4 Isabela coastal towns affected by typhoon “Pepeng”
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasted last Friday morning that it would make landfall along Aurora-Isabela provinces but it changed its path to Cagayan province last Saturday.
Though the eye of Pepeng did not directly hit Aurora and Isabela, most of the northern towns (Tumauini, Cabagan, Sto. Thomas, Delfin Albano, Santa Maria and San Pablo) in Isabela, including its four coastal towns were swept with Pepeng’s strong winds and rains causing trees and electric posts to fall even at the start of the typhoon’s landfall.
The PDCC has set-up its command post last Thursday at the capitol building and an operations center at the province’s social welfare and development office.
The PDCC has made a pre-emptive evacuation of residents from low-lying areas in the different towns through the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Councils (MDCCs).
There were 5,556 families evacuated in the municipalities of Cabagan, Divilacan, Maconacon, Dinapigue, Palanan, San Pablo, Tumauini, Sto Tomas, Delfin Albano, and Santa Maria.
Acting Vice-Governor Ramon M. Reyes and Provincial Administrator Paul Fernandez led the command post while Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Lucila Ambatali and Atty. Mac Navarro headed the operations center.
Relief goods were packed at the operations center and contingents from the 5th Infantry Division Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Coast Guard were ready for rescue operations for the affected Isabelinos.
At the height of typhoon Pepeng army men delivered relief goods to the towns of northern Isabela but it was delayed due to unpassable roads going to evacuation areas, but the PA has prepared such scenario bringing with them clearing equipments like chain saws and bolos and successfully reached and delivered relief goods to evacuees.
In Ilagan town, municipal officials initially reported that there were sixty-five barangays affected by flashfloods and 6,600 families or about 27,000 individuals.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jun Montereal, Ilagan’s information officer reported that there were twenty houses totally damaged and about sixty percent partially damaged and there were no casualties.
Montereal also said that damage to corn reached up to four hundred fifty eight hectares or a total of six hundred twenty corn farmers were affected.
More hectares of palay was recorded damaged by floodwaters reaching one thousand one hundred thirty six. (PIA Isabela)
Indonesia renews pledge supporting GRP, MILF peace process
In a press statement issued by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), it said that Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Irzan Tandjung made the pledge during a testimonial ceremony at the launching of the Ambassador Manuel T. Yan’s Peace Resource Center (AMTYPRC) at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) in Pasig City.
“Allow me to take this opportunity to reiterate that Indonesia is committed to preserve peace, stability and prosperity with regards to the ongoing peace process in the southern part of the Philippines,” Tandjung said.
He said Indonesia as chairman of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Peace Committee for the southern Philippines, will do its utmost effort for the creation of a lasting peace to bring prosperity in Mindanao.
Tandjung also said that “Indonesia will ensure the continuing peace process of genuine dialogue in fully implementing the 1996 Final Peace Agreement under the aegis of the OIC.”
The Indonesian envoy recalled how the late Ambassador Yan devoted his untiring effort, working for a just and lasting peace in southern Philippines that culminated in the signing of the GRP-MNLF peace accord of 1996.
During the period of the GRP-MNLF peace negotiations, Tandjung said General Yan had worked intensively with his Indonesian counterparts, Ambassador Wirjono Sastrohandoyo and then Direct or Nur Hassan Wirajuda, the current Indonesian foreign minister, for a peaceful settlement to the Mindanao armed conflict.
Tandjung said the Center in honor of Ambassador Yan is a testament that “peace can be achieved and promoted through common resolves.”
Yan was former Philippine ambassador to Indonesia and Thailand and was later named by then President Fidel V. Ramos as presidential adviser on the peace process. He was also a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Yan was a public servant for 63 long years and had served 12 presidents during his lifetime. (PIA-Samar with report from OPAPP)
PGMA sets up relief measures to help Ondoy, Pepeng victims
The President made the announcement during her recently held cabinet meeting at the National Disaster Coordination Center at Camp Aguinaldo.
Topping the package is a one year moratorium on salary and housing loan payments by the Government Service Insurance System and Social Security System members affected by the back to back major storms.
The second major item in the proposed strategy is a P35-billion support package for small businesses through a five-year special rediscounting window for 91-day T-bills + 2% that would enable banks to restructure their exposure to affected enterprises given the disruption in their recurring incomes and permanent damage to their earning asset base.
The third component is a P15-billion home improvement loan program for Pag-ibig eligible members at P150,000 each payable in 10 years on top of their outstanding loans.
