Sorsogon City, Magallanes receive P3M fishery livelihood fund assistance
by MA Loterte and BA Recebido
Sorsogon Province (31 July) — Sorsogon City and Magallanes town have received a total of P3 million financial assistance for fishery livelihood projects for the local fisher folks.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through its Bicol regional office, awarded the P2 million check to the local government of Sorsogon City to finance the implementation of fishery livelihood projects for fisher folks, especially those directly affected by red tide in Sorsogon Bay.
The amount was turned-over recently to Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic Dioneda in a ceremony witnessed by other city officials, Rep. Salvador Escudero III, BFAR Bicol regional officials, fisher folk-beneficiaries and stakeholders, and the media.
Escudero was instrumental in the release of the funds and facilitated the realization of the livelihood assistance for his constituents in the province’s first congressional district.
Dinoeda stated the city government intends to utilize the financial assistance for seven livelihood projects identified by the guidelines set by BFAR.
“These include sea weed farming, culture of bangus and saline tilapia in fish cages, culture of grouper and other high value species, provision of non-motorized bancas, technical skills development training, self-employment assistance through micro-enterprise and post harvest facility for marine products,” he said.
Nelson Del Socorro, BFAR Bicol regional director, said the financial assistance was extended to the fisher folks to eradicate pervasive poverty among coastal communities, specifically among those directly affected by the recurrence of red tide in Sorsogon Bay.
He noted red tide has been recurring in Sorsogon Bay for the past 3 years, displacing thousands from their means of livelihood and costing millions of pesos loses on the shellfish industry.
Magallanes town meanwhile has received the P1 million check from BFAR Bicol to purchase non-motorized bancas and fishing nets for subsistence fishermen who were greatly affected by calamities that this in the municipality recently.
Melchor Deramas, BFAR Bicol Fisheries Extension and Training Division chief awarded the check to Magallanes Mayor Abelardo Arambulo in the presence of Escudero, municipal and barangay officials, and local fishermen.
BFAR also distributed 300,000 prawn post larvae and 30,000 tilapia fingerlings to fishpond operators in the municipality.
The livelihood fund assistance is in consonance with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s directives to the Department of Agriculture to extend support to the fishery sector and to ensure sufficient and affordable food for everyone. (PIA Bikol)
Stakeholders review Catanduanes abaca development program
by EA Bagadiong
The panel, composed of Dr. Elena de los Santos of the Bicol Integrated Research Council, Catanduanes Colleges President Ephraim Antonio Garcia, DOST Provincial Director Jimmy Cabrera and PPDO planning and evaluation officer Romeo Aquino, reviewed the presentation of the researchers at the CSC Little Theater last July 22, 2009.
The CUA program was launched to address the challenges and concerns in an effort to bring about sustainability and stability of the abaca industry in Catanduanes. It has four major concerns: rehabilitation and densitification, production and mechanization, research and development and monitoring of evaluation.
It was funded for the period 2008-2010 a total project cost of P16.3 million. It also seeks to increase abaca production in the province through improved farming and techniques ensuring the province’s dominance in abaca industry in the country. (PIA Catanduanes)
Calabarzon 4th OTOP congress held in Cavite
by Charlie Dajao (DTI)
Attended by the micro, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (MSME), academe, representatives from partner government agencies and non-government organizations, executives of local government units, and guests, the congress serves as venue where stakeholders of the OTOP program discuss topics to build capabilities of the entrepreneurs; present achievements, issues and concerns; share learnings and experiences; and renew commitments.
Led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the OTOP program, or the “One Town, One Product” program, is a strategy to develop micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in towns, cities, provinces or even regions possessing a strong domestic product base with local ingenuity and skills to be globally competitive consequently bringing out the prominence and uniqueness of each locality.
In his welcome address, Governor Maliksi underscored the significance of intensifying the development of businesses and enterprises. He added that employment alone one could not enrich oneself but through engaging in a profitable business no matter how small it would be.
