Hybrid or High Risk
This is not a hybrid motorcycle, but it does spell danger as a man takes a firm grip on a used car door as they travel along E. Rodriguez Avenue. (Photo by Gigie Cruz/AKP Images)
La Trinidad businessmen optimistic on the economy
by JB Zambrano
Valley Bread’s Eric Espadero said business is still relatively stable, although he admitted that there was a 20% decrease in their sales with consumers buying less due to cost-cutting. Their supply of raw materials also decreased, affecting production.
Despite these, Espadero said there was no retrenchment in Valley Bread. He is optimistic that with the dollar remittances going up, local consumers have more cash to buy goods.
Espadero said he believes the government is doing its part in helping the business sector, in terms of financial assistance by providing loans with affordable interest rates, and monitoring prices so that unscrupulous businessmen will not take advantage of the consumers.
Meanwhile, Alex Berad, proprietor of Saparan Livestock said they are experiencing stiffer competition these days because there are more farmer-businessmen venturing into livestock. “Farmers who bring their fresh vegetable to the lowlands haul livestock and poultry products back here,” he explained.
“We have all-weather roads now that a lot of farmers have also invested in their own trucking business. Besides, livestock business is quite easier to manage than other businesses where they have trade secrets like in the case of maintaining tasty and delicious breads by Valley Bread,” he added.
But like Espadero, Berad remains optimistic that their sales will also soon pick up. “Election period is just around the corner and because of the practice of serving “pinikpikan” during gatherings or campaigns by Benguet politicians, we will still prevail,” he added.
“We just have to look at the brighter side of things all the time. I believe our economy is on the rise and local economy will pick up fast for as long the private and government sector complement each other,” Berad said. (PIA)
DA sectors draft climate change mitigation plans
The sectors on crops, fishery and research and development would soon start drafting mitigating measures to be included in the DA action plans, said Agriculture Undersecretary for Operations Jesus Emmanuel Paras.
He said most of the sectors would seem to be most affected by it, reasoned Secretary Arthur Yap after a UN Commissioned team of climate experts briefed the DA to help strengthen the Philippines institutional capacity to adapt to climate change.
Now the created climate change adaptation teams are in response to the climate change mitigating actions pointed out by the UN team.
The teams would come out with their climate change adaptation plans for their sectors.
The UN sees the DA as key implementors of mitigating programs to respond to the ill effect of the changing climate patterns affecting the country.
However, the DA sought UN help to fast track release of information on climate change so they could also appraise farm officials the lead time to adjust their production programs to new situations especially on the various climate affects for each region.
Yap stressed that is important to upgrade advanced technology to capacitate forecasting and monitoring of erratic climate changes and weather patterns.
During a briefing, UN consultant Lourdes V. Tibig informed the top DA officials that warming up of the climate in the Philippines is going to pour more rains in provinces that experience the southeast monsoon season from June to October, which means more floods and landslides in wide swatches of Luzon and the Visayas.
The dry season in monsoon season affected provinces will get longer, Tibig said. The same phenomenon is also expected to spawn more droughts in Mindanao.
The “unequivocal” climate change, the retired PAGASA official said, has been seen to hit the agriculture and fishery sector hard with bad effects on productivity, the spread of old and new plant and animal diseases.
Without adequate preparations, countries like the Philippines may see its farm and fishery productivity drastically go down, the climate experts warned. (PIA)
Comelec turns down PNP “total gun ban” proposal
In an apparent attempt to advance the drive to account for all the loose firearms as well as curb gun-related election violence mostly involving loose firearms, the Philippine National Police submitted the proposal, reported Bohol Police Director Edgardo Ingking during a recent press conference.
According to the PNP, the 2007 elections had 279 election related violence, and 178 of them involve the use of loose firearms.
The PNP drive is also based upon the National Fire-arms Control Policy, which President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed into law just a few weeks ago.
The Comelec, however, has other ideas.
Junking the plan, the COMELEC, in reports said, that the PNP proposal may endanger the lives of some government officials and very important persons.
The government poll commissions also added that the proposal may even violate of the Omnibus Election Code.
Article 22, sections 261 paragraph P entitles the COMELEC to assign any public officer who shall supervise the election to carry a gun to preserve peace and enforce the law.
Paragraph T of the same law also allows the implementation or at most three armed bodyguards after COMELEC deliberations and finding the life and security of the candidate is under jeopardy.
Instead of getting frustrated however by the spurned proposal, Police Chief Director General Jesus Versoza said the PNP is going to come up with other strategies to plug on the election related violence especially those involving loose firearms.
As of press time, Police General Versoza has accordingly convened the PNP Task Force Honest Orderly and Peaceful Elections (HOPE) in preparations for their meeting with the COMELEC to map out general security measures especially on gun control.
The PNP wants to solicit advice from the poll body on what is the best gun control measure that can be implemented for the upcoming elections. (PIA)
DepEd eyes youth volunteers for literacy
Pasig City (21 August) — The Department of Education is looking for 360 bright and committed youth volunteers who will help the department intensify efforts in improving literacy nationwide.
