GSIS introduces new process in membership database maintenance
by A. Lumaque
“It intends to simplify reconciliation and updatedness of members’ records,” said GSIS Senior Vice President and Membership Group head Robert M. Agustin during his presentation of the new program.
The streamlined process is also expected to minimize occurrence of billing issues on compulsory premiums, and ensure a faster and accurate settlement of claims and loans granting, among others.
Under the new process, the Agency Authorized Officers (AAO) are the GSIS’ valued partners and source of information especially in the timely submission of any required information of their respective agencies.
The GSIS has also appointed a membership coordinator that will receive and give feedback on the AAO’s forwarded documents through an electronic mail.
The GSIS official also disclosed that all the AAOs will be covered by the Enhanced Personal Accident Insurance in appreciation and gratitude to their continued support to the government’s insurance agency.
An application form was distributed after the presentation to be filled up and submitted by the AAOs to the GSIS membership coordinator on or before October 6.
The orientation was followed by an open forum for the partner participants coming from the cities of Bacolod, Roxas and Iloilo to clarify matters from the GSIS officials. (PIA)
Region 8 acquires 19 ports under Arroyo Administration
Tacloban City (September 28) — Under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Eastern Visayas region acquired a total of 19 new ports, more than any administration has ever done.
This statement was made by Philippine Ports Authority Tacloban Manager Winfred Elizalde during the commemorative program for the National Maritime Day and National Maritime Week held on September 25 at the Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban City.
Manager Elizalde was one of the three resource speakers during the Panel Forum on the current maritime issues and concerns, held in connection with the twin maritime celebrations, where he discussed the Role of the PPA in the development of the Shipping Industry.
Manager Elizalde said that 7 of the ports projects were under the SONA/ Strong Republic Nautical Highway Network while 12 were under the Anti-Hunger Mitigation Program.
These 19 ports is segregated by Islands, thus, 7 ports amounting to P114.35 Million for the island of Samar; 9 ports amounting to P324.61 Million for the Leyte Islands and 3 ports amounting to P121.61 Million for the island of Biliran.
This is indeed good news to the people of Region 8, Manager Elizalde said because these port projects ensure faster and more convenient delivery of basic goods and farm produce such as vegetables and livestock.
Moreover, the port projects make made more easy, economical and efficient as travel time to and from destinations as well as transportation costs are considerably reduced. These port projects will also promote domestic tourism.
Included in the SONA/ Strong Republic Nautical Highway port projects are the P75, 399,487 San Ricardo Port Improvement Project located at Barangay Benit, San Ricardo, Southern Leyte.
Another SONA/Strong Republic Nautical Highway Network project, the Construction of Ro-Ro Ramp and Passenger Terminal Building in Naval Biliran and the P49,049,991 Port Expansion Project in Maripipi, Biliran.
Also included is the Port Development Project in Limasawa, Southern Leyte which amounts to P13,374,376 and the construction of Port Terminal Building also in Limasawa, amounting to P4,240,655, have been completed as of January 25, 2008.
Also included is the Reconstruction, Widening and Extension of R.C. Wharf in Maasin City, Southern Leyte which amounts to P91,340,000.
The two projects under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway Network are the Liloan Ferry Terminal Expansion Project amounting to P62,895,875 which was completed as of September 21, 2007; and the Port Improvement Project in Kawayan, Biliran with a budget of P13,940,000, which was reported to be substantially completed as of January 2008.
The 12 projects under the Anti-Hunger Mitigation Program include the Rehabilitation of Carigara Port in Carigara, Leyte amounting to P5,125,826 which was completed as of December 19, 2007; the Improvement of Almagro Port in Almagro, Samar amounting to P7,400,945 which was completed as of November 4, 2007; the Improvement of Sto. Nino Port in Sto. Nino, Samar with a budget of P8,763,492 which was completer as of October 28, 2007; the Improvement of Pasanghan Port in Pagsanghan, Samar with a budget of P6,059,901 which was completed as of October 28, 2007; and the Improvement of Ligaya Port in Ligaya, Rosario, Northern Samar with a budget of P13,628,644 which was completed as of October 4, 2007.
