RED CROSS PUSHES FOR INTEGRATED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
AND RESPONSE PROGRAM IN CAMARINES PROVINCES

NAGA CITY — In line with its crusade to reduce the number of casualties and catastrophic number of injuries during a disaster onslaught, the Philippine National Red Cross will commence implementation of the Integrated Community Disaster Preparedness Program (ICDPP) in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte before this year, disclosed by Nanette Rodrigazo, chapter administrator of PNRC Camarines Sur Chapter, during the launching of the program at Villa Caceres Hotel here recently.

The program will be carried out under the Disaster Preparedness Program attached to the Department of the European Community Humanitarian Office (DIPECHO) through the consortium of the German Red Cross and the Spanish Red Cross.

The ICDPP-DIPECHO program will be implemented in four provinces in the country, namely Palawan, Antique, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, with funding of some EUR410,000 (350,000 ECHO + 60,000 GRC/SRC) and will commence implementation on August 31, 2011.

In Camarines Sur, recipients include local governments of San Fernando and Garchitorena wherein the programs will be implemented in five (5) partner-communities and five (5) partner-schools.

Barangays Bical, Cotmo, Gñaran, Maragñi and Pinamasagan, Elementary Schools of Bical, Cotmo, Gñaran, and Maragñi and Pinamasagan High School are the identified beneficiaries in San Fernando town. While in Garchitorena, covered barangays include Cagnipa, Canlong , Del Pilar, Salvacion and Sumaoy plus five elementary schools.

The two municipalities have a combined allocation of P3,350,000, with counterparts from the local government units.

Rodrigazo said that Camarines Sur is very fortunate to have the program which will provide constituents an opportunity to better equip themselves with knowledge and skills on disasters preparedness and response.
She also stated that this will also help PNRC in realizing its goal in lowering, if not totally eliminating the number of casualties, particularly during typhoons and flooding in the province.

“We at the PNRC would want to realize our goal of building a culture of safe and resilient community to disaster and crisis. This program will reinforce and strengthen the disaster preparedness and capacity of our Chapter," she related

Rodrigazo added that DIPECHO program is matched to the priority needs of the community.

“DIPECHO financed activities is working on a framework which is consistent with existing disaster prevention and the mitigation of its ill-effects to the community. It also strengthens the response system of the members of the community, thus lessening any untoward incident to occur since they already know what to do.” (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

OCD TAKES THE HELM OF REGIONAL DRRMC; MORE ACTIVE ROLE OF LGU IN DRR VITAL

LEGAZPI CITY— Regional disaster officials have activated Tuesday (August 17) the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Bicol replacing the existing Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), an official of the Office Civil Defense (OCD) said.

OCD Bicol has convened a general meeting of all the members of the newly activated RDRRMC) at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola, to craft a regional action plan that is in line with the national disaster plan of action.

Bernardo Alejandro OCD regional director said The RDRRMC was activated after the enactment of Republic Act 10121 entitled “An Act Strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System.”

The act provides for the operationalization of a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Framework, and Institutionalizing the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan, and appropriating Funds for this purposes, Alejandro said.

RA 10121 was signed into law on May 27, 2010 and will become fully implemented after the issuance of its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) not later than 25 August 2010 or 90 days after its approval as provided for under the law.

In the new law, the council will be chaired by OCD, taking the helm over Philippine National Police (PNP), and expanded its membership to include ULAP, Leagues of Cities, Municipalities and Provinces, Liga ng mga Barangay and civil society organizations.

NDCC has already constituted a Task Force that will draft the IRR. The committee will headed by the OCD with DOST, DILG, DSWD, NEDA, DBM, DOF, DOJ as members.

The Task Force is fine tuning IRR and will be ready for approval and signing by NDRRDC Chairman Secretary Voltair Gazmin before 25 August 2010.

The new law mandates the institutionalization and inclusion of disaster risk reduction to the local disaster coordinating councils from the regional down to the town levels.

