DTI streamlines import-export business processing in R02
Tuguegarao City (August 24) — The Department of Trade and Industry recently announced that the processing of documents for import and export trades in Region 02 is now made easier and faster with the installation of the Philippine National Single Window (NSW) at the DTI-Cagayan Provincial Office.
The project which is implemented through the mandate of Executive Order 482, “allows parties involved in import and export trade to lodge information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements.”
About 40 agencies were involved in the issuance of import and export licenses, permits and clearances for trade facilitation in the Philippines. With the introduction of NSW, the trade and logistics industry through the help of integrated ICT systems, will use a singe internet-based interface with the 40 government agencies. (PIA 2)
DSWD establishes SWD L-NET in R02
by Suzette Adduru
Tuguegarao City (24 August) — To enhance the capacity of organizations, agencies, schools and individuals that are engaged in poverty alleviation and social protection here, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 2 recently established the Social Welfare and Development Learning Network (SWDL)-Net in region 2.
Here in region 2, two (2) representatives from academe, government organizations and non-government organizations were tapped to be the member of L-Net who have agreed to collaborate and ensure quality delivery of learning programs and services through training, exchanges and research.
The operation is composed of four phases: 1. Pre-operational phase, 2. Operational Phase, 3. Sustainability phase and, 4. Institutionalization phase, which will be done through bilateral arrangement and common program of members.
Pre-operational phase has 2 components: 1. Policy Development and Planning covers SWD environmental assessment, strategic positioning and planning and; 2. Organization and Mobilization includes recruitment and capacitating membership.
Operational Phase will be on Resource Generation through information exchange, standards for module development and managing capacity building activities and E-Learning Resource Center.
Sustainability phase is the continuous updating of capacity building activities.
Last phase is institutionalization wherein SWD Learning Network will be localized.
L-Net is meant to provide opportunities for acquisition of new knowledge, skills and paradigms that will empower and enhance capacities and capabilities of individuals and organizations to effectively deal with change so not to repeat the sins of the past. (PIA 2)
PNP Ifugao deputized as environment officers
by Vency D. Bulayungan
Lagawe, Ifugao (21 August) — In an effort to regulate the rampant quarrying and other anti-environment activities here and in Banaue and, the police here has been deputized as special deputy environment and natural resources officer (SDENRO).
“By virtue of this deputation, the Ifugao PPO and the Banaue PO are authorized to investigate any violation of mining and environmental laws,” the order stated.
Deputized are PSupt Davy Limmong, PPO Investigation Officer, P/C InspP Reynaldo S. Saet and PInsp. Ramon Espiritu, Chief of Police of Banaue.
The special order further stated that the PNP is also authorized to arrest even without warrant any person who has committed, is committing or is about to commit any of the criminal offenses defined in the said laws.
In collaboration with the Ifugao Provincial Mining Regulatory Board and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), the PNP here are also authorized to apprehend and seize the tools, equipment and conveyance used in the commission of the offenses including all mineral products extracted, gathered, removed and possessed by the offender in the process of committing the offense.
Moreover, the PPO and Banaue PO shall assist in the enforcement of mining and environmental laws rules and regulations and in the conduct of environment and natural resources information and education campaign such as public meeting, assemblies and other extension activities.
Arlene Camat of the Provincial Agriculture Environment and Natural Resources Office said the Multipartite Monitoring Team (MMT) recommended the deputizing of PNP site officers for the Sumigar area in Mt. Polis.
The MMT composed of representatives from the MGB, PAENRO, PNP, DPWH, PENRO at BLGU also recommended among others, a strategic checkpoint site should be identified and operationalized.Signages and billboards strictly prohibiting illegal quarrying in the area should be installed. (PIA-Ifugao)
Pangasinan set to reclaim rice granary status
By Danny O Sagun
Dagupan City (19 August) — “Babalik ang Pangasinan na rice granary pag tapos na yan.”
Engineer Laurence Acebedo, assistant project manager of the Agno River Integrated Irrigation Project (ARIIP), thus boldly projected as to what Pangasinan would become when the irrigation re-regulating pond in San Manuel town is completed by mid-2013.
Acebedo said some 35,000 hectares of farmlands from eastern and central Pangasinan are projected to benefit from the irrigation system. “Sa ngayon nga nakikita na yong pagtaas ng produksyon sa mga lugar na naayos na natin yong irrigation facilities, mas lalong maramdaman ng ating farmers ang benepisyo pag operational na yong re-regulating pond,” he told newsmen in a huddle after the KBP Forum Thursday at the Philippine Information Agency.
Construction of theP4.5-billion pond project started early this year. Funds came from a loan with the China Eximbank. The pond will cover an area of 85 hectares and can hold five million cubic meters of water used by the San Roque dam power generation facility.
Acebedo said the contractor, CAMC Engineering of China, is ahead of schedule by at least nine percent. “Sa ngayon nasa 19 percent na sila, which is a positive slippage of nine percent. Ang target accomplishment for July ay 10 percent,” he noted.
