Civil Service Month focuses on heroes in republic service
By Jennilyne C. Role
This year’s theme, “Honoring our Heroes in REPUBLIC SERVICE — Responsive, Ethical Public Servants with Vision, Impact, Commitment and Excellence” highlights the patriotism, integrity, excellence and sacrifices of our heroes in service to the public and republic.
Memorandum Circular No. 27, s. 2009, dated August 10, 2009, issued by the Civil Service Commission, pointed out that the best way for public servants to honor the heroes among us, is not just to extol and reward their achievements, but to emulate their example through REPUBLIC SERVICE, which encapsulates in an acronym the tenets and traits of honest, hardworking and honorable service in the government.
Responsiveness is the primary duty of public servants, to address immediately and adequately constituent’s needs and be vigilant in defense of the republic against terrorism.
A public servant should be ethical in the highest order of principle and imbue our life with deepest integrity to remain public trust and support.
The public are the main core of the existence of the civil service. The interest and welfare of the people shall always be at hand. The public must come before its servants, as the civil service motto states, “mamamayan muna”.
We, in the government force, are here only to serve with courtesy, competence, honesty and promptness. As servants, we must always on the go to deliver the services expected from us.
Vision guide our daily work to build a better Philippines in our various fields and jurisdictions, guided by our nation’s body of laws and rules; various national, regional and sectoral development plans; and the policies and edicts of elected leaders that determines the impact on the lives and future of our people and our land. The people must experience the positive results of the labor of the public servants in their favor.
A public servant should have the commitment within that amidst challenges of government work, from limited pay, demanding hours and tough working conditions, pressures, perils, threats and violence, he remains to serve in utmost dedication for the nation.
Excellence means to strive constantly to enhance work, knowledge and skills, systems and institutions, to make Philippine public service the best we can give our people.
Among the identified activities stipulated in the memorandum circular to adhere to the theme include the completion of agency’s Citizen’s Charter, help desks and anti-fixer campaigns and staff seminars on customer service as provided by the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007, which the Philippine Information Agency – Region I have already complied.
Regional/provincial recognition and awards rites for the 2009 HAP finalists, Gantimpala Agad Awardees, Bilis Aksyon Partners (BAPs) and Top Rating Agencies in PASADA/”Brigada Ahensya” to be spearheaded by Civil Service Commission are scheduled.
Conduct of Public Service Ethics and Accountability Workshops, dialogue with stakeholders to improve public services and integrity, charity missions to poor communities, recognition of outstanding agency employees through the PRAISE committees, adoption of output-based performance evaluation system in pursuit of excellent service and other worthwhile activities can be done during the month-long celebration.
Massive advocacy and media campaign was also tapped to recognize hundreds of public servants honored under the Dangal ng Bayan, Lingkod Bayan and Pag-asa award programs of the commission who serve as epitome worth emulating. (PIA Regional Office I/La Union)
PGMA orders immediate electrification of all barangays
by William L. Beltran
The President gave the order during her speech here at the first anniversary celebration of the Pampanga Electric Cooperative II (PELCO II) inside the Lubao Sports Complex in San Nicolas 1st, this town.
Edith Bueno, NEA Administrator, reported to the President that there are already 41,154 barangays which have been energized.
This, according to her, accounts to 98% of the total number of barangays in the country, leaving a mere 743 rural barangays that are yet to be provided with electricity.
“The timeline given by the President for the complete electrification is attainable,” added Bueno.
The Chief Executive wanted the complete electrification of all barangays by yearend.
The President, also, in her speech recounted the vision of her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, for the development of the Filipino people, saying the former President dreamt of bringing electricity even to the farthest barangays in the archipelago.
“Salamat sa NEA, salamat sa Electric Cooperatives for helping me put flesh to my father’s dream of development for our people – a dream that the rest of our countrymen share as well,” the President said.
The President similarly talked big about her administration’s electrification program that has extended the biggest financial assistance ever to electric cooperatives amounting to more than P5-billion.
