CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFER WILL BRING DOWN POVERTY BY 10 PERCENT: SOLIMAN

LEGAZPI CITY— Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman said on Saturday that the conditional cash transfer (CCT) an anti-poverty measures would indeed bring down by 10 percent the poverty threshold of millions of extremely poor families in the country by the next five years.

Soliman said the CCT’s or popularly known as 4P’s (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program ) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) would move out from the poverty level 10 percent of the 4.6 million families considered extremely poor based on the 2009 National Housing Targeting System (NHTS) survey by the agency.

Dispelling claims of administration critiques that the CCT is plainly “dole outs” and serves only as palliative measure without giving positive impacts to the marginalize sector of the Philipppine society, she said it would invariably pull down the poverty incidence under a medium and long term effect.

She said based on the 2006 National Statistic Office survey 33.9 percent of the country’s population are living below the poverty level but with the implementation of the CCT it is expected that in next five years the country’s the population of impoverished families would go down 24.5 percent or a 10 percent decline by 2016.

Soliman at a media briefing here following a Convergence Forum Caravan said her agency is pursuing an aggressive anti-poverty intervention program which have three components that includes the KALAHI CIDSS, SEA-K a livelihood program for the poor and the 4P’s or CCT.

The interventions are ingredients in the agency agenda under the “Tatlong paa sa pagpuksa ng kahirapan” a national anti-poverty measure designed to uplift the economic status of the poorest families across the country, she pointed out.

Under PNoy’s administration the social welfare agency is building more on human capital through investments in health, nutrition and education particularly children with age ranging 0 to 14 years.

“Extremely poor families are deprived of their basic rights on education, health and nutrition that is why we are focused on investing in human capital, this way their living condition would start to improve,” she averred.

Soliman said to carry out these pro-poor interventions the DSWD asked Congress to approved their P34 billion agency budget for next year, the fund requirement according to Soliman represent only 3.4 percent of the total National Budget.

Soliman said she is hopeful that Congress would approve the agency budget as 62 percent or P21 billion of their budget would be spent for CCT’s the rest for other agency programs.

She said by 2011 the agency is targeting 2.2million poor families to be the beneficiaries of CCT, Kalahi and Sea-K programs.

The 4P’s is a poverty reduction strategy initiated by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo now Congresswoman, the program was also carried out by Pres. Benigno Aquino III.

The program provides conditional cash grants of P1,400 per month to extremely poor households to allow their family members to meet certain development goal this include education, health and nutrition.

In Bicol the 4P’s now covers 59 towns , covering 571 villages with 85,395 beneficiaries. (PNA Bicol/PIA/mal)


MINING FIRMS MUST ALLOT 1.5 % OF OPERATION COSTS TO SOCIAL AND TECHNOLOGY DEVT.

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has recently issued Administrative Order (DAO) Number 2010-13 requiring large scale mining contractors, permit holders and lessees to allot annually funds equivalent to 1.5 percent of their mining operating costs to social and mining technology development, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) top regional official here.

DENR-MGB Bicol Director Reynulfo Juan explained that from the previous one percent (1%) as required earlier by Republic Act 7942 otherwise known as The Philippine Mining Act of 1995 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the recent increase assures mining communities of a bigger fund mandated by law to be set aside for their development to Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), mining technology, geosciences and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programs.

Juan said that mining contractors, permit holders and lessees spent millions to be bankroll their mining operations and with the recent increase, they will have to shell out additional funds to effectively implement the aforementioned programs.

“In Bicol, there are three large scale mines with approved SDMPs, the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project in Rapu-Rapu, Albay; Masbate Gold Project/Filminera Resources Corporation in Arorory, Masbate and Goodfound Cement Corporation/Ibalong Resources and Development Corporation in Camalig, Albay,” he noted.

SDMP promotes the general welfare of the inhabitants living in the host barangays where the mining area is located including those of the neighboring barangays through the construction, repair and maintenance of farm-to-market roads, water system, post harvest facilities, bridges, school buildings and electric power and funding for scholarship, health facilities and livelihood programs.

The development of mining technology and geosciences involve basic and applied research, advanced studies related to mining operations, environmental protection and mineral economics, among others.

Juan furthered that the fund also aims to institutionalize an IEC program for greater public awareness and understanding of responsible mining, mining operations, mining issues and concerns and education on mining technology and geosciences.

He averred that the order also provides for the apportionment of the fund, with the SDMP getting
75 percent of the 1.5 percent, 10 percent for the development of mining technology and geosciences and 35 percent for the implementation of the IEC program.

