ONLY 3.9 KILOGRAMS OF SHABU SEIZED IN MASBATE PORT -- PDEA

LEGAZPI CITY --- Laboratory experts of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Bicol said that only 3.98 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” were seized on Wednesday by anti-drug operatives in Masbate and not 5.28 kilograms as earlier reported.

In a joint PNP-PDEA press conference on Thursday, Pedrito Magsino, PDEA regional director, corrected the report concerning the right weight measurement of the seized illegal drugs, noting that when the shabu materials less the plastic packages was weighed at the agency electronic weighing scale it yielded only 3.98 kilograms.

Magsino allayed reports and speculations that the miscalculation of the correct weight of the illegal drugs might be the handiwork of unscrupulous anti-drug operatives.

He said “our operative used the standard weighing scale to determine the correct quantity of the illegal drugs including its packaging.”

Asked of the street value of the shabu, Magsino retorted that the present street value of shabu in Bicol ranging from P10 million to P15 million per kilogram, therefore the value of the confiscated illegal drugs is estimated at P48 million, he explained.

The PNP and PDEA were one in saying that the 3.98 kilograms of shabu was the biggest seizure made by anti-drug operative so far in the past two years in Bicol.

Chief Supt. Cecilio Calleja, Bicol police director said police intelligence operatives based in Manila said that the two arrested female drug courier were members of a drug group operating in Manila under a drug lord who is presently languishing in jail for illegal drug trafficking.

When pressed to name the jailed drug lord, Calleja refused to name names because according to him it may jeopardize an on-going investigation.

At the press conference held at Camp Simeon Ola the PNP and the PDEA confirmed that Bicol region specifically the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate are being used by drug syndicates as transshipment points for illegal drugs to and from Manila and the Visayas regions.

Earlier a joint anti-drug police and military operatives collared on Wednesday two female drug traders and seized from them 5 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride popularly known as “shabu” at the port of Masbate City.

Arrested were Faith Gadiane y Enolba, 25 and Hope Sasan y Floreta both natives of Cebu city, the suspects were in possession of a large quantity of shabu stored in boxes hidden in the suspects’ personal belongings.

Anti-drug operatives nabbed the suspects while they were about to embark a roro sea vessel at about 9:00 a.m Wednesday at the Masbate port the sea vessel was bound for Cebu.

Initial investigation indicates that the suspects came from Manila and they were bound for Cebu via the nautical highway from Pilar, Sorsogon to Masbate.

Magsino said they have a strong case against the suspect as the arrest were witnessed by members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Justice (DOJ), village chief and media.

He said the arrest of the two female drug peddlers came after their intelligence operatives informed them about a drug shipment to Cebu to be hand carried by two suspects.

The suspects are now in the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial office, charges of violation of the Comprehensive Anti-drug Act have been filed in a local court here against the two suspects. (PNA Bicol /PIA/mal)

SEMINAR ON 2010 INVESTMENTS PRIORITIES PLAN SET SEPT. 27

LEGAZPI CITY — The Board of Investments, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bicol, has set an Orientation Seminar on the 2010 Investments Priorities Plan (IPP) on September 27, 2010 to be held in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

DTI Bicol Regional Director Jocelyn Blanco said that the 2010 IPP will unveil the approved investment priority areas by which the government seeks to grant tax and fiscal incentives to such investments that would take advantage of the expected global and domestic economic rebound.

Dubbed as "Maximizing Opportunities of a Stronger Phil. Economy”, the 2010 IPP seeks to generate more investments and more jobs in the agriculture, industry and services sector that are geared up to optimize the opportunities from the global economic recovery.

Blanco furthered that the seminar will be conducted primarily to promote and encourage investments in Region 5 in order to attract more business ventures.

She said that the one day activity will also involve the conduct of investment counseling or one-on-one consultations for prospective proponents.

BOI Governor Oliver B. Butalid will keynote the event.

Some 150 participants coming from the Chamber of Commerce/Business Associations, Local Chief Executives, Regional Directors from other line agencies and Media Personalities are expected to attend the seminar.

For more details, call the DTI-Regional Office V at Tel. No. 480-5719. (JRBerango DTI V/PIA/mal)

DOLE BICOL URGES LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT SECTOR TO ‘VOLUNTARILY COMPLY’ WITH LABOR LAWS

LEGAZPI CITY— The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bicol has urged the entire labor and employment sectors to be one with the government in promoting and practicing ‘voluntary compliance’ on labor laws.

