UN ISDR NAMES SALCEDA “SENIOR CHAMPION” ON CCA/DRR

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay Gov. Joey S. Salceda has received an accolade from the United Nations (UN) International Strategy on Disaster Risk Reduction (ISDRR) naming him a “Senior Champion” for his initiatives on crafting and implementation of a comprehensive program on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction in the province.

At the recently held UN ISDRR conference in Bonn, Germany, the organization has conferred the title of “Senior Champion” on DRR to Salceda for his leadership in an aggressive campaign on CCA and designing and putting into action a province-wide DRR strategy saving thousands of lives in times of calamities and disasters.

Salceda, in his acceptance message, said, “I joined the ISDR campaign for resilient cities as global role model for Asia because Albay wants to learn from best practices around the world and we want to push ourselves higher on standard of the ten DRR essentials and push the envelope on development through DRR and CCA.”

As the saying goes "The proof of the pudding is in the eating DRR/CCA,” he said.

Two and half decade passed, Albay put up the Albay Public Safety Emergency and management Office (APSEMO), which conceptualized and orchestrated the disaster management operation maintaining a “Zero Casualty” goal, except in 2006 when two super typhoons came in succession and triggered flooding and lahar flows killing close to a thousand residents in the province.

Salceda said the DRR strategy implemented by the province was an investment and not a cost as it reduced the risks thus it increased business returns and a noted surge in investments even after the spate of disaster like Typhoons Reming, Milenyo and Mayon eruption.

The CCA/DRR allows development to proceed in the midst of disasters since farmers can go on farming, fishermen can go out fishing, school children can attend classes while businessmen can continue with their trade, since the provincial government takes charge of the disaster, thus it creates jobs and promotes human welfare, Salceda pointed out.

“The DRR as a provincial flagship program has its political rewards, as I am possibly the first governor in the history of Albay to run virtually unopposed,: Salceda said. (MSArguelles, PNA Bicol)


PGMA UNVEILS PROGRAMS ON INFRA, HEALTH;
PAYS TRIBUTE TO SLAIN SOLDIERS IN CAMARINES SUR

SAGÑAY, Camarines Sur --- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has inaugurated during her sorties here Monday (May 31) the Tigaon-Mayong National Secondary Road, formerly known as Sagñay-Albay Boundary Road, six years after it was completed.

President Arroyo said that the completion of road networks, such as the Sangay-Tiwi road project here in Camarines Sur, is part of her super region projects which focuses on the economic strength of particular regions.

“In Bicol, Atulayan is one of the potential tourist attractions which would showcase this regions’ potential for economic growth. This will be an essential key for development and eventually, the growth of this community,” the President noted .

Bicol Region belongs to the Central Philippines Cluster, together with three Visayan regions, which focuses on tourism development.

The Tigaon-Mayong road network project, also known as the Sangay-Tiwi Road has a total road length of 24 kilometers.

In October 2000, the project was carried out under the Rural Road Network Development Project Phase II for the concrete-paving of the said road network and completed in November 2004. Now, it serves as the shortest route connecting the 4th District of Camarines Sur to the province of Albay and vice versa.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, President Arroyo headed to the inspection of the nearby Botika ng Barangay.

The President reiterated her administration’s thrust under the “Murang Gamot para sa lahat, Alagaan ang Kalusugan” to lower the cost of medicines so that everyone, especially the poor, can afford them.

In this town, only one Botika ng Barangay exists in the main Poblacion area. After its venture a few years back, it ceased to operate due to budgetary constraints and lack of pharmacist. It resumed operation under the management of the parish pastoral council of the Saint Andrew Parish.

In her visit, President Arroyo assured the town’s constituents that she will assign one provincial pharmacist to comply with the requirement of the Department of Health (DOH). Currently, there is a total of 27 Botika ng Barangay which are already in full operation in the 4th District of Camarines Sur.

