Clark Museum now open on Saturdays
The museum, located in front of Clark’s Parade Ground inside the Freeport zone, will be opened six days a week from 8 am to 5 pm starting September.
The announcement came following the increasing number of local and foreign tourists, even school children, who frequent the Museum during weekends.
CDC President Benigno N. Ricafort made the announcement following the request of several sectors to open the Museum, which showcases Clark’s memorabilia from the Spanish, Japanese and American eras.
The Clark Museum is managed by CDC’s Tourism and Promotions Office (TPO).
The opening also coincided with the Aetas employment as tourist guide following the completion of their training on “Specialized Tour Guiding Seminar” which is part of CDC’s development program on tourism for the Freeport and the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ).
The tour guiding seminar for the 20 Aetas was in conjunction with the regional office of the Department of Tourism in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
For more details contact Noemi Garcia, TPO Manager, at telephone numbers (045) 599-3222 or (045) 599-3854. (PIA)
Agriculture department to fund multi-purpose drying pavements in 6 Ifugao towns
by Vency D. Bulayungan
Lagawe, Ifugao (5 September) — Six municipalities here will benefit from the GMA Rice program this wet cropping season.
Raymundo Bahatan, the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) here said that local officials in six municipalities here have submitted request to the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture-CAR for funding of multi-purpose drying pavements in their localities.
According to Bahatan, each proponent will receive P100,000.00 each.
Aguinaldo has two barangays proponents namely Mongayang and Chalalo. For Asipulo, the proponents are Sangguniang Bayan, Pula Barangay Council and Amduntog Barangay Council. Alfonso Lista will receive P400,000.00 to be subdivided by four proponents: San Quintin Barangay Council, United Family Cooperative in Busilac, San Jose Barangay Council and Bangar Barangay Council.
The Municipality of Lamut has three proponents, Jolowon Barangay Council, Bimpal Barangay Council and Ambasa Barangay Council while Kiangan has two proponents, Hucab Barangay Council Sangguniang Kabataan of Duit. Olilicon Barangay Council is the only proponent for Lagawe.
Bahatan disclosed that there are five proposed additional proponents. These are Mungayang Barangay Council in Kiangan, the Barangay Councils of Caba, Banga, Magullon and Lawig in Lagawe. (PIA-Ifugao)
Sadanga gets another poverty reduction project
by Juliet B. Saley
Sadanga, Mt. Province (5 September) — This municipality is a recipient of another poverty alleviation project dubbed “Makamasang Tugon.”
According to Mrs. Minda Romero of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Makamasang Tugon project is a reward for this municipality as best performer in the Kapitbisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services(KALAHI-CIDSS) program.
As a recipient of the KALAHI-CIDSS, Sadanga showed a satisfactory performance on good governance along participation, transparency and accountability during the implementation of this project.
Romero said the DSWD has granted Sadanga the amount of P4 Million which was divided among the eight barangays with Demang getting the biggest share of P1,507,423.29.This was followed by Sacasacan with P837,725.08.
Barangay Bekigan had a share of P437,832.07, Belwang- P400,113.08, Poblacion – P300,739.53, Saclit – P188,759.91, Betwagan – P182,637.32, and Anabel – P132,098.61.
This grant required a counterpart from the Municipal Local Government Unit and from each barangay. The counterpart of the LGU was given to each barangay.
The grant was downloaded directly to the account of each barangay since they are the implementers of the project, she added.
Barangays Anabel and Belwang used the amount for the improvement of communal irrigation system; Bekigan for the construction of communal irrigation system; Betwagan for the construction of foot trail, and Demang for the upgrading of Demang and Poblacion water system. Poblacion improved its footpath; Sacasacan its barangay road and Saclit used it for the construction of footbridge.
Romero said these projects which were implemented in the different barangays are 100 percent accomplished. The projects were supervised by Christian Bon of DSWD-CAR who stayed in Sadanga until the projects were finished. (PIA MP)
NGO assists pupils in Mt Province
by Juliet B. Saley
The ACESS is an organization of a group of professionals in the province tied up with Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) in Manila that is supportive to the educational development program of the national government.
Now on its sixth year of operation, the ACESS this year is benefiting 90 identified elementary pupils in the province. There are 20 pupils each from Betwagan Elementary School in Sadanga, Puya-ao Elementary School in Natonin, Caneo Elementary School in Bontoc, Ogo-og Elementary School in Barlig and 10 from Guinaang Elementary School, also in Bontoc.
