Potable water for barangays in President Arroyo’s agenda
The President’s pronouncement holds water not only for the people of Floridablanca, Pampanga, where she inaugurated a potable water supply system for residents of Barangay Anon, but for all Filipinos since she has made the provision of the basic necessity a part of a Ten-Point Agenda early in her administration.
President Arroyo meant to make potable water available especially to people in the barangays along with electricity, which is also a basic necessity.
The P3.6-million Barangay Anon project will benefit 485 households and 2,910 residents who can now enjoy clean water services from LWUA.
Joining the President in the inauguration were Floridablanca Mayor Eduardo Guerrero, Pampanga 2nd District Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo, Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Chair Prospero Pichay, and other local officials.
The development of the country’s water supply falls under the responsibility of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and other agencies, both government and private, including local government units, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and small and local private water suppliers.
One of the recent major projects that were assisted by LWUA in Western Visayas is the P700-million water treatment plant of Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD) in the province of Capiz which was also inaugurated by President Arroyo.
A number of local water districts have been organized and potable water supply projects implemented in the region with the support of LWUA. (PIA 6-JSC)
Ranking cop official bares new strategies for peace and order in Ilocos
By Freddie G. Lazaro
Police Director Silverio D. Alarcio Jr., head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations for Northern Luzon (DIPO-NL), visited Ilocos region to preside a command conference with the key officials of the police regional office including the four police provincial directors from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
The conference was held to discuss various concerns on peace and security in the region.
In a press interview, he assured that his office would ensure more efficient and effective coordination and supervision of police operations in partnership with the various stakeholders in the Northern Luzon area by formulating a framework to integrate efforts and resources in addressing problems.
“If we are going to reduce to a mathematical equation the mandates of DIPO, we will come up with two formulas. The first is one plus one equals one (1+1=1) formula, which means having one direction in solving problems despite the number of agencies involved. Everybody must be involved in the plan,” Alarcio explained.
“The second formula is one plus one equals three (1+1=3), which signifies that combination of efforts results in synergy, that is to say that combined resources will produce more than the quantity added together,” he added.
According to Alarcio, the said formulas are developing framework or framework in progress that could still enhance and possibly formulate an easier approach to problem-solving by involving the resources of other agencies.
He said that he derived inspiration in formulating the equations from the provisions of Executive Order No. 713 which deals with Re-organizing the Peace and Order Councils, and the activation of the Regional Internal Security Operation Coordinating Office (RISOCO).
In the RISOCO, all the resources on the ground, efforts, and decision-making were integrated.
Meanwhile, Ilocos region police director, Chief Superintendent Ramon V. Gatan assured his support to the mathematical equations in solving the problems of insurgency, terrorism and criminality in the region. (PIA-Ilocos Sur)
PGMA orders probe of NAIA power outages
Deputy Spokeperson Anthony Golez said that the authorities would await the result of the probe before making any decision.
“The Palace has instructed airport officials, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to submit a report as soon as possible regarding the (power outage) incident and we expect them very soon to be submitted before the Office of the President,” Golez said.
“We will base our next steps from their report. We will determine who is at fault because what happened goes against the principle of giving safety to our passengers,” he added.
Airport officials said the power supply of their radar at the control tower broke down at 2 p.m. Sunday, forcing the diversion of several incoming international and local flights to other airports.
“The tower cannot communicate with the radar and they cannot guide the airlines to land and depart… so it is a safety issue,” airport general manager Alfonso Cusi explained.
Cusi noted that some international flights were diverted to Hong Kong while other incoming flights were ordered to land in other airports. (PIA)
PGMA prioritizes completion of infrastructure projects nationwide
Manila (14 September) — With barely nine months left on her term, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is making sure her legacy infrastructure projects are completed before she bows out of office next year.
President Arroyo’s infrastructure development program aims to link up the country’s urban and rural economies and spur growth nationwide.
She underscored the critical importance of these infrastructure projects to the economic development of the Super Regions.