Also included are the Improvement of Biri Port in Biri, Northern Samar amounting to P8,144,484 which was completed as of October 4, 2007; the Port Expansion Project in Hilongos, Leyte with a budget of P91,509,653 which was completed on August 9, 2007; the Port Improvement Project (Construction of RC Pier) in San Isidro, Leyte with a budget of P29,444,366 which was completed on June 4, 2007; the Port Improvement Project (Rehabilitation of Causeway and Reclamation) with a budget of P9,897,759 which was reported to be substantially completed of January 31, 2008; and the Port Improvement Project in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte with a budget of P11,883,074 which was reported to be substantially completed as of January 2008.
The last two port projects under the Anti-Hunger Mitigation Program are the Calbayog Port Expansion Project with a budget of P46,3030,335; and the Vinisitahan Port Development Project in Barangay Vinisitahan, San Antonio, Northern Samar with a budget of P32,646,242 which is 70 percent complete as of December 2007. (PIA 8)
NFA starts fortifying rice for 10,000 school children in Samar
By Ninfa B Quirante
In a telephone interview with Evarista Beros of NFA Samar, she said that this rice is still a part of the Food for School Program that started in the year 2005.
“We are just waiting for the authority to distribute,” said Manager Francisca Mercado
Of the 10,005 schoolchildren-beneficiaries, 5, 859 are in Daram 1 and 2; 2, 104 for Zumarraga; 983 for San Jose de Buan; and 1,059 for Matuginao.
These include school children enrolled in Pre-Elementary up to Grade three, added NFA.
The rice ration is good for 140 days but the initial distribution will provide for some 48 days yet, NFA explained.
Another upcoming distribution, according to Ms Mercado is the DSWD’s provision for Day Care children.
Food for School Program is a project of PGMA to fight hunger and malnutrition in the country.
It started with grade one pupils, then expanded to grade three and day care kids.
However, the present FSP presently has been concentrated with poor municipalities with malnutrition prevalence. (PIA-Samar) [
DOH-7 says generics reduce cost of high-priced drugs Quality compararable to branded drugs
Department of Health (DOH-7) Chief of Regulatory and Licensing Division Dr. Angelita Salarda said government is promoting the use of generics in order to provide the public with an option as generic drugs are more affordable and offers more savings compared to their branded counterparts.
Generic medicines can be up to 80 percent cheaper than their innovator counterparts as shown by a recent study commissioned by the DOH and the Department of Trade and Industry.
“But that doesn’t mean generic drugs are less efficient and potent or of lesser quality,” Salarda stressed.
Salarda made the statement during a recent PIA Kapihan that tackled the annual celebration of September as Generics Month.
The health official said prices of medicines in the country is four to seven times higher than our Asian neighbors while the Philippines is second to Japan with very expensive costs of drugs.
In a survey done last year, it was found that five to six out of 10 persons use generics which have been described as the new generation of today’s times, this is said.
When more and more people use generics, this will eventually force some pharmaceutical companies offering high-priced innovator counterparts to reduce their prices while the competition would further compel drug prices to go down, Salarda bared.
DOH-Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD-7) Head Monina Coyoca on the other hand, said government physicians are required to prescribe generics to their patients while private medical practitioners should likewise prescribe generic drugs but can place brand names in parenthesis.
Health Sec. Francisco Duque meanwhile said prices of simvastatin, paracetamol, amoxicillin and other medicines for a variety of diseases have gone down as more consumers are getting wiser and are patronizing generics.
The DOH recently signed an agreement with the Cancer Warriors Foundation to invest P20M for the purchase of generic anti-cancer medications. The move is seen to benefit children with leukemia.
“We love generics because they have always been in the forefront of our fight against expensive healthcare. Many children with cancer die every day because they cannot afford their medication. Hopefully, we see the heroism of generics through the lives of these children we save,” Duque stressed.
These medications that would have benefited only a few patients for the same amount due to its expensive costs can now help hundreds of leukemic patients as these drugs are two to five times cheaper than their innovator counterparts and of excellent quality.
This year’s celebration of Generics Month carries the theme “We Love generics: Join Our Generation!” (PIA-Cebu/FCR)
Feature: 149th Pueblo Day, a grand celebration in Naval
By Rodrigo S. Victoria
The day-long affair started with a solemn religious activity – a mass at the Naval Cathedral. Outside the cathedral, everybody’s excitement went high as the inclement weather disturbance threatened the festive mood of the day.
However, the high spirits of the Navaleños conquered all the fears brought by the bad weather with the energizing tone of the marching bands as they made their majestic strides in colorful and mesmerizing parade around the town.
