ALBAY TO HOST LGU+3i CLIMATE CHANGE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NOV. 4-6

LEGAZPI CITY— Local chief executives, planning managers, scientists and academe sector, civic society and community leaders, legislators, and development partners from across the country are set to meet here on November 4-6, this year, for the LGU Summit+3i in pursuit of mainstreaming the climate change adaptation program in the country.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda told PIA News Service that the summit intends to to provide a venue for critical actors to agree that adaptation is a critical developmental concern that needs to be addressed to pursue and meet country’s commitment towards Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015.

Salceda furthered that local government units, as front liners in meeting the commitment towards achieving MDGs, must recognize that “development as usual” approach without considering climate variability and extremes, may pose as threat in meeting these development goals.

“LGUs across the country must have a concerted effort to fast track achievement of MDGs, especially at the local level, to meet the 2015 target and share experiences in tracking their MDGs’ progress,” he said.

The governor, acclaimed “Senior Global Champion of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction” by the United Nations (UN), also stressed that the powerful role of LGUs to trail blaze an aggressive and proactive climate and disaster resilient development plans/programs is enshrined in the Local Government Code of 1991.

The summit, according to Salceda, is designed to demonstrate and translate effective and efficient implementation of science-based analyses for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures and build consensus towards a way forward for climate change adaptation action.

The Philippines continues to intensify its efforts to keep track with its commitments in the various Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

For target year 2015, commitments in reducing poverty, increasing food security, improving health and ensuring environmental sustainability are progressing on a slow pace. According to the recent 2010 MDG Progress Report, some challenges include inadequate investment, ineffective government policies, and lack of commitment.

The same report also identified impacts that apart from the global financial crisis and price shocks, climate change (both climate variability and extreme) was identified as an eminent threat to achieving our poverty, education, health, gender equality and environmental sustainability commitments. Moreover, attainment of MDGs will be more difficult for a developing country, especially for a climate hotspot country, like Philippines.

Development as usual may not be enough to address these emerging threats. Non action may bring about short term (loss of lives, property and environmental integrity) and long term (reversal of development gains) impacts. Thus, increasing the Philippines’ capacity to implement adaptation measures is vital for meeting its 2015 MDG target.

In a interview at PIA’s Ugnayan sa Bikol radio program recently, Executive Director Manuel Rangasa of the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), also the conference director of the LGU Summit 3+i, said that the interfacing will also showcase Albay’s best working practices on disaster risk reduction citing “pre-emptive evacuation” of communities-at-risk resulting to “zero casualty” in times of disasters and emergencies as adopted models in the country and recognized by the UN.

Rangasa also emphasized that this year’s title of summit carries along the “+3i” to signify that climate change adaption program must radiate in all three main islands of the country, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

In the end, according to Rangasa, local governments will be able to determine priority adaptation measures that would protect and facilitate MDG achievement by target year 2015.

“We also expect utmost support among local chief executives on the National Strategic Framework, signifying their commitment to assess their respective localities’ vulnerability to climate change, identify possible adaptation measures and summarize in a vulnerability assessment matrix (VAM) by January 2011 as input to the drafting of the national and local CCAP,” he said.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC), under the headship of Sec. Heherson Alvarez, cited that the country’s strategic framework on climate change takes serious cognizance of the high vulnerability of the Philippine archipelago to climate-related hazards.

The commission noted that over 90 million people, now face threats from more intense tropical cyclones, drastic changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise, and increasing temperatures.

“Indeed it is unequivocal that climate change will have serious implications on the country’s efforts to address poverty and realize sustainable development for current and future generations-ultimately making climate change an issue of intergenerational equity,” it also stated.

CCC stressed that implementation of direct adaptation measures to address climate variability and extreme is highly local, wherein the critical role of local governments in shaping and implementing successful adaptation measures that would ensure continuity of development and provide safety nets for highly vulnerable groups that are very dependent on natural resources. (MALoterte/PIA V)

SALCEDA NAMED UN SENIOR GLOBAL CHAMPION OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

LEGAZPI CITY --- Albay Gov. Joey Saceda was named on Tuesday the Senior Global Champion of Disaster Risk Reduction at the opening of the Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR at Convenzia, Songdo, Incheon Metropolitan City, in South Korea.

United Nations (un) Assistant Secretary General Margareta Wahstrom representing UN Sec Gen Ban Ki Moon handed the award to Salceda as Senior Global Champion of DRR during the opening ceremonies of the Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR on Tuesday.

