DOST eyes for science education champions
On its second search, SEI Director Dr. Ester B. Ogena said the Gawad LIDER becomes more prestigious with higher prices at stake.
“We want to entice more people to come out and nominate individuals and institutions who have contributed to the betterment of science education in the country,” she said.
For the 2nd Gawad LIDER, prizes are pegged at P200,000 and a medal for winners in the Exemplary Leadership and Innovation Award Categories.
Ogena said the Exemplary Leadership Award is conferred to individuals and institutions/organizations that have consistently demonstrated leadership qualities leading to improvements in the field of education in the sciences which have generated nationwide impact.
On the other hand, the Innovation Award is given to an individual or institution for the introduction of a technology-based innovation that benefits education in the sciences.
Awardees of the 1st Gawad LIDER include former Marikina Division School Superintendent Dr. Flordeliza Mayari, now the Valenzuela Division School Superintendent, University of the Philippines-National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development, and Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology for Exemplary Leadership and Mr. Virgil Samonte for the Innovation Award. Last year’s winners received P150,000 and a medal.
Any head of an institution, community leaders, organization or individuals may nominate an individual or institution/organization for the Gawad LIDER awards.
Ogena said any person or institution/organization who has demonstrated sustained leadership capability through the conduct of a project with significant impact on education in the sciences may be nominated for the Exemplary Leadership- Individual and Institution Category.
She said the nominee in the Individual Category of the Exemplary Leadership Award should have led the implementation of a program or project for at least five years.
Ogena noted that any individual or organization who has introduced a technology-based innovation and has successfully used or adopted these innovations that contributed to the advancement of education in the sciences may be nominated for the Innovation Award.
She said an innovation is operationally defined as the development or enhancement of devices, equipment, gadgets, tools, or products or procedures that resulted in greater effectiveness and higher efficiency in teaching and learning in the sciences.
Nomination and application forms may be obtained from the SEI office and at the DOST Regional Offices.
Deadline of submission of nomination is on January 15, 2010 at the DOST Regional Offices and January 31, 2010 at the SEI office. Awarding of the winners will be conducted during the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week in July 2010. (PIA-MMIO)
Isabela execs seeks aid for road rehab
Benito Soliven, Isabela (20 October) — The local chief executive here is seeking the intervention of provincial officials of Isabela for the rehabilitation of roads that were destroyed by typhoon “Pepeng” when it made three landfalls in Northern Luzon.
Mayor Benjamin Sanglay said the calamity fund of the municipality is not enough to finance the damages brought by Pepeng and the local chief executive thought of seeking the help of the provincial officials.
“I am asking for financial aid from the provincial government to rehabilitate the infrastructure damaged by typhoon Pepeng,” Sanglay said over a local radio station here.
Portions of barangay, municipal and provincial roads linking the municipality was underwater and was eroded during the onslaught of the typhoon which is now dangerous to pass through.
Mayor Sanglay wants that all destroyed roads going to his town will soon be rehabilitated and repaired to bring back to its normal situation this inner eastern Isabela town.
The local chief executive is confident that the town’s request to the provincial government be given prompt action and preferential attention by the provincial leaders. (PIA Isabela)
Donations for Luzon Storm Victims Shipped by RDCC-13
October 19, 2009
by: striker_jem
Police Regional Director Lino Calingasan formally turned over to OCD the truckloads of relief goods collected from different city and provincial PNP stations in the region after the traditional flag raising ceremony at Camp Rafael Rodriguez.
The Police Regional 13 is the depository of all donations that the Regional Coordinating Council is soliciting to help victims of typhoon Ondoy who was devastated by massive flooding in Metro Manila last September 26.
In her speech, OCD Regional Director Blanche Gubenchiong said, “In the OCD’s mission areas 
of risk identification and vulnerability assessment, civil protection and preparedness, coordination for response, operations and rehabilitation initiatives, the Filipino indeed ha shown many virtues if spontaneous response.”
Special mention was the PNP that according to RD Gubenchiong, has always risen above expectations.
And in all efforts of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council and the OCD, the PNP was always ready to assist in community work.
The relief goods and donations for the typhoon and flood victims in Luzon were right away transported to Nasipit port for shipment to the National Disaster Coordinating Council in Manila.
Ifugao town institutionalizes Farmers’ Day
by Vency D. Bulayungan
Municipal Agriculture Officer William Buhiong said the Farmers’ Day is conceptualized by the farmers themselves for them to get together as a sector.
The institutionalization of the Farmers’ Day is supported by the municipal government which allocated funds for this activity which was participated by about 250 farmers from the 15 barangays here.
