ALBAY TO HOLD HIV SUMMIT
UNDP urges strengthened local responses to halt HIV and AIDS

by Mike de la Rama

Legazpi City — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has urged HIV and AIDS advocates or champions to strengthen their local responses to halt the continues spread of the virus in the Philippines.

UNDP country director Renaud Meyer in a message read by Philip Castro, UNDP?s program manager, to the participants of training on Promoting Leadership and Mitigating the Negative Impact of HIV and AIDS on Human Development held here, said emphasized the importance of having a multi-sectoral effort in response to the HIV and AIDS.

"We have over the past few months witnessed several local initiatives, led by provincial AIDS councils like in Albay, by cities such as in Tabaco, Daraga and municipality of Kalibo and I am so impressed by the level of commitment and enthusiasm that there is among local officials, non-government organization representatives, young advocates. What strike us is how much they are able to accomplish with so little and how successful and motivated they are and remain despite the challenges and sometimes the stigma and discrimination they still face at local level," the UNDP chief said.

According to him this should provide us not only a great lesson but also extra energy to achieve our objectives and extend to them our support.

"We have all witnessed the continuing challenges of HIV and AIDS in the Philippines. Let us all take stock of the challenges facing this country as provided for in the result of the 2009 Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Survey (IHBSS) and the regular monthly HIV and AIDS Registry issued by DOH where it clearly emphasizes an accelerating incidence of HIV and AIDS in the country, and the outcome of the HIV and AIDS Summit held in April 2010," Meyer said.

He stated that from the one case per day in 2007, Philippines is now facing a situation of 5 new cases per day or 1 in every 5 hours per day. "This is indeed alarming and each one of us present here has our own contributions to halt and reverse the spread of HIV and AIDS in this country."

"In this kind of situation, I reiterate the your important role as Champions in facilitating and advocating for scaling up effective and sustained local AIDS responses. I firmly believe that your capacities as well as those of the Regional AIDS Assistance Team (RAATs) need to be further strengthened and aligned with the current challenges of our time," Meyer said.

He is also strongly believed and hopeful that the knowledge and skills that have been imparted to HIV/AIDS champions (advocates) over time would be translated into concrete actions --- "actions that are rights-based and multi-sectoral which recognize every sectors, meaningful involvement and participation in all stages of the response, including people living with HIV and AIDS, and an engagement process that will reduce stigma at the institutional and community levels."

"It is therefore interesting to see progress of our work as we move towards mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in local governance processes, ensuring that local planning and budgeting processes have taken into account HIV and AIDS issues, and scaling up decentralization efforts to address local HIV and AIDS challenges with active participation of different sectors," he added.

In doing so, he said, your commitment, compassion, and support to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS must be pursued and concrete actions must be seen happening at the local level through effective policies, programs, and partnerships.

Meyer also pointed out that the RAATS and local champions are instrumental in this and our joint outreach efforts are so important. "We need to mobilize all sectors of society and join forces, we need to network with existing groups and initiatives, so that we can ensure that the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Philippines is indeed halted and reversed." (PNA Bicol)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MULLING CURFEW FOR MINORS IN LEGAZPI CITY

LEGAZPI CITY — Stringent measures to ensure that this city’s curfew ordinance will be efficiently carried out with the barangay curfew enforcement team (BCET) taking the lead to prevent minors committing crimes, on the other hand, protect the same from the lawless elements of the society, thus stated local officials here.

In a forum, Mayor Geraldine Rosal stressed the need to protect the youth sector, minors most especially, either from being a victim or from involving themselves in criminal activities during the wee hours of the night, adding that the support and cooperation of the different sectors of society highly counts in this endeavor.

“Ardent support from the church, academe, business groups and other concerned sectors is very much welcome. The city government needs some assistance from the private sector in the production and putting up of billboards and other information materials to be posted at conspicuous places in all barangays in the city to make known the ordinance,” she added.

