PGMA CONTINUES ACTIVE GOVERNANCE UNTIL TERM ENDS

DAET, Camarines Norte — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been doing rounds in several localities, particularly among schools, in the Bicol region recently to ensure the administration’s thrust on super regions, three E’s are bringing in development to improve the quality of life of the people.

The President, who recently visited the Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) Entienza Campus in Barangay Tabugon of Sta. Elena town, Camarines Norte, stressed in her speech that she will continue her active governance until the end of her term on June 30.

President Arroyo said that she will continue to pursue her administration major thrusts on the regional development, the three E’s (Education, Economy and Environment) for sustainable development, and youth development preparing them as the next leaders and future of our country.

She furthered that under the super regions projects, Bicol Region grows in terms of its tourism industry, citing the development of Bagasbas Beach here which possess potentials similar to Boracay.

The President lauded CNSC President Winefredo Oñate and other local officials for the establishment of the college’s campus in Sta. Elena, “Hindi na kailangan pang pumunta ng bayan ng Daet ang mga mag-aaral upang makapag-aral ng kolehiyo”.she said.

She said that the school now offers courses on Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship and Bachelor of Science in Education.

CNSC is the main public college in the province with its main campus located in the capital town of Daet, with four other campuses in the municipalities of Mercedes, Jose Panganiban, Labo and Sta. Elena. All campuses are strategically located in various localities of the province to cater to most number of students.

CNSC Entienza Campus started its operation in July 2, 2007 with less than a hundred first year students. For this school year, the school will be able to serve 141 students including their first batch of graduates.

Also present during the activity were Governor Edgardo Tallado, Congressmen-elect Renato Unico and Elmer Panotes, CHED representative Manuel Mendoza, PNP Provincial Director Pierre Bucsit and AFP 902nd IB Col. Teodoro Cirili Torralba III. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

CBSUA TO PILOT FSB-RESISTANT EGGPLANT RESEARCH AND PLANTATION

PILI, Camarines Sur — Some 1,600 square meters of land has been apportioned by Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) here as pilot site for the propagation of biotech eggplant here.

Dr. Dulce Mostoles, CBSUA’s research professor and one of the facilitators during a biotechnology workshop and study tour conducted here recently, gladly stated that “this is the university’s response to our farmer’s clamour for a better alternative to traditional control methods.”

Farmers suffer a yield loss of more than 50 percent every crop season, excluding the health and environmental hazard that they are facing due to frequent spraying just to get rid of eggplant pest and disease problems, particularly the harmful and most destructive pests in the Philippines and other Asian countries - the fruit and shoot borer, commonly called FSB.

Every year, eggplant production suffers a detrimental setback in terms of crop harvest due to a wide-scale infestation caused by FSB.

Dr. Diseree M. Hautea, Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSP II) regional coordinator and product manager, has been working on developing a biotech eggplant which would solve the unending plight of farmers for an FSB-resistant eggplant.

“Eggplant yield losses from 51- 73 percent due to FSB have been reported in the country. We need to develop a biotech eggplant since conventional breeding method is difficult due to sexual incompatibility and we have no sources of resistance in commercial varieties.”

FSB poses great danger to farmer’s potential yields since its larvae or caterpillars feed on eggplant’s leaves and tunnel inside shoots, causing the shoots to break or wilt. Once invaded by FSB, the maturing fruits will eventually become inedible and unfit for market, thus contributes to the production loss of the eggplant farmers.

As to the question if f BT eggplant is safe for human consumption, Hautea has assured the public that before the FSBR or Fruit and Shoot Borer-Resistant eggplant is approved for commercial use, scientists and regulators ensure that it passes through many tests and safety assessments.

“Currently, the biotech eggplant is not yet commercially available. It is still under the multi-location field trials. Various tests are continually being done to ensure safety and performance of the product.”

Approved pilot sites include Pangasinan, UPLB Extension Farm in Laguna, Sta. Barbara in Iloilo , Visayas State University in Leyte, UP Mindanao in Davao City , Cotabato and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) here in Camarines Sur.

Eggplants are widely grown in most parts of the country and considered as one of the leading vegetable crops in terms of area and volume of production. It is a good source of vitamins, fibers and minerals. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

BIR, LGU TO CONDUCT ZONAL VALUATION LAND IN CAMARINES NORTE

DAET, Camarines Norte — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) District 64 is gearing up for zonal valuations in this province.

