VP Binay leads land use preparation program launching
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, October 11 (PIA) –- Vice-president Jejomar C. Binay led national and local government officials here in the launching of the “Cluster Approach to Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) Preparation and Updating” for Region 4B (MIMAROPA) during the Pabahay Caravan in this city last October 7.
The “cluster approach” is a program of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) of which Binay is chairman of the board.
Binay explained the cluster approach aims to fast-track the preparation of updating of CLUP and zoning ordinances (ZO) by the different LGUs, including the identification of land for socialized housing, as prescribed in Republic Act 7279, or the Urban Development and Housing Act. Accordingly, the CLUP provides a rational approach of allocating equitably available resources among competing uses.
“We cannot undermine the importance of CLUPs and ZOs in the implementation of the housing program as well as the economic development of local government units. The cluster approach is our way of fast-tracking the provision of technical assistance to LGUs in the formulation or updating of their respective CLUPs and ZOs. We are glad to finally launch the program in the MIMAROPA Region,” Binay said.
Under the eight-month program, a cluster of LGUs will undergo four planning modules administered by the HLRUB.
The Pabahay (Housing) Caravan was organized by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to build a stronger partnership with LGUs in addressing the country’s housing gap.
Meanwhile, Binay congratulated Oriental Mindoro First District Congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia for developing Neo-Calapan, a middle class to high-end type of subdivision in this capital city of Oriental Mindoro, noting the said subdivision as a “model development housing program in the whole country.”
The vice-president also awarded checks representing the housing loan proceeds and transfer certificates of title (TCT) to Pag-IBIG housing loan borrowers under the Housing Loan Program for End-Users. Four other titles were awarded to beneficiaries of the ‘Nagkakaisang Mamamayang Naninirahan sa Dulong Ilaya’ in this city who have completed payment of their loan obligations under the Community Mortgage Program of the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), another agency chaired by Binay. (J.R. Mahusay/Louie T. Cueto/PIA-4B)
PDEA, police nab suspected drug pusher in Gamu
by Merlito G. Edale, Jr.
ILAGAN, Isabela, October 10 (PIA) — Joint elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 2 and Philippine National Police (PNP)–Gamu nabbed a suspected drug pusher who is also a barangay council member in barangay Guibang, Gamu, Isabela.
The anti-drug operation was conducted yesterday (October 9) by PDEA region 2 agents and police personnel of the Gamu police station at barangay Guibang through a buy-bust operation.
Dayro is facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA 2 has been conducting anti-illegal drugs operations in the whole province where there are known lairs of illegal drugs. #TCB/MGE/PIA- Isabela
PNP: Stay away from drugs or pay P10 M
by Jose Mari M. Garcia
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, Oct. 10 (PIA) — “Would you trade your life, future, and loved ones with the ‘happiness’ that dangerous drugs bring?”
Eustaquio warned the youth that when proven guilty of manufacture, sale, or delivery of illegal drugs, they could be indicted of lifetime imprisonment or death penalty.
“A penalty of life imprisonment to death and fine ranging from P500,000 to P10 million shall be imposed to any person, unless authorized by law, who engages in manufacture of dangerous drugs,” said Eustaquio.
Drug users, she said, found positive in confirmatory exam would be implicated with a minimum of six months rehabilitation for the first offense, but this could aggravate to up to 12 years in prison and a fine of P200,000 when caught on second offense.
“Maraming nasisirang pamilya at tahanan dahil sa drugs. Hindi makontrol ng user ang sarili niya (Many families and home are destroyed because of drugs. The user can’t control himself),” said Eustaquio.
According to the report of PDEA-3 as of July, 133 out of 569 barangays in Bulacan are drug-affected, posting 23 percent exposure, the second highest in Central Luzon only after Bataan with 27 percent.
Aurora ranks third with 33 out of its 151 barangays affected, followed by Zambales with 43 out of 247, and Tarlac with 82 of 511. Pampanga and Nueva Ecija recorded the lowest drug-inflicted barangays with 77 out of 538, and 86 of 849, respectively.
Eustaquio disclosed that the most common drugs in the country are shabu (methylamphetamine hydrochloride), marijuana (tetrahydrocannabinol), and ecstasy or MDMA (methylene dioxy methylamphetamine).
The youth were also advised on the consequences of different drugs classified into effects such as the stimulants (uppers), depressants (downers), hallucinogens (psychedelic), narcotics (pain killers), and designer drugs (club drugs).
Eustaquio explained that stimulants can cause mental retardation to unborn babies; depressants are used in date rape cases; while narcotics lower the testosterone level. Hallucinogens, she added, produce changes in mood and behavior and can produce delusions; while designer drugs produce “the high” or euphoria of parent drugs.
For inquiries and reports, please contact PDEA hotline numbers 0927-265-3848; 0932-4952-343; or (045) 861-4244. (WLB/JMMG/PIA 3)
Green retail agenda launched at SM City Calamba
CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, October 8 (PIA) — In line with its efforts in promoting a greener environment for the community, SM City Calamba commenced October 6 its first Green Retail Agenda.