This assistance, she added, has enabled electric cooperatives “to do your missionary work even in the so-called non-viable areas.”
Meanwhile, speaking about accelerating the government’s power and energy development program, the President said the country is already 58 percent self-sufficient in power, expecting “an even higher percentage with the full implementation of the Biofuels Act and the Renewable Energy Law.”
In a related development, the President imparted a recent feat in NEA’s electrification efforts where more than 7,000 kilometers of electricity lines were put up in just a matter of ten days.
Sometime in June, the President, in one of her sorties in Pampanga, ordered NEA to energize barangay Mawacat in Porac town where some 200 Aeta families reside.
The electrification project was jointly undertaken by PENELCO in Bataan, PELCO I and II in Pampanga, TARELCO I and II in Tarlac and ZAMECO I and II.
Barangay Mawacat is located near Bataan and Zambales. (PIA-Pampanga)
PGMA to Launch Coconut Plantation Project in Lallo, Cagayan
Tuguegarao City (26 August) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will spearhead the launching of the coconut plantation project in the Province of Cagayan.
The project is in line with the thrust of President Arroyo’s administration in addressing hunger, health, environment and literacy.
The President will witness further the forging of a Memorandum of Agreement between and among the representatives of Rotary Club of Centennial Quezon City (RCCPQ), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and Cagayan State University (CSU) as the core agencies to pursue the project dubbed as “A Dollar for a Tree of Life”.
The project is called “A Dollar for a Tree of Life” because for each dollar donated by a Rotarian, one coconut tree also known as the “tree of Life” will be planted by the farmer beneficiaries, and by planting coconut trees, millions of benefits will be reaped for a lifetime.
The project will be implemented in Northern Luzon and Cagayan province was chosen as one among the pilot areas of the project. In Region 2, there are 642,299 hectares suitable for coconut plantation.
The project is laudable considering that thousands of coconut seedling will be planted that will produce plenty of food, oil, bio-fuels, medicinal products and many more by-product out of coconut.
The coconut tree planting activities will also help farmers because it would generate thousands of jobs. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
Rescuers, volunteers receive awards from RDCC Region 2
P/CSupt. Roberto M. Damian, PNP 2 Regional Director, RDCC-Chairman, and OCD-Regional Director Melchito M. Castro, RDCC-Executive Officer, conferred the certificate of recognition to agencies, rescue groups, civilian volunteers and RDCC member agencies as part of the culminating activity of the National Disaster Consciousness Month Celebration.
For the “Chemtrad” retrieval operations, RDCC has recognized the Bureau of Fire Protection Kalinga together with its 7 fire officers, 4 civilian volunteers from Kalinga Province, 2 civilian volunteers from Baggao, Cagayan, 2 officers from the Aviation Security Group, Philippine Air Force, Police officers from PNP-Baggao, 19 army officers from the 17th Infantry Battalion, 15 officers from the Tactical Operations Group Philippine Air Force, 11 officers of 505 Search and Security Group Philippine Air Force, personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, PDCC-Cagayan and Isabela, CDCC Tuguegarao, BFP Cagayan and PNP-Cagayan.
The active participation of all RDCC members, media institutions, Non-government organizations, fire stations, rescue groups and schools were also recognized by the RDCC officials for making the activities of NDCM fruitful and colorful, most especially in the conduct of earthquake and fire drills in different campuses within the region.
Damian said recognizing the efforts of the groups and individuals who have been partners of RDCC in all endeavors is not enough but it serves as an inspiration to the people to showcase that even in the midst of trials and disasters there are people whom we can rely on, ready to save lives.
Damian specifically mentioned the roles of each group during the calamities that struck the region. The rescue groups who displayed heroism during typhoons, floods, search, rescue and retrieval operations, the RDCC members as initiators of NDCM activities, the media entities who have been partners in giving accurate, timely and desired information for the public, the NGOS, Schools and civilians who were with the RDCC during the earthquake and fire drills and also during rescue operations. (Oliver B/PIA 2)
PGMA to visit Cagayan
Tuguegarao City (25 August) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will visit again the province of Cagayan to inaugurate the new Andrews Campus of the Cagayan State University.