Called literacy volunteers (LV), these youth will be tasked to assist in the delivery of alternative learning systems (ALS) programs in areas with low literacy rate.
The LVs will cater to the learning needs not only of the adults who cannot read and write but also to out-of-school children (OSC) and out-of-school youth (OSY).
They will offer Basic Literacy Program, which will make learners functionally literate. They will also teach modules on Accreditation and Equivalency Program which will help prepare learners in taking the upcoming A&E exam.
The project is in response to the call of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to create a national service corps. Earlier, she issued Executive Order No. 788 entitled “Promoting a Youth National Service” that aims to promote community service among the youth in the country.
The DepEd is implementing this project with the help of the National Youth Commission and the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This national service corps is akin to the “Peace Corps,” with its members tasked with community service programs like literacy education, building parks, planting trees and assisting in livelihood programs.
“As DepEd is going full force in making education accessible to all in line with the target of Education For All in 2015, this project is most relevant, “said Education Secretary Jesli Lapus.
Lapus added, “These men and women will be answering a call that is both challenging and rewarding. They will be sent to far-flung areas where they will have a direct hand in improving lives and communities right before their eyes.”
LVs will coordinate with community leaders in identifying potential learners and organize learning groups for the ALS programs. They will also network with other government organizations, NGOs and other orgs for potential support or partnership. They will be contracted from September 2009 to August 2010.
DepEd requires applicants to be between 18-24 years old, preferably a bachelor’s degree holder in elementary and secondary education or holder of any bachelor’s degree, college level or at the very least, high school graduate. They must be willing to work in the target communities and undergo training and refresher courses on ALS.
Interested applicants must submit their resume to the nearest DepEd Division Office.
“We will not field out our LVs by themselves but will put them into teams of 2-5 members depending on the need of the area,” explains Assistant Secretary for Special Projects Jonathan Malaya.
In conducting learning sessions, they will be using ALS learning modules and supplementary materials that have been tried and tested.
Selection of LV is ongoing until August 31, 2009. The chosen LVs will then be trained. They will be deployed in their assigned areas beginning September 7, 2009.
To draw in the best in the project, the department is providing literacy volunteers with a modest stipend of P5,000 a month and another P2,000 as monthly transportation costs for ten months.
The LVs will be supervised by the public school district supervisor where he is assigned.
Malaya enthused, “This is an opportunity for our youth to make a difference and to put into action the real sense of nationalism.”
For more information, please contact the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Special Projects at tel. no.: (02)633-1940/633-7224/631-9641; the Bureau of Alternative Learning System at (02) 635-5191/636-3227 or the National Youth Commission at tel. no (02) 781-1163. (DepEd)
DBP finances mini-hydro power plant in Oriental Mindoro
Manila (21 August) — State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has extended a P490-million term loan to Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) for the construction of the 4.2 MW Linao Cawayan mini-hydro power project in San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro.
DBP president & chief executive officer Reynaldo G. David said the project is a run-of-river type which taps the potential of the Linao Cawaya and Alag rivers in the said province.
“DBP’s assistance to this project underlines the Bank’s thrust of pushing for new and renewable energy sources that not only protect the environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions but are also cheap and sustainable,” he said.
The project will reduce approximately 11,409 tons of carbon dioxide per year. It will also replace 14% of the National Power Corporation’s supply to ORMECO which translates to reduced customer subsidies.
The mini-hydro power plant is expected to generate an average of 19.8 GWh of electricity per year, which is equal to the consumption of 37,375 barrels of oil. It will also provide additional source of income through Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) carbon credits estimated at US$162,502 yearly
The project will benefit the residents of San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro, a 4th class municipality located in the northwestern part of the province and its neighboring areas, said David. (PIA-MMIO)
PNP completes training of scouts; campaign vs local terrorists in Rizal beefed up
Camp Gen Mateo Capinpin, Tanay Rizal (21 August) — A graduation ceremony for 117 PNP SCOUT students was conducted in the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division headquarters early morning today, Thursday, August 20, 2009.
It was attended by Police Regional Office – 4A (PRO-4A) leadership and the governor of Rizal province Hon Casimiro Ynares III who was represented by Dr. Rey San Juan. The 4 month training at the 2nd Infantry Division Training Unit intended to improve PNP capability in fighting lawlessness, criminality and the Local Terrorists of Rizal Province.
The students were from the different PNP units and stations in the province of Rizal particularly from the 419th Police Mobile Group, 418th Police Mobile Group, Cainta Police Station, Taytay Police Station, Rodriguez Police Station, Cainta Police Station, San Mateo Police Station, Pililia Police Station, Rizal PPO Hqs, Baras Police Station, Cardona Police Station, Teresa Police Station and Tanay Police Station. The SCOUT class was composed of four PNP officers and 113 Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO).
