Thursday, June 21, 2007

Tree planting as a historical event

Cebu City (21 June)--- Twenty-five thousand (25,000) trees, of varied species (narra, lawaan and tuai) willl be planted in Buhisan, Mt. Pung-ol Sibugay, Carmen, Argao and Balamban in Cebu province on June 29, 2007 simultaneous with other parts of the country for the Guinness Book of Records to qualify for the most number of seedlings planted within one hour.

Lt. Alexander Magno of 7RCDG in a recent AGIO Forum said, this is in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s “Green Philippines Program.” Various government agencies like DENR, DepEd, DAR, DA, PIA, DILG, among others led by the Philippine Army with partner agencies and non-government organizations will turn the June 29 nationwide tree planting activity into a historical event hopefully for the Philippines to land once again in the Guinness Book of Records.

DENR Forester Richard Abella assured the participants that the seedlings are already available for this historical event. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena and Lt. Gen. Cardazo Luna of the Central Command are expected to join the tree planting activity.

According to Lt. Magno, the Department of Education (DepEd) will be planting trees in their school premises while the 53rd Engineer Brigade is tasked to do the staking and loosening the soil in preparation for the tree planting in the various sites.

Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW) representative Diane Rallion on the other hand emphasized the importance of this activity and how this can help rejuvenate the deteriorated environment for the future of the young generation. She urged everyone to work hand-in-hand for the success of this big event.

Rallion added that a number of tree planting activities are held each year in Buhisan to preserve the water supply produced by Buhisan Dam that is the source of water in Cebu City.

According to local environmentalists, trees are always planted at Mt. Pung-ol Sibugay that is situated at the Mananga Watershed within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape, to sustain its positive impact on the environment.

Indigenous tree species on one hand promote ecological balance; prevent soil erosion; increase soil porosity and water retention capacity; and provide food for the wildlife. They also serve as the habitat of endangered bird species. (PIA-Cebu/hfg)

Mothers alarmed over milk formula recall

Cebu, Philippines (21 June)—Mothers and milk formula buyers in Cebu were alarmed over the reports that the Bureau of Food and drugs (BFAD) has ordered the recall from the market of about 2.5 million cans of infant formula milk that were manufactured from May 23-July 26 with brands Bona, Promil Kid, Promil and Progress Gold following reports of possible contamination.

Dr. Angelita Salarda, BFAD-7 health division said she received many phone calls from frantic mothers after they heard the report of the recall of the infant formula milk.

Reacting swiftly on the reports, the US-based Wyeth-Philippines issued an official statement that was given to the media that said, “No injury or sickness has been reported to the company apart from the discovery of rusts spots on the outside rims of the milk cans. Test conducted by Wyeth showed the milk powder inside the affected cans was not compromised and the integrity of the milk powder was maintained.”

Joshua Ramos, deputy director of BFAD said 4.5 million units of Wyeth infant formulas may have been contaminated in warehouses last year. BFAD verified the confidential report that containers of milk formula were exposed to the elements following typhoon Milenyo that was the basis for the recall that was issued on June 20.

Wyeth has reported to the bureau that only 2.5 million units of milk were affected and the milk in question was manufactured between May and July of last year. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

RDCC readies for disaster consciousness month (Launches “Gawad Kalasag”)

Cebu, Philippines (19 June)—The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) launches “Gawad Kalasag” (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan) the Search for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance.

In a meeting of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council in Central Visayas (RDCC-7) recently, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Chief Angel Gaviola bared to the members the activities that are lined up for the celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Week on July 2-8 this year that include the search or “Gawad Kalasag.”

Gaviola said the RDCC will conduct a logo design contest, disaster and emergency management forum, drills, photo exhibits, relief, rehab stakeholders’ assembly and the awarding ceremonies. This year’s theme in the observance of the national Disaster Consciousness month is “Safe Ka Ba?: Programa Laban sa Kalamidad Tungo sa Pag-unlad.”

According to the RDCC officials, local disaster coordinating councils at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels have been the front liners in the preparing for, responding to and recovering from any type of disaster and or emergency. The non-government organizations, private/volunteer organizations and government emergency responders on the other hand are the prime contributors and major partners in the implementation of disaster management programs and activities.

Through their help and commitment, “Gawad Kalasag” is the government’s modest response of gratefulness in recognizing outstanding performance of all the partners and stakeholders in disaster management programs. It also aims to recognize extraordinary courage, heroism, self-sacrifice, and bravery against all odds in times of natural and man-made disasters and emergencies.

The search also promotes total disaster risk management and provides incentives and awards to the best performing local disaster coordinating councils, private and government volunteers and other emergency responders. It is expected that through the search volunteerism and auxiliary networks between and among private and public emergency responders are strengthened as well as improved the monitoring system from the national to the local levels.

According to the RDCC, the search covers five categories, namely:

For Local Disaster Coordinating Councils (LDCCs), they shall be assessed annually with the preceding year as reference. All qualified entries or nominees shall submit a letter of endorsement from the RDCC chairman; maximum of a 5-paged summary that highlights the DCC’s significant accomplishments on disaster management for 2006 using 12 point-Arial, single spaced, one-sided long bond paper and photos; disaster management plan for 2007, 2008 & 2009; sample of IEC materials such as video, brochures, flyers and the like and relevant disaster management commendation, awards or certificates and other awards and recognition that are given by recognized organizations and awarding bodies.

