HUA HIN, Bangkok – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will join nine leaders of Southeast Asia at the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit which opens here today and runs until March 1.
The theme of the summit, “ASEAN Charter for ASEAN People”, underlines the regional leaders’ vision of a new era for ASEAN.
Aside from the Philippines, the other members of the regional bloc are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The President is expected to arrive in Thailand tomorrow (Feb. 28).
Upon her arrival here, the President and the other heads of state of the ASEAN-member countries will participate in a series of high level meetings and conferences at the Dusit Hotel here.
The main focus of the summit will be ASEAN's efforts to help its export-dependent economies withstand the ravages of the global financial crisis, with some member nations already caught or on the brink of the recession.
The ASEAN leaders are also scheduled to sign a declaration on a roadmap for forming a European Union-style community by 2015 and formally initial a free-trade pact with Australia and New Zealand.
They will also discuss a $120-billion emergency fund which the ASEAN finance approved earlier Sunday.
The President is scheduled to return to Manila on March 1.
BIMP-EAGA leaders to meet in Thailand
Davao City - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will join other BIMP-EAGA official for their own 5th Leaders Summit on the side of the scheduled February 28-March 1, 2009 Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit in Hua Hin, Thailand.
The BIMP-EAGA leaders will meet on February 28.
BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asia Growth Area, a sub-region of ASEAN and covers the entire country of Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya; Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines.
Aside from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, ASEAN also includes Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailandand Vietnam.
Joining President Arroyo's entourage for the BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN leaders’ summits are Senator Miriam Santiago, DTI Secretary Peter Favila who is also the Philippine Signing Minister for EAGA; and DTI Undersecretary Merly Cruz, the Philippine Senior Official for BIMP-EAGA.
Also part of the Philippine delegation to the BIMP-EAGA summit are key private sector representatives including Antonio Santos, Philippine Country Director of the BIMP-EAGA Business Council and Elena Haw, PCCI Director and Area Vice President for Mindanao.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, this year's standing BIMP-EAGA chair, will lead discussions on recent and current developments in the sub-region, particularly on the progress of the implementation of flagship programs and projects under the BIMP-EAGA Development Roadmap for 2006-2010.
The Leaders will also discuss updates on the directives of the 4th BIMP-EAGA Leaders Summit held in November 2007 in Singapore.
Key issues, decisions and directives on various EAGA initiatives such as enhancing cross-border trade and investment facilitation in the sub-region’s priority ports through strengthened Customs-Immigration-Quarantine-Security (CIQS) coordination; expanding transport connectivity through increased air and sea linkages; enhancing LGU cooperation as well as halal and tourism industry development, among other matters, are expected to highlight the meeting.
Key officials from the ASEAN secretariat and Asian Development Bank are also expected to join the open discussion.
The BIMP-EAGA Leaders Summit is a meeting of heads of the four member countries that aims to address current issues and future direction in accelerating socio-economic growth within the sub-region.
Efforts to strengthen BIMP-EAGA sub-regional initiatives are strongly recognized by President Arroyo as one of the key development strategies to increase trade, investment and tourism in Southern Philippines.
Created in 1994, BIMP-EAGA is a mechanism primarily intended to spur development in the lagging sub-economies of the member countries by boosting intra-EAGA trade, tourism and investments.
Arroyo to leave for Asean Summit in Thailand
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will leave for the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) summit at the Hua Hin in Prajuabkirrikhan, in Thailand next week.
Part of the agenda for Arroyo's attendance to the summit is to address the global crisis, including how Asean members can help each other to better cope with the financial storm.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that aside from himself, Arroyo would be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
Secretary Remonde said that with this global economic crisis, the Philippines really have to be very active internationally. He added that the President is also eyeing a visit to South Korea.
Pangulong Arroyo, tutulak papuntang Thailand para sa Asean Summit.
Tutulak si Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo patungong Thailand sa isang lingo upang dumalo ng Asean Summit.
Kasama sa tatalakayin sa gaganaping summit ay ang nararanasang global economic crisis, at kung paano magtutulungan ang mga miyembrong bansa ng Asean upang labanan ang epekto ng krisis pampinansiyal.
Sinabi ni Press Secretary Cerge remonde na bukod sa kaniya ay kasami rin ni Pangulong Arroyo sina Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, at Agriculture Secretary Arthur yap.
Dagdag pa ni Remonde, mas dapat maging aktibo ngayon ang Pilipinas sa larangan ng international cooperations lalo pa’t may krisis na kinakaharap ang buong daigdig. Sinabi rin niya na maari ring dumaan saglit ang Pangulo sa South Korea.
PGMA tasks cabinet to provide temporary jobs for 180,000 workers
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has directed her cabinet to prepare emergency work programs that will hire 180,000 workers.
Executive Order No. 738 spelled out the government’s strategy to ease the impact of global recession and support the vulnerable sectors in six months.
Funding for the emergency work program would come from the 1.5 percent allocation for maintenance, overhead and operating expenses of each government agencies.
Beneficiaries from the emergency work program may be assigned to do census, surveys, price monitoring and other tasks identified in the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).
Displaced workers from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines provinces, Albay; Regions III and VII; CARAGA Region, and some 50,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be given priority in this program.
These jobs will be opened in Region lV-A, Bicol provinces, Cebu, Mactan Economic Zones, Leyte, Samar; Subic and Clark Economic Zones, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales, and CARAGA.
She also tasked government owned and controlled corporations and departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Finance to integrate all livelihood programs into a one-stop shop under the Regional Livelihood Program Office.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has received orders from the President to provide opportunities for 250,000 workers over the six-month period.
Trabaho para sa may 180,000 manggagawa, isusulong ng pamahalaan
Ipinag-utos ng Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa kanyang gabinete na maghanda ng mga emergency work program para makapagbigay ng trabaho sa may 180,000 na manggagawa.
Magmumula naman ang pondo ng emergency work program sa isa’t kalahating porsiyento ng pondong inilaan para sa maintenance, overhead expenses at operating expenses ng bawat ahensiya ng pamahalaan.
Ang mga makikinabang sa emergency work program ay maaring maatasang gumawa ng mga trabahong may kinalaman sa census, surveys, price monitoring at iba pang mga gawaing tinukoy sa Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).
Kabilang din sa makikinabang sa programa ang may limang pung libong OFW.
Inaasahang magmumula ang mga trabahong bubuksan sa sa Region lV-A, Bicol provinces, Cebu, Mactan Economic Zones, Leyte, Samar; Subic Economic Zone, Clark Economic Zone, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Zambales, and CARAGA.
