SENATE DEFENSE COMMITTEE APPROVES INCREASE OF COMBAT DUTY PAY

LEGAZPI CITY -- Military personnel can now look forward to a better combat pay under a report submitted by the Senate committee on national defense to the upper chamber for approval.

Senator Chiz Escudero, defense committee chairman, said the committee has recommended a combat duty pay raise for personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) according to the danger they are exposed to.

Senate Committee Report No. 8 increases the combat duty pay of officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP from a minimum of five percent to a maximum of 25 percent of their base pay.

At present, each soldier assigned to combat zones receives a measly sum of P240 per month.

In the proposed measure, soldiers assigned to tactical brigades and its combat compliments will receive an increase based on the category of danger they are in. Those assigned to the most hazardous areas shall receive 25 percent of a private’s base pay, 15 percent for the more hazardous areas and 15 percent for the hazardous areas.

The current private base pay is P12,150.

“It has been 22 years since the AFP increased its combat pay for our soldiers. This is most timely given the increasingly hazardous duties our soldiers are facing in the service of our country coupled with inflation rates and higher cost of commodities and services. This will surely augment the salaries of those in the field whose one foot is already in the grave,” Escudero explained.

At present, there are 88,075 soldiers receiving combat duty pay. The AFP currently allocates a total of P253 million for the combat duty of its eligible soldiers.

Once the measure is approved, the AFP needs a total of P2.5 billion to fund the proposed increase.

The defense committee is joined by the finance committee in pushing for the approval of the measure in the Senate.(Office of Sen. Francis Escudero/PIA/mal)

PACQUIAO DAY IN ALBAY A WISE CALL: SALCEDA

LEGAZPI CITY— To celebrate national pride and savor the positive economic repercussions, Albay Governor Joey Salceda has declared Monday as Pacquiao Day though with work and with classes still going on between the weekend and the Al Adha holiday tomorrow.

But this new call awaits the feel of the nation if only to declare a no-work, no classes in the future.

Salceda said that very timely with a day that is between the weekend and the Al Adha holiday, Monday should be declared a special no-work, no-class holiday in the whole province of Albay.

“But, since there are already several holidays in November and several more in December, I balked at the unilateral move that may be perceived to be frivolous and would rather wait for the national leadership to set the feel of the nation. The idea of a Pacquiao day should blossom into a National OFW Day as a legislated national holiday,” Salceda explained.

“The heroism of Manny Pacquiao partakes of the day-to-day "living" heroism of our ordinary OFWs. And, without doubt, he has stacked up by far the biggest export by a single individual in our country's economic history- in National Income Accounts- he would visibly stand out in the NFIA or Net Foreign Income from Abroad- the item added to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to get Gross National Production (GNP),” Salceda furthered.

According to Salceda, with Michael Jordan now retired and Tiger Woods now in decline, Pacquiao is now possibly the most important brand franchise in the whole world of global sporting market- a significant investment class that would assure recurring inflows (eg sponsorships, events) to our economy in the medium term.

“But more than the forex resources, he brings honor to our nation. Pacquiao plays what economists call "a binding force" even quite briefly and fleeting- by enabling stubbornly disparate forces in Philippine society to come together and overcome our differences to celebrate our national pride,” he said.

“That would have been sufficient fundamental basis for us to succumb to the pervasive suggestion of declaring tomorrow as Pacquiao Day in Albay as a no-work, no-class holiday (also practical since it is sandwiched by Nov 16's Al Adha holiday) so our people could celebrate pride in being Filipino and discern the spirit of the possible that is enlarged by Pacquiao's achievements,” Salceda concluded. LGU Albay/PIA/mal)

NO FISH KILL IN MALAGUIT RIVER –EMB

PARACALE, Camarines Norte -- The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has allayed fears of an incident fish kill in Malaguit River here reportedly due to small scale gold processing operations.

EMB Bicol Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales reported that the Bureau’s investigators found no fish kill in the areas traversed by Malaguit River on October 17, 2010.

“However minimal fish kill was noted at the mouth of Matanlang river, a tributary upstream of Malaguit River,” Engr. Henry Lopez, Provincial Environmental Management Officer (PEMO) of Camarines Norte clarified in his report.

EMB Bicol investigators observed floating dead fish (2 species Midyad & Butete) along Matanlang stream believed to be in decaying stage due to its foul stench.

"The dead fish observed in the upstream of Malaguit River were either remains of poisoned fishes by fishermen or from the remains of fishponds clearing after harvest,” Lopez added.

He cited Malaguit Punong Barangay Zaldy Moya’s account on local fishermen’s practices wherein they apply “sosa” or “bayate” (poison) in fishing. According to Moya, the practice involves installing a net at the mouth of the river during high tide and when low tide occurs they gather the catch utilizing poison to hasten their work.

To verify allegations of mine tailings overflow, EMB Bicol investigators inspected the tailings pond of small scale gold processing plants in Barangay Tugos, Paracale for seepage, but no leaks were discovered. The Bureau assured a close monitoring of the tailings pond and the sources of chemicals which might have been used by some fishermen in illegal fishing.

