Aquino declares September 2011 as 'Structural Engineering Month'
President Benigno S. Aquino III declared the month of September 2011 as “Structural Engineering Month,” to express appreciation for the work of structural engineers and to spread awareness of their vital contribution to the country.
By virtue of Proclamation No. 164 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on May 9, 2011, the President declared the month of September as “Structural Engineering Month, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (ASEP).
“The recent global developments related to natural disasters highlight the importance of promoting public safety through the design and construction of safe and sound engineered structures such as buildings, bridges, towers and other structures,” President said.
He further noted that there is a need to increase public awareness about the role and the social and moral responsibilities of Civil Engineers specializing in structural design in relation to promoting public safety.
The ASEP, an affiliate society of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), is the country’s only national organization of practitioners of structural engineering.
“For the past 50 years, ASEP has been a partner of the government in its commitment to the protection of life and property by promoting responsible structural engineering through various undertakings, such as effective programs for disaster risk reduction and management and continuing professional development,” the President said. (PCOO)
Aquino leads seeding of Laguna de Bay with tilapia, carp fingerlings
President Benigno S. Aquino III led Tuesday a lake seeding activity in Jala-Jala, Rizal, off the waters of Laguna de Bay to boost the population of tilapia and big head carp here.
With the theme, “Bringing Back the Lake’s Bountiful Harvest,” the lake seeding aims to revitalize the lake's fishery resources to improve the livelihood of fishermen around the Laguna de Bay region.
In his speech before local officials and participants of the seeding event, the President said pollution, illegal fishing, and overpopulation in the lake’s shorelines have tremendously affected the Laguna Lake.
He said the catch of fishermen has been so reduced that they can no longer bring home enough fish for their families.
“Malinaw ang daing sa atin ng Laguna Lake. Ang tagal natin siyang pinakinabangan at obligasyon nating suklian ang kanyang pag-aaruga. Pagmalasakitan natin siya upang patuloy pa rin tayong buhusan ng samu’t-saring yaman at pagkakakitaan,” he said.
The chief executive said he spearheaded the lake seeding project because he believes it is his obligation to protect and enrich the lake.
“Walang ibang mag-aaruga at kakalinga dito kundi tayo rin. Ang humigit-kumulang 200,000 fingerlings ng tilapia at big head carp na pinapakawalan natin ngayon ay maghahatid ng mas masaganang palaisdaan at dagdag na kabuhayan para sa ating mga kakabayan.”
Despite government initiatives to protect the lake, the president said there are people who still abuse and exploit the lake through illegal fishing, garbage dumping and unabated cutting of trees near the shore.
“Kaya naman hinihikayat ko ang mga pinuno ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa paligid ng Laguna Lake na aktibong makibalikat sa implementasyon ng Bantay Lawa program,” the President said. “Umaasa rin akong makikilahok kayo sa proyektong Institutional Strategic and Development Agreement for Laguna Lake water o mas kilala sa tawag na ISDA sa Lawa upang bigyang-diin ang tunay na halaga ng Laguna de Bay,” he added.
Laguna de Bay has economic importance and strategic value to nearby communities being a source of food and water. Currently, the lake fishery industry supplies around 700,000 kilos of bangus and tilapia every week and about 300,000 kilos of bighead carp a week to the National Capital Region.
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), in a bid to boost the fish population, has designated fish sanctuaries so that fishes can grow undisturbed.
The LLDA also crafted the 2020 Laguna de Bay Basin Master Plan Framework that will bring the sanctuaries closer to the community of its intended beneficiaries. Direct involvement of communities in lake management, regulation and protection is also part of the plan.
Tuesday’s lake seeding was undertaken in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Fish seeding or fingerlings dispersal system in communal waters, is a regular activity of BFAR under the fingerlings dispersal program.
From the first quarter of 2011, a total of 240,000 tilapia fingerlings had already been dispersed. The government targets to release two million fingerlings for the whole year.
An additional 5.9 million tilapia fingerlings were dispersed from January to May 2011 to 1,444 fish cage operators affected by typhoon Ondoy in collaboration with foreign organizations and the agriculture department.