According to Mr. Norberto Cobaldez, a member of the organization, the assistance given to each identified beneficiary who belong to low-income families include T-shirt, notebooks, ball pen, color and padpaper. (PIA MP)
Gov’t reports status of RDC capability building autonomy fund
by Lito Dar
In the said forum, RDC-CAR Acting Chair and NEDA regional director Juan Ngalob explained that as part of the renewed pursuit of regional autonomy some line-agencies were given special autonomy fund of P1 million, for capability building so to enable them to take on the devote prospective functions, in line-with the 8-plus areas, should we become an autonomous region.
Ngalob also stressed that the P1 Million capability building fund, is a small amount and was just given to pump prime, the different line-agency programs for economic development of the region.
For the Department of Agriculture (DA), they were tasked to try to revive the region’s coffee industry, particularly the Arabica Coffee; for the Department of Tourism, the were tasked to be more aggressive in selling the eco-tourism potential of CAR; and as far as the e-sector is concern it is led by the Department of Trade and Industry, which is tasked to progress in improving the region’s business and investment climate, Ngalob said.
In her progress report, DA Planning and Monitoring Division head Suzan Balanza, the DA have already started a program, they call “Advancing the Coffee Industry in CAR,” in an effort to revive the region’s coffee industry, particularly Arabica.
According to Balanza, our Arabica has a big potential not only in the local market but international as well, and Cordillera have a comparative advantage, as far as coffee farming is concerned because of our high altitude and cool climate. By advancing the region’s coffee industry, we are not only enhancing the income and livelihood of our farmers but we can also protect our watersheds, through Agro-forestry, Balanza added.
As for the DA’s accomplishments, Balanza reported that they have already provided some direct interventions, enhance the capability of our coffee growers, in partnership with the Office of the Presidential Assistant (OPA) and they are also presently in the production of IEC materials. “The DA has already done several trainings in facilitating the skills of our coffee growers, such as harvesting, nursery and post-harvest. The DA is also providing farmers with seedlings and seedling bags,” Balanza added.
For DTI’s part, Assistant Regional Director Carmelita Usman reported, that they are engaged in souvenir products enhancements, designers full development and promotions of investments. With augmentation from the DTI’s own fund, Usman also stressed that they are assisting LGUs in streamlining their licensing processes, which is important for local economic development.
On investment promotion, Usman also reported that the DTI has been doing Audio Video Presentations, on different venues, such as the North Luzon Business Conference, OTOP Luzon Island fair and IMPAKABSAT fair. DTI-CAR is also planning to join the North Philippines cluster (with regions I and II), in promoting our region’s identified investment priority areas and to give employment opportunities for our constituents and increase their revenues, Usman added.
For product Development, the DTI is also helping in developing the packaging of our food products, which is important in marketing, and for non-food product, the DTI is helping in showcasing new product designs, Usman said.
Meantime, DOT-CAR Regional Director Pura Molintas reported that are into the promotion of the region’s tourism in the international and domestic television. “We are now intensifying our promotion, through television, both local and international, and we are focusing into two categories, namely, on adventure and agriculture/culture,” Molintas said.
“Right now we have two on-going AVPs, one with Living Asia and the other is on ABS-CBN’s TFC channel, which resulted to higher awareness of the other region’s on our different tourism area.”
DOT-CAR is also now in the process of finalizing or completing a new AVP for Cordilera’s tourism, wherein the new adventure spots and packages are included and will promote Cordillera, as the “Skyline.” (PIA)
PGMA pledges gov’t subsidy and use of gov’t lands for Baguio MRFs
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (5 September) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to oversee the survey of government properties in the city that can be used for establishing Materials Recovery Facilities(MRF).
The President also assured that the government will provide financial subsidy for the establishment of MRF in every barangay in the city.
“The law requires every barangay to have an MRF to be used for composting and recycling and it is important. I already told Mayor Bautista, that if your problem is space, we could have an inventory of all the national government properties, that are located in the different barangays where we can locate your MRFs,” the President said during the briefing on Solid Waste Management and Climate Change for city officials at the Mansion House last August 28.
According to DENR Secretary Lito Atienza, Baguio City produces 300 tons of garbage per day or half of the total garbage produced daily in the whole Cordillera region, which is also equivalent to the production of 675 tons of harmful methane. The methane gas produced by garbage is said to be 20 times more dangerous than carbon dioxide emissions, which also contribute to global warming or climate change in general.
