Seaports, airports, highways were drivers of growth – DOTC execs say
Manila (24 June) — The Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) and airport projects under the “super regions” strategy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have been cited by officials as major contributory factors to the development of the country’s transport and tourism industries and inter-regional trade.
SRNH was opened to the public in 2003, connecting the provinces and cities of Oriental Mindoro, Tagaytay City (Cavite), Marinduque, Romblon, and Batangas City in Luzon; Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, and Siquijor, in the Visayas; and Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Dapitan City in Mindanao
Mendoza’s successor at DOTC, Secretary Anneli Lontok, added during the briefing that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has invested at least P16 billion to complete port projects nationwide, which are presently being serviced in 12 routes by 25 roll-on roll-off (RORO) ferry operators.
With the completion of these port projects, Lontok said passenger traffic reached three million passengers while cargo traffic increased by 65 percent in the western nautical highway alone.
Lontok said the port and road network projects in the nautical highway spread economic growth and increased regional trade among the islands, boosted tourism, increased agricultural productivity, and enhanced logistics operations and strategies of the business sector.
“The nautical highways has impacted positively on the socio-economic development of the country and has achieved its objectives of reducing transport cost by 10 to 60 percent while offering several options for our farmers and agri-businessmen,” Lontok said.
With the government investment in ports and maritime safety, Lontok said the World Bank study showed the country’s logistics performance index increased from 2.69 in 2007 to 3.3 in early 2010.
Another major accomplishment of the Arroyo administration, Lontok said, was boosting the tourism industry through the upgrading and establishment of new tourism airports.
Lontok said these include the completion of the Davao International Airport, Bacolod-Silay International Airport and Iloilo International Airport; and the upgrading of other airports in tourism areas such as the Kalibo airport in Aklan; and Puerto Princesa City Airport and Busuanga Airport both in Palawan.
Lontok reported that yearly average growth rate in domestic air passenger traffic was recorded at 9.8 percent while international arrivals stood at 7.7 percent.
“Overall, domestic traffic almost doubled while international passenger traffic grew by 65 percent since 2001,” Lontok said.
Aside from growth in investments, Lontok said dramatic increase in passenger traffic were recorded in Busuanga, 500 percent; Ozamis City, 4,000 percent; Butuan, 300 percent; and Kalibo 400 percent.
To date, Lontok said the Philippines has also signed several air services agreement with other countries, contributing to the increase in international traffic.
Lontok said the country has signed the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) memorandum of understanding on air linkages, and the ASEAN multilateral agreement on air services and full liberalization of air freight services.
Lontok added major road networks completed include the closing of the loop from LRT-1 to MRT-3, which made travel around Metro Manila much easier.
Lontok said the Northrail linkage project which became operational last week will open rail network all the way to Bicol with the inauguration of the 50-meter San Cristobal bridge which was destroyed by Typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” in 2006.
“On June 25, we will have the first rail travel from Manila to Bicol,” Lontok announced.
Lontok said enhanced connectivity between growth centers came with the establishment of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX); completion of the Alabang-Calamba Road; the finishing touches on the Calamba-Sto. Tomas, Batangas expressway route which will connect to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway leading to the Batangas International Port.
Other important ongoing projects, Lontok said, are the South Metro Manila Skyway Stage 2 and the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway.
PGMA opens, declares renovated MET as National Cultural Treasure President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially opened yesterday (June 23) the newly-renovated Manila Metropolitan Theater, also popularly known as MET and one of Manila’s important cultural and architectural landmarks.
The Chief Executive led the unveiling of a marker from the National Museum, declaring MET as a National Cultural Treasure.
The President prompted the renovation of MET when she directed the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) to release P50 million in 2004 and authorized the release of another P50 million in 2009 to revive the glory of MET that promotes Filipino art forms and culture.
She was welcomed by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Presidential Assistant on Culture Cecille Guidote-Alvarez, NCCA Chairman Vilma Labrador, Manila Historical and Heritage Commission Vice-Chairperson Gemma Cruz-Araneta and MET Council co-chair German Moreno.
