PNP ready for Oplan Iwas Paputok
SAN JOSE, Antique,Dec. 30 (PIA)– The Antique Police Provincial Office is ready for the implementation of Operation Plan Iwas Paputok and are on alert in anticipation of New Year’s celebration.
They will see to it that vendors have Municipal Permit and have accomplished requirements from the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection and Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office. The vendors have also secured permit from the Firearms and Explosives Ammunition’s Unit of the PNP before they can be allowed to sell firecrackers.
Through a municipal resolution, the Municipality of San Jose has also designated its firecracker zone located at Tradetown, Dalipe, San Jose, Antique where vendors can sell firecrackers.
PCI Gorero also said that official guns of PNP San Jose will be sealed today to avoid illegal discharge of ammunition.
PNP San Jose is also calling on responsible firearms holder not to discharge their firearms as a means to welcome the coming year to avoid untoward incidents. (PIA/psm)
DSWD expands coverage of 4Ps in Region 8 in 2011
Tacloban City, Dec. 20 (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development will expand the coverage of Pantawid Pamilyang Pinoy Program to cover an additional 89,000 household beneficiaries in all the 6 provinces of Eastern Visayas in 2011.
This will make the total number of 4Ps household beneficiaries to 172,000 in 2011.
In the province of Leyte, 4Ps will cover 22 more municipalities in 2011, making the total number of LGUs covered to 32.
In Northern Samar, ten more municipalities will be covered by 4Ps in 2011.
Ten municipalities in Eastern Samar will be covered by 4Ps in 2011 while in Southern Leyte; four municipalities will initially be covered. Another 2 municipalities in Biliran will also be covered in 2011.
Director Corillo said that 4Ps provide conditional cash grants to beneficiaries to wit: P6,000 per year or P500 per month per household for health and nutrition expenses.
The beneficiaries get another P3,000 for one school year or ten months; or P300 per month per child for educational expenses. A maximum of three children per household is allowed.
A household with three qualified children receives a subsidy of P1,400 per month during the school year or P15,000 annually as long as they comply with the conditions.
To continue to avail of the cash grants, beneficiaries should comply with several conditions such as, pregnant women must avail of pre and post natal care and be attended during childbirth by a trained health professional.
Another condition is that parents must attend responsible parenthood sessions, mother’s classes and parent effectiveness seminars.
Children who are 0-5 years of age must receive regular preventive health check up and vaccines; 3-5 year old children must attend day care or pre-school classes at least 85% of the time; while children who are 6-14 years old must enroll in elementary or high school and must attend at least 85% of the time, and also receive deworming pills twice a year. (PIA 8)
NDF is not sincere for peace talk – 8TH ID
Tacloban City (December 15) — The recent pronouncement of the National Democratic Front’s (NDF) demand for peace talk is a mere ploy to advance their offensives against the government, Major General Chan, commander of the 8th Infantry Division said.
In Leyte province, troops of the Army’s 19th Infantry Battalion on board two (2) vehicles on their way to their camp to adhere to the suspension of military operations (SOMO) were fired upon by the undetermined number of communist terrorist somewhere in Barangay Candigahob, Carigara town, around 9:00 o’clock in the evening of December 14. Fortunately, no one was reported hurt in the incident.
In Northern Samar, around 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon of December 14, in the boundary of Barangays Sta. Fe and Perez both of Las Navas town, undetermined number of rebels waylaid the withdrawing troops who are supposed to go “back to barracks” to observe the government’s declaration of SOMO for the Yuletide seasons and to give-way the desire of the NDF for peace-talk.
The rebels used destructive improvised mines to assure of the fatality of the troops. Two (2) soldiers were reported wounded and ten (10) others were killed. One innocent minor Joven Cabe was also reported murdered who was just swimming in the river banks.
The 8th Infantry Division’s leadership was dismayed on how the rebels took advantage of the command’s abidance of the peace mechanisms being orchestrated in the higher level. This only shows their true intention why peace talk is once again brought to the picture.
Major General Chan condemned in the strongest possible terms the insincerity of the CPP-NPA-NDF in their demand to engage in peace talk. He also condemned the persistent violation of the terrorist NPA on human rights and international humanitarian law.
“Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) which is both signed by the NDF and our government is totally abused and disrespected. Serious violation of our people’s rights is deemed condemnable in the strongest possible terms,” Major General Chan declared. (PIA 8)
P-Noy appoints Leyte gov as RDC chair for Eastern Visayas
TACLOBAN CITY, Dec 15 (PIA)– President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho L. Petilla as the chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) for Eastern Visayas.
Governor Petilla, in a text message, confirmed this report saying that his appointment was received last week.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 8 headed by Director Buenaventura Go-Soco, Jr., confirmed this saying that an Omnibus Appointment Letter sent by Malacanang to NEDA Secretary Cayetano Paderanga on December 8 and forwarded to NEDA 8 on December 10, 2010.
Governor Petilla and Mr. Morales were nominated to the posts during the August meeting of the Regional Development Council.