The law will enable the local government units to appropriate funds in preparation for calamities or disaster.
Alejandro said that at the onset of the typhoon season, local government units are requesting that there is a need to hasten the drafting of the IRR, and for the full implementation of the law, saying that without the IRR, LGU’s would not be able use and appropriate funds for disaster risk reduction and preparation.
LGUs are mandated to create a permanent disaster risk reduction and management office.

The use of the local calamity fund has been revised allowing LGUs to utilize or use its calamity fund for disaster risk management activities including pre-disaster activities such as training, stock piling of relief items, purchase of rescue equipment and other life saving devices.

The new law provides that the local calamity fund should not be less than 5% of the estimated revenue from regular sources, Dir Alejandro said. (MALoterte, PIA V)

MILITARY ASSURES PROTECTION OF MEDIA FROM KILLINGS, THREATS

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – A senior military official in Bicol Region said that he will help to protect media practitioners from any threat to their lives vowing to ensure that media killings during a press conference held here recently.

In a media interview, Major General Ruperto Pabustan, commander of the 9th Infantry Division of Philippine Army, said, that he will assist in any way to ensure that media personnel are protected from attacks.

Pabustan made the statement following the death of DWEB reporter Miguel “Mike” Belen on July 31 after having been seriously injured in a shooting incident by motorcycle-riding gunmen about three weeks ago.

Pabustan also said that he is happy that the police have already identified the perpetrators of the crime which was initially blamed on the Army’s militiamen.

Police authorities have already identified the suspect as an NPA member named Gina Bagacina a.k.a. Ka Liezel.

Bagacina’s picture, along with that of her driver-accomplice Eric Vargas, were identified by Belen himself from a police gallery before he died.

Pabustan likewise said that the various media relations activities hosted by the Army also serves as a venue to share the soldier’s defensive shooting skills.

“As you can see, part of our regular activities in this camp is the fun shoot with members of the media wherein you are given training instructions on gun safety handling and defensive shooting techniques,” said Pabustan to mediamen who attended the press conference on the Army’s internal security operations (ISO) in the Bicol Region.

Senior officers of the Philippine Army gathered in the resort-like Camp Elias Angeles to craft the campaign plan to defeat the decades-long communist insurgency.

Lieutenant General Roland Detabali, Commander of the Southern Luzon Command attended the said ISO conference with his staff officers.

Detabali witnessed the turn-over of 12 newly-recovered firearms during the military operations conducted in Lupi town over the weekend.

Eight of the recovered high-powered firearms were unearthed from a shallow arms-cache dug in by communist terrorists in Tible village. One of the captured rebel pinpointed the exact location of the firearms hoard.

Detabali said that the humane treatment accorded by the soldiers of the 31st IB to the captured rebels was instrumental in convincing one of them to cooperate with the military.

“This accomplishment showcases the sincerity of our soldiers in protecting human rights. In compliance to the directives from higher headquarters, I will ensure that all members of the Southern Luzon Command will respect human rights in all of our military operations,” Detabali said.

The 9th Infantry Division has continuously conducted training activities on human rights protection in time for the observance of the International Humanitarian Law Month. (HMCabunoc, DPAO 9ID PA/PIA)

NAGA TO ACQUIRE P4-M CORN POST-HARVEST PROCESSING CENTER

NAGA CITY— The city government here asks the Department of Agriculture to grant the city’s corn farmers one Village-type Corn Post-Harvest Processing Center to help the farmers reduce their post harvest losses during rainy season.

In its one-page resolution, the Sangguniang Panlungsod informed Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala that the corn farmers were being drawn into deeper penury due to the wet climate, thus giving them difficulties to attain even the P13 per kilo support price of the National Food Authority (NFA).

“Such a price is only possible at 14% moisture content which is difficult to attain in the predominantly wet climate of the city by farmers relying mainly on concrete pavements to dry their harvest given the absence of mechanical dryers,” the resolution said.

City Councilor Salvador del Castillo, a farmer, said the situation compels many corn farmers to sell [their products] at a loss just to have money for them to start [planting] all over again.