DAO 2013-13, dated May 5, 2010 and signed by the then DENR Sec. Horacio C. Ramos, amended Charter XIV on the development of mining communities, sciences and mining technology of DENR Administrative Order No. 96-40 or the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. (DENR-MGB V/PIA/mal)

BFAR INVESTIGATES FISH KILL IN BUHI LAKE

BUHI, Camarines Sur — Some 100 metric tons of dead tilapia surfaced at Buhi Lake on Friday, October 29, due to oxygen depletion, according to the initial report of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) provincial office here.

Santi Noblefranca, BFAR Camarines Sur provincial chief, averred that the massive fish kill affected most tilapia inside the fish cages which were about to be harvested on November 1.

Buhi Mayor Rey Lacoste was saddened by the incident saying it would greatly affect the livelihood of his people whose main source of income is devoted to fishing.

According to Noblefranca, there could be four reasons for the occurrence of the fish kill; depletion of oxygen, presence of a pollutant or toxin, manifestation of natural toxin and disease.

“Of the four reasons, what is most probable is the depletion of oxygen due to the disturbance of water in the lake. This is also due to the incessant rainfall during the past weeks that might have triggered thermal stratification in the lake,” he said.

Noblefranca also said that the change of temperature from warm to cold and vice versa could have a fatal effect to the lives of fishes in the lake, resulting to their death before they can even be harvested.

Translated into monetary figures, the dead tilapia would account for more than Php5million of income that could have been earned by the fish cage operators.

Lake Buhi has a total area id 18 square kilometers and has an average depth of 8 meters. Aside from being a good breeding place for delicious telapia, it is also home to the world’s smallest commercially- harvested fish known as sinarapan. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur/mal)

DENR-EMB SUPPORTS ANTI-DENGUE CAMPAIGNS

LEGAZPI CITY — All offices nationwide of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR ) - Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) were directed by the DENR Secretary Ramon Paje to spearhead the clean up drive campaign to prevent further spread of dengue in response to the Malacañang directive.

The clean up drive covers the declogging of waterways, creeks, rivers and all possible habitats for mosquitoes. It also covers fogging, information dissemination, and other measures that are helpful in arresting the dengue phenomenon.

“This unprecedented increase in the number of dengue cases in the country is definitely alarming. The DENR fully supports the call of the government for a massive clean up, particularly our rivers, creeks and other waterways, as depriving these dengue-carrying mosquitoes of their habitats is yet the most effective way of addressing the problem,” DENR Sec. Paje said.

The EMB is appointed to guarantee the successful implementation of the order by coordinating with DOH and all local government units. Paje also required all regional directors to submit reports on the actions and measures taken to solve the issue. EMB will organize personnel to lead the clean up drive and provide the facilities needed for the said activity.

Paje appreciates the country’s concerted effort to fight dengue saying that it does not only address the dengue problem but also addresses environmental problems such as landslides and flashfloods. (DENR-EMB V/PIA)

COMMUNITY FOLKS GOING THROUGH KALAHI IMPLEMENTATION WITH VIGILANCE AND ENTHUSIASM

LEGAZPI CITY— After intensive workshops, forum and barangay assemblies, community folks from Cawayan, Masbate has now reached the stage where the knowledge, skills, technical and organizational preparation will be put to test.

Armed with knowledge and skills gained from KALAHI-CIDSS trainings and activities, communities are now going through the project implementation with vigilance and enthusiasm. The barangay folks found themselves gamely planning and organizing the activities for sub-project implementation.

Twenty prioritized barangays already received their grant fund which was released directly from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) central office special account at the Land Bank of the Philippines to the accounts of the community. These barangays were: Panan-awan, Mactan, Pulot, Libertad, Recodo, Looc, Pin-As, Punta Batsan, Gulom, Calapayan, Begia, Villahermosa, Itom-Bato, Cabungahan, Lague-lague, Madbad, Cabayugan, Malbug, San Vicente and Bgy. Chico. Most of the proposed projects were construction of school buildings and health stations. The KALAHI-CIDSS: KKB grant for the 20 barangays reached P16.6 million.

KALAHI-CIDDS sub-project implementation stage is where approved interventions are implemented, with the active involvement and participation of stakeholders under the supervision of concerned technical staff. Working committees like finance, procurement, monitoring and inventory and implementation teams established during the planning stage are now expected to perform their assigned tasks.