It can be recalled that the city council here unanimously approved in 2006 the enactment of the Curfew Ordinance declaring the hours from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am of the following day as curfew hours for minors and youth below eighteen years of age.

Councilor Jim Andes and former Councilor Charles Cea were the principal authors of the said Law with Councilors Carlos Ante, Glen Barcelon, Cerilo Chan and Lilibeth Muñoz as co-proponents.

In the same forum, Councilor Andes averred that during curfew hours, no minors or youth shall be allowed to roam, wander or loiter in ay public places or any areas outside their residence except those accompanied by their parents and those students with scholastic functions like attending night schools, commencement exercises, convocation, educational program and other similar activities.

He also explained that in terms of penalty of the violators, the BCET will issue a warning letter to minor violators and parents about their first offense, however, in second offense, they are required to attend one day family therapy session to be conducted by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

If the violation is commited for the third time, the parents of the violators shall pay a fine of five hundred pesos or render community service instead of paying the administrative fine within five working days, if the violators fail to pay the fine or community service, the authorized BCET officer shall file a criminal complaint against the violators to the court to be signed by the Chief of Police. (MPSolis, LGU Legazpi/PIA)

SEARCH IS ON FOR ECO-FRIENDLY SCHOOLS

LEGAZPI CITY— The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-BU) now invites all interested schools in the elementary, secondary and college levels to join the 2011 Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.

Open to all elementary, high school and tertiary school levels, the activity aims to encourage schools and academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at a practical and local level, likewise to develop skills and understanding in initiating active responses, increasing community awareness and participation on environmental concerns.

Entries will be rated according to the following: Environment-related Aspects on the School Policy, 20 pts; Environmental Dimensions of School Operations, 30 pts; Environment-related Features of the School Curriculum, 30 pts; Presence of Vibrant Eco Organizations in Campus, 10 pts; and Presence of Environmental Partners and Linkages in various Programs/Projects, 10 pts. Previous winners are still eligible to join.

Participating schools are required to submit entries in three sets (entry form ad supporting documents) and in digital copies. For elementary and high school categories, entries should be submitted directly to their respective Department of Education Division offices. For the college category, the entries should be submitted to the EMB Regional Office V Rawis, Legazpi City. The deadline for submission of entries is on April 29, 2011.

There will be one regional finalist per category and will be awarded with Certificate of Recognition and 10,000 pesos in cheque. For the national level, prizes include, P50,000 – 1st prize; P40,000 – 2nd prize; P30,000 – 3rd prize and plaques of recognition.

In 2009, the NSEFS was launched, as a partnership program among the DENR-EMB, DepEd, and Commission on Higher Education with SMART Communications Inc. Two Bicol regional finalists were recognized as national champions, the Camarines Sur National High School – 2nd place ad the Catanduanes State Colleges – 3rd place, with the best being the following: Peñablanca East Central School in Cagayan for elementary; La Castellana High School in Negros Occidental for high school; and Palawan State University in Palawan for college.

For further details, please contact the EMB Regional Office 5, Rawis, Legazpi City. Telefax (052) 482-0197 or 482-0326 website: www.sustainableschools.ph. (EMB V/PIA)

BU SPEARHEADS IP SEMINAR-WORKSHOP
… create and protect one’s intellectual property rights

LEGAZPI CITY — To enhance the capacity of Bicol University (BU) researchers with regards to knowledge generation, protection and utilization of Intellectual Property (IP), Bicol University through the Research and Development Center in collaboration with the IP Philippines will spearhead the IPR Seminar-Workshop on August 4-7, 2010 at College of Science Auditorium Bicol University, Legazpi City.

IP Philippines officials such as Atty. Leny B. Raz, Engr. Eric C. Paden, and Ms. Rosa M. Hernandez, and Engr. Arnulfo P. Malinis, a recognized inventor and Dean, BU Polangui Campus are the resource speakers.