Inatasan din ng Pangulo ang mga government owned and controlled corporations at ang mga kagawaran ng Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry, Agriculture at Finance na pagsanibin ang lahat ng livelihood program sa sistemang one stop shop sa ilalim ng Regional Livelihood Program Office.
Tumanggap naman ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ng utos mula sa Pangulo para magbigay ng mga oportunidad sa hanapbuhay ang may 250,000 na manggagawa sa loob ng anim na buwan. #
PGMA’s “One Town, One Scholar” program takes off
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s ‘One Town, One Scholar” program that will ensure the college education of at least one bright and deserving but poor high school senior from each of the country’s 1,500 municipalities every year, finally takes off the ground this school year (SY) 2009-2010.
The implementation of the program starting June this year was finalized in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed Thursday night during the 6th National Directorate Meeting of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Torre Venezia Hotel along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.
Signatories to the MOA are Binalonan, Pangasinan Mayor Ramon Guico, LMP president; Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, Presidential Management Staff (PMS) chief, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Emmanuel Angeles, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Eduardo Soliman, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Vilma Labrador, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Undersecretary Mario Relampagos, and PASUC president Dr. Lauro Tacbas.
Esperon said the program will ensure that the best and brightest public high school graduate from each of the country’s 1,500 municipalities, especially those who have no financial means, will get a college education.
For SY 2009-2010, Relampagos said CHED would allocate P46.35 million from its existing budget for the program, while succeeding funding requirements for the scholars would be incorporated under CHED’s annual proposed budget.
Guico assured LMP fully supports the program and will encourage local government units to augment the scholarship benefits for their town scholars. He foresees the doubling or even tripling of the number of town scholars shortly, depending on the capacity of member municipalities.
Dr. Tacbas said the One Town, One Scholar program is one huge help for poor students since poverty is the main cause of dropouts in the 110 state universities and colleges nationwide.
By next week, Angeles said they would come up with the implementing rules and regulations for the scholarship program and the MOA would be immediately disseminated to the 17 CHED regional offices nationwide.
“We will come up with the implementing rules and regulations and we hope that by May we will be ready with our first set of 1,500 scholars,” Angeles said.
Under the “One Town, One Scholar” Program, all town scholars will each receive a scholarship grant for a four-year or five-year college degree program, including free tuition, transportation and living allowances, not exceeding P15,000 per semester for SY 2009-2010 and every year thereafter. The scholar, however, must pass the state college or university’s entrance examinations.
As conceived, Town Scholars must (a) be a natural born Filipino citizen residing in the municipality; (b) be a graduating student of a public high school in the municipality; (c) belong to the top 10 of the graduating class of their public school; (d) come from a family whose combined gross annual income is below P300,000; and (e) have good moral character and good health.
Interested applicants have to submit their letters of application to their respective schools, subject to the screening and selection process agreed upon by the municipal government and DepEd, aside from the program’s minimum requirements.
Period for application, screening and selection of grantees at the municipal town level is from March 1 to April 15, 2009, after which the town mayor will endorse to the CHED Regional Office (CHEDRO) the selected scholar. CHED will validate the grantee’s records prior to the final issuance of Scholarship Certificate.
A town scholar should maintain an average grade of at least 2.0 or its equivalent in all subjects, and must not incur a grade lower than 2.75 or its equivalent in any subject, to be retained in the program.
After graduating, the Town Scholar shall render a return service of one year with pay for every year of study grant within the country. His or her municipality shall have priority claim for his/her service.
President Arroyo first discussed the idea of her “One Town, One Scholar” program for poor public high school students during the LMP general assembly in November 2007.
At the 2008 LMP general assembly last November, the President directed the PMS to convene the CHED, DepEd and DBM to flesh out and implement the program this year.
NDCC called on schools, LGUs to hold exercises to prepare for disasters
Schools and local governments should prepare for disasters by holding exercises such as earthquake drills.
Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council Chair Gilbert Teodoro said earthquakes drills in schools are necessary because of the large concentration of people. “The potential for injuries is great,” he said.
Teodoro, along with Office of Civil Defense Administrator Glenn Rabonza, Director Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and representatives from the Quezon City Government and Department of Education, led the kick off ceremony of the simultaneous earthquake drill in San Francisco National High School in Bago Bantay, Quezon City.
San Francisco High School Principal Milagros San Juan hailed the earthquake drill as a great learning experience for public schools.
More than 40,000 schools have participated in the nationwide drill.
Hundreds of students, teachers and school personnel performed the duck, cover and hold procedures during the drill.
Duck and cover means shielding body from debris and other falling objects or structures; hold simply refers to holding on to the available cover or shield until the shaking is over.
The earthquake is represented by sound of sirens; once the siren stops, it means the shaking is over and people will move on to safer grounds such as quadrangles or any open space that are free from falling structures.
The Philippines is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire where volcanic activity is high and regularly hit by earthquakes.
Mga paaralan at LGU, hinikayat ng NDCC na maghanda sa mga sakuna
Dapat maghanda ang mga paaralan at mga lokal na pamahalaan sa mga sakuna sa pamamagitan ng pagsasagawa ng earthquake drills at mga katulad na aktibidad.
Binigyang diin ni Defense Secretary at National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Chair Gilbert Teodoro na kailangan ang mga earthquake drill sa mga paaralan dahil napakaraming tao dito sa araw.
Dahil dito, naniniwala si Teodoro na malaking ang posibilidad ng disgrasya sa mga paaralan kung hindi maghahanda ang mga ito sa mga pangyayari gaya ng lindol.
Pinapurihan naman ni San Francisco High School Principal Milagros San Juan ang earthquake drill dahil maraming bagay ang matutunan dito ng mga pampublikong paaralan.
Mahigit sa 40,000 paaralan ang lumahok sa earthquake drill kung daang-daang mga estudyante, guro at mga kawani ng paaralan ang nagsagawa ng duck, cover and hold procedures.
Ang duck and cover ay nangangahulugan ng paghahanap ng makukublihan o paggamit ng mga proteksyon para maging kalasag ng katawan laban sa mga bumabagsak na bagay samantala ang hold naman ay nangangahulugan ng pananatili sa kinukublihan o paghawak sa mga kalasag sa katawan hanggang sa matapos ang pagyanig.
