DSWD pays P38.7-M to Palawan 4Ps beneficiaries
Puerto Princesa City (8 December) — A total of P38,743,000 have already been released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps in Palawan.
Prioritized towns are those with high poverty index based on the Small Area Estimates (SAE) and Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) are Agutaya, Busuanga, Dumaran, El Nido, Linapacan, Roxas, San Vicente and Taytay in Northern Palawan. Only the towns of Sofronio Espanola, Rizal and Balabac are identified in southern Palawan.
In an interview with Director Violeta A. Cruz, Regional Director for DSWD-MIMAROPA, she said that the program has been receiving favorable feedback from the beneficiaries and their partner-agencies – the Department of Health and the Department of Education.
Director Cruz said that initially, there has been increase in the clients and patients of rural health units seeking services for pre- and post-natal care, preventive health check-ups and vaccinations for children. In education, there are lesser drop-outs and daily attendance to day care centers, pre-school classes, elementary and high schools are very much improved.
4Ps provides cash grants to beneficiaries such as P6,000 a year or 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. A maximum of three children per household is allowed. Each household-beneficiary will receive the cash grants for at most five years.
In a related development, DSWD Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral is arriving in Puerto Princesa City tomorrow to visit the municipality-beneficiary of San Vicente. She is expected to meet the municipal and barangay officials and about 2,100 program stakeholders in a people’s forum.
The local media practitioners from Puerto Princesa City will participate in the people’s forum to provide full coverage of the event. (PIA)
DTI-RO1 ensures stabilized prices of basic commodities
By Miriam P. Aquino
San Fernando City, La Union (7 December) — The Department of Trade and Industry – Regional Office 1 ensures stable prices of basic commodities before and during the holidays.
Juliet R. Malong, Chief Trade and Industry Division Supervisor said in an interview during the “Ammuentayo” radio program aired over DZNL-Aksyon Radyo every Thursday that based on their current price monitoring activities, prices of basic commodities as well as Noche Buena products still remain and that the suggested retail price or (SRP) of which are seen to have been followed by supermarkets, groceries and malls.
No signs of shortage particularly on supply of pork and chicken is seen in the local market, she said.
Menwhile, Malong reiterated that their agency is ready to conduct necessary surveillance should there be possible cheating on suggested price compliance.
On the national scene, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, in a media briefing said that Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila assured him that that DTI will not hesitate to recommend to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the imposition of price control if there will be run away of prices of basic commodities, especially this yuletide season. (PIA RO-LU)
DAR holds CARPER orientation
Puerto Princesa City (7 December) — All systems go for DAR-Palawan in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law as its entire provincial officials and rank-and-file employees recently underwent orientation on the provisions of the law.
Atty. Augusto Quijano, former DAR Undersectary for Legal affairs Office and current consultant for CARPER Law, one of the Resource Speakers emphasized the importance of being familiarized and well-versed with the IRR to steer clear of legal impediments on the CARP implementation.
The orientation on the IRR of the CARPER Law was conducted by the DAR-MIMAROPA Regional Office led by its Regional Director Pearl Armada together with Luis Bueno Jr, Assistant Regional Director for Operations and Rene Colocar, Assistant Regional Director for Administration.
The DAR officials and employees were also familiarized with the recently signed Administrative Orders : Rules and Procedures Governing the Acquisition and Distribution of Agricultural Lands; Rules on Cancellation of CLOAS; Rules and Regulations on the Jurisdiction & Referral of Agrarian Dispute. (PIA)
AI task force monitor 3 migratory bird species in Malasi Lake
Cabagan, Isabela (7 December) — After three months of monitoring the lakes in Region 2, the Avian Influenza (AI) Task Force saw three species of migratory birds in Malasi Lake, here.
During the first monitoring of the task force last August, no birds were found in the lake but now thousands of birds already flocked to the area.
According to Forester Luz Soriano, of DENR, there are four bird species in the lake that includes Philippine Duck, Garganey, Whistling Duck and Northern Shoveler.
She said the Philippine ducks are residents to the area. They just transfer from one lake to another but the other three other species have migrated from China, Malaysia, Japan and Korea.
The veterinary doctors of the Department of Agriculture Livestock Division have cleared that there were no signs that the birds are carriers of Avian Influenza virus but they have to continue monitoring the lake to ensure that there will be no AI carriers among the migratory birds.
Some residents said it is normal that during cold season different species of birds flock to the lake which is located at the middle of a grass-land and far from residential areas.
On the other hand, at the Monterey Lake in Cauayan City, Isabela, the task force has seen no bird species there. The manager said, because residents near the lake used to hunt birds for their food consumption, only few bird species are visiting the lake. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
Kalinga launches peace and unity march
Tabuk, Kalinga (7 December) — The 501st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army has successfully launched the march for peace and unity here, to bring people from all walks of life in a convergence of unity in the province.
Governor Floydelia R. Diasen led the multi-sectoral march for peace and unity, together with Congressman Manuel Agyao, BGen Rommel Gomez, Commander 5th Infantry Division, PA and Col. Remigio De Vera, Commanding Officer of 501st Infantry Brigade, and participated by thousands of Kalingas in their bid for peace.
With the theme: “Forward Rural Development through Peace and Unity,” the peace rally favorably displayed a united province.