The participants in the seminar-workshop are the Bicol University officials and personnel; namely, the legal officer, research coordinators, BU business manager, faculty researchers, and RDC staff.

The seminar-workshop aims to equip the researchers with the basic skills on patent search and patent drafting, and to present the BU Intellectual Property Policy Guidelines (BU-IPPG) to researchers and student representatives for critiquing and enhancement.

The specific objectives include the following: 1) develop awareness about the BU IPRU and the services it will provide; 2) improve their knowledge on different IPs (Patent, Trademark, Utility Model/Industrial Design, Copyright and Related Rights, Geographical Indication Trade Secrets/Undisclosed Information) including the procedures, cost of registration and the options available to a victim of infringement; 3) internalize the necessity ad advantage of having accessed patent documents even before writing research and development proposal; and 4) gain basic skills on patent search/patent drafting.

Topics included in the seminar-workshop are as follows: 1) Overview of the Intellectual Property System; 2) Introduction to Copyright and Related Rights; 3) Introduction to Trademark;
4) Geographical Indication Trade Secrets/Undisclosed Information; 5) Utility Model/Industrial Design;
6) Introduction to Patent, Use of Patent Information in Research, Product and Process, and Patent Documents and Basic Patent Search; and 7) Presentation of BU Intellectual Property Policy and Guidelines for critiquing/enhancement. (ROBercasio, BU/PIA)

BICOL REGION’S ECONOMY GROWS BY 8.2 PER CENT IN 2009,
THE FASTEST IN THE COUNTR

LEGAZPI CITY — Bicol Region’s economy grew by 8.2 per cent in 2009, twice its pace in 2008 and much faster than the 1.1 per cent growth at the national level, reports the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in Bicol.

The same report shows that the industry sector remained the strongest performer with an 18.3 per cent expansion. Bicol Region topped all other regions in the country in terms of growth.

The Service sector, which remained the biggest contributor to the region’s output at 41.8 per cent, grew at a faster rate of 5.0 per cent from 3.8 per cent the previous year. Except for Transportation, Communication and Storage, all subsectors recorded accelerated growths. Growth of Transportation, Communication and Storage slipped to 4.2 per cent from 4.3 per cent in 2008.

Trade, on the other hand posted a 2.8 per cent growth, a very slight improvement from the 2.7 per cent expansion in 2008. Similarly, Finance registered an uptrend at 8.5 per cent in 2009 against a 5.7 per cent growth a year ago.

Growth of Ownership of Dwellings and Real Estate improved to 3.9 per cent from 3.1 per cent in 2008. Increases I residential building construction and real estate revenues were noted during the year.

Private services improved to 7.6 per cent, higher than the 5.9 per cent growth recorded in 2008. The booming tourism activities in the region were a major contributor to the sustained growth.

Government services improved to 7.0 per cent from 3.2 per cent a year ago.

Growth in the Industry sector surged from 7.4 per cent in 2008 to 18.3 per cent in 2009. The 64.6 per cent growth of the mining sector, brought about by the region’s increased gold and other metallic mineral output, largely accounted for the robust performance of industry. Manufacturing managed to stay afloat with a 1.0 per cent growth, down from 4.6 per cent in the previous year.

The weak performances of food and beverage manufactures weighed heavily on the subsector’s growth.

Construction accelerated to 7.6 per cent from 6.7 per cent a year ago. Electricity and Water, on the other hand, slumped by 4.2 per cent in 2009, a reversal from the robust 16.7 per cent expansion in 2008. Shut downs and rehabilitation works hampered the full operation of the region’s power generating units.

The improved performance of Industry in 2009 further increased the sector’s share to the total regional economy from 25.9 per cent in 2008 to 28.4 per cent in 2009.