Ang lindol sa earthquake drill ay kinakatawan ng sirena; sa sandaling tumigil ang sirena, tigil na rin ang lindol at maaring lumabas sa kanilang pinagkukublihan ang mga tao para lumipat sa mas ligtas na lugar gaya ng quadrangle tulad ng ginawa ng mga estudyante ng San Francisco National High School .
Ang Pilipinas ay bahagi ng Pacific Ring of Fire kung saan mataas ang aktibidad ng mga bulkan at palagiang niyuyugyog ng lindol.
Ang huling mapanirang lindol, may magnitude ng 7.7, ay naganap noong ika - 16 ng Hulyo, 1990 na pumatay ng mahigit dalawang libo sa Hilaga at sa Gitnang Luzon.#
Private schools heed GMA’s tuition hike moratorium call
Most private universities and colleges have heeded President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s call for a freeze in tuition fee hike this school year to help poor students and their families cope up with the adverse effects of the global economic downturn.
The program seeks to ensure the college education of at least one bright and deserving but poor high school senior from each of the country’s 1,500 municipalities every year, starting school year (SY) 2009-2010.
The MOA was signed by officials of agencies involved in the program during the 6th National Directorate Meeting of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Torre Venezia Hotel along Timog Avenue in Quezon City.
In his recent visits to the regions, Angeles said private universities and colleges have manifested their support for President’s call for a freeze in tuition hike on account of the worsening global financial crisis.
The CHED chief said he visited Region 8 just the other day and got a 100 percent response from both private and public colleges and universities there. He added that he is pleased by the positive response of private schools’ officials in other regions to the President’s appeal for a moratorium on tuition increase this year.
“Siguro baka wala pang ten percent ang mag i-increase kung sakali man (Perhaps only 10 percent of them will increase their rates, if at all). So it is working and we will continue our appeal to them,” Angeles added.
In addition to the moratorium on tuition increases, Angeles President Arroyo has also directed CHED to appeal to all private and public colleges and universities to allow the children of temporarily displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to continue their college education under a deferred payment scheme.
Last year, private colleges and universities also heeded the appeal of the Chief Executive for them to freeze their planned tuition fee hike to help students and parents cope with the global rise in oil and food prices.
Earlier, President Arroyo likewise directed the temporary shelving of all tuition fee hike plans in al the 110 state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide to help reduce the college dropout rate and firm up an environment conducive to quality tertiary education particularly in the regions.
RP resiliency plan will help attain positive growth - Recto
Davao City -- Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ralph G. Recto in a press briefing said the country’s economic resiliency plan (ERP) will help in attaining a positive growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in the first semester of 2009.
``There could be a slowdown but I don`t see negative growth. The ERP will help out in the first semester of the year. Without the ERP, the economy may grow by 2.5 percent but it can now grow on the higher end of the forecast, by 4.4 percent if government could do the 60 to 80 percent spending during the first half of the year,`` the NEDA Director General said.
One of the strategies of the ERP is to implement budget interventions which include the full and quick spending of the 2009 national government budget. Government agencies are expected to frontload resources by spending 60 to 80 percent or PhP84.3 to PhP112.3 billion of the productive portion of the 2009 budget during the first semester.
``Quick-disbursing high-impact projects include small, labor-intensive, community-scale infrastructure projects with high local value-added such as repair of irrigation systems, construction of farm-to-market roads and adding on asphalt overlays, among others,`` he said.
To date, the following agencies have committed to spend at least 60 percent of their spending program: Department of Public Works and Highways (PhP60 billion in the first semester), Department of Agriculture (PhP16 billion in the first quarter), Department of Transportation and Communications (PhP13 billion in the first semester) and Department of Education (PhP2.8 billion in the first quarter).
``I am confident that the departments concerned will deliver their commitments, `` Recto said in a separate briefing by the Philippine economic team adding that local governments will play a larger role in implementing and monitoring the projects.
Meanwhile, Recto maintained that the Philippine economy will keep hold of its growth trajectory. ``I think that the economy will grow faster in the third and fourth quarter of the year. There would be a slowdown, but not a contraction, `` he added.
He said that agriculture will support growth in the first two quarters of the year despite the slowdown in the industry sector. The agriculture sector is expected to grow from 3.0 to 3.6 percent in 2009.
``Agriculture will benefit because fertilizer costs are down by 50 percent. Industry will probably be slower because exports is down,`` he said.
CHR boosts human rights protection at grassroots level
Manila (PNA) -- The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has implemented several reforms for its Barangay Human Rights Action Center (BHRAC) flagship program to make this more effective in promoting human rights (HR) at the grassroots level.
"HR must seep into the core of our values as a nation, as a people," CHR Commissioner Leila de Lima said.
The reforms include HR and para-legal training for Barangay Human Rights Action Officers (BHRAOs) who comprise the bulk of BHRAC's manpower.
CHR will also facilitate transmitting reports, delivering support to BHRAOs as well as deploying village investigators and regional staff who will look into HR cases.
The agency will likewise improve BHRAC's coordination with and supervision from the regional offices as well as enhance monitoring of BHRAOs' activities and output.
"The potential for improvement and effectiveness is limitless," De Lima said.
BHRAC is CHR's grassroots support program on receiving and monitoring HR complaints, educating people about HR, conducting coordination and referrals as well as mobilizing communities.
"It is a modest program of placing human rights activism at the very bottom of the political hierarchy, the barangay," De Lima said.
CHR is implementing BHRAC in coordination with local government units (LGUs).
"BHRAC is so important and so innovative that the international community recognizes it as a model program for our counterpart national human rights institutions throughout the Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific regions," De Lima noted.
She pointed out that the CHR must boost BHRAC as this is possibly government's most important program in promoting human rights throughout the countryside.
"It represents the most ambitious attempt to forward HR tenets to every man, woman and child precisely by reaching out to them at the 'barangay' level," she said.
CHR plans to enhance support for BHRAOs since it recognizes significance of their work as BHRAC volunteers.
"To ask them to be vigilant, courageous and human rights advocates on their own is a tall order," De Lima stressed.
Grandolfo reigns first international kite boarding competition Daet, Camarines Norte
Italian kite boarder Andrea Grandolfo won the recently concluded First Daet International Kite Boarding Competition held in Bagasbas Beach, here on February 5-8, 2009.
Grandolfo bagged the grand prize of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000) plus trophy of the Bordercross Competition. The race started in Vinzons, Camarines Norte and passed the border of Talisay and ended in Bagasbas Beach. Next to him are Ken Nacor of the Philippines and Frederick Soupast of Belgium.
