PIA Dispatch - Tuesday, January 20, 2009

All systems go for the resumption of peace talks with MILF this year

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today informed members of the diplomatic corps that all systems go for the resumption of the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) “anytime this year.”

Speaking before the traditional Vin D’ Honneur at Malacanang’s Rizal (Ceremonial) Hall this morning, the President said that with the new government peace panel headed by Ambassador Rafael Seguis, the peace talks would probably bring the decades-long armed conflict to an end this year..

“I hope 2009 will be a comeback for peace, progress and prosperity in Mindanao,” the President said noting that when she assumed the Presidency in 2001, she already inherited a state of an all-out war in Southern Philippines.

The President told the members of the Diplomatic Corps, headed by the Papal Nuncio to the Philippines and the dean of the diplomatic corps, Edward Joseph Adams, that she had instructed the new government peace panel to touch base with the facilitators and the MILF leaders for the resumption of the talks.

She said that since after the talks were put on hold in August 2008, the government has always been firm and committed in its stand to resume the negotiations.

“The (government) peace panel is poised and ready to embark for substantive discussions, including ceasefire-related issues, the International Monitoring Team, and accelerated development for Mindanao. We hope all parties are as committed as we are to resume the negotiations soon,” she said.

Right after the bloody attack of the disgruntled and unprincipled members of the MILF in the civilian communities in the provinces of North Cotabato, Saranggani, among others, the government created a new paradigm for peace.

These new paradigm for peace includes interfaith dialogues and authentic consultations with communities in the field, the adoption of the principle of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) for the members of the armed rebel group.

The President also reiterated her call on the members of the International Monitoring Team composed of Brunei, Japan, Libya, and Malaysia who act as ardent facilitators of the talks, the members of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), European nations, and the United States to continue their support to advance peace and progress in Southern Philippines.


PGMA looks forward to work with Obama as she welcomes him to the world stage

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today on the eve of President-elect Barack Obama’s induction as the 44th President of the United States that she is looking forward to work with the new US President as she welcomed him to the world stage.

The special relationship between the United States and the Philippines will continue unabated.

The President issued the statement before members of the diplomatic corps this morning during the traditional Vin D’ Honneur at Malacanang’s Rizal (Ceremonial) Hall.

“In my conversations with Senator Barack Obama before the elections and President-elect Obama after his election, it was made clear that the special relationship between the US and the Philippines will continue unabated,” the President stressed.

The President recalled that America played an important role in the history of the Philippines during World War II.

“Our ties run deep. Over two and a half million Americans are of Filipino descent,” the President noted.

For her part, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney thanked President Macapagal-Arroyo for dedicating a part of her speech to congratulate President Obama.

“So thank you to all of you for celebrating an extra-ordinary day for America and a great day for Philippine-American friendship,” Ambassador Kenney told reporters in an ambush interview.


PGMA sees 2009 as ‘comeback year’ for Mindanao peace process

Citing renewed efforts to get the stalled Mindanao peace talks back on track, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed hope today that 2009 will be a “comeback year” for peace, progress and prosperity in the region wracked by decades of secessionist strife.

In remarks during the traditional Vin de’ Honneur for the diplomatic community held this morning in Malacanang, the President said that when she assumed the presidency in 2001, Mindanao was in a state of fullscale war.

From 2001 onwards, the quest for permanent peace in the troubled region gained steady progress, until Aug. 2008 when renegade forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) went on the warpath again, attacking civilian populations and killing innocent people, including their fellow Muslims.

With the formation of the new government panel on the peace process headed by Ambassador Rafael Seguis, the government hopes that the Mindanao problem would now shift from the battlefield to the negotiating table, she said.

“The (government peace) panel is poised and ready to embark on substantive discussions, including ceasefire-related issues, the International Monitoring Team, and accelerating development for Mindanao,” the President pointed out.

She added pointedly: “We hope all parties are as committed as we are to resume negotiations soon.”

The government has drawn up a new paradigm for peace in Mindanao which includes interfaith dialogue, authentic consultations with the affected communities, and the principle of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration for armed rebels.

The President said that as in previous years, to advance peace and progress in Mindanao, her administration hopes to be able to count on the support of the country’s friends and partners in the search for peace.

