PHILIPPINE CIVIL SERVICE IN A RACE TO SERVE

SORSOGON CITY — The Philippine Civil Service is set to celebrate this September 2010 its 110th Anniversary with the theme ”In a RACE to serve: Advancing Responsive, Accessible, Couteous and Effective Public Service”.

”As the lead agency of the month-long celebration, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has already issued early last month the Memorandum Circular containing various activities designed to underscore the importance of the Filipino Civil Servant and the collective significance of the civil service in governance,” said CSC Sorsogon Field Office CEO and Director Arpon Lucero.

Lucero said that CSC Sorsogon has also lined up activities this September in partnenrship with the Sorsogon Provincial Council of Personnel (SPCPO) and other line agencies aimed at providing support and significance to the celebration.

”In fact, some line agencies here have already hanged streamers showing support to the Philippine Civil Service anniversary days earlier of September,” he added.

This year’s anniversary celebration will officially kick-off on Monday, September 6, with a Holy Mass at the Capitol Grounds followed by a simultaneous flag raising and program to be highlighted by the airing of the taped anniversary message of CSC Chair Francisco T. Duque III and other messages from the provincial and city officials.

A foot parade to be participated in by personnel of various agencies based in the province will be done around Sorsogon City’s main thoroughfare following the program.

Other actitivies lined up include tree planting activities at the Diversion Road, Sorsogon City in the morning of September 10 and Hataw Exercises in the afternoon to encourage workers to maintain a healthy lifestyle; September 13 – blood letting activities; September 17 – feeding program for pre-schoolers (morning) and Bingo Socials for SCPO’s fund raising (afternoon); September 24 – dialogue/fora on RACE; September 24 – awarding of certificate of eligibilities to civil service examination passers; and on September 30 will be the awarding of citation for best program exhibits selected from the program, projects, activities and accomplishments exhibited by the various participating agencies on the first day of September, and the awarding of retiring SCFO Officers and Members as well.

Lucero, meanwhile, shows optimism that enjoining all agencies here, a successful, simple but colorful celebration will be achieved. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

16th CRIME PREVENTION WEEK OBSERVANCE ON

LEGAZPI CITY— The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Bicol regional office here, thru the Technical Working Group (TWG), has lined-up activities to intensify community participation for an improved socio-economic development in time for the observance of this year’s National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW).

This year’s is: “Komunidad at Pulisya, Magkasama Tungo sa Pag-unlad ng Bayan” and slogan: “Ako, Ikaw, Tayong Lahat Laban sa Krimen” are all geared towards consciousness awareness on crime prevetion.

The week-long celebration kicked-off with a parade Wednesday (September 1) participated in by various secondary students from Legazpi City and Daraga. Starting at Peñaranda Park, the parade winded up at Camp General Simeon A. Ola, followed by a Holy Mass and a brief opening program.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Bicol Regional Director Blandino M. Maceda keynoted the opening ceremony. A Slogan Making Contest was also held, while at exactly 10:00 am the nationwide simultaneous blowing of whistle took place to signal the goal of fighting crime in achieving peaceful and progressive community.

NAPOLCOM hasalso launched the “Ugnayan ng Mamamayan at Pulisya sa Barangay” designed to bring the DILG Family consisting of NAPOLCOM, DILG, PNP, BFP, BJMP and the Regional Training School (RTS) to different barangays to establish a effective collaboration meant to thwart crimes and initiate measure geared towards strengthening Barangay Crime Fighting capabilities.

On September 6, 2010 there will be a “Blood Letting Activity” with the DILG Family and the City Health Office (CHO).

On September 7, 2010, we will have a One-day Student Crime Prevention Committee (SCPC) Convention at Ibalong Conference Room (ICR) City hall Compound to be attended by 165 SCPC set of officers from selected secondary schools throughout the province of Albay.

The main objective is to make the students and teachers aware of how to take active involvement in the prevention of crimes commonly committed inside and outside the school campus and the use of “Pito Tayo Laban sa Krimen” program.

