Abra council raises funds for indigent families
by Maritess Benas
Bangued, Abra (21 November) — The Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) is embarking on a fund-raising activity through the conduct of “Bingo Social” on November 27, 2009 to help the poor in the province.
The Bingo Social will be conducted at the Provincial Capi8tol Atrium at 3:00 in the afternoon. Proceeds of the game will be used to procure breeder goats for dispersal to the indigent families identified by the PNC based on their record of the malnourished children in the province.
The breeder goats will be distributed for free to the indigent families for livelihood purposes to augment the limited family income.
Relative to this, PNC members have reported their performances during their last quarterly planning-meeting. The Department of Education according to their representative, Ms. Brenda Bernardino reported their continuing distribution of one kilo of rice per child since the year 2007 up to the present.
Aside from the rice distribution, the Social Welfare and Development Office also has its early start feeding program which is participated by the parents and teachers. Popularly called “hot meal” for the pre-school of in the Day Care Centers, the allocation of the hot meal is P12.00 per child per day.
On the other hand, the rural health units (RHUs) administer the ferrous sulfate.
The Department of Agriculture through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) distributes vegetable seeds for backyard gardening to the parents of the Day Care pupils to augment the limited family income and for self-sufficiency in food.
The implementation of the intensive backyard gardening will be supervised by the OPAG and is set to start on November 25 at the Bangued Town Proper. (PIA-Abra)
Forest covers in Benguet quickly deteriorating
by SC Aro
La Trinidad, Benguet (21 November) — The provincial government is apprehensive of the deteriorating state of forest cover which it fear might be gone sooner than projected.
Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan, in his report during the Regional Development Council meeting held recently, said denudation of forestland is at the rate of 8,400 hectares per year. Currently, the province has a total of 172,751 hectares of forestland.
Fongwan lamented that people cut trees as if they are harvesting cabbages. This is particularly observed in the tri-boundaries of the Benguet, Ifugao and Mt. Province. He presented this to members of the RDC as an urgent issue that need to be addressed.
The RDC has earlier passed a resolution creating a Quick Response Team (QRT) purposely to contain and hasten the resolution of the escalating problem on forest and watershed destruction in the region.
National Commission on Indigenous People – CAR Regional Director requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to submit a report to the RDC on status report of QRT such as the number of cases filed and the resolution of cases.
Ifugao Governor Teodoro Baguilat Jr suggested the best approach in dealing with the mounting problem of deforestation is to talk to the community such that they become stewards of the area.
Talking through experience, Baguilat cited efforts the Social Action and Development Commission (SADC), a non-government organization in Ifugao, which providing alternative source of livelihood to the community which minimized the utilization of forest products. The community themselves protect the mossy forest.
“We cannot just say stop cutting trees as the people also need resources,” Baguilat said.
He added the denudation of forest is affecting geological balance which greatly contributed to the calamities being experienced today. “It is not only the DENR to blame but all of us,” he pointed out.
Batay-an, on the other hand, said that the government should stop issuing tax declaration to the forested areas.
As provided for in the local government code, the management of community forests is now a devolved function of local government units which called for the creation of the Environment and Natural Resources Office.
In strengthening the provision of the code and to formally turn-over the management and supervision of community forest, Fongwan believes that a Memorandum of Agreement should be forged between the LGU and the DENR.
RDC Acting Chair and National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Juan Ngalob said that devolution of such function requires further study. (PIA-Benguet)
Geohazard mapping for Nueva Vizcaya barangays nears completion
by Ben Moses Ebreo
In a recent meeting, geologist Aljun Jacildo of the MGB’s Geo-Sciences Division said their agency have already accomplished 81 percent of the total 276 barangays that went under the NGMAP as of September this year.
“We are very glad that most of our local chief executives have shown positive attitude on our recommendations and reports. We hope that others will also show the same,” he said.
Jacildo said they are now about to complete the remaining 81 percent or 53 barangays under the NGMAP.
According to Jacildo, the NGMAP which involves data processing and integration, generation of hazard maps and report preparation serves as a crucial element in the decision making of local government units particularly on the preparation of their land use plans and their necessary modifications to prevent an impending loss of lives and properties due to threats of geohazard elements such as landslides, floods, erosions and earthquakes.