In particular, she paid tribute to the role of the International Monitoring Team composed of Brunei, Japan, and Libya and other Philippine partners in the quest for peace such as the members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the United States and members of the European Union (EU).

In various speeches and statements on Mindanao, the President had stressed that “there is no alternative to peace” in the area, one of the country’s richest in terms of natural resources.

“The sad irony of Mindanao,” she pointed out, is that “even if it is the breadbasket or food basket, yet it has the highest hunger (incidence) in our nation. It has large fields of high productivity, yet it also has the majority of our poorest provinces. The prime reason is the endless Mindanao conflict.”

The President lauded her administration’s partners in the Mindanao peace process, saying each and every one of them have contributed to making the world better and safer because of their concern for what happens in Mindanao.

“For that, we are eternally grateful. We have high hopes that our friends in the Islamic world will support our focus” on the peace process, she added.


Amb. Kenney lauds RP for doing a great job in combating terrorism

US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney lauded the Philippine government today for doing a great job in combating terrorism and promoting peace and development in Southern Philippines.

Kenney made the remarks during an ambush interview Tuesday right after the traditional Vin D’ Honnuer held at Malacanang’s Rizal (Ceremonial) Hall.

“I think the Philippines is doing a great job in combating terrorism. I also think the Philippines has done a wonderful job with so many partners in Jolo (Sulu province) in promoting development,” Ambassador Kenney told reporters.

She said that the US as one of the partners of the Philippine government in its efforts to restore peace and spur development in Mindanao, particularly in Jolo, recognizes the outstanding efforts of the national government in providing livelihood assistance to the residents and improving infrastructure facilities like roads and schools in the region.

With the ongoing search and rescue operation for the three kidnapped workers of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Kenney also commended the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) handling of the case.

She assured the Filipino people that the US government is ready to provide assistance to the military and the police until the kidnapped victims are rescued from their abductors.

“These are International Red Cross workers. They should be released safely. And those involved should be brought to justice and held responsible for their illegal acts. Period,” Kenney stressed.

Last Jan. 15, the Swiss representative of the ICRC and two other workers of the organization were seized at gunpoint by alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) near the Sulu capitol building in Patikul town.

In her speech, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo renewed her call on the International Monitoring Team, members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), European nations and the United States of America to support the Philippine government in its efforts to advance peace and progress in Mindanao.

The President informed the members of the diplomatic corps that the country’s economy will be the central focus of her administration as well as the restarting the peace process in Mindanao -- her personal commitment in 2009.


PGMA visits Veterans’ Village in Project 7 to lead govt-Church program to help the poor

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led today another visit to a depressed area in Metro Manila to extend government social services to the poor, the sector of society most vulnerable to the blows of the global crisis.

This time, the President visited the depressed areas of the Veterans’ Village in Project 7, Quezon City to distribute scholarships, offer trainings, livelihood and other social services for the poor residents.

The pro-poor project, which the Arroyo administration is carrying out jointly with the Catholic church, is a continuing program designed to soften the impact of the economic crisis buffeting the world on the poorest of the poor Filipinos.

Upon her arrival at the Christ the King Parish in Project 7, the President was welcomed by some 2,000 residents led by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista and 1st District Rep. Vincent Crisologo.

Also on hand was Caritas Manila executive director Fr. Anton Pascual, Christ the King parish priest Fr. Henry Ferreras, Veterans’ Village Barangay Chair Giddy Gener, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director-General Augusto Syjuco.

Fr. Pascual said that todate, the continuing government-church social development program has already benefited some 120,000 poor families in Metro Manila.

The President and Caritas have already gone to Tondo, Manila and Pasay City. Fr. Pascual said that next in the list of the places to be reached by the program are Caloocan, Novaliches and Pasig.

The support services project seeks to assist 300,000 of the poorest of the poor families in Metro Manila.

The President led the awarding of scholarship certificates from TESDA, microfinance assistance for poor residents identified by Caritas, the establishment of National Food Authority (NFA) rice outlets, and the conduct of medical clinics and various livelihood programs as part of the government-church partnership to improve the plight of poor families in Metro Manila.

Thanks to the tough economic and fiscal reforms instituted by the President, the government was able to generate enough resources to invest in infrastructure, human resource development, and provide essential social services to uplift the lives of the poor.