Also greeting the President were various cultural performances by the Cardona Musical Ensemble, St. Dominic Salvio College Dancers, PUP Banda Kawayan, DepEd Drum and Lyre and the beneficiaries of the Kalahi Cultural Caregiving program, a poverty alleviation project of the government which offers arts workshops to marginalized groups and the differently-abled.
In his brief speech, Mayor Lim thanked the President for the release of P100-million for MET’s renovation.
For her part, Alvarez lauded the President for the “special concern” she had shown to revive the MET.
“This has happened because of the special concern of the President that a National Treasure like the MET should not remain sleeping, but should be opened as a haven for the diversity of cultures of our country and the artistic genius of our people to be reflected,” she said.
“MET was an empty shell. And now, it is slowly being revived,” she added.
After the unveiling, the President made a tour and inspection of the renovated MET. Inside the theater, the President and the guests were given a taste of a Las Vegas-entertainment with a brief performance of dancers dressed in elaborate costumes, singing and performing aerobatic dance.
MET, also called the “grand dame” of theaters, is owned by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) with the City of Manila as the usufructuary and the NCCA as the general cultural oversight.
According to historical accounts, the theater was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in February 1945. Fortunately the building retained most of its structural integrity.
In the following decades, it was meticulously restored and it was declared as a National Landmark by the National Historical Institute upon its complete restoration in 1978.
In 1996, MET was closed down due to foreclosure.
The MET is an art deco building constructed in 1931 by Juan M. Arellano. Arcadio Arellano also an architect and brother of Juan complemented the work with adapted Philippine stylized ornamentation.
The front façade is of colored glass, colored tiles similar to transitional Malay cloth. Its grand foyer with elegant marble finish, graced two mural paintings done by Fernando Amorsolo and two figures of Francisco Riccardo Monti sculpture pieces. The highly stylized relief carvings of Philippine plants by the artist Isabelo Tampingco decorate the lobby walls and interior surfaces of the building.
SK leaders present PGMA with sculptural token
Manila (24 June) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday received a sculptural token from the country’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) National Federation leadership for the support she gave the youth leaders.
The art token was designed by Dr. Abdukmari Asia Imao Sr., national artist for sculpture and Presidential Merit awardee, based on the concept of Jane Censoria D. Cajes, SKNF national chairman, as a tribute to a President “who has embodied both the highest aspirations of women empowerment with the inspiration of a nurturing mother.”
The SKNF leaders called on the outgoing President in Malacanang to bid her farewell.
The sculpture was co executed by Toym de Leon Imao, son of Dr. Imao and current 2010 Fullbright Scholar in the field of sculpture of the Maryland Institute College of Arts in Baltimore.
The design resonates a cradle and a boat as a visual metaphor that reinforces the concept of motherhood and nurturing the young. The sculpture is made of yakal, pounded brass, iron and cold cast bronze. The sail held by the younger figure is symbolical of an offer of the youth’s potential (a sail harnessing the wind to move forward) to the motherland. The sail has alibata letters that spell out the word in four syllables “SA-LA-MA-Ta” or thank you in the vernacular.
Four get high Palace awards for dedication and meritorious help to Filipino people President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday (June 23) conferred four government awards ? two Order of Sikatuna and two Order of Lakandula — on four individuals for their services to the country and their efforts in advancing the interests of the Filipino people.
Greek national Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), was conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (gold distinction).
The IMO is currently holding the 2010 Diplomatic Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) while its associated STCW Code for Seafarers is ongoing at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Also conferred the Order of Sikatuna with rank of Datu was Ambassador Libran Nuevas Cabactulan, president of the 2010 Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference and permanent representative of the Philippines to the United Nations.
The Order of Sikatuna is an award of diplomatic merit given to diplomats, government officials and foreigners recognized for their exceptional and meritorious services to the Philippines.
The two recipients of the Order of Lakandula, an award of politico and civic merit recognizing the dedication and responsibilities of individuals in memory of the Filipino hero Lakandula, were Capt Gregorio S. Oca and Dr. Ambeth Ocampo.
