Bohol is all thanks for PGMA
Tagbilaran City (29 June) — Thousands came to see President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the last time as their national leader and they thanked her for the infrastructure projects she brought into the province, the latest of which is the Ubay Port which will serve as another gateway to Cebu and other parts of Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao.
Aumentado said the President’s more than 15 visits to the province ensured the completion and delivery of projects.
Aumentado called the President “patroness” of the province for giving not just her valuable time listening to their needs, but also bringing with each of her visit the funds and infrastructure projects.
Aumentado gave her full credit for the circumferential road, the Panglao International Airport, the four other ports in the province, including the new Ubay port and the anti-poverty initiatives as well as livelihood programs that “she gave to us from her heart.”
“She loves the province so much and we certainly feel that love and we surely love her in return and we will always cherish every good deed she gave us,” Aumentado said.
Aumentado said that under President Arroyo, the province became self sufficient in rice having increased its production to 115 percent in 2009, thus enabling it to export to neighboring provinces of Cebu, Dumaguete and other provinces in the Visayas even during the El Nino and the rice crisis of 2008.
Touched by the expressions of gratitude, President Arroyo went to the stage and summoned two beneficiaries of the Ubay port project namely William Tagle, a heavy machinery contractor and Ruben Hamilo, a poultry and livestock trader, selling his animals and animal feeds to Cebu and Bohol.
Tagle thanked the President for the project which provided him a job to feed his family while Hamilo, a bachelor, thanked the President for the Ubay port which reduced travel time from Cebu to Bohol from four days to overnight. (PIA-Bohol)
PGMA to Ilonggos: Thank you for the support
Iloilo City (28 June) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked Ilonggos for the support they gave her administration and for the opportunity to serve them, in her speech during her visit to Iloilo on June 28, barely two days before her term ends.
The President led the unveiling rites and inauguration of the new Tigum Bridge in Brgy. Tabucan, Cabatuan which was destroyed by typhoon “Frank” in June 2008.
Likewise, President Arroyo expressed her gratitude to all those who built the Tigum Bridge and the other infrastructures that were damaged during the onslaught of typhoon “Frank”.
“Now Iloilo looks as if no devastation ever struck it, it does not look like the armageddon that it looked in typhoon “Frank”, so we are grateful for that and we thank those who built this bridge and the other infrastructures,” said President Arroyo.
Tigum Bridge is one of the new four bridges that were already finished out of the 11 bridges destroyed by typhoon “Frank” in the province. Other bridges completed are Daja and Tubang bridges in Maasin and Misi Bridge in Lambunao.
Aside from the long term-benefits that the new bridge will bring to Cabatuan and other municipalities nearby, residents of Brgy. Tabucan also benefited during the construction phase of the new bridge.
Widower Vitaliano Arcos took the opportunity to thank the President for the construction of the bridge. He related how his earnings as watchman during the construction of the bridge helped the income of his family of 16 children.
On the other hand, tricycle driver Norbeto Caballero said that with the completion of the bridge transporting of passengers will now be easier and he expects an increase in his income. (PIA)
Manny Pacquiao to induct Bacolod mayor
Bacolod City (28 June) — Congressman-elect and People’s champ Manny Pacquiao will administer the oath-taking of Bacolod Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia during the inauguration of Bacolod City officials on July 3, 2010 at New Government Center (NGC).
Mayor Leonardia is elated that Pacquiao, who is an “Adoption Son” of the city, decided to take time out from his busy schedule to swear the mayor into office. On his trip to Bacolod City, Pacquiao will be accompanied by his wife Jinkee.
The inaugural ceremony will be held in the afternoon of July 3 at the New Government Center grounds with Senator-elect Franklin Drilon as guest speaker.
Prior to the ceremony, there will be a three-day pre-inaugural activities that will be spearheaded by the city employees themselves. (PIO/PIA/cad)
Abatan community tours: Bohol convergence at work
Tagbilaran City (27 June) — The Boholano convergence of efforts and resources again proved its worth when the already-delayed Abatan River Community Life Tours cruised finally last Wednesday.