The First Daet International Kite Boarding Competition also featured the Freestyle Competition. Winners under male category are: First - Ken Nacor of the Philippines, second - Taner Aykurt of Turkey and third - Duque delos Santos of the Philippines. Under female category are: First - Anna Simlund of Sweden, second - Kathrin Borgwardt of Germany and Lorena Neumann of Spain.
The event was attended by foreign and local tourists from Belgium, USA, Alaska, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Astonia, and the Philippines. They commended the great support of the local government unit of Daet thru Mayor Tito S. Sarion to the event as well as Mr. Mike Gambriel for inviting and organizing the competition. They now consider Bagasbas Beach as the new kite boarding haven in the Philippines and show their willingness to come back by the end of the year for another competition.
Last quarter of 2007, an American and German national set up a kite boarding school in Bagasbas Beach after they have discovered the potential of the area as kite surfing destination. Because of the advanced technology, he featured Bagasbas Beach in his website as an alternative site for the extreme sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Bagasbas Beach is now considered as a good location for water sports adventure. Friendly waves that usually an all-year found is an ideal site for those who want to learn wave surfing. The beach has been listed as one of the ten best surfing destinations in the Philippines. It has long and wide expanse of fine gray sand and the break’s sandy bottom and generally uncrowded lineups combine to make a comfortable session for surfers of any level. During windy season from October-March, kite surfers can go island hopping on the nearby towns of Basud, Vinzons, Talisay and Mercedes using only kite boards.
Organizers of the event are: the Local Government Unit of Daet with the support of Bagasbas Beach Development Council, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group (Bicol), Mikes-Kites Kite Surfing School and Camarines Norte Pineapple Festival Development Foundation Incorporated. (RCYu, MPA-MIO/PIA)
Buhi-Malinao road completed
Province of Camarines Sur— Consistent with the SONA commitment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on infrastructure programs and development, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Camarines Sur 4th Engineering District has intensified efforts on opening new roads that would spur progress in the locality.
“Just recently, we have completed the road opening of Camarines Sur-Albay Diversion Road,” said Eng’r. Nestor Gomabao, OIC-Assistant District Engineer of the said district during a broadcast interview.
“Last year, we have also finished the opening of Buhi-Malinao Road or the proposed Gov. Felix O. Alfelor, Sr. Highway,” he added.
This 34.76-kms. road forms part of the 66 kms road network that cuts across three congressional districts and connects the provinces of Camarines Sur (2nd and 4th districts) and Albay (1st district).
The entire road network starts at Hanawan, Ocampo, Camarines Sur passing through barangays Burokbusoc and Sagrada, all of Buhi, Camarines Sur up to the municipality of Malinao in Albay.
The new road will provide an alternate route of Maharlika Highway going to the port City of Tabaco, Albay and will open a new gateway to the island province of Catanduanes further integrating it into the mainstream of development.
“This road will definitely help prolong the preservation of the existing main thoroughfares and will also shorten travel time to and from Manila by more than 30 minutes,” said DPWH Bicol regional director Orlando Roces during one of his random visits in DPWH project sites. (LVCastañeda, DPWH/PIA)
Four LGUs of Sorsogon are nominees to the 2009 Philippine Wetlands Conservation Awards Sorsogon city
Four local government units (LGUs) in this province were nominated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) provincial office here to the 2009 Philippine Wetlands Conservation Awards.
Invitation were sent by the DENR-PENRO chief Oscar Dominguez to Sorsogon City mayor Leovic Dioneda, mayors Benito Doma, Helen Rose de Castro and Olivia M. Bermillo of Prieto Diaz, Bulan and Castilla towns, respectively.
Dominguez said LGUs were invited to the said nominations due to its exemplary contributions in the wise use of their wetlands.
Wetlands, as defined during the Ramsar Convention, refer to areas of marsh, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial., permanent or temporary, with water that is static, flowing, fresh, brackish or salty, including areas of marine, which depth at low tide does not exceed six meters.
Included in the criteria, he said, were the significant contributions of LGUs in wetland conservation, education and public awareness, conservation policies, community empowerment, wise use and/or restoration and rehabilitation of their respective wetlands.
“It is also a must that nominated LGUs have sustainable wetland activities, provide conservation linkages and partnership and must have clearly demonstrated efforts toward Integrated Coastal Management,” he said.
Dominguez further said that the Philippine Wetlands Conservation Awards is part of World Wetlands celebration this year, wherein, World Wetlands will give Incentive Awards in recognition of the significant contributions not only of the local government units but also of individuals and people’s organizations on the wise use of the country’s wetlands.
Camarines Sur-Albay diversion road completed Legazpi City
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bicol has completed their road opening project along the territory of Camarines Sur and Albay provinces.
Engr. Amy Fajardo, OIC District Engineer of the 4th District Engineering Office (DEO) in Camarines Sur said “This road opening project traverses through the three municipalities of Bula, Balatan and Bato, all of this province.”
An initial funding of P250 million for 13 road projects along the total road stretch of 15.940 kms. was infused on this proposed highway.
“Of this appropriation, we have opened 11.450 kms. of the proposed highway leaving only 4.490 kms., at intermittent sections, to be cleared,” she explained.
Fajardo noted “this road segment will soon connect the 2nd District of Camarines Sur to the 3rd district of Albay passing through the 4th District of Camarines Sur. Thus, will likewise serve as an alternative route to and from Manila via Maharlika Highway, cutting travel time by about an hour.”
The project intends to provide additional road network to connect the coastal towns located on the western seaboard of Camarines Sur, thereby spurring tourism potential in the area. It will also provide a faster and more convenient way to transport marine and agricultural products from the far-flung barangays to its prospective market.
“Camarines Sur-Albay Diversionn road is part of the priority project of the present administration through Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, dubbed as Pan Philippine Highway,” said Bicol regional director Orlando Roces.
“This is designed to widen the reach of opportunity and progress through better road accessibility in the countryside,” he concluded. (LVCastañeda, DPWH/PIA)
DENR monitors birds in wetland areas to keep Bicol bird flu free Legazpi City
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has continuously monitored wetland areas in the Bicol region as part of the government efforts to keep the Philippine bird-flu free.
In a report to DENR regional executive director Joselin Marcus Fragada, Regional Technical Director Felix Mendoza of the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS), said 20 wetland areas in Bicol were monitored as of December 2008.