For Humanitarian Assistance of Non-government Organizations (local and national); those local and national NGOs that are officially recognized by DSWD and PNRC on humanitarian assistance are eligible for the recognition subject to the criteria set by the selection committee.

Private/Volunteer Organizations and Government Emergency Responders that are not members of the DCCs are also eligible for the search. Government emergency responders that are members of the DCC may be entitled to cash award aside from recognition and or citation award.

For individual/s that exemplifies deed of heroism in saving lives in times of emergencies and calamities are eligible for the Heroic Act/Deed of Individual/s During Emergency Response and Rescue Operations awards. Awardees that died carrying out heroic deeds shall be given a Posthumous Award.

International organizations/institutions and individuals, local and international who have rendered support particularly in relief and rehabilitation can vie for the Special Recognition awards.

Individual/s, GO, NGO, LDCC and all other categories that have garnered “GAWAD KALASAG” for three consecutive years starting from 2001 may qualify for the Hall of Fame Award, provided the potential awardees had obtained a minimum rating of excellent (91-100) from the national Selection Committee. The awarded group or individual can vie for the Hall of Fame Award only once, however, they can continuously join the yearly search.

A selection committee from all levels regional, provincial, city and municipal will screen and endorse all winners to the national selection committee by May 21, 2007 for desk validation and ocular visits of top 3 national nominees for each category and level. Final evaluation of top 3 nominees for each category and level is scheduled in July 2-6, 2007 while the presentation of winners to the NDCC will be on July 9 and the national awarding is set on the 4th week of July 2007.

In similar developments, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the 3rd week of June 2007 as “Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week” through proclamation 1296 that mandates the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to mitigate or reduce the loss of life and property that resulted from typhoon, flood, drought and other destructive weather phenomena.

The PAGASA, in coordination with the Philippine Journalists Association Inc., government agencies and the private sector will undertake appropriate information, education and communications activities along these topics to ensure that the public may understand and be prepared for its safety and security from such destructive forces of nature. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

RP targets close to 1M retirees abroad to live here

Cebu City (18 June) -- As much as 3M retirees can be absorbed by the Philippines in the global market to attract senior residents to live in the country but the government is only targeting close to a million, according to a former top official of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA).

PRA's former general manager Col. Doy Francisco said the Philippines has a high potential market for retirees quoting a US Health Care Co. as a source due to the Big Boom between 1946 until 1964 that will see a huge number of aging population in the present times.

Retirement villages is one of the flagship programs of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the government provides incentives to investors to develop retirement villages as there is definitely a market, Francisco said.

Among the incentives given by the National Government to investors in putting up retirement villages include the project being classified as a special economic zone that also carries with it special benefits and five percent tax on gross income as well as endorsement from the PRA and approval from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, this is learned.

Francisco who guested in the two-day Cebu Asean Tourism Forum said there is an estimated more than 326M retirees worldwide last year while the figure will significantly increase to about 869M by 2010.

The Philippines is targeting retirees from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, US, Europe and China to consider the country as a retirement destination. The country prides itself with certain advantages such as warm climate, caring and friendly people, low cost of living, natural attractions and world-class healthcare and safety measures, Francisco bared.

Francisco stressed the categories of retirees are those that are active senior citizens, assisted living retirees and continuous retirees and not necessarily those that are already sickly and needs aid in daily living.

The PRA on the other hand, also follows standards of the retirement industry as creating retirement villages do not only refer to the type of housing and leisure facilities it offers but also more importantly, the healthcare provisions, safety and security and lifestyle as well, this is said.

One prominent service the PRA is offering to the retirees is a one-stop shop where basic procedures required can be done such as visa processing, NBI clearance, medical diagnostic clinic as well as a lounging and orientation room, Francisco declared.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas OsmeƱa meanwhile, is keen on developing a portion of the South Reclamation properties that overlooks the sea as a retirement village encouraging investors to undertake such a lucrative project. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Sec. Dureza to talk on gov’t peace efforts in Cebu PIA Kapihan June 20

Cebu City (19 June) -- Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Sec. Jesus Dureza will be the special guest in the weekly Kapihan sa PIA set tomorrow 9:00 a.m. at Club Ultima in Cebu City to talk on government’s relentless efforts to pursue a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and end the conflict in Mindanao.

Ending hostilities with a final peace accord is one of the top agenda of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as peace is a critical ingredient to economic development.

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines even extends its hands for lasting peace to the New People’s Army (NPA) for them to be reintegrated back into mainstream society and help the government turn the country’s economy around.

Public concerns have surfaced how the recent resignation of the government’s chief panel negotiator Sec. Silvestre Afable will affect the peace negotiations which Sec. Dureza is expected to address during the open forum with the media.

The OPAPP is also expected to promote its upcoming 30-minute live TV program that will launch on July 17 over NBN that will run for one season or 13 episodes.

The program will be issue-based and anchored on the concerns of peace stakeholders. It will deal with current and “contentious” issues head on to generate feedback with the intention of providing an objective discussion on the issues and contribute to an in-depth understanding of the concerns of peace stakeholders. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Army vows to assist PNP in running after suspects of extra-judicial killings

Cebu City (18 June) -- To ensure that the government’s policy of zero tolerance for extra-judicial killings pronounced by Malacanang recently will be fully enforced, the army in the Visayas region vowed to fervently support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in running after the suspects of the killings of militants, former militants and journalists.

Col. Jefferson Omandam, spokesperson of the Army’s Central Command, in an interview, said the military will give the police authorities wider latitude in their conduct of investigation on cases of extra-judicial killings in the country, which got the attention of the international human rights groups recently.

