She said the reforms have made the budget strategy-based and result-oriented and improved the efficiency of budget execution.

“Allocation of budget is now focused on actual outputs. If the project is not implemented, there will be an impact in the release of funds and on the budget for the following year. So, there is more pressure on agencies to deliver,” Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo explained.

Pascual said the DBM has pushed the implementation of public expenditure management that resulted to a decrease in government disbursements, from 19.9 percent to 17.1 percent in 2008.

Pascual credited this achievement to the decline of personnel services and debt interest payments due to improved deficit control.

“With the decline in the amount allocated to debt payments, resources were allocated more and more to economic services, which includes infrastructure projects, particularly in transportation,” Pascual said.

From 2000 to 2009, budget allocation for economic services increased by 128 percent (or 14 percent a year), from 167 billion in 2000 to 382 billion in 2009.

Allocation for social services grew by 112 percent (or 12 percent a year), from 213 billion in 2000 and 452 billion in 2009.

On improving the efficiency of budget execution, Pascual said the DBM has exercised the early release of budget and faster funds utilization by agencies.

She said the government has implemented the semestral release of Notice of Cash Allocations (NCAs) which lapses monthly.

She added the DBM has also examined books and advise agencies on the proper use of funds.

“This improves fund utilization and enables agencies to save funds,” she said. (PIA-MMIO)

At the last Malacanang news briefing of Executive Secretary and former Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza, he reported that the 919 kilometers of nautical highway established in the western, central and eastern seaboard since 2001 have impacted positively to the country in terms of movements of people, tourists and commodities.

SRNH was opened to the public in 2003, connecting the provinces and cities of Oriental Mindoro, Tagaytay City (Cavite), Marinduque, Romblon, and Batangas City in Luzon; Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras, and Siquijor, in the Visayas; and Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, and Dapitan City in Mindanao

Mendoza’s successor at DOTC, Secretary Anneli Lontok, added during the briefing that the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has invested at least P16 billion to complete port projects nationwide, which are presently being serviced in 12 routes by 25 roll-on roll-off (RORO) ferry operators.

With the completion of these port projects, Lontok said passenger traffic reached three million passengers while cargo traffic increased by 65 percent in the western nautical highway alone.

Lontok said the port and road network projects in the nautical highway spread economic growth and increased regional trade among the islands, boosted tourism, increased agricultural productivity, and enhanced logistics operations and strategies of the business sector.

“The nautical highways has impacted positively on the socio-economic development of the country and has achieved its objectives of reducing transport cost by 10 to 60 percent while offering several options for our farmers and agri-businessmen,” Lontok said.

With the government investment in ports and maritime safety, Lontok said the World Bank study showed the country’s logistics performance index increased from 2.69 in 2007 to 3.3 in early 2010.

Another major accomplishment of the Arroyo administration, Lontok said, was boosting the tourism industry through the upgrading and establishment of new tourism airports.

Lontok said these include the completion of the Davao International Airport, Bacolod-Silay International Airport and Iloilo International Airport; and the upgrading of other airports in tourism areas such as the Kalibo airport in Aklan; and Puerto Princesa City Airport and Busuanga Airport both in Palawan.

Lontok reported that yearly average growth rate in domestic air passenger traffic was recorded at 9.8 percent while international arrivals stood at 7.7 percent.

“Overall, domestic traffic almost doubled while international passenger traffic grew by 65 percent since 2001,” Lontok said.

Aside from growth in investments, Lontok said dramatic increase in passenger traffic were recorded in Busuanga, 500 percent; Ozamis City, 4,000 percent; Butuan, 300 percent; and Kalibo 400 percent.

To date, Lontok said the Philippines has also signed several air services agreement with other countries, contributing to the increase in international traffic.

Lontok said the country has signed the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) memorandum of understanding on air linkages, and the ASEAN multilateral agreement on air services and full liberalization of air freight services.

