PIA Dispatch - Monday, November 10, 2008

PGMA did not call for political ceasefire, says Malacañang

Malacanang said today that a speech delivered by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last Friday was taken out of context as the Palace stressed that the President did not call for political ceasefire with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

In her speech before the Local Peace and Security Assembly (LPSA) of Region 3 in Subic last Friday (Nov. 7), the President said, “Our communities must pull together and set aside personal feuds and political differences.”

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the Palace was surprised by reports that CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo had issued a statement rejecting a purported call for political ceasefire by the President. There was “no such call…” the Press Secretary stressed.

“The Palace never called on CBCP for a political ceasefire. We checked why Archbishop Lagdameo issued such response, and after our verification, it looks like Archbishop Lagdameo was misled,” Dureza pointed out.

Dureza added that Lagdameo’s statement must have emanated from a news report on the President’s statement at the Subic Freeport last Friday that was captioned thus: “Arroyo calls for political ceasefire.”

Dureza surmised that maybe Archbishop Lagdameo -- without verifying the report that was “misleading and misconstrued” -- issued that “rejection” statement.

“I’d like to clarify that there is no such call for a political ceasefire and therefore it is inaccurate and without basis -- the rejection issued by the bishops,’’ he stressed.

The President, in several statements issued lately, has been calling for unity, cooperation and less politicking amid the global financial crisis.

She said the coming Yuletide season should encourage Filipinos to "set aside personal differences and focus on improving the lives of the people."

In a related development, the Press Secretary doused cold water on reports of renewed destabilization plots against the Arroyo administration.

“People will not support shortcuts again because people power is not stabilizing at a time like this when we are faced by a global financial crisis,” he said, adding that the call by the President’s critics for her to step down is a “normal refrain.”

He stressed that the President remains focused on her job of improving the lives of the people.

Dureza said the President is “not affected at all” as she keeps focused on two things -- her faith in God and governance.


PGMA meets families of victims of ferry mishap in Masbate, extends financial aid

MASBATE – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today handed P2.725-million worth of financial assistance to the victims of the sea tragedy involving the M/B Don Dexter which capsized last Nov. 4 off the coast of Dimasalang here.

The families of each of those who perished in the mishap received P50,000 while the families of the 10 still missing passengers of the ill-fated vessel got P10,000 each.

Survivors were given P5,000 each.

The President’s financial assistance was on top of the P25,000 given by the local governments of Masbate, Dimasalang town, and boat owner Gene Zuniega to each of the casualties. Survivors also received P1,000 each aside from food and clothing.

The President was welcomed by local government officials upon her arrival at the Palanas Central School in Palanas, where 43 of the 105 survivors came from, including Lito Atabay who lost six members of his family.

Accompanied by Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, the President also visited the wake for Teresita Abejuella and her five-year-old adopted son John Paul, who died in the incident.

Lito Atabay related to the President a heartbreaking story about how he lost his loved ones in the mishap. His wife Rosalina, daughter Rosalie Lumagpas, three granddaughters (Cresilda, Joy-joy and Issia) and Rosale’s mother-in-law Auria Basas were among the 42 who perished in the tragedy.

The elder Atabay told the President he escaped the tragedy with the help of his nephew Jose, who also survived the incident along with his cousin Stanley and Bryan Atabay, Lito’s a nine-year-old grandson.

“I tried but failed to save my granddaughters since I was already unconscious and my nose was bleeding when my nephew saved me,” Lito Atabay said.

After interacting with the Atabay families, the President personally handed the financial assistance to the teary-eyed Lito who expressed his deep appreciation for the assistance and the presence of the President.

“The presence alone of the President is enough to comfort us in this saddest moment of our life. There were moments I’m thinking of ending my life when looking at the lifeless bodies of my loved ones,” the elder Atabay, whose family came here for All Saints day, said.

Other casualties include Michelle Ramirez, Richelyn Andaya, Dallaniel Andaya, Maricel Ornopia, Silvina Gabriel, In-In Neuva, Grace, Larganie and Lean Capellan; Nenita Matos, Charlene Gastardo, Jenny Banaag, Filipina Auman, Ana Nerbis, Consolacion Baybayon, Lanie Mahinay, Sonia Codera, Adelina Adobas, Reynaldo Arcueno, Jennifer Mantel, Nerie Almosura Badillo, Jessica Marsonia, Benita Hermosa, Olympio Blaso, Rosalina Pilapil, Marichu Apao, Parcy and Salud Abenir, Rosie Belarmino, Marilyn Lleneses, Christian Ramiso, Francisa Rondina, Grace Atazar and Lonie Mahinay.

Still missing are Justine Relox Ornopia, Anecito Urot, Jennelyn Nerbis, Giorgio Lleneses, Mylene Tambago, Minda Belarmino, Jose Agas Jr., Mark Jefferson Berlarmino, Wilmor Ternal and Junjun Desparini.

Masbate Gov. Eliza Kho, third district Congresswoman Rizalina Lanete and Dimasalang Mayor Demphna Naga thanked the President for her concern for the families and victims of the tragedy.

