ALBAY BRACES FOR MONSOON RAINS; TO EVACUATE 11 VILLAGES

LEGAZPI CITY— Albay Governor Joey Salceda has ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in 11 villages in Albay province in the wake of expected intermittent to continuous rainfall starting Thursday, January 6, 2011 until Wednesday next week.

Salceda said that the mandatory evacuation of 568 families or 3,104 persons in landslide and flood prone areas in the province will take effect 1:00 pm today, including Barangays Salvacion in Sto. Domingo ; Nagotgot (Sitio Inang Maharang), Malobago, Tinapian (along the road), and Buyo (Sitio Calpi), Manito; Morera (along the road), Guinobatan; Mapulang Daga, Bacacay; Sta. Teresa, Calbayog (along the road going to San Roque), San Jose (Sitio Datag), and San Roque in Malilipot.

“This part of our disaster preparedness activity in response to the State of Continuing Disaster” in effect over Albay since December 24, 2010,” he said.

Salceda furthered that Albay is bracing for heavy rainfall to pelt the province this evening so this pre-emptive measure is to ensure that people in vulnerable areas be safe and that the “zero casualty” goal would prevail in this abnormal weather event.

At a joint Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) and Albay Provincial DRRMC meeting on Wednesday, Renato Servando, operation chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrator (PAGASA), said residents should expect moderate to heavy rainfall in Albay and other parts of the Bicol region brought about by the tail end of a cold front which will prevail until Friday next week.

Salceda meanwhile said that because of the heavy rains that started since December 24 last year Bicol’s land mass is heavily saturated with floodwaters so that flash floods could easily occur when rainsfalls reach 180 mm level.

Because of the grim forecast the governor immediately convened the emergency response team of Albay composed of some units of the Army, Navy, Airforce and police to start the mandatory evacuation.

During the conference Salceda suggested to the DSWD regional officials to shift from response mode to preemptive approach so that they will in-step with what the local government disaster officials are doing.

The Albay governor stressed that DSWD should be ready to support the food requirements of evacuees who were preemptively evacuated as a burden sharing scheme.

The governor has also directed the suspension of classes starting this afternoon in all affected areas and concerned local government units (LGUs) to hoist an Alert Status in all flood or flash flood and lahar prone areas for possible evacuation.

It can be recalled that massive flooding spawned by heavy rains on December 30, last year swept this city and at least 10 towns in the province, killing two persons, including an 80-year-old woman, and some 12,752 families or 62,655 people were driven out of their homes.

The evacuees were housed in various evacuation camps in the province 11 towns including this city affected by floods and landslides triggered by continuous rains spawned by the tail end of the cold front.

Salceda has also placed the entire province under a state of calamity since December 30.(MALoterte/EDLeon, PIA V/Albay)

ALBAY BRACES FOR MONSOON RAINS; TO EVACUATE 11 VILLAGES

LEGAZPI CITY— Albay Governor Joey Salceda has ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in 11 villages in Albay province in the wake of expected intermittent to continuous rainfall starting Thursday, January 6, 2011 until Wednesday next week.

Salceda said that the mandatory evacuation of 568 families or 3,104 persons in landslide and flood prone areas in the province will take effect 1:00 pm today, including Barangays Salvacion in Sto. Domingo ; Nagotgot (Sitio Inang Maharang), Malobago, Tinapian (along the road), and Buyo (Sitio Calpi), Manito; Morera (along the road), Guinobatan; Mapulang Daga, Bacacay; Sta. Teresa, Calbayog (along the road going to San Roque), San Jose (Sitio Datag), and San Roque in Malilipot.

“This part of our disaster preparedness activity in response to the State of Continuing Disaster” in effect over Albay since December 24, 2010,” he said.

Salceda furthered that Albay is bracing for heavy rainfall to pelt the province this evening so this pre-emptive measure is to ensure that people in vulnerable areas be safe and that the “zero casualty” goal would prevail in this abnormal weather event.

At a joint Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) and Albay Provincial DRRMC meeting on Wednesday, Renato Servando, operation chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrator (PAGASA), said residents should expect moderate to heavy rainfall in Albay and other parts of the Bicol region brought about by the tail end of a cold front which will prevail until Friday next week.

Salceda meanwhile said that because of the heavy rains that started since December 24 last year Bicol’s land mass is heavily saturated with floodwaters so that flash floods could easily occur when rainsfalls reach 180 mm level.

Because of the grim forecast the governor immediately convened the emergency response team of Albay composed of some units of the Army, Navy, Airforce and police to start the mandatory evacuation.