BIR Camarines Norte District Officer Marcelino M. Quito said that as a start the agency conducted a series of conference for the sub-technical committee, composed of municipal and provincial assessors and private appraisers.

Quito said that in the meetings the project will prioritize the conduct zonal valuations in the different streets and zones of the different barangays across the province.

He explained that a zonal valuation is an evaluation of value and amount of land in streets, zones in the different barangays, and municipalities in a province.

Another meeting has been set for the final zonal valuations of the sub-technical committee to agree on the amount of land to be followed by a hearing this coming June, he said.

He cited that the final zonal valuations will be submitted to the Regional Technical Committee of the BIR then to the Executive Committee of the BIR, Department of Finance (DOF) for the final approval and a publication to the gazettes before its implementation. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

BARANGAY EXECS URGED TO HELP ELIMINATE RABIES IN ALBAY

LEGAZPI CITY — The Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Albay has urged barangay officials to strictly enforce the ordinance on rabies prevention and control in their respective areas to free the province from rabies, particularly those inflicted by stray dogs.

Francis Daisy Ardales, Albay PHO nurse coordinator, said that the role of barangay officials is very important not only in monitoring but also in ensuring respective areas free from rabies.

PHO has also reiterated its call for a responsible dog owner.

Ardales bared Albay has recorded 1,269 dog bites, with three cases of death in human caused by the dreaded virus from January to April, this year.
In 2009, PHO also recorded four human fatalities and 3,711 dog bites, which according to Ardales, the number is very high.

Aside from dog vaccination, PHO is set to conduct training for “Tandok-Tambal” healers.

Ardales said that “Tambal-Tandok healers” will be trained on how to administer first aid to victims of dog bites. “However, immediately after providing first aid the patient should be referred to health facility for proper treatment.”

She said that strict implementation of vaccination and responsible pet ownership remains the best ways to eliminate rabies in the province rather than castration of canines.

Albay veterinarian Dr. Jose Losa was pushing for castration of dogs. “This is to control dog population.”

Losa said the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) will conduct mass castration of canines in every barangay to reduce the dog population and stray dogs in the province.

Losa also shared the same views with Ms. Ardales, saying that responsible pet ownership is still a big factor to stop cases of rabies. (MDRama, PNA Bicol)

SEARCH FOR SARINGAYA AWARD ON

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has officially declared this year’s Saringaya Awards program open to Bicolanos for nominations.

DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada bared he has earlier ordered all operating units of the DENR Bicol identify potential nominees that may be cited for the award in their respective areas of responsibility.

Fragada explained that the Saringaya Award is given to industries, non-government organizations, peoples organizations, local government units, groups or associations, other government agencies, academe and other entities in Bicol region who, as group, corporate body or individuals have supported DENR Bicol through the establishment and implementation of program towards protection, conservation and safety of the environment.

The Saringaya Awards program has since 2000 been recognizing individuals and groups who have contributed to the protection, preservation, rehabilitation and conservation of the Bicol environment.

Saringaya is a Bicol term for abundance of growth, lush, and healthy environment teeming with green trees and mountains ideal for biodiversity and a well balance system.

Saringaya Award, which is in the form of plaque and certificate, is done during the culmination program of the Environment Month celebration in June. (ASAraya, DENR/PIA)

PALACE GRATEFUL FOR PGMA'S POSITIVE COMMENTS FROM CBCP

MANILA — Malacañang thanked the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for being appreciative of the efforts exerted by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to uplift the lives of Filipinos through enhancements introduced by her government in the fields of livelihood, infrastructure and economic stability.

Deputy Spokesperson Gary Olivar said aside from the above-mentioned achievements the President is also known for her anti-poverty and quality education advocacy which had been an integral part of her administration's programs and projects since she assumed power.

"We are grateful for the positive comments about the President which were reported from the members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines about her achievements in livelihood protection, infrastructure and macro-economic stability," Olivar said.

"While many bishops criticized her about poverty, Bishop Jaucian commended her anti-poverty program to which we might add that self-rated poverty under the President has come down to its lowest point since the end of the Marcos era or 43 percent last quarter," he added.

The 13-member CBCP cited yesterday the accomplishments of President Arroyo's administration since she became President in 2001.