DOLE Bicol Director Atty. Alvin Villamor has called on anew on improving the conditions of employment and upgrading the competitiveness of the Bicol’s workforce and industries to be at par with international standards as an offshoot of the Labor Enforcement and Action Program (LEAP).

In a press briefing last week, Villamor said that while the agecy vigorously undertakes labor standards enforcement measures under its LEAP, it also strongly encourages the region’s industry owners to pursue self-regulation and to formulate voluntary codes and best practices in the interest of ensuring the welfare and protection of workers.

“This is one of our strategies to lessen labor law violations by strengthening ties with establishments and other tripartite partners. Instead of closely guarding establishments like police, we will engage or push them to guard themselves.” Villamor added.

The move is in consonance with DOLE Sec. Rosalinda Baldoz’s pronouncement in the 3rd National Multi-Sectoral Policy Conference on Human Development and the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

“With this approach and backed-up by the LEAP, we carry with us the penultimate goal of achieving a culture of compliance through partnerships with stakeholders. Companies are not foes but rather they are our partners,” Villamor stressed.

Villamor will lead the agency’s effort in convincing the owners of malls and other stores in the region, including their contractors/sub-contractors, to voluntarily set up full “labor law compliance zones” within their establishments.

“We will push them to comply not just with labor laws but on other laws such as the Family Welfare Program,” he furthered.

This strategy will be implemented to coincide with the LEAP implementation in the region this month.

To recall, LEAP aims to upgrade the level of labor standards compliance nationwide in all covered industries to more than two thirds, or 70 percent. Through LEAP, DOLE is moving fast in implementing its labor standards enforcement program by placing intensive inspection strategy to ensure labor standards compliance.

Locally, DOLE Bicol targets about 465 priority establishments for its LEAP inspection.

LEAP consists of two phases. The first phase covers the period starting August 2 and ending November 30, 2010 and the second phase covers the period February to November 2011. For the first phase, it targets for inspection security agencies, manpower agencies, sub-contractors, cooperatives, manufacturing establishments, and restaurant and fast-food enterprises.

On the other hand, those firms that have been consistently compliant for the past three years shall be exempted from inspection. Instead, they will be granted recognition and incentives, such as a Certificate of Compliance (COC), as a ‘seal of good housekeeping’. The names of these establishments shall also be published in the newspapers and posted in the DOLE website. (RPEscalante, DOLE V/PIA/mal)

CAMNORTE STEPS UP ANTI-DENGUE DRIVE

DAET, Camarines Norte — The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Camarines Norte is conducting a massive information drive through its Rural Health Units (RHUs) to prevent the spread of dengue in the province.

PHO Camarines Norte has already recorded some 123 cases of dengue in the province from January to August with one casualty. Breakdown of cases shows that Daet has 56 cases, Labo 15, Jose Panganiban 14, Paracele 10, Vinzons 8, Talisay 5, 4 cases each in Basud, San Vicente and Mercedes towns and a case each in the municipalities of Capalonga, Sta. Elena and San Lorenzo Ruiz.

PHO chief Dr. Arnulfo Salagoste said that in their meeting with the RHUs the campaign will focus on the Department of Health (DOH) 4-S strategy: Search and Destroy, Self-protective measures, Seek early treatment and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

He said that instead of confining patients wilth mild dengue in a hospital facility, parents and caregivers can practice D.E.N.G.U.E which stand: D for daily monitoring of patient’s status, E- encourage intake of oral fluids like oresol, water, juices etc, N- note any dengue warning signs like persistent vomiting and bleeding, G-give paracetamol for fever and NOT aspirin, because aspiring induces bleeding, U-use mosquito nets and E-early consultation for any warning signs.

He added that a group from the National Epedimiology Center is now conducting visitation in barangay to monitor different cases of diseases like dengue and will also conduct a meeting on Friday after the visitation. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

ARMY IN BICOL JOINS TRANSLACION OF OUR LADY OF PEÑAFRANCIA

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur – Army soldiers joined the traditional ‘Traslacion’ (procession) providing security cordon around the andas of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City Friday.