Atienzao pointed out that the city can solve its garbage problem through MRFs, which is more economical than hauling all the garbages to the sanitary landfill of other provinces. To date, there are only three MRFs serving three of the 128 barangays in the city, and with the closure of the Irisan dumpsite, the city hauls its garbage to Capas, Tarlac.
Atienza also bared that through the initiative of the President, the city is entitled to P8.6 million subsidy or grant from the national government, which is equivalent to 40% of the needed P21 million fund, to set-up 116 more MRFs in the city. If this materializes, Baguio will reduce its garbage by 85%, and the 15% of residual waste will be disposed in open and controlled dumpsites. The barangays can also generate additional revenues from MRF, he said.
In the same briefing, Congressman Mauricio Domogan urged all city and barangay officials to help and support each other in putting up even a small MRF or by clustering with nearby barangays in establishing such facility. (PIA)
7,733 families set to benefit from gov’t Upland Development Project in CAR
by Lito Dar
Baguio City (5 September) — Our country, one of the richest country in the world in terms of diversity, once boast 14 million hectares of forests lands, but due to illegal foresters, loggers, miners or destroyer of environment, now only have about half or 7.2 million hectares of forest help, thus stated by Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza during the briefing on Solid Waste Management and Climate Change that was held for city and barangay officials and hosted by President Arroyo, at the Mansion House last Friday August 28.
In the said briefing, DENR’s Forest Management Bureau Director Marlon Mendoza presented the current situation of the forests in the whole country and in Cordillera. According to Mendoza, the government boosts up its Upland Development Program, in response to the pressing need to protect and regenerate our country’s forest, not only to save our remaining water basins or watersheds but also to mitigate the effect of climate change.
According to Mendoza, the government have allocated P1.5 Billion fund for the Upland Development Program, which will be implemented through agro-forestry, reforestation, natural degeneration (of trees) and mangrove plantation. Mendoza also lauded the president, as he stressed that the P1.5 Billion is the biggest government allocation ever, for such purpose or program.
Nationwide, 52,800 hectares of forest lands are covered by the Upland Development Program and for every hectare there will be one family beneficiary which will receive a social equity for the reforestation.
For Cordillera, Mendoza said the region will receive a total of P250 million, the largest allocation, which will benefit 7,733 family beneficiaries, under the 1 beneficiary per hectare rule. Mendoza also reported that about P180 million have already been released and 35 percent of the target 7,733 hectares have already been planted.
“As the planting season is until October, we are on schedule as more than 90% of the contracts (with the family beneficiaries) are already in signed,” Mendoza added. To protect and ensure that there will be no more degradation of our remaining forest, the DENR are also hiring “Bantay Gubat” or forest guards.
Mendoza also reported that here in Cordillera 16 percent of the more than 11,000 “Bantay Gubat” targets are already hired, as he stressed that the remaining challenges will be an effective management regime and the joint efforts of the national government, various line-agencies and the local government units, not only in planting but also in addressing the socio-economic aspect of reforestation for the marginalized upland communities.
Mendoza also stressed the need to address the social pressure on forest land conversions and the need to cope up or adopt to climate change induced disasters. (PIA)
PGMA mourns Ka Erdie’s demise
Manila (2 September) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday joined the Filipino nation in mourning the passing of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Executive Minister Erano (Ka Erdie) G. Manalo Monday afternoon.
President Arroyo likewise extends the condolences and prayers of her family and Cabinet members to Ka Erdy’s son, Deputy Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, and to all pastoral leaders and members of the INC.
INC, which celebrated its 95th anniversary last July 27, is the larget independent church in Asia. With a membership of millions, it is politically influential.
In a statement, Executive Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Eduardo R. Ermita said “this country and the world have lost yet another great leader in this generation, (one) who has touched the lives of multitudes by his life and his teachings.”
Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Golez, on the other hand, described Ka Erdie a “giant in the social religious and political life of the country.”
He added that the INC’s late leader guided millions of Filipinos on the path of righteousness and attended to social and economic needs of his flock.
Asked if the President, who is currently in Libya, will attend Manalo’s funeral, Golez said the Palace needs to check first on President Arroyo’s schedule when she comes home.
Manalo took over the church upon the death in 1963 of the founder, his father Felix Manalo.
Manalo was born on Jan. 2, 1925. He was INC founder Felix Manalo’s fifth child. (PIA)
GOs, NGOs set nationwide saturation drive for medical, dental, feeding and information-gathering missions
Manila (2 September) — Two million patients. 100,000 volunteers. 2,000 medical mission sites.