The CBCP is composed of Pampanga Auxiliary Bishop Virgilio David, Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Jaro, Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Tagbilaran Bishop Leonardo Medroso, Iligan Bishop Elenito Galido, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, Dumaguete Bishop John Du, Batanes Bishop Camilo Gregorio, Bangued Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad, Palawan Bishop Pedro Arigo, Malolos Bishop Jose Oliveros, and Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma.

Olivar said that while several bishops criticized her on several occasions including her failure to address environmental issues and illiteracy, there were those who stood up and took notice of her education and scholarship program.

"Other bishops criticized her about illiteracy, but Bishop Domoan praised her scholarship program in his province," Olivar said.

He pointed out that the President "has done more than any of her predecessors in the basic areas of more classrooms, more textbooks, more teacher-training and more scholarships."

He also said that while the President is cognizant about the growing number of Filipinos and how the educational system must be upgraded to be in tune with this reality, "a whole new educational strategy is required which is now being introduced by the Task Force on Philippine Education which she created and it will be the centerpiece of her legislative agenda in the 15th Congress."

On the environment, Olivar noted that the President had already been devoting half a day every Friday to discuss with stakeholders ways and means on how to clean up the environment and through her efforts, the Philippines now "leads the region in the global advocacy against climate change."

According to Olivar another bishop accused the President of destroying the democratic system," but this is nonsense."

"All the coup attempts against her were put down with ordinary powers, the violence of local politicians that is the real threat to grassroots press freedom and democracy was met with limited martial law in Maguindanao and a first time ever commission on private armies, elections were automated, judges are not muzzled, and the press is free enough and ungracious enough to talk even about subjects like her breast implants," Olivar stressed.

"The President may have some personal qualities that some people dislike, including some of the bishops but her record in office speaks loudest for her and will be vindicated by history," Olivar concluded. (PIA V Release)

RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE A NECESSITY, SAYS PGMA

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stressed that development and economic growth must be alongside environment protection.

In her message at the Lions Club 61st Multiple District Convention over the weekend at the Araneta Coliseum, the President said the theme of the Convention “Move to grow: Responding to Global Climate Change,” is very timely as climate change has become the most pressing issue not only in the country but the whole world.

“Responding to climate change is not an option but a necessity because we are an archipelago,” she said.

The Philippines, according to the Chief Executive is not a climate change maker but a climate change taker since the country’s carbon emission is only 1.6 tons compared to other countries that emit six tons annually.

The country, she further explained is a climate taker because of its geographical location—the western Pacific, where typhoons come from.

The President said all the typhoons that enter Asia enter the Philippines first with full force and fury.

“That is why in Asia, the Philippines is one of the top most vulnerable countries and in the world we are the number nine most vulnerable country to natural disasters,” she said.

Stressing the need to protect the environment, the President said: “We have a moral obligation to the next generations to protect the environment and to mitigate climate change brought not by us but by the abuse of the entire humanity.”

Thus, she said when she became President her priorities included environment protection while lifting the lives of the poor. This can be gleaned from her 10-point pro-poor agenda—BEAT THE ODDS.

Through the Green Philippines program, the President said “we can have a growing economy and we can have a green growing economy—and fighting the effects of climate change.”

“There must be a healthy balance between development and conservation,” she said. The Arroyo administration, she added, came up with landmark environment protection laws such as the Biofuels Act, Renewable Energy Act as well as the creation of a Climate Change Commission among others.

The President said adaptation and mitigation were the important means of the Arroyo administration in fighting climate change or reducing risks and reducing the effects of climate change.

Thus, she urged businesses to be environment-friendly by building environment-friendly buildings with less use of aircon, and buildings with garden roofs.

In agriculture, she said rain water must be saved for irrigation purposes during dry season and for risk reduction, vulnerable residents in risk areas must be relocated. (PIA V Release)

RP'S IMPROVED COMPETITIVENESS LARGELY DUE TO ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY UNDER PGMA ADMINISTRATION

MANILA — The Philippines' competitiveness ranking rose to 39th with a score of 56.525, from 43rd last year, from among the 58 economies included in the World Competitiveness Yearbook released by Switzerland-based Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Center.

The 4 notches improvement in the rating is attributed to the government's unwavering effort to maintain the country's economic growth and to address inefficiencies in government.