The gleeful crowd beamed their best smiles notwithstanding the heavy traffic on the pedestrian with eyes concentrating the best looks among the participants of the parade. They patiently waited their favorite sons and daughters, friends, relatives and buddies to pass in order to give their heartfelt greetings by waving their hands.
If one’s attention was captivated during the parade, perhaps everybody’s energy was imprisoned by the remarkable opening ceremony and the different worthy services that took place right at the municipal grounds.
One of which was the releasing of doves and balloons by town officials led by Mayor Susan V. Parilla and guests of the celebration sending a message of hope, prosperity and peace to the town in the years ahead.
“Name it and you will have it for free” was the byword of the day. One can have a haircut in order to look differently today, others have executed their deed of sale to avoid paying legal fees, some visited the booths just to eat food products without handing a single penny, many have listed their names in order to avail of the medical and dental check up and many other social services offered by national government agencies which included NSO, DOH, TESDA, DTI, CSC, DOLE, NBI, PRC and other agencies, non-government organizations such as the IBP-Biliran Chapter, Biliran Medical and Dental Society, Naval Blind Masseurs, government-owned and controlled corporations like the GSIS, PAG-IBIG and SSS and other private entities such as the ABS-CBN-Cebu, Unilever, Nestle, Knorr, Fracasso and other food, refreshment and beauty establishments in Naval.
Form part of the day’s activity was the ABS-CBN-Cebu’s Feeding sa Bantay Bata 163 where children from all walks of life relished the nutritious food offered.
However, ABS-CBN’s participation led by Rico Lucena, the station’s news anchor and a native of Naval, did not stop in just giving nourishment to the body but also nourishment for the society to make a difference in the upcoming 2010 polls by initiating the “Iboto Mo, Ipatrol Mo” registration activity held at the jampacked NIT Gymnasium. Thousands of Biliranons went to the venue and registered as election patrollers including the young solon from the Lone District of Biliran, Representative Glenn A. Chong.
Time went unnoticed by many who availed of the different social services at the municipal grounds and in NIT Gymnasium. Everybody was overwhelmed by the splendor of things offered that satisfied their attendance to the celebration.
Everybody knows the celebration won’t end with an awe –inspiring activities held during the day but pretty sure this will be matched in the evening today by the dazzling and beauteous revelers who will sway and wiggle to the tune of cha-cha, curacha, tango, boogie, ball room and modern music and other animated sounds one wish to dance in the wide dance floor of the Naval Gymnasium tonight.
In the end, the celebration demonstrates hospitality and friendliness which are trademarks of a true Navaleño.
Mayor Susan V. Parilla in her message during the program said, these characters are what made Naval what it is today which attributed to the success of the 149th Pueblo Day celebration. (PIA-Biliran)
National Family Week highlights “FaMEALy Day” on September 28
Tacloban City (September 26) — Per DILG Memo Circular dated September 1, 2009, Local Government Units are also encouraged to allow their local officials and functionaries to leave their respective offices early on September 28, the fourth Monday of September, to join their families for dinner in observance of “Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day.”
On September 28, DSWD and member-agencies and organizations of the National Committee on the Filipino Family will observe “National FaMEALy Day – Pagkilala na Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga,” an annual national movement conceptualized by Monde Nissin which serves as a reminder to parents that their presence on the dinner table is essential in strengthening family relationships.
This nationwide initiative, which promotes the importance of family togetherness during dinner, is now part of the annual Family Week celebration.
The National Committee on the Filipino Family chaired by the DSWD spearheads the celebration of the National Family Week with partners from non-government organizations, other government agencies, and the private sector.
The Family Week celebration aims to highlight the importance of families, enhance understanding of their functions and problems and focus attention on the rights and responsibilities of all family members.
The various local government units will support this year’s celebration of Family Week on September 21-27, an event declared through Presidential Proclamation No. 60 dated September 18, 1992.
In order to make this year’s celebration more meaningful, the local government units will hang streamers and conduct various activities adherent to this year’s theme “Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World” and this year’s slogan, “Si Nanay, Matatag sa Lahat ng Bagay.”
This is in contrast to last year’s celebration which focuses on fathers, with the slogan “Maabilidad si Dad.”