During the conference Salceda suggested to the DSWD regional officials to shift from response mode to preemptive approach so that they will in-step with what the local government disaster officials are doing.

The Albay governor stressed that DSWD should be ready to support the food requirements of evacuees who were preemptively evacuated as a burden sharing scheme.

The governor has also directed the suspension of classes starting this afternoon in all affected areas and concerned local government units (LGUs) to hoist an Alert Status in all flood or flash flood and lahar prone areas for possible evacuation.

It can be recalled that massive flooding spawned by heavy rains on December 30, last year swept this city and at least 10 towns in the province, killing two persons, including an 80-year-old woman, and some 12,752 families or 62,655 people were driven out of their homes.

The evacuees were housed in various evacuation camps in the province 11 towns including this city affected by floods and landslides triggered by continuous rains spawned by the tail end of the cold front.

Salceda has also placed the entire province under a state of calamity since December 30.(MALoterte/EDLeon, PIA V/Albay)

NAGA REMEMBERS 15 BICOL MARTYRS

NAGA CITY — The city government here, through Mayor John G. Bongat, has spearheaded the commemoration of the 114th death anniversary of the 15 Bicol Martyrs in a simple ceremony held at the Plaza Quince Martires here.

The celebration started with a memorial mass at San San Francisco Church with Rev. Msgr. Nelson B. Tria as the celebrant after which local city officials, head of offices, and representatives from other line agencies, including descendants of the 15 martyrs converged at the Plaza Quince Martires for the commemoration program.

In his message, Bongat conveyed the significance of honoring the Bicol martyrs who, in one way or another, surrendered their life in exchange of our much coveted freedom.

“Let us not put to waste our martyr’s sacrifice. Let their heroism live in each and every one of us. Let us be heroes in our own community, in our workplace and in ourselves – by doing what we ought to do as responsible Naguenos and as conscientious Bicolanos.”

Etched in the 15 Bikol Martyr’s monument with the inscription “El Pueblo De Camarines Sur A Sus Martires Del ’96 were the names of the three secular priests; Fr. Inocencio Herrera, Fr. Gabriel Prieto, and Fr. Severino Diaz
Also engraved on the monument were the names of the three Abellas who belong to the lineage of wealthy families in the Bicol Region- Manuel Abella, and his two sons, Domingo and Ramon Abella.

The structure also bears the names of Camilo Jacob, Tomas Prieto, Florencio Lerma, Macario Valentin, Cornelio Mercado, Mariano Melgarejo, Mariano Ordenanza, and Mariano Arana. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur)

SINGSON ORDERS BICOL DPWH OFFICIALS TO SUBMIT REHAB PLANS FLOOD DAMAGED INFRA
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY- Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has directed the regional and district officials of the department in Bicol to submit a rehabilitation plan for the recently flood damaged infrastructure in Albay and Camarines Sur after he personally inspected the damaged structures the whole day Tuesday (January 4).

Singson inspected the Padang bridge in this city, the Lidong culvert in Sto. Domingo town, which was overrun by flood waters ,the Tiwi-Sangay road wherein a 24-meter long landslide closed the highway to vehicular traffic in December 24 and 30 last year and the Inang Maarang spillway in Manito, Albay where two persons were swept away by floodwaters.

In his directive to DPWH Bicol Regional Director Danilo Dequito, Singson stressed that only permanent engineering intervention should be recommended by the regional office for funding so that the structure could withstand flash floods and heavy rains.

The DPWH secretary also pointed out that the structures for rehabilitation should conform with the new policy of the agency that the structures to be constructed should be the right project at the right price and at the right quality.

In Camarines Sur, Sec. Singson sent Undersecretary Momo to inspect the recently damaged San Isidro bridge in Pamplona town which remained partially closed when a portion of the bridge collapsed last December 27,2010. (EDL, PIA V/mal)

CRIME VOLUME IN BICOL DOWN BY 16.57 PERCENT IN 2010
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here has reported Tuesday (January 4) that the crime volume in Bicol for 2010 went down by 3,320 from a high of 20,052 in 2009.

Chief Supt. Cecilio Calleja. Jr, Police Regional Office 5 regional director, in his report to PNP chief Raul Bacalzo said that in 2010 only 16,705 crimes were committed composed of 9,080 index crimes and 7,461 non index crimes.

He said that under index crimes a total of 5,357 were crimes against persons while 3,723 were crimes against property.

He explained that index crimes are crimes committed as defined by the Revise Penal Code or crimes against persons and properties while the non index crimes are violations of special laws and local ordinances.

Calleja said that the crime solution efficiency of the Bicol police went up by 10 percent from 42.06 percent in 2009 to 52.13 percent last year.