The public is enjoined to participate by calling their queries and concerns at 482-1041. NAPOLCOM V/PIA)

FARMERS EARN MORE IN PROCUREMENT PROGRAM OF NFA

PILI, Camarines Sur — The National Food Authority (NFA) remains farmer’s best ally in the palay procurement program buying their produce at a reasonable price and every cent of our procurement fund is intended for bona fide farmers, remarked NFA Provincial Manager Eliseo B.Caliwag amidst speculations that palay grains are being sold only to traders.

“Last month, NFA has already anticipated the delivery of palay and corn stocks and already advised several buying stations to prepare for the onset of the peak season for both products,” averred Caliwag, adding that “traditionally, a large amount of corn and palay is expected during the last quarter of the year.”

In summer this year, NFA was able to procure a total of t 570,464 cavans of rice. This was transferred to the Grains Center, one of the agency’s two owned warehouses in Barangay Palestina, augmented by 16 other leases warehouses with a storage capacity of 1.1M cavans to accommodate palay deliveries coming from the farmers every harvest season.

Caliwag also stated that they are giving a lot of incentives to farmers for them to have a good profit out of their products. “We are encouraging every farmer to sell dried palay. They also have the option to sell it to us or to the commercial traders – whichever is more profitable or more advantageous for them.”

The NFA also provides drying services for farmers at a minimal fee of Php12.00 per cavan as part of their extension service. Mechanical driers are always available and is on a 24/7 operations during rainy season. Farmers will be served on a “first come, first serve” basis.

Caliwag also assures the consumers that all rice releases are fit for human consumption, contrary to some allegations that they are still selling rotten and putrid rice to their customers.

“It is our utmost concern that the products that we are releasing is in no way harmful to the health of our consumers, more so unfit for their consumption.”

While it is true that NFA was listed among the GOCC’s losing corporations, Caliwag made it clear that their office , as a cereal agency, is only the custodian of government rice and not a keeper of profit since they are mandated to serve the farmers and not to earn from them.” (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

DENR VOWS FASTER SERVICE WITH COMPUTERIZED LAND TITLING SYSTEM

LEGAZPI CITY — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje assured the public of improved land titling service with the agency’s on-going computerization program for land records.

This, Paje vowed, as the Land Management Bureau, an attached bureau under the DENR, observes its 109th founding anniversary with the theme, “Sa Komputerisadong Talaan ng Lupa para sa Maayos na Serbisyo sa Madla.”

“The computerization program will definitely be a big help to the bureau in performing its mandate to administer, survey, manage and dispose alienable and disposable lands and other government lands placed under its jurisdiction,” Paje said.

Called the Land Administration and Management System or LAMS, the computerization program is envisioned to make full use of digital information technologies in the processing of land applications, as well as in the verification and approval of land surveys. This way, said Land Management Bureau Director Allan Barcena, the delivery of public service in the land sector will be more efficient as compared with the traditional manual processing of documents.

According to Barcena, the program involves building up of land database, which includes encoding of land records, such as land surveys, public land applications, lot computations, technical descriptions and other lot survey data, and scanning of maps.

Barcena also said that the computerization program of the land sector is in consonance with DENR Administrative Order No. 2010-18 entitled “Improving Management of Land Information through the Adoption of Land Administration and Management System” and is initially being implemented in five regions in the country, namely, Regions 1, 7, 8, 10 and 11.

Barcena said that the full implementation of the program covering all regions nationwide is targeted by end of 2011.

Historically, the Land Management Bureau is formerly known as the Insular Bureau of Public Lands by virtue of Act 218 issued on September 2, 1901. It was the sole agency then tasked to administer and dispose public agricultural lands. Then in 1906, it was reorganized and became the Bureau of Lands.