“The areas are Cabusao Wetland Area, Lake Bato, Lake Buhi, Lake Baao, Belen, Calabanga and Purong, Magarao in Camarines Sur;Manguisoc Wetland Area and Mambalita Wetland Area in Camarines Norte; Wetland areas in Buga, Libon, Oas and Polangui in Albay; Malawmanwan Island; Prieto Diaz Wetland area and Pilar Egret Bowl in Sorsogon; and Panganiban and Agoho Point in San Andres, Catanduanes and Chico Wildlife Sanctuary, Nano Wildlife Sanctuary and Formosa Mangrove Forest Reserve in Masbate,” Mendoza said.
He said that among the vital information gathered during the monitoring activities were the species of water birds visiting the wetland areas, a head count of their population, the time or period of the year the wildbirds visit the wetland sites, and observation of unusual behavior of migratory birds, such as largescale and unexplained death.
Mendoza also reported that an Asian Waterbird census was conducted first half of January last year in selected wetland areas in the region. The said census is an annual activity conducted by DENR, together with some conservation non-government organizations.
A regional, provincial and municipal avian influenza task force were organized in the regions. The Regional Avian Influenza Task Force is headed by the Director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), with DENR, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) as members. The Provincial Avian Influenza Task Force is chaired by the provincial governor, while the municipal mayor heads the Municipal Al Task Force.
The concerned support services assists the LGU officials in the various activities of Al Task Forces such as information dissemination, surveillance, and the procedure to follow in case of a bird-flu outbreak.
As per information, the Avian flu or bird flu (H5N1) is a very contagious disease caused by viruses that normally infect only birds. But the virus has since mutated and is now causing infections or even death to poultry and human.
Ever since chickens started dying in Asia in 2003, the outbreak has become the most severe ever seen. Over 100 million chickens have died or been culled in 13 countries. No longer confined to poultry, the virus is appearing in ducks and other migratory birds that have flown on their usual flight paths from Asia through Russia to Europe, or from Asia over Alaska and into Canada and America.
The H5N1 that has killed so much poultry in Asia has also killed people in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia. Thailand and China, who’ve close contact with chickens and roosters about 142 people have become clinically ill with avian influenza, and 74 have died.
The Philippines remains bird flue-free. But this should not make us complacent, the concerned authorities say, as everyone is asked to cooperate in the campaign against the bird flu.
SCTEX realizes President Arroyo's goal to boost economic development in Region 3
The completion of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the country’s longest world-class toll road, signals the realization of the Arroyo administration’s vision for a Subic-Clark corridor that will establish an international services and logistics hub in Central Luzon and accelerate economic development of the region and nearby provinces.
Investors in the Subic Bay Freeport are happy about this development, saying the 94-kilometer highway.
Antique towns develop eco-tour packages
San Jose, Antique –Magestic mountains and rivers, white sand beaches, marine sanctuaries, virgin forest and many others, these are among the natural wonders that made up the eco-tour packages crafted by clusters of municipalities in the province, said Danny Misajon of the Provincial Tourism Office.
During the recent workshop of Municipal Tourism Officers, Local Government Operations Officers of the different towns in the province and other tourism stakeholders, tour packages were developed not only to strengthen alliances among municipalities but also to give lift to the tourism industry and go on full swing.
“Antique has many destinations to offer in terms of natural wonders; all it needs is viable tour packages that will cater to the distinct desires of tourist and at the same time conserving the essence and natural state of the environment”, said Misajon.
Among the specific tour packages include: Island hopping and diving in Caluya, mountain/cave adventures and tour to the marine sanctuaries of Libertad, exploration of Bugang Malumpati River and other pristined beaches of Pandan, martyrdom walk at the EBJ Freedom park where statues of local and national heroes are erected. These are just few of the tour packages, all other towns have eco-tourism sites and are linked to one another.
The tour packages will not only generate revenue for the LGUs who will manage the tour but it will create jobs and income for local industries like muscovado, patadyong, and other handicrafts, said the source.
Town fiestas and festivals also serve as the main attraction including community/agro-industrial fair where local products and cultural presentation catched the attention of visitors. Binirayan celebration, a showcase of culture, arts and products of Antique according to Misajon attracts foreign tourists and serve as homecoming for balikbayans.
The Department of Interior and Local Government supported this undertaking according to Provincial Director Rosario Maza to enhance partnership among LGUs through the inter-municipal tourism program. The workshop was funded by the DILG through the Local Academy of the Philippines under the Panibagong Paraan Para sa Pagpapalakas Panglokal na Pamahalaan, (an innovative grant competition among DILG provincial offices).
Florentino Egida, Provincial Tourism Officer expressed optimism that the tourism program through the eco-tour packages developed in every town can boost the tourism industry of the province. (PIA 6-Antique)
LGUs encouraged to create a comprehensive tourism program
San Jose, Antique – In line with the key program of the provincial government to attain a more holistic and sustainable use of Antique’s environment and tourism potential, all government units are encouraged to create a comprehensive tourism program.
Thus participants from different municipalities gathered for a two-day planning workshop to craft a tourism development program with strategic directions geared towards the government thrust making Central Philippines a tourist destination.
Identified as Antique’s tourism program and potential are: Unspoiled Environment – depicts Antique’s well-conserved resources; Equitable sharing of benefits – refers to judicious sharing of gains and benefits derived from tourism projects by the community and the investors.
Strong Physical and Policy Support System includes facilities and infrastructure build up to boost tourist destinations coupled with environmentally sustainable policy and legislations. Dynamic multi-sectoral collaboration take into account stakeholders active involvement in Antique’s tourism program.
Another important strategy is Excellent Tourism Services and products which include Antique’s best destination/resorts (beach/mountains), products/pasalubong (buri and bamboo craft, patadyong, muscovado and food products) and other services.
The Arroyo administration’s Medium Term Development Plan (2004-2010) stated that the tourism sector’s primary importance in poverty alleviation lies in its potential to generate millions of jobs for various groups of people.
The President earlier said that tourism is the best source of employment, from the most skilled to the least skilled there is an employment opportunity.
A PIA news stated that tourism is a very complex industry encompassing a wide range of economic activities in every tourist destination in the country, and involves a substantial amount of investments—a reason why it is recognized as a major contributor to the generation of foreign exchange earnings, investments, and revenues, and to the total growth of the country’s output. It also creates human resource-intensive jobs.
