Feature: Camarines Sur benefits from DFA, NSO services
by CR Fernandez
The services provided by the NSO have complemented the Mobile Passport Servicing (MPS) carried out by personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Consular Office based in Legazpi City.
The MPS has laid the coordinative efforts in order for NSO to immediately address the common problem encountered by individuals bound for travel abroad who are unnecessarily delayed by flaws in their birth and marriage documents, these being indispensable requirements in securing a passport.
Nonetheless, the NSO service unit would serve as a service conduit for those with similar concerns with the agency.
The MPS is initiated by Gov. Luis Ray Villafuerte and now among the “frontline services” of the provincial government, through the Camarines Sur Employment Center (CSEC).
Slated every first and third Monday and Tuesday of every month, NSO personnel caters to locals who need authentication of their birth and marital documents at the provincial capitol building in a more cozy and relaxed condition, a far cry from the scenario at its Naga Office where a long line of people await their turn under the searing heat of the sun or inclement weather condition.
Thus, it is expected that more and more constituents of CamSur would opt to have their documents processed by the NSO at the provincial capitol building as more and more people come to know of its services, just as more and more people are availing of the MPS at the same venue.
The DFA has processed a total of 1,931 passports from January to August, this year.
As an indispensable component of its program on providing assistance to its constituents in landing jobs either locally or abroad, the provincial government assures that NSO servicing here will be maintained. (MMEC/PIA)
Arroyo regime builds infra more than other administrations – Puno
By Danny O Sagun
Puno, who came to this capital town to induct more than 13,500 members of the newly-formed barangay peacekeeping action teams (BPATs) from this big province, also revealed that the present administration performed “record-high” accomplishments in health, tourism and the economy. “Itong adminitrasyong ito ang nagligtas sa atin sa global economic meltdown dahil sa mga matapang na desisyon sa fiscal reforms,” he said.
The DILG secretary, who admitted that he has presented himself available for the second highest post in the land in the next elections, gave credit to the accomplishments of the predecessors of President Macapagal-Arroyo particularly on infrastructure projects. “Pero ang administrasyong Arroyo ang nakagawa ng mas maraming proyekto,” he stressed.
Asked if BPATs would be the same as that of the barangay auxiliary force or commonly known as tanod, Puno explained that members of the BPAT will engage only in peacekeeping functions like watching the neighborhood and reporting problems to concerned authorities like the police. The BPATs, he clarified, do not engage in police functions like going after criminals or defusing trouble. “Hindi sila inaasahang sumagupa o tugisin ang mga kriminal hindi kagaya ng mga tanod,” he said.
He allayed fears that the BPATs will only be used for political purposes. “Kung namili siguro ng mga barangay para magtatag ng BPAT, pero naorganisa ito sa lahat ng mga barangay. At kung may lalabag puede silang kasuhan, he said.
On his infomercials, Puno said that they were produced in order to inform the people of what are being done by the various government agencies like the DILG. “Kung wala yang infomercial ng DILG, sinong makakaalam na mayrong 3,000 na pulis na kinukuha taon-taon o kaya yong women;s desk sa mga istasyon ng pulis?” he asked.
“Ang ikinuwento ko yong ginagawa ng aking departamento, hindi kung ano yong sinakyan ko o buhay ko nong maliit pa ako,” he added in apparent dig to those infomercials produced for Senators Manuel Roxas and Manuel Villar.
He said he did not attend the Senate hearing called by Senator Miriam Santiago regarding his infomercials because of the BPAT mass induction. “Dahil mahal ko kayo kaya I am here,” he said as he jokingly noted that he was not courting the feisty lady senator. Puno is said to be a smart political operator who helped former President Fidel V. Ramos win the 1992 elections over Santiago.
In his opening remarks at the press conference, Puno praised Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for the facelift of the provincial Capitol compound. “I congratulate the governor and his administration. Sa lahat na ng napuntahan ko, at ito’y pang-anim na para sa mass induction ng BPAT, this is the cleanest, best-looking and best designed, and best in everything na Capitol,” he said to the delight of the governor who seated beside him.
Also on hand were Vice-Gov. Marlyn Agabas, first district Rep. Arthur Celeste and PNP Regional Director Ramon Gatan. (PIA Pangasinan)
GMA inaugurates one-stop wellness center August 14
The George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center is a 100-bed tertiary hospital owned and operated by the George Dewey Medical College, Inc., a 5-year old nursing college. It sits on a 12-hectare facility, perched on top of a hill surrounded by a lush forest.
