Rizal Park Grandstand (Luneta) in Manila.

“For the last two years, we have been focusing on major programs and projects of the government and did away with the usual civic military parade. This time, we are returning the parade to showcase the achievements of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo especially before she bows out on June 30,” said Ludovico Badoy, executive director of the National Historical Institute (NHI), which was designated the lead agency for this year’s Independence Day celebration.

This year’s parade will feature 10 floats highlighting the 10-point agenda during the nine-year term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. An eleventh float will honor the country’s modern-day heroes, particularly those who have made names for themselves here and abroad in their respective fields of endeavor.

Badoy will flesh out the details for the Independence Day celebration and the coming Flag Awareness Day on May 28 during this afternoon’s meeting of the Technical Working Group, which he chairs.

The Independence Day festivities will be launched on May 28, with Education Secretary Mona Valisno as the guest of honor and speaker in an event in Cavite City to commemorate the Battle of Alapan where the Philippine flag was first hoisted at Teatro Caviteno by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898.

Flag will be simultaneous raised nationwide at 8 a.m. To give homage to the flag, NHI will ensure that the Philippine flags are prominently placed in all major thoroughfares.

Badoy also urged both the public and the private sectors to proudly display the flag not just outside their offices but also outside their homes.

On Independence Day, “we expect the President to be there at 6:45 a.m. and lead the flag raising simultaneously with other local government officials all over the country,” Badoy added.

There will be the usual simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at 7 a.m. at the Rizal monument.

The parade will take place in the afternoon. There will be a fireworks display immediately after the parade.

To help Metro Manila residents celebrate Independence Day , the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) may give free train rides (for rapid transit systems like MRT-2, MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit). (PIA V Release)

P10-B FUND FOR DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION NOW READY

MANILA — The government may now allocate for use in disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation projects un-programmed funds in the 2010 budget following the approval of borrowings from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank (WB) that will form part of the additional revenues required in the budget law.

Presidential Spokesman Secretary Ricardo Saludo said Thursday (May 27) during a Malacañang press briefing that the foreign funding commitments that will come in the form of soft or concession al loans will now “unlock” un-programmed funds in the 2010 budget for use in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, flood control and other facilities and services as the country recovers from the destruction for the past two years caused storms Frank, Ondoy and Pepeng.

Saludo, who is also secretary general of the Special National Public-Private Reconstruction Commission (SNPPRC) created by President Arroyo, said JICA released last month P3.5 billion in concessional loans and the World Bank board approved last week another $258 million also with soft terms, to assist the Philippine reconstruction efforts

“These foreign loans will help us unlock the un-programmed funds in the 2010 budget so we can push ahead with our reconstruction and rehabilitation programs and in the process prepare the country for the coming rainy season,” said Saludo

In the 2010 General Appropriation Act, Congress offered the un-programmed funds for reconstruction on the condition that the government must put up additional revenues which could include domestic and foreign borrowings.

Saludo said the SNPPRC, in partnership with the private sector–led Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) headed by Manuel Pangilinan, have already spent P8 billion for reconstruction and recovery, coming from the realigned budgets of several agencies pending the release of the 2010 budget for reconstruction.

“We are grateful to some of the agencies which have realigned some of their funds to get the reconstruction and recovery programs going even before the actual funds in the budget are released,” Saludo said.

Just recently, some P600 million were released for typhoon Frank projects in Panay Islands. Again these are funds that are not yet part of the reconstruction budget allocation. These came from existing budgets that could be used for reconstruction.


The borrowings from JICA will be for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the reconstruction of infrastructure (roads, bridges and others) and upgrading of flood control systems. ‘We need to prepare these flood control systems for the coming rains this July,” Saludo said.

Finally he said that the $258 million loan from the World Bank will also “help us use the un-programmed funds in the budget.”

Agencies deemed to be given funds from the P0 billion reconstruction funds are Department of Education (DepED) for classroom reconstruction; Department of Health (DoH) for hospital rehabilitation; more infrastructure and flood control works for the DPWH; relocation of evacuees and people living along waterways for the National Housing Authority (NHA) and finally, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its continued recovery assistance to flood victims and shelter assistance for those who lost their houses. .

