NVizcaya Comelec says barangay poll registration turnout a success
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (August 16) — The overall turn-out of the recently concluded voters registration in the province has surpassed the expectations of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials here.
She said that even at 7 p.m. last Friday (August 13), young and old voters are still trooping to the various Comelec offices to file their registration.
Comelec officials here also said that during the start of the voters registration, at least 100 voters have been counted as a daily turnout of registrants which is higher than the recorded turnout before the May 10 national elections in the country.
They said the encouragement of barangay officials among the youth and adult voters also contributed as a factor to the overall turnout on the number of registrants in their respective villages.
“Even barangay officials are accompanying the youth and adults to the Comelec office inorder to file their voter’s registration and application and this element boosted the youth’s enthusiasm and activism,” a Comelec official who refused to be identified also noted.
He said the high turnout of new registrants only shows that the voters are expecting much among their fellow youths including barangay officials to lead them for community developments and other progressive endeavors in their respective communities.
The voters registration campaign has been offered to allow more voters to participate in the coming barangay elections in the country slated this year. (PIA NVizcaya)
NVizcaya BIR sees higher tax collection for 2010
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (August 13) — The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here is intensifying its efforts inorder to contribute to the attainment of the P830 to P860 billion tax collection goal set by the government agency this year.
“We do not know if we can surpass it but there is a possibility to achieve it. We should always think positively,” said Cleofe Flores, Revenue District Officer here.
Some P12 million tax collection is expected to be shared by the BIR office here to the national tax collection goal.
BIR’s monthly comparative collection in the province for the month of July 2010 showed a total collection of P38,272.399.66, surpassing their goal of P36,207,000.00 with an excess of P2,065,399.66 with a 5.70 percentage of change with an increase of P6,484,019.67 compared to their collection for the same month last year at P31,788,379.99, also posting a 20.40 percentage of change.
For their cumulative comparative collection report, BIR here posted P258,053,871.37 cumulative collection from January to July 31, 2010, higher than their cumulative goal of P209,124,000.00 with an excess of P48,929,971.37, registering a 23.40 percentage of change compared to their cumulative collection last year of P209,899,792.50 with an increase of P48,154,178.87 and triggering a 22.94 percentage of change.
Flores said the major tax collection sources that contributed to their accomplishment were remittances from withholding taxes through the implementation of many infrastructure projects supervised by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the province.
“If you noticed, there are many road development projects that are being undertaken from Sta. Fe town to Diadi town and these generated a significant collection of taxes,” she said.
Flores also underscored the improving compliance of tax payers in the province because of the implementation of tax mapping efforts and the “Oplan Kandado” program.
“Our tax collection is improving because of their honesty and compliance,” Flores stressed.
She said they were able to close a business establishment in Bambang town for its failure to comply with their requirements, saying that there are also 6 to 8 business establishments in the province which are in the process of complying with their requirements under the “Oplan Kandado” program.
Flores also added that they are working on the submission of political candidates’ expenses to determine their tax delinquencies.
“As of now, we only have 20 percent who complied with this compared to the more than 500 local candidates who participated during the last elections,” she said. (PIA NVizcaya)
PNoy declares Ninoy death anniversary a non-working holiday
Manila (13 August) — President Benigno Aquino III has declared Saturday, August 21, as a special non-working holiday in observance of the death anniversary of his father, the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino Jr.
Monday will remain a regular working day.
Lacierda said the President is not keen on modifying the Holiday Economics law but issued the proclamation, after consultations with his Cabinet officials to promote productivity and observe the solemnity of the late senator’s martyrdom.
Ninoy Aquino was assassinated at the airport tarmac upon his return from Boston on August 21, 1983.
“Observing Ninoy Aquino on August 21 instead of August 23 will avoid the imposition of unnecessary financial burden upon the employers, continuity of government, business and commercial transactions promote productivity, while at the same time preserve the solemnity of the observance,” the proclamation said.
Holiday economics was introduced by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007 with the passage of Republic Act 9492 to allow Filipinos to spend more time with their families and spur domestic tourism.
Under R.A. 9492, a holiday that falls on a Wednesday will be observed on the Monday of the same week. If the holiday falls on a weekend, the holiday will be observed the following Monday.
Businessmen, however, have complained against the government’s holiday economics policy as it requires them to double the pay of employees especially during holidays that were moved on Mondays.
Expected to benefit from the new proclamation are the more than three million non-regular workers employed during weekdays who fall under the “no work-no pay” policy of the private sector. (lam/1:00 p.m)
Malacanang to issue guidelines on excess NFA rice
Manila (12 August) — Malacañang is now ready to issue the guidelines for the distribution of excess rice of the National Food Authority (NFA) to poor communities and the government’s feeding program nationwide.
In a media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said that during the meeting, the President will thresh out the guidelines together with the Cabinet officials concerned.
“They will be discussing it this afternoon and hopefully the guidelines will be issued either today or tomorrow,” Lacierda said.
Earlier, Banayo said they are formulating guidelines for the President’s approval on how to dispose the excess rice stocks in their warehouses as a result of over importation during the past administration and in anticipation of the palay harvest season starting this October.
