SALCEDA ALLOTS P47M FOR ADD'L BONUSES OF PROVINCIAL EMPLOYEES

LEGAZPI CITY — The Provincial Government of Albay has set aside some P47 million for the yearend bonus package of P15,000 in cash gift plus 14th month pay for its employees for this year.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the bonus package arising from savings has been submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approval.

He said the granting of the yearend benefits to hundreds of provincial employees is possibly the most generous for any province in the country.

Salceda said the bonus is a result of his administration's sustained fiscal prudence and tight control of the current Personal Services l (PS) level.

The benefit would further enhance the take-home of employees, and in recognition of the shared and committed effort of the entire provincial team in lifting the province's economy to a higher track of growth and in achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) earlier than target through effective and efficient delivery of basic social services to the community.

“The generous package is a result of prudent fiscal management and expense control despite Albay's aggressive social programs in scholarships, universal Philhealth, livelihood and capacity buildup for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation,” Salceda said.

This should help our employees overcome the negative impact of the spikes in commodity prices and underwrite a modest celebration of the Christmas spirit with their family and community and motivate them to serve the people better, he pointed out.

Salceda said he recognizes the need for appropriate compensation for motivating existing employees, for maintaining well-trained and well-experienced staff and for attracting new talent into the provincial organization given its aggressive targets for socioeconomic development of its people. (LGU Albay/PNA/PIA)

ALBAY ANNOUNCES 2010 GAWAD SA EDUKASYON AWARDEES
By Mike de la Rama

LEGAZPI CITY — The Provincial Government of Albay announced Wednesday the awardees for Ten Outstanding Teachers of Albay (TOTAL), Three Outstanding Principals (TROPICAL), Student Excellence in Academics and Leadership (SEAL), and Kadunong LGU with Best Practices in Education, all under the 2010 Gawad sa Edukasyon.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said that the annual Gawad Albay sa Edukasyon is an awards system that recognizes and rewards the significant contributions of teachers, principals, students and local government units to the cause of quality education in the province.

This rewards system was started in 2008 and is now organized by the Albay Education Department (PED).

Awardees for categories of TOTAL, SEAL and TROPICAL will receive a P100,000 cash reward, certificate, medal and trophy each.

For Kadunong with best practices in education, the Most Outstanding LGU Best Practices in Education and Outstanding LGU with best Practices in Education will also receive P200,000 cash rewards and certificate.

TOTAL is for teachers who best exemplify the teaching profession and efficient inside the classroom and a source of inspiration to students as well as in the community.

The TROPICAL category is for principals whose leadership and vision have made their schools true bastions of learning and significant contribution to community progress and development.

SEAL is for students who even at the young age show significant and positive contribution to the school and the community, while the KADUNONG is for cities or municipalities whose education related projects, programs and activities have made significant impacts on the lives of their constituents and have contributed to community development.

This year’s awardees for SEAL are: Rhod Jeram Sabater, John Eulo Bas, Jessa Marie Monson, Micah Madelejos, Andre Nico Belen, Kimberly Rapirap, Ronald Francis Dacillo, Antonette Reburiano, Shaira Orogo and Aaron Castillo.

Awardees for TOTAL are Michelle Musne Daniel, Diana Lascota Desuyo, Sixto Osia Orzales, Leopoldo Castillo Brizuela Jr., Nora Laguda, Shirley Maravillas Rustria, Jazel Asejo, Ruben Cenita, Roger Banal and Nancy Aguda.

The three outstanding principals in the countryside are Dr. Norma Orozco of Pagasa National High School, Ms. Rhodie Quirab of Ligao East Central elementary School and Ms. Carmen Beldad of Albay Central School.

For this year’s Kadunong awardees are the municipality of Tiwi, Libon and Tabaco City.

According to Salceda, in the awards night set on December 17, 2010 the BAKAS will also be launched.