A sudden gust of wind (locally known as ‘subasko’) caused the overloaded 20-footer motorized banca bound for Bulan, Sorsogon to overturn almost an hour after it left Dimasalang town in clear weather at 2 p.m.

Maritime Administration Authority (MARINA) officer-in-charge Elena Bautista said the franchise of the boat owner has already been cancelled.

An investigation of the tragedy, the worst sea mishap since the sinking of M/V Princess of the Stars that killed 700 people five months ago, is also under way.

This was the President’s third visit to the province of Masbate this year. She also arrived here last April 20 for the inauguration of the roll-on, roll-off (RO-RO) system in Kawayan, and the joint meeting of the Cabinet and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) July 15 in Placer town.


PGMA wants 'first aid' included in school curriculum

MASBATE – After hearing the tragic stories of deaths and survivals from the victims of the latest Masbate sea tragedy, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered the Department of Education (DepEd) to include first-aid instructions in the school curriculum.

The President made the directive through Transportation Undersecretary Elena Bautista who was with the Chief Executive during her Masbate visit today (Monday, Nov. 10) to condole and interact with the survivors and the bereaved families of the 42 people who perished in the sinking of M/B Don Dexter last Nov. 4 off Dimasalang town here.

“The President wants me to tell DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus to include First Aid or CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) in the school curriculum,” said Bautista, also officer-in-charge of the Maritime Administration Authority (MARINA).

President Arroyo was told by Llenesses, a college professor, that his late teacher-wife Marilyn, 43, could have survived the sea accident had she been given CPR.

“My wife was still breathing when she was rescued but she died because nobody dared to give her first aid or CPR,” said Llenesses whose five year-old son, Giorgio, remains missing with nine other passengers some six days after the outrigger motorized banca overturned when hit by sudden gusts of wind.

“I asked the President if she could order the inclusion of First Aid in the high- school curriculum and I’m glad that our good President listened to me,” said Llenesses, a professor of the Marikina Polytechnic College.

Llenesses appealed for help in finding hir son who was with her mother going back to Manila from a vacation in barangay Quezon in Uson here, when the accident took place almost one hour after the overloaded boat left the Dimasalang port in clear weather at 2 p.m.

CPR is a lifesaving technique of applying chest compressions, combined with mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing, on emergency victims whose breathing or heartbeat has stopped.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo also ordered Bautista to strictly implement all the maritime policies governing small inter-island boats to avoid another such disaster.

”We have a lot of policies to review here because most of our policies on safety requirements are for 35-and-above gross-ton ships only. The Don Dexter is 13 gross tons only,” Bautista said.

“We might also include to require the skipper of small passenger boats to have license so that they will be knowledgeable enough to handle all the situations under any circumstances,” Bautista added.

Bautista informed the President that the formal investigation of the accident started today, and that the franchise to operate of boat owner Gene Zuniega has already been cancelled.

Bautista informed the President further that Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel will now be deployed daily at the Dimasalang port.


Road inaugurated, tree planting conducted in Sulu

ICC, Pagadian, Sulu, Nov. 10 – The Philippines and US Military Forces here turned over Friday a farm to market road to the residents of Indanan Municipality , represented by its officials, at the same time, led the symbolic ceremony of a tree planting activity initiated by the 6th Marine Battalion Landing Team.

MBLT-6’s Executive Officer Maj Gregorio Hernandez Jr. PN (M) said that the 600-meter concrete road stretches from Buansa connecting to Bato-Bato road. The said project is under the development program of Joint Special Operations Task Force- Philippines Task Force-Sulu headed by Maj Joseph Mouer.

Joint Task Force Comet Commander Maj Gen Juancho M Sabban said that the military recognizes the importance of roads to economic growth and its impact on the efficient movement of people and goods.

“One aspect as essential to the stability of the country is road. It is crucial for both economy and security. It is vital to both farmers and consumers. Hence, better roads do not only spur economic development, but more importantly help stabilize and secure communities,” explains Maj Gen Sabban.

Along with infrastructure development, he said, the military gives equal importance to the protection of the environment.

“The task of environment protection is everyone’s responsibility. Planting new trees, while taking care of the existing ones provide a variety of life-sustaining means as well as supporting development, economy and the society itself,” he said.

Moreover, Maj Hernandez stressed that the activity is a movement towards a deeper commitment to environmental protection.

“Tree planting activity is a great way to bring people in a community together. It is an opportunity to educate, motivate, and implement positive cause,” says Maj Hernandez.

Meanwhile, both Buansa Punong Brgy Salip Muhajal Jainal and Buansa Elementary School Principal Ladja Annang Samsaragi expressed appreciation to the military’s efforts in bringing development, preserving stability and nourishing the environment. (42CRU, 4CRG, CRSAFP/PIA-BASULTA)


Palace reiterates stance of non-intervention in fertilizer fund scam probe

Malacanang on Monday reiterated its usual stand of not intervening in any investigations on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam which allegedly involves former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the Palace is leaving the alleged fertilizer fund scam issue to the Senate “where it properly belongs.”