The DBM is expected to fund the acquirement of the NFA rice for the DSWD’s supplemental feeding program for malnourished children and the DILG’s food-for-work program.
Other local government units are also interested in acquiring the NFA excess rice stocks to be sold at cheaper prices to poor communities.
Due to over importation, the NFA currently has 41 million metric tons of rice stocked in their warehouses which is almost double their normal level. (lam 2.40 p.m.) (PIA-MMIO)
NVizcaya cops seize mine tailings, rifle from town councilor
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (August 10) — Police authorities here recently intercepted illegally transported mine tailings from the mining village of Didipio in Kasibu town.
Police Superintendent Romeo Mangwag, commander of the Nueva Vizcaya Public Safety Company(NVPSC) said the mine tailings were about to be transported outside barangay Didipio in Kasibu town when intercepted by a joint team of policemen and environment personnel manning a checkpoint.
The mine tailings contained in sacks came from small scale miners within the covered area of Oceana Gold Philippines Mining Inc(OGPMI), an Australian-based mining company and are about to be sold to processors outside the area.
Police also discovered a baby Armalite rifle and a magazine loaded with 24 bullets and wrapped in a blanket inside a vehicle where the mine tailings were loaded.
Mangwag said the Armalite rifle was owned by municipal councilor Narciso Kitan, 52 of barangay Debibi in Cabarroguis town in Quirino province.
The mine tailings were turned over to Didipio barangay captain Marilou Nablul while the rifle was turned over to the NVPSC office.
Mangag said that while Kitan showed his license for the rifle, he however failed to show Permit To Carry Outside Residence (PTCOR).
He was referred to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office(PPO) for appropriate charges. (PIA NVizcaya)
PNP Calabarzon hosts largest forum on media safety and security
Camp Vicente Lim (10 August) — Police Regional Office (PRO) Calabarzon spearheaded the largest and biggest forum ever on the safety and security of journalists and media personalities in Southern Tagalog Region held in Calamba City recently.
P/CSupt. Aaron Fidel, Deputy Regional Director for Administration, welcomed the participants citing the importance of the activity which aims to strenthen the coordination between the Philippine National Police and the media in the region.
A briefing on regional situation updates regarding media killings was presented by P/Ssupt. Rosauro Asio, Chief RID 4A, in which he highlighted the present situation in the region. He, likewise presented statistics on media killing incidents as well as the campaign of PRO 4A and security measures being implemented in CALABARZON.
P/Ssupt. Efren Castro, Chief of the Regional Operation and Plans Division tackled and distributed pamphlets on media safety and security guide.
Regional Director P/Csupt. Rolando Anonuevo gave advice and guidance on how to deal with assasination attempts and was given Certificate of Appreciation for his untiring support to the region’s press people.
Sixty-eight (68) media personalities and journalists attended the forum. (PIA)
DOE promotes CFL use
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (August 10) — The Department of Energy is continuously encouraging the public who are still using Incandescent Bulbs (IBs) to use Compact Florescent Lamps to reduce consumer’s electricity consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions to the environment.
Three major projects under the DOE-Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (DOE-PEEP) will be implemented to include the CFL Distributions Program, Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) and Public Lighting Retrofit Program.
Under the CFL Distribution program, this conceptualized based on a study undertaken by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that showed many residential customers in the country are still using at least two 40-watt incandescent bulbs (IBs) which consume more electricity and has short life span.
With the study conducted by ADB, there will be 13 million compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to be distributed, free of charges, to residential customers to replace working Incandescent Bulbs (IBs).
According to DOE, the CFL has a life span of up to 10, 000 burning hours and has a two-year warranty and expected to reduce electricity consumption by as much as 80%.
The DOE has initially produced 5 million 15 watt CFLs and were distributed within the franchise areas of the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) in Metro Manila; CALABARZON and Bulacan, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City and in other parts of Mindanao.
It was distributed in public elementary schools SM Super Malls, and offices of the Department of Energy, National Power Corporation, National Electrification Administration, and Community Centers identified by the SWITCH partners.
Another program of DOE is the Government Energy Management program which aims to advocate government offices on cost savings on fuel and electricity without sacrificing productivity and to get the savings commitment of agencies.
The DOE will be conducting series of seminars to the different regions on Power conservation and efficiency for government agencies and will be sharing tips on how to reduce electricity bills.
There will also be a public lighting retrofitting program where the DOE will provide CFL lamps for public parks and city roads.
In region 2, a representative of the Philippine Information Agency ? Program Management Unit (PIA ? PMU) initially met local government unit heads and some private sector representatives and have planned activities for the distribution of CFLs and seminars to government offices in the region.
It is expected that the aim of DOE to reduce power consumption and lower greenhouse gaes to the environment will be realized when these three major programs of the agency would be implemented In the whole country. (PIA-Isabela)
Stricter police discipline urged by Laguna governor
Laguna (9 August) — “Maintaining peace and order and police visibility are the crucial elements in achieving genuine growth and development in the province of Laguna. The realization of a noble vision and aspirations will not be attained if crime persists wherein some policemen are involved.”