The President also took time to visit Dr. Manuel T. Fuentebella Hospital which is also just within the Poblacion area, for a brief inspection. After taking a quick lunch at Congressman Noli Fuentebella’s residence, she flew back to Pili Airport, motored to the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division of the Philippine Army at Palestina, Pili, Camarines Sur and condoled with the families of slain soldiers who fell victims to the New People Army’s attack in an upland village of Presentacion town, two days ago.

President Arroyo witnessed the awarding of the Military Merit Medal to the slain valiant army officers: First Lieutenant Miguel Logronio, Jr; a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2009; Corporal Arturo Hernandez, Pfc Albert Jamera and Pfc Edwin Britannico.

She also turned over P1.45M Cash assistance to all the families of ambushed government troop members and P50,000.00 each for those who were wounded in action.

The soldiers were on duty when the ambush happened. They were deployed in the area to watch over PGMA’s flagship project in the region, particularly the road projects linking Presentacion to the town of Caramoan . (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur/mal)

SORSOGON GEARS UP FOR LA NIÑA

SORSOGON CITY — While everyone experience the occasional rainfall and high rise of temperature the past days, the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) is preparing measures and strategies to mitigate the impacts of La Niña expected to bring excessive rainfall.

La Niña, sometimes called “El Viejo” or cold event, is the counterpart of the climate phenomenon El Niño which results to more than normal rainfall and typhoons especially of stronger characteristics.

Provincial Public Safety and Disaster Management Office (PPSDMO) Information Officer Manro Jayco of PDCC Sorsogon said that the local disaster response office is currently in the process of conducting follow-up to previously trained Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) municipal officers across the province as part of their mitigation plan in case Sorsogon will directly be hit by excessive rainfall brought about by the phenomenon.

“We are also preparing to orient newly elected officials and Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council action officers if ever there will be new appointees, in order to make them more effective and efficient disaster managers,” Jayco said.

“We will also strengthen the performance of our rain gauge monitoring officers especially in the three identified flood-prone areas in the province, namely Barangays Incarizan in Magallanes, Cogon in Irosin and Banuang Gurang in Donsol, so that they could provide us accurate information relevant to our disaster preparation activities” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sorsogon PDCC has already started doing rounds in areas considered low-lying and flood prone including the coastal areas in different municipalities here to give information and warn DRR leaders on the ill-effects that La Niña may bring.

It can be noted that PAGASA disclosed that frequent precipitations may be experienced in the month of July. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

SMOKE-FREE PROGRAM OF LEGAZPI CITY CITED IN 1ST RED ORCHID AWARDS

LEGAZPI CITY --- The city government here has received another feather on its cap after it received the 1st Red Orchid Awards of the Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization (WHO) a citation given to local government units (LGUs) for initiating an aggressive anti-smoking campaign.

This city, together with Davao City and three other towns, bested other LGUs across the country in the “100% Smoke-Free LGU” category during the DOH-WHO-sponsored awards program.

City Mayor Noel Rosal and his wife Gie Rosal, incoming Mayor of this city, proudly received the award in an awarding ceremony held at the Crown Plaza Ballroom in Ortigas, Manila on Monday (May 31) and pledged to continue and strengthen the city’s smoke-free campaign as part of its effective local governance program.

The awarding ceremony for the 1st Red Orchid Awards highlighted the observance of the World No Tobacco Day Celebration held every May 31 of the year.

This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme is “Gender and Tobacco with an Emphasis on Marketing to Women”.

WHOand DOH are sounding the alarm on the increasing trend of smoking and other forms of tobacco consumption by women and young girls worldwide.

DOH has encouraged all its attached offices and hospitals LGUs to help promote a tobacco-free environment, hence the Red Orchid Awards was conceived to recognize comprehensive efforts to implement a 100% Tobacco-Free environment following the WHO “MPOWER” initiative where M stands for monitor tobacco use, P for protect people from tobacco smoke, O for offer help to quit tobacco use, W for warn against the dangers of tobacco, E for enforce bans on tobacco advertising and R for raise taxes on tobacco. The R or the raise taxes criterion applies only to local government units.