Florentino Egida, Provincial Tourism Officer urged local government units (barangay/municipality) to create comprehensive tourism program in line with the key programs of the provincial government to attain a more holistic and sustainable use of Antique’s environment and tourism potential. (PIA 6-Antique)
Agri-tourism base shields Western Visayas from alarming effect of global economic crunch
Iloilo City -- The Western Visayas region having an agricultural and tourism base is not yet feeling the alarming effect of unemployment and economic crunch, said Presidential Assistant Raul Banias in a radio interview recently.
Banias said that as of this time, except for a few engaged in exports, like the producers' associations, the effect of global economic crunch is not strongly felt among those in the agriculture and tourism industry in the region.
He said this is so because the Arroyo government has instituted proactive measures to mobilize agencies, highlighting projects that enhance agri-based economy and tourism.
Banias said the Regional Development Council (RDC) had immediately resolved to put in place the government's counter-measures through the Comprehensive Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).
In the countrysides, Banias said, local employment is generated through on-going farm-to-market road, irrigation repair and infrastructure projects.
"These activities are supported by entrepreneurship training, which are linked to financial institutions for assistance," Banias added.
As to job fairs, which are also meant to cushion unemployment especially with the hundreds of graduates joining the labor force this March, Banias said he would recommend to proponent agencies for harmonized efforts in the conduct of these activities so that the job market Banias, on the other hand, also said that this early, foreign and domestic tourists are beginning to pour into Western Visayas, an indication that the region will somehow weather the economic slowdown. (PIA 6- Iloilo)
DOT appeals to city officials: Reconsider ban on entry of tour transports
Iloilo City -- Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta has appealed in a letter to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas to consider the problems encountered by tour operators whose tour programs are affected by the ban on the entry of tour transport bringing visitors to the major tourism spots in the city.
In his letter Trompeta said that the city has invested so much in inviting tourists and has promised them safe, comfortable and convenient stay and now has implemented a policy to ban entry of tour buses.
Trompeta added it is not only the city investing in tourism but the private sector also that spends millions for promotion, in the form of tour and travel business, souvenir shops, transport facilities, hotels, bars and restaurants.
"These facilities and services would not be economically viable if not for the tourists and visitors that patronize them," Trompeta said.
The tourism chief further said that the city tourism office has done so much to promote the city's tourism industry and if the ban continues, these efforts will go down the drain.
"The City of Iloilo is not just about Dinagyang, Chinese New Year, or Paraw Regatta. He city is seen and understood better through its history and culture," Trompeta said in his letter.
In related concerns, many tour operators have already given feedbacks to the DOT regarding their difficulties. (PIA 6- Iloilo)
Mambukal: A fusion of man and nature’s creation
Rising at 1,200 feet above sea level, sitting over 23.6 hectares at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon and 40 minutes away from the city of Bacolod, Mambukal Mountain Resort is a fusion of what nature has to offer and what man can create.
Mambukal Mountain Resort, the latest tourism flagship of the province, started as a resort offering a bath house and a picnic garden with cool ambiance. The bath house was developed in 1927 by a Japanese architect named Ishiwata.
Nature provided one of the biggest offering of the resort- the hot sulfuric springs which can be found everywhere in the resort. The resort was named Mambucal, derived from the local term, “bukal” which means “boiling”, literally referring to the boiling mud of the sulfuric springs within the resort. The waters from the hot springs are also believed to be medicinal to different skin diseases.
Aside from the hot springs, seven falls can be explored in an easy trek on a pleasant sunny day. The series of falls constantly feed the pools and the boating lagoon in the resort with its cool water. Tropical trees abound in the area where bats, birds and butterflies find their sanctuary.
To compliment what nature has to offer, the provincial government took over the resort in 2003 and has since developed the resort as a premier resort and tourist destination.
Last year, the newest addition to the Mambucal Mountain Resort is the 300-person capacity Convention Center and the newly renovated Ishiwata Bath House.
Tourist lodge offers standard rooms and suites, air conditioned single cottages and camp sites for the more outdoor types of guests.
Swimming pools, therapeutic warm dipping pools, picnic huts, boating facilities, wall climbing, slide for life, canopy walk, and camping grounds, overnight cottages and a food court.
In 2003, the province has generated P6,068.857 in revenue and after six years in operation (2008), the province has collected P26,033,101 from an estimated of 220,619 tourists who visited the mountain resort in 2008. (PIA 6- Negros Occidental)
Capiz wants to be ‘captivating’
Capiz wants to become the hub of eco-cultural tourism in the Central Philippines Super Region.
Gradually, that hub is taking shape and could soon carve out a niche in the country’s tourism map. Hopefully, that hub would become captivating.
Provincial Tourism Officer Alphonsus D. Tesoro said the province said the province is pursuing a provincial tourism development plan to put the hub in place.
The plan is a result of the development vision pillar on tourism adopted by Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Sr. for his administration.
The provincial government has allotted P7.9 million from its P104.3-million 20% development fund for this year for tourism development.
Kicking off with a vision and strategic planning workshop in August 2007, the province has initiated projects and activities to set the plan in motion.
Notable among these are: conduct of a tour guiding seminar and festival management workshop; creation of tourism councils and organizations; technical assistance; passage of legislation on environmental protection, arts promotion and heritage presentation; year-round cultural and tourism education; forging partnerships with other government institutions, business sector, the academe, and non-government and civic organizations; artistic training and repertory guidance; assistance to performing groups, artists, cultural and historical researchers and indigenous people’s groups; holding of Saot Capiz dance season; empowerment of IP communities; production of collaterals for tourism promotion; participation in tourism and culture related events; promotion of creative industries; technical support for the establishment of new tourism facilities and destinations; and, renovation, maintenance, improvement and management of tourism facilities and destinations.
Tesoro said that they have formed the Organization of Tourism Officers of Capiz (OTOC) to muster the support of the municipalities in pushing tourism.
An added push was provided by the passage of resolutions at Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) declaring February as Provincial Arts Month and a Provincial Tourism Week in September.
The first Capiz Arts Summit called “Tagbo” was held with the support of local school Filamer Christian College.
Starting last year, the province commemorated its April 15 foundation anniversary with a festival dubbed “Capiztahan” to highlight the historical and cultural significance of the event.
The provincial government joined hands with the city government of Roxas in hosting the visit of the Ambassador of the State of Israel, Hon. Zvi Vapni during the death anniversary of former President Manuel A. Roxas that also fell on the date of the provincial charter day, with a show of distinctly Capiceño culture through songs and dances.
