ALBAY, BSP INKED MOA ON CSF FOR BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay Governor Joey Salceda and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetanco Jr. formally inked Thursday (August 12) the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the Credit Surety Fund (CSF) for Bicol region seen to benefit small borrowers, including rural banks and cooperatives.

Tetangco said the program manifest BSP’s renewed commitment to serve Bicolanos through the agency’s expansion service that will cater to stakeholders from the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon.

“This brought the CSF to 12th in a series across the country aimed at empowering even the small borrower who often does not have access to bank credit, and BSP management has no second thoughts of bringing the program in Bicol considering that the region has so far the fastest growing economy among the 17 regions,” he added.

It can be noted that the 2009 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of Bicol posted an estimated 8.5 percent increase versus the national 1.1 percent real GDP. In nominal terms, Bicol probably grew by 12.7 percent to P215 billion as compared to 3.7 percent for the entire country.

Tetanco furthered that Bicol poses high business confidence wherein Bicolanos posted deposits by some P53 billion signifying a 12 percent increase, on the other hand, loans only amounted to P13.8 billion or an equivalent of 15 percent increase lat year.

“However, that showed a rather poor loans-to-deposit ratio in the process,” he noted.

The CSF program meanwhile, according to the BSP head, has initially raised around P10.2 million but Salceda told reporters he plans to raise at least P70 million.

Salceda noted that the amount is a lot of money for small borrowers who often need only P10,000 to start a business or for small and medium-scale entrepreneurs typically requiring P100,000 for a cottage industry.

Also, Salceda said the provincial government has initially allotted some P3.4 million to start up, but plans to raise some P70 million for the program.

The Land Bank and Development Bank of the Philippines will also help out in the implementation of the program.

Meanwhile, BSP personnel had been to Bicol way before launching of the CSF, teaching people how to evaluate applications, financial management, collection and sundry other skills to make the program the success it had been in many other places in the Philippines.

With the program in place, Tetangco said lending should rise significantly as small borrowers whose no-collateral status prevent them from taking out loans from regular lenders are seen encouraged to participate from hereon.

At the program’s launching on Thursday at the St. Ellis Hotel here, Tetangco reported assets worth P8 billion representing the combined contributions of the first 11 CSFs established before this one.

Of the amount, P2.6 billion represented equity of the 173 cooperatives and three nongovernment organizations (NGOs) forming part of the CSF program thus far and benefiting close to 200,000 members.
“The total trust fund of the 11 CSFs have reached P98 million, including P51 million contributed by the cooperatives and NGOs. This translates to total potential loan of P51 million at any one time,” Tetangco said.

Loans booked under the program already total P53 million, “helping not only end-user borrowers finance the needs of their businesses, but helped their immediate communities as well,” he concluded.

Salceda, Tetangco, and Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal, meanwhile, led the blessing and inauguration of the newly-completed BSP regional center here Wednesday (August 11). (MALoterte, PIA V)

FORUM ON ELECTION 2010 PULSING IN NAGA CITY
…75% satisfied with the National and Local Polls

NAGA CITY — Seventy five percent of Filipinos are satisfied with the general conduct of the May 2010 automated elections, according to the 2010 second quarter Survey conducted by the Social Weather Station from June 25-28, 2010.

Dr. Mahar Mangahas, Social Weather Stations President also tackled other facets of the survey in his discourse at the Avenue Plaza Hotel last August 10 during the gathering of the multi-sectoral groups here for the presentation of the results of the 2010 Post election survey and the 2010 Survey of Poll workers.

The activity spearheaded by the Asia Foundation and Social Weather Station was held in close partnership with the Coalition for Bicol Development thru its regional coordinator, Ms. Joy Oropesa.

“We have invited representatives from the civil society organizations, media, non government organizations, academe, media and other stakeholders to take a look at these results and see how we fared off during the last election. Having some glimpse on the past political exercise will give us an idea on what needs to be done for a better election,” Oropesa said in an interview.

According to Dr. Mangahas, the aforementioned survey was conducted from June 25 to 28, 2010 using a personal interview of the respondents on a face to face basis. “One thousand and two hundred (1,200) adults from Metro Manila, the balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were interviewed. The area estimates were weighted by the National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2010 to obtain the national estimates.

In the said survey, it turns out that Filipinos are satisfied with how the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and other institutions have handled the past Presidential elections. The survey also showed that even poll workers who worked during the voting period, were also satisfied with the execution of their duties.

The survey also said that as compared to 2007, “satisfaction with the performance of the COMELEC in ensuring the peace and order rose by 14 points among the general public, which is from 60% to 74%. Satisfaction with the COMELEC on how they have handled and conducted the process of voter’s registration also rose by 15 points, according to the perception of the general public.