“Next year the Gawad Albay sa Edukasyon will expand to include Barangay Kasangga sa Edukasyon which will recognize barangay in the province with exemplary education related projects,” the governor said. (LGU Albay/PNA/PIA)

DOLE BICOL TO EMPLOY 100 RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY BULUSAN RESTIVENESS

SORSOGON CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol will employ this December some 100 jobless residents displaced by the Bulusan eruption from three affected municipalities in the province as part of the ‘emergency employment program’ of the agency.

DOLE Bicol Regional Director Atty. Alvin M. Villamor said that the emergency employment is one measure to augment the loss of income of 100 residents from Casiguran, Juban and Irosin towns in Sorsogon.

Villamor observed the three municipalities are greatly affected by the series of ash fall and lahar from Mt. Bulusan threatening the lives and livelihood of the residents. Heavy ash falls and lahar prevented the residents of these municipalities to till their land rendering them ‘jobless’ since Mt. Bulusan started erupting.

The regional director bared that a total of P400,000 is earmarked by DOLE Bicol to fund the emergency employment program designed to provide salaries for the 22-day work period that each of the beneficiary will render.

Breakdown of the resident-beneficiaries include 80 families in Juban, being the most affected town, and 30-a-piece for Irosin and Casiguran towns. The emergency employment program will be handled by DOLE Sorsogon Provincial Field Officer Imelda T. Romanillos while DOLE Bicol will exercise direct administration and pay the wages of the displaced workers.

“Actually this is only our emergency response measures because we cannot start rehabilitation yet since Alert level 1 is still hoisted over Mt. Bulusang. Perhaps next year, if the volcano has calmed down, then we can pour in livelihood on these municipalities as a long term intervention,” Villamor declared.

The P400,000 emergency employment fund and the 1,000 pieces dust masks were released Monday (December 6) at the DOLE Bicol office to form part of the “Singko sa Singko”, the 5-in-1 anniversary event of the agency. (RPEscalante, DOLE V/PIA/mal)

2010 SEARCH FOR MOST CHILD FRIENDLY BARANGAY IN CAMARINES NORTE ON

DAET, Camarines Norte — Evaluation for the 2010 Search for Most Child Friendly Barangay was conducted last month in this province.

The evaluation focused on the programs and projects concerning child protection, child health, maternal health, child participation, education, family practices and institution building.

The search is part of the program of the Sixth Country Programme for Children (CPC 6) of the Provincial Government of Camarines Norte funded by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in cooperation with the different line government agencies in this province.

Barangays who joined the contest include: the Ginatungan, Basud; Gahonon, Daet; Cayucyucan, Mercedes; San Ramon, San Lorenzo Ruiz; Calintaan, Talisay; Barangay 3, Vinzons; Caayunan, Labo and Pagasa, Jose Panganiban.

Barangays IV and Camambugan, both in Daet town, were also evaluated for the Hall of Fame.

Winners will be awarded on December 16, 2010 and will receive cash prizes and plaque.

The first placer will receive 60,000; second palce, 40,000; for 3rd place is 30,000 while 20,000 and 10,000 for the 4th and 5th placer. A cash of 5,000 will be given for the non winning barangays and certificate of recognition.

The said search is being conducted every year in this province since 2004. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

EMB BICOL WELCOMES NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR

LEGAZPI CITY — The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol welcomes the new head of its regional office.

Regional Director Fernando P. Quililan, Sr. has assumed his post last November 24, 2010 as the new head of DENR-EMB Bicol by virtue of Special Order No. 827, series of 2010 issued by DENR Secretary Ramon Paje.

Quililan has replaced Engr. Gilbert C. Gonzales, who led the bureau for 10 years and is now the designated OIC-Assistant Director of EMB central office.

The new regional director hails from Batang, Ligao City in Albay and took up BS Forestry at the University of the Philippines College of Forestry in Los Baños, Laguna.