Of her 149 priority infrastructure projects, 39 have been completed including six road and bridge projects, 21 ports; three airports, six power and electrification projects, one irrigation project, one sanitary landfill, and the Revenue Watch Dashboard of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
There are ongoing 67 civil works, 26 of which are set to be completed this year. The remaining 43 projects are still undergoing project design/procurement.
For this year alone, the infrastructure budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of more than 4,000 kilometers (km) of national road and 788 lineal meters (lm) of bridges throughout the country, has amounted to P25.58 billion.
As more priority projects are completed, the economic gains from infrastructure development continue to bring more good news and hope to more communities in the country’s regions and super regions.
The government has embarked on massive investments in infrastructure from 2001 to 2009. According to the DPWH, 29,370 km of national road network and 314,453 lm of national bridges have been completed during the Arroyo administration.
Major road projects that are currently being implemented in the super regions such as the Halsema Highway and the Bontoc-Tabuc-Tuguegarao Road of Cordillera will bring North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle (NLAQ)’s food baskets closer to urban markets.
Critical projects have already been completed in Luzon including the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) 2, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTex), and the EDSA Rehabilitation Project.
The government has likewise completed the construction of the P2.2-billion Bohol Circumferential Road in Central Philippines and now links the Port of Tubigon to Tagbilaran City, down to the Port of Jagna in the south of Bohol, and all the way up to the Port of Ubay in the northeast part of the island.
Currently, there are seven road projects that have ongoing civil works in Central Philippines, including the P8.16 billion El Nido-Bataraza-Rio Tuba Road with an overall accomplishment of 46.45 percent which will be completed next year; the P1.24 billion Esperanza-Aroroy Road to be completed by yearend; the P2.37 billion Cebu North Coastal Road (Cansaga Bay Bridge) due for completion next year; the P2.74 billion Panay Island Road Package; the P3.22 billion Laoang-Lapinig-Arteche-San Policarpio Road to be completed in 2013; the P1.24 billion San Isidro-Lope de Vega Road; and the P7.13 billion Maharlika Highway to be completed next year.
In Mindanao, the notable developments include the P2.1 billion, 882-meter Diosdado Macapagal Bridge, also known as the Butuan Bridge in Butuan City, that provides an alternate, all-weather, and transport-efficient link across the Agusan River.
Out of the 28 priority infrastructure projects in Mindanao, three road projects such as the Hawilian-Salug-Sinakungan Barangay Road, Dapitan-Dakak Road, and Surigao-Davao Coastal Road are still ongoing with above 50 percent accomplishment.
While many of these projects are scheduled to be completed by 2010, some multi-year facilities will be finished only after 2010.
These infrastructure projects are integral part of the President’s long-term goal of achieving a seamless, efficient and cheaper means of transporting people and goods through the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) and the soon-to-be completed “Aeronautical Highway.” (PIA)
DSWD-2 forms grievance committee to resolve 4Ps beneficiaries’ complaints
Ilagan, Isabela (14 September) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-2) has initiated the creation of Provincial Grievance Committee to address the complaints that emanate from the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in the province.
The committee will be tasked to act on complaints that will be reported by the Municipal Link point persons that are fielded in the 4Ps area.
The problems include late payments of monthly subsidy, provision of health and education facilities and services in the three municipalities, corruption, fraud, extortion and other related issues, and external pressures.
The municipalities of San Mariano, Divilacan and Palanan were identified by DSWD to be the beneficiaries of the 4Ps in Isabela through the survey Proxy-Means Test and not LGUs recommendations.
There were 4,072 family beneficiaries in San Mariano, 1,398 in Palanan and 420 in Divilacan respectively.
4Ps beneficiaries are provided by the national government through the DSWD with P6,000 a year or a P500 per month per household for health and nutrition expenses; and P3, 000 for one school year or 10 months or P300/month per child for educational expenses and a maximum of three children is allowed thus, each household with three qualified children (0-14 yrs, old) will have a subsidy of P1,400 per month or P15,000 annually.
