“Manoling” celebrates bday with poor
By Jennilyne C. Role
“The good Governor decided to instill in the minds of the people that the government is here, willing to help and support at all times through various reach out activities in celebration of his 64th birthday that actually falls tomorrow, August 7,” La Union Provincial Information and Tourism Officer Adamor Dagang said during the PIA “Ammuentayo” radio program aired live over DZNL-Aksyon Radyo today.
Among the activities include the first monday flag raising held infront of the Capitol Building, this city on August 3, followed by a media salo-salo that coincides with the launching of the “TXT-MATE KO SI GOV” that draws positive reactions from the people.
According to Dagang, “TXT-MATE KO SI GOV” is a one-year in the making program that aims to entertain messages, comments, querries or immediate concerns that can be addressed by the Governor without personally seeing him or going to the provincial capitol.
To text the governor, just type PGLU (space) MSG (space) message/name/address and send it to 0915-4495689 for Globe and Touch Mobile and its 0919-9431908 for Smart and Talk and Text subscribers.
Employment and special jobs fair was held whole day of August 4 at Lorma Colleges, this city, and a ceremonial launching of the Environmental Sanitation Infra Assistance (Sanitasyon Para Kadatayo Amin Program) at Diego Silang Hall, Capitol Building.
Despite proclamation of a holiday yesterday, August 5, the Governor pursued with the “Operation Rang-ay ti Barangay (ORB)”, as earlier planned at Bawanta, Bauang, La Union
ORB is a social medical-dental cum information caravan program of the Provincial Government of La Union where various regional line agencies deliver their respective services to the people, along with a free medical-dental check up with free medicines and other vital assistance.
Such program is cognizant with the President’s directive to reduce poverty incidence by 2015 as stated in the Millennium Development Goals.
A mass wedding with a sumptuous reception was prepared by the provincial government to cater to the financial constraints of the constituents to have a decent spiritual marriage.
This morning, the “OLAN MANUEL”, a supplemental feeding program was launched at Barangay Poro, this city.
As an innovation, two vital infrastructure projects was also blessed and inaugurated that include the provincial jail library to address the needs of information through self study to ease boredom of the prisoners at the jail and the improved female detention cell/perimeter fence to cater to a decent and safe housing of female prisoners in the province.
In response, local officials and residents planted 64 trees coined as “Alay Kay Governor” Tree Planting Program at Barangay Masicong, this city.
“Tomorrow, there will be a sports and physical fitness for Provincial Employees followed by the ground breaking of Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center that was put up near Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center and Police Regional Office I in Parian, this city,” Dagaing said.
Right after, a thanksgiving mass and a fellowship lunch will be held and a birthday program follows.
“The governor extends his invitation to all constituents to his 64th birthday celebration tomorrow,” Dagang closes. (PIA RO1/La Union)
Commentary: Cory as icon of survival
By Bong Pedalino
Tita Cory, as she was fondly called, was a model character of survival, both in ordinary life and in her reluctant entry into Philippine politics.
Her husband, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, did not mince words when he predicted that the next President after Marcos would wear out after six months in office like a horse manure.
Little did Ninoy knew that her wife would be the next President after Marcos, yet she endured not just a horse manure, whatever that meant as Ninoy described it, but a string of coups-de-etat that rocked her administration.
***
The moment she was diagnosed with colon cancer, nobody would have thought she would last a year longer, but she did live more than a year, defying expectations.
At one point, all was A-okay with her, thanks to unceasing prayers and fervent divine petitions that stormed the heavens, until the disease took the better from her, and death eventually intervened.
But the year-long survival was in itself a miracle, showing a woman of spectacular strength and vigor even as she battled it out with a crippling ailment.
*****
In 2005 she did join calls for the Administration to step down, but that was a signature Cory act, one which takes a stand on issues as she sees fit from her perspective.
Let us respect that, and not let it muddle our sense of loss in her passing, nor make a political capital out of it; certainly you cannot desecrate the name of a revered woman and convert it to advance a selfish brand of politics.