Capt. Oca, champion of Filipino seafarers and Maritime Workers and president of the Association of Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, was conferred the Order of Lakandula with rank of Bayani.
Ocampo was given the same award as Chairman of the National Historical Commission (2000-2010). He was the chairman of the recently held 2010 Philippine Independence Day celebrations. (PIA-MMIO)
DSWD still accepts entries to 4Ps jingle contest
San Fernando City, Pampanga (24 June) — Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 3 continues to accept entries for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) jingle making contest.
The composition should be based on the theme “Kayang-kaya ng Pinoy Tumawid Tungo sa Kaunlaran” and must be able to highlight the importance of health and education in the fight against poverty.
Lyrics can be in English, Tagalog or a combination of the two while its duration should be not be longer than two minutes and shorter than one minute.
Any musical instrument can be used as accompaniment, acapella shall also be accepted.
The first prize winner will receive 10,000 pesos while the second and third placers shall take home 7,000 pesos and 5,000 pesos respectively.
In addition, the first placer will be Region 3′s bet in the national competition wherein the winning entry will become 4Ps official jingle and shall be performed live during the agency’s 60th anniversary on January 2011 in Manila.
For inquiries, you may visit DSWD Field Office 3 in Regional Government Center, Barangay Maimpis, City of San Fernando,Pampanga or call them in the following numbers: (045) 861-3793, (045) 961-2143 or 09216939372. (PIA 3)
Pangasinan PDCC to enforce forced evacuation during future calamities
By Danny O Sagun
Dagupan City (24 June) — With all the lessons learned from the massive floods brought by typhoon “Pepeng” last year, preemptive evacuation will now be strictly enforced during calamities, Dagupan City public order and safety office (POSO) chief Robert Erfe-Mejia told a media forum Thursday.
Asked during the weekly KBP Forum as to what lapses were noted during that calamity, Erfe-Mejia said the city disaster coordinating council failed to fully enforce preemptive evacuation especially in danger zones. “Of course one other thing is the lack of logistical support and equipment,” he noted. “We hope we will overcome this time,” he added.
Avenix Arenas, spokesperson of the provincial disaster coordinating council, agreed noting that people could not just abandon their homes and belongings. “Hindi sila makaalis-alis kahit ilang beses na silang sinabihang mag-evacuate,” she said.
But after the onslaught of Pepeng, she said that people from danger zones already became conscious and wanted to leave their homes even at the first warning. “Nadala na rin sila siguro,” she added.
On why San Roque dam only released waters at the highly critical time when the typhoon was already dumping continuously heavy rains, Arenas recalled that officials responsible for water releases had sounded confident that the facility could hold all the waters. “Sabi nila manageable pa naman,” she said quoting said officials at the time the water level reached more than the 280 meters-above-sea-level mark, which is the “normal” critical level or spilling level.
Arenas vowed that the provincial government will never allow that unfortunate incident to happen again as the province thru the PDCC, she said, is now constantly coordinating with the National Power Corporation, the San Roque Power Corporation which operates the power generation component of the facility and the weather bureau, agencies which have jurisdiction over water releases.
She bared that recently, the province had a meeting with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and concerned government agencies for the former to prepare itself for the coming wet season. A simulation drill was scheduled on September 1 to be participated in by 10 towns located along the mighty Agno river where San Roque dam empties its excess waters.
She said that records at the PDCC only point to the unprecedented huge water releases at the onslaught of Pepeng as the culprit behind the destruction of properties and infrastructure particularly in eastern Pangasinan. She claimed that water releases reached up to 7,000 cubic centimeters per second (cms).
In a separate media forum Wednesday, NPC and San Roque officials pointed to the heavy rainfall during that time as the cause of the massive floods. They said that the dam only releases waters which it could no longer hold. “Kung ano yong pumasok na tubig, yan rin ang inilalabas,” said engineer Virgilio Marcelo who is in-charge of NPC dam warning and forecasting system.