The military, Col. Omandam informed, will make sure that justice will be given to the victims of extra-judicial killings regardless of who the perpetrators are.

The army officer clarified though that the military’s role in this matter is limited only in helping the law enforcers bring the perpetrators to trial.

“While the PNP is performing a support role in the government’s Internal Security Plan (ISO) where the AFP is the lead agency, the AFP will only perform a support role in prosecuting criminal elements”, the army spokesperson stressed.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in her remarks before representatives of media organizations, the PNP, AFP and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Malacanang last week deplored the killings of the journalists saying she intends to “break this cycle of violence once and for all”.

Meanwhile, the army spokesperson called the statement issued by Bayan Muna Regional Coordinator Arman Perez implicating the military in the shooting of Maximo Auxillo, a Bayan Muna Coordinator of Bohol over the weekend saying such statement is irresponsible.

According to Col. Omandam, the suspect was already identified based on the testimony of witnesses and that the police alone should be taken as the authority in determining the angle of the case. (PIA-Cebu/ECD)

PGMA signs Anti-Red Tape Act

Cebu, Philippines (18 June)—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the Anti-Red Tape Act 2007 or RA 9465 as anti-graft experts offered their services to help monitor graft and corruption in government.

Former Tanodbayan Simeon Marcelo and former COA auditor Heidi Mendoza said that there is a need for citizen volunteers to monitor government projects to ensure above board procurement and biddings. Marcelo and Mendoza were guests in a forum here in Cebu that was conducted recently by the Dilaab Foundation, Inc., whose advocacy is good government and the fight against corruption.

Marcelo said “active citizen’s monitoring was very effective in Abra province and in Ateneo de Manila and if they were able to do it there, we can also do it here in Cebu.”

The signing into law of the Anti-Red Tape Act confirms the government’s resolve to stump graft and corruption in the bureaucracy; hasten government transactions and provide stiffer penalties for those engaging in graft and corruption.

RA-9465 states that government transactions such as applications or renewal of permits, licenses and other documentation should be completed in 5 working days especially for simple cases and 10 working days for more complex transactions or requests.

It said that each agency is also required to reply to the client, whether requests are rejected or couldn’t be processed with the explanations why it was rejected and what could be done to refile their requests. Signatories in each document the law states, must be limited to a maximum of 5 persons to reduce time and simplify procedures.

The law also directs agencies, GOCCs and GFIs to come up with a citizen’s charter that would serve as the guideline in the conduct of employees’ duty. This charter will detail the procedures involving public transactions that include types of services; requirements needed to avail of such services; length of time to deliver such service; fees needed and procedures in cases of complaints. Each agency is also required to put up a public assistance complaints’ desk.

Those who (a) refuse to accept applications or requests; (b) attend to the clients’ needs; (c) fail to give written notice of disapproval of application or requests or impose additional, irrelevant requirements may be penalized for a lighter offense that includes a 30-day suspension without pay and a mandatory attendance to a value orientation programs for the 1st offense.

For the 2nd offense however, a 3-month suspension without pay while dismissal is meted out for the 3rd offense and perpetual disqualification from public office. Perpetual disqualification from public office is also given to those who have been proven to commit grave offense such as fixing or working with fixers.

Other penalties included in the law are: for grave offense, they may also be charged criminally with imprisonment of up to 6 years, a fine from P20,000 to 200,000 or both fine and imprisonment depending on the decision of the court. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Over 50% of child laborers work in agri sector

Cebu City (13 June) -- Over 50 percent of child laborers in the country today is involved in the agriculture sector accounting to about 2.1M Filipino children based on a 2003 report from the National Statistics Office.

Ismael Trasmonte Jr., field coordinator of the International Labor Organization – International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor (ILO-IPEC) in this morning’s Kapihan sa PIA on child labor in the agricultural sector bared the broad-based agricultural industry sees children aged five to 14 years of age toiling in farms and plantations from planting to harvesting crops, spraying pesticides and tending livestock on rural farms among others.

June 12 of every year is not only celebrated as Philippine Independence Day but it is also observed as the World Day Against Child Labor as this year’s theme focused on “Harvest for the Future: Agriculture Without Child Labor.”

Trasmonte said the issue on child labor is a growing global concern while the agriculture sector is the biggest industry where child laborers are mostly found with over 132 M children worldwide. Agriculture is also identified as one of the three most dangerous sectors in which to work at any age, along with construction and mining.

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) Regional Director Elias Cayanong in the same forum declared that in the region, about 80 percent of child laborers in the agri-sector are based in Oriental Negros where vast sugar plantations are located.

In Cebu, Cayanong admitted that there may be children workers in some sugar plantations in the north of Cebu but these are not substantial in size compared to in Oriental Negros.

Representatives of the sugar industry in Bogo and Danao City Lee Verallo and Eduardo Tito likewise agreed with the DOLE-7 chief that child laborers in the agriculture sector are not a grave problem in Cebu.

Tito who works for the Durano Sugar Plantation in Danao City however, admitted that during the summer break, most parents would bring their children so they can help and earn money during the idle months. But they made sure that these children are out during the opening of classes so they can go to school, Tito said.

Verallo cited overpopulation that led to the rise in the incidence of child labor in the agriculture sector especially as rural folks living in the mountainsides do not value the importance of family planning.

Under the Child Labor Code, not all work that children undertake in agriculture is bad, as age-appropriate tasks that are of lower risk and do not interfere with a child’s schooling and leisure time can be a normal part of growing up in a rural environment.