ARIIP, he also said, is at the same time rehabilitating the canals of the Agno River Irrigation System (ARIS) and the Ambayaoan-Dipalo Irrigation System (ADRIS). The two irrigation systems were integrated into the single project ARIIP. The total project cost runs to some P11.3 billion including the construction of the re-regulating pond, he said.
Rehabilitation of the irrigation facilities included concreting of portions of the canals to prevent erosion and siltation.
If funds warrant, coverage in the ADRIS area may be expanded to benefit more towns, he disclosed.
Farmlands from the towns of Mapandan, Malasiqui, Sta. Barbara and Calasiao of the third district, Mangaldan and Manaoag of the fourth district, Laoac, Binalonan, Urdaneta City and Villasis of the fifth district, and Asingan, San Manuel, Natividad, San Nicolas, San Quintin, Sta. Maria, Tayug and Balungao of the sixth district will benefit from the improved irrigation system.
On the collection of irrigation service fees, he noted that farmers are very cooperative in paying their obligations. “Boluntaryo naman silang nagbabayad. Nakikita naman nila na gumaganda na ang irigasyon dahil sa facilities nating pinapatayo,” he said. (PIA Pangasinan)
PNoy cites potentials of coconet
Manila (18 August) — President Benigno Aquino III cited the huge potentials of coconet for its varied uses including as a protective material against soil erosion for road projects.
During his press briefing at Malacanang today, August 18, President Aquino pointed out that one of these potentials is the use by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) of coconet for slope protection along the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX), which proved successful.
He said that based on the DPWH experience the government can save as much as P2.5 billion from the P3.0billion that the agency spends to protect slopes along national roads against soil erosion. He added that this means huge direct savings for the government.
“Napakalaki ng potensyal nitong coconet (technology),” said the President.
Likewise, tapping coconet and its by-products can help uplift the livelihood and increase the income of people who depend on the coconut industry and who account for 10 million of some 15 million Filipinos living below the poverty line, the President said.
Ultimately, the President said this will help boost the coconut industry.
We will pursue this vigorously, said the President.
Coconet is presently being used in China to prevent soil erosion especially along riverbanks, and similarly in Germany and Japan. It is also being used as a material for car seats in Germany and other European countries in lieu of foam, which is non-biodegradable (while coconet is). (PIA 6)
DTI awards Best OTOP Product in Region 2
by Oliver T. Baccay
Tuguegarao City (17 August) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 has recognized Best One Town One Products (OTOP) that showcases the best local products of Cagayan Valley, in the 2010 OTOP Congress held at Brickstone Mall Tuguegarao.
Regional Director Esperanza C. Banarez conferred the recognitions to 5 Local Government Units and 10 local products will be given recognition in their participation and contribution in enhancing and harnessing the local indigenous raw materials, inbred skills and talents in coming up with distinctive products in their respective municipalities.
Banarez said the LGUs have explored the competitive advantage of identified products or services toward stimulating local economic activity within their respective community and inspired entrepreneurs to venture on OTOP products.
Based on the report of the search committee, LGU Penablanca, Cagayan; Baggao, Cagayan; Sto. Nino, Cagayan; Delfin Albano, Isabela; and Cabagan, Isabela have excelled in implementing OTOP programs in their respective municipalities and recognized to be the best LGU OTOP implementer in the region.
Ten OTOP products were also awarded. For furniture, gifts and holiday décor category, the Chest Table of San Jose, Baggao; Fish Wall Art of Maddela, Quirino; Sabutan Hat of Palanan Isabela, Dried Flowers of Cabarroguis , Quirino; and the Bamboo Lampshade of Delfin Albano, Isabela will be recognized.
For the food sector category, Buko Pie of Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya; Shrimp Paste of Aparri, Cagayan; Chicharabao of Tuguegarao City; Veggie Noodles of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya ; and Garlic Coated Peanuts of Alacala, Cagayan will also be given due recognition.
The search committee, composed of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Drugs Administration, Philippine Information Agency, Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Development Bank of the Philippines and United Architects of the Philippines, has selected the best OTOP implementer and product from different municipalities in the region.
Banarez said the awarding is an avenue to encourage the LGU officials and the entrepreneurs to venture on investment using local materials available in the community and as a form of livelihood. (PIA 2)
PNoy to put up e-centers nationwide
Manila (17 August) — President Benigno Aquino III plans to establish an e-center in every barangay nationwide to ensure that even citizens in the remotest barangays will have access to his website and be able to share their views and concerns with him.
In a press briefing after today’s launching of the President’s website, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said the Aquino Administration will bring the government closer to the people through the use of traditional, new media and social networking sites.
Coloma said the President intends to reach out to the 42,000 barangays all over the country through his website www.president.gov.ph and through the use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Friendster and Multiply among others.
“This is an effective means by which the President can get the sentiments of the people and have them as partners in good governance,” Coloma stressed.
He said this will be realized with “no extravagant expenditure” as Netopia, an internet cafe network operating in the country, has “formally signified making available all their sites nationwide to provide access to our people.”
According to Coloma the local government units (LGUs) will also be encouraged to set-up barangay e-centers.