The President is expected to arrive on the 28th day of August in this city, purposely to inaugurate the newly constructed buildings of CSU’s Andrews Campus, formerly known as CSU Caritan Campus.
The officialdom of the University is now preparing for the grand welcome to the President who will formally open the new campus, however, the expected time of arrival and the other itineraries is yet to be confirmed by the university.
On the other hand, Regional Director Purita S. Licas of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region 2, said PGMA will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between and among representatives of Rotary Club of Centennial, PIA, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and CSU for the “A dollar for a Tree of Life”, a colossal project in Northern Cagayan.
The said project will be implemented in Regions 1, 2 and 3. For 2009, about 50,000 hectares in Northern Luzon will be planted to 3.4 million coconut seedlings by 50, 000 coco farmers.
Aside from these, PGMA will also award scholarship grants to deserving students of Technical Education and Skills Development Administration (TESDA) Region 2. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
NDCC awards special citation to PNP official
Tuguegarao City (25 August) — Police Chief Superintendent Roberto M. Damian, Regional Director of Philippine National Police and Chairman of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) Region 2 has received a special citation from the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) for his invaluable achievement and contribution to local disaster risk management as chairman of RDCC 2.
Defense Sec. Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr. and DILG Sec. Ronaldo V. Puno have conferred the citation to P/CSupt. Damian as an outstanding individual awardee during the Gawad Kalasag awarding ceremonies held at Malacanag Palace.
The citation states that with a strong determination for public service, Damian follows a proactive perspective and approach in disaster response which leads to the timely and effective conduct of operations before an anticipated disaster.
Also emphasized in the plaque is his hard work in ensuring preparedness measures that are instituted before an anticipated disaster strikes. Disaster contingency plans were made available as basis of operations for preparedness, response, and rehabilitation as the situation merits.
Sec. Teodoro and Sec. Puno stated also in the award that Damian deserves commendation for braving the adverse effects of nature, when he led the team in the search, rescue and retrieval operations for the Chemtrad plane which was missing for many days after it crashed in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Cagayan last April with 7 passengers.
By exerting all efforts as the chairman of RDCC 2, and establishing connections and linkages, the operation was successful.
Damian was very thankful in receiving an unexpected citation from Malacañang but he said that all his efforts in local disaster risk management is not of personal interest but purely out of his commitment to save life and to protect the people against any untoward incidents and as the concurrent chairman of the RDCC 2.
He also mentioned the citation he received is not only of him but for the RDCC members and for the people of Region 2. He said that another person deserving to be awarded the same certificate with same citation being the man behind the scene, is the Executive Officer of RDCC 2 and Regional Director of the Office of the Civil Defense- Dir. Melchito M. Castro as his partner in managing local disaster risk. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
P2.1-M relief goods distributed in Zambales as PGMA visits typhoon victims anew
by Allen Villa
Zambales (25 August) — Amidst the gloom that blanketed residents of Botolan, Zambales when the wrath of Typhoon Kiko hit their town, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave them something to cheer about as the Chief Executive distributed relief goods amounting to some P2.1 million.
PGMA visited yesterday the TLRC compound in Barangay Taugtog, the second visit to this town this month, to distribute relief packs of rice, noodles, sardines and other basic hygiene needs to more than 1,200 families or around 5,000 individuals.
TLRC, which house some 1,200 evacuees, is one the six remaining evacuation centers out of the total 13 centers opened during the height of flooding last August 6, 2009.
Flash floods swept Barangays San Juan, Paudpod, Batonlapoc, Carael, Paco, San Miguel, Tampo, Beneg, Capayawan and Bangan when the one-kilometer portion of a dike along the Bucao River collapsed due to heavy rains brought about by “Kiko.”