This is the 1st of a series of awards programs carried out and will be pursued by DOH and WHO in their tobacco control initiatives, for LGUs and DOH hospitals, centers for health development (CHD) and regional health offices nationwide.

DOH has also announced that any LGU, hospital or CHD that will win the award three consecutive times will be beneficiary of a grant as performance incentive.

Rosal approved the Comprehensive Smoke-Free Ordinance of this city last August 12, 2005, while the revised Smoke-Free Ordinance (007-2009) was approved last year to further strengthen the program defining the roles of cooperating agencies and organizations, mode of enforcement, and strategies to really achieve a smoke-free city.

“With the approval of the revised ordinance, the City Health Office (CHO) will take the lead in the implementation of program, projects and policies,” he said, adding that “a smoke-free coordinating council with an established office has been already set up at the city hall,” Rosal added.

The incoming city chief executive, meanwhile, said that the city’s smoke-free campaign will be pursued by her administration, mulling more improvements specifically on the health and enforcement aspect.

Rose Olarte-Orbita of the Adventist Community Team Services (ACTS), a non-governmental organization which initiated, supervised and assisted in the implementation of the campaign, has expressed elation for the citation conferred to the budding program.

“We never perceived our efforts and struggles to magnify this way. We thank Mayor Noel for his strong leadership and political will, the Smoke-Free Committee members who devoted their time and resources. We give honor and gratitude to God, for He continues to move the hearts and minds of our key local officials in protecting His children,” she said.

“This city’s smoke-free experience and best practices are expected to be shared and replicated in other localities across the country,” Orbita added.

Other winners of the 1st Red Orchid Awards for the CHD category are: CHD Metro Manila, CHD CAR and CHD SOCCSKSARGEN.

For outstanding LGUs, the winners are Calauag, Quezon in CALABARZON, Legaspi City in the Bicol Region, Maasin City in Eastern Visayas, Talisayan in Northern Mindanao and Davao City in the Davao Region. (MALoterte, PIA V)

DSWD LAUNCHES 4Ps JINGLE MAKING CONTEST

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is spearheading the conduct of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Jingle Making Contest to promote the goals and objectives of the program through music., announced DSWD Bciol Director Remia Tapispisan.

The contest is open to all musical aspirants and enthusiasts. Awaiting the regional winners are cash prize of P10,000 for first placer, P7,000 for second place and P5,000 for the third prize.

The composition must have a maximum of two minutes but not less than one minute playing time. Entries must be submitted in CD form, but contestants must be willing to perform the jingle in person, when called.

Each group (with maximum membership of 5) or individual is allowed to submit only one entry. Contestants below 18 years of age must submit a parental consent allowing the child to join the contest.

All entries must be placed inside a brown envelope with the name of contestant. It must contain the following: a) Properly labeled CD with the track title, composer/performer, and contact information; b) Lyrics of the song which should be typewritten or printed legibly in an A4-sized bond paper. Missing lyric sheets can be cause for rejection of entry; c) Duly accomplished application form. Forms are available at the DSWD regional office, and various Provincial/Municipal/City Social Welfare Development Offices (P/M/CSWDO) in the region.

Entries must be submitted to the DSWD Field Office V, PBN Buraguis, Legazpi City, or any P/M/CSWDO on or before July 9. However, all regional entries must be in at the DSWD regional office by July 18.

Criteria for judging are as follows: a) Lyrics (relevance to the theme), 30 percent; b) Musicality (execution, over-all performance, 35 percent; c) Originality (creativity), 35 percent.

Winning regional entries may be further enhanced and packaged before submission as national entry to the DSWD central office. Winning entries will not be returned and shall become the property of the DSWD”s 4Ps. The 4Ps National Project Management Office (NPMO) reserves the right to modify or enhance the winning entry to be used as advocacy material that can be aired in the different broadcast outfits at the local and national levels. The winning entry shall serve as the official jingle of the program.

