Cerge, PR asset of Arroyo administration – Salceda
by MA Loterte
Legazpi City (22 January) — Albay Governor Joey Salceda has extended condolences to the family of Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, who succumbed to a heart attack shortly before noon on Tuesday (January 19) at the Makati Medical Center.
The governor was in disbelief upon learning of the untimely demise of the Press Secretary.
Salceda recalled he was with Remonde, along with President Arroyo, just last Monday at the Malacañang study room from 2:00 pm up to 5:00 pm discussing a major policy speech, “inviting him afterward to one of the Palace corners facing Pasig river for a smoke.”
“Cerge has hardly shown a hint that he would go so soon,” he narrated.
According to Salceda, Remonde was a hardworking cabinet member and a good friend who he and his multitude of friends would miss.
“He (Remonde) was a close confidant not only to President Arroyo but also to all cabinet members,” he said.
Salceda added that Remonde’s loyalty to the Arroyo Administration is highly remarkable. (PIA V)
Bicol police anti-illegal gambling drive in high gear
Legazpi City (22 January) — With barely two weeks of intensified anti-illegal gambling operations, a total of 409 individuals were arrested some P53,613, believed to be bet money, were confiscated by police operatives across Bicol region.
Bicol PNP acting Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Cecilio B. Calleja, Jr., said the feat has manifested police’s resolve and commitment to eradicate all forms of illegal gambling activities in the region.
The operation has resulted to the filing of criminal charges now pending and being tried in various courts in the region, against persons involved including their financiers.
Among those considered gambling offenses defined and penalized under RA 9287 (illegal gambling) are Card Games, Pula Puti, Cara y Cruz, Fruit Game Machines, Sakla, Illegal Cockfighting, Lotteng and Jueteng.
With this successful no non-sense drive against illegal gambling, PNP Bicol is sending the message and warning against would-be violators that law enforcers will never get tired of enforcing the law and without feat and favor.
“For police commanders who cannot perform the task of stopping gambling activities in their turf will be replaced by those capable and willing to accomplish the task,” Calleja stressed. (PRO V/PIA)
Camarines Norte BIR bares tax campaign accomplishments
by RB Manlangit
Daet, Camarines Norte (22 January) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District 64 office collected a total of P355 million last year, short of the P439 million target for the same year.
Quito elaborated that under RA 9504, personal exemption from P20,000 for single, P25,000 for head of the family and P32,000 for married were increased to P50,000; while additional exemption for dependent children from P8,000 to P25,000, resulting to some P128 million revenue loss.
“The global economic crisis, wherein one company based here stopped operation in its export venture, was also contributory to the shortfall, noting that only P8 million was generated compared to P15 million average for the past years,” he said.
Quito also cited the rate of corporations for tax was decreased from 35 percent to 30 percent and tax amnesty totaled P64 million pesos last year.
He added that the total loss rose to P117 million, on the other hand, without such hitch tax collection can raise 30 percent more of the 2009 target. (PIA CamNorte)
CSC announces career service exams for Apr 25, Oct 17
by DC Abad
Pili, Camarines Sur (22 January) — The Civil Service Commission (CSC) field office here announces the 2010 schedule of Career Service Examination (CSE) Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) on both professional and sub-professional levels set on April 25 and October 17, this year.
Director Lida C. Ayon of CSC Camarines Sur has announced that her office is now accepting applications on the first-come-first served basis.
Ayon added that applicants must be 18 years old and above and submit the following requirements for the said examinations:
1. Accomplished application form (CSC Form 100, revised 2008);
2. 4 copies (1 ½ x 2″) ID picture with full nametag taken within three months;
3. Valid ID (photocopy, back to back); and
4. Application fee of 350 pesos.
Ayon also said that deadline for filing for the April 25, 2010 examination will be on March 10, 2010 and for October 17, 2010 examination be announced later.
The examination center for Camarines Sur applicants will take the examination at the Camarines Sur National High School located at Peñafrancia Avenue, Naga City. For more information please contact telephone number 054-4753429. (PIA CamSur)
PGMA to inaugurate new Government Center of San Rafael, Bulacan
Manila (18 January) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will visit this province to formally inaugurate the municipality’s newly constructed Government Center today.
After the inaugural activities, the President will inspect selected portions of the new municipal hall which houses the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Engineering offices on the ground floor, and the Mayor’s Office, Municipal Planning and Development Office, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) office and the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall on the second floor.