These were the strong words of Gov. Jeorge’E.R.’ Ejercito Estregan during the formal turnover of command of the Laguna Police Provincial Police Office (LPPO) that was held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall in the capital town, Sta. Cruz.
Gov. Ejercito boldly stressed that the lukewarm perception of the populace towards the law enforcers where due to the involvement of a few in unlawful activities such as kidnapping, extortion, robbery-holdup, rape, hi-jacking and other illegal acts. According to the father of the province, by doing such acts they themselves are breaking their vows of protecting the citizenry.
In this regard, the Governor ordered the newly appointed Provincial Director, PSSupt. Gilbert Cruz to punish and file appropriate charges to his subordinates who will be involved in crme-related activities that will tarnish the image of the Police and the province which is now headed by Gove. Ejercito Estregan. (pio/pia4a)
BFAR sees poaching as threat to Cagayan Valley marine resources
by Oliver T. Baccay
Tuguegarao City (6 August) — Dr. Jovita P. Ayson, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 2, said poaching is the biggest problem in the bodies of water of Region 2 in so far as marine resources is concern.
Ayson, in the Fishery Forum held at Ivory Hotel on August 5, said in the past years poaching was the enlisted perennial problem of BFAR 2 because the bodies of water, as the territorial jurisdiction of the region, is very near from Taiwan, China and Japan.
In her presentation, an estimated cost of 1.5 to 3.75 million pesos per vessel or 75 to 150 million pesos per year is the production lost of the region due to the said illegal fishing within the seas and oceans of Region 2.
“This is our problem, not to mention the reversible damage to our marine environment and to the lives of our fisherfolks”, Ayson stated.
Other than this, Ayson also mentioned that the use of buli-buli, cyanide and dynamite are still contributory factor to the depletion of the aquamarine products of Cagayan Valley.
She further said that other human activities which are contributory to the climate change are also challenge that the fishery sector is facing that must be addressed through the collaborative effort of all stakeholders.
“This forum is set to encourage every stakeholder to help BFAR and the law enforcers to guard our marine resources and to transform the challenges into opportunities for our development and for the future generations”, Ayson mentioned.
In the forum, Atty. Allonette Perez, Legal Officer of BFAR Region 6, lectured on the prohibitions, regulations and penalties of the RA 8550 or the Fisheries Code of 1998 to appraise the law enforcers on the existing laws which are applicable in any form of violations on fishery.
Atty. Michael Andayog, Legal officer of BFAR Central office, also lectured on the procedures of arrest, search, seizure, and detention for poaching and other fishery law violations.
The two lawyers said “the country has many laws to protect the marine resources but week on its implementation”. (PIA 2)
Red Cross pushes for integrated disaster preparedness and response program in Camarines provinces
by LS Macatangay
Naga City (5 August) — In line with its crusade to reduce the number of casualties and catastrophic number of injuries during a disaster onslaught, the Philippine National Red Cross will commence implementation of the Integrated Community Disaster Preparedness Program (ICDPP) in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte before this year, disclosed by Nanette Rodrigazo, chapter administrator of PNRC Camarines Sur Chapter, during the launching of the program at Villa Caceres Hotel here recently.
The program will be carried out under the Disaster Preparedness Program attached to the Department of the European Community Humanitarian Office (DIPECHO) through the consortium of the German Red Cross and the Spanish Red Cross.
The ICDPP-DIPECHO program will be implemented in four provinces in the country, namely Palawan, Antique, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, with funding of some EUR410,000 (350,000 ECHO + 60,000 GRC/SRC) and will commence implementation on August 31, 2011.
In Camarines Sur, recipients include local governments of San Fernando and Garchitorena wherein the programs will be implemented in five (5) partner-communities and five (5) partner-schools.
Barangays Bical, Cotmo, Gñaran, Maragñi and Pinamasagan, Elementary Schools of Bical, Cotmo, Gñaran, and Maragñi and Pinamasagan High School are the identified beneficiaries in San Fernando town. While in Garchitorena, covered barangays include Cagnipa, Canlong, Del Pilar, Salvacion and Sumaoy plus five elementary schools.
The two municipalities have a combined allocation of P3,350,000, with counterparts from the local government units.
Rodrigazo said that Camarines Sur is very fortunate to have the program which will provide constituents an opportunity to better equip themselves with knowledge and skills on disasters preparedness and response.
She also stated that this will also help PNRC in realizing its goal in lowering, if not totally eliminating the number of casualties, particularly during typhoons and flooding in the province.
“We at the PNRC would want to realize our goal of building a culture of safe and resilient community to disaster and crisis. This program will reinforce and strengthen the disaster preparedness and capacity of our Chapter,” she related.
Rodrigazo added that DIPECHO program is matched to the priority needs of the community.
“DIPECHO financed activities is working on a framework which is consistent with existing disaster prevention and the mitigation of its ill-effects to the community. It also strengthens the response system of the members of the community, thus lessening any untoward incident to occur since they already know what to do.” (PIA CamSur)