“The Center is our response – the Philippine response-to the Challenge posed by our neighbors like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia for leadership in Medical tourism,” Dr. Carmen Dinglasan, the George Dewey president said.
President Arroyo will lead a group of leaders from Olongapo City, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Guam and the medical community in the opening of the one-stop medical and wellness center.
Located at Villa Amorosa, Upper Cubi, inside the Freeport, the center has the potential to become a leader in medical tourism. Many of its medical staff were trained in the United States and Europe and are some of the best in their fields of specialization in the country. Many of the doctors are speakers in International conventions.
Because of its proximity to Central and Northern Luzon, the George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center can serve the medical and health needs of the residents from Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, parts of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, CagayanValley, Isabela, La Union, the Ilocos provinces and the Clark Economic Zone.
Some of is services include cardiac surgery; joint and hip replacement; reconstructive surgery; corneal transplant; refractive surgery and multi-focal intraocular lens implantation; stem cell rejuvenation; sleep disorder therapy; transplant surgery; laboratory analysis; pain management; fertility clinic and dental implants.
In addition, the Center is a health resort for retirees. It caters to persons seeking medical treatment, checkup or have concerns about their well-being. When fully developed, it will have boutique stores, mini-groceries, a sports complex, a 500-unit condominium, a business center, fine restaurants, coffee shops, a conference center and places of worship for people of all beliefs.
Some of the people behind George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center are Dr. Fe Hidalgo (President George Dewey Medical College, former Undersecretary, Dept. of Education); Dr. Ruby Cereneo (VP for Academic affairs, George Dewey Medical College; former Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Lyceum of the Philippines; Rony Diaz (former publisher, The Manila Times, former Labor undersecretary and former chief of a regional program of the International Labor Organization based in Islamabad); Dr. Carmen N. Dinglasan (President, George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center and one of the two owners of Makati Eye Laser Center at the Fort); Ms. Winnie C. Monsod (former head of NEDA and the UP School of Economics. She is the George Dewey Medical and Welless Center chairperson); Dr. Manuel Chua Chiaco (Medical Director, George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center, a well-known, highly respected heart surgeon from the Philippine Heart Center); and Jose Araullo (former chairman of the Araullo, Punongbayan and Associates).
George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center is part of Villa Amorosa, a self-contained health resort for retirees, medical practitioners and medical students. A $30 million medical- tourism project, it employs 200 medical staff and health-related workers and would need another 300 for its shopping areas, sports complex, restaurants and condominiums when they open in 2010. It is the first of its kind in the Philippines. (PIA)
Tree planting to save Mother Earth held in Laguna
Laguna (13 August) — Various groups and stakeholders have united and taken the lead as they conducted a tree planting activity in Brgy. Casile, Cabuyao, Laguna last July 24, 2009 to protect and preserve Mother Nature.
This is in response to the worsening condition of the environment brought about by climate change. Leading the group is Laguna Gov. Teresita “Ningning” S. Lazaro who is a staunched advocate of environmental protection and preservation.
In fact, the activity complements the Sulong Kapaligiran (Environment) program of the Provincial Government of Laguna, a pillar under Gov. Lazaro’s flagship 7-Point Agenda which she has been implementing way back in 2001 when she assumed the province’s top post.
This undertaking is a joint project of the Provincial Government of Laguna, the Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), Miss Earth-Philippines, the Municipal Government of Cabuyao, and the Barangay Government of Casile.
With the success of the recent activity, all stakeholders are determined to promote sound environmental programs such as tree planting activities to address a global problem like climate change. (PIA)
No hospital holiday in Pangasinan on August 15
By Danny O Sagun
Dagupan City (13 August) — No private hospital here in Pangasinan is going to go on holiday on August 15 as earlier warned by the hospital association because of the mandated slash in prices of medicines, the head of a known private hospital told a media forum Wednesday.
Dr. Viviencio Villaflor of the Villaflor Memorial Hospital said that there was no intention by his hospital and any other medical facilities in Pangasinan to join the so-called hospital holiday. “Wala kaming balak na sumama dyan,” he said.
He noted that those private hospitals which have large stocks of medicines were the ones complaining because of possible losses with the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines law.
He said the affected hospitals may have to talk to their suppliers as to measures they would adopt so they would not suffer huge losses.
Meanwhile, Villaflor urged Pangasinenses to continue their support to the Pangasinan Red Cross of which he is the chapter president. The doctor and his fellow Red Cross volunteers guested at the weekly Engkwentro sa Lenox forum.