That was her opinion, and in a democratic setting we can always agree to disagree.
*****
Ninoy had said that the Fiipino is worth dying for, and he literally proved it by facing certain death on a collision course.
In Cory’s case, however, death came as a natural course, the deadend of life’s journey.
With apologies to Ninoy, Cory demonstrated that the Filipino is not just worth dying for — the Filipino is worth living for.
By her life she taught us that a Filipino and the Filipino masses as a whole can survive against all odds.
Surely, such a lesson should be considered as one of her legacy to the Filipino people.
*****
LOCAL FRONT: At the height of the Cory-Doy presidential campaign in 1986, the Cory-Doy team was in Maasin campaigning hard to convince the crowd gathered at the public plaza that Ninoy’s memory and sacrifice should not be wasted and in vain. I recall many intelligence agents in civilian clothes taking pictures on our every move, but we openly showed our support nonetheless. History had proven us right.
ODDLY YOURS: When Neil Armstrong landed on the surface of the Moon on July 20, 1969, he said something, but the excited, listening world had not quite heard it right. He was heard as saying, “That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” In 1999, Armstrong protested, insisting that he said, “That’s one small step for ‘a’ man; one giant leap for mankind.” People on Earth did not hear the “a”. But Armstrong was persistent. “The ‘a’ was intended,” Armstrong said at a press conference ten years ago. I thought I said it. I can’t hear it when I listen to the radio reception here on Earth, so I’ll be happy if you just put it in parentheses.” In 2006, however, there was no need for a parentheses, because a computer analysis found evidence that Armstrong said what he said he had said. And NASA was vindicated it had stood by Armstrong’s side all those years. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
Learning science and math now possible online
The website (http://courseware.dost.gov.ph) features interactive and animated science and mathematics modules released in 2006 in CD format and now are made available online. Students, teachers, parents and individuals looking for a novel way to teach and learn about science and math can log on for free.
Director Denis Villorente during the launching recounted the milestones of the courseware project, underlining the significance of information technology in uplifting the student’s imagination, creativity and interest in education. Elementary pupils who attended the science camp in Philippine Science High School -Davao had a hands on experience on some of the modules. They navigated through the courseware webpage and answered exercises that followed the lessons.
DOST Secretary Dr. Estrella Alabastro expressed her support on the project and on the continuing initiative of SEI and ASTI in integrating technology to classroom learning. ASTI and SEI are currently implementing as similar project that plans to develop 500 modules on science and mathematics for the secondary level. These are expected to be completed in 2012. (DOST/PIA4A)
PNP says Cagayan Valley has 30,000 loose firearms
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (3 August) — There are at least 30,000 loose firearms scattered in Cagayan Valley region, Chief Supt. Roberto Damian, PNP Regional Director recently bared.
Damian said half of the figure on loose firearms belong to civilians who have failed and or refused to register them by obtaining proper licenses from the PNP.
“We are encouraging holders of loose firearms to apply for their proper licenses through our “Linis Boga” program,” Damian explained.
The ‘Linis Boga’ program will be implemented from the whole month of October to enable holders of unlicensed firearms to register them.
Damian said there is a need among civilian holders of unlicensed firearms to make their possession legal inorder not to be imposed with penalties and appropriate cases once they are caught. (PIA NVizcaya)
NVizcaya to celebrate World IP Day
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (4 August) — People’s organizations here will be celebrating the World Indigenous Day on August 8 in observance of the recently-approved United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRiP).
Ronald Allan Barnacha, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) trustee and coordinator of the event said the activity will be held at the Tonus Gymnasium of the St. Mary’s University with the theme: “Protect our Tribe, Defend our Patrimony, Strengthen IP Partnerships.”