The province also was able to establish a partnership with the business sector that gave birth to the Capiz Visitors and Convention Bureau, opening of new tourism related establishments and taxi operations.
The provincial tourism plan also launched the first Capiz Ati Festival called “Hirinugyaw Ke Meme Ati.”
Capiz also played host to the Visayas Area leg of the Global Peace Festival.
For the first time in Western Visayas, the province initiated a festival of indigenous dances dubbed “Saot Capiz” that was staged on Saturdays during the last quarter of 2008 and culminating in “grand binayle” last December.
Sinadya sa Halaran, Capiz’s premier festival, was enhanced with more cultural activities to underscore its value as a showcase of the Capiceños’ rich cultural heritage, religiosity and way of life.
Tesoro explained that the big number of culture related activities initiated so far indicates the direction set by the provincial government for its tourism program.
By all means, it is towards the attainment of the goal to make Capiz as an eco-cultural tourism hub.
“We are packaging the culture and heritage of the province together with its natural attractions,” said Tesoro.
The culture and heritage of Capiz come in a variety of forms – the Sta. Monica Parish Church with its gigantic bell in Panay town, former President Roxas, national artists Jovita Fuentes (music) and Daisy Hontiveros-Avellana (theater), indigenous people and their living masters (epic chanters) of Tapaz and their centuries-old embroidery, Moro watchtowers, and others.
What we’re doing in Capiz has become a benchmark for cultural tourism in the country,” confided Tesoro, who has been taped by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as a resource speaker for tourism seminars and trainings in other parts of the country.
The provincial tourism officer also acknowledged the valuable support of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
He added that the level of tourism awareness among Capiceños has gone up due to the activities to which they have been exposed.
Other people have also taken more notice of Capiz as a tourist destination.
Records from the Roxas City Tourism Office headed by Rodolfo Maestro, Jr. showed that of the 51,000 tourists who visited Capiz last year more than 2,000 were of foreign origins.
With the support and cooperation of the city government available as needed, the province is always within sight of its vision.
And, of course, there’s the support of the national government.
The declaration by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Central Philippines Super Region as the country’s tourism belt has become the major impetus for the provincial government to pursue a tourism program based on the environment and culture.
The upgrading of the Capiz section of the nautical highway – from Sapian town at the Capiz-Aklan boundary to Dumarao at the Capiz-Iloilo border – is going on with a funding appropriation of millions of pesos.
This road network is used by tourists to visit and explore destinations and attractions in the western part of the country.
Tesoro said the tourism program is part of the overall development agenda of Gov. Tanco to make Capiz more progressive, responsive, and capable of serving the needs of Capiceños with the ultimate goal of making the province “captivating,” a word that sums up the governor’s development vision.
Tourism is one of its charms. (PIA 6-Negros Occidental)
DPWH-6 to finish SONA infra projects in Western Visayas before end of 2009
Iloilo City —The Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Visayas (DPWH-6) said all SONA and other major infrastructure projects in support of tourism will be completed before the end of year 2009, or on the first quarter of 2010.
In an interview with PIA, Director Rolando Asis of the DPWH-6 said the transport sector is an important component of the economy impacting on development and the welfare of the population.
He said these high impact project announced by President Arroyo during her SONA are road widening project from Iloilo City to the new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan-Sta.Barbara; Metro Iloilo Radial Road; and the Pandan-Libertad Road ending up to the boundary of Antique and Aklan Province.
“These three road network projects would not only improve accessibility to major tourist areas in the region but will also improve the region’s socio-economic condition, for it will open employment and investment opportunities,” Director Asis said.
When asked on the specifics of the construction of the said projects, Director Asis explained that the road widening project from Iloilo City to the new Iloilo Airport involves widening of the existing two lane-road to four lanes; the construction of Metro Iloilo Radial road is on going, and about 12 kilometers from Barangay Lanit, Zarraga, passing thru the Iloilo Flood Control project to Sta. Barbara. About 27 kilometers of roads will be concreted from Pandan to Libertad ending up to the boundary of Antique and Aklan province is also on-going.
The DPWH 6 Director emphasized that when these projects are completed, “these three road network projects would not only improve accessibility to major tourist areas in the region but will also improve the region’s socio-economic condition, for it will open employment and investment opportunities.
Kalibo: luring tourists through its “Manggad”
“Manggad” means wealth in the Aklanon and Hiligaynon dialect, and Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan, is counting much on this to lure tourists, both foreign and local to discover the “Manggad It Kalibo”.
By counting on its “manggad” to lure tourists, Kalibo not only focuses its tourism programs and activities on the yearly Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival but on other attractions the municipality has to offer to people who want to discover more of Kalibo – its people, its culture and its place in history
In the words of Kalibo mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, “the Ati-atihan town of Kalibo, a fast-becoming first rate urbanized municipality, showcases prime attractions like the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Festival – the Mother of all Philippine Festivals, the intricate weaving of Pina cloth – the Queen of Philippine Fabrics, and the Manggad it Kalibo for the distinct pleasures and adventure of our visitors.”
The Manggad It Kalibo offers three components: the Bakhawan Eco Park, the Pina Village and the Ati-atihan Village in New Buswang.
The Bakhawan Eco Park was conceptualized by the municipality of Kalibo for people who fancy a walk with nature. The multi-awarded and recipient of the Golden Eagle Award mangrove reforestation project boasts of an exceptional nature thrill for eco-tourists and visitors. The 80+hectare eco-park, according to a visitors’ brochure furnished by the Office of the Mayor, features a small park and recreation area and a 15-minute eco-walk built from bamboos stretching through the mangroves and out to a beach where one can enjoy a picnic with nature.
With the Pina Village, one can witness the painstaking process of transforming a native pineapple leaf into an intricately woven pina cloth – the Queen of Philippine Fabrics. Costing a fortune abroad, the Pina Cloth and other Pina products are actually works of art.
At the Ati-atihan Village, one can experience the unique Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival year-round, as there is a ready group to showcase the “sadsad’ complete with painted faces, costumes and drums anytime of the year. At the village, one can also witness the transformation of an Ati from costume design to its creation. One can also get to wear the costume, dance like an Ati and have a souvenir photo taken.
