UPTREND OF BICOL TOURISM 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)

ALBAY PUSHES FOR ACADEMY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

LEGAZPI CITY— Albay remains the front runner in terms of disaster response, good practices to ensure zero casualty during calamities and this one of the major factor why the province is now being recognized throughout the world as a local government unit with an exemplary achievement in the Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).

To broaden its local initiative on disaster risk reduction (DRR), the Center for Initiative and Research for Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) is now pushing for the establishment of first Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Academy for local government units.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said this will be the first academy which will cater to all vulnerable groups or sectors from the brunt of climate change through Capacity Development for Better Governance of all stakeholders from the local to national level on climate change adaptation.

The proposed academy will strengthen the theoretical and practical skills of the major stakeholders on various assessments and planning tools for capacity development, climate and disaster risk assessment including integrated assessment impacts and implementation then finally putting into action.

Salceda explained that the Capacity development for better governance approach that shall be employed by the academy shall have four levels: a) Capacity Development and assessment on the level on awareness, b) modular training on scenario building, climate and disaster risk assessment, and disaster risk management, c) mainstreaming of lessons learned to their local sectoral planning, d) guided experimental learning in the implementation of plans to their area of responsibility.

In other development, CIRCA executive director Nong Rangasa disclosed that starting July this year, the demo teaching on Mainstreaming Climate Change Education in 33 vulnerable selected schools

The mainstreaming of Climate Change Education has been integrated in the curriculum in all learning areas from grade 4 to 6 and 1st year to 4th year. “First in the country and in the world,” Rangasa said.

This is partnership with provincial government, CIRCA, University of Los Banos, Department of Education Central Office and Albay Division, International Center for Research and Agro-Forestry (ICRAF), Millennium Development Goal –F (MDG-F), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Filipinos Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) experts and a Nobel Peace Laureate.

Aside from integration of Climate Change Adaptation in the curriculum the province of Albay is the first provincial government unit in the country to use the customized SimCLIM software, a computer model system for examining the effects of climate variability and change over time and space. This project is supported by the University of Sunshine Coast based in Qeensland, Australia, Asia Pacific Network and University of the Philippines Los Banos.

Earlier, CIRCA has proposed to the national government for the construction of a Customized SimCLIM software modeling system for the Philippines. “The recommendation of CIRCA to the apparent administration is to adopt Albay CLIM tool,” Nong Rangasa said.

“The SimCLIM could be applied in the work programs of several agencies in the country,” according to Rangasa.

This has been presented to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Millennium Development Goals – Fund Secretariat, and the United Nations Development Programme.

The SimCLIM customized for the Philippines will include the statistical downscaled Global Climate Monitoring (GCM) patterns, rather than directly bilinear interpolated GCM patterns in that characterized earlier version of the software.

“SimCLIM outputs are multifaceted and applicable to a wide range of planning and sustainable development application and sustainable development applications. “It is, perhaps, first and foremost, a tool for creating possible scenarios of climate change that are then linked with various sectors, such as coastal, agriculture, water, health and the planning required to reduce the risk borne by societies and environments as a result in shifts in climate.” Rangasa finally said. (MDRama, PNA Bicol/mal)

NFA PALAY BUYING SURPASSES PREVIOUS YEARS’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS

LEGAZPI CITY — The National Food Authority (NFA) Bicol regional office here has surpassed the target for its palay procurement program despite the dry spell brought about by El Niño phenomenon, according to an agency’s regional official.

Edgar Bentulan, NFA Bicol regional director, disclosed that the agency was able to purchase some 601,861 bags of palay from individual farmers (IF’s) and farmer organizations (FO’s), that is, 141.45 per cent more that the target of 425,500 bags until end of April.

“The amount is very much higher as well compared to January to April, 2009 procurement totaling only to 256,814 bags,” he added.

Bentulan furthered that NFA’s partnership with the local farmers during the harvest season boosted the latter’s income because of the higher government support price of P17.00 per kilogram and the grant of additional incentives such as P0.30 per kilogram as cooperative development incentive fund (CDIF) for farmer cooperatives; P0.20 per kilogram as delivery incentive and; P0.20 per kilogram as drying incentive.

The average ex-farm price for the month of April is P15.36, allowing NFA to procure more.

With this price difference, farmers have enjoyed an advantage of P70,417,737 more for selling their palay produce to NFA, plus incentives of P0.70 per kilogram.

The highest volume procured for the same period was in 2002 when the agency in Bicol bought a total of 511,841 bags. (NEAlcantara, NFA V/PIA/mal)


SSC CASTILLA TO VENTURE ON HARDENED CHICK PRODUCTION

SORSOGON CITY — The Sorsogon State College (SSC) here has proposed a 300-hen level Hardened Chick Production venture to meet the increasing demand of genetically raised breeds for their meat and eggs.