Salceda in an emailed acceptance speech he said the people of Albay is honored by the award from the United Nations as a recognition of our zero casualty performance for the past 16 years.

He said,“ The people of Albay thanked the UN ISDR for this award, and we accept the award as a challenge to sustain our disaster risk reduction program in pursuit of Millennium Development Goal.”

He claims that given the rising climate risks, no development is possible without adaptation, however it is development that gives meaning to adaptation.

“ Adaptation is the duty of the state simply because it is the poor that bears the brunt of climate impacts and natural disasters- those who are most vulnerable are also the least capable of protection, those who have more in risks also have less in resources,” Salceda noted.

Giving emphasis to CCA he said “this duty can not be outsourced, it can not be offshored, it can not be delegated. But it must do so by capacitating local communities and reinforcing local governance - by making cities and provinces resilient.”

Similarly, in May this year, The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN ISDR) has named Salceda as ‘Senior Champion’ of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, in Bonn, Germany.

Albay, a calamity prone province that faces the Pacific Ocean where most typhoons of the year originate, joined the conference dubbed as Asia First World Congress on Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change ‘Resilient Cities 2010’, as a global model.

The UN ISDR aims to build disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as a component of sustainable development.

Salceda, pioneered the ‘zero casualty’ policy through preemptive evacuation during disasters, and hosted the National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation in two successive settings; first at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City Albay in 2007, and the second at the Diamond Hotel in Manila in 2009. Both were well acclaimed and attended by international crisis managers, scientists, businessmen and students.

Salceda was recognized as an outstanding campaigner and implementor of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster risk Reduction (DRR) in a global gathering of that size since it puts the Philippines in the forefront of noble objectives.

“I joined the ISDR campaign for resilient cities as global role model for Asia for two reasons: first, Albay wants to learn from the best practices in the rest of the world; second, we want to push ourselves higher on standard to drive ourselves harder on this effort and to push the envelope on development through DRR and CCA,” Salceda said.

He said adaptation is an investment, not a cost: “It reduces risks, thus increases business returns. Albay has seen a surge in investments even after typhoons Reming and Milenyo, Mayon eruption and a spate of recent disasters. CCA and DRR allow development to proceed amid disasters”, since they don’t disrupt people’s lives since the provincial government takes charge of the disaster. (LGU Albay/PIA/mal)

DPWH LAUNCHES LAKBAY ALALAY FOR UNDAS

LEGAZPI CITY — In line with the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) thrust of assisting all motorists in the forthcoming observance of All Saints’ Day on November 1, 2010, Secretary Rogelio Singson has directed all regional directors and district engineers to activate a composite team who will aide the traveling public.

In Bicol, DPWH Regional Director Danilo Dequito has ordered the deployment of Motorists’ Assistance Centers on strategic locations of the national highway of Bicol. Each District Engineering Office in the region has an existing organized team ready to give free roadside emergency repair assistance to motorists during long holidays. These teams are composed of engineers, car mechanics, equipment operators and other service crews.

This program, dubbed as “Lakbay Alalay” will start at 6:00 a.m. on October 30, 2010 until 12:00 noon of November 3, 2010. This is in coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) officials.

These centers will be installed in Albay province in Barangay Basud, Sto. Domingo (DM Jct.-Legazpi-Sto. Domingo-Tabaco-Camarines Sur Bdry. Road); Busay, Daraga, Albay (Daang Maharlika); Paulog, Ligao City (in front of Albay 2nd DEO);

In Camarines Norte at Barangay Tabugon, Sta. Elena (Km 244+313, Daang Maharlika) (with roving unit); Camarines Sur: Tambo, Pamplona (Daang Maharlika); Concepcion Grande, Naga City (fronting TMG Hqtrs); Tigaon Station (DPWH Junction); Buluang, Baao (Daang Maharlika); Bato Resthouse, Agos (Daang Maharlika); and DPWH Sub-Office, Agrupacion, Ragay;

In the island province of Catanduanes at Barangay Manambrag, San Andres (Catanduanes Circ. Road); Pagsangahan, Sa Miguel (km 24+780); Bato, Catanduanes (km. 7=760); ad Sicmil, Gigmoto (kn. 64+800); while in Masbate at Jct. Milagros-Baleno-Lagta Road; Jct. Tawad-Balud Road; Masbate-Milagros/Masbate-Cataingan Road; Junction Buenabista (jct. Buenavista-Cawayan Road); Barangay Del Carmen (Jct. Buenavista-Cawaya Road); Barangay Balocawe, Dimasalag (Jct. Balatucan-Cataingan Rd.); Jct. Cataingan (Jct. Balatucan-Cataingan Road); Brug. Katipunan (Jct. Cataingan-Placer Road); San Fernando South Road (Batuan Section); San Fernando North Road (San Fernando Section); San Fernando North Road (San Jacinto Section); Sa Fernando North Road (Monreal Section); San Fernando North Road (San Pascual Side); and San Pascual-Claveria Road (Claveria Section);