The incident effectively isolated five northern towns of this province as strong currents from the river sought a new path destroying a portion of the national highway along Barangay Carael.
As of the latest report issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office III, a total of P19.7 million assistance from all concerned agencies, LGUs and NGOs have already been extended.
Carael Highway now passable
Joining the President were Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Chief Glen Rabonsa and Subic-Clark Alliance for Development and Luzon Urban Beltway Champion Secretary Eduardo Pamintuan.
They were received by Governor Amor Deloso, Vice Governor Ann Marie Gordon, and Botolan Mayor Rogelio Yap.
President Arroyo also inaugurated the newly-constructed 60-meter steel bridge crossing the new river along the Carael Highway linking anew Northern Zambales to the southern towns including Subic and Olongapo. Travel to the Northern part of the province had to be made through Pangasinan after Typhoon Kiko swept Botolan.
PGMA gave strict instructions to DPWH officials during her first visit to the town (August 10) to finish the bridge in three weeks. DPWH Engineers responded swiftly, finishing the bridge in just 2 weeks.
Innovative but risky means to cross the raging river such as riding a motorized banca were introduced to mostly residents of nearby southern town while the highway was impassable.
The journey required a 3-kilometer tricycle ride from the highway near the Bucao River to the inner western portion of Barangay Carael, the boat ride that take passengers some 2 minutes to cross the new river and headed towards Barangay Bangan of the same town and another 3 to 4 kilometers of tricycle ride going to the nearest town of Iba.
The two tricycle rides cost passengers P40 each while the boat ride cost 30 pesos. Discounts were given to senior citizens and students.
A footbridge made of wood and galvanized iron tubes that lessened travel and expenses was constructed a week before the completion of the steel bridge.
Rehabilitation costly but recommendedp>Both the DSWD Field Office III and the Governor’s Office through the Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office and the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council, which Gov. Deloso head, recommended rehabilitation plans for the town that include housing units for deserving victims (P1.10M from DSWD estimate); immediate repair of roads and bridges (P10.4M from PDCC estimate); dike rehabilitation and reconstruction (P205M from PDCC estimate); rehabilitation of schools (P29M, PDCC estimate); and construction barangay health units, day care centers and centers for the elderly (P1.5M, DSWD estimate).
“We badly need the help of the Office of the President on this costly undertaking but I am confident Madame President Gloria will oblige. She has a heart for the poor and needy, as shown in her visits to this town,” Governor Deloso said in an interview shortly after PGMA left the TLRC compound.
“Ngayon pa lang, in behalf of my fellow Zambaleños, I am extending my heartfelt gratitude to President Arroyo,” the Governor added. (PIA-Zambales)
Madrasah Education: DepEd invests in peace-building in Mindanao
Pasig City (25 August) — In an unprecedented move, the Department of Education has started to grant financial assistance to private madaris (Muslim schools) that adopted the Madrasah curriculum which has both Islamic studies and standard basic education subjects taught in all public schools.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said the mainstreaming of Madrasah education in our system of basic education will give our Muslim schoolchildren an education that is culturally-sensitive, Islamic friendly and will give them equal work opportunity. “This is DepEd’s significant contribution in building a culture of peace in Mindanao through education,” he added.
A total of 36 private madaris with 3,834 Muslim pupils have qualified for financial assistance of P5,000 per enrollee per school year which started in school year 2008-2009. The guidelines are contained in DepEd Order no. 81 series of 2007.
DepEd has earmarked P20 million from its 2008 budget as financial assistance to private madaris to encourage Muslim educators to adopt and implement the standard Madrasah curriculum.
Secretary Lapus led the ceremonial turnover of the financial grants to the private Madaris today at the DepEd Complex in Pasig City. It was attended by DepEd partners, representatives from member countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference and other DepEd and ARMM key officials.