The project will also provide opportunity for students and newly agricultural course graduates of SSC additional knowledge on the establishment and management of this kind of enterprise.

Dr. Antonio Fuentes, SSC president, said that the project has a total capital requirement of P606,350.41, 79 percent of the amount (P481,800.00) will be financed by the Bicol University Equity Fund, while the remaining 21 percent (P125,550.41) will come from the SSC counterpart.

The project is located at the SSC Castilla Campus in Barangay Mayon, Castilla town, a strategic area for the project operation due to its accessibility to any land transportation.

“The project will maintain 300 hen and 60 rooster breeders for a span of two years,” he added.

Hardened chicks are usually 75 days old, hatched out of the breeders and may be artificially or naturally incubated and brooded. Because of the hardening stage, native chickens are prepared for a harsh life and are highly adaptable to conditions such as insufficient feeds, lack of shelter, weather disturbances, and diseases in small farms.

Products such as the hardened chicks are to be marketed three months after the start of operation.

According to Fuentes priority target buyers include selected faculty members and students of the school, farmer clients and linkages implementing the agricultural development program in their localities.

“Some of the products will also be allocated for the establishment and operation of native chicken for meat and eggs production of the campus administration. Participation of students and graduates would be ensured by giving them the opportunity to gain knowledge in managing the project through on-the-job immersion,” he explained.

Fuentes further said that students and graduates who seek alternative sources of income may take into consideration the hardened chick production as their income generating project.

“Following the business plan, the project is recommended because it is relatively profitable,” he said. (DJMarantal, SSC/PIA Sorsogon/mal)

LGU CAMARINES NORTE LEADS FLAG DAYS
AND FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATIONS

DAET, Camarines Norte — The Provincial Government of Camarines Norte will lead the celebration here of the 112th Independence Day on June 12.

Line-up activities for the Freedom Day festivity include a Thanksgiving Mass at 7:00 o’clock in the morning at the Provincial Capitol façade, followed by the Flag Raising Ceremony, and the Independence Day Parade.

Earlier, Governor Edgardo Tallado has issued an Executive Order No. 2010-06 “directing all government line agencies across the province to support and observe Flag Days on May 28 to June 12, and enjoined the same to participate in the 112th Philippine Independence Day activities on June 12 by way of meaningful events”.

Tallado also urges participation of and display of the National Flag in residents, establishments, parks, schools and offices to display starting last May 28 until June 12.

The activities on June 12 encourages the full support and participation of all local government units (LGUs), national government agencies and instrumentalities, all public and private schools; all socio-civic and religious organizations and the general public.

This year’s theme of the Independence Day celebration is “Kalayaan 2010, Tagumpay ng Bayan”. (RBManlangit, PIA Cam Norte/mal)

ECO-ARTS LECTURE AND SEMINAR HELD IN CAMARINES NORTE

DAET, Camarines Norte — The Eco-Arts Lecture and Seminar was conducted here for the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC) and other fisheries organizations from May 31 to June 4, 2010.

Our Lady of Lourdes College, in cooperation with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) Fisheries Development Division (FDD), spearheaded the five day event.

Edgar A. Estanislao, chief of FDD/supervising agriculturist, said that lectures were focused onMicro Entrepreneurs Capacity Assessment and Enhancement, Entrepreneurship Awareness, Business Start Up, Organizing Cooperatives, Business Formation, Swine/Poultry Raising, Organic Swine Raising, Coastal Communities, Environmental Lecture, Raw Materials Development and Micro-Financing.

Resource persons came from the Development Academy of the Philippines/TRC, UP Institute of Small Scale Industries, Cooperative Development Authority, Vitarich, TRC, UP Marine Science Institute, Haribon, ABS-CBN, PDDLP, Tulay sa Pag-unlad, DBP and LBP.

Other participants were coastal residents of the province, non government organizations, Socio Pastoral Action Center Foundation Inc., Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) of Mercedes, representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Provincial Fishery Office and the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO). (RBManlangit, PIA Cam Norte/mal)

4Ps EMPOWERS MOTHERS IN MASBATE TOWN

LEGAZPI CITY — The role of women has always been equated with reproductive functions, bear children and sustain human life.

In the town of Cawayan, Masbate, women content themselves to being tied down performing domestic chores and some are coping either doing farm work or going out to the sea for fishing. Burdened in multiple ways and imprisoned in poverty, they feel that they are excluded from the mainstream of community and social life.

A noticeable change happened when the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) was implemented in Cawayan. It was in September 2008 when the program was introduced in the place. Women were mostly called to attend the community, meetings and development sessions.