But people downstream including people from areas far from the Agno river like Dagupan City have usually blamed the dam as the cause of flooding in said areas.
Erfe-Mejia said that “mark poles” placed strategically in flood-prone areas serve as warning for people and officials in the barangay during floods. The poles are marked yellow (warning and preparation), orange and red. He said the markings or water levels in a barangay may be different from the others. Pogo Grande, for instance, has a yellow mark for flood waters just a foot deep while Lasip Grande has that yellow mark for waters two feet deep. (PIA Pangasinan)
Shooting incidents alarm Tuguegarao City police
by Oliver T. Baccay
Tuguegarao City (24 June) — The Police force of this city and the province are already alarmed of the series of shooting incidents happened in the past three days here.
Cagayan PNP Provincial Director Mao Aplasca immediately met the officers and personnel of Tuguegarao City Police Station to review their security plan after the series of shooting incidents happen in consecutive days including the case of PSI Hector Balinuyus who was shot to death in the middle of the day and in a busy road here. Aside from this, last June 21, 3 shooting incident happened in different times involving different victims and perpetrators.
“Three shooting incident in 1 day is no longer tolerable that is why we need to review the security plan of this city to see how we shall immediately address the problem”, Aplasca said.
Oh his assessment, he said that the crime reporting system of the said police station is very poor and slow. He also assessed that the public awareness on the PNP hotline number 166 and the PNP tipster numbers 09084498686 and 09177517207 is also poor and need to be advocated to the public.
Other than this, Aplasca also informed that the said police station is underman which has only 109 personnel in-charge in the security of more than 180,000 population.
“We are trying to augment some police force in this city from the provincial department and we also try to request additional policemen from the regional command to augment their force”, Aplasca said.
On the Balinuyus case, Aplasca informed that they already identified 5 witnesses and they are now ready to release the artist sketch of the suspect. On the other cases, the city police officers are now doing their best to resolve the cases.
Aplasca also ordered the City Chief of Police to implement aggressively their control system and ensure visibility day and night to all sections of the city. (PIA 2)
Albay, Landbank sign P700-M loan for college scholarships
Legazpi City (22 June) — Albay province has signed Wednesday (June 16) a P700 million loan package with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to finance a first-in-the-country education strategy that aims to produce “a college graduate for every family” through an encompassing yet simplified study now-pay later scheme.
Salceda signed the loan agreement with LBP President and Chief Executive Officer Gilda Pico Wednesday, June 16, in the presence of LBP ranking officers and Albay Provincial officials, among them, members of the provincial board and members of the media at Land Bank main office in Malate, Manila.
The loan will be used to finance government scholars in the tertiary level, under the Albay Higher Education Contribution Scheme (AHECS), enrolled at the Bicol University and other community colleges in Albay which, this year alone will pay for over 12,000 college freshmen until they graduate. This is estimated to trigger a growth in college enrolment in Albay by 40%.
“I would have placed this amount in infrastructures. But I believe diplomas give better economic returns than roads and bridges,” Salceda said.
“A well-educated constituency has a lot of social payback and economic benefits. It expands their labor mobility. They will seek better jobs. The difference in economic return between an elementary graduate and a secondary graduate is about 7%. But the differential between a college graduate and a high school graduate is about 21%. With diplomas, they can seek jobs elsewhere and not cramp the limited jobs market of Albay. Diplomas are like visas”, he added.
Salceda further stated that at a certain stage, Albay will gain the reputation as the natural source of well-educated labor force. The availability of trainable workforce will serve as a come-on for investors.
Considered a first of its kind in the country, Albay’s education program in all levels, has lately been gaining grounds, among others, raising students’ learning standard as was proven in the 2009 National Achievement Test (NAT) where the province garnered the 106th place out of 202 divisions, a distant leaped of 69 places from a poor 175th in 2007.
Salceda said the province’s present goal is to get to the top 40 schools in NAT within the next three years, and the top 10 within the next six years; there is no room for complacency, simply no space for mediocrity. The education agenda, though, is backed up by a portfolio of interventions, among others, an institutional capacity-building program.