The initial phase of the Project marked vigorously because it was the first time that the communities experienced a cycle of activities that enabled different sectors to participate in the development and implementation of projects. Though local financial counterpart to the project was a problem, the municipal government of Cawayan was quick to respond to the needs of the communities. Sufficient amounts were allocated as financial assistance to the counterpart requirements of each individual barangay.

“Nothing is too difficult when people wholeheartedly support a project. I believed that this project is for our own good because in KALAHI-CIDSS, we have the ultimate voice,” community volunteer Ely B. Dejito enthused.

Guided by the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) immersed in the area, the community volunteers are now smoothly and easily accomplishing all activities required for the full implementation of their respective community projects. The ACT facilitated the convergence of all resources and efforts from the community people, Municipal Inter-Agency Committee (MIAC) and the Sangguniang Bayan of Cawayan.

“This only proves that the government really wanted to help us. Unlike in the past, government projects are often neglected by beneficiaries but when the project is realized through the communities’ time, strength and sweat put together, people themselves develop a strong sense of ownership over the projects. KALAHI-CIDSS taught us not to wait for dole-outs but work on becoming self-reliant, thus, developing our sense of dignity as a community,” Ely B. Dejito added.

The onset of the activities in the implementation stage will help Cawayan to the succeeding phases of the project. They will not only benefit from the physical infrastructures brought by the project but also from the knowledge and skills that they will gain from the KALAHI-CIDSS process.

Meanwhile, Regional Project Coordinator Arwin O. Razo has officially endorsed the Area Coordinating Team (ACT) to the local government unit of Mobo, Masbate. The ACT which is composed of a team leader, community facilitators, financial analyst and civil engineer had a courtesy call with Mobo Mayor Percival Castillo through his Municipal Administrator Alito Ramos.

Aside from Cawayan, the municipality of Mobo was also chosen for the additional 16 municipalities to implement KALAHI-CIDSS nationwide.

KALAHI-CIDSS is the largest poverty alleviation portfolio of the World Bank of the Philippines. (CLMartinez, KCRSMO-DSWD/PIA)

Red alert in NCR up to Christmas – Malacanang

MANILA — Malacañang said today (November 3) the red alert status in the National Capital Region (NCR) which had been put in place even before All Saints Day and All Souls Day will be carried over to the Christmas season.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda disclose this in a news briefing after the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada issued travel advisories against travel in the Philippines as part of a global alert on possible terrorist activities.

Lacierda said the heightened alert issued by the Armed Forces is not meant to create fear but rather part of precautionary measures to monitor and validate its intelligence information.

He said both the AFP and the Philippine National Police intelligence units are currently validating intelligence information and coordinating possible responses should the need arise.

“As a precaution, the AFP and the PNP have been put in heightened alert in the NCR,” he stressed noting that under the heightened alert status all soldiers and police authorities are on stand-by mode.

“As in all alerts, we assure the citizenry that the government is going the extra mile to pre-empt and monitor any terrorist activity,” Lacierda said.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, he added is being regularly briefed on intelligence and is taking an active hand in ensuring the coordination of all agencies and activities regarding the matter.

On Tuesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs clarified that the advisories against travel to the Philippines were but a reissuance of previous travel advisories and did not indicate active monitoring of new terrorists threat of a specific, credible and actionable nature.

Even in the wake of the discovery last week of two packages to synagogues in the United States containing bombs, both the AFP and PNP have stepped up their watch in preparation for All Saints Day and All Souls Day in the country. (PIA V)

Aquino thanks Temasek Foundation for various projects in RP

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday (November 3) thanked Temasek Foundation of Singapore for its numerous philanthropic undertakings in the Philippines and vowed government’s institutional support, when needed.

Those who called on the President included: Jennie Chua, Temasek Deputy Chairman; Benedict Cheong, foundation CEO; Bayanihan Society Board member, Joseph Tallungan-Abuan and Temasek founding member (one of eight founders) Tony Tan Caktiong, chairman/CEO of Jollibee Foods Corp. For the Philippine government side, those who attended the call were Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga.

The foundation, a non-profit philanthropic group established in May 2007, undertook its first projects in the Philippines that same year. Its programs are focused on building people through health care, education and research; building bridges between people; building institutions of excellence through governance and ethics and re-building lives and livelihoods affected by major natural disasters.

The foundation’s board is composed of distinguished leaders from business and community sectors from Singapore and other Asian countries. It seeks to foster development and growth by supporting philanthropic and civic programs that develop human and social capital in Asia.