The subsidy is deposited monthly in the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) where family beneficiaries can withdraw on a monthly basis.
In the case of the coastal towns of Palanan and Divilacan where there are no LBP branch in those two areas, the LBP management delivers the subsidy to the beneficiaries through an “off-site over-the-counter” payment. (PIA Isabela)
Quirino’s Panagdadapun showcases agri-trade fair, “Balay ni Angkuan” and street dancing
Cabarroguis, Quirino (14 September) — The province’s 38th Araw ng Quirino dubbed as Panagdadapun 2009 is being highlighted through showcasing Quirino’s agricultural and furniture products and presentation of best and awesome street dancing from the provinces and cities of Cagayan Valley.
No less than the head of the Philippine Information Agency, Regional Director Purita S. Licas who was the guest speaker during the opening program, formally opened the agriculture and trade fair last September 17 to the town’s six booths including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showcase area.
Quirinians, local tourists, and people from nearby towns and provinces got the chance to buy the One-Town One-Product (OTOP) from the six municipalities of Quirino displayed inside and outside the booths.
Agricultural products such as fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, and furniture products were displayed and sold to visiting local tourists, and the promotion of each municipality’s tourists spots or destinations.
The “Balay ni Angkuan”, a battlecry of Quirino’s Nutrition Committee to mitigate hunger in the province was also launched after the opening of agri-trade fair.
At the “balay ni Angkuan” stands a mini-nipa hut with lots of vegetable plants grown in its surroundings. There were also leaflets, flyers and tarpaulins displayed inside the hut as IEC materials for promoting good nutrition.
On the 10th of September, street dancers from the five provinces of Cagayan Valley and two cities gracefully performed with full energy that awed the viewing public.
The presentation of street dancing was contributed by the Department of Tourism-region 2 through its provincial and city tourism offices. (PIA Isabela)
PA, PNP declare La Union insurgency-free
By Miriam P. Aquino
San Fernando City, La Union (14 September) — “The Province of La Union is indeed a very peaceful province”. Thus declared the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) when they signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the provincial government of La Union for a “Joint Declaration of Insurgency-Cleared Areas and Partnership for Strengthening the Internal Security in the Province”.
Signatories to the MOA were Provincial Governor Manoling C. Ortega, Major General Nestor Z. Ochoa, AFP Commander, 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and PNP Regional Director PC/Supt. Ramon V. Gatan. Witnesses to this signing were non other than the PNP Chief General Jesus A. Verzosa and La Union 1st District Congressman Victor F. Ortega.
Signed at the Diego Silang Hall of the Provincial Capitol, this MOA, according to Maj. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, “symbolizes a unified province that has attained peace through a convergence effort, thru transparency and holistic approach.”
The MOA pushes for “role shifting” of responsibilities, that after clearing Northern Luzon of communist insurgents, focus shifts in addressing vital local issues that blocks our chances for future economic growth and development.
The declaration of “La Union Province as cleared of NPA or armed component of the Communist Terrorist insurgency” is a one-step forward for the common goal to totally eradicate communist terrorism for the whole of Northern Luzon.
Also during the event, the La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO) headed by P/Supt. Noli G. Taliño, presented three NPA guerillas, who recently surrendered with San Juan Police Chief Inspector Marlon Paiste. They were Rona Morales a.k.a. “Kumander Maya”; Cris Morales, husband of Rona; and Richard Crispe, all from Northern Samar.
The excellent peace and order situation in the province prompted them to surrender here, Taliño said, as their comrades who surrendered earlier in Samar were liquidated.
A.45 caliber pistol which was turned over to the PNP was also presented to the public during the program.
Resolving the insurgency problem brings assurance to the people’s safety as well as gaining back investor confidence and tourist influx in the Ilocano region. (PIA RO-LU)
NVizcaya Hospital Eyes More Income
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya (14 September) — Health officials here are in high spirits of surpassing the generated income of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital(NVPH) in barangay San Antonio here.
“We have strong belief that we will surpass the NVPH’s income last year because of our newly-developed and expanded health services, equipments and facilities,” claimed Dr. Edwin Galapon, chief of the NVPH.