The growth of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry accelerated to 4.1 per cent in 2009 from 2.0 per cent in 2008. Improved production of the region’s major agricultural commodities, notably palay, coconut, banana and abaca, buoyed up the sector’s performance. The rebound of the livestock and poultry industry from continued slump in the past years further boosted the industry’s performance. Meanwhile, the Fishery sector continued to turn in positive contribution to the economy. The share of the Agriculture industry to the total economy dropped from 31.0 per cent in 2008 to 29.8 per cent in 2009.

Industry was the largest contributor to the economic performance of Bicol Region in 2009 accounting for 4.8 percentage points of the 8.2 per cent growth. Services contributed 2.2 percentage points, while the Agriculture sector’s share was 1.3 percentage points.

Per capita GRDP for the Bicol Region increased from P7,210.00 in 2008 to P7,650.00 in 2009. The 6.1 per cent growth in the per capita GRDP of the Bicol Region improved the region’s ranking from third lowest in 2008 to fourth lowest in 2009 among regions of the country. (NSCB V/PIA)

BU TO HELP BUILD RESILIENT COMMUNITIES

LEGAZPI CITY — The Bicol University through its Extension Service Center launched last July 30, 2010 its program to help the Bicol communities to be resilient.

Participated in by more than 75 representatives coming from heads of HEIs, LGUs, the Armed Forces, rescue volunteers and extension workers around Albay province, the launching which was held at the BU College of Nursing Amphitheater, Legazpi City is part of the university’s extension mandate of bringing the university closer to the people.

BU Extension Service Center Director Leilani D. Pavilando, stressed in her talk that “with the use of knowledge, innovation and education, we can build a culture of safety and resiliency at all levels in our communities.”

Resiliency, according to Pavilando, is the capacity of the community to bounce back after a certain disaster. In order to have this, community members must put into practice early and effective action so that they can respond to adversity in a healthy manner.

Meanwhile, BU President Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya announced that the university is planning to offer a course on meteorology in the future. This will be a bachelors degree program which has never been offered in any university in the country.

“It is high time that we take this initiative of offering this course, especially at this time that we would like to help our people in terms of proper weather forecasting,” Lauraya pointed out in her message.

Project Bicol EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network) will be a kind of avenue to help further build resilient communities. Bicol EDEN is patterned from the US EDEN concept which was introduced by Dr. Carolyn Crocoll last April this year when she had a series of talks at Bicol University, Legazpi City.

Project Bicol EDEN is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder effort by different member institutions across the Region to share education resources to reduce the impact of natural and man-made disasters. (PBPeralta, BU Extension Service/PIA)

MALACANANG TO ISSUE GUIDELINES ON EXCESS NFA RICE

MANILA — Malacañang is now ready to issue the guidelines for the distribution of excess rice of the National Food Authority (NFA) to poor communities and the government’s feeding program nationwide.

President Benigno S. Aquino III will approve the guidelines for the rice distribution after his meeting this Wednesday afternoon (August 11) in Malacañang with NFA Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Budget Secretary Butch Abad and NFA Administrator Lito Banayo.

In a media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said that during the meeting, the President will thresh out the guidelines together with the Cabinet officials concerned.

“They will be discussing it this afternoon and hopefully the guidelines will be issued either today or tomorrow,” Lacierda said.

Earlier, Banayo said they are formulating guidelines for the President’s approval on how to dispose the excess rice stocks in their warehouses as a result of over importation during the past administration and in anticipation of the palay harvest season starting this October.

The DBM is expected to fund the acquirement of the NFA rice for the DSWD’s supplemental feeding program for malnourished children and the DILG’s food-for-work program.

Other local government units are also interested in acquiring the NFA excess rice stocks to be sold at cheaper prices to poor communities.

Due to over importation, the NFA currently has 41 million metric tons of rice stocked in their warehouses which is almost double their normal level. (PIA V Release)

PALACE REVIEWING PAST PEACE TALKS RESULTS

MANILA — Malacanang said Wednesday (August 11) it is reviewing the results of all past peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) while waiting for the end of the Ramadan on Sept. 9 before resuming talks with the MILF.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles is now “precisely reviewing the results of all previous peace negotiations between the government and MILF to ensure that we will not be starting from scratch, as some people are saying.”

