PNP-2 bans carrying of firearms outside residence in Cagayan
by Oliver T. Baccay
Tuguegarao City (25 November) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 2 has suspended permits to carry firearms outside residence within the province of Cagayan to prevent the commission of any further violence, particularly killings and shootings of groups or individuals from the opposing political camps.
Pineli said the suspension of permit to carry firearms outside residence is the effect of the prevailing issue on the unresolved crimes happened in the region in the past days and years.
“We wish to inform the public that this memorandum takes effect November 23, 2010 and it will be lifted until and unless the peace and order situation in the province will be in its normal condition”, Pineli stated.
He further confirmed that the processing of all applications for permit to carry firearms outside residence is likewise suspended.
Pineli also clarified that non-residents of Cagayan is also affected by the suspension because the permit to carry their firearms when they enter the province is also suspended.
“Only members of PNP, AFP, Law Enforcers and Security details are allowed to carry their firearms when they are in agency-prescribed uniform and actual performing their official duties and function”, Pineli added.
He also clarified that when the law enforcers are on official duty, they shall place their firearms in a holster security attached to the belt when they are in their agency-prescribed uniform, except that military pilots in flying uniforms and crew of armored vehicles may carry firearms in shoulder holsters.
The PNP will also identify and declare “gun free zones” such as critical areas in their respective localities, which may include school zones, church, commercial and business district and tourist spots, wherein only law enforcers are authorized to carry firearms within these zones. (PNP 2)
Nueva Vizcaya solon says Pacquiao can go further in politics
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (November 22) — With his recent victory over Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito, world pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao can ascend further to higher political position, according to Nueva Vizcaya Representative Carlos Padilla here.
Padilla also expressed optimism on the possibility of Pacquiao’s political career to flourish because of his unquestioned sincerity to participate in the Congressional deliberations.
“He is trying to improve though he has limitations. But he is hardworking and dedicated. He is not also out of order and he wants to express his ideas well,” he said.
The solon said that while Pacquiao is still new in politics, it will take time for him to equip himself with parliamentary skills.
Padilla made the statement as Pacquiao is expected to meet with his colleagues in Congress today for his welcome party.
Pacquiao, a congressman of Sarangani province arrived over the weekend after his tough fight with Mexican fighter Antonio Margarito, winning his eight world title in a unanimous decision in Texas in November 13, 2010.
Padilla said Pacquiao will also be awarded with a Congressional Medal of Distinction, the highest award to be given by Congress for his unifying spirit among Filipinos.
“We are excited to see him after his fight and training for more than a month,” he stressed.
Pacquiao will be offered with a welcome dinner party after the Congress wraps up its session today with a live band. The Congress will also distribute food packs to its 3,500 employees and legislative staffs.
According to the solon, Pacquiao can become the next president of the country because he has become the rallying point among Filipinos from all walks of life by excelling in his chosen field of sport which also encouraged many to follow his footsteps.
Padilla however warned that Pacquiao’s boxing career can also interfere with his aim to climb the ladders of his political ambition.
“While it will not become easy, I believe Manny Pacquiao can handle it the way he handled his many opponents in the ring towards victory,” Padilla said. (PIA NVizcaya)
DFA issues new diplomatic ID cards
Manila (22 November) — The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Protocol and State Visits (DFA-OPSV) announced that the new identification cards have been issued to members of the diplomatic & consular missions and international organizations in the Philippines starting October 2010.
Previously-issued ID cards will remain valid until their expiration date, according to the DFA-OPSV.
Members of the diplomatic and consular missions and international organizations are issued identification card by the DFA-OPSV as proof of accreditation.
The diplomatic status of these individuals serves as the basis of the issuance of value-added tax (VAT)-exempt cards and the entitlement to privileges and immunities.
Diplomats and their qualified dependents are issued the new ID cards, which are valid for the duration of their respective tours of duty in the country. (PIA-MMIO)
BFAR 2 says new shrimp species feasible in Cagayan Valley
by Thelma C. Bicarme
Tuguegarao City (Nov. 22) — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 2 (BFAR 2) has brought another good news to Cagayan Valley farmers with the success of its feasibility study of culturing Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) under region 2 condition.
Dr. Jovita Ayson, BFAR 2 regional director said just like pangasius (fast growing farmed fish species), the fish farmers can look forward to raising another profitable aquaculture species with the successful verification study and demo on P. vannamei.
Alexander Castañeda, BFAR RO2 project leader on P. vannamei said the study which was conducted at the BFAR fish farm in Claveria, Cagayan spanned two trial runs and employed semi-intensive culture management.
