PNoy assures enhanced Phl defense system
PILAR, Bataan April 9 (PIA) — President Benigno Aquino III on Monday assured an enhanced Philippine defense system under his administration so that the country will be able to defend its territory against external threats that may endanger freedom.
The 378-foot vessel, a Hamilton class US Coast Guard-Weather High Endurance Cutter, was purchased through the US Excess Defense Act using funds from the Department of Energy’s Malampaya project.
The ship can carry up to 180 crew members and is equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a retractable hangar and other facilities to support helicopter operations. Philippine Navy has trained 13 officers and 82 enlisted personnel to man the vessel.
Aquino added that another ship similar to BRP Gregorio Del Pilar is expected to arrive in May.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive disclosed that the Philippine Air Force already received the first four out of the total eight multi-purpose Sokol combat utility helicopters that are equipped with the latest navigation and avionics systems including a night vision goggle compatible cockpit, allowing it to operate day and night in all weather conditions.
These six-tonne class twin-engine choppers can each transport up to 11 troops in the cabin or can each lift up to 2,100 kilograms using its external cargo hook. These aircrafts can also be fitted with a M60D machine gun on each side of the cabin.
The President announced that a total of 138 air, land and sea equipment are currently in the pipeline under the five-year defense acquisition system that his administration is implementing.
On April 9, 1942, approximately 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers stationed in Corregidor and Bataan formally surrendered to the Japanese army under Lt. General Masaharu Homma.
The prisoners of war were transferred to Camp O’ Donnell, Capas, Tarlac in what would infamously be known as the “Bataan Death March.”
The Dambana ng Kagitingan was built on top of Mount Samat in 1966 in memory of those soldiers.
The shrine’s most distinct feature is a 92-meter Memorial Cross which is made up of marble, steel, and concrete. At the base of the cross is a sculptural bas relief that depicts important historical events and battles in the Philippines.(WLB/CLJD-PIA3)
More than 3,000 jobs offered to Isabela according to DOLE 2
ILAGAN, Isabela, April 4 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 2 has announced that there are more than 3,000 jobs available from private companies that are operating in the province.
Fourteen account development salesman, one trade marketing specialist, welder mechanic, audio van operator,cooler technician are needed by a soft drinks company in Cauayan City.
A business process outsourcing company in Cauayan City also needs customer service representatives or call center agents while a tobacco company in Reina Mercedes, Isabela needs 15 encoders, five administrative assistants, 10 interviewers, 10 filed assistants, and one engineer.
Distribution centers in Santiago City are also needing sales clerk, distributor project specialists, salesmen/agent, service crew, catering head, catering service crew, bartenders, decoration personnel, and drivers.
DOLE 2 advised interested applicants to visit the DOLE-Isabela office located at Isabela Sports Complex, Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela or join the jobs fairs set by the agency.
A scheduled job fair is set to be conducted in Cauayan City on April 9 at F. L. Dy Coliseum, and applicants may also visit www.phil-job.net of DOLE. (TCB/MGE-PIA Isabela)
MMDA implements Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa 2012
MANILA, April 5 (PIA) — Anticipating traffic congestion caused by the customary Holy Week exodus and the influx of people in churches, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has implemented its Oplan Metro Alalay Semana Santa or MASS 2012.
In a statement, MMDA Chairman Francis N. Tolentino said the Oplan MASS 2012 will be headed by MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Atty. Emerson Carlos, with Traffic Discipline Office OIC Atty. Yves Gonzalez as Assistant Head. Atty. Carlos confirmed a “No Day-Off and No Absent” Policy on Holy Wednesday and Thursday, as well as on Easter Sunday and Bataan Day.
Last year, The MMDA in coordination with various agencies, last year created Oplan M.A.S.S. to ensure the safe and convenient movement of motorists and commuters during Holy Week, particularly in areas identified as convergence points of travelers such as provincial bus terminals, airports, and seaports. Owing to its success, the plan will be re-implemented for this year’s Holy Week observance.
In line with this, MMDA traffic enforcers will be posted at transport terminals and traffic choke points, and at popular churches and pilgrimage sites on Maundy Thursday, April 5, and Good Friday, April 6.
Command posts will be set up at the South Luzon and North Luzon Expressway entry points from Holy Monday to early morning of Maundy Thursday, then from Black Saturday to Easter Sunday.
The Agency’s Traffic Discipline Office will seek assistance from the PNP-NCRPO and PNP-HPG at traffic choke points to increase police visibility and prevent acts of terrorism, assist in apprehending traffic violators and ease traffic congestion. The Agency will also coordinate with the AFP, DPWH, DOTC/ LTFRB/ LTO, local traffic bureau chiefs and Bureau of Fire Protection and Fire Volunteer Groups.
Tolentino added that the Agency’s Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group (SCOG) and Parking Discipline Office (PDO) teams will assist traffic enforcers in managing traffic in major roads and critical areas.