For more information, interested parties may contact DSWD Regional Information Officer through 092-5092364 or at 480-5754/820-1309, or email at fo5@dswd.gov.ph. You may also visit www.fo5.dswd.gov.ph for more information.

4Ps is the national poverty reduction strategy of the government that aims to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty by investing in human capital such as health, nutrition and education. (CLMartinez, KCRSMO-DSWD/PIA)

BICOL TOURISM UPTREND BRINGS IN P364.5 M REVENUE; CREATES .72 M JOBS

LEGAZPI CITY — Bicol’s tourism has generated some P364,506,282.50 gross receipts and created a total of 723,754 jobs for Bicolanos during the first quarter of this year, according to an official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office here.

DOT Bicol Regional Director Maria Ravanilla averred Bicol tourism posted some 593,241 tourist arrivals with 13.09 percent increase compared to the 524,544 tourist arrivals during the same period last year.

Ravanilla added that the agency recorded some 80 percent (454,016) of tourists visiting Bicol were locals while only 20 percent or 139,225 were foreign nationals.

She noted that the increase in tourist arrivals was delivered by the three “icons” in local tourism namely Mayon Volcano in Albay, CWC in Camarines Sur, and Butanding (whaleshark) interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon.

Camarines Sur continues to bring in the highest income posting a 348,139 visitors generating P197 million in revenues, followed by Albay with 86,518 making some P65 million in revenue; Catanduanes with 31,432 with P35 million; Sorsogon, 31,049/P27.5 million; Masbate 49,061/P20.2 million; and Camarines Norte with 47,042/P19.2 million revenues.

DOT data also reveals that the industry continues to post an uptrend in gross receipts with P443.5 million in 2007, surge by P782 million in 2008, and hitting over the P1 billion mark last year. (MALoterte, PIA V)

RETURN TO BOTANICAL PESTICIDES, FARMERS URGED
By Danny O. Calleja

CASTILLA, Sorsogon — Sorsogon Vice Governor Renato Laurinaria has urged farmers in the province to start participating in a nationwide drive against the extensive use of harmful agricultural chemicals particularly pesticides by way of returning to botanical pesticides.

“Let’s go back to the basics of using botanical pesticides in our farms and save lives while earning more profits from our crops,” Laurinaria told dozens of farmers from all over the province who visited his agro-tourism farm here over the weekend.

The two-hectare farm which the vice-governor started five years ago boasts of several species of high-yielding fruit trees, root crops, vegetables and other high value crops grown and maintained without the use of inorganic fertilizers and chemical pesticides.

“I go natural and organic, and you see, without worrying about chemical farm inputs that are poisonous yet very expensive, my harvest gives me more profit than those who rely on chemicals,” he said.

It is a common knowledge that modern agriculture produces high yields but is often not sustainable. Expensive farm chemicals eat into profit. Pesticides upset the natural balance between predators and pests and chemicals poison groundwater and rivers.

He cited a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) saying every year, hundreds of thousands of people are killed due to accidental poisoning by agricultural chemicals.

”Three people are poisoned by pesticides every minute around the world and all in all, about 10,000 die annually due to pesticides,” the WHO report according to Laurinaria.

The AgribusinessWeek in its latest publication reports said that 62 percent of pesticides sold in the Philippines are insecticides. Of these, 46 percent are applied to rice and 20 percent to vegetables. Insecticides had become one of the major expenses of farmers that account for about 40 percent of total production cost.

Experts say people who are eating chemical-laced vegetables are risking their lives since chemicals are not always dissipated. Generally, chemicals are accumulated in the human body.

The lack of regulation in most developing countries like the Philippines often accounts for the importation of banned pesticides. In some instances, farmers try to apply untested chemicals which they think could drive away insects and pest. In 1992, the illegal use of cyanide compounds by cabbage farmers in the Cordillera region provoked a public outcry.