Upon completion of their geohazard reports that came from rapid filed assessment of landslide prone areas or barangays, Jacildo said the MGB shall issue landslide threat advisories to concerned local government units inorder to convince them in implementing the required safety measures in their communities and to ensure the protection of their constituents from geohazard threats.
He said their bureau is also conducting the preparation of Information, Education and Communication materials, conduct of on-site briefing for LGUs, conduct of lectures/seminars for various stakeholders and dissemination of IEC materials to various stakeholders to orient the general public on the importance of geohazard mapping to land use planning for a hazard–free community. (PIA NVizcaya)
DPWH recommends funding for NVizcaya river control project
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Engr. Rodolfo Torralba,Jr., in-charge of the DPWH southern district said there is a need for the establishment of a Project Management Office (PMO) similar to the major rivers in the country such as the Agno River of Pangasinan and Bicol River of Bicol Region among others.
Torralba made the statement in response to the recent provincial board resolution of Nueva Vizcaya requesting the DPWH to furnish them of data, study and information including its recommendation on the unpredictable upsurge of the tributaries of the Magat River.
“Hopefully one day our dream of having a Magat River Project Management Office will become a reality,” he said in its letter.
Torralba said the creation of the Magat river PMO will address the rehabilitation and restoration of the Magat River including its management with proper funding from the General Appropriation Act (GAA).
According to the DPWH, the aftermath of the July 16, 1990 earthquake had changed the characteristics of the Magat River due to overshaking which resulted into rapid siltation, rendering the channel to become shallower than before.
“The shallow channel meanders thereby eroding vast track of residential and agricultural areas and causing considerable damage to infrastructure and flooding of low lying areas in the province,” it said.
Local disaster officials officials here also tagged the silted Magat river as the perennial problem during the occurrence of flashfloods due to its continuing siltation specially during heavy rains spawned by the rainy season.
On the otherhand, engineer Marifel Andes, in-charge of the DPWH northern district said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also submitted a proposed Bank Protection Works Project (BPWP) which starts from Magat River portion in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya down to Tuguegarao City in Cagayan province. (PIA NVizcaya)
DOTC fast-tracks construction of SLIA in Albay
by MS Arguelles
Daraga, Albay (16 November) — The implementation of the Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) is in full swing as the construction of road components has already commenced following the acquisition of some 200 hectares of land, according to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in Bicol.
SLIA is a major project of the DOTC under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s super region program with a total of P3.4 billion funding to finance the construction of the international airport in the Bicol peninsula expected to be completed by 2012.
DOTC said it has already processed payment claims of over 200 landowners whose properties were affected by the construction of the international airport at barangay Alobo, this municipality.
The construction of the SLIA will cover 200 hectares, which 187 hectares cover airport terminal and runway, 1.5 kilometers will be used for access roads and another 10 hectares are being negotiated for resettlement area for residents who lost their property and have no other home to live.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the project has already spent some P800-million for land acquisition component of the project, and the pre-construction and other structural requirements including the feasibility study.
Salceda expressed optimism that as soon as the land acquisition is completed the airport construction at the 200-hectare plateau in barangay Alobo would push through as scheduled.
He said that the present site is the most ideal and strategic because the location is accessible to other provinces of Bicol such as, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes including the Visayan provinces through Matnog port in Sorsogon.
At the same time, investors from other countries who visited Albay province expressed their willingness to set up businesses following the construction of international airport, Salceda said.
SLIA is just one of the big infrastructure projects in the region now being fast track under the super region concept designed by the Macapagal-Arroyo administration.
Bicol is now under the Central Philippines cluster, composed of the three Visayan regions, which focuses on tourism development.
Currently, Legazpi Airport served as the airline’s hub in Bicol, serving not only local clients in Albay but also transient passengers from southern Camarines Sur and the province of Sorsogon. (PNA Bicol/PIA)
Sorsogon oil players assure enough fuel supply
by BA Recebido
Engr. Nelson Doloiras, one of the major petroleum products distributors here has assured the public that enough supply of fuel and petroleum products is available in the province, adding that there is sufficient reserves which can sustain the consumers’ needs for couple of months.
Doloiras has cautioned, however, consumers to purchase these commodities only according to their needs and not to hoard, otherwise, “We may encounter shortage and some consumers may not be given product allocations.”
