Quality Ilonggo bamboo products on 7-day display
by T. Villavert
DTI-Iloilo Director Wilhelm Malones said in a PIA interview that Iloilo is home to hundreds of small, medium and large manufacturers and exporters and our bamboo industry has contributed to the government’s job generation program.
Malones said the seven-day economic and trade fair currently being held at the SM City Mandurriao activity center is participated in by 20 members of the Iloilo Bamboo Producers Development, Inc. with the theme “Bamboo for the Millennium”.
He explained that the event advocates the use of bamboo as raw material- alternative for wood, and bamboo plants are good in preventing soil erosion.
The Kawayan Market Week has helped open Iloilo bamboo to the outside world, and “we are considered by other regions in the counry as the center of the bamboo industry”.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in one of her visits in various areas in the country urged to plant bamboos in riverbanks to help mitigate the effects of climate change and serve as a source of livelihood.
The President said the bamboo contributes both for environmental improvement and socio-economic growth. (PIA6)
PNP orders full probe of killing of Northern Samar governor’s brother
This was learned from PSSupt. Manuel Cubillo, chief of Regional Police Community Relations, who said that the order was given by Director Sandiego upon learning about the killing on Friday afternoon.
Based on the spot report submitted by Police Senior Superintendent Eusebio Mejos, Northern Samar Provincial Director, on or about 4:30 in the afternoon of October 2, the victim identified as Manuel Daza y Aguila alias Manolo, 64 years old, businessman and co-owner of Rosario Cockpit Arena, a resident of Barangay San Agustin, Lavezares, Northern Samar, and a brother of Northern Samar Governor Raul A. Daza, was shot to death at Rosario Cockpit Arena at Barangay 3, San Lorenzo, Rosario, Northern, Samar.
The victim was allegedly sitting at the “Bidder Stand” when he was shot to death by unidentified suspects with the use of Caliber 45 and 9MM pistols inflicting fatal wounds on the back portion of his body and nape that caused his instantaneous death.
The suspects fled using the back door of the arena towards the hilly area of the municipality.
Immediately, elements of Rosario Police Station led by PSI Joy Leanza, chief of police, arrived at the crime scene, secured the area and coordinated with the Engineering company of the Philippine Army located at Barangay Guindautan to conduct hot pursuit operations.
Thereafter, one team from the Rosario CAA Detachment led by Sgt. Arnold Miranda arrived at the area and helped in the conduct of hot pursuit operation to track down the suspects.
Upon receipt of the information, PSSupt Mejos immediately directed the chief of police of San Jose Police Station, Police inspector Gilbert Lee Mendova to proceed to the area and conduct a checkpoint operation with the Regional Mobile Group personnel.
PSSupt. Mejos also dispatched the 807th Provincial Police Mobile Group personnel led by PCI Menandro Hayag, group director, as augmentation force together with the investigator of NSPPO to the crime scene; and called up the chief of Police of Levezares, PSI Gemmer Rubiera to immediately conduct checkpoints including the police chiefs of Allen, Bobon, Victoria and San Isidro for possible arrest of the suspects.
HE also informed the Provincial SOCO team led by PSI Gerardo Hermossila to proceed to the area, and called up higher office to inform the Regional Director about the incident.
Recovered from the crime scene by the SOCO team were three pieces empty shell of caliber pistol, two pieces empty shell of caliber 9MM and two pieces of slug for caliber 45 pistol.
It was learned that the victim was about to go home after a cockfight when a group of armed men wearing bonnets fired several gunshots at him.
The killing of Daza came about, barely 27 days when the younger brother of Vice Governor Antonio Lucero, Fr. Cecilio Lucero was ambushed by still unidentified armed described by witnesses as wearing bonnets. (PIA 
CSC spearheads free medical-dental mission
By Alice Nicart
Mr. Emmanuel Fuentes, CSC Provincial Director said that the activity is in line with the Commission’s 109th year Anniversary with the theme: “Honoring our Heroes in Republic Service, Responsive, Ethical Public Servant with visions, integrity, commitment and excellence.”
“We envisioned to reach out to the poor through a medical mission but having no funds for the purpose, we sought the assistance and support of the Provincial Government which readily gave in to our request,” Fuentes said.
In effect, four service package were made available to the teeming indigents and not so indigents alike.