Lontok added major road networks completed include the closing of the loop from LRT-1 to MRT-3, which made travel around Metro Manila much easier.

Lontok said the Northrail linkage project which became operational last week will open rail network all the way to Bicol with the inauguration of the 50-meter San Cristobal bridge which was destroyed by Typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” in 2006.

“On June 25, we will have the first rail travel from Manila to Bicol,” Lontok announced.

Lontok said enhanced connectivity between growth centers came with the establishment of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX); completion of the Alabang-Calamba Road; the finishing touches on the Calamba-Sto. Tomas, Batangas expressway route which will connect to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Tollway leading to the Batangas International Port.

Other important ongoing projects, Lontok said, are the South Metro Manila Skyway Stage 2 and the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway.

PGMA opens, declares renovated MET as National Cultural Treasure President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officially opened yesterday (June 23) the newly-renovated Manila Metropolitan Theater, also popularly known as MET and one of Manila’s important cultural and architectural landmarks.

The Chief Executive led the unveiling of a marker from the National Museum, declaring MET as a National Cultural Treasure.

The President prompted the renovation of MET when she directed the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) to release P50 million in 2004 and authorized the release of another P50 million in 2009 to revive the glory of MET that promotes Filipino art forms and culture.

She was welcomed by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Presidential Assistant on Culture Cecille Guidote-Alvarez, NCCA Chairman Vilma Labrador, Manila Historical and Heritage Commission Vice-Chairperson Gemma Cruz-Araneta and MET Council co-chair German Moreno.

Also greeting the President were various cultural performances by the Cardona Musical Ensemble, St. Dominic Salvio College Dancers, PUP Banda Kawayan, DepEd Drum and Lyre and the beneficiaries of the Kalahi Cultural Caregiving program, a poverty alleviation project of the government which offers arts workshops to marginalized groups and the differently-abled.

In his brief speech, Mayor Lim thanked the President for the release of P100-million for MET’s renovation.

For her part, Alvarez lauded the President for the “special concern” she had shown to revive the MET.

“This has happened because of the special concern of the President that a National Treasure like the MET should not remain sleeping, but should be opened as a haven for the diversity of cultures of our country and the artistic genius of our people to be reflected,” she said.

“MET was an empty shell. And now, it is slowly being revived,” she added.

After the unveiling, the President made a tour and inspection of the renovated MET. Inside the theater, the President and the guests were given a taste of a Las Vegas-entertainment with a brief performance of dancers dressed in elaborate costumes, singing and performing aerobatic dance.

MET, also called the “grand dame” of theaters, is owned by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) with the City of Manila as the usufructuary and the NCCA as the general cultural oversight.

According to historical accounts, the theater was destroyed during the Battle of Manila in February 1945. Fortunately the building retained most of its structural integrity.

In the following decades, it was meticulously restored and it was declared as a National Landmark by the National Historical Institute upon its complete restoration in 1978.

In 1996, MET was closed down due to foreclosure.

The MET is an art deco building constructed in 1931 by Juan M. Arellano. Arcadio Arellano also an architect and brother of Juan complemented the work with adapted Philippine stylized ornamentation.

The front façade is of colored glass, colored tiles similar to transitional Malay cloth. Its grand foyer with elegant marble finish, graced two mural paintings done by Fernando Amorsolo and two figures of Francisco Riccardo Monti sculpture pieces. The highly stylized relief carvings of Philippine plants by the artist Isabelo Tampingco decorate the lobby walls and interior surfaces of the building.

Joseph Lacerna, 27 of barangay Osmena bagged this year’s search, followed by Marcial Naguit, 35 of barangay Quezon, 2nd; Albert Victorino, 24 of barangay Quirino, 3rd; Jerix Salazar, 32 of barangay, 4th and Arvin Lance Bermudez, 18 of barangay Roxas as 5th awardee.

The winners were selected after passing the final screening and elimination by the search committee, said Aurelio Polonio, assistant event organizer of the search.

