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 53^rd 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 4^th week of July 2007.

In similar developments, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the 3^rd 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)

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 Osmeña 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 1^st offense.

For the 2^nd offense however, a 3-month suspension without pay while dismissal is meted out for the 3^rd 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)