On September 6, 2009, a Sunday, more than 100,000 doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, health workers, medical professionals and concerned Filipino citizens from the government and private sector leave the comforts of their home to perform the biggest act of charity in the country, so far.
These Good Samaritans, in a massive display of collective volunteerism, offer their services for free as partners of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in providing medical and dental services to more than two million Filipinos— all in a single day.
Dubbed as the “100 Percent in One Day” project, the PCSO’s nationwide medical, dental and information- gathering mission aims to cover all of the country’s 41,995 barangays.
“This is a first-of-its-kind project in the Philippines that provides fast access to medical and charity care from PCSO and its partners to poor Filipinos all over the country in one day,” explains PCSO General Manager and Vice Chair Rosario Uriarte.
The project is envisioned to be both a celebration of the 75th Anniversary of PCSO, and a window for marginalized Filipinos from all over the country to access medical care and organized charity assistance.
For the medical and dental missions, the PCSO expects to cover 25,197 barangays in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, representing 60 percent of the total number of barangays in the country.
There are more than 2,000 medical mission sites to be set up all over the country on September 6, each site capable of providing service to 1,000 to 1,500 patients.
A medical mission site is manned by four doctors, two dentists, four nurses and one pharmacist. These health professionals are assisted by 30 to 40 volunteers who are in-charge of physical set-up and security.
Aside from general checkups, minor surgeries like the removal of cataracts and lumps, dental services, eye examinations, bone scan and ear check monitor will be available in selected medical mission sites located in government hospitals and rural clinics.
Medicines to be distributed free to patients at the sites include amoxicillin drops, capsules and suspension; metropolol tablets; mefenamic acid, paracetamol drops and tablets; and ascorbic drops, tablets and syrups.
“PCSO has been doing monthly medical and dental missions for several years now,” says Uriarte. “But this is the first time we’ll hold it in large scale in one day, targeting more than two million patients.”
In Metro Manila alone, more than 150,000 beneficiaries are expected to avail of free medical and dental services offered in some 100 mission sites spread throughout the National Capital Region.
The medical sites in Metro Manila are manned by volunteers from the seven Catholic diocese affiliated with Caritas, which mobilized lay leaders and church workers to assist the health professionals in the medical mission sites.
The information-gathering mission, on the other hand, is expected to cover 100 percent of the 41,995 barangays.
Under this component, barangay health workers and residents are encouraged to send to the PCSO through Short Messaging System (SMS) or text message the name and profile of a patient in their community who intends to seek financial assistance from the charity agency.
This would allow the PCSO to maintain a database of prospective beneficiaries whose cases would have to be evaluated to determine who may qualify for the medical assistance.
The feeding missions would be conducted in selected barangays, mostly in depressed areas, in coordination with church-based groups and civic organizations.
The “One Hundred Percent in One Day” project, according to Uriarte, is envisioned to be an annual activity that will serve as a vehicle for spreading the “charity virus,” and make organized and systematic sharing coupled with volunteerism as a way of life for Filipinos. (PIA)
SSS will not be affected by any transition, Palace assures
Manila (2 September) — Funds managed by the Social Security System (SSS) will be well-protected and managed well, whoever sits as its leader, as pensioners’ welfare is the government’s primary concern.
The government assured that any transition in SSS will not adversely affect its funds’ status as this has been secured by the government since the start of the present administration in 2001.
“SSS will not be affected. Whoever sits will only improve SSS,” Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Anthony Golez Jr. said.
While the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of graft charges and the imposition of a six-month suspension against SSS administrator Romulo Neri, Golez said it is unfair to already “float names” on his replacement.
“He’s been very loyal to the President, and he (in turn) enjoys the trust and confidence of the President,” he said.
Neri announced last week that SSS has been able to reverse a potential reduction in revenue, particularly from members’ contribution of the pension fund.
Contributions totaled P36.3 billion as of the first half of the year, a 6.5 percent increase from the same period last year, despite some factory shutdowns and retrenchments.
This still outpaced benefit payments amounting to P35.65 billion during the same period.
SSS’s investment income also grew in the first half to P11.18 billion, which is higher by 24 percent compared to the targeted investment income for the same period.
During the term of President Arroyo, SSS has been able to reverse a potential depletion of the pension fund through an intensive revenue collection effort and a minimal increase in members’ contribution.
This extended the life of the pension fund. As of 2001, SSS’s pension fund was projected to have a life of just 10-15 years. As of 2007, its life span has doubled to last up to 2038. (PIA)