Mr. Jack Dulnuan, former farmer turned businessman, in his message encouraged the farmers to be entrepreneurs. He said that industriousness is a key to improve one’s economic status in life.
A native of Asipulo, who has migrated to La Trinidad, Benguet, Dulnuan said that it was trough hardship and perseverance that he was able to rise above poverty.
Dulnuan is the owner of the chain of Jack’s Restaurant in Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet.
Dulnuan encouraged the farmers to engage in other income generating activities such as planting fruit trees. He pointed out that the province is suited for fruit production which can be an additional source of income to farmers. “There is money in farming for as long as you know how to make use of all the available resources in your locality,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jonathan Cuyahon and Vice Mayor Angelito Dulinayan gave their support to the Farmers Information Technology Services (FITS) of the Agriculture Department.
This is a learning center where farmers can upgrade their skills in modern technology which can increase their harvests. A Memorandum of Agreement with the Sangguniang Bayan here was signed with the Philippine Council for Agriculture Forestry and Natural Resources Development (PICARD). (PIA-Ifugao)
Church, military in Kalinga forge MOU to work together for peace
by Peter Balocnit
Tabuk, Kalinga (17 October) — A rare display of partnership between two likely adversaries was forged with the historic signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for both parties to work for peace and development in the provinces of Apayao and Kalinga.
The military and the church agreed to work together in resolving issues affecting the citizens through the created Church-Military Advisory Group (CMAG), the fourth of its kind in the country.
Col. Remegio De Vera, Commanding Officer of the 501st Infantry Brigade said the MOU serves as a covenant between the Kalinga-Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA) and the 5th Infantry Division represented by the 501st Brigade, which has jurisdiction over the two provinces.
“This MOU through the created CMAG envisions that government and the church’s peace efforts will earn credibility and recognition through the delivery of services to the grass root level from programs that aim to alleviate poverty”, De Vera who signed for the military said.
On the other hand, LtCol. Antonio Lastimado, Commanding Officer of the 21st Infantry Battalion said the need to fortify a mutual collaboration between the military and the religious sector is to alleviate the ill-effects of insurgency. “This will serve as venue to resolve issues on how to come together provide help to the people”, he added.
He said there is no written history of collaboration between the two sectors but both are working for peace and development particularly the campaign against illegal logging, graft and corruption, election fraud, injustice and poverty.
Guided by the principle of service to God, country and people, the parties shall undertake a regular conference by their respective representatives to discuss issues concerning social justice and to jointly implement welfare and development programs.
The objectives of the partnership is to promote and advocate respect of human dignity, human rights, stop the use of violence; conduct fact finding missions to resolve conflicts, protect the environment, good governance; and help achieve lasting peace.
“There is a need to foster a harmonious relationship and cooperation between KARSA and the 5th ID and to maintain an open line of communication when resolving conflicts”, the MOU states.
The CMAG is composed of the KARSA as Chairman; Brigade Commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade as Co-Chairman; members are Commanding Officer of the 21st IB, three representatives from KARSA and Civil-Military Officers and Karsa Secretary as Secretariat.
Signing for KARSA as the Second Party was Rev. Luis Ao-as, KARSA Chairman. Witnessing the signing were MGen. Nestor Ochoa, Commanding Officer of the 5ID, Bishops Prudencio Andaya Jr. of the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk and Rt. Rev. Renato Abibico, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon; and other church leaders of the nine-member KARSA. (PIA-Kalinga)
PGMA orders immediate rehabilitation and relocation of typhoon victims in CAR
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (17 October) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered immediate and stepped-up government relief and assistance operations in the region in the aftermath of typhoon Pepeng that badly hit the Cordillera and the rest of Northern Luzon last week.
In the Cordillera Regional Disaster Coordinating Council(CRDCC) meeting at the Mansion House on October 11 presided by the President, she directed the relocation of families in areas at risk particularly in Little Kibungan in Puguis and Buyagan, La Trinidad, Ambabag, Guinaoang, Mankayan, Catlubong, Buguias and Kayan East, Tadian, Mt. Province. These areas are the sites of landslides that killed a number of people and damaging houses and properties.
The President also ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to immediately work on the re-opening of access roads to Baguio and the Halsema Highway to avert a food, vegetable and other supply crisis in the city. Which DPWH did in record time- Kennon was opened to light vehicles late Sunday afternoon while Naguilian Road and Marcos Highway were opened to traffic Tuesday. Baguio City and Benguet were isolated for at least two days.