He said that the reduction in crime volume was attained due to the sustained proactive police action undertaken by the various police stations in the Six provinces of Bicol.

He said that this year the agency will intensify law enforcement through more police visibility, enhance crime investigation and harness more community involvement in crime prevention.(EDL, PIA V/mal)

CHIZ SEEKS 20 YEAR IMPRISONMENT AGAINST ERRING PUBLIC TRANSPORT DRIVERS

MANILA — Senator Chiz Escudero is seeking to increase the criminal liability of negligent drivers of public transportation under the Revised Penal Code in light of a string of road tragedies around the country.

In Senate Bill No. 365 Escudero filed in the Senate, the legislator wanted Article 365 of the penal code amended to bring to 20 years the maximum jail term of erring public transport drivers.

Escudero said the penalties provided under Article 365 may no longer work with the way public transports, especially buses, have lightly treated their obligation under existing laws.

From the existing penalty of arresto mayor to prision correcional in its medium period, or from one month to four years and two months, Escudero is pushing for tighter penalties against offenders.

SBN 2095 proposes to penalize criminal negligence by common carriers with imprisonment ranging from four months and one day to six months to 12 years in case of injury and depending on the extent.

In case of death, Escudero said penalty should range from 12 years to 20 years jail term.

“Recent road tragedies show how drivers have become reckless and irresponsible in the conduct of their duties. They seem to disregard the statutory policy to bring their passengers safely as far as human care and foresight can provide, using utmost diligence and caution,” Escudero said.

According to Escudero, the bill seeks to provide a preventive policy to address recklessness of drivers, which has been one of the leading causes of deaths among Filipinos. (Office of Sen. Escudero/PIA/mal)

BICOL UNIVERSITY IS ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED

LEGAZPI CITY — Another milestone in the history of Bicol University unfolded Tuesday (January 4) when TUV-SUD PSB, Philippines, Inc., an international accrediting agency, handed over to BU President Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, together with university key officials and internal auditors, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008 certification.

Femelyn S. Lati, Management Systems manager of TUV-SUD, said that the certification has attested that the university quality management system is compliant with international quality standards.

Lati also conferred the certificate in an awarding ceremony held at the Bicol University Amphitheatre, in the presence of the triumphant BU community.

“Today is the beginning of a new generation,” President Lauraya proclaimed during the event, “Bicol University: A world class quality management organization,” she said.

Dr. Lauraya first revealed her intention for international accreditation in January 2010, along with nine other intentions for the improvement of the university, its constituents, and the community it serves. By March, orientations were held among key officials and unit heads, together with promising employees from the different colleges, units, and offices of the university who would later become key players in the success of the audit. Quality Management Systems was identified as the focus of the intended audit.

After a 3-day training and rigorous examination sometime in April, thirty employees passed the evaluation and were consequently given certification as Internal Auditors. They were then given assignments or units whose quality management system they monitored and evaluated for readiness, that is, to check whether they adhered to the university’s quality manual.

Side by side with all these, the university’s quality policy was articulated and made official, thus: “Bicol University commits to continually strive for excellence in instruction, research, and extension by meeting the highest level of clientele satisfaction and adhering to quality standards.”

Finally, assessed by ISO consultant Engr. Helen A. Evalle as ready, the university invited international auditors for the ISO 9001:2008 audit, which was done in two stages, Stage 1 or the preliminary visit on November 16 and 17, and Stage 2, the audit proper, on December 1 to 3.

On the evening of December 3, the auditors from the accrediting agency, TUV-SUD PBS, Philippines, Inc., declared that they were recommending Bicol University for Certification Award.

In less than four weeks, all observations made by the auditors were acted upon by the concerned units, thus allowing this conduct of the awarding ceremonies.

According to Dr. Lauraya, this is BU’s gift to its clientele, the students, whose highest level of satisfaction is of utmost importance, and for which all the hard work put in for the certification is dedicated.

She declared that graduates of the university from 2011 onwards, though carrying feelings of uncertainty and insecurity, will overcome these fears because of this gift they bear—a mark of international recognition in their transcript of records.

Lati meanwhile articulated in her message to the BUeños, that among the benefits of being ISO certified are that the institution is benchmarked against world class standards, gains international market access, improves operational efficiency, creates business process transparency, and is able to better monitor and improve clientele satisfaction. She congratulated the university for this great achievement.

The challenge arising from this achievement is in “maintaining this world class quality management system that the university now has,” Dr. Helen M. Llenaresas said in her closing message.