According to Polonio, since the town does not have enough natural and manmade tourism spots that will boost the business and industry, the real Filipino culture particularly values are also being promoted for tourism.

“It is on this conviction that we are investing on our people-the tricycle drivers because they are the frontliners in our tourism industry being in the transportation sector,” he stressed.

The search for “Maginoong Tricycle Driver 2009″ aims to bring out the best qualities of tricycle drivers showcasing not just their physical abilities but also intellectual, psychological, social and religious well-being, to bring out the true value of town residents representing the distinct qualities, showcase a vibrant driver who possesses the traits of honesty, hospitality and courtesy who can promote and advocate the town’s tourism potentials and to bring out the potentials of tricycle drivers who can represent the town in its social and official functions and activities outside and inside the municipality. (BME/PIA NVizcaya)

Pili, Camarines Sur (11 September) — Camarines Sur has earned its niche as world class tourism destination.

The recent visit of Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” H. Durano, along with officials of Department of Tourism (DOT) and tourism stakeholders has reaffirmed the province’s top spot in the country’s most visited tourist destination with the reputation as an extreme sports hub and eco-tourism showcase.

Durano and tourism officials were in this province to look over top tourist destinations in the country in preparation for DOT’s marketing package and intensive promotion abroad to increase tourist arrivals.

Tourism attaché’s assigned in tourist-rich countries like the United States, China, Rome, London, Frankfurt and other European countries were with the DOT chief during the CamSur sorties to give them a first-hand view of local conditions that will be essential in marketing local destinations abroad.

“CamSur was the last place visited, a sort of saving the best for the last,” a DoT official said.

Next step of the country’s tourism marketing strategy will be selling local destinations to ranking tourism operators in their countries of assignment.

In a series of interviews, Durano disclosed that the promotion of CamSur is only part of a tourism tactical support package for the province.

Durano pledged to continue providing financial support to major tourism-related activities in CamSur like international wakeboarding, dragon boat and Ironman competitions.

He also assured DOT will prioritize the recommendation of Governor LRay Villafuerte to upgrade the Naga Airport, a vital component to beef up the industry, through extending the length of the runway to accommodate bigger planes and installation of modern lighting to allow night flights and interconnecting flights to and from other major international airports.

Earlier, the tourism execs led the inauguration of the newly-installed lighting and other facilities in Ligñon Hill Park, a prominent landform in the Legazpi City, Albay located behind the Legazpi Airport Tower and beside the Albay Wildlife Park.

Aside from the Mayon Volcano standing serenely behind it, Ligñon Hill Park is one of the first landmarks that greet visitors upon stepping down from an airplane. The hill’s summit offers a breathtaking 360 degree view of the city scape and the deep blue Albay Gulf, nearby towns and islands, and of course the majestic Mayon Volcano. It is becoming one of the most popular destinations for locals and visitors alike.

The tourism secretaty also made a side trip to Embarcadero Philippines, a major waterfront development also in Legazpi City that is becoming a destination for both local and international tourists alike, and spent the night at Misibis Bay Resorts, a prime commercial and residential estates nestled in the Pacific that boast of a wide stretch of pristine white sand and a scenic route along the Sula Channel putting it firmly on the International tourist map.

Durano capped his city sorties speaking at the International Academic Colloquium, sponsored by Bicol University, expounding on “Tourism Challenges to Higher Education Institutions”. (PIA V)

In this 15th year National Crime Prevention Week Celebration (Sept. 1-7) with the theme: Labanan Ang Krimen, Pamilya Patatagin,” the organizers focused on the safety of the family thru the prevention of road accidents in their respective communities.

Trece Martires City Mayor Melencio De Sagun who is the co-host of the event said the agreement reached by the participants in road safety measures should be implemented as soon as possible and with no exceptions.

“In the United States of America, even national and local political figures are not exempted when they commit traffic violation, police officer will issue them traffic violation receipt”, Mayor Sagun quipped to the delight of the participants.