At the Vin d’ Honneur held earlier this morning in Malacanang, the President cited the P300-billion pump-priming package of the government to mitigate the effects of the global crisis that include allotments for infrastructure and social services.

The President also said that P10 billion was allotted to expand the roll of beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to protect the poor and the vulnerable sectors from problems arising from the global crisis.


State teams up with the Church to deliver social services to the poor

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will personally supervise the delivery of enhanced basic social services to the flashflood victims of this city when she visits Wednesday the Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Carmen, here.

The presidential event in this city is part of the continuing government-church program to uplift the lives of the poor. It is the first time the church-state program is held outside Metro Manila.

The program involves the teaming up of the government and the church to deliver the much-needed social services for the less fortunate not only in Metro Manila but all over the country.

The package consists of feeding church-identified malnourished children, medical mission for the sick in the community, a botika sa barangay for affordable quality medicine, vocational scholarships for out-of-school youth and microfinance for entrepreneurs.

It also includes a scholarship program for elementary and high school students who are also given subsidies for books, school supplies, on top of the P600 transportation allowance.

Similarly, college and vocational scholars will be given book subsidies and a P1,000 transportation allowance.

Upon her arrival at the Cagayan de Oro Airport, the President will motor to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish to lead the feeding of some 100 children whose families were affected by the recent floods here.

She will also lead in the distribution of family food packs to some 2,000 parishioners identified by the parish.

A medical mission organized by the Office of the President-People's Government Mobile Action team will open at about 8 a.m. at the parish grounds.

The close collaboration of the state and church to deliver basic services to the poor was launched last Friday in Don Bosco in Tondo, Manila.

Yesterday, the program was held in Malibay, Pasay City, and today, in Project 7, Quezon City.

Uplifting the lives of the poor is one of the top priorities of the President.


Govt eyes creation of three million new jobs this year

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s P330-billion emergency livelihood program for the poor and out-of-school youth (OSY) is expected to create three million jobs this year on top of the regular job-generation programs of various government agencies.

This was disclosed by Secretary Domingo Panganiban of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) at a joint press briefing with Press Secretary Jesus G. Dureza this afternoon (Jan. 20) in Malacanang.

Panganiban and Dureza said some 1.5 million jobs are expected to be created and filled by June 30 alone and another 1.5 million by year-end, or a total of three million jobs for the year.

The administration had initially targeted the creation of one million emergency jobs as part of the program to pump-prime the economy this year, but based on “indications of what has been reported to us… we might go beyond 1.5 million after June 30,” Panganiban said.

By the second half of the year, “we could create another P1.5 million jobs, or approximately three million jobs” for the whole year, he added.

The original allocation for the emergency employment program was P300 billion, but this has been raised to P330 billion. The additional amount of P30 billion will be contributed by government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

The jobs to be generated by the emergency employment program include road maintenance, organic farming, farm-to-market roads, rehabilitation of government school buildings, hospitals, and irrigation systems, janitorial and security services for government installations, and “bantay-dagat” projects, among others.

Some 100,000 jobs are expected to be created and filled this month alone, with 50,000 jobs already created during the first half of the month for road maintenance, according to Panganiban,

The new jobs to be created under the program will make a “big dent on poverty (incidence) by about 25 percent.”

The administration’s emergency livelihood program is intended to cushion the impact on the country’s poor of the world economic meltdown.

Panganiban said that for purposes of project implementation, the country has been divided into various regions, with each region placed under Cabinet members. For instance, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro is in charge of SocSarGen (South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos).

Teodoro has started the emergency employment ball rolling last Saturday (Jan. 17) by opening the recruitment of workers from among the region’s poor.

Panganiban said Bayani Fernando, head of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), has also started the recruitment of unemployed workers in Metro Manila for government projects in the area.

The presidential assistants in every region have been tapped to help identify the people for employment in their own regions.

Panganiban stressed that the program is “really for the jobless.” Contrary to opposition charges, the employment program is not in furtherance of Charter change but the government’s way to uplift the lives of the country’s poorest of the poor at this time of deep economic stress worldwide.