The SM Green Retail Agenda is a yearly event offered for every mall tenants across all SM Supermalls. This year, the conference highlights the SM initiatives as a steward of the environment and emphasizes on the social, economic and environmental benefits of green retail through inviting some of the biggest names across various industries.
Held at Cinema 1, mall tenants of SM City Calamba benefited from what has been shared by Chito Macapagal (VP for Corporate Affairs) from Unilever Philippines about Solid Waste Management.
The Laguna Lake Development Authority and REPESA Corporation were also invited as keynote speakers. Loida Humarang, the city environment and natural resources officer, was present in the event and showed her support in this endeavour.
The symposium is geared towards not only helping the environment, but helping business flourish. SM has always made it a point to encourage mall tenants and concessionaires to simultaneously increase earnings and create a greener future with the use of environment friendly materials and other greener strategies. (Joanna Carla Meneses – Saquilayan, SM City Calamba/DVL, PIA-Calabarzon)
Tree planting is long term solution to present environment crisis – Gov. Baac
by Peter A. Balocnit
TANUDAN, Kalinga, Oct.6 (PIA)– Massive tree planting is one solution to the present environment crisis affecting the country. It is the only long-term solution to prevent denudation, erosion, flooding, and climate change.
This was stressed by Governor Jocel Baac during the jump off ceremony at Capitol as he led 404 government employees and dozens of forestry students from the Kalinga-Apayao State College (KASC) to a tree planting activity at a remote barangay here last week.
The one day tree planting is in support of the national greening program (NGP) of President Aquino that aims to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of denuded and marginal lands until 2016.
Senior forester Noel Barrientos of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said 4,040 forest tree seedlings particularly species of mahogany, gmelina, narra, and 300 grafted rambutan and lanzones were planted at Dupligan, this municipality.
He said the site is part of the identified NGP convergence initiative of DAR-DA-DENR where various projects are to be delivered in partnership with the communities.
“These areas were already identified and as our contribution to NGP this CY 2011, DENR Kalinga targeted to develop a total of 1,450 hectares thru reforestation and agroforestry methods,” Barrientos said.
He said a total of 725,000 forest and fruit tree seedlings were produced and procured from accredited nursery seedling growers. He bared that all the municipalities benefited from the program where planting operation is now on its peak. People’s organizations were tapped to maintain the plantations and all the benefits will accrue to the beneficiaries, he added.
Baac also said that tree planting will become a component project of the ‘Pumiyaan’ convergence, a provincial poverty reduction effort that will develop four pilot barangays from each of the municipalities in the province and to be replicated to another cluster of barangays after three years. *(JDP/PAB-PIA CAR,Kalinga)
Bangus shortage foreseen in December
by Venus H. Sarmiento
DAGUPAN CITY, Oct. 4 (PIA) — Bangus operators fear a shortage in the supply of the city’s popular milkfish in December as damage to agriculture ballooned due to two consecutive typhoons.
Initial reports on damage to agriculture was estimated at P19 million and P18 million of this came from the fishponds destroyed by flooding.
The bangus consignacion said the shortage will be felt as producers could not grow bangus immediately.
“itong darating na buwan, di na sila makapagpalaki agad- agad dahil malamig na ang tubig, papasok na ang alat at ang high tide ay magiging gabi,” said Ely Tumagos of the consignacion.
The city agriculture office noted that the damage bought by typhoons Pedring and Quiel is very significant. “Malaki ang damage sa fishpond area natin,” said city agriculturist Emma Molina.
Molina , however, did not discount the fact that the estimated damages may go down once flood waters subside and transfer of income will transpire when the fishes that got out of fishpens are sold.
Bangus price rose to P95 per kilo. The normal price is P75 –P85.
The city government will provide financial assistance to affected fishermen and has submitted the damage report to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, Molina said, (ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan)
PNoy visits typhoon-stricken provinces in Central Luzon
by Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Oct. 5 (PIA) — President Benigno Aquino III visited earlier today the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bulacan to personally see and assess the extent of damages brought by typhoons Pedring and Quiel.
In Tarlac, the President inspected the La Paz town section of the Rio Chico river and met with Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Tarlac Governor Victor Yap, Tarlac 3rd district representative Jeci Lapus, and La Paz Mayor Michael Manuel at the 246m Rio Chico Bridge.
Heavy siltation of the Rio Chico river is said to be the main cause of flooding in La Paz that displaced thousands of families.
The President ordered Singson to draw a concrete rehabilitation plan for the river to avoid severe flooding in the future.
Aquino then proceeded to the municipal plaza of La Paz to visit some 59 families still evacuated there. Hundreds of families coming from barangays San Isidro and San Roque sought shelter in the plaza at the height of last week’s floods.