Gov. Maliksi, himself representing the true and committed Caviteño revolutionary, leads to confront today’s economic revolution, that is, the fight for freedom from the bondage of poverty and towards economic independence. “Sa pamamagitan ng OTOP at ng Bagong Rebolusyon, Bagong Cavite, tayo’y magtulong-tulong dito sa Cavite”, as he appealed to everybody to be part of the “revolution” to liberate Cavite (and the rest of the country) from the bondage of poverty”.
RD Toledo presented the performance of the Calabarzon OTOP Program, the OTOP product catalogue, and announced the tie-up of DTI Calabarzon with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO).
She also acknowledged the OTOP partnership with other government agencies and reviewed the highlights of past regional congresses, and cited the relevance of the integration of OTOP in the educational curriculum by using local or OTOP products as examples in arithmetic lessons.
RD Toledo also announced the holding of the OTOP National Awards and the turn-over of the OTOP flag to Rizal as highlight of this congress.
She briefed about the’bayong development project’ and cited the environmental policies of the Los Baños municipal government that influenced the bayong industry.
Moreover, Director Toledo cited the successes in the access to financing by MSMEs under OTOP in Calabarzon; and the various linkages and the participation of Calabarzon OTOP to international activities.
Merly M. Cruz, DTI Undersecretary for regional operations and development discussed the performance of OTOP in a national scale.
“In 2008 alone, P2.6 billion in investments were posted, 88,490 jobs generated; and P3.56 billion in domestic sales”, Usec. Cruz disclosed.
She also expressed that although DTI is the lead agency, it is the LGUs that are the prime movers of OTOP. The undersecretary added that OTOP is a priority project until 2010.
In all, the DTI undersecretary summarized that the OTOP program achieved a cumulative total of P10 billion in investments, USD 417 million in export sales; 3,072 products developed; and 369 pasalubong centers established within the period 2005 to 2009.
She also revealed plans to embark on online marketing and test-market OTOP items on the web and use the OTOP portal as a stage for credible Philippine products, and to sustain marketing for OTOP via the opening of the Philippine Products Depot.
Usec. Cruz also announced to launch 4th National OTOP Congress in October this year.
She added that OTOP will look at the preservation of the environment, and that OTOP particularly the water lily-bayong project is’one stone that would hit two birds’, that is, employment generation and the production of items for livelihood.
Delivering the keynote message in behalf of Sec. Jesli Lapuz, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Franklin Sunga disclosed that’entrepreneurship education’ would be integrated in the DepEd curriculum and that other entrepreneur competencies are already incorporated to imbibe the culture of entrepreneurship and business to students at an early age.
In a turn-over, Gov. Maliksi handed over the OTOP flag to the Rizal Vice-Gov. San Juan, symbolizing the transfer of charge for the holding of the 5th OTOP Congress in Rizal next year.
“The Province of Rizal is very eager and proud to host the 5th Calabarzon OTOP Congress in 2010. In fact, Rizal has long been waiting to host the event”. Said Vice-Governor San Juan, as he accepted the turn-over.
He reaffirmed that OTOP ties the public with the private sector and called for the stakeholders to work together for further prosperity of OTOP.
“After all, OTOP now is not really a big challenge. It is now taking off”, the vice governor added.
Delivered by their proxies, Governors Vilma Santos-Recto of Batangas, Rafael Nantes of Quezon, and Teresita Lazaro sent their messages of inspiring to continue creativity and innovation, the consistency of quality of products, and most importantly, the unrelenting support through funding local OTOP.
All five governors acknowledged DTI’s efforts in leading business development for livelihood and employment.
The congress also celebrates the partnership of DTI Calabarzon with the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) to assist selected micro, small and medium enterprises in the region.
Canadian lead volunteer advisor Robert Bourdeau gave a briefing about the Canadian Executive Service Organization and its assistance for OTOP and enumerated the services provided by his organization.
Mr. Bourbeau indicated that the CESO CPB6 Program will come in support to OTOP Philippines by providing technical support through senior executive volunteer advisers to help Philippine micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Earlier in June, DTI Calabarzon and CESO inked a memorandum of understanding for the assistance of micro-entrepreneurs of which CESO would provides specialists, technical, professional and managerial assistance including advisory and mentoring services to selected small and medium enterprises and industry clusters.