President: Govt planning for better days ahead while preparing for worse of crisis

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today that her administration is planning for better days ahead for the country, even as it battens down the ramparts should the global economic downturn turn from bad to worse.

“As an economist, I also know that things can turn quickly. That is why we are planning for better days – even as we are developing contingency plans if things get worse. We have worked fervently – even before the crisis took root – to cushion the blow to our people,” she told the country’s diplomatic community at the traditional Vin ‘d Honneur held this morning at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang.

She said that the Philippines has avoided the full impact of the economic fallout and kept the crisis at bay – “thanks to the fiscal, economic and structural reforms we implemented in the past – even while it was unpopular to do so.”

The President echoed the favorable assessments of Fitch ratings agency, Credit Suisse, Bank of New York Mellon, JP Morgan, and Standard and Poor’s, among others, of the country’s ability to surf through the worse of the global economic crisis.

In its latest assessment, Fitch said the Philippine economy remains “reasonably healthy”; Credit Suisse said the Philippine macroeconomic risk is lowest while the S&P described the country as an “island of relative calm amid the stormy seas of global economic uncertainty.”

“The Philippines is in a relatively strong position to weather the global downturn with the economy driven by private consumption and services, which are less vulnerable to external shocks,” the President said, quoting the recent analyses of the Bank of New York Mellon and JP Morgan.

She pointed out that “maintaining a strong growing economy” is of highest priority to her administration in order to eradicate the decades-long problem of poverty in the country and ensure that safety nets are in place for the most vulnerable sector – the poorest of the poor.

As a result of the successful implementation of the Arroyo administration’s financial reforms and sound fiscal management, the country has avoided the full brunt of the economic downturn to the Philippine economy.

“I assumed the Presidency in 2001 with no budget to spare. Our coffers were in the negative. Because of our financial reforms and sound fiscal management since 2001, our economy has posted uninterrupted growth over 36 quarters,” she said.

This uninterrupted growth has cut down the rate of poverty in the country and raised the annual average of new employment.

“With the revenues from the expanded value-added tax and alcohol and tobacco excise tax, we have been able to expand access to healthcare as never before. Health insurance now covers 74 percent of the population, public hospitals are being upgraded, and the poor can buy their essential medicines at half the price of year 2000. Our social services now include a 10-billion-peso budget for targeted cash payments to the poorest of the poor, conditioned on their children going to school,” the President said.


PGMA sees 2009 as ‘comeback year’ for Mindanao peace process

Citing renewed efforts to get the stalled Mindanao peace talks back on track, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed hope today that 2009 will be a “comeback year” for peace, progress and prosperity in the region wracked by decades of secessionist strife.

In remarks during the traditional Vin de’ Honneur for the diplomatic community held this morning in Malacanang, the President said that when she assumed the presidency in 2001, Mindanao was in a state of fullscale war.

From 2001 onwards, the quest for permanent peace in the troubled region gained steady progress, until Aug. 2008 when renegade forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) went on the warpath again, attacking civilian populations and killing innocent people, including their fellow Muslims.

With the formation of the new government panel on the peace process headed by Ambassador Rafael Seguis, the government hopes that the Mindanao problem would now shift from the battlefield to the negotiating table, she said.

“The (government peace) panel is poised and ready to embark on substantive discussions, including ceasefire-related issues, the International Monitoring Team, and accelerating development for Mindanao,” the President pointed out.

She added pointedly: “We hope all parties are as committed as we are to resume negotiations soon.”

The government has drawn up a new paradigm for peace in Mindanao which includes interfaith dialogue, authentic consultations with the affected communities, and the principle of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration for armed rebels.

The President said that as in previous years, to advance peace and progress in Mindanao, her administration hopes to be able to count on the support of the country’s friends and partners in the search for peace.

In particular, she paid tribute to the role of the International Monitoring Team composed of Brunei, Japan, and Libya and other Philippine partners in the quest for peace such as the members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the United States and members of the European Union (EU).

In various speeches and statements on Mindanao, the President had stressed that “there is no alternative to peace” in the area, one of the country’s richest in terms of natural resources.

“The sad irony of Mindanao,” she pointed out, is that “even if it is the breadbasket or food basket, yet it has the highest hunger (incidence) in our nation. It has large fields of high productivity, yet it also has the majority of our poorest provinces. The prime reason is the endless Mindanao conflict.”