Albay is presently the only province in the country with a Provincial Education Department (PED) – best known earlier as Education Quality for Albayanos (EQUAL) – created by an ordinance, with plantilla staff approved by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management, overseen by a special advisory group – the Albay Council of Educators.
Salceda said Albay has committed over 17% of its annual budget now to education subsidy, under the PED, specifically EQUAL, which this year costs over P178 million – now the biggest item in its expenditure.
The province’s Special Education Fund (SEF), separated from the regular PED budget, which is used in, among others, sports program and maintenance of schools and classrooms in schools divisions, grew from only about P5 million in 2007 to P18 million in 2010, according to Salceda.
“Albay’s education program is producing the social impact; the number of college population has grown by 15% in three years from 34,000 to 38,000 due to provincial scholarships; and college graduates grew by 31% per year from 6,300 to 8,300, more or less,” Salceda concluded. (LGU Albay)
New chief executives to undergo training on local governance
by RB Manlangit
Daet, Camarines Norte (22 June) — Newly elected chief executives in the province of Camarines Norte will undergo Training on Local Governance to be conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) at the Local Government Academy in Tagaytay City.
DILG Provincial Director Mercado stated that the training for the newly elected town and city mayors has commenced Monday (June 21) until June 23, while for governor is set on June 24-25.
Mercado said that the training will not only be for Camarines Norte chief executives, but also for other newly elected officials in the other parts of the country.
He cited that among the topics to be discussed include the State of Local Governance Report in order to measure the performance of the LGUs; identify the issues, gaps and needed areas of improvement and the result of the Executive Agenda formulation.
Other topics will be the first 100 days report to be given by old timer politicians, alliance building and others.
He also said that a separate training will be conducted for the re-elected officials of the country.
He cited that in this province a transition team has been organized for the proper transfer of documents and obligations to the new elected officials.
Director Mercado added that these include the comprehensive plan, investment plan, land use plan, annual budget, annual audit report, list of employees and its classification, inventory of equipments properties and other related documents. (PIA CamNorte)
PNP-RO1 confers retirement honors on PCSupt Azares
By Miriam P. Aquino
San Fernando City, La Union (23 June) — The Police Regional Office 1 (PNP-RO1) with the presence of PNP Chief PDG Jesus A. Verzosa has given Retirement Honors to PCSupt. Constante D. Azares Jr. as he reaches the retirement age of 55 on June 22, 2010.
The activity, which was held at the PRO1 Grandstand started with an invocation which was administered by PSupt. Ranilo A. Datu, the Regional Chaplain.
PDG Verzosa headed the presentation of Awards and Memento to PCSupt Azares, as assisted by PCSupt. Manuel H. Cachero, Deputy Regional Director for Administration.
Retirement Orders was read by the Chief of Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development Division, PSSupt Reynaldo G. Biay.
Bidding farewell and expressing his gratitude to all the personnel of PRO1, Police Regional Director Azares said in his Valedictory Address that one of his greatest accomplishments is “serving the Ilocos Region at the time when the whole world is watching over the conduct of the first automated electoral process in the country.”
“I will be part of history when I led the finest men and women of the PNP who genuinely displayed courage, honor and dignity in the face of danger and from the perils of greed and power. Today I salute you! And that is history!”
He even added that the goal of attaining the BIG JOB of Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections (HOPE) 2010 and other immeasurable achievements has been successful because he and his men have kept their Tagline – “One PRO1″ by heart, and by working closely together in performing the sworn duty to serve and protect the people.
In his message, the official also thanked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Police Director General Jesus Ame Verzosa for giving him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead Police Regional Office 1.
Leaving the uniformed service after 32 years, he said he really felt a degree of sadness.
To his men, he left a challenge – for “One PRO1 – to work for the Service, work in Unity, and work to pursue Excellence.”