The 2011 budget also contained provisions for additional reconstruction funds as indicated in a national budget call last May 17 and Item 2.3 of the National Budget Memorandum which specifies: “recovery and reconstruction projects with the objective of building back better and implement quality improvements, disaster resilience and climate change adaptation given the damage and losses inflicted by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.” (PIA V Release)

PGMA EXCEEDS INFRA ACHIEVEMENTS OF 3 PAST PRESIDENTS

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has exceeded the combined accomplishments of three past presidents in the country in terms of infrastructure projects.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Victor Domingo said during Monday's formal inauguration of the P330 million Bitnung-Belance road project in Barangay Belance Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Viscaya, President Arroyo has built more bridges and roads than the combined infrastructure projects of former presidents Joseph Estrada, Fidel Ramos and Cory Aquino.

“They only achieved 34,000–kilometer roads and bridges but President Arroyo has accomplished 47,595 kilometers already,” Domingo said.

After a private lunch with provincial officials, the President was accompanied by Representative Carlos Padilla, Governor Luisa Cuaresma, Mayor Antonio Palugod, Bishop Ramon Villena and Secretary Domingo in barangay Belance for the inauguration.

According to Domingo, the 13.194–kilometer Bitnung-Belance road project which is intended primarily for poor farmers to make their transportation easier and faster will also trigger economic interactions in three urban municipalities of the province such as Bambang, Bayombong and Solano.

He also said that the road project is expected to be extended to link Aurora province to Nueva Vizcaya, where upland farmers can bring their agricultural products in the Aurora Export Processing Zone (AEPZ).

“The agricultural products of Nueva Vizcaya will also go to the provinces of Aurora and Quirino,” Domingo said.

The road project was started in November 6, 2008 after it was committed in that same year by President Arroyo in her visit to the 68th birthday of Bishop Villena in Barangay Belance.

Used by upland indigenous farmers in transporting their products, the project was funded under the General Appropriations Act-Regular Infrastructure Program (GAA-RIP).

It went into three construction phases with concreting of 5.22 kilometers in 2008 with P130 million, asphalting of 3.242 kilometer road with P100 million and the asphalting of 4.732 kilometer road with P100 million. (PIA V Release)

DEPED: NO NEED TO BAN “JEJEMON”

MANILA — Despite concerns over “Jejemon”, or text messaging that distorts the use of English language and spelling, the Department of Education (DepEd) is not inclined to ban its practice among schoolchildren.

Education Secretary Mona Valisno said during a press briefing in Malacanang that instead of resorting to a policy banning “jejemon”, she just called the attention of the teachers on the need to inculcate proper values, including communication skills on the young as these are necessary for them in high school and even college.

“We want to maintain our dominance in communication skills, which has made our country very attractive to investors in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector because our people have very good communication skills and are easily trainable,” Valisno said.

“But I will not go to the extent of banning it in elementary schools or high schools. I am just urging the teachers to ensure that proper communication skills and values are continuously imparted to the students. We do not need to issue a memorandum or impose penalty for such practice,” Valisno stressed.

“I only became aware of ‘jejemon’ from media. I only order the teachers not to allow wrong English, wrong spelling and wrong grammar. Even when my grandchildren text me in wrong grammar or wrong spelling, I never reply,” Valisno said.

“We would like to encourage our children to text in the correct way, correct construction of sentence, correct English, grammar and spelling because they would need this practice in their higher years,” Valisno said.

“Practice makes perfect. So if you resort to wrong practice, then the outcome is also wrong. Just like in piano if you resort to wrong finger dexterity, you can’t correct that anymore,” Valisno added.

Meanwhile, Valisno said with the bigger population, the expected school enrollment this year will increase to 23.43 million, with about 20.17 million in public schools and 3.26 million in the private schools.

We will do all we can to accommodate all of them in school but we can not refuse anyone who come to our public school system, Valisno stated.

Valisno said they are also strictly monitoring public schools that are exacting or collecting contributions from the students or their parents, adding “we will also not tolerate mandatory school uniforms and books.” (PIA V Release)