The President lauded her administration’s partners in the Mindanao peace process, saying each and every one of them have contributed to making the world better and safer because of their concern for what happens in Mindanao.

“For that, we are eternally grateful. We have high hopes that our friends in the Islamic world will support our focus” on the peace process, she added.


Gov't to spend billions of pesos in all-out campaign against hunger

Alarmed by the increasing incidence of hunger across the country, the Macapagal-Arroyo government will be infusing billions of funds to accelerate its hunger-mitigation programs designed to ease the impact of the social problem.

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) said an all-out drive to cut hunger incidence by half under the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) will be pursued specifically in Bicol considered as among the food-poor areas in the country.

Arlene Reario, NNC Bicol program coordinator, quoting a 2008 Social Weather Station (SWS) survey on hunger incidence in the country indicated that many Filipinos experience hunger.

The study revealed that 4.3 million families or 23.7 percent of the total number of families in the Philippines experience hunger, of which 940,000 or 5.2 per cent are in sever hunger; while 3.3 million families or 18.5 per cent are in moderate hunger.

The NNC report said of the 81 provinces in the country, 49 provinces were considered food insecure.

In Luzon, where Bicol is part of the topography, the study showed that 20 per cent of the families are in the state of hunger.

In Bicol, the first priority under the AHMP are the provinces of Masbate and Camarines Norte, considered as "food poor" provinces; second priority (poorest provinces) is the province of Camarines Sur; while the third priority (provinces with existing hunger mitigation programs) are Albay, Sorsogon and Catanduanes.

These areas in Bicol are considered by the NNC as places where malnutrition and hunger incidences are high due to poverty.

Reario at a media forum held here on Friday, said to eradicate all forms of hunger, the government thru the AHMP would address this problem on a two pronged scenario, on the supply and demand sides.

On the supply side, measures are along producing more food and efficient delivery to whom and where it is needed. On the demand side, interventions are along putting more money in people's pockets, promoting good nutrition and managing population levels.

Reario pointed out that in areas where hunger is prevalent, it is also a development issue hindering economic growth and keeping millions trapped in poverty. "People go hungry because they do not have food to eat or it is insufficient and they do not have money to buy food."

She said that the AHMP once implemented efficiently would address hunger. "The AHMP realizes that every individual has the right to adequate food. Thus, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the food security of the people."

The hunger mitigation program is a component of the pump-priming strategy of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration that seeks to generate investments, create jobs and provide basic services to poor families.

Reario said currently the AHMP has two major components the "Food for School" program and "Tindahan Natin."

The Food for School Program involves the provision of one kilo of iron-fortified rice daily for 120 days to poor families through preschool and elementary school children.

The Tindahan Natin ensures availability of basic commodities at lower prices for poor families. (PIA)


Gov't gives P4.88-M assistance to disaster victims

The government continues to provide assistance to families who were affected by the recent disaster.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral in the DSWD press release disclosed that the Arroyo administration continues to assist some 101,610 families who were affected by the flashfloods in the provinces of Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Misamis Oriental, Lanao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Dinagat island, Shariff Kabunsuan, Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur.

Cabral said that as of January 17, the government through DSWD has already provided some P4.88 million worth of emergency relief supplies to victims of flashfloods in said areas.

Included in said supplies are bedsheets, blankets, children's wear, clothing packs with detergent powder, jackets, sweatshirts, plastic mats, toothbrush with toothpaste; as well as family food packs.

A family food pack is composed of food items such as rice, sardines, corned beef, meatloaf, and noodles.

Cabral noted that the 101,610 families came from the 649 affected barangays in the 12 provinces, two cities, and 67 municipalities devastated by the flashfloods.

She said that about 13,830 families comprising 67,315 individuals sought temporary shelter in 171 evacuation centers spread in the six regions namely; Regions V, VIII, X, and CARAGA.

Meanwhile, Cabral revealed that some P2.6 million was already sent to DSWD-Field Offices, particularly in Region X amounting to P2.3 million and P 300,000 for DSWD – Field Office VIII as additional standby funds for the purchase of emergency relief supplies.