“We will also evoke civil spiritedness so that concerned citizens may donate computers and connectivity,” Coloma said. (fpv/4:10 pm) (PCOO)
BIR Calamba holds media interaction
Calamba City (August 17) — In line with the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) information dissemination campaign, BIR Revenue District Office No. 56 in coordination with the Philippine Information Agency-Laguna held media interaction recently with mediamen (print and broadcast) from Laguna and Cavite.
Revenue District Officer Benito B. Wong said the info campaign aims to raise awareness among the citizenry on the importance of paying taxes to community development.
Some of the innovations implemented by the BIR to facilitate transactions include on-line tax payment; provision of special lanes to senior citizens; and orientation on when-to-pay/what-to-pay taxes to avoid tax payment delinquency to new business registrants.
Wong also mentioned the “Run-After-Tax-Evaders” (RATE) program; the “Handang Maglingkod Program” wherein BIR personnel are always ready to render service with a smile; and “Premyo sa Resibo” which are all conceived for better service and tax collection.
On the other hand, Assisantant Revenue Distric Officer Teodora Sumague discussed matters regarding the use of computers on gaming and personal use in various offices.
“In our office, a special program is installed in computers to pinpoint or prevent employees from using official time in internet gaming and social networking, hence, service is maximized and no time is wasted,” Sumague said.
RDO Wong and ARDO Sumague expressed appreciation to the PIA and warmly thanked the media present and showed interest for more media interaction. (PIA-Laguna)
PNP officials visit training school
Cauayan City, Isabela (August 16) — A high officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in-charge of overseeing the police training school in the country has a chance of visiting the Cagayan Valley’s PNP Regional Training School based in this booming city in region 2 to personally see the condition of the training school here.
Police Director for Training Institute Emelito Sarmiento arrived here last Friday (August 13) and receive by Police Senior Superintendent Jimmy U. Rivera including Assis”ant Regional Training Director Superintendent Macario Ferdinand Aquino at Cauayan City Airport and immediately proceed to Regional Training School 2 at Minante 1, Cauayan City.
Police Director Sarmiento immediately inspected and went around the RTS facilities and thereafter met the RTS 2 Training Officials and apprise them on the present thrusts of the PNP especially in the molding a professionalize new member of the Philippine National Police.
He said that there should be a pleasant and conductive place for trainees as this is the area where they are trained to become future protectors of the people.
He said the government announced that there will be no hiring be made in the bureaucracy but the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are exempted and will continue to recruit new members annually as there is necessity to fill the rights ratio to guard the nation’s population.
The police officials is making a round of inspection of all training school in the country and is looking for anymore need to improve the provision o necessary training equipment and facilities to further enhance police trainees with necessary skills and mold them to be a good police officer.
The Police Regional Training School in the country provides necessary skills and knowledge of police trainees and prepare these trainees to be disciplined, honest responsive and carries in their minds and hearts the police work that is “TO SERVE AND PROTECT” the public. (PIA Isabela)
NSO holds forum on 2008 ASPBI, SICT survey
by LS Macatangay
Naga City (16 August) — The manufacturing industry has topped the 2008 annual survey with the most number of establishments opened in the Bicol region totaling to some 42 company or business institutions for 2008, followed by electricity, gas and water with 31 and construction with 7 establishments opened, according to a regional official of the National Statistics Office (NSO) in Bicol.
In the Regional Data Dissemination Seminar held August 12 here, Cynthia L. Perdiz, officer in charge of NSO Bicol, noted that the results were based from the economy- wide results of the 2008 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) and 2008 Survey on Information and Communication Technology.
Other results of the survey showed, construction sector had the highest average number of employees with 4,564 total employment edging electricity, gas and water utilities in 2006 which only employs 3, 595 personnel last 2008 yet it still ranked first in terms of average monthly compensation of 953,116.00.
On the other hand, wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles were considered as the most labor productive industries in terms of revenue per worker while real estate, renting and business activities also leads the list in Bicol in terms of value added per worker.
The survey results also divulged that real estate, renting and business activities here in Bicol had the highest average revenue per establishment, highest average profit per establishment and had the highest profit margin this 2008.
Administrator and Civil Registrar General Carmelita N. Ericta of NSO, who personally came to Bicol to grace the occasion, meanwhile said that the economic indicators will be very useful, especially for business establishments.
She also took pride in the exemplary performance of various NSO offices here in the region.
“I would like to congratulate our field officers, especially our NSO Provincial Statistics officers here in the Bicol region for receiving a 97 per cent response rate coming from our respondents. Their dedication and perseverance will eventually lead us to the realization of our vision to be recognized as a world-class provider of statistical and civil registration products and services,” remarked Ericta.
NSO Camarines Sur Provincial Statistics Officer Clemente Manaog, also enjoined other respondents to continue supporting their agency by accommodating their enumerators and providing them with the correct data that they need.
“This activity is also our way of extending our gratitude to our respondents, who is also our partners in successfully providing us with the complete picture of our province in terms of economy, employment and also the number of population, which is very vital in the formulation of laws and programs for the welfare of our people.”
NSO is the major statistical agency responsible in collecting, compiling, classifying, producing, publishing and disseminating general-purpose statistics as provided for in Commonwealth Act (CA) No. 591. (PIA CamSur)