The study was conducted in a brackishwater pond measuring 1,360 square meters & stocked with 27,200 pieces size 18 post-larvae (PL) and has yielded a harvest of 213 kilograms after five (5) months culture period. The size 18 PL weighs about 0.01 grams.
“Fish farmers who are culturing tilapia or bangus in brackish water ponds can also add vannamei into their projects for added harvest and income, provided the PL are given a lead time of about one month” Castañeda said.
Estimated survival or recovery rate is 58% while harvest weight averaged at 13.5 grams. The trial run held last year showed slightly higher harvest weight.
The main hindrance in the promotion of the species in region 02, and elsewhere, is the source of seed material or post-larvae (PL) as BFAR-accredited P. vannamei hatcheries can only be found in Zambales, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo.
However, BFAR officials said even with a transport cost of 9,000 pesos, the project can still potentially net more than P16,000 with farm gate / retail price of 250 pesos per kilo. Total expenses for the project is less than P40,000.
As to the feeding aspect, sixty-percent of the feed ration is given at 6:00 to 8:00 pm as the shrimp feed at night time being nocturnal animal. The remainder is given at 6:00 to 7:00 in the morning. To guard against predators, coconut leaves are placed within the pond area.
P. vannamei is native to the Eastern Pacific coast in Sonora, Mexico and is present through Central and South America. The species is now rapidly gaining ground as top shrimp species for culture in other countries notably in China where it has replaced P. monodon (Black tiger shrimp, sugpo or padaw in Ilocano) as preferred shrimp for culture. It is also popular in Taiwan, Thailand and in the Americas.
Fisheries Administrativ Order (FAO) 225 allows only the importation of broodstock shrimps that are certified as Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) or Specific Pathogen Resistant (SPR).
The farmers who want to venture on P. vannamei are advised to purchase seed material (PL) from BFAR-accredited hatcheries to ensure that the PL are SPF or SPR certified which means that the stocks are free from pathogen that may cause viral diseases in shrimps.
As stated in FAO 225, potential growers must first secure permit from BFAR before they can start operations. (PIA 2)
DILG launches vigilance to volunteerism program
Manila (20 November) — The Department of Interior and Local Government through its Local Government Academy recently launched a program that would enlist the active participation of civil society organizations and non-government organizations in local governance.
Dubbed as “Vigilance to Volunteerism: A Program Intensifying People’s Engagement in Local Governance (V2V PIPELOG)”, the program was launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with program partners Caucus of Development NGO Networks (Code-NGO) and Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) at the SEAMEO Innotech in Quezon City.
DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero representing DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo signed the MOA for the DILG.
The MOA was signed during the “Participatory Governance Forum” organized by Code NGO and attended by officials from the DILG, LGA, Code-NGO and PhilDHRRA and other development partners.
Undersecretary Panadero said the program aims to improve the state of local governance through integrating civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) in local government processes and enlisting their active participation in governance.
The project, Undersecretary Panadero said, has four components to encourage inclusive and sustainable collaborations, the first being, Civil Society Organization Mapping that will develop a baseline data of all CSOs working with Local Government Units.
The second component is the Local Special Bodies (LSBs) Strengthening, orientation and collaborative activities with CSOs will be conducted to help increase their membership in local development council (LDC) committees.
The third component is Volunteerism Program that will encourage volunteerism among citizens and CSOs by participating in immersion activities in LGUs.
The fourth component is Guardians of Good Local Governance that will develop a performance evaluation and feedback mechanism that will help the national government assess LGU performance with CSOs as main partners of the government.
The project will bridge the gap to address the need to ignite culture of volunteerism and community involvement for sustainable and progressive development of local governments.
The V2V PIPELOG will focus on promoting NGOs and CSOs active engagement in local governance not just on local planning but through research study, institutional capacity building of CSOs and LGUs, policy reforms, volunteerism programs and technical assistance, network building and performance evaluation and feedback. (PIA 8 with DILG 8 report)
PNoy hopeful PPP will get support from major stakeholders
Manila (18 November) — President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed optimism that the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects that will be launched tomorrow in Pasay City will get the support from major stakeholders.
In a Malacanang press corps briefing held on Thursday, November 17, President Aquino disclosed that various private entities, have shown interest on the first ten (10) projects that will be launched on November 18.
“There really seems to be a lot of interest, hopefully, the travel advisory brouhaha last week–will not seriously dampen it. At this point we’re really optimistic that there will be a lot of interest on at least the first 10 that will be rolled out by tomorrow”, the President said.
The President said that the travel advisories previously issued by other countries may, after all, not affect the launching and implementation of the PPP projects.
The Aquio Administration, in cooperation with the private sector, launched on November 17, “Infrastructure Philippines”, that will run until Friday, Nov. 19 at the Manila Mariott Hotel.