In addition, the DSWD has allotted P900,084 worth of assorted emergency relief commodities which was airlifted to Cagayan de Oro City on January 16 and 17.

She also said that the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) teams were immediately activated to assist the local government units in data generation, relief distribution, and management of evacuation centers.

Seven social workers from DSWD-Field Office XI have augmented the manpower of DSWD Region X since January 14 to assist in the disaster operations.

"The relief operations are ongoing and the DSWD is exerting all efforts in ensuring that all affected families will be given appropriate assistance," Cabral said.

She stressed that the relief efforts are in line with the thrust of the Arroyo administration to immediately attend to the needs of the flashflood victims in the aforementioned areas. (PIA)


CHR eyes more children's role in policy development

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is calling for more children's participation in multi-sectoral consultations on developing and implementing public policies.

CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima said such participation is essential to development since it enables the government to come up with policies that help further uphold children's rights.

"Let the children be part of the solution – their voices must have the possibility and opportunity to influence public policy," she said.

She said the government is duty-bound to uphold the children's rights as the Philippines is party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

This makes the government committed to undertake legislative, administrative and other measures for promoting children's rights, she noted.

The UNCRC is an international convention setting out children's civil, economic, political, social and cultural rights and which the UN General Assembly adopted in November 1989.

De Lima earlier cautioned the government against its planned random drug testing among youngsters, fearing this might violate children's rights if undertaken "in the absence of guidelines formulated in a democratic, consultative manner."

"The UNCRC is very clear in recognizing that a child, as an individual, is entitled to protection of his or her human rights," she also pointed out.

She said these include the right against self-incrimination, unlawful searches and seizures as well as children's right to expect full protection of the law against any interference or attack and to protect themselves, their effects and correspondence.

To help address the illegal drugs problem, de Lima said the government, instead, must address institutional roots of this menace.

She said the government must step up its campaign against using and trading banned substances as well as increase funds and other resources for child-friendly programs and facilities.

The government must also provide more funding and technical support for enhancing the country's rehabilitation and social welfare systems to help people recover from using illegal drugs so they can start life anew. (PNA)


OUTSTANDING FILIPINO INVENTIONS IN 2008
by Framelia Anonas
Philippines Department of Science and Technology

A skin cancer treatment cream made of cashew nut and kakawate (Gliciridia sepium) scraped first place in the recent National Inventions Contest held at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City last Nov. 17-21.

Rolando dela Cruz of the famed DeWart and DeMole skin care products developed the new cream that can treat basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common type of sin cancer, by non-invasive, direct application. The cream called DeBCC, though introduced for the first time in the country, has actually picked up awards in invention tilts abroad. Dela Cruz received P150,000 as part of the prize from the Department of Science and Technology.

The second placer with P100,000 cash prize is the Rapid Rice Beer (beer made from rice syrup) which, according to those who tasted it, is more flavorful than sake, the Japanese rice wine. The husband and wife team of Virgilioand Yasmin Malang developed the rice beer.

Third place went to the Multi-purpose Handicapped Wheelchair, a highly practical hospital or hospice gadget. It is basically a wheelchair with a portable bedpan underneath the seat equipped with contraptions for shower, towel, medicines, hygiene items, among others. The chair can also transform into a reclining bed while the upper hood can also be used as dining tray.

I have seen how difficult it is to care for wheelchair-bound patients," says inventor Antonio Mateo who was inspired by his brother to come up with the design. He received P50,000.

Outstanding utility model

Top prize in the outstanding utility model category went to the Plastic and Metal Separator System for Biodegrable Waste invented by Dominador Rosales Jr., whose invention can separate the biodegradable from non-biodegradable wastes. When sorted, the biodegradable items can go straight to composting while the non-biodegradable can be sold immediately, he explained.

Another environmental product capable of recycling the ubiquitous styropore and sando bags scattered all over the metro clinched second prize. The equipment called Modified Plastic Block from Polystyrene and Low Density Polystyrene, was developed by researchers from the Department of Science and Technology's Industry and Technology Development Institute including Manuel Navarro, Nelson Davelos, Elinor Bedia, Araceli Monsada, Perfecto Braganza Jr., Ruben Loberiano, Redondo Magdaleno, and Efren De Chavez.