The issuance of Executive Order No. 192, which reorganized the DENR, effectively renamed the land agency into the Land Management Bureau, with its operations functions decentralized to the Land Management Services of the DENR’s regional offices nationwide. (DENR V/PIA)

COMELEC TO ALLOW DETAINEES VOTE ANEW IN BARAGAY ELECTION

LEGAZPI CITY – Trailblazing the way towards making the history, the nationwide voting of detainees of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) last May 10 election put the Philippines in the limelight as the only country in Asia to allow detainees to vote, and only the 4th country in the world to do so.

Together with other champions of human rights, the BJMP leads the way into showing the world how we strongly protect the rights of our inmates and how we, as an organization, strive to uplift not only their living condition but also their dignity as human beings.

Persons deprived of their liberty are now again given a chance to participate in the barangay llection on October 25, this year following the success of the May 10, 2010 national and local elections where 209 of BJMP detainees were allowed to vote and properly supervised and escorted by BJMP personnel.

Commission on Election (COMELEC) has promulgated Resolution No. 9012 prescribing the Rules and Regulation on Detainees Registration for the October 25, 2010 Barangay Elections. The said Resolution provides the following: Detainees who were registered voters as of May 10, 2010 national and local elections are not required to register anew for the barangay elections but may apply for transfer of registration of records as warranted b y the circumstances.

There shall be satellite registration of detainees in detention centers in accordance with the following guidelines: For jail facilities with less than 250 qualified applicants for registration one day is given, less than 500 two days, less than 750 three days, less than 1,000 four days and lastly those with 1,000 and more qualified applicants were given five days for their registration.

There are also satellite registrations in detention centers with even less than 10 qualified applicants. Further, in cities comprised of two or more districts, satellite registration shall be conducted by all COMELEC district within the city to accept applications of respective detainees residents, regardless of the fact that the detention centers is located in one district only.

After the registration of detainee voters, Bicol has a total of 85 new registered detainee voters for the upcoming barangay elections on October 25from the different provinces. In Camarines Norte has 19 registered detainees; Camarines Sur has 41; Masbate has 23; Sorsogon has 12. While Albay and Catanduanes has no registered voters for the upcoming Barangay Elections o Oct. 25, 2010.

J/SSupt Emilie P. Aranas, BJMP Bicol Regional Director, gives her full support to the BJMP’s endeavor to let the BJMP detainees practice their Right to Suffrage. (Plopinio/DeLumen, BJMP V/PIA)

DENGUE CLAIMS EIGHT LIVES, DOWNS OVER A THOUSAND IN BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY ---The Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol said that at least eight people have died and 1,003 people were hospitalized in various parts of Bicol mainly due to dengue, a mosquito borne disease.

The surge in dengue case in Bicol for the first two quarters of the year prompted health authorities to be on heightened alert by intensifying the agency surveillance units in the six provinces of Bicol

The DOH epidemiology surveillance team said reports from field units indicate that current 1,003 dengue cases with eight deaths is quite disturbing since it posted a 6 percent increase compared to the same period last year with 943 cases.

Camilo Aquino, DOH dengue regional coordinator, said incidence of death due to dengue was reported in Camarines Sur with five and once each in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate.

He said Camarines Sur topped the list of dengue cases with 469 cases, followed by Albay with 314, Sorsogon with 101, Catanduanes with 7, Masbate 34, and Camarines Norte with only12 cases.

DOH records indicate that based on comparative data from last year to the present there was a high incidence of dengue cases was in Albay notably rising by 330 percent, followed by Sorsogon with 83 percent increase’ and Catanduanes with 24 percent increase in dengue cases.

While other provinces registered a down trend ranging from 7 percent to 37 percent decrease in cases of Dengue.

The DOH reiterated its call the various district and municipal health units to intensify their respective sanitation and clean-up campaign to curb the rising incidence of the dreaded mosquito borne disease.

The DOH likewise directed health authorities to initiate the 4S strategies in combating dengue these include: search and destroy, seek early consultation, say no to indiscriminate fogging, and self protection.