Being a Class “B” chapter, the Pangasinan Red Cross needs to source out donations of some P7 million a year to support its lean staff and its various services.
Maybelyn Fernandez, an active Red Cross volunteer from this city, said that the amount is easily depleted especially when disaster strikes.
She also called on able-bodied individuals to donate blood to the Red Cross even as she debunked some myths on blood donation. She said that a person who has tattoo can donate blood one year after having such body mark. A woman who has given birth can also donate blood after one year, she added.
Red Cross, she pointed out, is not just about blood. “We render a lot of services,” she said citing as example the chapter’s feeding program for young school kids in the public schools. (PIA Pangasinan)
Police are partners in resolving crimes, Pangasinan prosecutor says
By Danny O Sagun
Dagupan City (13 August) — The prosecution and the police are indispensable partners in the resolution of criminal complaints, the Pangasinan prosecutor pointed out Thursday in a media forum.
Provincial Prosecutor Segundino P. Ferrer said that because of such partnership, the prosecutors work closely with the police in preparing necessary information and complaints against persons accused of committing crimes.
“Hindi kami nagkokontrahan kundi nagtutulongan kami,” Ferrer told the KBP Forum at the Philippine Information Agency where he guested along with Assistant Prosecutor Ma. Teresa Porlucas.
Ferrer was reacting to the remarks aired by Sr. Supt. Percival Barba in last week’s edition of the forum. “Ang hinanhanap nila yong mali namin, instead na i-guide kami. They should tell us kung ano yong technicalities,” the provincial director was quoted as saying.
Ferrer explained that the prosecution determines if there is a probable cause – a possibility that an accused committed the crime- in filing a case a against a suspects or suspects. If there was none, then the prosecution would dismiss the case, he said. “Our job is not only to prosecute but to do justice,” he also said, highlighting the quasi-judicial function of the prosecutor’s office.
The prosecutor assigned to a case has 60 days to resolve it, according to Polucas. “Kung di pa gumalaw o nagdesisyon yong prosecutor, puede kayong lumapit sa provincial prosecutor para magreklamo,” she said.
Ferrer, meanwhile, reacted strongly when told about an alleged admission by a prosecutor himself that some cases are dismissed because of pay-offs. “I do not allow that here in Pangasinan. Do not believe in intrigues. Ginagawang dahilan lang yan, na nabayaran daw ang pulis o ang prosecutor o ang judge kung nadismiss ang isang kaso. We hope you understand the nature of our work,” he said.
Porlucas noted that even if a case is dismissed by a prosecutor for some reasons, a complainant can still “go to the higher level” especially if the evidence is strong.
On buy-bust operations where most complaints filed by the police are dismissed by the prosecution, she said that there are requisites to be considered: 1) there must be a report from a concerned citizen, 2) that surveillance was conducted for three to seven days, and 3) there was a test-buy. “Kung wala ang mga ito, we have no other option but to dismiss the case,” she said. “Kahit totoong drugs nga yon, pero di naman naayon sa batas ang pagkakuha” she also noted.
“Masakit din sa amin pag nadismis ng korte ang isang kaso because of some lapses kaya maingat din kami,” Ferrer said. “Ayaw namin yong sinasabi ng ibang kapulisan na bahala na ang piskal dyan. Walang ganyanan,” he added.
Two weeks ago, the provincial prosecutor’s office had a dialogue with ranking police officers during a district conference to thresh out issues in the preparation of information regarding criminal cases. The government lawyers also gave lectures on Article 125 of the revised penal code and other laws. (PIA Pangasinan)
Farmers prefer to sell produce to private traders despite NFA’s higher buying price
Cabarroguis, Quirino (13 August) — The National Food Authority (NFA) here has disclosed that their accomplishment for palay procurement from January to June 30, 2009 is only 1,880 bags over its target of 21,000 bags, representing only 0.22 percent participation to production for the first semester.
Based on the accomplishment report of NFA, (a copy of which was obtained by PIA), farmers still prefer to sell their stocks to private traders with an average ex-farm prices ranging from P15-P16/kg of clean and dry palay of ordinary variety despite the better price of P18.25 being offered by NFA.
The report further stated that majority of farmers could not sell their produce to NFA due to the absence of mechanical dryers which could be used for drying the palay during rainy seasons.