Cayanong however, warned that under RA 9231 parents are held liable when they allow their children to work and deprive them the right to education which is one the basic rights of every child.

Based on DOLE-7’s actual validation of the number of child laborers in Central Visayas under its child labor incidence database, there are 26,890 child workers in the region that are found in areas including agriculture, mining, entertainment industry and domestic work. The database is the first of its kind in the country where the profile of the children are inputted as well as the location mapping of areas where incidence of child labor is prevalent to determine the type of assistance needed by the children in specific places.

The observance of June 12 as World Day Against Child Labor has been going on for five years now as the DOLE-7 in partnership with the ILO-IPEC and other NGOs like the Share a Child Movement continue their advocacy campaign to minimize the incidence of child labor. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

DENR monitors 9 Cebu creeks, rivers for flooding risk

Cebu City (12 June) -- Two cities and seven other towns in Cebu are being currently monitored by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-MGB-7) for possible flooding of creeks and rivers due to climate change.

The seven towns are all based in the north namely Carmen, Lilo-an, Consolacion, Madridejos, Compostela and Tudela and Poro in Camotes Island while the two cities are Danao and Mandaue.

A rapid geo-hazard assessment is being done in these areas as part of the DENR-MGB-7's actions in response to the impact of climate change in the region.

Based on the assessment, the following recommendations have been noted such as: monitor progress of mass movement, observe for recurrence of mass movement, observe for rapid increase or decrease in creek or river water levels possibly accompanied by increased turbidity and identify evacuation site. Other listed recommendations are to provide adequate and appropriate drainage facility, adequate protection along river embankment, evacuate residents in down slope of the active slide area and constant information, education and communication.

Climate change is the result of an increase in global temperature commonly known as global warming. Global warming is due to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that destroys the earth's ozone layer. Natural greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

In its natural state, carbon dioxide is produced by volcanic eruptions, forest fires and decay of plant and animals and methane is emitted from decaying plants and animals while nitrous oxide results from bacterial breakdown of nitrogen in soils and oceans.

Carbon dioxide accounts for 60 percent of the additional greenhouse gases emitted by the burning of fossil fuels, power plants, industries and vehicles. Next is methane contributing to 20 percent which is emitted by the decomposition of garbage and agricultural wastes and leaks in coal mining while nitrous oxide apart from its natural state is produced from the use of nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides, biomass burning, combustion process in vehicles and acid production.

DENR-MGB 7 chief geologist Al Emil Berador said one indicator that there is an abnormal rise in global temperature is the meltdown of icebergs and glaciers in the North Pole, Antarctica and other frozen areas.

Berador said there is evidence based on satellite photos that there is a steady melting of ice caps in the North Pole which could result to an increase in sea level leading to the flooding of coastal areas which the Philippines, as an archipelagic country is in risk of.

Our country has one of the longest coastlines in the world at 32,400 kms. while most of our communities live in coastal areas that potentially expose them to the hazards of flooding with the rise in sea levels, according to Berador.

The DENR is currently accelerating the geo-hazard mapping project in each region to identify and determine areas most vulnerable to landslides or flooding so that communities can be forewarned of potential danger.

The DENR-7 and the rest of the country joins in the celebration of World Environment Month every June under this year's theme "Beat the Heat!" which tackles the worldwide issue on global warming. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)

Mining business is the next big thing in RP

ebu, Philippines (12 June) -- Based on greater investors' interest and confidence in the mining industry and if production of minerals continue to grow at its current pace, the Philippines can become a "mining country" by 2010.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Angelo Reyes sees a very bright and robust prospect for the mining industry this year as he projected the investments in the sector to reach $348-million. "With the continuing increase in production value, we are optimistic on achieving a projected 8.6-percent mining exports share to total exports by 2010," Reyes said.

Secretary Reyes revealed that the expansion of the Palawan HPP Project of Coral Bay Nickel Corp. would bring in $154-million while the rehabilitation of Carmen copper project of Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. in Toledo City would also bring in $97million and the Masbate Gold Project of Filminera Resources Inc. is expected to bring in $36-million.

The DENR secretary further said that other $23-million and $21-million investments are expected from the Canatuan Gold project of TVI Resources Development in Zamboanga de Norte and from the Didippio copper-gold project in Nueva Vizcaya respectively.

With the vigorous development of the mining sector in 2004, investments generated reached a total of $694-million and these are expected to rise between 2007 and 2010 as DENR noted an increasing production from existing mines and because of the influx of investments into the mining sector, its contribution to exports went up to 4.5% in 2006.

According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) the mining sector's contribution to exports is expected to hit only 2.8% in 2008 and 2.9% in 2009 but at the pace the sector is going, DENR officials are confident that mining industry exports contribution would increase to 8.6% by 2010 when all the 24 priority minerals development projects start production.

The growth of the mining sector has generated more than 6,500 new jobs since 2004 with an additional 3,000 jobs projected for this year and 30,000 more jobs are expected until 2010. Taxes, fees and royalties from mining totaled P3.1 billion and employment from the industry already rose to 141,000.


Atlas Mining gets new loans for its rehabilitation

The Carmen Copper Corp., a subsidiary of the Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. (ACMDC) base in Toledo City has secured a $5.4-million from the Manchester Securities Corp. for its rehabilitation and purchase of more equipment for its Toledo City Mines operations.