Also, Mayor Ramon Ilagan of Cainta, Rizal presented to the body the on going programs and projects on effective traffic management in his town.

He explained that proper information and educational campaign on road safety should be the responsibility not only by the implementing arms of the local government, but the citizen itself.

Prior to this, P/C Supt. Perfecto P. Palad, PNP Regional Director of Region IV-A recommended that strict law enforcement, less political interventions, peaceful and law abiding citizens are essential for a successful road safety program in the region.

Director Palad also mentioned that media plays an important role by way of monitoring the traffic situation and guard against abuses committed by the law enforcers.

“Media people can lend respectability and clout to any road safety campaign and be an integral part in educating the public”, Director Palad said.

Presidential Proclamation No. 461, dated August 31, 1995, declares September 1-7 of every year as National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW).

The week-long celebration aims to promote community involvement and participation in crime prevention. Also, to build and maintain public commitment and participation in activities that effectively deters commission of crimes. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite)

The reported landslides blocked hundreds of commuters along the national highway in barangay Pungkan in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija as it was triggered by strong rains due to typhoon ‘Kiko’.

“It is now over and our commuters can now travel safely and comfortably,” said Police Supt. Pedro Danguilan, provincial director here.

Danguilan said the clearing operations became fast since the two provinces jointly undertook earth moving operations within the landslide areas.

The national highway was opened at 4 P..M. Friday(August 7), bringing relief to stranded commuters which filled the national highway. Some of the stranded commuters since Friday have opted to walk, braving the intermittent rains while other waited for more than 24 hours, relying on bread and biscuits as food, according to disaster coordinating council officials here.

Danguilan said the closure of the national highway in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija was due to a huge vehicle that was hit by a major landslide including minor landslides in other areas which totally blocked the road. (PIA NVizcaya)

Baguio City (1 August) — In line with city’s centennial celebration, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in cooperation with the Baguio Centennial Commission and the city government, will be training 40 qualified tourism frontliners to enhance their skills in handling visitors to the various event lined-up for the centennial celebration, starting with the scheduled Tourism Summit, this August.

TESDA, under its Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program, will sponsor 40 qualified participants to a three -day seminar, slated on August 6-8.

DOT Regional Director and Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE) President Purification Molintas said these frontliners will also be tapped to conduct the Baguio Historical Tour around the city’s tourist spots from August to December.

In relation to tourism, director Molintas stressed that the government is working hard, through effective planning and efforts to establish highways, airports and seaports. “Malaki kasi ang epekto nitonito sa turismo, and to boost our economy,” she said. In Cordillera, presidential projects such as the Halsema Highway and the Baguio-Banaue road are a big boost to tourism, she added.

In the State Of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, she reported that in the last four years, tourism almost double, as it is now a $5 Billion industry.

To boost local tourism for Baguio and its surrounding municipalities, Molintas also confirmed that airline company Sea Air will soon be starting to service Baguio (from Poro Point) and practice flight is scheduled on August 21.

Centering at Baguio as a tourism hub, the tourism department is also working to increase international flights. According to Molintas, they are working to establish an international flight from Central Korea to San Fernando International Airport and probably to Poro Point.

“We are now just waiting for a technical requirement, for the flight from Central Korea to San Fernando International Airport to push through. For Poro Point, there are already initial talks/discussions,” Molintas said. (PIA)

Rebel returnee leader Calvin Magno of Nueva Vizcaya sought the help of RPOC Chairman Dakila Carlo Cua during the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting (RPOC) held here last Thursday (July 23) to make the necessary move to fast track all the necessary claims so that his active rebel comrades will follow his footstep to surrender to the government and live a normal life.

However, Mr. Magno lamented on issues relating to the procedures in extending of financial assistance being offered to the rebel surrenderees which he said would discourage other rebels to go down.