DTI Region III Director Blesila Lantayona presented the objectives, mechanics and prizes for the about the forthcoming National OTOP Awards and National OTOP Congress in October this year.
Mr. James Rodney Romana of the Center for International Trade, Expositions and Missions (CITEM) presented the entrepreneurs a briefing on how to join the Manila FAME, an international trade exposition organized by CITEM every April and October every year. The briefing also included topics on how to attract more buyers.
Back to back with the congress is a mini-trade fair selling OTOP products from all over Calabarzon.
The 4th Calabarzon OTOP Congress is spearheaded by DTI Provincial Director Noly Guevara.
Previous OTOP congresses were held in Sta. Cruz, Laguna (2006), Batangas City (2007), and Lucena City (2008). (DTI)
Bukidnons thank PGMA for upgrading, concreting of Bukidnon provincial roads
by Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy
“Tungod ani nga proyekto, mas makaganansya na mi ug dako-dako kung magbaligya mi sa among abot sa uma kay gamay nalang dayon among bayaran sa trucking,” Salamat President Gloria Arroyo (Because of this road project, we will have more profits than before since freight cost will also be reduced. Thank you President Gloria Arroyo),” said Bambi Segunla, a vegetable farmer in Barangay Sto. Domingo, San Fernando town.
“The trip usually takes about 5 hours from San Fernando using the Valencia-Dologon-Quezon, Bukidnon-Davao route. But once this road network is completed, a 2-hour travel is enough to go shopping to Davao del Norte. We can therefore have our holiday business trips faster than before with no delays on the beltway,” Mayor Edma added.
On the other hand, Valencia City Mayor Leandro Jose Catarata thanked President Arroyo on the upgraded Sayre Highway-Colonia-Valencia-Lumbo Road Section and the ongoing construction of Batangan Bridge and Approaches across Bukidnon Pulangui River in San Fernando-Valencia City junction.
Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. said President Arroyo’s major infrastructure projects in the province include the construction/concreting of Bukidnon-Davao Road, Buda Maramag Section; Maramag-Kibawe-Kabacan Road, Pinamaloy-Damulog Section; Davao-Bukidnon Road, Calinan-Buda Section; Bukidnon-Davao Road, Dologon, BUSCO-Quezon Section; Misamis Oriental-Bukidnon By-Pass Road; Bukidnon-Cagayan de Oro Road, Puerto-Alae Section and the Aglayan-Zamboanguita Road in Upper Pulangui zone.
“Works on the concreting of the major road projects in Bukidnon are now fast-moving through the responsive and responsible works of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)s,” Zubiri added.
These “Daan sa Kinabukasan” road network projects are just few of the many realized / delivered infrastructure programs of President Arroyo cited in her past year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) targets. (PIA 10-Bukidnon)
Cagayan receives P4.8M worth of medicines
Tuguegarao City (31 July) — The Provincial Health Office of the Province of Cagayan was so lucky to receive 4.8 million worth of medicines from a US-based non-government organization.
Dr. Carlos Cortina, Provincial Nutrition Action Officer, said the medicines were donated by the Direct Relief International, an NGO in California, to be utilized for the medical and dental missions in the far flung areas of the province, aside from the drugs and medicines that were purchased for the said mission.
Cortina also said that some of the donated medicines will be given to some walk-in patients in their office.
“This is very timely because we are currently conducting medical and dental missions in the far flung areas to reach out and serve the Cagayanos who need the services,” Cortina said.
Cortina stated that the municipalities that benefited from the medicines were Calayan, Sta. Ana, Baggao, Peñablanca and the Provincial Health Clinic.
The medicines donated include pain relievers, antibiotics, anti-hypertension, anti-ulcer, for cough and colds.
On the other hand, Cortina also said they are now strategizing concepts to implement the plan of action for nutrition in all municipalities of Cagayan.
Cortina said the Provincial Technical Assistant on Nutrition (PTANs) conducted visitation to the municipalities to evaluate the implementation of their nutrition programs. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
DSWD delivers P37.5M cash grants to 4Ps beneficiaries
Tuguegarao City (31 July) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 2 has already delivered a total amount of 37.5 million pesos to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), a poverty reduction program of President Arroyo.