The event is pursuant President Aquino’s socio-economic agenda which aims to achieve a high and sustained economic growth needed to generate jobs and to examine investment opportunities, profiles of public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the country, as well as policy, regulatory, and legal concerns in developing the infrastructure sector in the country.
The Aquino government has committed to channel the gains from the PPP into essential social services, such as those in education, health, and its centerpiece program on poverty alleviation.
Implementing agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Transportation and Communications will present their pipeline of infrastructure projects for possible private-public partnership as well as their planned timelines for bidding out such projects.
PNP introduces “Pulis Ko Titser Ko” program in Calabarzon
Calamba City (17 November) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) in Southern Tagalog has signed a Memorandum of Agreement on November 15, 2010 that will formalize the partnership between the two agencies in bringing to public elementary schools in the region the PNP’s “Pulis Ko Titser Ko” Program.
CALABARZON Police Regional Office director, Chief Superintendent Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. and Region 4-A DepEd Paraluman R. Giron signed the MOA at Camp Vicente Lim, Canlubang, Calamba City. Part of the MOA between the PNP and DepEd is for the two agencies to collaborate in formulating a Grade Four curriculum and the teaching methodology to be used in its implementation.
“Pulis Ko Titser Ko” Program is a strategic school-based crime awareness project of PNP and DepEd in Region 4-A. Policemen from different units in CALABARZON who were former teachers or graduates of BSEd will lecture Grade Four pupils at selected public elementary schools 20 to 30 minutes on subjects about crime prevention awareness, child safety, welfare and development, lectures on patriotism, nationalism, and other subjects.
The program is expected to be formally and simultaneously implemented in cities and municipalities throughout CALABARZON. The PNP, in cooperation with the DepEd in Region 4-A, will select one public elementary school in every municipality as recipient of the program.
Pagdilao said the MOA is a great leap to the PRO4-A’s strategic campaign against crime because it will effectively prevent children from falling into the hands of criminals through efforts that transcend ordinary police work.
“Pulis Ko Titser Ko” Program, founded on a Biblical doctrine that says “Train a child in the way he should go and when he grows up he will not depart from it”, also aims to develop positive perception in the minds of the youth about law and order so that they become an integral part of nation building process when they grow up.
Pagdilao said part of the objective of “Pulis Ko Titser Ko” is to teach young students with lessons on obedience to our laws and respect for law enforcers, crime prevention and avoidance, drug awareness, moral and value enhancement, and patriotism and nationalism.
This program, once institutionalized, will help further develop Southern Tagalog region into a future community composed of responsible, productive and law abiding citizens less involved in crimes.
“Pulis Ko Titser Ko” Program is the brainchild of Pagdilao way back when he was the district director of Northern Police District (NPD) and was replicated in Western Visayas region when he was the regional director. (PIO, PRO4A/PIA Calabarzon)
RP wins tax case vs Thailand
by Jessica Anne D. Hermosa
Ruling to become final sans appeal or rejection by entire WTO
Manila (17 November) — The World Trade Organization (WTO) has provisionally ruled in the Philippines’ favor in a cigarette tax dispute with Thailand, upholding Manila’s complaints that Bangkok’s policies violated trade rules.
In a 400-page decision released late on Monday, a WTO panel went on to order Thailand to set uniform taxes on both foreign and locally made cigarettes and to adopt more transparent policies for determining import values.
The decision will become an official ruling in 60 days unless either side appeals or if the entire WTO membership rejects the findings.
The trade dispute arose after Bangkok, in 2006, implemented customs valuation and domestic tax measures that allegedly undermined the competitiveness of imported cigarettes versus those locally produced by the state-run Thailand Tobacco Monopoly.
In 2008, Manila complained that Thai customs officials had set higher valuations for Philip Morris International’s Philippine-made cigarettes. This came amid allegations that the cigarette manufacturer was misdeclaring prices to its Thai sister firm to get away with lower duties.
Thailand also reportedly slapped higher value-added taxes (VAT) on imported cigarettes, the Philippines claimed.
The dispute attracted the interest of the United States, European Union and Chinese Taipei which forwarded statements similar to the Philippine position.
Thailand argued that it was right to reject Philip Morris’ declared values given “legitimate” doubts. It claimed that a third-party importer bought the same products from the Philippines at three times the price contracted between Philip Morris’ units.
Thailand also said that while retailers of imported cigarettes had to pay VAT, this was not applied in practice.
The WTO panel criticized Bangkok’s practices in its Monday ruling, stating that these violated provisions which require members to accept the export price as the customs value even if “the buyer and seller are related.”
Thailand also acted “inconsistently” with WTO rules that Customs inform traders of its methods if the agency insists on determining the shipment’s value by itself.