Gov. Diasen said the successful undertaking conveys reconciliation to the whole of Kalinga and hoping to bind the province as one in achieving progress coupled with better standard of living.
“A peaceful Kalinga will surely encourage domestic and foreign investors to put up their businesses and through it, our province will generate greater income for more provincial projects. We have to be united as a province so that we shall extend peace in our own places,” Diasen said.
The peace rally was also highlighted by testimonies of former rebels who were deceived by the Communist Terrorists towards a better life, but opted to return to the mainstream society and live normal life. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
PCSD recognizes “Friends of Environment” in Cagayan
Tuguegarao City (7 December) — The Provincial Committee on Sustainable Development (PCSD) has recognized the efforts and support of municipalities, barangays, schools and community organizations who demonstrated continued interest, sustained cooperation and support in making their environment clean, green, beautiful, and healthy to live in.
For the Model Barangay, Barangay San Jose of Baggao Cagayan won in the urban category while Barangay. Balingit of Pamplona, Cagayan won in the rural category.
The Municipality of Lallo, Cagayan was adjudged as this year’s Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the province in recognition of their efforts in managing their solid wastes that makes their municipality the cleanest.
Lallo was also the sole representative of the province in the recently concluded National Zero Basura Olympics Philippine Garbology Marathon 2008, a search for municipalities who have seriously implemented the Ecological Solid Waste Management or the RA 9003.
For the schools, Ballesteros National High School won in the Best School Implementer on Solid Waste Management, High School Category, followed by Calaoagan Dackel National High School, and for the 3rd place, is a tie between Gammad National High School, Iguig, Cagayan and Callao National High School, Lasam, Cagayan.
For the Technical, Vocational and Agricultural School Category, the Claveria School of Arts and Trades bested other schools, followed by Allacapan Vocational High School as the 2nd place and in the 3rd place, a tie between Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School in Tuao and Abulug National Rural School.
For the Elementary Category, Cabiraoan Elementary School bested other contenders. The school was also given the Hall of Fame Award for maintaining their award for three (3) consecutive years. The Matucay Elementary School garnered 2nd place, Mungo Elementary School- 3rd place, Catayauan Elementary School-4th place and Sta Cruz Elementary School-5th place.
For the Sustainable Development Project, the Integrated San Lorenzo Enterprises of Barangay. San Lorenzo, Lal-lo Cagayan won in the lowland category while the Cagayan Valley Resources Developers and Protectors Federation of Baggao, Cagayan won in the upland category.
Various schools were also given citations in recognition for besting in different areas of concerns that has something to do with the cleanliness and orderliness of their schools.
Atty. Joseph Pauig, Chief of Staff of the Province, who represented Governor Alvaro Antonio, mentioned that one of the Governor’s 10 point agenda is the protection and preservation of the environment, that’s why he extends his sincerest gratitude to the awardees for helping the government in implementing the solid waste management and in keeping their community clean and green.
The PCSD members headed by Forester Robert Adap of PNREO rejoiced in the successful conduct of this year’s awarding ceremony. He further acknowledged the untiring support and commitment of the member representatives from different agencies such as, DENR, DOLE, DepEd, CSU, PIA, DILG, Provincial Government of Cagayan, Process Luzon, EDASI, NCIP and PENRO. (Oliver B./PIA 2)
Mass funeral
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 4, 2009) – Journalists from General Santos City who were victims of the Maguindanao massacre are placed on a truck for a funeral march to Forest Lake Memorial Garden Friday morning, December 4. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION
Journalists’ Grave
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 4, 2009) – Before noon of Friday, December 4, this huge pit was ready as the final resting place for the eight journalists who were victims of the Maguindanao massacre two weeks ago. Hundreds of sympathizers attended the funeral and comforted the bereaved families of the journalists. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Farewell
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 4, 2009) – Families, media colleagues and sympathizers witness the interment Friday noon, December 4, of eight of the local journalists who were victims of the Maguindanao massacre two weeks ago. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
Priest extols PGMA’s decision to run for House seat
Lubao, Pampanga (2 December) — While critics label President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s decision to run for Congress as “a diminution of the presidency,” Fr. Bogs Moraleja, who gave the homily during a concelebrated mass, is of another mind.
“Don’t believe those people who think that you are diminishing the presidency by running for Congress,” Moraleja told the president who was with First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo and her Cabinet in a mass celebrated by around 24 priests.
“Even the Lord God, who had the highest and noblest position in the heavens, came down to become man and to suffer with us,” he said.
“If some people will put you down because of what they think of you, we, Pampangenos, will lift you up. If they put you down because of what you are going to do, we will raise you up. Do not be afraid of this unprecedented move,” Moraleja said.
Paraphrasing the Bible, Moraleja said, “to be great is not to be looked up to but to look down on. Don’t be afraid to be looked down on.”
The mayors of several municipalities of Pampanga who trooped to the Palace last Saturday to prod the president to run for Congress with their signed petition, also came in full force to the St. Augustine Parish for the mass and accompany her to the Commission on Election regional office in San Fernando, Pampanga.
For his part, Congressman Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo said, he is privileged to have been given the chance to serve his constituents for three years as governor and six years as congressman.
“I have one term left, but I am giving it up to someone who is ten million times more intelligent than I am who can do far more for the Capampangans than I can,” he said. (PIA)