They also called on the residents to continue to practice the 4:00 o’clock habit that will ensure cleanliness in the households’ surroundings; furthermore, barangays should mobilize their dengue brigades to monitor anti-dengue drives in their respective villages. (MALoterte, PIA V/NIMediavillo, RnB)


NEDA assures inclusion of MDGs to new RP’s dev’t plan
By Danny O. Calleja

LEGAZPI CITY — While the six-year Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) under the administration of Pres. Benigno Aquino III will focus on the regional aspects of development, it will also give priority attention to the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

In focusing on the regional developmental aspects, the drafting of the MTPDP for 2010 to 2016, according to the NEDA here will see how regional plans will interface with the national plan and as the agency goes ahead with the next planning cycle, it assured the inclusion of the MDGs.

NEDA regional director for Bicol Romeo Escandor said Tuesday that Socioeconomic Planning Sec. Cayetano Paderanga, the NEDA director-general will ensure the disaggregation of plans and targets at the regional level to determine which regions are lagging behind in terms of achieving the MDGs.

“We at the NEDA are under direction from director-general to fully engage the different government agencies and other stakeholders in fleshing out the contents of the MTPDP even as NEDA’s main responsibility is to set the parameters on how the plans can be made consistent,” Escandor said.

The NEDA will not solely write the MTPDP. It would strengthen the sense of ownership of the government agencies to the Plan, he added.

The NEDA chief had also welcomed the UN’s commitment to align with the MTPDP the new United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for the Philippines, which will be renewed in 2011.

The UNDAF is a strategic framework that outlines the collective response of a UN country team to the development priorities of their host country.

The targets will be reviewed and other agencies involved in the planning would be reminded that the MDGs are good milestones to consider relative to the MTPDP, Escandor said.

The MDGs are a set of specific and time-bound development targets committed by the UN-member states to be achieved by 2015.

The eight goals were formulated to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop global partnership for development.

The Philippines, according to reports is racing against time as it struggles to meet the MDGs by 2015.

Of the eight goals, the government is unlikely to achieve goals number one and two which are to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and achieve universal education respectively, based on statistics and indicators as of February 2010.

Under goal number one which is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, the target is to halve by 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than P50 (US$1) a day.

Reports say there are three indicators for this target but the most telling is indicator one which is the Proportion of Population Below National Poverty Threshold.

The government hopes to bring to only 22.7 percent the proportion of population below the national poverty threshold from 32.9 percent as of 2006 and indicates that there is a 50 percent chance of meeting this goal and an equal 50 percent chance of failing.

Another indicator is to lower the prevalence of underweight children under age five.

The goal is to bring this down to 17.3 percent of the population by 2015 but the latest available data, which is for 2008, showed that the prevalence of underweight children under five years of age is still at a high 26.2 percent of the population.

MDG goal number two is to achieve universal primary education but unfortunately for this goal, which is one of the most important factors for genuine development for any country, the government conceded that all four indicators are experiencing very low pace of progress, according to reports.

Indicator one which is to bring the net enrollment ratio in primary education to a full 100 percent by 2015 is difficult to achieve because as of 2007--the latest available figure for this indicator--the net enrollment ratio in primary education, is still at 84.8 percent, the government said.

Similarly, the proportion of pupils starting from grade 1 who reached grade 6 is still at 75.3 percent as of 2007 when the goal is to bring this to a full 100 percent of the population by 2015.

Furthermore, the country's primary completion rate is still 73.1 percent as of 2007 when the goal is to bring this to 100 percent by 2015.

The last indicator under this goal is to improve the literacy rate of 15 to 24 years old to 100 percent by 2015. As of 2003, the literacy rate is 96.6 percent and the government said that the pace of progress is low.

For goal number three which is to promote gender equality and empower women, most of the indicators are achievable, the government said. These include improving the ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education and the share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector.

However, the government said that another indicator which is to improve the proportion of seats held by women in the national legislative chambers, is not likely to be achieved.

As of 2007, the proportion of seats held by women in Congress is 20.2 percent, still far from the goal to bring this to 50 percent by 2015.

Goal number four which is to reduce child mortality, the target is to reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015 the under-five mortality rate. The government is pleased to report that this goal is likely to be achieved, with the rate as of 2008 at 33.5 percent.