Built at a cost of P86.812 million, the new San Rafael Government Center is located in a 2.8-hectare lot along the Maharlika Highway here. It is less than 2 kilometers away from the commercial center of Baliuag, Bulacan and the municipality’s own commercial center in Brgy. Cruz na Daan.
Funds for the project was partly sourced from a PhP5 million funding from the President’s Social Fund and another P20 million from the congressional development fund of Bulacan 3rd District Rep. Lorna Silverio.
Joining the President for the inaugural activity are: Rep. Silverio, San Rafael Mayor Ricardo Silverio, Malolos, Bulacan Archbishop Jose Oliveros, Presidential Assistant for Central Luzon Lorelei Fajardo, Region 3 Police Director Chief Supt. Leon Nilo dela Cruz and Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Commander Major General Ricardo David. (PIA-MMIO)
PGMA says RP to send medical team to Haiti
by A. Lumaque
Malay, Aklan (16 January) — President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo announced that the Philippines will send a volunteer medical team to Haiti and directed the Department of Health (DOH) to form the team that will help in rescue and relief operations in the earthquake-hit nation.
President Arroyo made the announcement during the launching and capsule laying ceremonies of the P2.507-billion Caticlan Airport Development Project last Jan. 15 in Barangay Caticlan here.
She also instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to put its reserve peacekeeping company on standby in preparation for the possible request of the United Nations (UN) for additional troops.
“We’ve been a recipient of international assistance, now it is our turn to do that,” the President said referring to the aids offered by international donors in the aftermath of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last year.
The President also conveyed in a letter the country’s condolences and assurance of support to Haiti President Rene Garcia Preval’s government and people.
Concerned agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) are closely monitoring the progress of the operation as some Filipino peacekeepers remain trapped in one of the collapsed buildings in Haiti’s city of Port-au-Prince.
The other Filipino peacekeepers serving in Haiti are safe and are involved in search and rescue operations for tens of thousands of people more missing.
The peacekeepers will be given medals and accorded proper recognition upon their return to the country, the President added.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake is estimated to have killed between 40,000 to 50,000 people including foreign nationals based on the International Committee of the Red Cross figures obtained from the Haiti government.
President Arroyo was in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan to launch the P2.507-billion Caticla airport development project and lead her “Common Tao Day” project for indigents supported with charity funds from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. (PIA)
Step Juan: A Walking Expedition for Children of Cancer Warriors
Artist Activist Tomas Leonor is set to set his first steps from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to Matnog, Sorsogon on January 11 for Kids with Cancer through Step Juan: A Walking Expedition for Children of Cancer Warriors. Leonor will travel on foot 1,249 kilometers in 47 days to raise awareness and support to children afflicted with cancer. (Gigie Cruz/AKP Images)
Step Juan
Artist Activist Tomas Leonor is set to set his first steps from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to Matnog, Sorsogon on January 11 for Kids with Cancer through Step Juan: A Walking Expedition for Children of Cancer Warriors. Leonor will travel on foot 1,249 kilometers in 47 days to raise awareness and support to children afflicted with cancer. (Gigie Cruz/AKP Images)
Artist Activist Tomas Leonor
Artist Activist Tomas Leonor is set to set his first steps from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to Matnog, Sorsogon on January 11 for Kids with Cancer through Step Juan: A Walking Expedition for Children of Cancer Warriors. Leonor will travel on foot 1,249 kilometers in 47 days to raise awareness and support to children afflicted with cancer. (Gigie Cruz/AKP Images)
Nueva Vizcaya officials eye transformation of hospitals
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya (January 6) — Provincial officials here are studying the possibility of transforming 4 hospitals in this province into their health-tourism attractions to help other sectors of the society.
Vice governor Jose Gambito said continuing programs and projects are on the way to complete the transformation of the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital(NVPH) here as a one-stop-shop medical center with its additional equipments, facilities and other amenities in place like the dialysis machine, mobile hospital and additional private and pay ward rooms.
“In such case, other hospitals can also be developed into a center of wellness or hospital for the retirees and aged,” Gambito explained.
He said the Lt. Tidang Hospital in Kayapa town can be an ideal health center for retirees and aged because of its pleasant weather conditions that can also cater to patients from the nearby Benguet province.
Other hospitals in Kasibu town and Dupax del Norte town, he said are also being considered for their transformation into a unique health centers in the province. (PIA NVizcaya)