Maria Rosa Dehito, a 4Ps beneficiary, shared that 4Ps is not just giving them money for the education of the children and availing health services. We are oblige to attend meetings and Family Development Sessions. “Parang balik eskwela kami,” Maria Rosa bared.

Another 4Ps beneficiary also said that if before she does not participate in any activity in the barangay, with the coming of the program she and her husband have been active in all the activities be it a 4Ps related activity or those called for by the barangay.

Cawayan Mayor Edgar Condor believes that the 4Ps is not only giving money to the poor and enable them to buy food and other household personal needs but the physical and intellectual development particularly the women beneficiaries being addressed to.

He thought of mainstreaming the 4Ps mothers in social life so that during the recent town fiesta of Cawayan, Mayor Condor invited the 4Ps beneficiaries to join in all the activities like: foot parade, street dancing, agricultural fair and cultural show.

Condor allocated fund for the costume of the 4Ps mothers who have participated in the cultural night and even hired a dance instructor. In order for the women to engage in the livelihood activities and participate in the trade fair, the good Mayor also gave them money to be able to rent a booth where they were able to display their farm products and other goods ready for market.

Glorem Redrico, the Municipal Link, said that there was an overwhelming participation from the mothers’ group. From the 5,587 family beneficiaries in Cawayan about 3,202 women participated in the town fiesta activities.

Jocelyn Sinadjan another 4Ps beneficiary from Brgy. Recodo proudly exclaimed, “I am thanking the DSWD for bringing the 4Ps in our town. We promise to use the cash grant with prudence and comply with the conditionalities of the program as well as participate actively in community activities.”

Through 4Ps, the women of Cawayan finally are coming out of their home, attend meetings and share the benefits they now reap from the program. Their value is no longer equated solely with reproductive functions. They are now partners of men in development and soon they shall liberate themselves from the clutch of poverty. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)

PALACE SEES GENUINE RECONCILIATION AFTER PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

MANILA — Malacanang expressed hope that the inauguration of the next President will mark the start of genuine national reconciliation.

Deputy Spokesperson Rogelio Peyuan said in a press briefing the inauguration of the next Chief Executive will hopefully be “the beginning of a genuine national reconciliation after a long period of political divisiveness.”

Peyuan said that it is a continuing dream for the outgoing administration that all wounds will heal in due time after years of divisiveness

With the next President and Vice President expected to be proclaimed on Monday, Peyuan said that as a gesture of reconciliation, outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will extend her hand to the next Chief Executive.

“The President will surely do her rightful part and will definitely congratulate the winner immediately after the proclamation made by the national board of canvassers” he said.

Peyuan pointed out that it is President Arroyo’s desire to have a smooth transition and reconciliation.

“I will only surmise that the President will call on the entire nation to unite behind the new leadership which is the number one requirement of anybody taking over the helm of the administration,” Peyuan said. (PIA V Release)

PGMA THANKS OUTGOING SWISS, SOUTH AFRICA ENVOYS

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today (June 4) thanked the outgoing ambassadors of Switzerland and South Africa for their efforts in strengthening the bilateral ties between the Philippines and their respective countries.

The President warmly received during farewell calls at Malacanang Swiss Confederation Ambassador Peter Sutter and Ambassador Andries Pieter Vermeulen of South Africa,

The President said the two outgoing envoys not only worked hard to maintain warm relations with the Philippine government but also to improve further bilateral exchanges.

On their part, the two envoys respectively thanked the President for the warm hospitality and support during their tour of duties here.

Ambassador Sutter cited the fruitful and enriching bilateral relations between the Philippines and Switzerland highlighted by the August 2008 visit to Manila of Swiss President Pascal Couchepin, the first Swiss president to do so.

Diplomatic and bilateral relations between the Philippines and Switzerland, which started in August 1956, have resulted in improved economic ties such that more than 60 Swiss companies are now operating in the Philippines and continue to enjoy confidence in the form of stable investments mostly in the pharmaceutical/chemical industries, food, trade, distribution and foreign business consultancy sectors.

On the other hand, the Philippine continue enjoy steady exports to South Africa that include liquefied petroleum gas, pharmaceutical products, ethyl alcohol, and desiccated coconut. Top Philippine imports from South Africa include iron and steel, hybrid seeds and unrefined copper. (PIA V Release)

PGMA HAILED FOR RESUSCITATING RP MINING

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was hailed today (June 4) for resuscitating the mining sector, by championing responsible mining and sustainable development and by actively promoting investments in the sector.