In press statement from the ACMDC, it said that the fresh loan is on top of the $10.2-million worth of equipment that Carmen ordered earlier from Komatsu and "this combined equipment inventory will already be sufficient to begin its open pit operations."

According to a report to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) last April, Atlas will also secure another $100-million loan facility from Deutsche Bank to jumpstart the Toledo operation that was closed in 1994 due to the drop of world copper prices and labor strikes.

The report further stated that the re-opening of the Toledo Copper mine is estimated to produce about 42,000 tons of copper per day. It can be recalled that ACMDC operated three large open pits and three underground block-caving lifts at the Toledo Copper mine from 1955 to 1994 and it has a total production of approximately 667 million tons of ore that produced concentrates containing 2.56 million tons of copper; 1.96 million ounces of gold and 7.2 million ounces of silver.

The re-opening of the Atlas Mining is expected to pour in social and economic benefits to Toledo City. In 2006, ACMDC turned-over to the Toledo City local government unit a check worth P1M representing the balance of the cash component of the company's real estate taxes and another P1M shares of stocks that is worth P8-million at present market value.

These represented the compromise agreement reached between ACMDC and Toledo City LGU that reduced the company's tax payables from P280-million to P100-million. Of the P100-million, P10-million was in cash while the rest are in shares of stocks and some of Atlas' properties. According to Toledo City Mayor Arlene Zambo, the company will also start paying the retirement benefits of its legitimate employees.

The mayor said, the Toledo City government welcomes the re-opening of the copper mine as it is expected to boost the city's economy. (PIA-Cebu/mbcn)

Philippine Flag - symbol of Filipino democracy

Cebu City (12 June) -- The nation will celebrate the 109th Independence Day today, June 12, 2007 and Cebu City celebrates it with a Civic-Military Parade with the theme "Panaghiusa Ang Tubag sa Kalamboan" (Unity is the Answer to Progress). The parade starts at 3 pm from various points in the city and ends up at the Cebu City Hall for the Independence Day Rites.

Cebu Vice-Mayor Michael Rama invited the national government agencies, schools, reservists and veterans and the men in uniform to join the Civic-Military Parade as one of the highlights in today's celebration. "This is a yearly event that always reminds us of our victory and freedom from the Spanish and American Colonizers," Rama said.

The major activity in celebrating this event is the raising of the Philippine Flag which is a very important symbol of the democratic Philippine Republic and all that it stands for. By showing, respect and affection for the flag, we are reminding Filipinos of the disciplined, tolerant, caring and hardworking people that we are.

As can be recalled, the Filipino Flag was designed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo during his exile in Hongkong in 1897 and it was sewn by DoƱa Marcela MariƱo de Agoncillo with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Mrs. Delfina Herbosa de Natividad (niece of Dr. Rizal). It was first raised during the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.

The Philippine Flag is made of silk with a white triangle containing a sunburst of eight rays at the center, a five-pointed star at each angle of the triangle, a blue field and a red field. The white triangle stands for equality and fraternity; the blue field for peace, truth and justice; and the red field for patriotism and valor. The eight rays of the sun stand for the first eight provinces that the colonizers have put under martial law. The three stars symbolize Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The National Historical Institute (NHI) regulates the design, colors, materials and craftsmanship and other matters pertaining to the flag protocol while the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry sets the standards and guidelines in the manufacture of the Philippine flag. (PIA-7 Cebu/hfg)

Friday, June 8, 2007

Central Visayas economy upbeat in the 1st quarter

Cebu, Philippines (07 June)—The central Visayas economy performed better for the first quarter this year compared to the same period in 2006 with the agriculture sector, shipping industry, tourism and ICT-related industries leading the growth.

According to the National Economic Development Authority in the region (NEDA-7), the economy of the region was buoyed by the high performance of the agriculture sector that posted a double-digit increase in production; the rosier performance of the shipping and air transportation sector couple with the continuing upward trend of the construction, tourism and IT-enabled industries in the Central Visayas area.

In a briefer that NEDA-7 presented to the members of the RDC-Dev’t Administration Committee meeting today, it bared that agricultural production in the region as a whole posted a 13.5% increase during the first quarter of 2007 with crops and fishery gaining production while livestock and poultry performed poorly.

According to the NEDA report, the fishery sector finally improved its production after several quarters of negative growth having posted almost a 10% increase in Q1 2007, a reversal from a double-digit negative growth in the same period last year.

Palay production on one hand has dropped by 12.5% during the 1st quarter this year. It failed to recover from its dropped in the 4th quarter of 2006 after posting a strong performance in the first three quarters of 2006.

NEDA said, the drop in Palay production this quarter was mainly the result of the dry spell and the rehabilitation of the irrigation canal in Siaton, Oriental Negros that afeected the water supply in some Palay farms in the area.

As a whole, crop production in the region increased by 14.2% from last year’s level with corn, fruits, vegetables and industrial and commercial crops producing very well. In the case of the fisheries sector, 9.9% increase in production was due to the volume of fish unloaded in the various landing centers in CV and a substantial improved harvest of aquaculture products. Tuna and scads species were seen in the region’s fishing grounds that allowed and increase in the fishermen’s catch and there was also an increase in fishing efforts by locals particularly in Malubog Dam and Buswang River in Cebu and in Lake Balanan in Siaton, Oriental Negros.

In the same report, it was noted that there was a high demand of some aquaculture products such as oysters and seaweeds. This encouraged farmers to expand their areas for aquaculture production with additional areas established inTalibon and Trinidad in Bohol for oyster production while more areas in Bien Unido, Bohol were developed for seaweeds farming.