But for now, Bicol University revels in its latest success, and rests on the thought that it has, in Dr. Lauraya’s words “set the first steps towards 2020.” (MCGMeneses, BU/PIA/mal)

AQUINO TO GRACE HANJIN SHIP RITES

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III will lead the blessing and naming of two bulk carriers built by Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil.) for India’s Adani Shipping PTE.Ltd. in a ceremony that will be held Thursday (January 6) at the HHIC Shipyard at the Subic Freeport Zone (SFZ) in Zambales.

Adani Shipping PTE. Ltd. officials led by company managing director Rajesh Adani, HHIC Chairman N.H. Cho, SFZ Administrator and Chief Operating Officer Armand Areza and provincial officials will join the President in naming M/V “Rahi” and M/V “Vanshi.”

The vessels, both 175,000 dead-weight ton (DWT) have hulls made of steel with overall length of 289 meters and a registered length of 279.98 meters.

Gross tonnage of each bulk carrier is 91,829.0 tons while the net tonnage is 59.082 tons.

HHIC-Phil., the world’s fourth largest shipbuilding facility, started its operations in the Philippines in 2006 with an initial investment of $721 million.

It has recently shifted to full-scale operation at its Subic shipyard after completing its facility expansion program in mid-2009. (PIA V)

OSG ASKS SANDIGAN TO NULLIFY PLEA AGREEMENT WITH GARCIA

MANILA — The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) on Wednesday (January 5) asked the Sandiganbayan to nullify the plea bargain agreement with former Armed Forces Comptroller General Carlos Garcia, saying it is “irregular and it is not right.”

In a press briefing this afternoon, Solicitor General Jose Anselmo “Joel” Cadiz said nullifying the agreement would rectify the Sandiganbayan’s mistake of approving the controversial plea bargain agreement with Garcia.

Cadiz said its call for the Sandiganbayan justices to take a second look at the approved agreement was contained in the Urgent Motion for Leave to Intervene and Omnibus Motion-in-Intervention they filed today.

In its motion to intervene, Cadiz said the plea bargain agreement and its approval suffer from grave legal infirmities “thereby rendering them null and void and hence, should be set aside.”

He stressed the plea bargaining agreement was approved despite non-compliance with Section 2, Rule 116 of the Rules of Court which requires the need to get the consent of the offended party, which is the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“We have requested the Sandiganbayan to take a second look at the plea bargaining agreement it has entered into with Garcia,” Cadiz said noting that the approved agreement clearly disregarded the offended party, which is the AFP and the Republic of the Philippines.

The agreement reportedly allowed Garcia to return to the government some P150 million believed to be ill-gotten in exchange for pleading guilty to a lesser offense instead of plunder which is punishable by life imprisonment.

As a result, Garcia was released from prison after posting bail for P60,000 or P30,000 each of the offense of direct bribery and violation of the anti-money laundering law. (PIA V)

TOLL RATE HIKES WILL BE GRADUATED, PALACE SAYS

MANILA — The toll rate hike at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is part of the country’s contractual obligations which even the Supreme Court has ruled as above board.

In a media briefing, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said the toll rate hikes will be graduated so as not to adversely push inflation prices soaring and put so much pressure on the road users and consumers.

Carandang, after emerging from the economic cluster meeting, which President Aquino attended, said there will be two tranches for the toll hikes: one in January and the last tranche, two to three months later.

Transportation and Communication Secretary Jose “Ping” de Jesus, according to him has reported that the toll increase is lower than what has been applied for by the operator.

He said the planned toll increase was based on the costs and other operating expenditures.

The Bangko Sentral he said made a sensitivity analysis on the impact of the toll fees on consumer prices and the national inflation will just be at about 2.4 percent, which is manageable.

“The toll rates increase will not have any significant impact on the macroeconomy,” Carandang said.

He said President Aquino had asked the economic team to look for other options of increasing the toll rates without forfeiting the country’s contractual obligations.

According to Carandang the protest against such toll hikes is just happening in the SLEX and not in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), which has been continually upgrading its road system. (PIA V)

PALACE SAYS NEW LRT, MRT RATES ADJUSTMENTS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE

MANILA — Malacañang assured on Wednesday (January 5) that the scheduled fare adjustments on the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit will not be that much and will be acceptable to the commuters.

In a press briefing at the Palace on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon “Ricky” Carandang said the public could expect an acceptable new fare for the LRT and MRT considering that the government has more leeway in setting the rate of adjustments as one of its significant owners.

“The MRT increases are a little bit different because the government effectively owns a significant portion of that so I think we have much more leeway,” Carandang said.

He further explained that the government has been subsidizing LRT and MRT fares in terms of per passenger basis to the tune of significant billions every year.