Other tourist attractions in Kalibo include the Museo It Akean which serves as a repository of the province’ cultural heritage and exhibits artifacts that attests to the rich history of Aklan and the masterpieces of Aklanon artists; the Kalibo Cathedral, originally built in 1581 and stands as the oldest edifice of the province; the Aklan Freedom Shrine – a tribute to Aklanon forebears, the first Katipunan movement outside Luzon with its 19 steps adorning the monument containing the mortal remains of the l9 Martyrs of Aklan and atop the statue of Gen. Francisco del Castillo, the leader of Katipunan revolutionaries in Aklan; the Tigayon Hill and Caves, the highest point of Kalibo and the former secret sanctuary of the province’s freedom fighters; and the Kalibo Food Festival Sa Kalye, a delectable celebration in commemoration of the Feast of St. John the Baptist every June where a street at the town plaza is closed and various kiosks serve a variety of local and foreign dishes in the true tradition of a fiesta, Kalibonhon style.
Kalibo now home to 69,700 residents as of 2007 National Statistics Office (NSO) Census of Population, has 16 barangays.
It is the center of political, social, economic and religious activities and is linked to the region and the country as a whole. It is classified as a first class municipality by the Department of Finance (DOF).
LGUs set to get their biggest IRA share
Local governments shall receive a bigger share in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) this year.
During the 18th Convention of the Vice Mayors’ League, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo acknowledged that IRA is a primary tool of local governments in serving their constituency and they know where and how should the fund be spent.
Without support from local government, the President said, government programs may have not taken off and new investments in healthcare, education and social services may have not been realized.
“I'd like to point out one of the benefits -- well, anyway, among the immediate benefits from our reforms -- I'd like to point out one of them because you have 40 percent of every increase in internal revenue; 40 percent of every increase in the Value Added Tax, and that amount you get your share has a three-year lag. What you get this year is your share of the 2006 collections. Well, because we had about a 100 billion-peso increase in Value Added Tax every year since 2006. This year for the first time, you're going to have your biggest increase in IRA of 40-billion pesos,” the President said.
She said local governments played a great role in building the country’s reputation as “an island of stability in global sea of economic troubles.”
Malaking bahagi ng LGU sa IRA, matatamo ngayong taon
Tatanggapin ng mga Local Government Units ngayong taon ang kanilang pinakamalaki bahagi sa Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).
Sa nakaraang 18th Convention ng Vice Mayors’League, kinilala ng Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ang kahalagahan ng IRA bilang kasangkapan ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa paglilingkod sa kanilang mga nasasakupan.
Kung walang suporta mula sa lokal na pamahalaan, sinabi ng Pangulo na mahihirapan maipatupad ng pamahalaang nasyunal ang mga programa at di matatamo ang mga bagong puhunan sa kalusugan, edukasyon at iba pang mga serbisyo.
“You have 40 percent of every increase in internal revenue; 40 percent of every increase in the Value Added Tax, and that amount you get your share has a three-year lag. What you get this year is your share of the 2006 collections. Well, because we had about a 100 billion-peso increase in Value Added Tax every year since 2006. This year for the first time, you're going to have your biggest increase in IRA of 40-billion pesos,” sabi ng Pangulo.
Pinapurihan din ng Pangulo ang mga lokal na pamahalaan sa papel na kanilang ginagampanan sa pagpapalakas ng imahen ng bansa bilang isang isla ng katatagan sa karagatan ng kaguluhan pang-ekonomiya.
Deployment of Filipino health workers to Japan under JPEPA starts in April
The President said this in her speech before the 28th joint meeting of the Philippine-Japan Economic cooperation Committee (PHILJEC) and the Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC) this morning (Friday) at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
"For the first time, Japan will accept foreign health workers – our very much in demand Filipino nurses and careworkers, " the President said.
After the JPEPA signing last December, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) immediately signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the deployment of nurses and caregivers with the Japan International Corporation of Welfare Services with the first batch of deployment to start April this year.
The POEA said that it is initially targeting 400 Filipino nurses and 600 caregivers for deployment to Japan within two years.
The POEA added that the basic monthly salary for caregivers is $1,600. Nurses will get slightly higher, it said.
Filipinos who are employed under the MOU are guaranteed a contract for three years, provided they have passed the Japanese licensure exam.
With JPEPA in place, the President added she is hoping that the agreement would also open more opportunities for the educated, highly productive and English-speaking Filipino workforce.
"We hope to see more trade in outsourcing, tourism, maritime and air transport, banking and telecommunications," the President said. (PND)
Japanese exec: World-class Filipino seamen now man more than 70% of Japan`s maritime operations
Toshitaka Hagiwara, senior advisor of Komatsu Ltd., bared this information at the 28th joint meeting of the Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committee (JPECC) and its Manila counterpart, the Philippine-Japan Economic Cooperation Committee (PHILJEC), which the President keynoted today, Friday at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.
Hagiwara is the chairman for JPECC.
Komatsu Ltd., for which he serves as senior adviser, is a world leading manufacturer and distributor of construction and mining equipment, utilities and industrial machinery. The company has been operating in the Philippines for decades.
``Over 200,000 Filipino citizens now live in Japan. In addition, and this is not so widely known, Japanese maritime shipping operations now rely on Filipino sailors for about 70 percent of their crew members,`` Hagiwara said.
In his opening remarks, Hagiwara said most Japanese ship owners have opened up maritime crew training facilities in the Philippines, even before the ratification of the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
``Almost all major Japanese shipping companies have opened maritime crew training facilities in the Philippines, expecting to develop ready access to highly qualified Filipino sailors from hereon,`` Hagiwara said.
Under the JPEPA, Hagiwara said Japan also has widely opened its doors to Filipino nurses and caregivers.
Even before the ratification of JPEPA, President Arroyo has likewise been acknowledging Japan’s trust and confidence on Filipino seamen, many of whom have become management level ship officers such as masters and chief engineers.
Filipino seamen comprise a major segment of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sector and have consistently been a major source of dollar remittances that help prop up the country’s domestic economy for years now.
In her message to the Japanese and Filipino business leaders, the Chief Executive noted that the cooperation between the Japan Seamen’s Union and its Filipino counterpart, the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, in establishing local maritime schools and training centers, likewise recognize the Philippines as the undisputed manning capital of the world.
Doris Magsaysay-Ho, president and chief executive officer of Magsaysay Maritime Corporation, the largest manning company in the country, said there are over 28,000 Filipinos currently working on Japanese ships who remitted over more than $3 billion last year.
With more than 25 years of maritime partnership between Japan and the Philippines, Ho said Filipinos now comprise 55 percent of the membership of the All Japan Seaman’s Union and are classified as non-domiciled special members.