Governor Petilla who is in his third term as governor of the province of Leyte is the son of former Leyte Gov. Leopoldo E. Petilla and former Governor and former Leyte 1st District Representative Remedios ‘Matin’ L. Petilla. He finished his Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering (Honors Program) degree at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he also had his high school education.
Coming from the business sector, the vision-driven Governor believes in empowering the people of Eastern Visayas for them to achieve a good quality of life, as such he has already geared his programs towards priority sectors such as Agro-business, tourism, IT enhancement and energy.
His innovative project and achievements as governor has earned him the respect of the government executives, the business sector and the public.
On the other hand, his co-chairman, Mr. Morales will share his vast knowledge and expertise as a retired regional director of the Department of Agrarian Reform.
NEDA Central Office informed that a conference among RDC chairmen and co-chairmen from all over the country is being arranged early next year which would include among others, the oath taking of the appointees. (PIA 8)
RDC-6 chair, co-chair appointed
Iloilo (14 December) — The Regional Development Council chair and co chair, in the persons of Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, Sr. and Iloilo Business Club former chairperson Marissa Segovia, were already appointed by President Benigno Aquino III, a NEDA press release said.
Tanco and Segovia were nominated to the posts during the September 13 2010 meeting of the RDC.
Governor Tanco is a graduate of Business Administration from UP Diliman and his career has been centered on local governance starting as a councilor for three terms in Dumarao, Capiz and eventually also as a three-termer mayor.
He served as Vice-Governor of Capiz for three terms and is now in his second term as Governor.
His advocacies are on culture and heritage, health, environment protection, disaster preparedness. Climate change adaptation and ensuring reliable power supply for the region.
Ms. Segovia, meanwhile had served as chairperson of the Iloilo Business Club, from 2001 to 2005, a members of various business organizations, advocating for socio-economic development and business-friendly region.
She is a graduate of B.S. Management at the Ateneo de Manila University, and currently the Vice-President for Operations for Nissan-Iloilo, and the businesses under Segovia Enterprises.
Dir. Bacal said she looks forward to working with the new RDC officers in effectively steering the RDC VI towards the development of Western Visayas.
The RDC is composed of the governors of the region, city mayors and mayors of capital towns, presidents of the League of Municipalities, selected regional directors of national line agencies and private sector representatives. (NEDA/PIA6/ESS)
DILG confirms conduct of special Liga elections in 2 Samar towns on December 13
Tacloban City (December 12) — The special Liga ng mga Barangay elections in the municipalities of San Jorge and San Jose de Buan, both in Samar province, will be on December 13, Monday.
The Department of Interior and Local Government confirmed this, after the federation of barangay chairman in the two municipalities failed to conduct elections as scheduled on December 7.
DILG 8 Regional Director said the national president of the Liga ng mga Barangay and the DILG Central Officers set the date for the special elections.
It was learned that the federation elections did not push through at San Jorge due to lack of quorum among the barangay chairmen.
Of the 41 punong barangays at San Jorge, 20 went to the Municipal Hall while the other 20 went to PNP Catbalogan.
Director Jose said there was miscommunication between the two groups that is why the elections did not materialize.
Meannwhile, at San Jose de Buan town, no federation election was conducted because the punong barangays were also divided into two factions.
Of the fourteen punong barangays, seven waited at the Municipal Hall of San Jose de Buan while the other seven waited at the PNP Catbalogan.
The DILG Director expressed optimism that the conduct of special federation elections at 1:00 o’clock in the afternoon of December 13, will be successful and peaceful. (PIA 8)
Siquijor province posts highest increase in tourist arrivals for Central Visayas
By Minerva BC Newman
Cebu, Philippines (12 December) — Among the four provinces in Central Visayas, Siquijor province posted the highest increase in tourists arrivals by more than 15 percent during the first semester of 2010.
The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-7) in the region in its Central Visayas Economic Situationer reports that the tourism industry started to recover from the global financial crisis in 2009. The report said tourist arrivals in Central Visayas increased by nearly 5 percent during the first six months of the year.
Second to Siquijor province, Cebu and Bohol tourists arrivals posted at 5.13 percent and 3.53 percent respectively while Negros Oriental’s arrivals posted in the negative.
The provincial tourism unit of Negros Oriental said, it is taking local initiatives to aggressively promote the province through video and brochure productions as well as coming up with a Master Plan for Ecotourism.
NEDA further reports that the increase in tourists’ arrivals in Central Visayas is attributed to the improvement of cash positions of business travelers.
After implementing cost reduction measures during the height of the 2008 and 2009 economic crises, companies are now in a better position to spend for business trips.
Tourism industry players also undertook more promotional efforts. Airlines have also came up with and the affordable and promotional airfares that enticed local tourists to travel within Central Visayas and around the country. (PIA-Cebu/mbcn)
DSWD launches Project Helpline in Region 8
Tacloban City (December 10) — Region 8 is set to launch Project Helpline on Monday, December 13, 2010, as part of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s commitment to make Republic Act 9344 otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006, really work for the interest of children at risk and children in conflict with the law.
DSWD Region 8 Assistant Regional Director Jaime P. Eclavea said that the day-long activity on December 13, will open with an orientation at 9:30 in the morning at the Girl Scouts Leyte Council Building along Del Pilar Street.
