DOST-Abra urges applicants for Phil Science High School to submit applications early
by Maritess Beñas
Bangued, Abra (8 August) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Abra Provincial Office is urging applicants for the Freshman Admissions Examination to the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) to file their application forms to the DOST office earlier to catch up with the deadline.
In an interview with Mr. Menandro Buenafe of the DOST-Abra, he advised applicants to file their application forms at least two days before the deadline of submission to the Regional Office to give time for the provincial office to send the applications.
The deadline for submission of applications at the DOST-CAR is on August 31, 2009. However, applicants may submit their forms directly at the PSHS campuses on or before September 9, 2009.
The schedule of examination is November 7, 2009.
The PSHS which operates under one system of governance and management provides scholarships to students with exceptionally high aptitude in science and mathematics. It offers an education that is humanistic in spirit, global in perspective, and patriotic in orientation.
The curriculum of the PSHS has emphasis on science and mathematics, and the development of well-rounded individuals as it prepares students for careers in Science and Technology (S&T) in order that they would contribute to nation building in the future by helping the country attain a critical mass of professionals and leaders in S&T.
Scholarship privileges in the PSHS are fabulous. Scholars are given free tuition fee, free loan of textbooks, monthly stipend, uniform, transportation and living allowances especially those who belong to the low income groups.
Who are eligible for PSHS National Competitive Examination? Graduating elementary pupils from a duly recognized school by the Department of Education who belong to the upper 10% of the current graduating class as certified by the School Principal. However, pupils who have special aptitude in science and math as evidenced by the report card and a recommendation letter, with at least a grade of 85 in all subjects on the 5th and 6th grade may apply even if they do not belong to the upper 10% of the graduating class.
The applicant is a Filipino citizen and has no pending application as immigrant to any country; must not be more than 15 years old by June 30, 2010; must be in good health and fit to undergo a rigorous academic program; must be of good moral character; and must not have taken the PSHS NCE previously.
Applicants are required to accomplish the Application Form in duplicate copies with 2 identical 1×1 ID pictures accompanied by a copy of the report card and letter of recommendation if the applicant does not belong to the upper 10% of the current graduating class. Testing fee is P100.00 for applicants coming from private schools while pupils from public schools are free.
Application forms are now available at the DOST – Abra offices based in the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) in Lagangilang and at the Provincial Capitol Annex Building in Banged as well as the Philippine Information Agency also in the Provincial Capitol Annex Building. (PIA-Abra)
Gov’t vehicles not spared from LTO’s “No Plate, No Travel” policy
by Maritess Benas
Despite clamor from representatives of various government agencies in Abra to the LTO to give special consideration to red plate vehicles of government offices in order not to cause delay in the delivery of basic services of the government, . Eusebio R. Bidalen Bidalen said that the government should be role models in abiding by the laws of the country and therefore should be the first to comply with the rules and regulations to avoid negative comments from the general public who are obliged to register their vehicles.
The request was raised because of the failure of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to facilitate the issuance of the insurance of their vehicles which is one of the requirements in the registration of their vehicles with the LTO.
Another issue on transportation discussed during the monthly meeting of the Provincial Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (PLECC) was the “out-of-line” transport of passengers by tricycle drivers. There are complaints by some jeepney drivers and operators whose passengers are being ferried by some tricycles which deprive them of their supposed passengers.
Meanwhile, Decimia D. Cabang of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported that the livelihood assistance given to former rebels in Abra who have not availed of the said fund assistance from the government at the time of their surrender, are still being processed.
The funds, in the amount of P20,000, is provided by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPPAP).
Since May of this year, the OPPAP has been collaborating with members of the Abra Social Integration Committee (ASIC) chaired by Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin for the awarding of the Social Integration Program (SIP) funds and projects to the former rebels (FRs). Three batches of FRs have been awarded their benefits. The fourth batch will be awarded after the ASIC has verified their records.