The MMDA chief assured that the agency’s traffic personnel will be on hand to assist motorists and commuters. The public can also call Metrobase Hotline 136 for periodic traffic updates and requests for assistance.
The MMDA’s Facebook and Twitter account will be also be open 24/7 during the Holy Week to accept and respond to inquiries.
Tolentino advised the public to avoid EDSA during Holy Thursday as much as possible and instead use alternate routes known as the Mabuhay Lanes as follows:
The Mabuhay Lanes start at both North and South entry points of EDSA. For northbound motorists going south, they may use McArthur Highway, right turn to Samson Road, C-4/Letre, R-10, A. Bonifacio, Roxas Boulevard to destination.
Motorists coming from the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) can exit at various points, most importantly at the newly constructed Mindanao Avenue access ramp.
From South to North, the Mabuhay lanes start at Coastal Road and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). (MMDA/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)
Kalinga to plant trees in observance of Earth day
TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Apr. 3 (PIA) — All agencies, schools, government owned and controlled corporations and local government units are enjoined to participate on a synchronized tree planting on April 24 and 25 in observance of the celebration of Earth Day in the province.
This was approved during the inter-agency meeting this morning at Capitol.
Governor Jocel Baac said an Executive Order will be issued today enjoining the participation of all concerned. Areas of planting will be identified by the lead offices and for the local government units to identify their areas. Seedlings will be provided by both environment offices.
The heads of agencies and offices also approved a resolution asking Congress to push through with the creation of the Chico River Basin Development Project. (JDP/PAB/PIA-CAR/Kalinga)
Las Piñas studes to enjoy free graduation rites
LAS PIÑAS, March 26 (PIA) — Around 15,115 graduating public elementary and secondary students in the city will enjoy subsidized graduation rites as school year ends this month.
This, after Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar assured the parents of graduating students that the city government will shoulder the graduating expenses.
“I want to help the parents and their children enjoy and to make their graduation a very memorable one after long years of hardship,” Aguilar said.
He also said the city government has allocated a P190 budget per graduate for toga, and for meals and transportation allowance adding that said the move is not only in compliance with the Department of Education’s directive of no graduation fee but also to help and provide relief to parents during these times of economic difficulty.
“It is a commitment and my legacy to provide free, quality and accessible public school education to our youths to help shape their future. Education is one of my administration priority programs,” Aguilar added.
The local chief also said that honor students will also receive cash incentives. Valedictorians, salutatorians and honorable mention from elementary and high schools will be given cash incentives of P4,000, P3,000 and P2,000 respectively.
The students likewise will enjoy free snacks and transportation fare on graduation day.
Meanwhile, the city government also offers free four-year courses at the Don Felimon C. Aguilar Memorial College in Las Piñas (DFCAMCLP), two-year IT course at the Don Felimon C. Aguilar Information Technology Institute (DFCAITI), and all other vocational/technical courses under the Las Piñas City Manpower Training Center. (Las Pinas-PIO/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR)
Feature: Year-Round Fire Safety Tips
Altough the Philippines’ observance of Fire Prevention Month this March would soon come to a close, fire safety will always be an important home and workplace topic throughout the year. While death and injury are the greatest risks and the ones with which most people are familiar, it is important to note that fires also destroy jobs and other livelihoods.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) says that a small fire can grow into a deadly one within one or two minutes. To help prevent a tragedy, the BFP asks everyone to closely inspect one’s home or workplace to eliminate potential hazards; likewise, prepare one’s home or office for an emergency, and organize your family and office workers about the dangers of fire and how to escape in case of one.
Moreover, the BFP encourages the public to put a smoke alarm on every level of your home or office, outside each sleeping area, and in every room as much as possible.
Similarly, here are some of the BFP’s fire prevention safety tips:
1. Don’t play with matches. Place matches, lighters and candles to a place where they are out of children’s reach.
2. Don’t play with electrical cords and don’t stick anything into an electrical socket.
3. Don’t play around in the kitchen, if you want to cook something, be sure that appliances use for cooking are securely protected not to catch fire.
4. Don’t put anything over a lamp, things thrown over a lamp (like blankets or clothing) could catch fire.
5. Always be prepared, make an escape plan, work with your family members to plan how to get out of your house if there is a fire. (RJB/JRP,PIA-NCR)
Phl to earn P47-B in carbon trading from coconuts
MANILA, Mar. 25 (PIA) — The Philippines stand to earn some P47 billion in carbon trading revenues from its enchanced nationwide coconut production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a statement.
The DA said the coconut tree has the capability to sequester carbon dioxide in the atmoshphere, one of the greenhouse gases (GHGs) experts identified as driving climate change.
Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala cited studies showing that a hectare of coconut land can sequester some 17.54 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
“That’s about P14.7 million per 1,000 hectares,” Alcala said.