“[And] Thailand acted inconsistently with Article 10 by disclosing confidential customs valuation information provided by PM Thailand to Thai Customs in the Thai media,” the ruling further stated.
Aside from failing to heed customs valuation rules, Thailand was also found guilty of favoring locally made cigarettes over imports through its VAT policies.
“Thailand acted inconsistently with [trade rules] by subjecting imported cigarettes to a VAT liability in excess of that applied to like domestic cigarettes,” the report stated.
The panel also pointed to “additional administrative requirements” imposed on retailers of imported cigarettes as another violation.
While Thailand was cleared of allegations that it violated trade rules when state officials were appointed to the local tobacco firm’s board, the WTO panel said the country “failed to maintain… independent review tribunals” for the review of tax policies.
“The Panel recommends that the Dispute Settlement Body request Thailand to bring these inconsistent measures into conformity with its obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and the WTO Agreement,” the report stated.
The panel declined to rule on other issues raised by the Philippines, particularly whether Thailand also failed to go through the correct sequence of alternatives for determining customs values as Manila’s request “was not made in a timely manner.”
But these “were not significant,” said Ambassador Manuel A. J. Teehankee, the country’s permanent representative to the WTO.
“The Philippines won and positions overwhelmingly upheld so an appeal would be by Thailand,” Mr. Teehankee recently said.
Philip Morris’ local arm, which was reported to export 30% of its output to Thailand, likewise hailed the decision.
Chris J. Nelson, managing director of Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. and president of PMFTC, Inc. — a merger with Fortune Tobacco Corp. — said in a separate e-mail: “[We] welcome the decision… We hope… issues relating to Philip Morris exports to Thailand will be settled favorably by Thai authorities.”
The Thai embassy in Manila declined to comment in the meantime.
If Thailand appeals the report, another six to seven months of proceedings can be expected before the issue is resolved, Mr. Teehankee said. (PhilExport)
Novo Vizcayanos hail Pacquiao’s victory
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya (November 15) — Novo Vizcayanos from all walks of life expressed elation and praise here over the triumphant victory of Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao against Mexican Antonio Margarito Sunday.
Pacquiao stunned Margarito with his speed, defeating his taller opponent with punches that landed mostly on his opponent’s face, earning his the Super Welterweight crown.
“Manny Pacquiao is really great? You know!” Ceasar Ypear, 41, of barangay Calaocan here and a lineman of the Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO) said.
Pacquiao won in a unanimous decision, earning his 13th straight victory and the World Boxing Council’s WBC) vacant 154-pound title.
“Manny Pacquiao’s victory against Antonio Margarito only proves that his political career did not slow him down as his critics have expected,” Monte Carlo Mar Delizo, 52, businessman of barangay Indiana here also said.
Pacquiao’s fight Sunday also reasserted his dominance over his Mexican opponents and once again proved his toughness and articulation in boxing sport.
“Pacquiao’s prowess as a boxer and a politician is a unique quality of a Filipino in our present generation,” Jerold Marabut, 35, a farmer of barangay Buag added.
Hundreds of triumphamt Pacquiao fans also gathered at the municipal gymnasium in Solano town to watch his fight against Antonio Margarito live which was sponsored by the local government unit.
“Even if Margarito has the height edge. It was a mismatch when it comes to the stunning speed and hard-hitting punches of Pacquiao in the ring,” Willy Delizo, 43, a Gawad Kalinga worker in Cagayan Valley further said.
Pacquiao’s fight on Sunday was closely watched by Filipinos worldwide, showing their unity and pride on the greatness of the legendary Filipino boxer. (PIA NVizcaya)
TESDA launches skills competition in Region IV-A
Silang, Cavite (15 November) — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) hosted recently the regional encounter among CALABARZON TVET Trainers held at the Sister and Mary Technical Education Institute Cavite Incorporated, this town.
Leticia Ogbac, TESDA Provincial Director said the activity aims to showcase the level of expertise and technical knowledge of trainers of the different TVET institutions who are already champions in their respective provincial encounters. “It serves as venue to inform the general public of the role and value of TVET as a means of acquiring skills and knowledge to get gainful employment and decent living,” Ogbac said.
The competitions covered 11 qualifications in the following areas: Food and beverage, Housekeeping, Bartending, Commercial Cooking, Electronic, Automotive Servicing, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Welding and Dressmaking.
TESDA’s role as the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) authority in the country is to steer and provide guidance to the sector as it continues to undertake training provisions.
There are four training modalities that TESDA implements in its 57 administered schools, 60 training centers, enterprise-based training through DTS/apprenticeship and community-based training in convergence with the LGU’s. These are school-based, center-based, enterprise-based and community-based. (PIA Cavite)