Bgen JORGE V SEGOVIA, 2ID Commander said that “The PNP SCOUT or Philippine National Police Special Counter – Insurgency Operation Unit Training was conducted to enhance the PNP skills in counter – insurgency and local terrorism operations as part of the preparation for the eventual turnover of internal security operations in Rizal to the PNP through the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).” (PNP/PIA4A)
WHO examines Region 2 preparedness on AH1N1 pandemic
by Oliver Baccay
Tuguegarao City (20 August) — World Health Organization (WHO) representative to the Philippines, Dr. Malou Barrameda has personally assessed the preparedness plan of Influenza A(H1N1) Task Force in Region 2 in case the pandemic arises.
In a consultative planning workshop held at the Center for Health Development- Department of Health (CHD-DOH) Region 2, the task force, composed of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council Members (RDCC), has presented its preparedness plan on A(H1N1) from the level 1 up to level, the worst scenario.
Dr. Marianne Lynne de Laza of DOH said that the task force has implemented the interim guidelines sent by DOH Central office in the level 1 and level 2 scenarios.
De Laza said though there were confirmed positive cases from the region, the number is not alarming, the cases recorded are mild and there were no mortality rate yet.
On her presentation, the region incurred highest number of cases in the, month of June from the Provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Quirino, but the trend went down in July up to the moment.
Dr. Barrameda lauded the preparedness plan of the region having realized that all factors to be considered up to the worst scenario were already planned ready for implementation and execution.
The plan included the activated command system, surveillance operations, public health facilities available, public health interventions from different government agencies and the communication aspect in educating and informing the public on the issue.
“I’m happy to note that Cagayan Valley Region has gone far in preparing up the worst scenario on the issue of A(H1N1). You are far advance as compared to the other regions”, Barrameda said.
However, Barrameda said the task force needs to intensify more the plan and include the other inputs being raised during the workshop. She also pointed out that the plan is for the future in preparation for the worst scenario. (PIA 2)
DOH pushes quality, affordable eye care
by Jemin B. Guillermo
Manila (19 August) — Blindness is most common among the elderly and the poor who have no access to health facilities, the Department of Health said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III disclosed that millions of people globally live with low vision and blindness.
He said that data from the 2002 World Health Organization (WHO) show that approximately 314 million people worldwide are having eye impairment.
Duque said that the global figure translates to 3.4 million Filipinos who are visually impaired, according to the 3rd National Blindness Survey done in 2002, of which 3.2 million have visual impairment in one or both eyes while 461,121 are blind in both eyes.
In order to provide Filipinos with access to eye care services, Duque revealed that they have coordinated a nationwide eye screening and cataract surgery with selected government and private hospitals.
He also urged the public to have their eyes checked up to prevent blindness later in life.
He explained that as one grows older, one gets more prone to have an error of refraction, or glaucoma, or cataract, or blindness due to diabetes or hypertension.
Duque stressed that quality and affordable eye care must be made accessible to all Filipinos of all social strata.
“This is a basic right that should be accorded to everyone, without discrimination as to age, sex, gender, religion, race, or social standing”, he said, adding that the challenge now is how to bring affordable and excellent eye care to all areas of the country.
This year, the DOH and its partner agencies and organizations under the National Committee for Sight Preservation, aims to put up local Committees for Sight Preservation in the different regions and provinces of the country.
Under their local chief executives (LCEs), said committees will coordinate the delivery of eye care services at the local level, such as eye screening and cataract surgery programs for the indigent constituents of the community.
The initiative is part of the national observance of Sight-Saving Month this August with a theme “Excellence and Equity in Eye Care: A Human Right.” (PIA)
Quirino’s Panagdadapun to showcase “Wow Pagayaya, celebrating life in the valley”
Cabarroguis, Quirino (18 August) — It’s all systems go for Quirino’s 38th Founding anniversary celebration on September 8-10 which will showcase the Cagayan Valley’s popular festivals to be participated by the best street dancers from this province and from the region’s other provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan including the cities of Cauayan and Santiago.
Dubbed as “Panagdadapun”, an Ilocano word for which means assembly, the celebration will feature various activities such as Search for Mr. and Miss Quirino, jobs fair, medical/dental mission, cataract operation, skills demonstration 3rd Governor’s cup, skydiving, and the participation of Department of Tourism during the anniversary parade on September 10.
During the first quarter meeting of the Regional Tourism Council in Cauayan City, the tourism officers of the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and the cities of Cauayan and Santiago have finalized their activities in the Panangdadapun Festival.
Diwa has asked the participation of provincial tourism officers through selecting their province’s best street dancers of at least 50 members to perform during Quirino’s Panagdadapun festival.
The Department of Tourism is the lead agency in the promotion of arts, music, dances, festivals, tourism destinations, foods and handicrafts.
The participation of Cagayan Valley’s DOT during the Panagdadapun festival is also a way of promoting region 2′s Pagayaya, the best tourist spots and products in Cagayan Valley.
Quirino’s Provincial Tourism Officer Aurea Martinez felt glad upon hearing the commitments made by DOT and said that the participation of Region 2 provinces during the Panagdadapun is a great contribution to the success of the festival.
She said the provincial government of Quirino deeply recognizes and appreciates the involvement of tourism officers of region 2 especially the street dancing activity which she said would be the highlight and eye-catching activity for Quirinians and tourists. (PIA 2)