The FRs who availed of the SIP funds have invested their cash benefits for their micro-livelihood projects. Most of those in the upland communities particularly in Lacub and Malibcong municipalities are into small scale mining since this is the activity that they know. Others availed of the trainings conducted by the Technical Education Skills Authority (TESDA) for them to be able to start their own livelihood. (PIA-Abra)
PNP urges Abrenios to avail of firearms amnesty
by Maritess Beñas
Camp Villamor, Abra (8 August) — Philippine National Police (PNP)Provincial Director Charlo Collado is urging all Abrenios who possess loose firearms as well as unrenewed licenses to avail of the Firearms Amnesty Program of the government.
In his presentation during the regular meeting of the Provincial Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (PLECC) held at Camp Juan Villamor, here on August 4, Collado, who also chairs the PLECC, explained the mechanics of the application process for the license of firearms.
The following types of firearms covered by license are handguns of various calibers like.22 caliber,.357 magnum up to.45 caliber; shotguns of all gauges; and even high power guns. A fee of P1,000.00 per unit is charged and there is no limit as to the number of units an applicant may apply for licensing.
Collado further emphasized that applicants must be Filipino citizens and at least 21 years of age.
The amnesty program for the renewal of licenses for those who failed to renew their licenses is one-month period which started on August 1 and ends on August 31, 2009. The final amnesty program for the loose firearms will be on October 1-30, 2009.
It can be noted that one of the deterrent factors in crime solution is the proliferation of loose firearms in the province, hence, Abra was tagged as the “Killing Fields of the North” or “The Murder Capital of the Cordilleras” because of the very high volume of crime incidents even outside of the election period.
This is the main problem that the PNP is challenged in Abra. The PNP believes that the problem of criminality could only be minimized with the enforcement of the licensing of firearms because with a data bank on the ballistic records of all firearms in the hands of the general public, investigations could be made easier.
Moreover, the licensing of firearms is also an added revenue generation for the national government with the fees being collected from the license holders.
Relative to this, Collado had made their position paper that they be authorized to conduct the “Gun-Safety Seminar” to the firearms owners for free in order to ensure more firearms owners to avail of the amnesty program since the training certificate is a requirement in the application for a firearms license. (PIA-Abra)
Mt Province sustains procurement of tilapia fingerlings for farmers
by Juliet B. Saley
Bontoc, Mt. Province (8 August) — In support to the anti-poverty and hunger mitigation program of the national government, the provincial government continuous providing funds for the purchase of fingerlings which are given free to fish farmers in the province.
Arsenia Bolasco of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said that from January to June 10 this year, there are 375,000 tilapia fingerlings procured by the province and were distributed to 657 farmers of Ambagiw and Tamboan in the municipality of Besao; Bunot, Bantay and Poblacion all in Paracelis; Betwagan in Sadanga, Tapapan and Lsseb in Bauko;Kadaclan in Barlig; Samoki, Dantay and Tocucan in Bontoc; Tonglayan, Alunogan and Poblacion in Natonin; and almost all barangays of Sagada.
Bolasco said before the distribution of fingerlings, interested farmers shall make a letter of request addressed to the Office of the Provincial Governor. The farmers are required to undergo seminar on fish production before fingerlings are released to them.
Since the provincial government gives fingerlings free, the counterpart of the farmers is the fuel cost of the vehicle that hauls the fingerlings and also the cost of plastic bags where they put the fingerlings.
Bolasco suggests that request for fingerlings shall be done in group so that expenses incurred in the hauling and the plastic bags shall be shared among the group.
Seen as an alternative source of livelihood for the farmers to increase their income and ensure food on the table, Bolasco said the provincial government has been allotting P200,000.00 per year since 2005 for the procurement of tilapia fingerlings which were distributed free to fish farmers.
She said farmers who have maintained big fishponds have started selling grown up tilapia while those who maintained small fishponds, use their produce for family consumption. (PIA MP)
Gov’t continues to provide affordable rice for Pangasinenses
By Venus H. Sarmiento
Lingayen, Pangasinan (7 August) — The government continues to provide quality but affordable rice to Pangasinenses, according to the National Food Authority here.