The local government units are encouraged to undertake activities such as aerobics, Livelihood Seminars, Skills Training and Financial Management, Parenting Seminar, film showing on family solidarity and publicity through the tri-media. (PIA 8)
CSC effects reinstatement of 25 Taft municipal employees
Tacloban City (September 26) — The Civil Service Commission Regional Office 8 has successfully caused on September 23, 2009, the reinstatement of 25 employees into the Roster of Employees of the local government unit of Taft, Eastern Samar, finally ending a four-year debacle.
Coming a long way from the CSC Regional Office in Tacloban City upon the instruction of Director David Cabanag, Jr., Assistant Regional Director, Atty. Marilyn Taldo, Regional Legal Officer Atty. Flordeliza Algas and the legal team, promulgated the ruling of the Civil Service Commission for the employees to return to their respective jobs as contained in CSC Resolution 091197 dated August 10, 2009.
ARD Taldo informed that only 22 of the 25 employees were present with the father (Retired Judge Leo Apita) of their counsel, Raymund Apita, during the early morning promulgation at the office of Taft Mayor Francisco Adalim.
Director Taldo said that one of the employees, Ma. Irma I. Daiz is already deceased; two of the employees, Ma. Nalyn Dotingco and Ma. Elena Abenis are out of the country.
Further, one of the 22 employees who were physically present, Isidro Busa, can no longer be reinstated as he is already 67 years old. So only 21 have gone back to their jobs at the Taft LGU, Director Taldo said.
The other employees who were reinstated included Ernesto Aninas, Jorge P. Orita, Yolando Deguinon, Grace Lim, Emma Taninas, Francisco Esporas, Enrico Bedlasay, Jesus Cherriguine, Aida Evidente, Rodrigo Taninas, Virgilio Adenit, Clarita Bocena, Guio Balicha, Luz Bacula, Perfecto Magro, Anaclito Ebit, Dolores Penaflor, Cecilio Cebuano, and Danilo Alegre.
The case of four other employees is still being deliberated and awaiting decision, ARD Taldo added.
The decision to reinstate and pay the back wages and incentives of the suspended employees was reached after a thorough re-examination of the records. The CSC took note of the peculiar circumstances of the case taking into consideration the uncertain political landscape prevailing in the Municipal Government at the time the employees went of “absence without approved leave” in 2005.
It may be recalled that the employees were suspended from their official functions when they went on “absence without approved leave” as claimed so and in effect were not paid of their salaries since 2005.
In a 19-page decision, Attorney Rodolfo Encajonado, then Director IV of Civil Service Regional Office 8, issued on October 27, 2006, a decision declaring the suspension of some 29 municipal employees of Taft Local Government Unit as “void”.
The decision of Director Encajonado further directed the municipal mayor of LGU-Taft, Eastern Samar ” to reinstate immediately Roberto Lim, et. al, to their respective positions and be paid the corresponding back salaries from the date they were actually denied payment thereof and dropped from the rolls until their actual reinstatement”.
The said decision was not implemented pending the petition for reconsideration of Mayor Adalem.
In the 2004 elections, Diego Lim, a civil engineer, defeated incumbent mayor Francisco “Atsing” Adalim. His running mate, Nestor Cebreros likewise defeated incumbent vice mayor Cornelio Adel.
Adalim and Adel filed election protests at the Regional Trial Court. Judge Elvie Lim decided in favor of Adalim and Adel, invalidating several hundred votes such that Adalim and Adel won by 456 and 802 votes respectively. Judge Lim based his decision on the findings that most of the ballots counted in favor of Lim were tampered with.
Three days thereafter, or on August 5, 2005, respondent Judge promulgated her Decision in the election protest declaring Adalim as the winning candidate in the May 10, 2004 mayoralty race in Taft, Eastern Samar with a lead of 456 votes as against petitioner. Thereupon, ousted Mayor LIm filed a notice of appeal.
On March 8, 2007, the Comelec denied Lim’s petition for injunction, paving the way for Adalim’s recognition by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. (PIA 8)
Army, South Leyte LGUs to hold first youth leadership summit
By Bong Pedalino
Southern Leyte (September 24) — The 19th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army, along with the 8th Infantry Division (ID), is planning to conduct a Youth Leadership Summit (YLS), the first undertaking of its kind in this province spearheaded by the military.
The three-day activity, which is supported by the local government units (LGUs) of the different municipalities and this province, has been slated to be held at Danao Forest Park, Maasin City, but there was no definite date yet.
This was learned during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held yesterday at the Governor’s office presided by Gov. Damain Mercado.