Alcala noted the country has 3.2 million hectares of coconut land which represents a potential carbon sink while citing available valuation under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol.
Carbon sinks are natural or artificial reservoirs of carbon.
“We’ll continue undertaking planting/replanting and salt fertilization measures in coconut areas nationwide to boost the crop’s growth there,” Alcala said.
Coconuts and other trees capture carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during photosynthesis and store the carbon in respective biomass composed of roots, stems and leaves. Such process is called carbon sequestration. (RJB/JCP-PIA NCR/DA)
PNoy to PMA grads: Say no to corruption
BAGUIO CITY, March 18 (PIA) — President Benigno Aquino III challenged new graduates of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to say no to corruption and bribery as they face the real world.
Aquino was keynote speaker during the graduation rites of the 187-strong ‘BAGWIS’ Class of 2012 at Fort Del Pilar here this morning.
“Sa labas ng Fort del Pilar, hindi na lamang mga armadong grupo sa kabundukan, o masasamang elemento sa lungsod ang kailangan ninyong labanan. Nandiyan ang tukso ng katiwalian,” he said.
(Beyond the walls of Fort del Pilar, you will not only encounter armed groups in the mountains and urban areas. You will also come face to face with corruption.)
Posing a hypothetical situation, he asked them what they would do if they encountered illegal logs being transported in a remote area. “Tatanggap ba kayo ng sobre at titingin sa malayo habang pinapadausdos nila ang troso tungo sa ilog (Will you accept bribe then just look away while the logs are slid down the river)?”
He further asked if in the said situation they can say to themselves, “Hindi ko tatanggapin iyan, dahil kapalit ng panandalian kong ginhawa ay ang pangmatagalang pinsala sa aking kapwa (I will not accept bribe because my tempory comfort will bring long-term damage to the people).”
He said that the people should be able to seek help and protection from soldiers, who are the defenders of the state, .
Aquino also stressed that their hard work and sacrifices in serving the country will not go unrewarded as the government is also doing its best to look into and address the needs of the soldiers and policemen as well as the modernization needs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The President reported that in 2011 they have already constructed 21,800 housing units for soldiers in Luzon . For this year, the governemnt through the National Housing Authority, is set to build 31,200 more housing units to also benefit personnel of the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Corrections in Visayas and Mindanao.
He also said that in his 18 months in office, they have already put up a P28 billion modernization fund and already successfully implemented 18 modernization programs/projects. (LD/PIA CAR)
DOH promotes use of iodized salt
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, March 11 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) and the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health (RIACEH) have asked local government units to improve availability and accessibility of iodized salt because of the decline of its use since 2005.
DOH Regional Director and RIACEH chairperson Dr. Bention Arca said that they asked LGUs to make iodized salt available in markets, groceries, min-marts and sari-sari stores.
They were also encouraged to put up billboards in conspicuous areas in their locality where the benefits of the use of iodized salt are explained.
RIACEH attributes the decline to the lack of awareness of the benefits of the consumption of iodized salt.
Republic Act 8172 or “An Act for the Salt Iodization Nationwide” or the ASIN Law mandates all LGUs to take measures to promote the use of iodized salt to combat micronutrient deficiency and malnutrition.
Arca said that iodine deficiency is the cause of mental retardation and other defects like abortion, goiter, stillbirth and stunted growth in children.
It becomes necessary to add iodine to commercially-produced salt to prevent these illnesses, he added. (WLB/RGSD-PIA3)
AFP Chief of Staff visits 8th ID, assures that AFP being modernized
CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, March 9 (PIA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa visited the 8th Infantry Division (8th ID) based in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City,Tuesday.
The General proudly said that with President Benigno Simeon Aquino lll, AFP Modernization has taken off in the manner they expected.
He said they have acquired four helicopters and four more are coming before the year ends.
While the Aquino administration has just been there for less than two years, it has already infused some P 28 billion for the AFP’s modernization program, compared to his predecessors who spent only P33 billion in 15 years, the general told the soldiers.
The army elements of 8th ID were overwhelmed when the AFP official announced a plan to purchase a squadron of fighter planes.
“Upgrading and modernization of the Department of Defense is really here,” said Dellosa.
He said that the focus is now on air force and navy as there are sightings of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
Her added that, “there are more procurements to enhance security and maritime domain awareness in the West Philippine Sea.”
He then urged the soldiers to just do their job and ignore some nasty rumors of overthrowing the President.
“AFP is the most solid and organized entity in the government,” he said.
“To you soldiers, I remind you to always follow the chain of command and to focus on your job,” he told the soldiers who afforded him arrival honors with Commanding General Mario Chan in the lead.
“Destabilization plots are lessons we all have learned in the past,” he noted.
Dellosa punctuated his speech by congratulating the 8th ID for winning the war against insurgents in the Visayas. (PIA 8-Samar)