Competitiveness is the "ability of a nation to create and maintain an environment that sustains more value creation for its enterprises and more prosperity for its people," according to the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the Swiss-based business school that has been publishing the World Competitiveness study since 1989.

To rank the competitiveness of nations covered, the study takes into account 327 criteria divided into four factors: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.

The country's rank moved upwards because of its economic performance and government efficiency. Under economic performance, the country saw developments in international trade, domestic economy and employment.

As for government efficiency, the study revealed that the Philippines improved in the areas of public finance and fiscal policy.

The country still fared low in business efficiency, mitigating corruption and infrastructure, the study pointed out. Other local government units should follow the simplified registration and licensing procedures to attract more investors. Infrastructure projects must be designed for competitiveness.

The report said that for 2010, the Philippines has to hurdle challenges like applying the rule of law and restoring faith in public institutions, ensuring food and energy security, planning for natural disasters and climate change, providing entrepreneurial opportunities, jobs, skills training and education in the countryside, and addressing migration into cities and configuring urban areas appropriately.

The country's competitiveness rank may not be that which it is aiming for but it is definitely better than that of last year. The fact that is an improvement to that of last year must be enough assurance that the country is on the right track. With a little more cooperation among all stakeholders, not only the government, the country will achieve the ranking it is aspiring for in terms of competitiveness. (PIA V Release)

KEEP FAITH IN MODERN ELECTION SYSTEM — SALUDO

MANILA — Malacanang spokesman Secretary Ricardo Saludo called on the people to be circumspect and not lose faith in the country’s resolve to modernize its electoral process because of minor and still-unproven allegations of electoral fraud.

“Hindi dapat hayaan ang pahayag ng isang tao at mga problema sa ilang mga dokumento at materials na mapawalang bisa ang buong halalan (We should not allow hollow allegations of one and a few purported documents of fraud to undermine the results of the recent elections), “ said Saludo in a press briefing today.

He said the issue is already being addressed in the ongoing committee investigation at the House of Representatives following accusations of electoral fraud from a still-unidentified “whistle blower”.

Saludo said that the recently conducted elections is widely accepted by the people as credible and recognized as a success by foreign observers.

He shared the view of the private-based poll watchdog, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), that the accusations be followed by proof, under the principle “that the burden of proof lies in the accuser.”

Saludo also reminded that there are proper venues to address electoral concerns. He added that the minor problems on the electoral process should not in any way hinder the canvassing and proclamation of election winners.

He said that the unhampered canvassing of votes is important because there is a constitutional deadline for the proclamation for the country’s new set of leaders.

Saludo said he hopes that the proclamation of winners could proceed on schedule so that there will be smooth and proper transition of governmental power to the next President by June. (PIA V Release)

MINDANAO PEACE MECHANISMS IN PLACE FOR NEXT RP LEADERS

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s peace initiatives in Mindanao have paid off and mechanisms are in place for the next administration to build upon the gains to sustain peace and development in the region, Secretary Jesus Dureza, chairman of the newly-created Mindanao Development Authority (MDA said Monday (May 24).

Dureza added that the ceasefire between government forces and the rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has been holding and has contributed to the right atmosphere necessary for the peace negotiations.

“On the whole there are mechanisms in place to keep the peace sustained in Mindanao. The President said there is peace on the ground right now. And we hope the building blocks that have been set over the years will be there for the next President to take off from. But the efforts for peace have paid off so far,” Dureza said during a media briefing today in Malacanang.

Meanwhile, Dureza said the President has tasked the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to continue helping some 80,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) temporarily housed in the 56 evacuation centers mostly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Dureza said a number of number of humanitarian institutions, foreign and international entities and even the MILF are actively helping government efforts to restore normalcy in the lives of these IDPs.

As it is now, Dureza said the worst is over in the peace problem in Mindanao, although there is still much to be done to fully develop and sustain peace there.

Amid this period of what he calls as one of “guarded optimism” among Mindanaoans, Dureza said they have come up with a Mindanao 2020 Plan which is a product of dialogues, consultations and groups discussions from among all sectors in Mindanao.

“Hopefully we can present the plan to the next administration so that they can take a look at it as a product of what Mindanaoans want for themselves,” Dureza said. (PIA V Release)