In a powerpoint presentation, a certain Aranez, who takes charge of the Army’s Civil-Military operations, discussed the details of the forthcoming activity, saying it will be attended by at least ten young individuals coming from the province’s eighteen towns and one city.
Among the expected participants are members of Sangguniang Kabataan, Out-of-School Youths (OSYs), and young people from other sectors, such as religious groups.
The tentative dates for the YLS will be on October 15-17, but this was deferred upon learning that the dates coincided with final examination for those in college, Aranez said.
He added that among the objectives of the gathering will be to inculcate among the young positive values and virtues, good citizenship, love of country, and to keep them busy on productive activities as a way of shielding them from bad influence, especially on illegal drugs.
The youth comprises 57% in the population of the country, and they can be a potent force to effect changes in society, Aranez also said.
After the presentation, the PPOC unanimously passed and approved a resolution to set aside P 100,000.00 as the counterpart fund of the provincial government for the holding of the YLS, which promises a lot of fun and surprises, in addition to lectures and learning experiences, throughout the 3-day activities. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
BIR re-launches “Handang Maglingkod” project
Negros Occidental (24 September) — Taxpayers can now expect better services from the Bureau of Internal Revenue with the relaunching of the Handang Maglingko Project this year.
The Handang Maglingkod Project (HMP), was first launched in 1990, undertaken again in 1992 then 1994 and again this year. HMP is the nationwide search for the outstanding BIR office that renders the most effective taxpayer service and involves the evaluation and selection of its frontline offices which delivers fast, efficient and courteous “frontline” services to taxpayers.
This year’s HMP will be done in two categories namely: the BIR National Office and one RDO winner for each of the19 Revenue Regions comprising the BIR, for a total of 20 winners. The HMP is a joint undertaking of the BIR with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).
In the Revenue District Office (RDO) level, every RDO will be evaluated and judged individually.
BIR RR 12 is composed of four RDOs located in Victorias City, Bacolod City, Binalbagan, and Dumaguete City. Judging of the RR12 RDOs is set on October 5-8.
The board of judges is composed of RR 12 Regional Director as chairman, and the designated representatives form the local chapters of the IBP,PICPA, and the PCCI.
HMP Coordinators from the BIR national office will conduct an orientation of the guidelines and mechanics to the board of judges.
BIR offices will be judged as to the following criteria:
* Establishment of a Taxpayer Service Area (TSA) in their respective offices from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or for extended hours complete with chairs and tables and internet connection, telephone for the convenience and accessibility of taxpayers;
* Designated BIR personnel to man the TSA with proper identification cards to answer queries and render efficient services to taxpayers;
* Sufficient supply of current BIR forms and Tax Returns;
* Flowcharts are posted in conspicuous places in the BIR office, showing procedures of certain transactions, their processing time, persons responsible
* Logbook to record the transaction of the TSA personnel with taxpayers
* Provision of a taxpayer feedback/satisfaction system and dropboxes to provide feedback on customer satisfaction
* Setting up of a tarpaulin with the picture of the head of the particularly agency at the entrance of the BIR office as a welcome sign to taxpayers
Through this project, the BIR aims to enhance the delivery of fast, efficient, and courteous “frontline” services to taxpayers which will promote better voluntary compliance from them.
This also hopes to project a service-oriented image for the bureau. The project will also provide inputs and feedback to BIR top management in the performance evaluation of certain BIR offices. HMP will gauge the level of customer satisfaction with key stakeholders and private organizations that are involved in the field of business and taxation. (BIR/PIA/EAD)
Comelec, Smartmatic sets public demo for automated election
Negros Occ. (23 September) — Comelec officials and Smartmatic will be holding a public demonstration of the Precinct Count Open Scan (PCOS) counting machine at the SM City Bacolod- Activity Center on September 28, Monday, 9:00am.
Provincial Elections Supervisor and Lawyer Jessie Suarez said he is inviting the public to participate in this activity that may answer questions they have related to the country’s implementation of Automated Election System (AES).
Expected to arrive are Smartmatic Elections System officials and Comelec Spokesman Director James Jimenez.
Suarez said he will prepare 500 seats in front of the stage during the demonstration which he hopes will attract participants from various sectors of the province especially from various stakeholders such as DepEd, LGUs and the civil society.
Suarez told PIA its all systems go for the AES next year as trainings have been scheduled for personnel who will serve in the election and those who will operate the machine. (PIA-LOL)