In his letter to Sangguniang Panlungsod, Mayor John G. Bongat said the Village-type Corn Post-Harvest Processing Center with complete facilities such as corn cob dryer, corn sheller and a re-circulating dryer worth P3M will be used by corn farmers in the city and neighboring corn cluster areas.

A counterpart funding from the city government of Naga in the amount of P1 million will be released for the construction of a building to house the facility and the installation of three-phase electrical connection to power the equipment and related appurtenances.

Naga is one of the corn cluster areas in Camarines Sur with some 470 hectares of its agricultural land devoted to corn crops tilled by about 395 small farmers with an average harvest of 80 tons per hectare.
The city is adjacent to other corn cluster municipalities in the province such as Bombon, Magarao,

Calabanga, Camaligan and Pili, all of which have direct access to the city and between them have over 2,000 hectares of corn areas.

Bongat said the national government’s corn program aims to alleviate poverty among farmers and attain corn self-sufficiency.

Farmers at their average yield of four tons per hectare need to sell their corn at no lower than P13 a kilo, the support price of NFA, in order to attain such objectives.

The processing center will be set up at the Naga City Nursery, which is strategically located in Barangay Pacol and accessible even to farmers coming from nearby towns of Bombon, Magarao, Calabanga, Pili and Camaligan corn clusters.

Bongat said that the project would benefit the corn farmers who for many years were, and still are, at the mercy of influential traders which pull down prices during bumper harvests, and raises them only when farmers were ready to sell.

“With this facility, which can dry corn to 14% moisture content, our farmers can avail of the NFA support price for corn when the market is depressed, and return to the open market when prices improve,” the city mayor said. (JENeola, PNA Bicol)

LGU BEEFS UP TERTIARY EDUCATION PROGRAM IN LEGAZPI CITY

LEGAZPI CITY — Local government officials here led the orientation briefing recently for freshmen students and their parents on continuing efforts of the city government to pursue and improve the Tertiary Education Extension Program.

The education program is the brainchild of former Mayor Noel E. Rosal during his term aimed at providing students opportunity to be in school especially those who cannot afford to pursue higher education in far-flung barangays.

Councilor Rolly Rosal urged the parents to strongly support their students to finish their courses since they are given free tuition fees and other benefits.

In her message, Mayor Geraldine Rosal said that one of the foremost program of her administration is to strengthen the educational system precisely because she believesthat education is one of the key factors to ensure sustainable progress of our city and this will bring a wealth of opportunity as well as new hope for an even better life, she added.

She likewise expressed to students that they must not waste this opportunity because not all students are given chance to be scholars.

On the other hand, Mr. Perfecto B. Bequio, consultant on education and the City Administrator for Tertiary Education gave the overview of the LGU- Legazpi City- BU Tertiary Education Extension Program. (MPSolis, LGU Legazpi City)

SCWD IMPLEMENTS 5% DISCOUNT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

SORSOGON CITY — In compliance to Republic Act 9994, Sorsogon City Water District (SCWD) will implement the five per cent discount for every water bill not exceeding 30 cubic meters consumption of senior citizens who are registered concessionaires of the District.

The Board of Directors of SCWD in their meeting last June 24, 2010, allows the implementation of RA 9994 and its implementing Rules and Regulations specifically Article 12, granting a five per cent discount o water consumption to senior citizens effective July 2010, through BOD Resolution NO. 023-10.

RA 9994 otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010” grants provision of five per cent discount in Section 12 citing the minimum 5 per cent discount to the monthly utilization of water and electricity by households with senior citizens; provided that the individual meters for the foregoing utilities are registered in the name of the senior citizen residing therein and the monthly consumption for water) does not exceed 30 cubic meters.

SCWD management is now open in accepting applications for the discount ad advises its senior citizen concessionaires to apply in person or through a representative in the Customer Service Office with the requirements including latest 1x1 ID picture, proof of residence/barangay clearance, valid senior citizens ID card, other valid IDs.