Meanwhile, the construction industry which was considered the growth driver of the regional economy in 2006 remained strong during the 1st quarter. In cebu, Golden Great value properties, Inc. (GGVPI) has invested about P250-million for the development and construction of “Parkmall at 168” at the Mandaue reclamation area and this is expected to open in October 2007. The report also noted that a good number of residential subdivisions began development during the quarter.

Another industry that performed very well in the first quarter was electricity. Its demand and sales were higher by 6.3% compared to that in the same quarter last year and this can be attributed to the additional power requirements from new commercial, industrial establishments and residential units and other on-going construction projects.

The region’s tourism was equally upbeat for the first quarter and it usually influences the performance of the service providers sectors such as banks, retail industries, transportation firms, hotels and restaurants and recreational and personal services industries.

According to the report, tourists’ arrivals in the region soared to as high as 26.1% in Q1 of 2007 compared to last year’s Q4 performance of 15.7 percent. The ASEAN Summit contributed largely to the influx of visitors in central Visayas as well as major events such as the Sinulog festival and the Chinese New Year celebration.

Other performers in the region’s economy are the air transportation industry that posted a 6.4% increase in the number of flights to and from Cebu both domestic and international flights while the shipping industry that benefited from the region’s brisk tourism also noted an increase of ship calls and passengers passing through the region’s major ports by 4% and 2% respectively.

Investments in the region continue to flourish with P12.2-billion registered investments with the BOI in the 1st quarter this year. Companies that registered with BOI during the period were into fashion jewelry, food processing, cement manufacturing, real estate and mass housing development.

Investments in the business process outsourcing (BPO) and call centers particularly in Cebu remained high in Q1 of 2007. A number of existing BPO companies expanded operations in the region in the first quarter among them Sykes-Cebu and Exist Global.

In Bohol, increased investor interests in tourism facilities was noted and during the first quarter of 2007, a number of new resorts started operations among them the Amarela, the Eskaya, Amorita resorts, Bohol Coral Resort and the Dream Native resort are considering pouring in new investments into the province.

With the very good economic performance of the region, inflation rate eased further to 2.5% in the first quarter from 4.2% in Q4 of 2006 and 7.0% in the first quarter of last year. NEDA-7 report said, this is the lowest recorded average year-on-year inflation rate for a quarter since base year for the consumer price index (CPI) was moved from 1994-2000.

Slowdowns in the inflation rates of all the commodity groups contributed to the downtrend, led by the housing group that barely grew at 0.8 percent. Among the food items, eggs posted the highest price increase while miscellaneous foods and cereals registered the lowest price increase. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Cebu province inks sisterhood pact with Sichuan

Cebu, Philippines (07 June)—The province of Cebu signs a sisterhood pack with Sichuan, China with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as witness to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Chengdu province today. Governor Garcia is part of the President’s entourage in Chengdu when they meet with the businessmen there.

In an interview with the media before she left for China, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier said that this is the second sisterhood agreement with China. The first was with Hainan province in January 2007 that talks on cooperation in trade, tourism and agriculture.

Garcia revealed that the agreement calls for exchange and cooperation in various forms in the fields of industry, agriculture, trade, science & technology, culture, education, sports, health, personnel, social welfare and other common interests gearing towards prosperity and development. The MOU is good for 5 years (until 2012).

The first sisterhood agreement brought in officials from Hainan that joined the 3-day Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo countryside tourism program that brought them to see the beauty and tourism potentials of 21 Cebu towns.

According to the governor, the pact with Sichuan will open cooperation and collaboration in putting up developmental projects in various fields. Garcia said, Sichuan province is referred to as the “Land of Abundance,” with Chengdu as its capital that adopts a preferential policy as a coastal open city.

It is also considered as one of China’s major producer of grains that include wheat and rice and other commercial cash crops such as citrus fruits, peaches, sugarcane and sweet potatoes. It also has the largest output of pork and the second largest producer of silkworm cocoons in China.

China and the Philippines had strong bond that can easily be traced back from the time the country traded with the Chinese merchants in the 1500s and that bond has been translated into the country’s basic community trading and small businesses at the countryside.

During induction of the 2007national officers of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) at Malacanang recently, John Tan its newly elected president turned over to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a check worth P1.25-million for the purchase and construction of an additional 50 Tindahan Natin convenience stores to be put up in various areas of the country. This would bring to 175 the number of stores that had been donated by FFCCCII to the Arroyo administration since last year at a total cost of P3.125-million.

The organization also presented to PGMA a scale model of the 430 new school buildings or a total of 860 classrooms that the FFCCCII will donate to the government over the next two years. Tan reported that the school donation is part of the organization’s “Operation: Barrio Schools Program” that it launched in 1960. To date, the Chinese community has built more tan 3,800 schools in the various parts of the country. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

DepEd adopts ways to improve Rp educational system

Cebu, Philippines (5 June) -- More than 13.4 million elementary pupils and 6.43 million secondary students trooped to the various elementary and secondary schools in the country yesterday for the smooth and peaceful opening of classes.

Except for the usual confusion in classroom search, Department of Education and the PNP in Central Visayas also confirmed that school opening in the region was quite more peaceful this year than the 2006 opening of classes.

DepEd regional director, Carolino Mordeno attributed it to the Brigada Eskwela or the National Maintenance Week program of the department that enjoined all stakeholders to unite to prepare schools for the entrants of over 2-million students from the public and private elementary and high schools in Central Visayas.