He is also a holder of a degree in Bachelor of Laws and a Career Executive Service Officer V (CESO V).

Quililan has almost 42 years of involvement in environmental matters. He started as a research forester in Baguio City and in Masinloc, Zambales, before working as a forester and timber management officer in Zamboanga City, Basilan and in Jolo, Sulu.

Quililan served as Assistant District Forester of Bureau of Forestry in Virac, Catanduanes. He then worked as Forest Supervisor in Naga City and as District Forester in Legazpi City and Camarines Norte.

Later, he was designated as assistant regional director of the said bureau in Regions V, II, and X. respectively.

He worked as a manager at Wood Industry Development Authority in Region XIII, before being assigned again as Assistant Regional Director of Bureau of Forestry in Region VIII. Afterwards, he worked as PENRO in Regions X and XIII.

Preceding his current designation, Quililan served as regional director of EMB X and thereafter as OIC-regional executive director and Director III of DENR in the same region.

With its new leader, EMB Bicol is looking forward to the new programs concerning the environment that will be implemented by the new RD. (EMB V /PIA/mal)

LEGAZPI CITY HOSTS SOCIAL HOUSING SUMMIT
…pushes for housing program to benefit urban informal settler
B. Manny P. Solis

LEGAZPI CITY — The city government here, in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Bicol, Philippine Support Agencies (PHILSSA) and Bicol Urban Poor coordinating council Inc. (BUPCCI), held a two-day Summit on Social Housing with the theme: Building Partnership for Good Governance and Social Housing held at the Casablanca convention Hall last December 2 and 3, 2010.

During the activity, Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal stated that one of the foremost agenda of her administration is to strengthen housing program, especially for the informal settlers in the city business center and other areas.

The lady chief executive also disclosed that informal settlers here are very fortunate because this is the only local government unit in Bicol with a yearly initiative allocation for this program.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, who keynoted the said summit, pointed out that the interfacing is very important to address the situation of the informal settlers towards the right direction of the housing program here in Bicol.

Robredo noted that situation of informal settlers is very manageable but he also urged the LGUs and other government agencies involved in housing program not to wait for the long lee way of the solution but all we need to do is to work together to quickly plug the loopholes of the problem in social housing for the benefits of all of us.

He likewise said that we are very fortunate because only here in Bicol has an annual dialogue for housing program and this will serve to open the gate for the solution of the problem.

On the other hand, National Housing Authority (NHA) Bicol Deputy Area Management Officer Alberto Perfecto stressed that priority objective of this summit is the implementation of RA 9779 or The Urban Development Housing Act regarding the resettlement program of LGUs saying that informal settlers residing along danger areas will transfer them in the safety relocation sites.

In the meantime, Director Roland Fontanillas of the Housing and Urban Development coordinating Council (HUDCC) pointed out that this summit is very timely because this is the time of sharing information and opinion of the stakeholders about the present situation of social housing and to answer the comments and suggestions of the urban poor sector.

Fontanillas likewise said that one of the most important policy of HUDCC is to localize the delivery of services to the LGUs, adding that “we will require the LGU’s to encourage them to submit to the office of HUDCC the list of inventories of idle Government lands and their beneficiaries to help them by way of providing necessary technical assistance.”

Fontanillas however pointed out that other important project of HUDCC is to develop a sustainable housing community at different parts of the Region and we need to pilot the areas with proclamation like Bicol. (LGU Legazpi City/PIA/mal)

PALACE TO PURSUE CORRUPTION PROBE AGAINST PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, SAYS OCHOA

MANILA — The Aquino Administration will pursue steps to make officials of the previous administration accountable for allegations of corruption and wrongdoing, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Tuesday (December 7).

Ochoa made the statement after the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional Executive Order No. 1, which seeks to establish the Truth Commission whose task is to investigate reports of graft and corruption committed by officials of the previous administration and their cohorts from the private sector.

The Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of Executive Order No. 1 will not deter us from pursuing measures necessary to look into the allegations of corruption by the previous administration,” Ochoa said.

“While this decision may hamper and perhaps delay our efforts to obtain justice for the people, we remain steadfast in our commitment to scrutinize the numerous allegations and accusation in our quest for truth,” he added.

According to the Executive Secretary, Malacañang will file a motion for reconsideration and explore other options within the bounds of the law to investigate, try and punish those who may have used and abused their positions to enrich themselves while in office.

President Benigno Aquino III created the Truth Commission in response to urgent call from the people to determine the truth behind reports of large-scale graft and corruption allegedly perpetrated by his predecessor and her officials.

The executive order was also envisioned to deter other officials from committing inappropriate conduct while in office and restore the people’s faith and confidence in the government and in their public servants.

The five-man Truth Commission is headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide and has so far identified cases that it planned to cover in the investigation, among them the aborted multi-million-dollar NBN-ZTE deal, the fertilizer scam and allegation of vote-rigging in the 2004 elections that gave Arroyo another mandate. (PIA V)

PALACE DEBUNKS COMMUNICATIONS GROUP REVAMP

MANILA — Malacañang assured on Tuesday (December 7) that there will be no reorganization within the three-headed communications group of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing that the statement of Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ricardo “Ricky” Carandang last week was merely taken out of context.

“There is no such thing. What Secretary Ricky Carandang mentioned was for better ways of spreading the good news to the people,” he stressed.

The reported revamp in the Communications Group stemmed from a meeting of the Cabinet late last week where, Lacierda said, they discussed the 16-point Social Contract of President Benigno S. Aquino III with the Filipino people as part of the Medium Term Development Priority Plan of the government.

Also during the workshop, several concrete measures were raised on how to effectively implement such programs within the next five years.

“It was a very healthy discussion, we were broken into several groups and some concrete measures were suggested. There are programs already on line and there were also some suggestions on how to implement some others,” Lacierda said.

The officials concerned is set to convene again next week to firm up these suggestions. (PIA V)

PALACE TO SEEK RECONSIDERATION OF SC DECISION ON TRUTH COMMISSION

MANILA — Malacanang on Tuesday (December 7) said it would seek reconsideration of the Supreme Court decision declaring as unconstitutional Executive Order No. 1, which creates the Truth Commission, pointing out that the verdict will set back efforts for reforms and accountability in government.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda described the decision as unfortunate, saying it will set back the reforms the Aquino administration has implemented in pinpointing the accountability of the previous administration. “We will not be stymied by these decisions.”

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa meanwhile said that while a motion for reconsideration will be filed, “we will explore other options within the bounds of the law to investigate, try and punish those who have used and abused their positions to enrich themselves in office.”

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to scrutinize the numerous allegations and accusations in our quest for the truth,” he added.

Lacierda said the government will do whatever is appropriate under the circumstances.”

“We will continue exploring our options with respect to accountability and reform efforts and investigate the truth in all the scandals of the past administration,” Lacierda stressed.

On the status of the Commission, Lacierda said as an independent entity, its chairman, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide was supposed to be one of those drafting the rules.

“What I’m certain is that the Commission has been receiving a number of complaints (about the past administration) from the public,” Lacierda said. (PIA V)

AQUINO SPEAKS AT CHILDREN’S HOUR BENEFIT LUNCH

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III graced the 10th annual benefit lunch and speak before hundreds of children-beneficiaries; donors, sponsors and gracious benefactors of the Children’s Hour Philippines Inc. (CHPI) in Makati City on Wednesday (December 8).

The Children’s Hour fund-raising is held every December where friends and donors from the business community are invited to celebrate a successful year of helping Filipino children through CHPI’s mission of “making the world a better place, one hour at a time.”

CHPI is a non profit, grant-giving organization that raises funds by enjoining companies and individuals to donate at least one hour of their salaries and earnings. The funds are then donated to selected projects that help children through education, food, shelter, protection and their total development.