For more information on how to avail of the benefit, interested senior citizen applicants may call
the customer service hotline (056) 211-2024. (MLJumamil, SCWD/PIA)


Palace to maintain Holiday Economics law

MANILA — Malacanang said it will respect the Holiday Economics law that is meant to perk up domestic tourism through long weekends.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in his regular press briefing Friday morning (August 6) that he has also received a lot of inquiries about whether the Aquino administration will follow the holiday economics law of the previous administration with respect to the coming death anniversary of his father, Benigno S. Aquino Jr.

“As far as possible, President Aquino does not want to highlight the death anniversary or any anniversary of his parents just because of his position,” Lacierda said.

Republic Act 9492, rationalizing the celebration of holidays, was signed by the former president in July 2007.

The practice of shifting holiday observances was made an official government policy by this law. The law requires that most holidays, except those with religious significance, will be shifted to the nearest Monday.

For August, Aug. 21, the death anniversary of Ninoy Aquino, falls on a Saturday and if RA 9492 will be followed, this means that the holiday will be declared on Monday, Aug.23, which also happens to be a historic event, the anniversary of the Cry of Pugad Lawin.

National Heroes’ Day is always celebrated on the last Monday of August, which will be on Aug 30 for this year.

The “moveable days” are Bataan Day (April 9), Labor Day (1 May), Independence Day (June 12), National Heroes Day (August 31), Bonifacio Day (November 30) and Rizal Day (December 30).

Thus, if Independence Day, June 12, falls on a weekend, it will be celebrated on the following Monday. The same principle applies if June 12 falls on any day except Monday.

Exempted from holiday economics – that is, holidays that will be observed on the date on which they fall – are Christmas Day (December 25), New Year’s Eve (December 31), New Year’s Day (January 1), Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Eid’l Fitre (October 13) and All Saints Day (November 1).

President Corazon Aquino, who coined the term holiday economics, introduced the policy in 2001 to reduce disruption to business and production schedules, encourage domestic tourism and give employees long weekends.

Earlier, the National Statistical Coordination Board said that if tourism and related industries increased by 10 percent as a result of the long weekends, the economy would actually experience a growth of 3.5 percent in gross domestic product.

The employees greatly benefit from this law because employers are mandated to pay 200 percent of the daily rate to employees who report for work on legal holidays – January 1, April 9, May 1, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, June 12, National Heroes Day, Eid’l Fitre, November 30, Christmas Day and December.

On special holidays, employers must pay 30 percent over the regular rate. These are Ninoy Aquino Day, November 1, Election Day, November 30, Black Saturday and holidays that may be declared from time to time by the President.

The law will also benefit the employers because they will be able to plan out their work schedule without interruption as all the holidays are already known unlike now when there are sudden announcements of special non-working holidays which some sectors feel, interrupts business.

There are a total of 11 national regular holidays and three nationwide special days. (PIA V Release)

Budget for social services to increase in 2011

MANILA — The proposed 2011 budget of the Aquino administration will provide bigger appropriations for social services like education, conditional cash transfer program, schoolbuilding and healthcare and will be higher than the projected inflation to be more meaningful.

President Benigno S. Aquino III met with his Cabinet Thursday (August 5) precisely to flesh out the proposed 2011 budget, which it hopes to submit to Congress by Aug. 25, 2010.

In a press briefing Friday morning(August 6), Secretary Ricky Carandang, a member of the Presidential Communications Group, explained that “we are definitely on track and we will be able to submit as promised on Aug.25.”

Carandang emphasized that the 2011 budget “reflects the vision and commitment of the President to strengthen social services through increased budgets and to maintain a fiscally responsible budget.”

He said the budget for 2011 will target a debt to GDP (gross domestic product) ratio of 3.8 percent which is welcome to the business sector and the foreign investors who expressed their desire for a ratio of 3.3 percent.

Carandang also said that the public can now report irregularities and corruption in the financial sector through the website of the Department of Finance at www.perangbayan.com on Facebook and Twitter.