The IP day will be attended by members of the NV People’s Organizations (NVPO) said Peter Duyapat, NVPO chair such as the Didipio Earth Savers Multi-Purpose Association (DESAMA), Lower Muta Valley Farmers Federation (LMVFF), Kasibu Inter-Tribal Response for Ecological Development (KIRED), Malabing Valley Tribal Development Association (MVTDA), papaya Farmers Association (PFA) and Quezon Multi-Sectoral Conference (QueMSec).
The objectives of the activity are 1.) Raise awareness of the United Nations’ Concern for Indigenous Peoples, 2.) Impart to the local indigenous communities the assertion of self determination, 3.) Build awareness of local authorities on human rights and mining, 4.) Identify possible campaign and advocacy activity support to the communities and 5.) Call for collaborative effort in support to intensifying provincial campaign and advocacy to respect and support indigenous Peoples in the province. (PIA NVizcaya)
DOST now accepts applications to science and technology scholarship exam
Lucena City (4 August) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Science Education Institute is pleased to announce that DOST is now accepting applications to the CY-2010 Science and Technology Scholarship Examination for the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Programs; namely, the Science and Technology Scholarship (RA 7687) and the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship.
Ms. Ma. Esperanza Jawili of the DOST- PSTC-Quezon said the applicants should meet the following qualifications: Belong to the upper 5% of the high school graduating class; a natural-born Filipino citizen; be in good health and of good moral character; have not earned units in any post-secondary/undergraduate course; have not taken any DOST-SEI Science and Technology Scholarship Examination and the applicants have not applied for immigrant status in the USA or any other country.
Jawili added application forms can be obtained and filed at the Science Education Institute, 3/F PTRI Building, DOST Compound, Bicutan Taguig City. Metro Manila; DOST Regional Office No. IV, Jamboree Road Barangay Timugan, Los Banos Laguna or at the DOST-PSTC-Quezon, G/F MSEUF Building, cor. Granja and Enverga Sts. Lucena City.
The deadline for filing of application is on September 30, 2009 (Wednesday) while the date of qualifying exam. is on November 15, 2009 (Sunday) at the designated examination venues. (DOST/PIA Quezon)
“Philippines in Figures 2008″ now off the press, says NSO
By Rizalie A. Calibo
Manila (4 August) — The local National Statistics Office (NSO) here announces the release of the Philippines in Figures (PIF) 2008, a handy, pocket-size booklet that features the most relevant and up-to-date data on the socio-economic facets of the country.
The publication, according to the NSO, contains about 250 indicators covering a wide range of topics such as population and demography; labor and employment income and prices, construction and housing services and tourism; education and literacy; health and welfare crime and delinquency; and other statistics on different sectors like agriculture, fishery; and forestry; manufacturing; mines and minerals, energy, gas, and water; transportation and communications; trade; banking and insurance; national accounts; and public finance.
It also includes a brief historical background of the country; its construction and government, an updated list of the number of provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays in the Philippines, as well as the latest population counts based on the 2007 Census of Population, the NSO said. Some international statistics on world population, area, and density are likewise presented, it added.
The data, which were sourced from the National Statistics Office and various government agencies, are presented on a three-year series for easy comparison and trending. This makes it ideal for students, researchers, planners and policymakers, businessmen, and travelers who would like to have a quick glance of the country.
The PIF is available in hard copy at the Databank and Information Services Division, Publication Sales Unit located at the Ground Floor, Solicarel Building II, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Sta. Mesa, Manila, with telephone numbers 713-7081. Copies may also be available at NSO Siquijor Provincial Office, Siquijor, Siquijor. It is likewise downloadable from the NSO website: http://www.census.gov.ph. (NSO/RTG)
DTI to launch OTOP Awards system
Tuguegarao City (3 August) — The awarding of the outstanding One Town, One Product (OTOP) projects and stakeholders were contributed to the program’s success will highlight the 2nd Regional OTOP Congress to be held here on September 23-30, 2009.