The President also committed the presidential helicopter and all the available aircraft of the Philippine Air Force to provide assistance to the CRDCC in their search, rescue and retrieval operations and in ferrying relief goods, food supplies and other assistance needed for the critical and isolated areas in the region especially in Benguet and Mt. Province.
On Sunday evening, the President ordered the opening of the Mansion House to accommodate evacuees in the city.
On the report of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-CAR) Director Olivia Luces, as of October 13, Typhoon “Pepeng” left 255 dead, 144 injured and 36 missing, in Cordillera, and more than P270 million in damages to infrastructures and the agriculture sector.
Majority of the deaths recorded were due to landslides, with the province of Benguet registering most of the casualties.
Last October 13, the President personally visited Puguis, La Trinidad to personally condole and hand cash assistance to the families of those who died in the landslide in the said municipality. The President also facilitated the distribution of relief supplies to the other affected families. (PIA)
Military improves image, clings to Church for guidance
by Peter Balocnit
Tabuk, Kalinga (17 October) — With the improved image of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) especially from its missionary role of spearheading rescue operations during the past typhoons, the military further sought guidance from the church for its organization to maintain the highest standard of discipline.
MGen. Nestor Ochoa, Commanding Officer of the 5th Infantry Division reached out to religious leaders in the provinces of Apayao and Kalinga to stand by their side and serve as spiritual advisers of the military in the service of God, country and people.
He assured members of the Kalinga-Apayao Religious Sector Association (KARSA) that the men and women of the 5thID continue to perform their noble duty to be of service to God, country and people and make the two provinces centers of peace and prosperity.
“The Philippine society has long hoped for solutions to the many problems affecting our way of life and all well-meaning individuals or groups have continuously labored to find ways to solve our problems as a nation”, Ochoa said.
However, he observed that efforts are done separately by different individuals or groups, one reason why conflicts are not settled and issues not resolved because different groups act on their own ways, he said during the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the formation of the Church-Military Advisory Group (CMAG) on October 12 at the Man-uugudan Hall, Pastoral Center here.
“In the pursuit for peace and prosperity, all have done it and continue to do it autonomously or as individual groups but something is missing: a consensus among all sectors to work together to achieve that goal”, he said.
Ochoa said resolving issues and conflicts as a group could be easily done with the conglomeration of expertise and capabilities of parties involved in peacemaking. “It is more effective if more heads discuss things in one setting like the newly created CMAG where we can jointly conduct fact-finding mission and sit together in seeking solutions to conflicts”, he added.
In the MOU, the parties agreed to meet every third Thursday of the month and resource persons from other groups may be invited for the quicker resolution of issues at hand.
“We need to erase biases and stereotyping both on our part and on the side of the people so we can truly work hand in hand”, Ochoa stressed adding that the CMAG can be a catalyst and efficient facilitator for the honest implementation of all government projects and programs in the countryside. (PIA-Kalinga)
DTI Kalinga effects price freeze on commodities
by L. Lopez
Tabuk, Kalinga (17 October) — The Department of Trade and Industry in the province issued a price freeze on basic commodities following the declaration by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of a “state of calamity” on areas affected by typhoon Pepeng.
Kalinga is among the provinces in North Luzon that suffered from the wrath of typhoon Pepeng last week.
Josephine Daliyong of DTI-Kalinga said grocery retailers expressed support and cooperation to the call of DTI during a meeting here last week.
Price freeze is a special power of the department preventing sudden adjustments in the prices of basic commodities during state of calamities.
In the aftermath of typhoon Pepeng that rendered some road networks impassable, retailers agreed to the condition laid by DTI to first refer any move of price increase, according to Daliyong. However, retailers appealed to authorities to fast track the rehabilitation works on roads and bridges as this entails additional cost in the transport of goods.
Now, goods coming from Tuguegarao, Cagayan and Isabela need to be transferred to another truck along the impassable Aliog bridge, which retailers say entail them an additional P1,300 cost in their operation.
Sources from the Department of Public Works and Highways – Kalinga Engineering District (DPWH-KED) said repair of the Aliog bridge approach is going-on.
Daliyong reported there in no movement in the price of basic goods in the province, after conducting regular monitoring since Oct. 3, when typhoon Pepeng ripped through North Luzon.
She also assured enough supply of grocery items except for nestle products, while supply of sugar is back but with a P1/kilo increase at retail outlets.
There is no worry on fuel supply contrary to the speculation by many because of the impassable Aliog bridge, since hauler trucks take the alternative Bulu road. (PIA-Kalinga)
DTI Kalinga effects price freeze on commodities
by L. Lopez
Tabuk, Kalinga (17 October) — The Department of Trade and Industry in the province issued a price freeze on basic commodities following the declaration by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of a “state of calamity” on areas affected by typhoon Pepeng.