Earlier, Governor Edgardo Tallado requested the bureau to check reports of fish kill in Malaguit River allegedly caused by mine tailings seepage. Tallado said despite compliance by small scale gold processing plants with environmental permits, it is the provincial government’s utmost priority to determine the possible cause and who will be held responsible in the incident.(ASAraya, RPAO DENR V/PIA/mal)

ARMY’S MEDICAL MISSION BENEFITS 1,500 PEOPLE IN CAMSUR

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, PILI, Camarines Sur – More than a thousand locals has benefited from a medical and dental mission participated in by the Army unit in Bicol held in Naga City last week.

Captain Raul Sasuca, medical officer of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division said that a total of 1,555 residents availed of the free medical and dental services during the medical and dental mission participated by the Philippine Army in the past two days (10-11 November 2010) held in SM City Naga City.

Sasuca said that his team has also visited several communities in Camarines Sur providing free medical and medical assistance to poor people.

“We are very glad to be part of this medical mission because this is part of the 9th ID’s community service here in the Bicol Region. We have communities in far-flung areas which do not have ready access to health facilities and through this medical mission they can avail of free medical checkup and medicines which many of them cannot afford,” said Sasuca.

Ms Tina Sumayao, the Public Relations Officer of the SM City Naga, said that the project was part of the corporate social responsibility of the SM Foundation Inc.

“Aware about the health needs of the poor people in the countryside, we coordinated with various agencies and NGOs to make this project a reality,” Sumayao said.

The other partners during the medical mission include the Philippine National Red Cross, Provincial Health Office of Camarines Sur, Bicol Medical Center, DSWD Naga City and the 9th ID Press Corps. (HMCabunoc, DPAO 9ID PA/PIA/mal)

BU IS CHAMPION IN BICOL SCUAA

LEGAZPI CITY---After the weeklong sports activities involving at least 128 game matches, Bicol University based in Albay emerged as the overall champion, besting six other Bicol-based tertiary schools, in the 2010 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) competition.

Dominating in the swimming and athletic events, and clinching most of the ball and racket games, BU garnered a total of 134 gold, 61 silver, and 42 bronze medals, tailed far second by Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), based in Camarines Sur, with 45 gold, 46 silver and 30 bronze medals; while ranked third was the Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) with medal haul of 14 gold, 40 silver, and 40 bronze.

The SCUAA 2010 was participated by at least 1,600 athletes coming from BU; CBSUA (formerly Camarines Sur State Agricultural College-CSSAC); Partido State University (PSU); Camarines Norte State College (CNSC); Camarines Sur Polytechnic College (CSPC); Catanduanes State Colleges CSC); Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) based in Masbate; and Sorsogon State College (SSC).

This year’s competition is geared on the theme “Strengthening Regional Solidarity through Sports”. Bicol University (BU) as the host school utilized all of its facilities and resources offering superb and well-prepared services to the participating delegations as spearheaded by its Institute of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation (IPESR).

BU President Dr. Fay Lauraya said that though she was very pleased by the result, she offers their victory to all the participating state universities for their full support and very high display of their athletes’ sportsmanship in the
weeklong competition.

“BU’s victory is ignited by the sports challenges offered by our equally prepared state university and college athletes. This is a triumph for all of us SCUAA
participants,” Lauraya said.

On Monday’s opening ceremony, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda inspired the athletes and challenged them to observe the highest level of sportsmanship, as he also rendered then sumptuous dinner during the “Governor’s Night.”

“Albay is always supportive to activities promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie believing that they help shape goodness inside every athlete who turns to be a responsible member of the society,” Salceda said.

SCUAA’s yearly competition is highly competitive sports challenge due to the active participation of the seven state-run tertiary schools serving the 4.5 million Bicolanos, with BU on the top in terms of population with 22,000 students and employees. (CEDematera, BUCAL/PIA/mal)

Remittance of OFWs in Japan will be simplified and cheaper, says Aquino

YOKOHAMA, Japan (via PLDT/Smart): President Benigno S. Aquino III said it will now be easier and more affordable for Filipinos in Japan to send money back home following the signing of an agreement between the Land Bank of the Philippines and Japan Post Bank.

Speaking before some 1,000 members of the Filipino community here on Sunday at the Yokohama Futaba High School, the President said he learned that many Filipinos were lamenting the high fees their remittances were being charged.

“To help bring down the remittance cost, the Land Bank of the Philippines and Japan Post Bank have agreed to simplify the process and make sending money back home faster, safer and more affordable for overseas Filipino workers so their families can receive their hard-earned income,” said the President.

The agreement between Land Bank and the Japan Post Bank, according to the President, will take effect middle of January next year.

“We expect this simplified procedure to be available for workers here by January 17, 2011,” continued the Chief Executive, adding that Filipino workers can send their remittances through the nearest Japan Post Bank and their relatives can pick up the money from any Land Bank branch in the Philippines.

The President also said that during the APEC Leaders’ Summit here, the Philippines worked closely with other countries in dealing with the erratic appreciation of regional currencies, including the peso, to make sure that dollars being remitted by OFWs will enjoy a favorable exchange rate. (PIA V)

APEC leaders vow to pursue closer integrated regional economy

YOKOHAMA, Japan (via PLDT/Smart): President Benigno S. Aquino III and the 20 other leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) reiterated their commitment to pursue an even more closely integrated regional economy and strong sustainable and balanced growth in the region.