Mordeno said, the Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide volunteer efforts of parents, teachers, youth, students, police and the multi-civic society and the communities around the schools that help in cleaning, repairing, repainting and getting the schools ready for the opening of classes thus, making the first day of school for grade 1 pupils and new entrants a happy experience.

"The readiness of schools for the opening of classes depended so much on the cooperation of the communities. Teachers come and go, but the structures of the school will continue to stand, it is the community's obligation to take care of the schools," Mordeno said in a media interview.

Modeno earlier said that about 90 of the 170 schools in Central Visayas were practically ready one week before classes started. With the Brigada Eskwela, the government was able to save at least P44-million for every P1,000 worth of repair work done to 44,000 public schools in the country, Mordeno added.

In similar developments, the DepEd in region 7 had invited non-government organizations and foundations, wealthy individuals to help improve the educational system at the countryside through its program called "Adopt-a-School."

According to Mordeno, the program gives private institutions and individuals the opportunity to become partners in education in addressing the perennial problems of lack of classrooms, desks, books and other materials needed to upgrade and update the quality of Philippine education.

Mordeno explained that the department does not stop in making programs that would encourage children and the out-of-school youth to go back to school and the private-government partnership in improving the system of education.

As this developed, Mordeno also revealed that the government also procured and distributed 105.7 million textbooks to all public schools for priority subjects like English, Mathematics and Science that will help attain a 1:1 textbook to pupil ratio for said subjects.

To attain a 1:45 teacher to pupil ratio in all public schools nationwide, DepEd hired 16,390 additional public school teachers to fill in the gap of the shortage of teachers within the year as well as the construction of 6,000 additional classrooms that are expected to be completed by the yearend.

The DepEd also expanded the GASTPE or Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in private Education programs where the department gives students in private schools a P4,000 subsidy to stay enrolled and prevent a migration to the already congested public schools.

Meantime, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the region through the "Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad" program turned over two school building to the local government unit of Carmen town in Cebu recently. These schools were funded by Mitsubishi Corp and Manila Water Company. Carmen mayor Virgilio Villamor; Mitsubishi country manager Margaret Gaisano-Ang; Toshifumi Inami and Manila Water treasurer Sherisa Nuesa led the turn over ceremonies.

Elias Cayanong, DOLE-7 regional director said, "out of more than 3T barangays in the region, only 27 were chosen as beneficiaries of the project and the Luyang and Dawis Sur Elementary Schools were among the first beneficiaries."

Provincial Board member Agnes Magpale on the other hand said, the construction of these schools meant six additional classrooms that can house about 240 children in both Dawis and Luyang. Cayanong on his part said, Luyang Elementary School now has four new classrooms while Dawis Sur Elementary School will soon accommodate more students with an additional of two classrooms.

In their messages, Manila Water representative said that the company is consistently seeking to align its business goals towards the social welfare of the communities they serve while Mitsubishi's Inami reminded the beneficiaries to use the classrooms frequently. The schools also received computers from manila Water.

Luyang Elementary School principal, Nestor Molde thanked the local officials and the donors and pledged "we will do our best for its safekeeping."

With the DepEd's continuing efforts to improve the country's educational system, the government is optimistic that all these programs will bear fruit with better academic performance of students and the committed allegiance of the multi-stakeholders towards the cause of basic education.

The all out war against the Philippine education crises are now in full swing and that the entire nation has responded to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's call for support to the public schools in the country. (PIA-Cebu/MBCN)

Monday, June 4, 2007

PRO 7 MIHULAGWAYNG MALINAWON ANG PAGBUKAS SA KLASE SA CV

Cebu City (June 5, 2007) – Malinawon ang pagbukas sa klase sa mga publikong tunghaan kagahapon. Kini maoy gibutyag sa hepe sa Police Regional Office 7, Chief Superintendent Silverio Alarcio Junior.

Matud ni Alarcio, base sa iyang pakighinabi sa mga hepe sa nagkalainlaing kwerpo sa kapolisan, way kagubot nga nahitabo kagahapon sa mga tunghaan.

Apan aron pagseguro nga magpadayong malinawon ang pagpahigayon sa klase sa mga estudyante sa rehioyn, gihangyo ni Alarcio ang katawhan ilabi na gyud ang mga ginikanan sa pagtabang paghatag seguridad sa ilang mga anak og dili lang magsalig sa kapolisan. (Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA AMO 7 Cebu).

PAG-ABLI SA KLASE SA CV HAPSAY; DEPED 7

Cebu City (June 5, 2007) – Mas hapsay ang pagbukas sa klase kagahapon kung itandi sa niaging tuig. Kini maoy pamahayag sa DepEd Regional Director Carolino Mordeno.

Matud ni Mordeno, hapsay ang pagpahigayon sa klase kagahapon og nanghinaut sab siya nga kini magpadayon.

Nidugang sab si Mordeno pag-ingon nga ang mga bata nga mao pay pagtungtong sa Grade One mainit nga gidawat sa mga eskwelahan kagahapon pinaagi sa usa ka programa, banda, og ingon man pagpaila-ila og pagpasuroy sa mga bata palibot sa eskwelahan.

Kalabut niini, gilantaw sa guidance counselor sa Tisa II Elementary School, Marietta Igonia nga maayo ang epekto sa maong pamaagi pagdawat sa kabataan kay dili na man kini maghilak og mahimong pwerhisyo sa mga ginikanan og mga magtutudlo.