NFA Western Pangasinan General Manager Ramon Cuaresma said his office continues to sell NFA rice at P18.25 per kilo in ‘Tindahan Natin’ outlets in far flung barangays of the province.
Cuaresma explained that there are rice allocation ledgers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to make sure that the NFA rice goes to the poor who should be prioritized in the availment of affordable rice.
He added that the limit for one family is five kilos of rice. Any ‘Tindahan Natin outlet found not abiding by the rules will face cancellation of rice allocation, Cuaresma said.
At present there are 302 ‘Tindahan Natin’ outlets where 88 of these are in located in barangays accredited by DSWD. Other outlets especially in the Poblacion area sell NFA rice at P25 per kilo.
Curaesma added that not all NFA rice is being imported. Most of the supplies are locally produced, bought by the government from farmers since August to December last year.
He admitted that NFA rice is not as white as well-milled rice because it is only of the regular-milled kind. However, he made sure the NFA rice is of good quality, delicious and smells pleasant.
Cuaresma assured the public that there is an ample supply of rice in his area of responsibility until next harvest season. (PIA-Pangasinan)
Green Groups Send-Off Filipino Tribal Leader to UN
QUEZON CITY – Today, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), an advocacy group and a people’s movement that upholds the rights of the present and future Filipinos against the persisting injustices related to mining, holds a send-off lunch for Filipino indigenous peoples (IPs) leaders who will be leaving for Geneva Switzerland tomorrow to participate in the United Nation’s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) hearing on a complaint filed against the Philippine Government by the Subanon community.
The Filipino Tribal leaders who will be going to Geneva are: Timuay Jose Boy Anoy, the rightful owner of ancestral land in Mt. Canatuan, who was personally given a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has been ejected from his own land by TVI together with his fellow Filipino tribal leaders; Timuay Noval Lambo, Chief Elder of the Subanon Council of Seven Rivers in the Zamboanga Peninsula; and Peter Duyapat, President of the Didipio Earth Savers Movement Association (DESAMA) belonging to the Ifugao community from Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.
The three IP leaders are asserting that their rights to the ancestral domains have been violated, and that the actions of the Philippine government, particularly the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples have been adverse against them.
‘The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) facilitated the formation of a bogus
tribal council in connivance with TVI. There was no genuine free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) given to the mining operations. Our customs, traditions, and beliefs have been disrespected by no less than the government,’ says Timuay Anoy.
According to Timuay Lambo, “The government must tell the truth. We have been waiting for so long. The government’s report, which states that are no indigenous peoples’ discrimination is purely a lie as fabricated by the NCIP, through its incompetent local officials. They should be held accountable.”
Duyapat, whose community is impacted by an Australian mining company, OceanaGold, has been abusing the rights of the indigenous community through militarization, displacements and loss of livelihood. He will raise complaints about their community’s situation. “We strongly demand that the real spirit of IPRA should be implemented and genuine FPIC be sought”, exclaimed Duyapat.
“The World IP Day is observed on August 9 every year and there are 12 million indigenous peoples in the Philippines and the participation of the three IP leaders who will be going to Geneva will speak up, tell their stories and demand that the government should heed their call for their right to self-determination and the United Nations urge and pressure the Republic of the Philippines to address justly, without discrimination, the issues of land rights, militarization, access to justice and protection of indigenous beliefs and practices. ATM will support the initiative of these IP leaders to explore and maximize international venues where they can assert their rights to pursue the protection and enrichment of their indigenous cultures.” said ATM Coordinator Jaybee Garganera.
The CERD is a body of independent experts which monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) by its State parties. The Philippine government, having ratified ICERD is obliged to regularly report to the Committee on how it is being implemented. However, the Government has failed in the required regular reporting, and its current report covers the period of 1998 to 2008.