He said Purisima has been on television and radio plugging the website so that the public will have better access to government about their concerns and problems. (PIA V Release)

Palace welcomes compromise agreement between farmers and Hacienda Luisita

MANILA — Malacanang welcomed the signing of the compromise agreement between Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac and its farmers which gives the latter the option to choose whether to get free land or keep their stock distribution option (SDO) in the Cojuangco-owned corporation.

In a media briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed the peaceful solution to the long-standing problem between the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) and the farmer beneficiaries since negotiations began in 2007.

“Certainly, he welcomes the development that it has been signed,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said they have been informed that all union members who affixed their signatures in the agreement will cast their vote this weekend at the Hacienda Luisita if they prefer to get land or retain their SDO aside from other benefits.

“What is important here is the peaceful resolution to the problem. And the President leaves it to the management of Hacienda Luisita to settle the problem with the farmer beneficiaries,” Lacierda said.

Earlier, the Supreme Court has set August 18 for both parties to comment on the Luisita land case to determine whether to retain the stock distribution option, or if the land will be distributed to the farmers as directed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Lacierda said it is now up to the Supreme Court to rule on the compromise agreement after both parties have already expressed their willingness to settle and all the parties are involved in the settlement.

Lacierda said many farmer beneficiaries want a peaceful resolution to the long-standing problem.

“Let us allow the process to go though before the Supreme Court. Let it be reviewed by the Supreme Court. And if this will be favorably ruled upon by the Supreme Court, this will help settle the problem at Hacienda Luisita,” Lacierda said. (PIA V Release)

P-Noy bans use of his name and image in gov’t projects

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed all government officials to refrain from using his name and image on government projects or propaganda materials particularly those funded by the taxpayers’ money.

In a media briefing in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said the President issued the directive during the Cabinet meeting on Thursday at the Bahay Pangarap, the Chief Executive’s official residence inside the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Compound at the Malacanang Complex.

Among the topics during the Cabinet meeting, Lacierda said, were the use of the President’s name and photograph on government projects, and the proposed bill of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero banning the naming of government projects after any public official.

“The President issued the directive to all Cabinet members, heads of agencies and instrumentalities and GOCCs (government-owned or controlled corporations) to refrain from associating the President’s personality and identity in their programs and projects. These agencies, instrumentalities, corporations are advised not to put up tarpaulins, billboards and other propaganda materials bearing the President’s name and image,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said the President emphasized that he does not want this kind of propaganda because all government projects and programs are being funded by the taxpayers who, instead, should be the ones recognized.

Senator Escudero has filed Senate Bill No. 2187 seeking to criminalize the practice of naming government projects after public officials such as waiting sheds, ambulances and even trash bins saying that nobody should lay claim on public funds and freely spend it for “personal and political vanity." (PIA V Release)

Palace revokes EO 883 giving lawyers in govt. CESO III ranks

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III has revoked Executive Order No. 883 of May 28, 2010, which automatically gives lawyers occupying legal positions in government third level career executive service (CES III) ranks as this violates two existing laws, including the Administrative Code of 1987.

Under Executive Order No. 3 signed by the President and co-signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa last July, the President said the 1987 Constitutions states that “appointments in the civil service shall be made only according to merit and fitness to be determined, as far as practicable, and except to positions which are policy-determining, primarily confidential or highly technical, by competitive examination.”

EO 3 also cited the Integrated Reorganizational Plan under Presidential Decree No. 1 which vests upon the Career Executive Service Board the power “to promulgate rules, standards and procedures on the selection, classification, compensation and career development of members of the Career Executive Service (CES).”

De Mesa said it is expected that lawyers will oppose, as it is their right to oppose this EO.

“One thing sure, we came out with this EO, along with other EOs issued thus far, after diligent study and proper consultations with various sectors to be affected by them,” they both said.

De Mesa said he is not sure how many lawyers will be affected by the EO but this move is just meant to clear the mess left by the previous administration.” (PIA V Release)