In time, the use of botanical pesticides again gains wider acceptance among farmers. Botanical pesticides are derived from plants which have been shown to have insecticidal properties. Used widely until the 1940s, these natural pesticides were displaced by modern synthetic pesticides that at that time seemed cheaper, easier, and longer lasting.

The increasing awareness of the dangers posed by chemical pesticides to human health is prompting many Filipino farmers to use botanical formulations that they themselves are preparing, the AgribusinessWeek said.

Eric Vinje of Planet Natural in an article said “natural pest controls like the botanicals are safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight.”

They are also very close chemically to those plants from which they are derived, so they are easily decomposed by a variety of microbes common in most soils, Vinje added.

Many plants have insecticidal properties. Extracts of these plants can be sprayed on the crop to either kill or repel insects. Take the case of atis, which is best used against aphids, ants, and other crawling insects. The seed of the fruit is crushed and mixed with water. The solution is sprayed against target pests, according to Laurinaria.

Manzanilla, on the other hand, he said drives away a wide range of insects. To use it as a pesticide, dried flowers are finely chopped and mixed with fine clay loam and water at the rate of six to seven tablespoons of dried flowers per gallon of water. The mixture is sprayed on infested plant parts.

Tubli, a wild vine, has an ancient reputation as a botanical pesticide. Ethnic groups in the Philippines have long been using it to poison unwanted fish. In Brazilian rivers, it is used to eliminate the deadly piranha.

Tubli’s insecticidal properties were discovered in 1848, when the plant was first used against the nutmeg caterpillar. It was patented for use as an insecticide in England during the late 19th century, and American farmers started using it in 1911.

Applied as a powder or spray, tubli is toxic to a wide range of insect pests–aphids, beetles, borers, the diamondback moth, fruit flies, thrips, cabbage worms, fleas, flea beetles, lice, loopers, mites, mosquitoes, psyllids, and slugs. It is recommended for application on bush and vine crops, too, Laurinaria said.

Another excellent botanical pesticide is kakawate. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that kakawate leaves contain coumarin, which can be converted into an anticoagulant “discoumerol” found to be an efficient rat killer.

“Anticoagulants are an efficient natural method of pest control because they reduce the protein prothrombin, a clotting agent secreted in the liver, and eventually cause death from internal bleeding,” the FAO noted.

Tests have shown that while the toxin produced by kakawate does not act rapidly, repeated doses lead to fatal hemorrhaging within a few days. “Unlike many other poisons, anticoagulants do not produce bait shyness, which rodents tend to acquire as soon as the first victims of other poisons are taken,” the FAO said.

Aside from rodents, kakawate also acts potently on insects. In many countries, its leaves are placed in chicken runs, or left to soak in hot water and used to eliminate fleas and lice on domestic animals.

In Ilocos region, a study made by the Mariano Marcos State University found out that kakawate leaves can be used to control diseases that attack garlic like purple blotch and bulb rot. To prepare the concoction, the leaves are pounded using mortar and pestle.

After that, one liter of water is added to a kilogram of pounded kakawate leaves. The mixture is filtered and sprayed to the plants infested by pests.

In the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, organic rice farmers sprayed their crops with fermented leaves and twigs of kakawate and neem trees to control pests and diseases. Some farmers found it convenient and effective, also, to just allow the kakawate leaves to drift to their farm when they irrigate.

In Baguio, a botanical pesticide prepared from kakawate leaves and other herbals are used against pests that attack cabbage and broccoli like cabbage butterflies, diamondback moths, leafminers, and inchwoitits.

Many other plants can also be used to prepare extracts with pesticidal properties. A mixture of garlic, onion, marigold, and hot pepper can annihilate a wide range of insect pests.

To prepare the concoction, the following are boiled in water for 10 minutes: three to four garlic gloves, two handfuls of marigold leaves, two to three onion bulbs and two to three small hot peppers.

It is left to cool before diluting the mixture with water four to five times the quantity of the botanical materials. Stir thoroughly and spray on infested parts. The mixture is best used within two days.