Malaysia will also remain as peace broker according to Lacierda.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his first State of the Nation Address, expressed his commitment to reach lasting peace in the country by entering into talks between the MILF and the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New Peoples Army.

The President said the government faces two obstacles on the road to peace: the situation in Mindanao and the continued revolt of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“Our view has not changed when it comes to the situation in Mindanao. We will only achieve lasting peace if all stakeholders engage in an honest dialogue: may they be Moro, Lumad, or Christian. We have asked Dean Marvic Leonen to head our efforts to talk to the MILF,” he said.

In the SONA, the President said he recognizes the efforts of the MILF to “discipline those within its ranks. We are hopeful that the negotiations will begin after Ramadan.
Peace talks with Moro rebels to resume after Ramadan – Palace
MANILA — Peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will resume after Islam’s holy month of Ramadan.

In a news briefing, Presidential Spokesman Atty. Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno S. Aquino III is determined to pursue his programs for Mindanao, the most important of which is to end the decade-long hostilities in Southern Philippines.

Lacierda said the appointment of UP College of Law dean Marvic Leonen as chief negotiator in the peace talks with the secessionist rebels is a clear testament of the Aquino administration’s commitment to pursue the consultative peace process.

He said Leonen, together with Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process Secretary Teresita “Ging” Deles, will review past agreements and records of talks and documents entered by the previous administration with the MILF peace panel.

Covered by the review is the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) with the MILF.

Lacierda also echoed the President’s statement that the present government is committed to a consultative peace process by appointing credible personalities that truly understand the country’s history, diverse cultures and aspirations to head the government peace panel. (PIA V Release)

P-NOY EYES EARLY CONCLUSION OF MCC WITH US

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III is optimistic about the forthcoming conclusion of the Philippines’ Millennium Challenge Account Compact Agreement between the Philippines and the United States government.

In a media briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said the President’s optimism was conveyed in a letter to US President Barack Obama last July 8.

“One area which could immediately benefit from our continued cooperation is the imminent conclusion of the Philippines’ Millennium Challenge Account Compact Agreement. Once the agreement is signed, the Philippine government will be able to implement three development projects and the mutually agreed upon conditions precedent submitted to the Millennium Challenge Corporation for compact assistance,” President Aquino stated in his letter to Obama.

The Philippine leader told his American counterpart that he has instructed Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima to communicate with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, concurrent MCC chairperson, to provide details on the Philippine government’s anti-corruption and policy improvement program, among other matters of interest to the MCC.

During the briefing, Lacierda said the MCC immediately approved the $434 million compact grant last August 5, a strong indication of the US government’s confidence on the sincere efforts of President Aquino to eradicate poverty and promote good governance in the Philippines.

“If you see the timeline, MCC deferred the approval towards the end of the Arroyo administration. The campaign promise of elimination of poverty and the promotion of good governance were the signs that MCC saw from this administration. They saw that we were sincere in our efforts to eradicate corruption and therefore based on our campaign promise and the determined efforts of the administration, MCC decided to approve grant to the Aquino administration,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda also said Purisima’s letter to Secretary Clinton informed the US government that the appointment of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, former chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), sent a clear message to strengthen the judicial system, hasten resolution of cases, and improve the justice system standards.

Lacierda said the MCC threshold programs such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Run After Tax Evaders (RATE), the Bureau of Custom’s (BOC) Run After The Smugglers (RATS) and the DOF’s Revenue Integrity Protection Service, are all in place.

These programs are under the $21-million threshold grant which the MCC also awarded to the Philippines in 2006 to eradicate corruption and attract international investments through the Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Program (MCATP).

The successful implementation of the threshold programs is also a precondition to the signing of the compact agreement.