DSWD-2 Regional Director Arnel Garcia, said 5,610 families from the Municipalities of Palanan, Divilacan and San Mariano of Isabela province, have received their cash grants based on the conditions they are required to comply with.
Garcia said they targeted total beneficiaries of 5,890 but some 280 were not awarded because they were not around during the release of the cash grants. However, he mentioned that the benefits will be delivered when the weather condition permits.
“Though we really have hardship in delivering the assistance, we still delivered it by all means. However, we are looking for a better weather conditions because the areas are hard to reach,” Garcia explained.
Garcia also said, aside from the 3 municipalities of Isabela, he had lobbied to Secretary Esperanza Cabral for the additional 3,000 beneficiaries in the region for the 4Ps.
“The Secretary was so happy with our accomplishments that’s why she approved my request to give additional budget for 3,000 poor families but she wants Indigenous Peoples to be the target beneficiaries,” Garcia said.
He said they are currently conducting survey to determine the deserving municipalities to be the beneficiaries of the said program.
Because the Secretary wants that the beneficiaries are Indigenous Peoples, Garcia said they are considering the municipalities of Kayapa and Sta. Fe of Nueva Vizcaya, wherein all residents belong to the IP community.
Meantime, Director Ruben Bastero of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region 2, expressed his gratitude that the IPs were considered beneficiaries for the said program.
Bastero said the decision is very much laudable because IPs are the real poor who deserve assistance from the government. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
Zubiri reiterates call to Malacañang to submit 2010 budget early
Manila (30 July) — Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday reiterated his call on Malacañang to submit to the Senate the soonest time possible the proposed 2010 national budget.
“The sooner they submit this year’s national budget to the Senate, the earlier we can deliberate on it,” he said.
The Majority Leader earlier expressed concern that once the period for the filing of candidacies begins in October, senators and other lawmakers seeking re-election and other elective positions might become too busy and involved in their campaigns, limiting them from exercising their legislative functions as soon as they have filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC).
He said the Senate could get down to serious work and begin holding marathon budget hearings by August and September in anticipation of the long congressional break next year for the three-month campaign season prior to the May 2010 elections.
Zubiri said it is important that both houses have a lengthy discussion on the budget measure, especially with the scheduled election next year.
To save time and accelerate the approval process, he said the Senate finance committee, chaired by Sen. Edgardo Angara, and the House committee on appropriations could conduct simultaneous hearings on the proposed budgets of each department.
“We’re looking at hearings to be conducted between August and September. So all the national agencies can go back to the Senate to attend and defend their budget proposals by November or early December, at the latest,” Zubiri said. (PIA 12)
PGMA names seven new National Artists
Manila (30 July) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed the proclamation honoring seven individuals who have made substantial contributions to the development of Philippine art.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Order of National Artists (formerly known as the National Artists Award) is the highest national recognition given to Filipino artists.
Ermita made the announcement minutes before the President and her lean delegation boarded a commercial Philippine Air Lines flight bound for the United States for her historic meeting with American President Barack Obama.
The new national artists are:
Manuel P. Urbano alias Manuel Conde for his great contribution in the field of film and broadcast arts (posthumous); Lazaro A. Franscisco for literature (posthumous); Federico Aguilar Alcuaz for visual arts, paintings sculpture and mixed media; Cecilia Guidote Alvarez for theater; Magno Jose Carlo Caparas for visual arts and films; Francisco Bobby Manosa for architecture; and Jose Pitoy Moreno for fashion design.
The award is given to Filipino artists, living or dead, with Filipino citizenship, who through the content and form of their works, contributed in building a Filipino sense of nationhood, pioneered in a style of creative expression which had a profound impact on succeeding generations of artists; built a substantial body of works with a consistency and excellence and who enjoy broad acceptance, critical acclaim and respect and esteem of their peers. (OPS/PIA)
DepEd: Not only IQ, also EQ
Pasig City (30 July) — Next to improving the intelligence quotient of students, the Department of Education is also focusing on enriching the emotional quotient of learners even as the department strengthens the teaching of the richness of our cultural heritage.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said DepEd is now enriching the elementary curriculum with the integration of social emotional learning (SEL) in character education (Edukasyong Pantao). Through this, pupils are expected to develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
“These skills are expected to facilitate academic achievement and develop well-rounded, wholesome individuals,” added Lapus.