No less than tourism bigwigs led by Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and Regional Director Rica Bueno uttered their amazement at convergence at work when sampling the waters and hospitality of the communities along the Abatan River.
The project, which was initially conceptualized by a Abatan River Development Association soon found allies with Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas and then Maribojoc Mayor Gavino Redulla, who at the time sought ways to develop the tourism potential of the river.
While two heads may be better than one, both leaders realized the magnanimity of the effort to takle the program on their own, they tapped then Congressman Edgar Chatto and Governor Erico Aumentado.
The governor, who openly sought for convergence of efforts to stretch whatever is available convinced initiators to involve the other towns who have the Abatan River as their resource, admitted Salinas, the Abatan River Development Management Council (ARDMC) Chairman, during the launching program held at the Cortes main village center.
The ARDMC formulated the Abatan River Master Plan, which highlights community life tours as its eco-tourism development strategy to sustainably manage the river, community organizer and PROCESS Bohol executive director Emilia Roslinda said.
We developed the multi-stakeholder approach in developing the river to encourage community participation in the conservation and preservation and management of the environment and cultural heritage of the area, she added.
First started five years ago, the idea was to use the river communities, the common denominator among the towns of Cortes, Maribojoc, Antequera, Balilihan and Catigbian as the product. After long series of workshops, consultations and planning sessions, the cluster finally came up with the product we now have, he added.
Congressman Chatto, who put in a sizable amount of funds from his congressional pork said he saw it as a viable initiative showing the river not just as convenient channel for trade, commerce and transport but as a means for people to be proud about their heritage.
Also helping in developing the community life tours were non-government organizations led by Process-Bohol, Peoples Organizations, government agencies, local governments and small entreprenuers in the communities, explained Roslinda during the launching.
The Abatan river Community life tours take you on a gliding boat travel to the length of Abatan river while experiencing spectacular sceneries, rich biodiversity of the river eco-system, unrivaled tranquility and the charming simplicity of the community life. (PIA-Bohol)
PGMA visits Iloilo Monday
Iloilo City (28 June) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will spend some of the remaining moments of her presidency with the Ilonggos today, June 28, 2010 to inaugurate another vital infrastructure project in the province.
From the Iloilo Airport, President Arroyo will motor to Brgy. Tabucan, Cabatuan for the inauguration of the Tigum Bridge, one of the bridges destroyed by typhoon “Frank” in 2008.
The opening of the bridge will not only make travel easier going to Iloilo City but boost economic growth as well in Cabatuan and nearby municipalities.
Tigum Bridge is located at km. 21+130.20 and serves as the main thoroughfare connecting central towns of Iloilo to Iloilo City. It is also the alternate route going to the provinces of Capiz and Aklan.
The construction of its replacement began on June 18, 2009 under the supervision of the Construction Division of the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 6.
The scope of work is composed of a 6-span bridge using pre-stressed concrete girders on bored pile foundation including approaches.
The project has an appropriation of P170,000 sourced from the calamity fund, based on the project profile from the DPWH.
From Iloilo, President Arroyo will proceed to Bohol and Cebu.
On June 30, President Arroyo is set to turn over the presidency to President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. (PIA)
Capiz tops oyster, mussel production
by A. Lumaque
Roxas City (25 June) — The province topped the volume of oyster and mussel production nationwide based on the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics’ (BAS) Fisheries Statistics of the Philippines report for the period 2007 to 2008.
The two-year report has registered oyster and mussel production at 11,831.6 and 13,404.75 metric tons, respectively, despite typhoons and tidal disturbances which negatively affected the shellfish production in Western Visayas.
Production of mussel at 23,017.22 metric tons in 2008 was 14.44 percent high than the 2007 level, the report noted.
“Capiz recorded the highest output growth of 30 percent for green shell in 2008,” it said.
This was attributed to good water quality that allowed the growth of more spats and produced larger sizes of mussel, specifically, during the first quarter of 2008.
On the same report, the province ranked third in milkfish production trailing Pangasinan and Bulacan.
Milkfish is predominantly cultured in brackishwater fishponds.