NFA has four (4) existing mechanical dryers with a total capacity of 335 bags per day. These dryers are located at Maddela FLGC, Diffun FLGC and GID 2 warehouse at Cabarroguis, Quirino.
Private traders are taking advantage of procuring wet stocks at low prices because they have their own mechanical dryers which could be used to process their procured wet stocks.
The report also said that farmers have no choice except to deliver their produce to the private traders whom they owed much for their farm inputs and other family expenses.
It further stated that this has been a long practice of small farmers in the province thus living standards of these farmers could hardly be uplifted. (PIA 2)
NVizcaya to join OTOP trade fair in Mega Manila
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (13 August) — The Nueva Vizcaya Entrepreneurs Association(NVEA) will join this year’s provincial One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) trade fair in Metro Manila from August 21 to September 1 this year.
Ma. Salvacion Castillejos, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry said the marketing event will feature OTOP of various towns of the province such as processed food, fresh fruits and vegetables, gifts and holiday decors, furniture and furnishings and ornamental plants.
She the province’s local products such as the delicious ‘tupig’ of Solano town, the famous Vizcaya oranges of Kasibu town, the wonder root crop ‘Yacon’ of Dupax del Norte town, fresh fruits and vegetables of Kayapa town, beautifully crafted rattan baskets and softbrooms of Sta. Fe town, the pottery items of Aritao town and the veggie noodles of Bayombong town.
The “NV goes to Alabang-proudly Vizcayano” trade fair delegation is sponsored by the provincial government and DTI. (PIA NVizcaya)
Yacon farmers get funding aid
Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya (13 August) — The municipal government here has offered soft loans to farmers of the wonder crop ‘Yacon’ inorder to propagate its supply for huge demand.
Nereo Fragata, municipal administrator said the local government unit designed the assistance to revive the decreasing farmers of Yacon in this town.
“Yacon has been our OTOP product here and with this scheme, we hope to bring back its abundance to help our upland farmers in earning income,” he told PIA.
Under the loan scheme, farmers can avail of P20,000.00 to P25,000.00 as capital inorder to propagate the local product.
Farmers of Yacon in this town have been discouraged for a couple of years due to their bankruptcy brought by unscrupulous businessmen who failed to pay them.
Since then, Yacon farmers have dwindled in number, others have opted to plant other agricultural products to regain their financial loses. (PIA NVizcaya)
Yacon farmers get funding aid
Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya (13 August) — The municipal government here has offered soft loans to farmers of the wonder crop ‘Yacon’ inorder to propagate its supply for huge demand.
Nereo Fragata, municipal administrator said the local government unit designed the assistance to revive the decreasing farmers of Yacon in this town.
“Yacon has been our OTOP product here and with this scheme, we hope to bring back its abundance to help our upland farmers in earning income,” he told PIA.
Under the loan scheme, farmers can avail of P20,000.00 to P25,000.00 as capital inorder to propagate the local product.
Farmers of Yacon in this town have been discouraged for a couple of years due to their bankruptcy brought by unscrupulous businessmen who failed to pay them.
Since then, Yacon farmers have dwindled in number, others have opted to plant other agricultural products to regain their financial loses. (PIA NVizcaya)
Korina says mining projects must be fully studied
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (13 August) — TV host Korina Sanchez said there is a need to balance the development and protection of the environment inorder to preserve the environment while building the lives of the poor sector in the country.
“There is a need to balance both sides of the issue. The environment should not be compromised while reaping the benefits of our natural resources,” Sanchez said during a press conference at the Sta. Mary’s University (SMU) here.
Sanchez said however that some mining projects in the country are well studied by the government and its proponents so that it does not damage the environment while gaining the benefits from within.
She was in the province as guest speaker for the Indigenous Peoples day celebration Saturday(August 
organized by the Nueva Vizcaya Peoples Organizations (NVPO). (PIA NVizcaya)
Korina says mining projects must be fully studied
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (13 August) — TV host Korina Sanchez said there is a need to balance the development and protection of the environment inorder to preserve the environment while building the lives of the poor sector in the country.
“There is a need to balance both sides of the issue. The environment should not be compromised while reaping the benefits of our natural resources,” Sanchez said during a press conference at the Sta. Mary’s University (SMU) here.
Sanchez said however that some mining projects in the country are well studied by the government and its proponents so that it does not damage the environment while gaining the benefits from within.
She was in the province as guest speaker for the Indigenous Peoples day celebration Saturday(August organized by the Nueva Vizcaya Peoples Organizations (NVPO). (PIA NVizcaya)