The Awards will give honor to deserving micro-small and medium OTOP entrepreneurs and development partners such as the local government units (LGUs), government institutions, private sector organizations and associations for their extraordinary efforts that placed the OTOP Philippines Program in the forefront of economic development.
Atty. Ma. Esperanza C. Banares, regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry, said the awards will be categorized into: Best OTOP Implementers, Outstanding OTOP Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), and the Most Supportive Partner Organization.
The Best OTOP Implementer will be awarded to LGUs which have shown enthusiasm in implementing OTOP, committed resources and have taken concrete actions towards the attainment of the program’s objective.
The Outstanding OTOP SME will be awarded to micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which have cooperated with the LGUs and partner-agencies, invested resources in the program, thus, contributing to the local economy in terms of employment and trade and to the local economy.
The Most Supportive Partner Organization will also be awarded to organizations and agencies for providing crucial assistance in terms of resources, program support, linkages, and others, thus, influencing positively the progress of the program.
Nida Tumaliuan, division chief of the regional office said the awards will further motivate the stakeholders to strive and perform better.
“We hope to institutionalize these awards system as a mechanism to further boost the commitment of our stakeholders,” she said.
There will be one awardee per category at the provincial, regional and national levels.
Cash prizes as program funds will be awarded to the national and island winners while the regional and provincial winners will be given gift checks. (Zet/PIA 2)
GSIS members post problems on loans, contribution updatesb lyrics lyrics
Tuguegarao City (3 August) — The none updating of membership contributions and loan repayments appeared to be the most serious concerns of the Government Service Insurance System’s members (GSIS) in Region 2.
This is the result of a survey of issues and concerns of GSIS members in the region which was floated to the government employees of different regional line agencies.
In the survey, the respondents’ concern is focused more on the none updating of membership contributions with 86 percent, followed by none updating of loan repayments with 80 percent.
The result also showed that other concerns such as the unprocessed loan applications and the release of insurance benefits that are either unjustified, delayed or not released.
The employees association of the region has submitted a formal letter to GSIS, signed by 72 employees requesting for an updated record of their membership contributions and loan repayments, but GSIS said they cannot produce updated record because of their ‘reposting activity’.
GSIS also explained that due to the problem created by the company who contracted their computerization program, they are currently reposting the records of its members.
The association has also submitted a letter addressed to Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile requesting for a Senate inquiry to address the pressing problems of the employees on their GSIS memberships.
However, the association is yet to confirm whether the Senate President has acted upon their request. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
RDC-2 elevates GSIS members’ complaints to Congress
Tuguegarao City (3 August) — The Regional Development Council (RDC) Region 2 has formally elevated to Congress the complaint of government employees against the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on inefficiency of service despite its full automation program.
Through a formal complaint lodged by the employees association to RDC, the council has formally endorsed the resolution requesting the Chairmen of the Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises of the Senate and the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization of the House of Representatives to conduct an investigation on the complaint lodged to GSIS by its members.
RDC said despite the full automation program of GSIS, government employees are experiencing problems in transacting business with the GIS which indicates that there is gravity and wide scope of the problem, not only in Region 2 but also to other regions.
The common problems being experienced with GSIS include the non-posting and/or delayed posting of contributions and loan amortization; delayed release of claims and benefits such as retirement pay, matured policy claims and educational policy claims; discrepancy on loan records; outdated on-line records; and delayed release and no-receipt of dividends and computation of such remains undisclosed.
The RDC also stated that instead of implementing immediate remedial measures that will address the looming problem, the GSIS seems helpless and insensitive to the plight of the members.
The council further said, as an easy way out, GSIS put blame on its computer system that allegedly bogged down, which could be just one of the operational problems that really needs investigation to ferret out the truth and identify practical solutions to the real problem besting its operation.
RDC 2 also attached same resolution filed by RDC of Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 1, 3, 6, 7 and 10, and further attached copies of articles to numerous print media on the proliferating problems on GSIS’ inefficiencies. (Oliver Baccay/PIA 2)