The ATM is an alliance of mining-affected communities and their support groups of NGOs/POs and other civil society organizations convened by HARIBON, Legal Rights and Natural Resources -Friends of the Earth Philippines (LRC/FOEI) and PhilDHRRA.
For more information:
www. Phillippines-cerd.blogspot.com
Jaybee Garganera, ATM Coordinator, (0915) 315.37.19
Lodel Magabanua, PIPlinks (0917) 887.0109
Gov’t frees P500-M road safety fund for engines conversion
Presidential Management Chief Hermogenes Esperon bared this during a press conference in Panglao two weeks ago.
The fund, which can be used to help drivers switch their engines to liquefied petroleum gas is a government move to slowly shake off from heavy dependence on imported oil amidst the unpredictable price of oil in the global markets.
He said even Bohol transport groups can avail of such fund if only to initiate the switch here.
Esperon, who was then the Armed Forces Chief said the programmed switch to LPG is also in line with the government’s policy on cleaner energy use to mitigate the effects of climate change. (PIA)
PGMA shares secrets with CNBC
Manila (6 August) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told CNBC news that the country’s embarking on a spending spree on vital human and physical infrastructures would soon position the country to an accelerated growth when the world economy rebounds.
She said the country is working without let-up to secure food, fuel, energy, rice self-sufficiency, education and in human and physical infrastructure to accelerate growth, ” the President said.
She said the government’s painful economic reforms in the expanded value added tax (EVAT), allows the country to do that.
EVAT has been heralded as the single biggest act that led to the surge in revenue collection.
Moreover, she said the national attrition law pushed revenue collecting agencies to work doubly hard and the tobacco excise tax according, also greatly contributed to the record breaking tax collections.
The President said that aside from shielding the country from the adverse effects of the global meltdown, the economic reforms have also propped up the image of the Philippines as a very viable investment site. (PIA)
Investments in 3Es for remaining term
In an interview over CNBC, President Arroyo said there are so many things that still need to be done despite the short period left on her term.
“We still have the global economic crisis upon us. So, we still have to address that and not be complacent. A lot of challenges still lie ahead, a lot of work still has to be done within the next year,” she added.
Asked on the issue of her stepping down when her term ends, the President said: “I’ve said it over and over again. My term ends in 2010 but until the last day I’m going to continue to work hard for our economy, our environment and our education. (PIA)
PGMA recalls DTI days under Cory Aquino
Manila (6 August) — Before a global television audience, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo fondly recalled her days under the administration of former President Corazon Aquino who passed away last August 1 after a year-long battle with colon cancer.
“She (Cory) was a great woman and she presided over the most important historical event in our country in the last 100 years and that is the peaceful People Power revolution,” President Arroyo said in an interview with CNBC business news anchor and reporter, Maria Bartiromo. The interview was aired by CNBC at 4:45 p.m. Monday in the United States (4:45 a.m. Tuesday Manila time).
The President, who served as Undersecretary for Trade and Industry during the Aquino administration (1986-1992), told Bartiromo that the interview comes at a time when the Philippines is mourning the death of the acknowledged democracy icon.
She acknowledged the fact that the Philippines has been cited as one of the countries with good gender equity, having had two female presidents within a span of 15 years.
It was actually the second time that Bartiromo had met President Arroyo. They first met in St. Petersburg earlier this year at the International Economic Forum that discussed the global economic crisis.
Impressed by the President’s leadership and her being as astute economist, the CNBC described her as a “petite woman with a big personality.”
She said like many Asian nations, the Philippines depends on exports but “we managed to maintain positive GDP (gross domestic product) growth even in the face of the global economic slump.”
The President said first quarter growth slowed to 0.4 percent while neighbors-Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore-reported negative growths during the period. This, she said, was due to the large amount of remittances from Filipinos overseas, accounting for 10 percent of GNP and in May remittances hit a record $1.4 billion, the President added. (PIA)