Rev. Fr. Paul De Guzman, chaplain of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, said that some 300 soldiers were sent to join the procession of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia which lasted for 3 hours.

Joined by thousands of devotees from around the country, the ‘Traslacion’ (procession) is one of the much awaited highlight of the Peñafrancia celebration.

The soldiers were tasked to ensure that no one among the devotees will hamper the movement of the andas of the image of “Ina”.

Facing some unruly crowd of male devotees, the soldiers used their skills and discipline to control the people who attempted to penetrate the security cordon.

The soldiers were also detailed as part of the security force that maintain the orderliness and peacefulness of the activity.

Colonel Edmund Avila, head of the AFP Task Group which works under the established joint operations center, said that all systems are in place September 1to ensure the peaceful Peñafrancia celebrations since.

“We have dispatched Army troops to augment the PNP personnel in securing vital facilities and installations around Naga City where the festivities are being held. I am very happy that there was no untoward incident during the Traslacion,” said Avila. (HMCabunoc, DPAO 9ID PA/PIA/mal)

NAGA TO ESTABLISH HUMAN MILK BANKS IN MALLS, WORKPLACES

NAGA CITY — The City Government of Naga is futuristic in its breastfeeding program by planning to set up human milk banks in shopping malls, hospitals and barangays.

The proposed project seen to start this year is one of the many approaches presented by the City Population and Nutrition Office (CPNO) to the United Nation-Spanish government Millennium Development Achievement Goals Fund (MDG-F) to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in reducing incidence of malnutrition and child mortality rate.

Under the proposed project, employers and company owners shall be encouraged to partner with the program wherein they will put up their own human milk banks.

The establishment of human milk banks, including other related plans and projects by the CPNO, has been approved and given corresponding financial support by the international agency.

The MDG-F was established by the Spanish government through its development agency – the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) – to step up meeting the challenges of the Millennium Development Goals.

At least P1.6 million was committed for this year by the MDG-F to ensure sustainability of interventions in reducing cases of malnutrition among 0-5 year-old children by complementing government’s effort to refocus on children 0-24 months of age with improved breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices.

Mayor John G. Bongat said this would mean that for the next three years, the city’s multi-pronged approaches for an effective breastfeeding and nutrition program will be financed by the MDG-F.
MDG-F 2030 is the centerpiece program of the United Nations which aims to achieve food security and proper nutrition among Filipino children.

Formal launching of the MDG-F 2030 programs in the city is scheduled on October 5, this year.

Based on the agreement, the city government will be given financial grants each year until 2013 on condition that the targets contained in the agenda will be successfully met.

MDG 1 aims to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by at least half before 2015 while MDG 4 eyes to reduce incidence of child mortality rate.

This city’s population and nutrition office has been pursuing its infant and young child feeding practices even before the presentation of the United Nations’ MDG-F 2030.

It will request the Sangguniang Panlungsod to come up with ordinances and resolutions necessary for the establishment of human milk banks in the city.

Also contained in the CPNO’s approved agenda for 2010-2013 implementation: purchase of infant weighing scales for the city’s 27 barangays; tap other offices like the City Agriculture, Metro PESO and NGOs for food security and capital income for families with malnourished children; and maintenance of vegetable gardens for breastfeeding community and free medical check ups/vitamins for undernourished children/pregnant mothers.

Nutrition Officer I Raquel Buere said distribution of complementary foods and supplemental feeding for public school children will be continuously undertaken by the nutrition office along with the trainings for midwives who are tasked to organize and conduct team building exercises among peer counselors.

Peer counselors are tasked to teach mothers in the barangays how to practice proper breastfeeding.
The MDG-F 2030 also requires the city to organize at least 714 peer counselors. At present, CPNO has a little over 300 trained peer counselors.

Buere said breastfeeding topic will also be integrated in the pre-marriage counseling while breastfeeding fora will be conducted during Breastfeeding Week in the month of August. A breastfeeding lecture will likewise be tackled during a three-minute break in the radio program “An Naga Ngonian.” (PNA Bicol/PIA)

PNOY's PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY GAINING GROUND IN ALBAY
…AGAPP, PPBCV volunteers launch pre-school education programs

LEGAZPI CITY — Partnership between the public and private sectors is gaining more grounds in the local scene following the launching of the AGAPP (Aklat, Gabay at Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) program and site visitation of prospective area-beneficiaries in two barangays, one in this city and the other in Daraga town, last Tuesday (September 7).