However, the government noted that it may not achieve another indicator for this goal which is to improve the proportion of one-year old children immunized against measles to a full 100 percent. As of 2007, only 82.7 percent of one-year old children are immunized against measles.

In the area of maternal health which is MDGs goal number five, the government isn’t optimistic of meeting the target.

It reported that in 2006, the maternal mortality rate was 162 percent and hopes to bring this down to 52.3 percent by 2015 although the government believes this is unlikely to be achieved. It also hopes to increase the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel to a full 100 percent from a low of 72.9 percent in 2007.

Goal number six refers to combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. To achieve the goal of combating HIV and AIDS, the government hopes to increase the use of condoms and contraceptives but with the strong opposition mounted by the Catholic Church, it is not optimistic of meeting the target.

On the other hand, the government said it is making some progress in fighting malaria. As of 2003, the death rate associated with malaria is 0.3 percent and the goal is to bring this to 0.0 percent.

Goal number seven is to ensure environmental sustainability and for this, the government hopes to integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs to reverse the loss of environmental resources.

It also aims to halve, by 2015, the proportion of population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation and to achieve by 2020 a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers.

In the area of reversing environmental losses, the government hopes to increase the proportion of land area covered by forest, increase the ratio of areas protected to maintain biological diversity to surface and to decrease the proportion of households using solid fuels for cooking.

Finally for goal number eight which intends to develop a global partnership for development, the Aquino administration hopes to achieve this goal by “dealing comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries thru national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term.

It would at the same time develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth and with the help of the private sector, to make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.

Specifically, the government hopes to slash debt service as a percentage of exports of goods and services and to cut the unemployment rate of 15 to 24 year olds.

In the area of communications, the government hopes to increase the number of telephone line and cellular phone subscribers.

Ochoa: Let De Lima do the talking

MANILA — Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. yesterday (September 2) advised government officials to let Justice Secretary Leila De Lima “do the talking” surrounding the details of the investigation into the August 23 hostage-taking at the Luneta Grandstand so as not to preempt the probe and avoid the release of unofficial statements.

Last week President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III tasked De Lima to lead the Joint Incident Investigation and Review Committee (JIIRC) to look into the incident and draw up recommendations that will include the imposition of civil, administrative and criminal liabilities.

“May I remind our civilian and police authorities that Secretary De Lima has been mandated by President Aquino to lead the probe, and as head of the investigation committee she is in the best position to release information or issue statements related to the hostage drama while the investigation is ongoing,” Ochoa said.

Ochoa added that having one voice on the issue would prevent the kind of speculation that has not helped Filipinos or Chinese nationals gain a better understanding of what transpired during the hostage-taking incident last week.

“Considering the sensitivity of the matter, we encourage those who may be possibly called by the investigating committee to let the Justice Secretary speak on behalf of the government because we do not want pronouncements from other personalities to preempt the committee’s findings,” the Executive Secretary said.

De Lima was designated the spokesperson of the investigating committee after the JIIRC was convened. This was followed by a similar pronouncement by Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda who said that “the Justice Secretary will be issuing the briefings and all the details of the investigation process.”

“Let’s help the joint committee carry out its presidential mandate unhampered as we search for the truth and try to put closure to this incident,” Ochoa added. (PIA V Release)

Palace vows fair probe of hostage incident

MANILA — Malacañang Thursday (September 2) vowed for a fair and thorough investigation on the tragic hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand last week which left eight Chinese nationals dead.

In a media briefing Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Hermino “Sonny” Coloma said the objective of the investigation is to seek the truth and put closure on the unfortunate incident that will enable the country to move on.

Coloma said that that the parties and individuals responsible for the incident and the subsequent botched rescue will be held accountable.

“Our ultimate objective is to bring about a comprehensive report that will answer all of the questions pertaining to the hostage incident last week” he said.

Coloma pointed out that a fair investigation on the part of the Philippine government will pave the way towards rebuilding the relationship between the Chinese and the Filipinos which was strained because of the bloody incident.