Atty. Noriel P. Badiola, Camarines Sur Provincial Election Supervisor, invited as one of the reactors, was elated upon hearing the result of the survey, which gives credence to their battle cry of conducting a clean and honest election.

“Comelec personnel are always on the hot seat whenever an election is being conducted. The result of the survey is a proof that we have done what we should have and we are happy that the general public sees us in that positive light.”

Other parts of the survey includes public satisfaction with the performance of selected institutions during the May 2010 elections, maintaining peace and order, proclamation of winners, participation of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and other matters concerning the conduct of last election.

The aforementioned survey citing the people’s evaluation of the May 2010 automated elections was also in line with the Electoral Reforms Survey Module of The Asia Foundation (TAF). (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

NSO HOLDS FORUM ON 2008 ASPBI, SICT SURVEY

NAGA CITY — The manufacturing industry has topped the 2008 annual survey with the most number of establishments opened in the Bicol region totaling to some 42 company or business institutions for 2008, followed by electricity, gas and water with 31 and construction with 7 establishments opened, according to a regional official of the National Statistics Office (NSO) in Bicol.

In the Regional Data Dissemination Seminar held August 12 here, Cynthia L. Perdiz, officer in charge of NSO Bicol, noted that the results were based from the economy- wide results of the 2008 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) and 2008 Survey on Information and Communication Technology.

Other results of the survey showed, construction sector had the highest average number of employees with 4,564 total employment edging electricity, gas and water utilities in 2006 which only employs 3, 595 personnel last 2008 yet it still ranked first in terms of average monthly compensation of 953,116.00.

On the other hand, wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles were considered as the most labor productive industries in terms of revenue per worker while real estate, renting and business activities also leads the list in Bicol in terms of value added per worker.

The survey results also divulged that real estate, renting and business activities here in Bicol had the highest average revenue per establishment, highest average profit per establishment and had the highest profit margin this 2008.

Administrator and Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta of NSO, who personally came to Bicol to grace the occasion, meanwhile said that the economic indicators will be very useful, especially for business establishments.

She also took pride in the exemplary performance of various NSO offices here in the region.

“I would like to congratulate our field officers, especially our NSO Provincial Statistics officers here in the Bicol region for receiving a 97 per cent response rate coming from our respondents. Their dedication and perseverance will eventually lead us to the realization of our vision to be recognized as a world-class provider of statistical and civil registration products and services,” remarked Ericta

NSO Camarines Sur Provincial Statistics Officer Clemente Manaog, also enjoined other respondents to continue supporting their agency by accommodating their enumerators and providing them with the correct data that they need.

“This activity is also our way of extending our gratitude to our respondents, who is also our partners in successfully providing us with the complete picture of our province in terms of economy, employment and also the number of population, which is very vital in the formulation of laws and programs for the welfare of our people.”

NSO is the major statistical agency responsible in collecting, compiling, classifying, producing, publishing and disseminating general-purpose statistics as provided for in Commonwealth Act (CA) No. 591. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

4Ps BENEFICIARIES IN SORSOGON TOWN RECEIVE CASH GRANTS

LEGAZPI CITY — A total of 1,912 families from the seven barangays of Pilar, Sorsogon have received their first cash grants from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Francia Mirabel, municipal social welfare and development officer of Pilar town, disclosed that the beneficiaries were composed of 260 families from Abucay, 217 from Bantayan, 260 from Del Rosario, 227 from Lungib, 315 from Inapugan, 266 from Sapa and 367 from San Rafael.

Mirabel furthered described the day that beneficiaries received their cash through over-the-counter withdrawal at Land Bank of the Philippines branch here as no ordinary day, adding that “It is quite overwhelming to see these people who used to be noisy, impatient and unruly to be quiet, disciplined and obedient as they patiently waited for their turn.”

“Grabe an samuyang kaogmahan ta napili a samuyang barangay bilang saro sa mga mabenipisyar ka programa asin gusto ming ipaabot an samuyang dakulang pasasalamat sa DSWD. (We are very happy because our barangay was chosen to benefit from this program and we wish to express our thanks and gratitude to DSWD),” said Elsie Nabalona, Barangay Secretary of Del Rosario, Pilar.

The schedule of the payment for Pilar beneficiaries was held from August 3, 4, 5 until August 10, serving a maximum of 500 beneficiaries per day. Each beneficiary receives a maximum of P7,000 covering the months of November to December 2009 and January to March 2010, or P1,400 per month if they have three qualified children.

In a brief re-orientation, Laramie Ocharan, 4Ps municipal link of Pilar, explained that the program is the government’s way of helping extremely poor households by providing them with minimal amount intended to improve their health, nutrition and education particularly of their children.

But such is not an ordinary grant, he stressed, noting that the beneficiary must comply with the program’s conditionalities to continue receiving grants.