Capiz has been the country’s major supplier of prawn, bangus and other seafood products apart from a surplus of agricultural products it generates every year.
The province has been blessed with a very rich fishing grounds that made it popular as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. (PIA)
DOLE 6 launches website
Iloilo City (25 June) — Ilonggos can now easily access information about the labor and employment department and its program and services, particularly in Western Visayas, on-line.
The Department of Labor and Employment 6 officially launched its website ro6.dole.gov.ph., today, June 25, 2010.
DOLE 6 OIC Crispin Dannug, Jr. said they launched the website to ensure that the public can have the information they needed conveniently and easily without visiting their office but only their website through the internet.
Aside from the programs and services included in the website are the news releases, labor advisories, minimum wages, list of forthcoming events and the officers and contacts of the regional and provincial offices of DOLE in Western Visayas.
Other features of the website are the downloadable forms on the Alien Employment Permit, Registration of Workers Association, Collective Bargaining Agreement Registration, Labor Unions and others.
Visitors can also check the Citizen’s Charter of the DOLE and the National Manpower Registry on the website.
Dannug assured transparency in all their transactions as public bidding announcements will be posted on the website.
He further said that public participation in their activities is encouraged as visitors are allowed to post their queries which will be attended by their legal department.
The website is being managed by the Information Division of DOLE 6. This is linked to the websites of the DOLE central office and its other regional offices, attached agencies, bureaus and offices.
PNP-8 nabs Gandara, Samar’s wanted person
Tacloban City (June 25) — Police Regional Office 8 Director Chief Superintendent Rey Laquihon Lanada informed that a wanted person by the name of Rex Pajarito alias Ricric, 19 years old, single, was nabbed at 7:00 o’clock in the morning of June 24 at Barangay Lungib, Gandara, Samar.
The apprehension was made by the combined elements of Gandara Municipal Police Station, the Regional Public Safety Battalion and Special Task Group 8 led by Police Inspector Jovie R. Espenido, by virtue of Alias Warrant of Arrest for the crime of murder docketed under Criminal Case Number 06-0342 with no bail bond; and serious physical injuries docketed under Criminal Case Number 6128, with bail bond of One Thousand Pesos, both issued by Presiding Judge Cesar T. Mabansag, Branch 41 in Gandara.
This fete is pursuant to Police Regional Office 8 Director Rey Laquihon Lanada’s directive to his men to intensify their drive against all forms of criminality to ensure the safety of the general public.
Director Lanada said that the Philippine National Police in the Region is working harder in its fights against lawless criminals. He, thus, gave a stern warning to the Wanted Persons who are still at large to turn in themselves because the hands of justice will sooner or later nab them.
Do not resist arrest, Director Lanada said, because his men will defend themselves.
“If poverty is the reason why they commit crimes, they could work. There is a lot of work to be had in the locality. There is dignity in labor for as long as it is legal. There is no need for them to commit crimes in order to gain something,” Director Lanada added. (PIA 8/PNP RPCRD8)
Recycling project to convert waste paper into fuel bricks
By Bong Pedalino
Maasin City (June 25) — Have waste papers, and this city will turn it into shredded pieces to be molded into rounded fuel bricks, or somewhat like a white charcoal, to be used for cooking.
This much was observed in a demonstration activity this morning at the city motorpool area, where a big crusher or shredder churned out tons of pre-wetted garbage papers for further processing into a round mold about one-inch thick and about four inches in diameter.
The resulting recycled finished product, which was usually burned in bulk if not treated in this manner, will be used mainly as a fuel in much the same way an ordinary coconut or wood charcoal is used as burning fuel for cooking in the kitchen.
The project, which is being closely coordinated with Congressman Roger Mercado’s office and Gov. Damian Mercado, is still in its preliminary stages preparatory to be introduced into the market as a substitute for commercial charcoal the soonest time possible.
But aside from recycling ready-to-burned bundles of papers especially those coming from local banks, the project has a rider benefit: for every kilo of to-be-disposed paper given by banks or any other office, a tree seedling will be exchanged, ready for planting, according to Nelson Enojo, a staff at the Congressman’s office.