He assured that the members of the panel tasked to investigate the hostage incident are well respected individuals who have the credentials and qualifications to do the job.

Earlier President Benigno Aquino III vowed that justice will be served to those who will be found accountable.

President Aquino last week tasked justice secretary Lela de Lima to chair the Incident Review Committee (IRC) body.

Meanwhile Coloma said that the Palace is studying the possibility of giving “assistance” or solidarity fund to the injured and the families left behind by the victims on last week’s hostage incident. (PIA V Release)

DFA closely monitoring cases of Pinoy drug convicts in China

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will seek every available diplomatic channel to ensure a fair and just treatment for five Filipino nationals facing execution in China for drug-related offenses.

In a media briefing, Presidential Communications Group Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the DFA is closely monitoring the situation of the five accused, four of them women, who were allegedly used as couriers by international drug syndicates.

The five were recently sentenced to death without reprieve, with two of the five cases already brought before the higher court of Beijing.

Coloma said the DFA is taking charge of the situation and will make the appropriate recommendations if additional measures are needed.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the situation and would avail of every available diplomatic channel to ensure a fair and just treatment of our Filipino nationals,” he said.

“As it is, we have to respect the laws in China the same way we want other citizens to respect our own judicial processes,” he added.

There are 205 Filipinos facing drug-related cases in China, according to the DFA.

Aside from the five accused, 70 other Filipinos face the death penalty with a two-year reprieve; 35 with life imprisonment sentences; 68 with fixed-term imprisonment; and 27 others with pending drug-related cases.

The DFA noted that most of the Filipinos caught were women who were lured to act as drug couriers by international drug syndicates. (PIA V Release)

Malacanang asks gov’t agencies to fortify websites

MANILA — Malacañang advised all government agencies to fortify their websites and shield them from cyber crimes.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma, in a press briefing at Malacañang on Thursday, said the government will have to invest sufficient funds to avail itself of a more resilient and resistant software that will guarantee the security of government websites.

Coloma said the websites of the different government agencies are vital channels of communication, thus the need to strengthen and secure them.

“When one channel or one link is down, then the entire chain is weakened…we simply would like to see all the sites up so that the chain is complete… and we want the chain to be connected all the time,” Coloma said.

This communication chain is essential in line with the President’s advocacy of transparency since the various government agencies are contributing information to the President’s website.

Last week, the website of the Philippine Information Agency was reportedly hacked. However, the hacking, according to Coloma, was not sufficient to breach the firewall and it simply resulted to a temporary shutting down of the website.

“But even with that initial finding, we still believe that there is room for improving the security of our websites,” he said. (PIA V Release)

No need to make CICT a department, Coloma says

MANILA — Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma Thursday (September 2) said there is no need to convert the Commission on Information and Communication Technology into a department.

Asked if the Aquino administration, which is active in the use of the Internet, is thinking of pushing for a bill creating a department of ICT since the CICT was created only by Executive Order 269 on January 12, 2004, Coloma said this is not a priority as this would escalate the administrative cost.

“Once our revenues reach a point where we can afford a department, then that is when we will do so. But for now, we are focusing on the need for CICT to operate as an office under the Office of the President to perform its mandate,” Coloma said in a news briefing Thursday.

Coloma stressed that government is not in a position to bear the higher level of administrative cost of creating a separate department.

Coloma said the PCOO has been filtering only profanity and the use of expletives in the website of President Aquino III, which is part of the Internet protocol.

“We have time and again emphasized that we have no desire and have not done an actual censorship or removal of negative comments because that would defeat the very purpose for which the website has been established, which is to build a credible feedback mechanism that allows people to express their sentiments” he said.

“How do we know how people feel if we stop their free expression. If we censor then people will not be encouraged to use that channel anymore and it will be a self-defeating proposition,” he added.

As to the hacking of the Philippine Information Agency website recently, Coloma said “there is room for improving the security of our websites. And that is what we are doing right now.” (PIA V Release)