Last August 5, Lacierda said the MCC board immediately approved the $434 million Philippine compact following the President’s letter to President Obama on July 8, citing three development projects which the Philippines will implement under the grant.

Lacierda said these three projects are the $214.4-million Secondary National Road Development Project (SNRDP) for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 220 kilometers of roads and bridges in Eastern and Western Samar which is expected to benefit some 290,000 Filipinos.

“The project aims not only to save time and lower vehicle operating cost for the road users but also to help increase real income and living standards of beneficiaries,” Lacierda said.

The second project is the $54.3-million Revenue Administration Reform Project (RARP) under the DOF and the BIR which is intended to increase tax revenues over time, as well as to support the DOF initiatives to sustain higher collection and detect and deter corruption.

Lacierda said the project will assist the BIR to reengineer its tax administration processes and implement procedures using a new automated tax administration system. It will also strengthen a unit in the DOF that is responsible for bringing graft related administrative action against erring revenue agency employees.

Third, is the $120-million grant for the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which will cover 193 municipalities with poverty incidence higher than the national average.

“The program is expected to benefit up to 5.2 million Filipinos in the next 20 years. It is aimed to strengthen local communities’ participation in barangay governance and develop their capacity to design, implement and manage community-driven projects that significantly contribute to poverty reduction. So, that’s our commitment to the MCC,” Laci erda said. (PIA V Release)

PALACE ALLAYS FEAR OVER EXTENDED EDUCATION PROGRAM

MANILA — Malacanang allayed the parents’ apprehension over a Department of Education (DepEd) proposal to add two more years to the basic education program saying the government will shoulder the expenses involved.

In a regular press briefing Tuesday (August 10) Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the primary concern of parents with the 12-year basic education cycle is the added financial burden arising from the extended curriculum.

“Essentially, this is basic education and this is for free,” Lacierda said.

He said that the idea behind the proposal is for high school graduates to have better opportunities for employment even if they decide not to pursue college education.

Part of DepEd’s proposal is the inclusion of vocational courses to afford high school students with “practical livelihood skills”.

According to Lacierda, any cost in the implementation of the program will be shouldered by the government.

DepEd secretary Armin Luistro announced on Monday the proposal to lengthen basic education by two more years, saying the Philippines is the only country with a ten-year basic education cycle.

Lacierda said that the proposal is part of President Benigno Aquino’s program to elevate the country’s educational standards.

The draft curriculum would be revealed by Lusitro on Teachers Day, October 5. (PIA V Release)

PNOY EXTENDS WARM GREETINGS TO FILIPINO-MUSLIMS ON RAMADAN

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday (August 10) extended his warm greetings to Filipino-Muslims who will be observing the month-long Holy Feast of Ramadan that officially starts Wednesday (August 11) and ends on Sept. 9.

"Ramadan is a time of both sacrifice and purification: as you fast, pray, and act with kindness towards the poor and less fortunate, may the whole world also pause to reflect on the value of forgoing worldly pleasures to cleanse the body, mind, and soul," the President said in his message.

The President also said that the Muslim Holy Feast is also a time of great hope and that the Filipino people share this Ramadan spirit.

"As we collectively acknowledge our failure in the stewardship of our people and resources, we must undergo difficult sacrifices. As we heal the wounds of our nation, in justice, each and everyone needs to accept his or her shortcomings and resolve to take the straight path. The straight path demands thinking less of ourselves and more of what we can do for the greater good," the President said.

The Chief Executive added that this sacrifice ,along with change, gives hope to the people.
The month-long Islamic religious observance is commemorated by an estimated one billion Muslims worldwide, marked by fasting, prayer, and reflections.

In the Philippines, Muslims strictly observe fasting starting around 4am and ends at around 6pm.
The end of Ramadan signals the start of Eid ul-Fitr when Muslim families go to mosques for prayers to remember the Prophet Muhammad's revelation in the desert. A feast follows. (PIA V Release)