This will be followed by a motorcade at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon. The motorcade shall end at the Balyuan Ampitheater along Magsaysay Boulevard, where the ceremonial launching will be held.
Project Helpline, is a telephone hotline created solely to respond on inquiries on Republic Act 9344 also known as the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006,” and to help callers handle cases of children in conflict with the law (CICL).
The installation of the new helpline project aims to provide an over the phone assistance to children at risk and children in conflcit with the law, service providers and other stakeholders on matters relating to the implementation of the new law, Republic Act 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.”
The DSWD has trained a technical staff to provide assistance during office hours. Assistance is not limited to providing information on the salient features of the law but also includes counselling to children and parents.
?Also, the DSWD has a 24-hour facility called Crisis Intervetion Unit, which assists people who are in crisis situations, strandees, lost, rescued, sick, disaster victims, trafficked women and children and those needing burial and medical assistance.
The DSWD aims to train more service providers to handle and respond to queries at night and on weekends.
Through RA 9344, the children are separated from adult offenders and are given psychosocial interventions such as counselling, skills training, education, and other activities which will enhance is his or her psychological, emotional and psycho-social well-being. (PIA 8)
Accomplishments of women thru GREAT Women Project inspire PCW chief
Tacloban City (December 6) — Philippine Commission on Women Executive Director Emmeline Verzosa said the accomplishments of the women involved in the GREAT Women Project in Leyte is very inspiring.
The PCW executive director observed that indeed, there have been measures and efforts done in the pilot municipalities to have a gender-responsive enabling environment for women’s economic empowerment, particularly those in microenterprise.
She cited that already in place in the province of Leyte and in the Municipality of Tanauan, is the Gender and Development Code. The GAD Code in Baybay is on process.
Ms. Verzosa was recently in the province to visit the women projects in the four pilot municipalities of Leyte, Baybay, Capoocan, Barugo and Tanauan, prior to the signing of the second Memorandum of Agreement after approval of the Work and Financial Plan of the said municipalities and the province of Leyte.
She said that the reason why another MOA signing was conducted between the PCW and the province of Leyte together with the three pilot municipalities, is that the pilot municipalities has satisfactorily completed the first part and are now ready to start with the second part with corresponding work and financial plan.
The Philippine Commission on Women, formerly NCRFW, partnered with 12 national government agencies, 8 pilot provincial governments and 35 municipalities, to implement the five-year project which is provided with technical and financial support by the Canadian International Development Agency.
With women economic empowerment as ultimate goal, the project hopes to raise the level of participation that will enable women to make decisions based on their own views and perspectives.
Ms. Verzosa said that the expected outcomes of the process of partnering together for women’s empowerment include the following situation: women obtain women’s increased access to economic and/or enterprise-related programs and services, better support services for women’s economic and enterprise endeavors, less constraints on women as a result of gender responsive roles and expectations, and better incomes, expanded capabilities and life opportunities.
Capacity development to be provided by the GREAT Women Project is aimed at increasing the ability of individuals, organizations, institutions to perform their functions, fulfill their mandates and achieve their goals by integrating gender and women’s economic empowerment perspective in their inputs, strategies, processes, and systems. Gender and development and women’s economic empowerment become value-adding perspectives to the way national government agencies and local government units develop and implement policies and plans relative to MSME development and deliver programs and services to women in livelihoods and microenterprises. (PIA 8)
PNoy highlights role of media as sentinel of democracy
Tacloban City (December 3) — President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed the active role of media in protecting the well-being of the people.
President Aquino made the statement speaking at the silver anniversary of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the launching of the commemorative book entitled “From Ninoy to Noynoy: 25 years of the Philippine Daily Inquirer” on December 1, at the Makati Shangrila in Makati City.
“There is no doubt that media plays an active role in guarding our freedoms and making the powerful accountable,” the President said, stressing that when our institutions were weak, “the media put truth to power for the well-being of our citizenry.”
The President underscored that media does not operate in a vacuum or was it not immune from the pressures heaped by influential people in the government, he urged all journalists and broadcasters to watch their own ranks and condemn their colleagues who try to exert a corrupt influence on the government.
He also asked the assistance of media to help the government in maintaining the highest form of professionalism, integrity, and truth-telling.
“Together, it is vital for us to raise the level of public discourse so that important issues are distinguished from vulgar personalities and trivial stories,” he added.
Quoting his late father and icon of people power, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the President said that “a free media is indispensable if a democracy is to function efficiently, if it is to be real. The people, who are sovereign, must be adequately informed all the time.”
The President acknowledged the contribution of Inquirer for igniting and catalyzing professionalism through its fair reporting and exposes against the government, having started before martial rule and continuing to the present.
He assured the men and women of the country’s leading broadsheet that his government is not after fame but to protect the meaning of democracy which the Filipino people had recovered from 20 years of dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand R. Marcos.
“This is the path the Filipino people have committed to, and we all have a role to play in defending it,” he said and admitted that he will personally proudly claim and inform his late parents, Senator Ninoy and former President Corazon Aquino, if his administration succeeds in defending democracy during his term which would be ending in 2016. (PIA 8)