In Pampanga, the Chief Executive was brought to the site of the ongoing Pinatubo Hazard Urgent Mitigation Project Phase 3-B (PHUMP 3-B) in Barangay San Felipe in the city of San Fernando.
Governor Lilia Pineda briefed Aquino regarding the status of the Pampanga river while city of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez presented the status of PHUMP 3-B.
PHUMP 3-B is a flood control project that serves as a line of defense for the City of San Fernando and nearby towns against flooding.
PNoy committed P20 million for the dredging, slope protection, and rehabilitation of the Balimbing creek which is a waterway which, when it overflows, inundates many barangays in the city of San Fernando. PNoy also offered to assist relocate the informal settlers along the Pampanga river.
In Bulacan, Aquino inspected some of the flooded areas in Calumpit aboard a 6×6 Philippine Army truck and visited around 80 families evacuated in the United Pulp and Paper Company compound in Barangay Iba Este also in Calumpit town.
Aquino then motored to the Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos City to attend the joint meeting of the Regional Development Council 3 (RDC 3) and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 3 (RDRRMC 3).
Some cabinet secretaries also participated in the said meeting. Among those who attended include Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Singson, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Sonny Coloma, and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang.
RDC 3 and RDRRMC 3 members reported to the President the post-Pedring and Quiel recovery and rehabilitation efforts being done in Region 3. (WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)
DTI to hold a Diskwento Caravan in Angeles City
by Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga October 1 (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will hold a Diskwento Caravan in Angeles City this coming Friday, October 7.
DTI Regional information officer Wilfred Carbonell said the caravan will be held near the Museo ning Angeles from 8AM to 6PM.
Carbonell disclosed that manufacturers of bread, processed meat, detergents, cooking oil, vinegar, canned goods, powdered milk, coffee, shampoo, bath soap and school supplies will sell their goods at factory prices.
Fruits and NFA rice as well as products of Pampanga-based Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) will also be sold at discounted prices.
The Diskwento Caravan is a nationwide project by DTI in response to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Labor Day pronouncement to ease the financial burden of the people brought by high fuel prices and provide additional or alternative market for manufacturers and producers especially MSMEs.
Caravans that were conducted in Central Luzon during the 1st semester of 2011 were able to generate a total sales of more than half a million pesos.(WLB/CLJD-PIA 3)
DepEd to launch response education for IPs
by Oliver Baccay and Liana Acuzar
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, September 27 (PIA) — The Alternative Learning System (ALS) of Department of Education (DepEd) Region 2 is set to launch Philippine Response to Indigenous and Muslim Education (PRIME) next year to quality education for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of the region.
The beneficiaries of this program will be the out of school youths and in-school learners who are classified under Indigenous Peoples (IP’s) of Isabela, as identified thru the joint cooperation of ALS and National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
They will be immersed on basic literacy programs and livelihood courses like manicuring, pedicuring and fish processing.
According to Dr. Hortencia Calvan, ALS chief, this program aims to afford the IPs and learners the functional literacy so they can upgrade their way of living.
“It is a constitutional right that they have to develop so they can have better life thru learning some livelihood skills,” she added.
The teachers who are going to facilitate in the said literacy and livelihood programs will be from the region itself. They are called Mobile Teachers who are also under the Mobile Teaching Program of ALS.
Meanwhile, the ALS is presently preparing their learners for the upcoming accreditation and equivalency test which will qualify and accelerate out of school youth learners to the year or grade level which they will be fitted, on October 16.
Recently, they have also finished the on-site validation of the regional and national contests for the Brigada Eskwela, a program which according to Calvan, aims to link the internal and external stakeholders of schools for the continuous upkeep of child-friendly schools.( TCB/LA/OTB/PIA-2)
Basco province to make tree planting a regular community service
by Necitas G. Alconis
BASCO, Batanes, September 27 (PIA) — The local government of Basco will make tree planting a regular community service according to Basco Mayor Demetrius Paul Narag in support to the government’s greening program.
Narag said the activity is also aimed at protecting the Basco communal pastureland from erosion and denudation.
To attain this, the local chief executive along with the LGU’s 60 regular and casual employees have again planted at least 1,000 palo maria, mango, mabolo and chayi seedlings in the said area.
According to Vice Mayor Anastacia Viola who also joined the tree planting activity, Mayor Narag was able to plant at least 50 seedlings.
The first tree planting activity was undertaken on September 15 wherein casual employees planted around 2,000 seedlings along the Basco pastureland.
The tree planting was supervised by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through Nestor Reyes and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer George Reyes.
Before the tree planting activity, the LGU officials and employees conducted preparatory activity such as clearing few forage.
The group also proceeded to the kural coastal area which is a part of the marine sanctuary to do coastal clean up in preparation for the excursion of the Science Campers of the Basco Central School on September 24 and the rescheduled camping of senior citizens on September 26. (TCB/NGA/PIA Batanes)