In 2008, NVPH generated more than P35 million from its various services. As of August this year, NVPH has already generated P25 million.
Galapon said that the continuing development, upgrading and expansion of its facilities, equipments and buildings will trigger the influx of more patients because of comfort, ease and satisfaction brought by their improving health care services.
Just recently, the P12.4 million mobile clinic has been acquired while expansion of the NVPH private rooms, payward buildings and administrative building is underway. (bme/PIA NVizcaya)
NVizcaya Police Moves to Account for Loose Firearms
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (14 September) — The Philippine National Police(PNP) recently coordinated with other law enforcement agencies here to help facilitate, track and account loose firearms in the province.
Police Supt. Pedro Danguilan, police provincial director said they have just conducted a meeting with law enforcement agencies of the government such as the National Bureau of Investigation(NBI), Bureau of Jail management and Penology(BJMP), Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP), Land Transportation Office(LTO), Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) and the PNP-Highway Patrol Group(PNP-HPG) among others to help in the National Firearms Control Program(NFCP).
NFCP intends to account, track, recover and legitimize loose firearms owned by law enforcers, local and national government officials, private individuals and those acquired by criminal syndicates.
“We intend to facilitate specially gun owners who were not able to renew their licenses and those who still do not have legal papers and those which are under the custody of individuals,” Danguilan told PIA.
He said that in the province alone, there are 1,207 firearms which have already expired and unlicensed.
From this figure, 65 long and short firearms belong to criminal elements operating in Nueva Vizcaya.
“With the amnesty program however, there are many gun owners who have already responded and availed and we have already accounted 12 loose firearms from criminal groups,” Danguilan said.
He also expressed optimism that more gun owners will avail of the amnesty program so that control and prevention and execution of crimes will be properly addressed. (bme/PIA NVizcaya)
DOST assists small entrepreneurs in Mt Province
by Juliet B. Saley
Bontoc, Mt. Province (12 September) — To encourage more entrepreneurs to improve their productivity and competitiveness, the Department of Science and Technology through its Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) is providing soft loans to individuals and groups.
The SET-UP is a nationwide strategy encouraging and assisting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to adopt technology innovations to improve their operations and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness.
Based on the records of DOST Provincial Office here, there are ten SETUP supported firms in Mt. Province who were granted a total loan of P2,533,410.00.00.
This financial assistance is used to acquire modern equipment to improve their products. The acquired equipment will still be under the supervision of the DOST until such time that the loan would have been paid then it will be turned over to the owner of the business firm.
SETUP granted loan to the following beneficiaries: Lusad Furniture Shop who was granted a loan of P250,000.00, Robert’s Furniture Shop with a SETUP loan of P275,000.00, Feken Finakkar Integrated Farm, P80,000.00,and Maligcong Citrus Nursery with P150,000.00. the four are all operating in the municipality of Bontoc.
The Sagada Weaving and Souvenir Shop was granted P450,000.00 while the Daw-as Farm, also in Sagada, received P105,000.00.
The Triboundary Vegetable Farm of Monamon Sur, Bauko was granted a loan of P724,410.00; and the Kadaclan Furniture Shop of Barlig received a loan assistance of P100,000.00.
The Maguen L.C. Wood Workshop and Ol-is FCM Shop, both of Tadian, received loan assistance of P324,000.00 and P75,000.00 respectively.
According to Fernando Pinos-an of DOST provincial office, the Maguen L.C. Wood Workshop that operated his business in the municipality of Tadian has transferred to Baguio city. Pinos-an said DOST Provincial Director Norberto Cobaldez made a request to Urban Technology Center of Baguio City to supervise the operation of said business.
The ten SET-UP supported firms have employed a total of 65 workers.
Qualified to apply under the program are individuals or groups who have maintained their business for at least three consecutive years to assure the capability of the entrepreneurs to sustain their business and pay back the loan which is payable within a maximum of three years without interest. (PIA MP)