“With situation in other areas, we are very careful here distributing the commodities, noting that if motorist requests for full tank, we grant them, however, we do not allow to fill up extra containers for them,” he said.
“On the other hand, buyers are from the agricultural sector are allowed to purchase up to 20 liters per day. Non-regular customers, however, are required to secure certification from their village official certifying them legitimate farmers or fisher folks.
Doloiras stressed that they do not prevent consumers to purchase petroleum products from our stations, “What we are doing is plainly carrying out a distribution system we will not suffer from supply shortage, but rather sustain the needs of all stakeholders.”
Further, he also appealed to all local government units (LGUs) and concerned government agencies to carefully study the allocation scheme and proper use of disaster/calamity funds.
“Shortage of petroleum supply is also part of the economic risk that must be considered by the government particularly in crafting its disaster risk reduction plan. (PIA Sorsogon)
New agri technology eyed to farmers to improve production
by LA Gavino and S Nieves
PILI, Camarines Sur (16 November) — A new dawn opens up for vegetable growers in the Bicol region devastated by the recent super typhoons Pepeng as the provincial government of Camarines Sur, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office (DA-RFU) in Bicol and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) are jointly spearheading a seminar training for local growers across the province on production of high value vegetable and other quality crops.
The Provincial Agriculture Office here said this initiative will encourage growers to increase vegetable production to meet the shortfall in the domestic market.
With the scarce supply not able to meet the demand, the tendency is for the prices of the vegetable crops to go up. Hence, challenges and opportunities abound for local growers to produce more to increase their income.
PAO said the primary objective of the activitiy is for the vegetable growers to learn the right techniques of growing different vegetables varieties and root crops, eradication of pests and proper utilization of organic fertilizers.
The activity is fully supported by Governor LRay Villafuerte firmly who believes on the importance of the need to equip local vegetable growers with new skills and learn new technologies to improve production and earn more.
Schedule of the series of seminar trainings is as follow: Sagnay (Nov. 11), Del Gallego (Nov. 12), Magarao (Nov. 17), Siruma (Nov. 19), Garchitorena (Nov. 24), Presentacion (Nov. 26), and Caramoan (Nov. 27).
Municipalities that have already underwent the same training include San Jose, Gainza, Pamplona, Cabusao, Balatan, Bato, Minalabac, Bula, Baao, Lupi, Bombon, Ocampo, , San Fernando, Camaligan, and Canaman. (MMEC/PIA)
PhilHealth increases benefits for NSD, MCP starting November 1, 2009
Legazpi City (16 November) — Members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and their dependents can now avail of higher benefits for normal deliveries in accredited facilities which has been increased to P6,500 effective November 1, this year, by virtue of the agency’s Circular No. 39, s. 2009.
The circular provides that members or dependents who will give birth at PhilHealth accredited hospitals could avail of the Normal Spontaneous Delivery (NSD) package, applicable to normal deliveries of the first four births, amounting to P6,500.
The amount covers the facility fee, physician fee and prenatal care components:
a. P2,500 to cover hospital charges for: room and board, drugs and medicines, laboratory, supplies and other ancillary procedure s; labor room, delivery room and recovery room; and other medically necessary charges for delivery and post-partum care;
b. P2,500 to cover payment of professional fee of accredited professionals for delivery services, immediate post-partum care and counseling for reproductive health, breastfeeding and newborn care; and
c. P1,500 for reimbursement of members’ prenatal expenses prior to confinement. This may cover any of the following prenatal expenses: drugs and medicines, laboratory tests and ancillary procedures; tetanus immunization; and, prenatal consultations as supported by official receipts.
The circular further cited that members or dependents who will give birth at accredited lying-in clinics, birthing houses or midwife-managed clinics, could avail of the Maternity Care Package (MCP), also applicable to normal deliveries of the first four births, amounting to P6,500, that is:
a. P5,000 to cover charges for: professional fee (delivery, postpartum care, and counseling for reproductive health, breastfeeding and newborn screening); room and board; drugs and medicines; laboratory, supplies and other medically necessary charges for delivery and postpartum care.
b. P1,500 for reimbursement of members’ prenatal expenses prior to confinement. This may cover any of the following prenatal expenses: essential drugs and medicines; laboratory tests and ancillary procedures; tetanus immunization; and professional fee for consultations as supported by official receipts.