As of June 2010, CHPI has raised P204 million and has funded over 500 projects nationwide benefiting 619,125 children.

On its 10th year, CHPI plans to expand its coverage by supporting more projects in Visayas and Mindanao. (PIA V)

NEW CLARK HOSPITAL COMPLEX A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN PH ECONOMY—AQUINO

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE — President Benigno S. Aquino on Tuesday (December 7) said that the $1.025 billion Global Gateway Logistics City (GGLC) and its locators, including the Medical City, is a vote of confidence in the economic prospects for the Philippines.

In his message at the groundbreaking of the 120-bed world class tertiary hospital complex at the GGLC, the President said he looks forward to more investments and groundbreaking of more projects.

“Together with the Medical City and its partners, we are witnessing the dawning of a bright new day for the Philippines. A day where we face the future with optimism and confidence that all of us, not just a few, will reap the benefits of our hard and honest work,” he said.

The Chief Executive added that the expansion of the Medical City at the GGLC also supports the fulfillment of one of the challenges his administration faces—the access of the people, especially the poor, to quality healthcare.

“The establishment of a second hospital here in Clark will allow people in Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon easier access to the excellent care that Medical City is known for.It is my dream that some day hospitals all over the country can provide the level of quality care that you do at the Medical City,” he said.

The President stressed that access to adequate healthcare is one of the key elements in reducing poverty---a promise he made to the Filipino people.

Providing access to basic services such as education and health would improve the opportunities for a better life for the 4.6 million Filipino families considered the poorest of the poor, according to the President.

“This is the challenge my administration is trying to address.We have targeted programs for those who need them most,” he added.

The hospital is expected to be fully operational by 2013.

Under the terms of agreement, GGLC will construct the hospital according to TMC’s specifications. TMC will then lease, equip and operate the facility.

On the other hand, the GGLC project was conceived and developed by an American Company, Peregrine Development International and presented to a large Kuwait Investment group for financing. On July 16, 2008, KGL Investment Company of Kuwait signed a 50 year lease with Clark International Airport Authority (CIAC) for 177 hectare parcel of land to be developed by Peregrine as a state-of-the-art Aviation Oriented Logistics and Business Park .

The project is the largest foreign direct investment real estate development project in the Philippines. It will be the most modern logistics and business park in the country with underground facilities, fiber optics fully integrated ICT. Upon project completion , it will consist of 4.5 million square meters of floor space and can provide some 350,000 new jobs. (PIA V)

AQUINO GRACES LAUNCH OF SEAIR’S FIRST AIR BUS

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE — President Benigno S. Aquino III was the guest of honor at the blessing of the first Airbus of South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) on Tuesday (December 7) at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here.

The new 144-seat A319 jet aircraft will fly SEAIR’s first international destination—Singapore, starting Dec. 16.

SEAIR President Avelino Zapanta said that with the new aircraft, his company projects monthly air passenger traffic at the Clark Freeport Zone to increase by more than 60 percent or an additional 200,000 passengers annually.

Additional routes for the new jet aircraft, according to him will be added in the coming months.

“The introduction of these new flights will create a welcome boost to the Philippine tourism industry and create more high-caliber local jobs," said Zapanta.

SEAIR is the first airline locator at the Clark Freeport Zone and the second firm to put its trust and confidence in the Clark Development Corp. It is also the first Tiger Airways Partner Airline that will market and distribute its seats using its established internet booking system, tigerairways.com.

According to Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), an average of 25,000 passengers land every month at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) at Clark.

The airline was founded in 1995 with an initial investment of P2 million and two nine-seater planes. Through the years, it has helped develop and brought travelers to some of the most breathtaking destinations in the country including Batanes, Palawan, and Boracay. It has the longest history of uninterrupted flights to Caticlan, having served this gateway to one of the world’s top beach destinations, Boracay, for almost 16 years. (PIA V)