“Botanical pesticides are one answer to the pest problem in developing countries,” says Gaby Stoll, a German agrobiologist and author of Natural Crop Protection. However, she sounds a word of warning: Not all botanicals are risk-free. “Some are as dangerous as chemical pesticides,” she warns.

But Stoll says the move from chemical to botanical pesticides is “an important step in the search for a balanced, self-regulating agricultural system.”

Another advantage of botanical products is that they are not very persistent. Most of them will break down quickly under influence of high temperature or sunshine. Therefore, they don’t have a long lasting contaminating effect on the environment. (PNA Bicol/cbd)

RP LOOKS AT HIGHER GROWTH TARGET IN 2010

MANILA — The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) sees better economic growth for the country in 2010.

In a news conference in Malacanang today(Wednesday, June 2), Economic Planning Director Dennis Arroyo said the Philippines is looking at a "sustainable" increase in its economic growth target range this year of between 2.6 percent and 3.6 percent.

Most multilateral funding institutions like the World Bank and foreign banks have already upgraded the country’s growth target to as high as six percent.

Arroyo said growth is "looking good" and now "solid" mainly due to the booming global economy.

Arroyo said the government had "stopped being conservative" after the gross domestic product (GDP) rose to 7.3 percent in the first quarter this year. "We are now more confident in our growth estimates," he said.

"What pushed growths were manufacturing which grew by 20 percent and exports by 17.9 percent - the biggest export surge in 15 years," Arroyo explained. (PIA V Release)

BPO CONTINUES TO POWER GROWTH OF SERVICES SECTOR -- PALACE

MANILA — Malacañang said the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the country continues to flourish, contributing tremendously to the growth of the service industry.

According to Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza in a press briefing today (Wednesday, June 2), the BPO industry is “giving the glow to the 6.1 percent first quarter growth in the service sector compared to the 1.9 percent a year ago,” Mendoza said.

Overall, first quarter gross domestic product (GDP) on total goods, services and products in the country grew by 7.3 percent, officials said, affirming the figure given by economic agencies

The BPO sector alone generated over $7.2 billion last year, approximating earlier projections which estimated the year end earnings within that range. In year 2000, BPO was a mere $24 million industry.

In the same press briefing, Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III, chairman of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), said that despite the effects of the global economic crisis, the BPO industry grew by 19 percent and generated 440,000 employees despite recession last year.

In her 2009 State of the Nation Address, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave importance to developing the BPO sector, citing it as an engine of growth.

With the global economy recovered as of late last year, Chua is expecting an industry growth of 26 percent for 2010.

According to Chua, the country is building a name as a preferred off-shoring destination with the quality of service that the country provides.

He was optimistic that American businesses will continue outsourcing forays, despite attempts by United States lawmakers to pass a bill imposing higher taxes on American firms resorting to offshoring employment.

Chua said the government continuously monitors these developments in the United States.

“We are constantly monitoring the situation and it is up to our bilateral relationship with US to avert any adverse effect of such a move,” Chua said, adding that the global demand for outsourcing services continues to grow.

He also said there are a lot of services that can be outsourced that has not been outsourced, He said the challenge does not lie in the demand but in keeping up the supply of personnel by developing new talents. (PIA V Release)

PGMA FETES AGENCIES INVOLVED IN ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo awarded today (Wednesday, June 2) Presidential citations to government agencies which have successfully implemented poverty alleviation programs that advanced the development and provided greater access to basic services particularly for the poor and marginalized sector of the populace.

The Chief Executive awarded the Presidential citations to the Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Technical education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).

Receiving the awards from the President at Malacanang’s Ceremonial Hall were Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Social Welfare Secretary Celia Yangco, DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, TESDA Director General Pastor Guiao, Philhealth executive vice president Melinda Mercado, DA Undersecretary Berna Romulo Puyat and NAPC Undersecretary Catherine Mae Santos.