The double, pro-environment effect is obvious, because as waste papers are recycled, trees are consequently planted, Enojo told PIA.
In the demonstration, a medium-sized stockpot full of “escalante” bananas was cooked using the paper brickettes as fuel, and the fire and heat generated surely did the job as much as the common “uling” can.
Present during the activity were Engr. Dominador Clavejo, provincial head of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Gomer Paz, Branch Manager of Philippine National Bank (PNB) and concurrent President of the Southern Leyte Bankers Club.
Curious onlookers and passers-by dropped by to watch what was going on, but from the look of their faces it cannot be determined this early if they were sold-out by the charcoal substitute.
But at least some are willing to give it a try. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
BSP says there are enough coins
Iloilo City (23 June) — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) assured the public that there is enough supply of coins in the country, although it admitted that there is a public perception that there is a shortage of these legal tenders.
BSP Deputy Director and Iloilo Branch Head Job T. Nepomuceno made the assurance during a consultative-dialogue on coin re-circulation held June 22 at Days Hotel here with stakeholders in the wake of the perceived coins shortage particularly the low-denomination ones (1-piso, 25-sentimo, 10-sentimo, 5-sentimo, and 1-sentimo).
As of December 2009, the BSP put in circulation 15.6 billion pieces of coins of various denominations with total face value of P16.9 billion, the BSP Iloilo Branch head.
He disclosed that 89 percent of total coins in circulation are low-denominated coins with 13.8 billion pieces and face value of P6 billion.
In Iloilo alone, the BSP has issued P124.2 million worth of coins to client-banks over the last five years until 2009.
Given this figure, the BSP official pointed out that we should have more than enough of the low-denominated coins going around at a ratio of 169 or even more coins for every Filipino.
The perceived shortage of coins has become a concern not only for the BSP but also consumers, business establishments, non-government organizations, and charitable institutions.
Nepomuceno said we need to ensure that coins keep circulating for the following reasons: it is the right of consumers to receive exact change; many non-government organizations depend on coin contributions to sustain their operations, particularly those related to poverty alleviation, feeding and support for the elderly; and, BSP mandate to produce and provide the economy with currency sufficient to meet demand.
Last year, the BSP was swamped with requests of banks for coins of smaller value amounting to 1.7 billion pieces. Sixty (60) percent or 1.05 billion pieces of the request was serviced by the BSP with a variance (difference between requested and actual number of coins) of 40 percent.
Nepomuceno said that the question in our minds is, “Do we not have coins?” He said the answer is “We do.”
However, the BSP pointed out that the problem is not a matter of supply but the circulation of coins.
The Monetary Board, which is the policy-making body of the BSP, recognized the problem five years ago and created the Currency Management Committee in March of 2005 to address the perceived shortage of coins in some parts of the country and other problems arising from the circulation of Philippine currency.
The BSP found out that one of the main reasons coins are not circulating efficiently is the low regard towards lower-denominated coins.
The consultative-dialogue held here, which is part of a series organized by the BSP, sought to determine other reasons or causes of low coin circulation in the country and gather inputs from participating stakeholders for a policy study being done to improve the re-circulation of coins.
Nepomuceno said the BSP has started to make actions to address the issue including the “Tulong Barya Para sa Eskwela, investment in projects and facilities that would ensure the efficient circulation of issued coins, getting the involvement of retail and financial sectors in these endeavors, and conduct of public awareness campaigns.
The campaigns were conceived to make all sectors of society fully realize the importance of coins and to cultivate the habit of regularly using them in giving payments and exact change and engaging in altruistic activities.
If the coins are not circulating, the BSP will be forced to keep on producing coins, which is a costly process, Nepomuceno said.
For example, the cost two years ago of minting a 25-sentimo was P0.50.
The activity was participated in by representatives of commercial and rural banks, business establishments, market vendors associations, taxi operators, public transport groups, Liga ng mga Barangay, gasoline stations, food chains and restaurants, and the media. (PIA 6)