Sa assessment sab sa Assistant Division Superintendent sa DepEd Cebu Provincial Office, Dr. Evangel Luminarias, niingon siya nga sa probinsiya sa Sugbo, hapsay kaayo og way kakulian nga nasinati ang mga eskwelahan.

Sa nasayran, gipaabot nga adunay uno porsiyento nga pagsaka sa mga estudyante sa elementarya og dos porsiyento usab sa sekondarya.

Sa niaging tuig, ang mga publikong tunghaan adunay nueve cientos doce ka libo ka mga estudyante ang nitungha sa elementarya, samtang kwatro cientos singkwenta ka libo sab ang nitungha sa high school dinhi sa Central Visayas. (Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA AMO 7 Cebu)

PGMA MIAWHAG SA KATAWHAN SA PAGPANINGKAMOT

Cebu City (June 4, 2007) - Giawhag ni Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang katawhan sa pagpaningkamot nga magpadayon ang maayong kahimtang sa ekonomiya sa nasod.

Kining maong pamahayag giluwatan sa pamuno nasod luyo sa padayong paglig-on sa piso kontra dolyar og sa pagsaka sa Gross Domestic Product (GDP) sa nasod nga anaa sa 6.9 porsiyento.

Kung mahinumduman, ang piso duol duha ka semana na nga nisaka ang balor niini kontra sa Amerikanhong dolyar
.
Matud sa Malacananng, ang lig-on nga piso moresulta sa mas menos nga gasto sa pagpalit sa Pilipinas sa mga produkto sa lana sama sa gasolina didto sa gawas sa nasod.

Tungod niini, gilauman usab sa pipila ka sektor sa katilingban ang posibleng pag-os-os sa presyo sa mga nag-unang palaliton ilabi na ning panahon sa tingklase diin sagad sa ga ginikanan daghan kaayong kinahanglang paliton alang sa ilang mga anak nga motungha.(Roberto M. Cabardo/PIA AMO 7 Cebu)

Friday, June 1, 2007

Biofuels to boost country’s energy independence

Cebu, Philippines (01 June)— Biofuels is seen as the government’s respond to ensure that the country is able to meet the fuel demands of a growing economy and to reduce its dependence on price-vulnerable fossil fuels and rid the air of carbon emissions which is the major cause of global warming.

In her message during the 2007 Biofuels and Feed-stocks Philippines conference on May 23-24 in Manila of which more than a hundred participants from the industry mostly from foreign nations in attendance, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo emphasized the need to find alternative sources of indigenous energy to reduce the country’s dependence on imported oil and to provide the Filipino people with sufficient, efficient, clean and cheap energy.

According to Bukidnon congressman Juan Miguel Zubiri, the principal author of the Biofuel law, 98% of the country’s fuel supply is imported from the Middle East that makes the nation’s fuel supply vulnerable to tension in the area.

Zubiri added that the Biofuels Act mandates the immediate use of 1% bio-diesel blend into all diesel blends sold in the country and by 2008 and 2010 at least 5% bio-ethanol blend into gasoline fuel sold and distributed by every oil company in the Philippines and 10% by 2010.

He said, the use of ethanol in vehicle fuel means savings to car owners because it is P0.65 cheaper per liter than the regular gasoline prices. The establishment of bio-ethanol and bio-diesel plants in various areas in the country will most likely generate about 1,000 jobs and farmers will also have better income from their sugarcane and coconut products that will have created better paying markets.

To fast track the implementation of the Biofuel law, the President directed all government agencies to incorporate the use of 1% by volume Coco Methyl Ester (CME) in their diesel requirements of their vehicles.

“In the first year alone,” the President reported, “the use of CME in vehicles displaced more than 250,000 liters of diesel and this is among the tough decisions I had to make for the country to achieve a 60% self-sufficiency level by the end of my term from the adverse effects of imported energy.”

Because of the country’s dependence on imported oil, the President has directed the Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC-AFC) to continue to look into and discover energy resources and build global partnerships and collaborative undertakings to solve the country’s dependence on imported crude oil.

President Arroyo is very optimistic that the PNOC-AFC with Jatropha (Tuba-tuba) as its main feedstock for its bio-diesel production will be a strong contender in the region with Malaysia and Indonesia leading in the bio-diesel production with expected completion of 3 to 4 million metric ton refining capacities.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s recent observation, the Philippines has sufficient lands and favorable climate for a large feedstock production every year. The Philippine Army’s Jatropha cultivation in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija is a prime example, the President said.

In a press release from the PNOC-AFC, it said that the PNOC-Alternative Fuel Corp. is looking at establishing an aggregate amount of 700,000 hectares of Jatropha plantations in the country. With a ratio of one farmer for every two hectares of plantation, this will generate about 350,000 jobs in the rural areas. “By 2012, our country is capable of supporting feedstock requirements of up to one million metric ton refining capacities,” the President concluded.

In a related development, government financial institutions like the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank were directed to also prioritize for financing groups or institutions and individuals who plan to engage in biofuel production and feedstock such as coconut palm, Jatropha, cassava, sweet sorghum and corn.

Bukidnon representative Juan Miguel Zubiri, in his various press conferences during his campaign sorties in Cebu, he reiterated that investments should be private led saying that each bio-ethanol plant is estimated to cost P2-billion while an investment of P1.2-billion is needed to put-up a bio-diesel plant and the return of investment is expected to come after about four years yet. (PIA-Cebu/mbcn)