The lowering of the Personal Flag and Retirement of PNP Badge followed later on, and for the last part, a pass-in-review in honor of the outgoing Regional Director was performed by the PRO1 troop. (PIA-RO1/LU)
LP campaign manager in Nueva Vizcaya shot dead
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Solano, Nueva Vizcaya (June 23) — A campaign manager of the Liberal Party(LP) in the province was shot dead Tuesday morning in front of a local court in barangay Poblacion South here.
Lawyer Ernesto Salunat, 64 of barangay Osmena in this town died after he was shot four times by unidentified suspects infront of the Municipal Trial Court(MTC) at 8:45 am.
Salunat, also a well known human rights lawyer and a political candidate for congressional and gubernatorial positions in the previous elections in the province was on his way to the MTC to follow-up an ejectment order on a land dispute which he won when the two suspects approached him and shot him, according to Police Senior Supt. Pedro Danguilan, police provincial director.
He was hit twice in the head and twice on his neck by one of the suspects with a caliber .38 revolver and died a few minutes at the Medical Mission Group(MMG) hospital, less than a kilometer from the MTC.
The suspects, witnesses said rode a motorcycle after the incident and fled away.
“We are still investigating all angles. The motive of the crime may be work-related, political or personal grudge. We cannot give yet any lead,” Danguilan said.
Local officials, friends and political supporters swarmed the MMG hospital here where he was given medical attention.
In 2008, Salunat was once shot in his arm while with his brother Aurelio, also a municipal mayor of Quezon town here.
His other brothers are Engineer Narciso Salunat, general manager of the Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative(NUVELCO) and Rogelio Salunat, a barangay captain of Uddiawan in Solano town.
Salunat also served as provincial secretary of Quirino province and ran as a gubernatorial candidate in that province.
He was a former governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines(IBP) in Northern Luzon.
The IBP in Nueva Vizcaya condemned the crime as a barbaric act and a direct affront to the peace and order situation in the province. (PIA NVizcaya)
Army engineers complete P175-M infra projects in Camarines Sur
by HM Cabunoc
Camp Elias Angeles, Pili, Camarines Sur (22 June) — Army engineers have completed P175 million worth of infrastructure projects under the Kalayaan sa Barangay Program (KBP) in Camarines Sur province, a military officer said over the weekend.
Major Harold M Cabunoc, 9ID Philippine Army spokesperson, said that some 138 completed infrastructure projects were turned-over to the local government officials of Camarines Sur in a simple turn-over rites held at the provincial capitol Friday (June 18).
“Army’s 51st Engineering Brigade has completed the projects under KBP, including 28 school buildings, 31 water systems, 20 health centers and 41 farm-to-market roads, benefiting 8 municipalities in the province,” Cabunoc bared.
Punong Barangay Jinet Delgado of Palsong Village in Bula town, who came to witness the turn-over ceremony, gladly remarked the residents of here village were very happy with the soldiers came to help to construct additional classrooms.
“I could not contain my happiness for the help extended to us by the Philippine Army. In the past, some of our school children were having classes under the shades of the trees, due to over crowding in the public schools,” said Delgado.
In her speech, Mayor Jeanette Bernaldez of Bato town recalled her experience about the lack of roads in her hometown, noting that then “When I visited my constituents, it was very difficult for me to travel due to inaccessibility of the remote villages, but now, we are blessed to have these new roads constructed by the Army engineers,” she said.
Major General Ruperto Pabustan, 9ID commander, said that the implementation of the Army’s peace and development programs is his top priority.
“We cannot defeat the communist insurgency with mere use of guns. To address the various root causes of the problem, we are helping communities to have access to the basic social services that they need and the KBP projects are among the assistance that we can extend to our people in remote areas,” Pabustan said.
KBP projects are part of PGMA’s flagship programs aimed at achieving sustainable peace and development in conflict-affected communities through the accelerated, barangay-focused rehabilitation and development.
Unlike any other development projects of the government, KBP projects are carried out by Army engineers under the over-all supervision of the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). (DPAO 9ID PA/PIA)