Mr. Caloy Capito, DYES Senior Broadcaster expressed his elation for the poor at the free dental service given by the team of Dr. Gil Maximo Bejar.
“Just imagine, extraction of a single tooth would cost one, some P200.00,” Caloy taunted. “This program of the Provincial LGU is indeed a big help to many of our Kababayan,” he added.
Moreover, there was also a long line of people wanting reading eyeglasses. Hon. Thelma U. Nicart, President of the Provincial Councilors League (PCL) sponsored the hundreds of reading eyeglasses which were awarded to the poor while a team of optometrists examined their eye needs.
Atty. Byron Suyot, Chief of Staff of Governor Ben Evardone with his team, on the other hand, extended free legal assistance. Some high school students who had problems in their birth certificates were given free legal advice.
But most of the customers flocked to the table of the medical team of Dr. Buddy Evardone, Provincial Chief of Hospitals. Very common complaints were high blood pressure and high glucose count.
Atty. Suyot, who spoke in behalf of Gov. Evardone was glad at the positive response of the public; he said they are even contemplating to integrate the said program in the project Barangay Empowerment Network (BEN) which has recently won f
DAR installs ARBs in Sagay, Moises Padilla
In Sagay City, 24 ARBS were awarded their lands covering CARP acquired landholding of 28.1069 hectares while 22 ARBs in Moises Padilla were installed covering 43.8851 hectares.
Located in Hacienda Hulbo in Brgy. Taba-ao Sagay City, the ARBs were already installed in the 8-hectare land where they continue to do farming activities prior to the recent installation. Vacant portion of the landholdings under CARP were awarded to them recently to sustain and expand their farming activities.
Installation in Moises Padilla is located in Hda. Agueda, Brgy. Odiong Moises Padilla
DAR through the Office of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer and its Legal Assistance Division conducted several assessment measures to ensure that installation activities will be conducted without legal impediments in the implementation of CARP. Proper communication and coordination with LGUs concerned were done and assistance from PNP (PNP/RMG/PMG) and Phil. Army were sought to maintain peace and order in the area during and post installation period in line with Joint DAR-DILG-DND Circular No. 5, Series of 2002.
These landholdings were all embraced by Certificate of Landownership Award (CLOA) T-11744 for lot no 1531 in Sagay and T-10630 for lot no. 1010-A in Moises Padilla, formerly owned by Gloria de la Paz and Rosita Montañez. Pending cases for inclusion and exclusion were being filed as subject for administrative proceedings.
Under the new law, Republic Act. 9700, CARP Extension with Reforms (CARPER) 40% of the total funds allocations is provided for the support services. Moreover, DAR is still waiting for the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) for the full implementation of the CARPER within the period of five years. (DAR/PIA/EAD)
Tacloban gears up activities for children’s month
By Gemma Tabao
Tacloban City (5 October) — Some 50 street children in Tacloban City are scheduled to enjoy free meals and snacks come October 30 this year.
This benevolent act, which is spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in cooperation with the Local Government of Tacloban City, Office of Congressman Romualdez and other government line agencies, is among the activities lined up for the Children’s Month celebration observed every October of each year.
Aside from the share-a-meal efforts, a Children’s Congress is likewise set on October 22-23 in Ormoc City, which will be participated in by children’s sectoral representatives all over Eastern Visayas region. During this gathering, different laws and programs concerning children will be tackled.
Other activities also include a Press Conference to be held at the Philippine Information Agency on October 9, and a medical and dental mission in Jaro, Leyte on the following day.
Relative to this year’s theme, “Bright Child: Proteksyon ng Bata, Pananagutan ng Bansa,” the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (RIACAT-VAWC), is intensifying its campaign to end aggressions against children and women. Part of the interventions include the posting of stickers prohibiting admission of minors in the company of adult men in establishments like restaurants/bars, hotels and beach resorts. Minors are likewise not allowed to purchase regulated medicines in different drugstores.
With the convergent efforts exerted by the government towards children and their families, a better direction is at hand for the most vulnerable individuals. (PIA
Bohol cops await inspection results
Tagbilaran City (5 October) — Camp Dagohoy authorities as well as police stations all over the province now expecting to have the ratings revealed to them after inspectors from the Police National Headquarters completed the 3 days camp and the different town police stations inspections.