These conditionalities include: a) pregnant women must avail of pre and post natal care and be attended by skilled/professional attendant during child birth, b) parents must attend family development sessions, mothers’ classes and family planning, c) children 0-5 years old must receive regular preventive check-ups and vaccines, d) children 3-5 years old must attend day care classes, e) children 6-14 years old must attend elementary and high school classes at least 85% of the time.

Being fully aware of the program’s conditionalities, Leonora Lotino, 45 years old and one of the beneficiaries, shared that the money she will be receiving will go directly to her children’s school fees, and the excess will be used to purchase school uniforms, bags, pairs of shoes and milk for her youngest child.

Meanwhile, Mirabel reminded the beneficiaries of the sanctions for non-compliance and the possibility of being terminated from the program though she expressed that she is positive that the 4Ps program would really make a big transformation in the people’s lives. (AMayor, 4Ps-DSWD V/PIA)

FIRST “GREAT NAGA SALE” TO USHER IN SEPTEMBER FESTIVITIES

NAGA CITY — To spur economic growth and strengthen Naga’s position as the “Shopping Center of Southern Luzon” and to enhance public-private partnerships, City Mayor John G. Bongat Office and the business sector launched the “Great Naga Sale” on Tuesday.

With an estimated three million visitors, pilgrims, and tourists expected to flock to the City of Naga in September, the City Government has embarked on a groundbreaking economic project dubbed “The Great Naga Sale,” the first of its kind in the country.

Bongat said the project will be done annually and aims to promote participating business establishments selling both goods and services especially with the upcoming grand celebration of the 300th year of devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in September.

After a series of meetings and discussions by city officials, members of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) and representatives from Camarines Sur Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in July, the concept of a city-wide discount sale for goods and services of participating businesses came about.

The event will also be supported by Trias, a Belgium- based organization which currently provides assistance in entrepreneurship development.

Under the “Great Naga Sale” project, participating establishments will voluntarily place discounts ranging from 10 to 50 percent or more on their goods and services. The promo period, according to Bongat, will be from August 27 until September 1 and will be held in the same period annually. The promo includes all forms of products and services from food items to amusement.

According to city Administrator Florencio Mongoso Jr., “The fact that we are helping businesses promote their products and help boost their sales is already an incentive for them to participate in the Great Naga Sale”

Bongat explained that the city-wide promo is expected to boost the local economy and encourage shoppers from across the region and nearby provinces to flock to Naga.

The city mayor also expressed confidence in the first ever “Great Naga Sale,” saying that by forging and maintaining strong partnerships with the business sector, the city government hopes to promote small and big businesses alike to increase their sales, which will translate to higher business tax revenues for the government. This will usher in the festivities for the month of September every year.”

City officials, led by Mayor Bongat and Naga City Investment Board head Reuel Oliver, met with MNCCI President Alberto Bercasio, DTI Provincial Director Edna Tejada and representatives from Trias in July to finalize plans for the city-wide promo to build up Naga as a favorite shopping destination. (JBNeola, PNA Bicol)

PORT AUTHORITIES SETTLE ROWS IN THE USE OF MATNOG PORT

LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Management Office here has finally addressed with the issuance of Operational Memorandum No. 01 series of 2010 the problem of 14 roll-on roll-off (RO-RO) ferry vessels that regularly and almost simultaneously vie for the very limited berths of three at the Port of Matnog in Sorsogon province.

Port Maager Atty. Francisquiel Mancile bared that the directive was an offshoot of the agreements among shipping line operators, PPA, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and STASCO in their July 7, 2010 meeting.

Mancile furthered that at the heart of the issuance is PPA’s concern for the welfare of the riding public.

The directive has emphasized that Ramp 2 of the port is now designated only for arriving vessels, actually giving harbor to arriving passengers as soon as they can be accommodated from the perils of the sea.

Also, the issuance attempts to regulate the unreasonable competition among the shipping lines in loading cargoes by leveling their utilization of Ramps 1 and 3 of the port.

Mancile recalled the round-the-clock operations of the port then made it difficult for port authority PPA to address the problem foremost on the delayed disembarkation of passengers and discharging of RORO vehicles.

“Yet, on the advent of the directive, PPA PMO Legazpi City is gradually achieving positive results since the issuance was implemented last July 27, 2010,” he observed.

The port manager added that these vessels are being reintroduced to the general rule of “first come-first served” basis in determining berthing priorities of vessels; designation of a dedicated berth to arriving vessels solely for the purpose of passenger disembarkation and cargo discharging; and allocation of a 2-hour maximum time to any vessel allowed to berth for loading operations.

The new directive which earned good reviews from the majority of shipping line operators at Matnog Port is being closely monitored by this dispensation. (MALoterte, PIA V)