Third placer was Yasmin Espiritu's PovWonderful (Povidone-Iodine Effervescing Foaming Vaginal Insert).

Outstanding industrial design

This year's best industrial design went to the A Gas Burner – GS3 by Meland Dilodilo. Malang's WeldE-Zmask (welding mask with offset lenses and breathing port) and Pinoy Tagay Mug, a big three-handled communal drinking glass with three partitions (a handle for each) reflective of the Filipinos' penchant for "tagayan" (sharing a drink in one glass) placed second and third, respectively.

Outstanding creative research

Topping the list is the research on "Method of converting landfill plastic waste into fuel (gasoline, diesel, gas)", which is Jayme Navarro's pitch for solving the mounting garbage problem and in making the environment cleaner. "Para na rin hindi na mag-away sina Bayani at mga mayors," he teased, alluding to Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando's running squabble with local government officials over waste management.

The research also bagged the Chemrez Green Chemistry Award (professional category) launched this year and carted P60,000 and a trophy.

The ITDI research team's "Calamansi dietary fiber powder" developed by Annabelle Briones, Wilhelmina Ambal, Bella Redublo, Cesar cortez, Norvina Deocampo, and Merle Villanueva took the second place.

Third place went to Michael Poblete's "Aerial reconnaissance drone" that could monitor land-based activities such as traffic and rescue or military operations. The small remote-operated aircraft can take real-time video and near real-time, very high resolution images. With Poblete are Ivan de Vera, Charles Rico, and Leonard Canoza.

Student inventions and researches

DOST gives equal recognition to works of scientists-in-the-making from both high school and college levels that show promise of making an impact in the country's economy.

Touted most promising in the high school level is the research "Novelty items (leather products) from the skin of Abalistes stellaris (pakol) and Pinjalo lewisi (maya-maya)" of Navotas National High School's Mariecar Romero, Chen Ramos, and Joemar Salmorin.

"We thought that instead of making maya-maya skin into chicharon, why don't we make it into leather items instead to generate higher profit?" Romero mused. The research also won the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) award.

An environment friendly research titled "Utilization of checen feathers as fiberglass creation" by Jeoffrey Celso Mari Rafael of The Quantum Academy, Inc. earned second place.

Third place went to "iText Mo Switch: Innovative Text Message Operated Switch" developed by Eddie Francis Cesar Plaza and Gilbert Ocampo of the Philippine Science High School - Western Visayas.

Meanwhile, in the college level, the top pick was "The potential of potato starch extract as an alternative serum separator gel and its effects in glucose testing" by Donna Dane Aldana of St. Louis University in Baguio City. Aldana's research also received the WIPO award and the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc award with a P10,000 cash prize.

Second place went to the research "The feasibility of using tapioca (cassava) starch in making bioplastic packaging methods for seedlings" submitted by a team of Polytechnic University of the Philippines students including Hilda Albis, Germine Christa Amansec, Jennnifer Amoyan, Anna Margarita Bascon, Crezyl Berbedel, Arsenio Boado Jr., Sydney James Bukas, Regie Lynne Camizola, Christine Joy Caranto, Angelyn Concepcion, and John Paul dela Cruz.

The third place went to "In vitro and in vivo biosorption of heavy metals using phytomass of selected brown algal species in Ilocos Norte" by Janill Magano of Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte. The research also received the Chemrez Green Chemistry Award (student category) with a P40,000 and trophy.

The FFCCCII also awarded the research "Hydroelectric generator" by Talavera National High School's Glenn Delson Gabriel and Malvin Duldulao with a P10,000 and trophy.

DOST awarded P100,000 (first prize), P50,000 (second prize), and P25,000 (third prize) for the Most Outstanding Utility Model, and the Most Outstanding Utility Design. Cash prizes for the Likha and Sibol Awards were P50,000 (first prize), P25,000 (second prize), and P15,000 (third prize).

National inventors week

The inventors contest is the highlight of the National Inventors Week held every November. The annual event gives opportunities to inventors to create business arrangements and prepare their inventions or researches for commercialization, DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro said.

"Inventors should put their products in the market because that is how benefits are realized," she adds. "Through the NIW, we encourage our inventors not only to invent and innovate but to create wealth to benefit the country and the people."