In Sorsogon at Pepita Park, Bucalbucalan (Daang Maharlika) and San Pedro Multi-Purpose Brgy. Hall, Irosin (Km. 621+800)

At the DPWH, Rawis, Legazpi City, a skeletal workforce from Maintenance Division (Tel. #482-0429) will man the office to receive reports from field offices and to render emergency services that may be required during the said holidays. (LVCastañeda, DPWH V/PIA/mal)

BE ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE THIS ‘UNDAS’ - EMB

LEGAZPI CITY – The DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) amplifies the agency’s call for an environment friendly celebration of All Saints’ Day on November 1.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje has expressed his sentiments on the fast-approaching All Saints’ Day. He said that as Filipinos commemorate All Saints’ Day, they should also consider the interests of the living by restraining from environmentally harmful practices.

Paje brings forth the issue of solid waste by stating the result of a study that reveals an estimated 30,000 tons of litters are being generated in the Philippines on a regular basis.

Paje is also advising the local government units and cemetery supervisors to provide systematic waste disposal facilities.

The DENR chief encourages citizens to follow the seven guidelines below in order to lessen harmful environmental impacts this ‘Undas’:

1. Bring separate trash bags for biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.
2. Minimize trash by using re-usable utensils
3. Bring only sufficient amount of food and drinks placed in reusable or recyclable containers. Bring home ay leftovers for reheating, pet food, or compost material.
4. Place candles in glass containers which are reusable and to avoid risk of fire. Collect melted candle wax to make new candles or to sell to traders.
5. Use fresh flowers, if possible without plastic wrapping or potted plants as these help purify the air and are biodegradable.
6. Clean up before leaving, and make sure that containers do not contain stagnant water that could be a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes.
7. Do not burn the garbage as it will contribute to air pollution.

Likewise, EMB 5 Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales strengthens the DENR’s reminder in his
statement saying that “As we pay respect to our departed ones this All Saints’ Day, I ask for the Bicolanos’ cooperation by observing practices that are beneficial to the environment. Observe proper waste management and try your best to minimize trash. Try taking public transport or carpooling in going to the cemetery instead of using our own vehicles, in that way we can avoid heavy traffic and excessive vehicle emissions which contributes to air pollution”. (DENR-EMB V/PIA)

CAMNORTE SP BARES ACCOMPLISHMENT ON FIRST 100 DAYS

DAET, CAMARINES NORTE – The Sanguniang Panlalawigan here has reported their accomplishments for the first 100 days during the 14th regular session.

Vice Governor Jonah Pimentel said that they have conducted 15 sessions and 15 committee meetings with committee and individual referrals.

He said that they have conducted 33 en banc sessions, 7 site visitations, 180 resolutions passed, 3 provincial ordinance and 22 appropriations enacted.

The site visitations include the energization project at Barangays San Antonio and Exciban in Labo; Barangays Bibirao and Dogongan of Daet and Barangay Aguit-it of Vinzons.

They also visited the gold processing plants in Jose Panganiban and Paracale to monitor the implementation of the cease and desist order of Governor Edgardo Tallado.

The SP also conducted special events/activities and public hearings and some of these include: public hearing on the Unified Fishery Ordinance and the 570 million omnibus term loan facility.

He said that some of legislations enacted were resolutions on health, education, ecology, legal and women and family.

It will be recalled that the SP organized the SP press corps for transparency and accountability of the SP and for the information of the general public. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

GEOHAZARD ASSESSMENT TO BE COMPLETED THIS OCTOBER

LEGAZPI CITY — The government’s geohazard mapping project will be completed by within this month, with some 1,567 municipalities or 97 per cent of the total target of 1,618 already assessed, according to a top regional official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office here.

DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Jocelin Marcus Fragada said that DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje had already issued directive to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to prioritize the assessment of the remaining municipalities this October.

In Bicol, the geohazard mapping project was completed since June 2009 and the production of geohazard maps at the scale of 1:50,000 is 92 per cent completed with the remaining 8 per cent to be completed by the end of the year.

The Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program of the DENR-MGB is an important component of the government’s disaster management and mitigation program in order to reduce the loss of lives and properties brought about by natural disaster.

It involves both the identification of areas of the country that are prone or susceptible to various geologic hazards like rain-induced landslides, floods, flash floods, storm surge, coastal erosion, sea level rise and other natural events, and information dissemination to increase public awareness. The output of the program is equally important for land use planning, land development and the emerging concern on climate change adaptation.

Fragada, citing contents of the directives, explained the delay in the Geohazard assessment of the remaining 51 municipalities was due to accessibility and security problems.

These municipalities are located in the province of Abara, Kalinga and Apayao in the Cordillera Administrative Region and in Lanao del Sur and Basilan in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

“After completion the generated maps will be digitized,” he said.

He said the process of digitizing the maps at the scale of 1:50,000 and 1:10,000 takes time to complete and which shall be based on the topographic maps produced by the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA).

“The MGB geologists will have to draw the images and contours of these maps in the computer to produce the digital copies of the maps in the JPEG format,” he furthered, “also the digitized maps are uploaded in the NAMRIA website.”

Fragada said the production of the geohazard maps at the scale of 1:50,000 will also be completed this October, while the production of the detailed maps at the scale of 1:10,000 will start next year. (DENR-MGB V/PIA/mal)

SUMMIT ADOPTS MASTER PLAN FOR ASEAN COMMUNITY

HANOI (via PLDT-SMART): The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted on Thursday a master plan on connectivity that aims to realize an ASEAN Community by 2015.
The document was adopted during the Leaders Retreat at the 17th ASEAN Summit being held at the National Convention Center here.

A fact sheet released by the ASEAN Secretariat stated that the Master Plan identifies key strategies and actions to enhance the connection of the region in three dimensions: physical, institutional, and people-to-people connectivity. Priority projects to be carried out were also detailed.

A better connected region, the document noted, is key to achieve the ASEAN Community, as it reinforces the centrality of ASEAN, accelerates the community building process and integration efforts, and intensifies its relations with external partners.

The concept of ASEAN Connectivity was initially debated on by the ASEAN Leaders at the 15th ASEAN Summit in October 2009 in Thailand.

It was observed then that ASEAN had great potential to physically anchor itself as the transportation, information and communications technology, and tourism hub of this region.

The Leaders noted that enhanced connectivity between ASEAN Member States will encourage competitive growth; facilitate economies of integrated production networks; enhance intra-regional trade; and attract investments.

The improved linkages will promote deeper ties among ASEAN peoples, foster a sense of shared cultural and historical bonds, and as a result, intensify and strengthen ASEAN Community building efforts.

ASEAN Connectivity will also benefit the country when improved domestic linkages generate economic development that is supported by infrastructure and communications networks as well as the movement of people, goods, and services.

Strategies in enhancing physical connectivity include the completion of hard infrastructure projects such as the ASEAN Highway Network and the Singapore Kunming Rail Link.

Institutional connectivity, meanwhile, comprises improvements to soft infrastructure such as strengthening institutional arrangements to liberalize the movements of goods, services and skilled professionals across the borders.

Strategies to intensify people-to-people interactions will be implemented through culture, education, and tourism initiatives.

The participation and support of ASEAN Dialogue Partners, multilateral development banks and the private sector in achieving ASEAN Connectivity is crucial as the Leaders recognized that significant financial resources and human capital will be required to implement the Master Plan.

According to a 2009 ADB and Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) paper, “Between 2010 and 2020, Asia needs approximately$ 8 trillion in overall national infrastructure in addition to $290 billion that Asia needs to spend on specific regional infrastructure projects in transport and energy that are in the pipeline.”

In another working paper, ADBI said that ASEAN countries will require infrastructure investments amounting to $ 596 billion for the period 2006-2015, with an average investment of $60 billion per year. (PIA V)

AQUINO INVITES BRUNEI TO INVEST IN RP

HANOI (via PLDT and Smart): President Benigno S. Aquino III has invited the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam through its Sultan Yang Dipertuan Negara Hassanal Bolkiah to invest in the Philippines under the Aquino administration’s public-private partnership program (PPP).

In an interview, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang said President Aquino issued the invite during the two leader’s bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit being held here Thursday.

Carandang said the meeting, which he described as “a very casual discussion” was held at one of the numerous conference halls of the Melia Hotel here.