Kalinga is among the provinces in North Luzon that suffered from the wrath of typhoon Pepeng last week.
Josephine Daliyong of DTI-Kalinga said grocery retailers expressed support and cooperation to the call of DTI during a meeting here last week.
Price freeze is a special power of the department preventing sudden adjustments in the prices of basic commodities during state of calamities.
In the aftermath of typhoon Pepeng that rendered some road networks impassable, retailers agreed to the condition laid by DTI to first refer any move of price increase, according to Daliyong. However, retailers appealed to authorities to fast track the rehabilitation works on roads and bridges as this entails additional cost in the transport of goods.
Now, goods coming from Tuguegarao, Cagayan and Isabela need to be transferred to another truck along the impassable Aliog bridge, which retailers say entail them an additional P1,300 cost in their operation.
Sources from the Department of Public Works and Highways – Kalinga Engineering District (DPWH-KED) said repair of the Aliog bridge approach is going-on.
Daliyong reported there in no movement in the price of basic goods in the province, after conducting regular monitoring since Oct. 3, when typhoon Pepeng ripped through North Luzon.
She also assured enough supply of grocery items except for nestle products, while supply of sugar is back but with a P1/kilo increase at retail outlets.
There is no worry on fuel supply contrary to the speculation by many because of the impassable Aliog bridge, since hauler trucks take the alternative Bulu road. (PIA-Kalinga)
PGMA to sign Climate Change Law by end-October
Manila (16 October) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to sign into law the Climate Change Act of 2009 on October 30, after the Legislative-Executive Development and Advisory Council (LEDAC) agreed that one of the effective tools to face the global challenge of climate change must be institutionalized.
The President has convened LEDAC, which is the advisory and consultative body to the President and the Legislature on various socioeconomic issues, to discuss effective climate change measures.
The law, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, aims to mainstream climate change into policy formulation, development panning, and poverty reduction programs. It also creates a Climate Change Commission (CCC) to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the programs and action plans of government relating to climate change.
The CCC will be headed by the President. It will be composed of three Commissioners, one of whom shall be the vice-chairperson.
The Commission is mandated to formulate “a framework strategy on climate change, which will serve as the basis for a program for climate change planning, research and development, extension, and monitoring of activities to protect vulnerable communities.
Local government units (LGUs) will be the frontline agencies in the formulation, planning and implementation of climate change action plans in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, Congress committed to pass the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act when it resumes its sessions after the All Saints’ Day recess.
The measure seeks to strengthen the country’s disaster risk management capability by establishing the National Disaster Risk Management Plan.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the bicameral committee will meet with stakeholders and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to fine tune the provisions of the measure based on the recent experiences on typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng.”
In the same meeting, the President expressed her gratitude to Congress for approving last night the P12 billion supplemental calamity fund.
“They did it in time for today’s meeting,” he said. The LEDAC also agreed to further strengthen government’s information dissemination on climate change so the “people will understand.”
The Office of the Press Secretary will handle the task. Other measures suggested include the creation of a river basin council and more green jobs. (PIA)
Army troops dismantle rebel camp in Catanduanes
by MA Loterte
Legazpi City (16 October) — Government troops raided on Thursday a rebel camp in the hinterland village of sitio Tacad, barangay Maysuran in Caramoran town in the island province of Catanduanes, an official of the Philippine Army (PA) said.
Capt. Razaliegh Bansawan, 901st Army Brigade spokesman, said the raiding army troops, however, discovered the guerilla camp already abandoned by the communist rebels, who managed to leave their camp following a series of tactical offensive launched recently by the military in the province.
Bansawan said elements of Alpha Company of the 83rd Infantry Battalion, led by 1st Lt. Edmar Gambot, raided the NPA camp around 11:00 am yesterday following a tip from concerned barangay residents and discovered the abandoned camp with eight huts, which can house more or less three comrades, a common toilet, two water points, subversive documents and personal belongings.
He added the camp was used by at least 20-man rebel group led by NPA leader Daniel Frias alias “Tabs” of the Isla Pusa Guerrilla Front operating in the island province of Catanduanes.
Bansawan also said the series of military operation in Catanduanes led to the discovery of 3 other guerilla camps since the start of the military-police pact intensifying counter insurgency campaign in the Bicol region.
MGen. Ruperto Pabustan, 9th Army Infantry Division commanding general, said the military will continue to intensify its counter insurgency measures to topple down the remaining remnants of the communist guerilla in Bicol. (PIA V)