The fourth item is the provision by Philhealth of a three-month advance fund package to its accredited hospitals and clinics based on their average monthly reimbursements, which could amount to about P4-billion.
The measures are aimed at assuring a stronger platform for recovery and actual steady recovery after only a year and onwards.
“Once supply chains have been restored and survival needs provided, cash is the best form of social and economic relief after a catastrophic event since victims know better their needs, beneficiaries would be more judicious in their procurement and the benefits are direct and immediate,” Albay Governor Joey Salceda who is the Presidential Economic Adviser, explained. (PIA 
DOH leads Consumer Welfare Month celebration
Tuguegarao City (6 October) — The National Consumers Affairs Council (NCAC) announced this year’s celebration of Consumer Welfare Month on October will focus on the theme “Generic Drugs: Gawang Pinoy, Galing Pinoy, Tangkilikin Natin.
NCAC Officer-in-charge, Director Jaime Olmos said the theme is anchored on the key policy area of the national government to protect public health and to adopt appropriate measures to promote and ensure access to affordable drugs and medicines for all.
The Department of Health, Region 02 per information from NCAC is the lead agency for this year’s celebration.
To highlight this month-long celebration, various activities will be undertaken to make the public aware of the relevance and benefits from the observation.
Kick-off ceremonies is scheduled on October 6 with a mass at the St. Peter’s Cathedral, a motorcade along the main streets of the city to be participated in by member agencies to be followed with a short program and a symposium dubbed “Oplan Murang Gamot” to be held at the Cagayan State University Auditorium, Andrews Campus here in Tuguegarao.
This annual celebration is a result of Presidential Proclamation No. 1098, issued by then President Fidel V. Ramos declaring the month of October each year as Consumer Welfare Month. Since 1987 it is being celebrated with NCAC member agencies alternately leading the event.
Aside from the Department of Trade and Industry Region 02 and the DOH-R02, this year’s celebration is being supported by members of the CONSUMERNET 02, an umbrella organization and coordinative body created through national Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among consumer protection oriented national government agencies.
The body has expanded from its original eighteen (18) member agencies to the current thirty (30) members as its role has also been expanded due to technological changes and complexity of the market. (DTI/PIA 2)
PNP announces last and final firearms amnesty
Tuguegarao City (6 October) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Command 2 has encouraged the firearms holders to avail of the amnesty for unrenewed, unlicensed and unregistered firearms.
Regional director PCS Roberto M. Damian said based on research and studies, 80 percent of crimes in the country involve the use of firearms, which is needed to be preempted if not to totally eradicate.
“For few months now the PNP is continuously intensifying its operations against the proliferation of unregistered firearms and conducting effective accounting of loose firearms under the national firearms control program”, Damian said.
PSI Hector Balinuyus of the Firearms Division, informed that in Region 2, there is a total of 31, 185 loose firearms. However, based on their mandates, they only need the 3 percent of it to be accounted. The 3% of 31,185 is 935, and as of now PNP 2 has accounted already 835, so they only need 97 more to meet their quota.
However, PSSupt. Pedro Cuntapay of the Public Information Office, said they don’t limit their accomplishments in the said percentage alone but as much as possible they need to reduce significantly the number of loose firearms in the region.
The officials informed that with the amnesty, the unlicensed and unrenewed FAs may be renewed and licensed with minimal fee of P650 only and those unregistered may be registered at P1,000 fee only.
The amnesty begins on October 1 to 31, 2009 only, that’s why after this, Damian warned the loose firearms holders that if they cannot avail of the amnesty program, they will face the consequences if caught by the authorities. (Oliver B/PIA 2)
DA, DOH-CHD lead World Rabies Day celebration in Isabela
Santiago City, Isabela (6 October) –he Department of Agriculture ((DA) and Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH – CHD) led in the celebration of World Rabies Day held in this city last week.
Groups of health and veterinary officials of region 2 gathered in this city bringing with them talented dogs and participated in the dog walk in the early morning from city public market to the city hall.
As a way of creating public awareness and public information regarding the World Rabies Day celebration, there were conducted a Tipon-Tipan sa PIA, Santiago City edition last September 15, 2009 held at the city hall and a motorcade was conducted circling the city’s public market.
A poster making contest was also conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd).
The motorcade was participated in by regional anti-rabies task force, educational institutions, provincial veterinary offices, city officials and barangay officials in this city.
There was also conducted free dog vaccination in the city.