He also voiced out the concern of his fellow rebel returnees regarding the construction of roads in far flung barangays in Nueva Vizcaya that are often the route of NPA rebels between the boundaries of Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija.

Magno said he is asking the council’s action for the construction of road networks linking the remote barangays in Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija whom the residents in the said areas are claiming that the national government can take to deliver its services and prevent insurgency uprising in said areas.

On the part of the 5ID Philippine Army, newly promoted Brigadier General Fajardo of the 502nd IB, who represented Maj. General Nestor Ochoa said that the 5ID is doing its part in the implementation of the “Balik Baril Program” and the Social Integration Program (SIP) of the present administration.

On road construction, Gen. Fajardo said he will refer to the 5ID engineering battalion the concern of Mr. Calvin Magno and will coordinate with the local government units before the engineering brigade would enter the area.

RPOC Chairman Dakila Carlo Cua assured action on Mr. Magno’s concern for his fellow returnees and will support their aspiration to trust to the government once again. (PIA Isabela)

La Trinidad, Benguet (25 July) — The implementation of the Cervantes-Mankayan National Road project is still on track despite the observed sluggish work performance brought about by the heavy rains this season.

The Provincial Board presided by Vice Governor Crescencio Pacalso made an audience last week with Project Manager Xiao- Jia, the contractor of the national road project representing China Harbour Engineering and the Department of Public Works and Highways Philippine-Japan Highway Loan Project Management Office represented by its Project Manager Francisco Sawali, to clarify allegations on slow project implementation.

Sawali admitted that project implementation is slow but they are still way ahead of schedule by 16.2 percent. The reason for the slow project accomplishment is due to the heavy rains, he added.

As of July, actual accomplishment reached 55.3 per cent as against the targeted accomplishment of 39 percent according to Sawali.

The P682 million project funded under the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), now Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is initially targeted to be completed by February 15, 2010 was extended to May 2010 due to variation in project design. The project involves a 31.55 kilometer road stretch.

The details of the project are improvement of existing gravel road to concrete originally designed as asphalting, replacement of drainage system and slope protection structure, improvement of bridges, and the provision of traffic safety measures.

There were suggestions made by members of the board based on the observations gathered such as consideration of the redesigning of slope protection for more reinforcement. It was observed that some of the crib wall slope protection structures were damaged due to the continuous rains.

The board also requested for standby equipment during the rainy season in case of road closure in slide prone areas. The board is also requesting the contractors to construct two toilets along Poblacion, Mankayan and Poblacion, Cervantes. This is aside from the suggestion of Sawali for the board to request from the DPWH.

Should there be some queries, issues or information on the progress of the project, Sawali said they could visit their office located at Mankayan, Benguet. (PIA-Benguet)

Baguio City (25 July) — This month of July, Cordillera is celebrating its 22nd founding anniversary with the theme, “Cordillera at 22, Rising to the Challenges of Regional Development and Autonomy.” In line with the celebration, an Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) official was invited to be a resource speaker for a scheduled autonomy forum.

Through the Regional Development Council Sectoral Committee on Economic Development, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-CAR) was tasked to invite a resource speaker from ARMM. ARMM Deputy Executive Secretary Atty Ishak Mastura will be the guest speaker of an autonomy forum, entitled “The ARMM experience”, 1:00pm of July 29.

According to DAR Regional Director Renato Navata, as part of the RDC’s Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaign on its renewed pursuit of autonomy, a resource speaker from ARMM was invited so that we may directly learn about the experiences of ARMM on autonomy.

“In the spirit of learning, we could hear (on hand) about the experiences of our Muslim brothers, with regards to running an autonomous region, so that in the end we may learn from their experiences and decide which (of their experiences) we should follow or not,” Navata said adding that in CAR’s renewed pursuit for autonomy, comparison with ARMM cannot be avoided.

Aside from RDC members, various church/religious groups, members of the academe, private sector representatives, provincial/municipal local government units, student council members and former members of the defunct Cordillera bodies are also invited. (PIA)