In a press conference held at the Legazpi City Airport Tuesday morning (September 7), AGAPP program Executive Director Arch. Jerry Esquivel, long-time friend of President Benigno S. Aquino III, said the AGAPP program gives importance and support to public-private collaboration pursued by the present administration in the implementation of development projects in different parts of the country.

The partnership, according to Esquivel, manifests the President’s faith on the private sector whom he believe is equipped with the experience, expertise and financial capabilities to properly and efficiently carried out projects in support of government’s thrust to provide basic social services to the populace, especially on education.

In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Aquino identified PPPs as a strategy to finance government projects like infrastructure and basic services through the assistance of the private sector.

Dr. Ofelia Samar-Sy, head of the Pinoy Power Bicol Coalition of Volunteers (PPBCV), meanwhile said
Ms. Pinky Aquino-Abellada, sister of President Aquino is one of the key players in pursuing the AGAPP program that basically focuses on pre-school education development in different parts of the country.

Sy averred that the AGAPP volunteers will implement pre-school education program in Taysan Elementary School (Taysan Resettlement Integrated School) in Barangay Taysan, this city and Anislag Elementary School in Barangay Anislag, Daraga Town.

“Both barangays are home to some residents from this city and Daraga town who were relocated following the disaster brought about by super typhoons, and communities previously residing within Mayon Volcano 6-kilometer permanent danger zones susceptible to volcanic eruption, lahar and mud flows, flash flood, and landslides,” elaborated Sy.

“AGAPP and PPBC volunteers already held site visitations in the said barangays, coordinating with local government officials and school administrators in preparation for the implementation of the program in their respective areas,” Sy added.

Sy further explained that the project involves building pre-school classroom, library, and providing teacher’s training for pre-school teachers in selected localities nationwide. It will also provide books and other reading materials, feeding program for children, and livelihood projects for mothers.

AGAPP is an organization composed of very dedicated classmates of P’Noy aimed at uplifting the quality of pre-school education in order to help kids lead more successful adult lives.

AGAPP convenors have worked closely with volunteer groups, including PPBCV, and Department of Education (DepEd) to identify schools with the utmost need or communities in dire needs of access to education.

Albay and Quezon City are the two pilot areas for the project. AGAPP is also hoping to have local participation from school parents and other concerned citizens. (MALoterte, PIA V)

Aquino vows to advance welfare of Muslim Filipinos

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III assured Muslim communities that his administration will work doubly hard to advance the welfare, aspirations and interest of Muslim Filipinos by supporting and strengthening the autonomous region in Southern Philippines.

In his remarks at the Hariraya dinner held at Malacanang’s Rizal Hall Monday (September 13), the Chief Executive thanked the envoys from different Muslim nations and local Muslim leaders for attending the Hariraya dinner celebration he hosted for them in the spirit of solidarity, celebration, obedience and devotion.

The President told them that his administration is committed to end decades of government neglect that has afflicted Muslim Filipinos.

“We will do better. Muslim Filipinos are part of our nation,” he stressed.

He assured them that the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos will be strengthened and will serve as the government’s principal arm in advancing the rights, welfare and aspirations of Muslim Filipinos.

“We will support and strengthen the autonomous regional government. It will be our lead government instrumentality in advancing the welfare of the inhabitants of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” he said.

According to the President, he has already appointed Luwalhati Antonino as chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority “who will kindle and lead the conversation among Christians, Muslims and Lumads for their inclusive and integrative development.”

The President likewise vowed to resume the stalled peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

With the Moro National Liberation Front, “we are about to complete the legal bond to rectify imperfections in the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement,” he said. (PIA V Release)

Palace 'unshaken' with bishop's jueteng allegations

MANILA — Malacañang says the recent revelation by an official of the Holy Church alleging that some members of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s official family had received paybacks to support the illegal numbers racket – jueteng – did little to shake his government’s foundations and instead solidified its resolve to fight corruption and end the illegal numbers game.

“We run the platform ‘Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap’ (End Corruption, End Poverty). We frown against corruption. We frown against jueteng,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters in a press conference on Monday in Malacañang.