One of the outstanding accomplishment of the DA is the sustained implementation of anti-poverty programs and projects under the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA).

These include the construction of 6,305 kilometers of farm-to-market-roads; generation of 23,390 hectares of new irrigation areas; rehabilitation of 261,811 hectares and restoration of 153,598 hectares of unserviceable and deteriorated irrigation facilities; and distribution of 41.4 million kilos of organic fertilizer and 3.56 million fertilizer discount coupons benefiting some 1.78 million farmers.

The DA also provided hybrid and certified seed subsidy for some 3.2 million hectares benefiting 2.23 million farmers; distributed 85,478 heads of various animals; 452 million fingerlings and 4 million pieces of broodstock which boosted production and enhance productivity of farmers and fishermen.

The DA also installed 2.016 flatbed dryers nationwide to help farmers minimize post-harvest losses and released P4.9 billion worth of loans to 141,916 farmers and fisherfolk to encourage and develop their capacity to invest more in agribusiness.

On the other hand, the Cheaper Medicines Act provided huge savings for the marginalized with the availability of generic medicines as the DOH established 15,024 Botika ng Barangays which provided affordable yet quality medicines to poor communities nationwide.

The DSWD was cited for the successful implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) that improved the health, education and spending capacity of some one million poor Filipinos while providing community grants for the 200 poorest towns nationwide.

The DTI was cited for the continuing expansion and access to funds of micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which continued to flourish even during the global economic crisis.

TESDA was recognized for the successful implementation of the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program which provided more than one million technical and vocational scholarships for the unemployed, underemployed, retrenched/displaced workers and returning overseas workers.

NAPC was likewise recognized for its sustained efforts in conducting local and national level consultations that improved the welfare of the poor and vulnerable sectors such as labor, urban poor, senior citizens, cooperatives, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Philhealth was cited for the enrolment of 85 percent of the population under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) with health insurance claims reaching P23 billion in 2009 from only P7 billion in 2000. (PIA V Release)

PALACE JOINS CALLS TO RATIFY INFORMATION BILL

MANILA — Malacanang has joined the calls for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in the Lower House, saying it would give more teeth to the constitutional right to know and the state policy of full disclosure of transactions involving public interest.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Rogelio Peyuan said the Palace is hopeful that this bill “will come to life” when lawmakers tackle the bill on Friday (June 4).

“We are one with everyone who wishes to see the passage of this proposed bill. And we believe, as we always put our trust and confidence in the entire sector of our media practitioners, that we will see this come to life,” Peyuan said in a news conference today.

Peyuan said the passage of Freedom of Information Act would mean a lot for each and every outfit or individual practitioner in the media circle.

The FOI bill seeks to ensure the implementation of the right of the people to information on matters of public concerns guaranteed under Section 7, Article 3 of the 1987 Constitution and the state policy of full disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest under Section 28, Article 2 of the Constitution.

If passed, it would allow the right of the people to access information on matters of public concern, such as official records and to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, decisions, as well as government research data used as basis for policy development.

The Senate approved its version of the bill Dec. 14 last year with 12 senators voting for the measure. (PIA V Release)

PALACE HINTS WAGE INCREASES LIKELY

MANILA — Malacanang is confident that private sector workers will soon get their much-awaited increases in daily wage, saying that efforts of the tripartite boards looking at the wage structure could bear results “within the week.”

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Rogelio C. Peyuan said the likely wage hike will be the welcome news to the labor sector, particularly the minimum wage earners.

Last May 1 during the Labor Day celebration, Peyuan said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
had ordered the various Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to hasten the process of resolving the P75 across-the-board wage increase petition from the private labor sector.

For government workers, the President had announced that they will continue to have yearly salary increases until 2012 pursuant to the salary standardization law.

Upon the President’s directive, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said the wage board in Metro Manila is deliberating on the pending wage petition and is expected to come out with a decision this week.

“Hopefully before the end of the week,” Peyuan said. (PIA V Release)