PhilHealth noted that members or dependents who will avail of the prenatal care component of the MCP should have at least four prenatal visits done prior to delivery.
In availing the benefit, the guidelines stipulated, payment of the prenatal care component of the MCP and NSD package is payable to PhilHealth members upon presentation of valid Official Receipts.. Official receipts should be attached in the PhilHealth Claim Forms submitted by accredited providers to PhilHealth which will be subjected to the usual processing of claims.
While in availing the expanded NSD package and Maternity Care Package, members under the Individually Paying Program (IPMs), including the IPMs under the Group Enrolment Scheme, are required nine months of contribution within the immediate 12 months prior to the month of benefit claims.
However, those who are employed members and IPMs enrolled by Organized Groups through the KASAPI must have paid at least three months of contribution within the immediate six months prior.
Members under the Sponsored Program and the Overseas Workers Program are entitled to the package if the date of claims falls within the validity period of their membership as stated in their ID card/enhanced Member Data Record.
On the other hand, lifetime members and/or dependents shall be entitled to avail of the package upon presentation of their PhilHealth ID and Member Data Record. (PhilHealth V/PIA)
UN humanitarian group extends rice ration to Laoag victims
by Cristina Arzadon
Laoag City (9 November) — The United Nations World Food Program has continued extending food relief to victims of storm Pepeng that devastated northern provinces last month.
The humanitarian group provided 400 sacks of rice to Laoag residents whose homes were either totally or partially lost to the violent storm that lingered in Ilocos Norte for days.
Aurora Corpuz, city social welfare officer, immediately distributed the rice donation to more than 140 families who were given half-cavan ration each. The food relief also benefited poor families who were given a quarter-cavan ratio each.
Hundreds of families lined up at the city basketball court on November 4 and got their rice assistance in the presence of DSWD staff and WFP representatives.
The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency that fights hunger, brings food to where it is needed and saves the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. It is part of the UN system and is voluntarily funded.
As part of the UN’s humanitarian response, the WFP provides food relief and logistics support with helicopters, trucks, boats and telecommunications equipment to reach and connect to isolated areas.
The group has been providing support to the Philippine government in dealing with the effects of devastating storms Ondoy and Pepeng that hit most of the country last month.
Josette Sheeran, WFP executive director, said the agency will continue working with the Philippine government in helping victims of calamities which led to more than 500 deaths, displaced thousands of families and caused crop damages. (PIA-Laoag)
State-of-art hospital soon to rise in Abra
by Maritess Benas
Bangued, Abra (7 November) — The provincial government is all set with its ambitious project of building a new and state-of-the-art hospital to replace the existing Abra Provincial Hospital (APH) in Brgy. Calaba, this capital town.
Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin announced that amount of P180 Million is earmarked for the construction of the building. The project will be funded primarily from the loan of the provincial government from the Land Bank of the Philippines and partly from the local funds of the provincial government.
The new hospital, a two-storey building, will be erected at the compound of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian and the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Brgy. Calaba, just a kilometer away from the existing provincial hospital.
The new APH project is a dream project of the Governor which he had promised to the people of Abra during his campaign sorties in 2007. He had been telling everyone, that he had long wanted to build a new hospital with complete facilities that would respond to the needs of the people so that they need not go to other provinces and cities for medical attention especially because Abra is a landlocked province.
His dream of building a new hospital was further aflamed during his frequent visits where he saw the problems of lack of facilities and space to accommodate the so many patients at the AHP during peak periods of certain diseases.
Provincial Health Officer Godofredo Gasa reported that the capacity of the existing APH is only 100 beds but more often than not, they are catering to an average of 170 to 200 patients at a time. This is the reason why patients are lying in beds along the corridors. Most of the patients belong to the poor families who can not afford to seek the services of private hospitals and clinics in town.
Gasa also said that serious cases are being brought to the tertiary hospitals in other provinces because the APH does not have the capacity to treat them due to inadequate advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities such as cardiac monitor, ventilator, CT Scan, anesthesis machines, operating lights and the much-needed Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Worst, the physical structures of the APH are already deteriorated to the discomfort of the patients and their care-givers.
In support of this project, Health Secretary Francisco Duque committed to provide hospital equipments in the amount of P50 Million. The DOH is now ready with the funds and is just waiting for the list of the machines and equipments that the APH needs. (PIA-Abra)