The team of Inspectors led by PCSupt Victor Agarcio, with PSSupt Alfredo Paje and Psupt Enrique Agtarap inspected Camp Dagohoy from September 29 to October 1 2009. Such is in line with the calendar of the 2009 Annual General Inspection/ Operation Readiness Security Inspection Test and Evaluation for different Police Stations and offices in Region 7.
Areas for inspection include personnel, office administrative records, the police offices and buildings. Personnel Security and readiness tested through different scenarios including Camp Defense, Fire Defense, conduct of high and low Risk Checkpoints, Hostage Crisis Management, Civil Disturbance Management and the Scene of the Crime Operation (S-O-C-O). (PIA)
DTI-7 warns retailers to observe price freeze of basic goods
Cebu City (5 October) — Retailers in Cebu and the rest of the region are warned by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) to observe the price freeze on all brands of listed commodities amid the declaration of the entire country under a state of calamity.
President Gloria Macapagal-Aroyo signed Proclamation No. 1898 last Friday declaring the entire country under a state of calamity Arroyo in view of the tremendous damage to lives and properties and massive displacement caused by typhoon “Ondoy” and in preparation for the impending hazards and devastations of typhoon “Pepeng”.
Typhoon “Pepeng” with maximum sustained winds at 175kph and gustiness of 210kph hit the country last Saturday and ravaged most of Northern Luzon.
The country, still reeling from the shock of the onslaught of Typhoon ‘Ondoy’ that killed over 250 people in Luzon, had to bear the brunt of another typhoon.
Although Typhoon ‘Pepeng’ already moved to sea yesterday and had weakened but not after killing 17 people in its wake, this is reported.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) meanwhile, warned of another coming typhoon codename ‘Melor’ which is expected to enter the country’s area of responsibility today. Albeit Typhoon ‘Melor’ is not likely to hit the country, chief weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz bared.
The DTI-7 already released an advisory to all retailers declaring a prize freeze on basic necessities as provided for under RA 7581 or the Price Act. The advisory is in consonance with Pres. Arroyo’s proclamation.
With Proclamation 1898, prices of basic goods are effectively controlled by the DTI, giving the agency the power to freeze prices of basic commodities at their prevailing prices as of October 2.
Basic necessities as defined under the Price Act covers both agricultural goods and manufactured products that included fresh pork, beef, poultry meat, fresh eggs, processed milk, fresh, dried and canned fish, milk, coffee, rice, corn, bread, sugar, cooking oil, detergents, root crops, laundry soap, and vegetables among others.
The prize freeze is based on prevailing prices from the DTI monitoring report before the declaration of State of Calamity.
Retailers who take advantage of the situation and hike prices of the identified basic goods carry a penalty of 10 years maximum imprisonment and fine of P1M.
Consumers may call or proceed to the nearest DTI office in their area for complaints or inquiries. Telephone numbers of DTI Offices in the region are: DTI-Cebu (032) 255-7082 local 19/253-2631, DTI-Bohol (038) 501-8260, DTI-Negros Oriental (035) 422-2764, DTI-Siquijor (035) 480-9065. and the DTI-7 Regional Office (032) 255-0036. (PIA-Cebu/FCR)
NSO Siquijor enjoins agencies to 20th NSM celebration
By Rizalie A. Calibo
Siquijor Province (5 October) — The local National Statistics Office (NSO) here enjoins all government agencies, academic institutions and the private sector to actively participate and support the 20th National Statistics Month Celebration (NSM) in October this year.
The activity is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647, Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month, issued in September 20, 1990.
The observance of the event aims to promote, enhance and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation and value of statistics to the different sectors of society; and to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country, the memo from the NSO said.
Aside from hanging of NSM streamers to promote awareness, local offices are also called to sponsor or organize activities related to the month-long celebration. Among the suggested activities are symposium, workshops, lecture-forum on topics related to statistics, exhibits or displays of statistical data and other statistical information.
This year’s theme is “Enhancing Security Statistics for Good Governance, Peace and Sustainable Development. “Through this theme, we will emphasize and demonstrate the significance of statistics in our goal of attaining god governance, peace and sustainable development,” the NSO here said in its letter to the agencies. (PIA)