The World Rabies Day aims to create awareness on responsible pet ownership, dog vaccination and registration, and immunization of dog-bite victims. (PIA Isabela)
Pangasinan gov cites role of statistics
Lingayen, Pangasinan (6 October) — Gov. Amado Espino, Jr. yesterday stressed the importance of statistics especially in governance.
In his inspirational message, during the opening of the National Statistics Month celebration at the Capitol plaza here, Espino related his first-hand experience with the use of statistics, in his career as police officer, congressman, and now governor.
The governor said that statistics is very important because according to him, everything that happens to this country involves statistics, especially in governance. “Walang departamento sa buong gobyerno natin na hindi gumagamit ng resulta ng statistics,” he said.
“Everything we do in this life is covered by statistics. When you build housing for the people, when you want to divert the road, when you want to prevent crime, when you want to prevent and cure diseases, you need statistics,” he also said.
As this year’s NSM celebration theme focuses on security sector, the governor said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is contemplating to turn over the management of internal security operations (ISO) to the Peace and Order Council and the Philippine National Police (PNP), which according to him is the number one problem in the country today.
“So, yung sinasabi nila na there is no peace and order right now in the province, they are totally wrong,” he said. He added, “Sa buong Pilipinas, tayo lang ang sinabihan ng AFP na pwede na nilang iwan and pamamahala sa ISO sa ating kapulisan at sa pamahalaang panlalawigan.” (PIA Pangasinan/dos)
Typhoon Aftermath
Hundreds of Filipino were dead and thousands were rendered homeless when Tropical Storm Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) ravaged most parts of Metro Manila, especially its eastern part, and nearby regions. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared the whole country under state of calamity as another super typhoon threatens to bring more devastation to the still-suffering nation.
Youth leads drive in saving Masbate mangroves
by EA Delgado
Masbate City (5 October) — Nothing like starting them young.
The city government on Saturday (September 26) organized its residents to plant mangroves in Barangay Pawa, and tapped Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairs to lead more than a thousand government officials and employees and members of various private organizations in the mass mangrove planting.
Rogelio Magalang, the city agriculture officer, said the mass planting was not only part of the 9th city anniversary but also the best effort to restore the mangrove cover along the coastal area.
Mangrove forest does not only provide coastal communities with natural armor against tsunamis but also create fish and wildlife sanctuaries, and Mayor Socrates Tuason acknowledged this by initiating the massive mangrove planting, he said.
Government data showed that from 1951 to 1998, around 75 percent of mangroves in Masbate were cut down to make way for fish ponds.
Aside from conversion to fish pond areas, mangroves are also being decimated by subsistence wood gatherers and makers of charcoal and Christmas trees.
Tuason hopes to reverse this grim state through massive mangrove planting and alternative livelihood projects for families who eke out a living from mangrove forests, he said.
Other participants to Saturday’s mass planting: city council, barangay captains, police, City Hall, Department of Education, Municipal Trial Court in City, Commission on Elections, City Prosecution Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Coast Guard. (PIA Masbate)
Philhealth now requires pin in claiming benefits
by MA Loterte
Legazpi City (5 October) — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will be implementing the “No PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) – No Claim” policy starting next year, according to Orlando Iñigo, Jr., PhilHealth Bicol regional vice president.
Iñigo said the new policy will be carried out in order to update its membership and contributions database as well as ensure the delivery of quality health care services to all its members.
He averred that with this new policy, the number of unregistered members, particularly among the employed sectors, will be obliged to register with the agency that will enable them to get their PIN.
He stressed the unique identification number of every member will be required in availing PhilHealth benefits.
Iñigo stated that all employers are enjoined to update their employers’ member records from July 15 to December 30, 2009 pursuant to Rule III Section 18 of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7875 as amended which states that:
“All government and private employers are required to register their employees with the Corporation and shall be issued a permanent and unique PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN). It is likewise the obligation of the employer to report to the Corporation its newly-hired employees within 30 calendar days from assumption to office.”
“Further, the employer has the obligation to give notice to the Corporation of an employee’s separation within 30 calendar days from separation.”
He also encouraged employed members to coordinate with their respective employers for the updating of their membership records with the agency.
He said that only properly accomplished Employer’s Remittance Reports (RF1) will be accepted for posting of premium contributions to avoid inconsistency of information against the PhilHealth membership database.
For inquiries you may call PhilHealth Regional Office V at 481-5596 or you may visit us at Alternate Road, Legazpi City. (PIA V)