“Developing lifelong learners in a fast-changing world calls for continuous refinement in education,” he stressed. He noted that elementary curriculum will also strengthen values on nationalism and love of cultural heritage while learning will be made more interactive, experiential and ICT-enabled.
The inclusion of SEL in the elementary curriculum is aligned with the Education For All (EFA) thrust that aims to upgrade the quality of basic education by 2015.
The guidelines on SEL and the teaching of Edukasyong Pagpapakatao at Sibika at Kultura/HEKASI that focuses on demonstrating nationalism and love of cultural heritage are contained in DepEd Order No. 71 series of 2009.
Natural songs, folk dances, poems, folklores, other literature and customs and traditions that enrich the Filipino culture will be embedded in the school environment.
The guidelines also stipulated that the Pambansang Awit (Lupang Hinirang) be sung properly following the 2/4 time signature in 57 seconds.
Moreover, the memo also prescribed that “Talk Less and Learn More” shall be the prevailing practice in instruction. This can be attained through experiential, interactive, and cooperative learning and utilization of ICT mode of instructions.
Team teaching for Grades I – III and IV – VI will be encouraged using the expertise of teachers in the learning areas assigned. Team leaders in the area will be the recipients of summer training and scholarship programs. (PIA)
Claimants’ demand delays Pangasinan flood control project
By Danny O Sagun
Dagupan City (30 July) — Flood control engineers may alter the course of the flood control diversion channel in Alcala town if land claimants continue to demand unreasonable payments for the newly planted mahogany trees in the area.
Project Director Fidel Ginez of the Agno River Flood Control Office said the claimants that include a barangay captain were asking an additional P83 million for the mahogany trees they had planted right on the path of the diversion channel. Government estimates for the improvements done in the area run only to about P22 million.
Ginez, who guested at the KBP Forum Thursday at the Philippine Information Agency office along with District Engineer Rodolfo Dion, said that a parapet wall and other protection works which cost some P3 million are being done to protect about 47 houses downstream.
“It will serve the purpose,” Ginez said when asked if the protection works being done were enough for the flood control project in the area and even without settling the claimants’ huge demands.
It will be recalled that Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. of the Presidential Management Staff who heads the project monitoring team asked the stakeholders to include town and barangay officials and the claimants during an inspection last month to sit down with public works officials and the contractor to facilitate resolution of the issue.
Ginez said the claimants wanted government to deposit P83 million in a bank pending the expropriation proceedings at the Villasis municipal trial court. He said government had no money to pay the claims.
Because of the right of way problem, the original completion date for the guide channel project which falls under Package 2 was moved to March 31 next year instead of October 30 this year. Korean firm Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. is the contractor.
Actual accomplishment was placed at 72.75 percent as of July 24 when it was supposed to be 97.96 percent, or a slippage of -25.21 percent. Projects under Packages 1, 3, and 4 are already 100 percent complete.
Overall, the actual accomplishment of projects under Phase II which have a budget of P5.9 billion was 90.88 percent instead of the targeted 99.32 percent, or a slippage of -8.44 percent.
Under Package 4 was the construction of the kilometer-long Hector Mendoza bridge which was completed on March 18, 2004.
Phase I projects worth P2 billion including construction of the Bugallon channel and bridge were completed in May 2005 with TOYO Construction as the contractor.
Phase III, which will cover the upper Agno river basin and may cost P2 billion, is yet to be included in the “short list” for loan negotiation, he said.
Meanwhile, Dion announced that the completion date for the elevation of the busy Arellano street here was moved from July 31 to August 15 because of the heavy downpour for the past days.
The Mayombo-Caranglaan roadline which is also usually flooded during heavy rains was included for priority projects to be funded next year. Some P50 million is needed to elevate the road, he said. (PIA Pangasinan)