This would include taking steps toward the realization of the Free Trade Area for Asia and the Pacific (FTAAP) to meet new opportunities and challenges in the 21st century through the implementation of the APEC Leader’s Growth Strategy.

In the APEC Declaration aptly called the “Yokohama Vision – Bogor and Beyond,” which was presented by Japanase Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the conclusion of the 3-day APEC Leaders’ Meeting here, the 21 APEC leaders also committed to take necessary and concrete steps toward making this vision a reality.

They expressed confidence that this will bring about greater prosperity and well-being for all in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

“We will implement the Growth Strategy to 2015, focusing on the five desired attributes of balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and secure growth,” they said.

According to the APEC leaders the Growth Strategy includes an Action Plan that encompasses work elements on structural reform; human resource and entrepreneurship development; green growth; a knowledge-based economy; and human security.

“The Action Plan will be supported and promoted through specific work programs that draw in all aspects of APEC ‘s work, including sectoral Ministerial meetings, extensive regional networks of experts, and close cooperation with the business community.

The APEC leaders agreed that their respective ministers and senior officials will accelerate work on strengthening and deepening regional economic integration in the coming year, which is consistent with the vision articulated in the document.

“They will design and implement specific initiatives to address barriers to trade and investment, and to ensure high-quality, sustainable growth in the future,” the leaders said, stressing that they look forward to ambitious progress on APEC’s agenda under the leadership of the United States. (PIA V)

APEC leaders reaffirms commitment to Doha Development Agenda

YOKOHAMA, Japan (via PLDT/SMART): President Benigno S. Aquino III and the 20 other leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) reaffirmed their strong commitment to bring the Doha Development Agenda to a prompt and successful conclusion.

“Bearing in mind that 2011 will be a critically important ‘window of opportunity,’ we direct our Ministers to empower our representatives to engage in comprehensive negotiations with a sense of urgency in the end game, built on the progress achieved, including with regard to modalities, consistent with the Doha mandate,” the 21 APEC leaders said in the APEC Declaration aptly called “Yokohama Vision – Bogor And Beyond,” which was presented by Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the conclusion of the 3-day APEC Leaders’ Meeting on Sunday here.

“We affirm our commitment to win domestic support in our respective systems for a strong engagement,” the APEC leaders said.

In their continued efforts to resist protectionism, the APEC leaders agreed to “extend their commitment on standstill made in 2008 to the end of 2013 to refrain from raising new barriers to investment or to trade in goods and services, imposing new export restrictions or implementing World Trade Organization (WTO) inconsistent measures in all areas, including those that stimulate exports.”

The APEC leaders likewise committed themselves “to take steps to rollback trade distorting measures introduced during the crisis.”

Furthermore, the APEC leaders pledged to continue to exercise “maximum restraint in implementing measures that may be considered to be consistent with WTO provisions if they have a significant protectionist effect and promptly rectify such measures where implemented.” (PIA V)

APEC leaders reiterate commitment to UN climate change negotiations

YOKOHAMA, Japan (via PLDT/SMART): President Benigno S. Aquino III and the 20 other leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) reiterated their commitment to “take strong and action-oriented measures and remain fully dedicated to the United Nations climate change negotiations.”

“Addressing the threat of global climate change is an urgent priority for all nations. “the 21 APEC leaders said in the APEC Declaration aptly called “Yokohama Vision – Bogor and Beyond,” which was presented by Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan at the conclusion of the 3-day APEC Leaders Meeting here on Sunday.

“We reaffirm the objective, provisions and the Principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, including common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities,” the 21 APEC leaders said.

“Those of us who have associated with the Copenhagen Accord reaffirm our support for it and its implementation. We are all committed to achieving a successful, balanced result that includes the core issues of mitigation, transparency, finance, technology, adaptation, and forest preservation,” the APEC Declaration stated.

The APEC leaders likewise expressed their appreciation for Mexico’s hard work in preparing for and hosting COP16 or the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties’16th Summit. (PIA V)

Aquino mulls creation of Philippine Center in Japan

YOKOHAMA, Japan (via PLDT/Smart): President Benigno S. Aquino III has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to study the proposal of the members of the Filipino community to set up a Philippine center that will help promote the Filipino culture as well as cater to the welfare of the next generation of children of Filipino and Japanese descent.

The President made the statement at the gathering of some 1,000 members of the Filipino community at the Yokohama Futaba High School late Sunday afternoon, during which he instructed Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo to look into the proposal to establish the center to be called “Tahanan”.

“We are here with the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and I have directed him to study at the soonest possible time the creation of a Philippine center here,” said the President.

Aside from promoting Filipino culture, members of the Filipino community said the center could also help foster trade and investments between the Philippines and Japan, provide legal assistance to distressed overseas Filipino workers, and care for a number of illegitimate and abandoned “Japinos,” or children of Filipino and Japanese parents, among others. (PIA V)