“The President invited Sultan Bolkiah and the Brunei Investment Agency to attend the public-private partnership conference in Manila next month,” Carandang said, adding the sultanate expressed its willingness to participate by sending a representative to the conference.

The PPP program was created through President Aquino’s issuance of Executive Order Number 8 transferring the Build-Operate-Transfer Center under the helm of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in a bid to hasten the implementation of public-private partnership programs.

The center, which was named Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines, aims to accelerate the financing, construction and operation of key government infrastructure projects.

The center is expected to extend assistance to all local government units and other government instrumentalities in the implementation of projects, provide advisory services in project preparation and development, recommend policies with regard to program implementation, monitor all projects and programs, and manage and administer the revolving fund to be called the Project Development and Monitoring Facility. (PIA V)

AQUINO CALLS FOR DIPLOMACY IN RESOLVING TERRITORIAL DISPUTES

HANOI (via PLDT and Smart): President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday called for diplomacy in resolving territorial disputes in the South China sea, saying maintaining peace and stability in the area was of paramount concern to the Philippines.

The President issued his call during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leader’s Retreat Thursday.

“Maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is of paramount concern to the Philippines,” the President said.

“Let us focus on collaborative diplomatic processes to resolve territorial disputes through sustained consultations and dialogue amongst ourselves and with China,” he added.

He said the country is renewing its commitment to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by ASEAN states and China “as a basic fundamental pillar of cooperation in the South China Sea.”

“We aspire to transform this area into a zone of peace, cooperation, friendship and freedom,” he added. (PIA V)

AQUINO ORDERS CRAFTING OF NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY FOR 2010-2016

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered the crafting of a national security policy (NSP) and national security strategy (NSS) for 2010-2016 to guide all national security efforts on both public and private sectors towards the attainment of national security goals and objectives.

In issuing Memorandum Order No. 6, the President cited the need to translate the vision of the Aquino administration towards a more secure and progressive Filipino nation.

He said there is a need to ensure that the country’s national security policy and strategy for 2010-2016 is responsive and complementary to the country’s development goals and objectives.

The President tasked the National Security Adviser and the National Security Council Director General to spearhead the formulation of the NSP and NSS for 2010-2016 to coordinate with all concerned departments, agencies and instrumentalities of the government including government owned and controlled corporations and regional offices.

The NSP, according to him, must focus on: governance; delivery of basic services; economic reconstruction and sustainable development and security sector reform.

The NSP must be submitted to the National Security Cabinet group for coordination and integration at the national and regional levels and subsequently to the cabinet on or before Nov. 30 this year and the NSS on or before April 30 next year.

All department agencies and GOCCs shall consider the said documents for their respective plans and programs with national security dimension and draw inputs from their regional offices considering development strategies and local security needs.

To make the security agenda complimentary to their development objectives, all agencies, government corporations and their regional development bodies shall henceforth prepare and formulate their respective security-related programs closely linked to their development plans.

“All sectors of society, both government and non government, are enjoined to participate in these national endeavor in order to arrive at a national consensus on our development objectives and national security priorities,” the President said.

The NSA/NSC-Director General shall issue guidelines necessary to ensure effective compliance of this directive. (PIA V)

COLOMA URGES WOMEN TO JOIN DRIVE ON GENDER EQUALITY



MANILA — The Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) today urged all women from academe, mass media, civil society and government agencies to join in the forthcoming launch of the 18-day campaign on gender equality and a call to eliminate violence against women.

In a radio interview this morning, Presidential Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma said that from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), which is under the Office of the President, will launch the drive to promote women’s rights.

The objective of the campaign, he said is to expand the awareness of all women in the academe, members of the fourth estate, government and private employees, and non-governmental organizations on the protection of their legitimate rights, and prevent violence against women in all parts of the country.

The campaign, according to Coloma, is in line with the directives of President Benigno S. Aquino III for PCOO and the PCW to spearhead in the implementation of the Magna Carta of Women and the promotion of gender equality.

He added that on Nov. 25, the gender equality campaign will start at the University Belt and neighboring schools, colleges and universities at the vicinity of Malacanang.

Also Friday morning, the PCOO sponsored a gender equality training and seminar to the women members of the Malacanang Press Corps.

Coloma pointed out that the training is aimed at educating women members of the MPC on their legitimate rights and their capability disseminate information on how to respect the rights of the women.

Recently, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had urged all nations to unite in order to end violence on women. He also tasked all UN agencies and offices to galvanize action across the UN system to prevent and punish violence of all forms against women. (PIA V)