In the ARMM region, 26 madaris from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and Tawi-tawi qualified after a thorough and rigorous screening and validation, There are two in Davao City and eight in Cotabato City and General Santos City.
The financial assistance for each recipient Madrasah shall be for specific purpose: 80% will go to pay the salaries of teachers handling secular subjects and 20% will be for the improvement of classroom and other school facilities.
This is the very first time ever in the history of Philippine education that private madaris are mainstreamed as a component of National System of Basic Education following a single curriculum for basic education, common to both public schools and private Madaris.
“We purposely designed the Madrasah education to be able to respond to the needs and realities of our Muslim learners,” Lapus explained.
There are two types of curriculum prescribed in Madrasah Education — the Enriched Curriculum for Public Elementary Schools and the Standard Curriculum for Private Madaris. The former has been implemented in all DepEd regions nationwide for Muslim students and is known as the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) Program. Islamic culture and language can be preserved among Muslim children while they are enrolled in public schools.
The Standard Curriculum for Private Madaris, approved in 2004, aims to put in place an educational system that is appropriate for the Muslim population.
The Standard Curriculum combines basic secular subjects with religious subjects such as Qur’an, Aqeedah and Fiqh, and Seerah and Hadith. Through this curriculum, the Filipino national identity is promoted even as the Muslim’s cultural heritage is preserved.
Lapus stressed: “With such a curriculum, the Philippines will have a Madrasah education system where students from private madaris can transfer to public schools and vice versa. It will likewise give them equal chance in employment opportunities.”
The education chief added that this year, DepEd shall expand the program by renewing the financial assistance to the current 36 madaris which are expected to accept grade 1 new entrants by school year 2009-2010.
“We shall also accept new applications from other private madaris and will continue to do so until all madaris shall have adopted the standard Madrasah curriculum,” he said.
“We all want peace and we want it now. With this curriculum now in place, we are actually building the foundation for national understanding and unity. And hopefully lasting peace.” (DepEd)
Uswag-GK villagers to be trained on vegetable production
Manila (25 August) — Aside from giving them decent homes at the Uswag-Gawad Kalinga Designer Village in Kinuban, Maco, Kapitbahayan families will also enjoy brighter hope for the future with a food security cum livelihood training on vegetable production.
The provincial government of Compostela Valley through its Agriculturist Office (PAGRO) launched its Farmers Field School (FFS) Season Long Training on Vegetables on August 15 at the village.
During the ceremonial seed sowing, Gov. Arturo Uy encouraged the family members of the importance of growing their own vegetables either as a means of healthy sustenance or as a means for income-generation.
With each household allotted 2 family members, more than a hundred individuals will undergo training every Friday for the next 3 months which will commence on August 22. The morning activity will spend on a lecture to be done at the multi-purpose hall located inside the village and the afternoon for the hands-on or on-field session.
The training also encourages the families to engage in organic farming to provide for their daily meals. According to Minda Agarano, Agri-technician of PAGRO, they will espouse the natural way of farming which makes use of farmer-produced organic materials. “Aside from food safety, we also offer them a lasting solution to most of the farmers’ problems and that is the skyrocketing cost of chemical fertilizer,” she said. Instead, the families will be taught on the production of organic fertilizers and pesticides during the course of the training.
Each household will be given a 1×10 plot and another communal garden for commercial planting where they can sell their products such as tomatoes, ampalaya (bittergourd), eggplant, and other common veggies. By the time they graduate, a good harvest will then be expected provided they will apply what they have learned.
Farmers Field School (FFS) for high value commercial crops aims to make farmers an expert in their own fields and eventually empower them through added knowledge and technology, making their own decisions in growing their own fruits and vegetables. The FFS have so far trained beneficiaries province-wide including not just farmers but also in schools where parents of students also benefitted. (fe maestre/ids comval)
Backride
Not minding the speed and danger of incoming vehicles, a young boy bravely plays his drums for alms at the back of a public utility jeep as it travels along South Super Highway. (Gigie Cruz/AKP Images)