In today’s workshop in Malacanang dubbed as “Sustainable Development in Natural Resources: The Arroyo Administration Natural Resources Legacy”, Benjamin Philip Romualdez, president of the Chamber of Mines, recalled the shift in the policy of the President from “mere tolerance” early on in her administration to “active promotion” was the key factor in the industry growth.

“Despite the general negative sentiments (against the industry brought about by disasters and other environmental concerns), the President pushed hard and earned the ire of so many people with her firm policy and determined resolve to revive the mining industry. She actively met foreign investors, asking them to put their money here and she made sure that resources were poured into infrastructures needed by the mining sector,” Romualdez said.

It did not take a long for the mining industry to get back on its feet, with $3 billion already invested in the sector, Romualdez said.

Bataraza Mayor Abraham Ibba, where the Rio Tuba Nickel Mining and the Coral B Mining Corp. in Palawan operate, said the President created the environment allowing mining companies to reopen in remote areas.

“With the operation of both mining companies, a lot of my constituents are employed; taxes worth P100 million a year are paid by the mining firms. The Social Development Mining Project Funds (SDMPF) of P252 million have been paid to the province in 2005 to 2008. For 2009 to 2013 the funds will amount to P616 million,” Ibba said.

Jose Boy Anoy, chieftain of the indigenous people in TVI Zamboanga del Norte, said schools, livelihood and employment generated by the Sustainable Development Mining and Responsible Mining Programs were implemented by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the mining companies.

Lolita Zaide of Siniloan, Laguna and Sergio Igos of Ternate, Cavite said the President’s and the Bureau of Lands’ patent program enabled them to get their patents without much difficulty and at the least cost unlike in previous administrations when they were made to comply with voluminous processing requirements. They said that their respective farms, which they now own, have enabled them to support their families and to send their children to college for their respective careers. (PIA V Release)

HUDDC CITES GAINS IN HOUSING SECTOR UNDER PGMA

MANILA — Over one million homes for low-income and poor families have been built under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Deputy Secretary-General Cecilia Alba said.

In a news conference in Malacanang today (June 4), Alba said the government’s housing programs for low-income workers and informal settlers provided shelter security to 1,044,420 families since President Arroyo assumed the presidency in 2001.

“One of the significant accomplishments of the Arroyo administration is making housing affordable even to low-income families,” Alba said.

Reform of Pag-ibig Fund’s policies and programs that resulted to lower interest rates, higher loanable amount and lower monthly amortization rate, according to Alba, has enabled more Pag-ibig members to buy their own homes.

To cite an example, she said that the monthly amortization for a P400,000 loan with a 30-year payment term has gone down from P5,400 in 2001 to P2,400 today.

With these reforms, Alba said Pag-ibig has listed a record-high housing loan of P45.7 billion for around 75,000 housing units last year from a total of P3.8 billion for 16,000 housing units in 2001.

Another unprecedented achievement under President Arroyo, she pointed out, is the issuance of 113 proclamations declaring about 27,000 hectares of government land all over the country as socialized housing sites, providing security of tenure to an estimated 280,000 families.

The Arroyo government, she added, also stepped up its assistance program to informal settlers through its Community Mortgage Program by releasing P5.3 billion funding for 963 projects which benefited 109,000 families since 2001, compared to the P3 billion to support 847 projects implemented from 1989 to 2000.

Alba said that under the Arroyo administration, the National Housing Authority (NHA) has undertaken the “most massive and largest resettlement” with its Rail Relocation Resettlement Program (RRRP).

“Some 87,897 families or 93 percent of 94,429 families living in the rail right-of-way were relocated,” she said.

RRRP was implemented to revive the North Rail Line from Caloocan to Pampanga and modernize the South Rail Line from Caloocan to Calamba.

NHA Assistant General Manager Orlan Capitan said that after the rail right-of-way, the agency would like focus on relocating settlers near the waterways.

He expressed hopes that the next administration will pursue the set targets to improve housing situation in the metro and provide security of tenure to informal settlers.

“We would like to believe it will be pursued according to target,” he said. (PIA V Release)

PALACE COMMENTS ON CONGRESS‘ NON-ACTION ON INFORMATION BILL

MANILA — Press Undersecretary Rogelio C. Peyuan issued in Malacañang today (June 4) the following statement on the unratified Freedom of Information Bill:

The passage of the bill is the desire of the Palace also.

We hope that our lawmakers may see the light when they open the 15th Congress.

We expect that they immediately attend to this bill once refiled because there’s nothing better we can offer the society but the passage of this bill.

Hindi totoo ang mga hinala na may kumpas ng kamay ni President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang hindi pagpasa sa Freedom of Information BIll. (It’s not rue that the President has a hand in the non-passage of the FOI).

The Palace is very clear from the start, we are in full support of this bill. (PIA V Release)