Carandang said that Transportation and Communications Secretary Jose De Jesus will announce the rate in the MRT and LRT fare increase and when will it be implemented.

The implementation of fare adjustment on LRT and MRT has been under study last year until it was postponed on the first quarter of 2011. (PIA V)

AQUINO WANTS REVIEW OF DISASTER REDUCTION MEASURES

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday (January 4) ordered the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to conduct a thorough review of the country’s disaster risk reduction measures to minimize loss of lives during calamities especially in communities.

The President issued the directive to NDRRMC head and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin following reports of casualties in Southern Luzon, Bicol region, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao due to floods and landslides last month.

The President, in an ambush interview during the Philippine Navy command turnover rites, noted that in spite of his earlier directive for concerned agencies to evacuate residents in risk areas , there were still casualties.

“Today , I asked the Secretary of National Defense, being the head of the NDRRMC, to find out exactly why there were two people who died in the same place, “ he said referring to St. Bernard in Southern Leyte , where over a thousand residents died when flashfloods hit the community in 2006. The recent heavy downpour also caused floods and landslides in the area and claimed at least two lives.

The NDRRMC said at least 37,124 families or 197,641 people from 242 barangays in 39 towns in 10 provinces had been affected.

Based on NDRRMC's Monday update, the following areas are still affected either by floods or landslides:
* Region IV-A (Calabarzon): Barangays El Vita and Paraca, Narra, Palawan

* Region V (Bicol region): Barangays in Jovellar, Daraga, Camalig, Malinao, Polangui, Libon and Tiwi in Albay and Castilla, Sorsogon

* Region VIII (Eastern Visayas): Brgy 92 in Tacloban City, Leyte; majority of the barangays in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte; upstream barangays in Oras, Maslog, Canavid, Dolores, Jipapad and Taft, Eastern Samar; Brgy Fatima, Hinabangan, Western Samar; and Northern Samar

* Region X (Northern Mindanao): Flooding incidents occurred in Tubod, Baroy and Lala, Lanao del Norte due to the overflowing of Bulod River due to continuous rains

* Region XI (Davao region): Monkayo, Compostela, New Bataan and Montevista in Compostela Province due to the overflowing of Agusan River

* CARAGA: Surigao City, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur

* ARMM: 13 barangays in Maguindanao Province; 11 in Talayan and two in Datu Anggal Midtimban

Landslides were reported in Region V (Bicol region): Manito, Sto Domingo, Malilipot and Bacacay, all of Albay with 18 barangays affected; and Region VIII (Eastern Visayas): Artemio Mate Avenue, Tacloban City, Leyte and Brgy. San Rafael, Hinabangan, Western Samar.

In Mindanao, the CARAGA experienced minor landslides in Surigao City and Dinagat Islands, Brgy Salvacion, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, and three road sections in Agusan del Sur are still impassable to all types of vehicles due to flooding and landslide: Bah-Bah-Talacogon Road, Awa-Aspetia and Butuan Lapaz Road.

In Region XI (Davao region), two footbridges in Brgy Andap, New Bataan, Compostela Valley were washed out while the National Highway along Barangays Cabinuangan and San Roque, New Bataan, Compostela Valley is scoured.

Of the 10 fatalities, five were from Southern Leyte province in Eastern Visayas. (PIA V)

AQUINO CONFIDENT NEXT BATCH OF PESO-DENOMINATED GLOBAL BONDS TO BE FAVORABLY ACCEPTED

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Tuesday (January 4) expressed confidence that the next batch of peso-denominated global bonds to be floated by the Department of Finance will be received with the same enthusiasm as the first offering.

Speaking to reporters after a command conference with Armed Forces officials at the Philippine Navy Headquarters in Manila, the President said increased investor confidence in the country would support this government program.

Strengthened investments particularly in the business process outsourcing industry such as the expansion made by global BPO leader Convergys at its San Lazaro complex and the billing of the Philippines as one of the best BPO sites in the world have made the country among the “hottest destinations for all of these investments,” he said.

“So, will I say it (global-peso bonds) will be 13 times oversubscribed, I don’t know. But we think it will be in that general frame…the response will be in the same vein as what happened in the first global offering,” he added.

Last September, the government issued 10-year, peso-denominated global bonds priced at 99.607 percent with a coupon of 4.95 percent and a yield of 5 percent.

The sale, which was participated in by a mix of Asian, American and European investors, netted for the country $1-billion (P44.1 billion) after only 16 hours of its issuance with bids reaching over 13 times the offer.

President Aquino lauded the sale saying, “the success of the peso bond float is a quantifiable and real vote of confidence in the country and the government, particularly our economic managers.” (PIA V)