Temasek foundation has invested $5.3 million worth of projects in the Philippines since 2007. They included education (trainers’ training), upgrading the technological-vocation skills and training programs in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; healthcare by elevating the nursing standards in partnership with St. Paul’s University of Manila and the Singapore Polytechnic National University.

The foundation supports networking and exchange programs for policy makers, leaders, journalists and potential leaders like students from various Asian communities. It has supported the rebuilding of lives after major natural disasters through training and re-skilling programs, research and training programs to mitigate the effects of such natural disasters in China, Indonesia and the Philippines. (PIA V)

Aquino meets German parliamentarian

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III met on Wednesday afternoon (November 3) Minister Michael Glos, member of the German Parliament who was a minister of economy and foreign trade at the time the President’s mother, Corazon Aquino visited Germany.

Accompanied by German Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Ludwig Weber Lortsch and Paul Shafer, resident representative of the Hans Seidel Foundation, the President received Glos and his party at the Premier Guest House in Malacanang.

Cabinet members present during the call were: Justice Secretary Leila de Lima; Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje, Commission on Human Rights Chairman Loreta Ana Rosales and Solicitor General Joel Cadiz.

“We discussed about the long good relations between the Philippines and Germany and about the visit of his late mother, Cory to Germany and we also invited President Aquino to visit our country,” said Ambassador Lortsch.

“Our countries recognized the new level of our relationship beyond the diplomatic level and it is ripe for political, economic, community development and cooperation,” the envoy added.

“I have been coming in and out of the Philippines for the past 20 years, since I have held numerous government positions before becoming a legislator,” Glos said. “Our countries share a friendship in good times and in bad times.”

Philippine exports to Germany he said has doubled in the first eight months this year compared to last year.

The envoy said Germans have been investing in the Philippines and will continue to increase their investments in manufacturing, knowledge centers (notably the business process outsourcing) and auto parts.

He said there is also a marked cooperation in environmental efforts, particularly mitigating the effects of climate change and managing risks in disaster-prone areas. (PIA V)

Arroyo loan is not Aquino loan - Malacanang

MANILA — Malacañang clarified today (November 3) that the alleged P2.2 billion in public works fund for the second district of Pampanga is actually a loan obtained by the Arroyo administration and the Aquino administration has nothing to do with the approval of the infrastructure projects damaged by lahar flows.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the P2.2 billion allocation is not pork barrel, but rather a foreign-assistance obtained by former President and now Pampanga 5th District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Being part of the hazard mitigation project of Mount Pinatubo, Lacierda admitted that there is a need for the affected areas to upgrade and rehabilitate areas damaged and still affected by Mount Pinatubo lahar flows.

“It’s been there, and this is important for the people around the area of Mount Pinatubo,” he explained.

Lacierda assured that Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson is currently determining which phases of the projects are not urgent so they could communicate this with the funders and delay it’s implementation.

Lacierda said the Aquino administration considers the project a necessity in order to protect the lives and welfare of the people within the communities affected by the path of the lahar.

He assured that all infrastructure projects stipulated in the 2011 proposed budget of the present administration will be transparent and the public is welcome to scrutinize it.

“We will be proactive in ensuring that the infrastructure projects will be transparent, and accountable to everyone,” stressed Lacierda. (PIA V)

Palace says cut in OP intel fund consistent with Aquino's belt-tightening efforts

MANILA — Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said that the reduction in the intel fund in the Office of the President is “consistent with our belt-tightening efforts and our desire to cut unprogrammed, unaudited fund sources."

Coloma said the reduction in the intel fund was recommended by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. "in the spirit of transparency and fiscal discipline."

During the hearing, Ochoa said that the Palace has even slashed its budget request for the next fiscal year by 4.3 percent to P4.075 billion from the previous administration’s P4.259 billion in line with the cost-cutting policy of President Aquino.

He noted that it was the same budget that was approved by the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

Ochoa explained that the Office of the President reduced the spending plan across the various services within Malacañang and abolished 10 attached offices adding that it has also realigned the money from the Palace intelligence funds and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission to cover the funding requirements of the two new offices.

According to Ochoa, next year’s appropriation for Maintenance, Operating and Other Expenses (MOOE), has been reduced by P163.9 million, with professional services getting the biggest cut of P152.7 million.

He added that there is also a cutback of expenses for printing, advertising, travel and representation allowances.

Ochoa further said that “addressing our growing deficit will require a team effort on the part of all government offices, as we all have to use our resources wisely, and the President’s office is doing its share by cutting back on various expenses.” (PIA V)