“The Palace has always made it very clear that we want truth to come out, we will not intervene at all,” Dureza said, as he stressed that Malacanang is not involved in any of these irregularities.

He pointed out that the Palace is not only ready on whatever Bolante will say before the Senate hearing, but, is in fact, “encouraging that story will have some kind of a closure to let the truth to come out.”

“Let us leave this matter to the Senate to resolve,” he said, adding that it is necessary for the Filipino people and the nation to know where the government funds went and if it was not really properly used.

But, he said, the proper forum is still the Ombudsman wherein the evidence will be looked closely and the basis will have to be established.

“Let those responsible be accountable before the courts of law,” he added.

The Senate rules committee has decided to endorse the re-opening of the P728-million fertilizer fund scam investigation.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the committee saw the need to refer the re-investigation of the multi-million fertilizer fund to the Blue Ribbon committee with Bolante's continued defiance to appear before the Senate.

"The consensus of the committee is to continue with the investigation of the Bolante case. The Blue Ribbon will take cognizance of the issue and proceed with the investigation," Pangilinan said.

He also noted the committee report submitted during the 13th Congress that the probe on the fertilizer scam will not end until Bolante, the alleged brains and chief implementor of the scam, "reveals the truth behind the fertilizer scam."

The decision was made upon learning that Bolante has been allowed to leave the Saint Luke's Medical Center.

Bolante was suspected to be the mastermind behind the P728 million fertilizer scam. (PNA)


DepEd moves to sustain GILAS internet program

To enhance the skills of high school students in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus recently took the challenge of sustaining the internet connection under the Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access for Students or GILAS spearheaded by the Ayala Foundation.

Lapus said that while DepEd is grateful for the support of Ayala Foundation through its GILAS Program, more needs to be done.

"After the foundation provided internet access for our public school students, the challenge for us at DepEd is to sustain the program by working with other private sector groups to make internet access affordable," he explained.

Lapus instructed DepEd's Budget Chief to immediately provide additional Maintenance, Operation and Other Expenses (MOOE) funds to schools for covering internet subscription fees and incremental electric consumption charges.

"I was informed that in spite of earnest efforts, some of our connected schools have been unable to maintain the internet access that GILAS has provided. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that DepEd will take on the challenge of sustainability," added Lapus.

In response to the Secretary's call for sustainability, a DepEd-GILAS technical working group has forged a memorandum of understanding to work for a "special academic rate" for public schools.

The Education Chief said that "any reduction in rate can be offered as donation to DepEd's Adopt-a-School Program and be entitled to a 150 per cent tax incentive. I am looking forward to signing that MOU with GILAS."

At present, there are 2020 public high schools that have benefited from free internet connection under GILAS.

Earlier, the DepEd provide some 6, 000 public secondary schools nationwide with computer laboratories before the school year ends.

Lapus said the program is part of their effort to improve IT understanding among students and the quality of basic education in the country.

“This is part of our thrust at DepEd to bring Philippine basic education at par at with our neighbors and equip our students with the skills necessary for them to compete with their counterparts from other parts of the world,” Lapus said.

He said that 4, 000 high schools have so far been given PCs and other equipment and they are targeting the provision of similar equipment to 2,000 within the school year.

DepEd's goal, according to Lapus is to equip all public high schools with computers in line with a directive from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself.

He said that they are now coordinating with local government units of fourth and fifth class municipalities which would benefit from the program.

Meanwhile, Intel delivered 271 Classmate PC (laptop computers) to improve classroom instruction and teacher training in information communication technology (ICT) in public schools.

Lapus said the computers formed the first batch from the 820 units that Intel pledged to DepEd for two years and the Ayala Foundation-led multi-sectoral initiative “Gearing-up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (GILAS) in a program which seek to upgrade the Filipino student capability in information and communication technology.”

The department has been allocated funds for this project although other agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has also pitched in.

The private sector has also supported the program providing computer laboratories and training teachers in the use of the new technology.

Early this year, DepEd announced it set aside P260 million for the computerization project of Philippine elementary and secondary schools.

Lapus said the DepEd is aiming to connect every public secondary schools with the Internet by the year 2010.

Data provided by DepEd showed that it has been able to provide computer laboratories to 74 percent or 3,512 public high schools in 2006 while 30 percent of these have Internet connection.

Lapus said another 5,280 computers are to be procured this year to achieve a 100-percent computer coverage of public high schools.

Another similar program dubbed “i-Schools, according to Lapus is targeting 320 more public high schools nationwide in a continuing initiative to link 6,000 public high schools to the Internet.
Already, 360 schools have been provided with a computer lab, an Internet connection, and teacher training under the “i-Schools” project.

Under the i-Schools initiative, each public high school receives a computer laboratory with 15 PCs, high-speed Internet connectivity for one year, and comprehensive ICT-related training for teachers and administrators. (PNA)