“We will not be shaken by this. Our resolve to fight corruption is always there and will always be there,” he added. (PIA V Release)

Aquino frowns on jueteng legalization

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III maintained Monday (September 13) that legalizing jueteng will never happen under his administration.

In an ambush interview after the oath taking of the members of the Truth Commission and other government officials, the President said he will not tolerate and is definitely not in favor of legalizing the numbers game.

“Gambling is not a productive venture except for the people who run it,” he said noting that there is no output in the operation of jueteng.
He urged his critics to concentrate on moving the economy forward rather than pushing for the legalization of jueteng.

The President revealed that prior to the expose of retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, he has already ordered Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo to come up with a comprehensive plan to stamp out jueteng.

“I’ve asked Sec. Robredo, in coordination with other officials of government to come up with comprehensive plan that deals with jueteng,” he said adding that the government should not satisfy itself with the arrests of kubradors or bet collectors and other involved in the operation of the illegal numbers game.

The Chief Executive said he wants Robredo to include in his reports how to prevent those involved in jueteng from jumping to other illegal trades like drug trafficking, if the illegal numbers game is stamped out.

The President added that he wants Robredo to study how the government can make small town lottery (STL) more "competitive" against jueteng, which is believed to be more popular in the localities where STL was marketed as an alternative. (PIA V Release)

DOH sees decline in dengue cases

MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) expects a decline in dengue cases in the next few weeks.

In a news briefing in Malacanang Monday (September 13), Dr. Eric Tayag of the DOH National Epidemiology Center said most of the regions have reported a decline in dengue cases except for a few regions, including the National Capital Region, where there is an upsurge in the number of dengue patients.

Quezon City has so far reported more than 1,800 cases, followed by Manila and Caloocan City.

Tayag assured that hospitals in Metro Manila are coping with the upsurge and that there is enough supply of blood for transfusion, and an adequate supply of intravenous fluids.

Tayag appealed to local government units, especially those that have seen a decline in the number of dengue cases, not to let their guard down.

“We appeal to the communities and other agencies to continue the clean-up drive. This is not going to be a short term intervention. We need long term intervention… the decline in the number of (dengue) cases is due to their efforts of keeping communities at watch and cleaning up surroundings inside and outside homes,” he said.

Tayag explained that although the mosquito-borne disease peaks during the rainy months, particularly in August, the dengue disease occurs all year round.

He appealed to those who recommend alternative treatment such as the taua-taua, a tea drink that allegedly increases the number of blood platelets.

“This is not the right time to experiment on taua-taua. We need a controlled environment to observe the benefits of taua-taua plant among patients,” he warned. (PIA V Release)

Aquino swears in members of Truth Commission, other officials

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III formally inducted into office the five members of the Truth Commission, nine undersecretaries, three assistant secretaries and four other government officials in simple ceremonies Monday (September 13) at the Presidential Guesthouse.

The members of the Truth Commission who took their oath before the President were former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as head, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Romeo Callejo Sr., former executive director of the Ateneo Human Rights Center Atty. Carlos Medina Jr., former Ateneo de Manila faculty member Atty. Menardo Guevarra, and former Supreme Court Justice Flerida Ruth Romero as members.

The President created the Truth Commission by virtue of Executive Order No. 1 to investigate alleged graft and corruption cases against officials of the past administration.

The President also swore in the new undersecretaries of various departments as follows:

George T. Syliangco and Christopher Rey Tio both from the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO); Sigfredo R. Serrano of the Department of Agriculture; Jeremias L. Dolino of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Ambassador Antonio V. Rodriguez of the Department of Foreign Affairs for International Economic Relations; Danilo P. Cruz and Hans Leo J. Cacdac of the Department of Labor and Employment; Jose Fabia as acting Undersecretary of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Emmanuel C. Andaya as acting Undersecretary of the National Printing Office (NPO).

The new Assistant Secretaries who also took their of office were Guillermo E. Flores of the Presidential Management Staff (PMS), Ruby Alvarez of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Sim Caronero of the Department of National Defense (DND).

Other officials who inducted include: Dante V. Sy, executive director of the National Tax Research Center; Atty. Nelson P. Laluces as acting Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFR); Cesar Buenaventura, member of the Board of Director of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA); and Luwalhati R. Antonino as chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA). (PIA V Release)