Among those who accompanied the President during the event include Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, LLDA General Manager Rodrigo Cabrera, Laguna Governor ER Ejercito, Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares III and other local officials. (PCOO)
Expect tropical storm Chedeng to bring heavy rainfall—PAGASA
The government expects heavy rainfall in anticipation of the landfall of Tropical Storm “Chedeng” (international name Songda) as it slows down along the westward track line of the Philippine area of responsibility.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr., who is also supervising the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said in a media briefing at the Palace on Tuesday that the public may expect heavier rainfall brought by “Chedeng” adding that it may affect a wider area considering its large diameter.
“Chedeng is huge, its diameter is 500 kilometers. Initial rainfall content would actually be in the vicinity of 20 to 40 millimeters per hour… in the classification of light, moderate to heavy rainfall… that’s extremely heavy rainfall,” Yumul said.
“By definition, a heavy rainfall is only greater than 7.5 millimeters of rain per hour, you can just imagine 7.5 compared to 20 to 40… it tells you how heavy the rainfall Chedeng will bring,” Yumul added.
The storm was spotted 490 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar as of 10 a.m. and was moving in a west northwest direction, packing maximum sustained winds of 105 kph and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
Yumul noted that “Chedeng” will be heading the same track with that of Tropical Storm “Bebeng” which hit the country several weeks ago. It may initially devastate Samar provinces and provinces in North Luzon and Bicol region.
Provinces in Bicol and Eastern Visayas are most vulnerable to disaster when “Chedeng” intensifies, as it has been hit by the previous storm.
Yumul said landslides and flooding may hit the two regions because it is "already soaked" due to the onslaught of “Bebeng.”
He added that due to its strength, Tropical Storm “Chedeng” will be elevated to a typhoon category.
“Chedeng would actually be following the track line of “Bebeng,” those provinces that were hit by Tropical storm “Bebeng” would be affected by severe Tropical Storm “Chedeng which will be elevated to a typhoon category either tonight or tomorrow morning,” Yumul said.
Public storm signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Samar provinces.
He said that “Chedeng" was forecast to pass the by Quirino-Aurora and Cagayan-Isabela areas.
It may bring heavy rains over Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Mindoro and Batangas.
The public may expect rainfall in Metro Manila by Friday evening until Sunday. (PCOO)
Aquino directs concerned government agencies to ensure ‘zero casualty’ during a typhoon
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed all concerned government agencies to ensure a zero casualty in anticipation of the onslaught of Typhoon “Chedeng” in the country especially in those areas that were already hit by the previous typhoon.
In a media briefing at the Palace Tuesday, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Administration (PAGASA) Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said that upon orders of President Aquino, they are exhausting all necessary measures to attain the goal of a zero-casualty.
“We have to do everything, there are three components of a good forecast and this is something that we always explain… the first is timely and reliable forecast and that is what PAGASA and the Office of the Civil Defense are actually doing,” Yumul said.
The second component, he continued, is good communication to make sure that the public would understand the situation being disseminated by the agency with the help of the media.
Yumul said that the third component of a good forecast is ensuring that appropriate actions are done by the public minimizing the threat being posed by the situation.
“The third critical component is that the appropriate response by the community should actually be attained… kasi baka naman forecast tayo ng forecast, paliwanag ng paliwanag kung yung mga kababayan naman natin ay di makikinig medyo mahihirapan tayo mag zero casualty,” Yumul noted.
“Everybody has to operate, one’s safety is the individual’s responsibility,” he added.
Yumul said that due to the La Niña influence, they are expecting 18 to 21 typhoons to hit the country this year as compared to 11 in 2010.
He added that the public may expect more intensified typhoons in the coming three to four months considering that these are the period when typhoons hit the archipelago.
“Although yung La Niña ay malapit nang mawala sa Pacific Ocean, yung record natin shows na its effect will still be there for the next three months. Yan ang tag-ulan natin, yan ang panahon na nagpapasukan ang bagyo and we expect more intensified typhoons,” Yumul explained. (PCOO)
Aquino reiterates interest in continuing dialogue on Spratly issue with China
President Benigno Aquino III said the tension in the South China Sea has relatively lessened after Philippine defense officials met with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on Monday.
Napag-usapan ang recent Reed bank incident at may agreement naman sila mula noong umaga na kausap ang ating Department of National Defense kung saan pinagkasunduan na dapat mas agaran iyong tinatawag na komunikasyon para ma-avoid iyong tensions,” President Aquino told reporters at the sidelines of a fish seeding event in Jala-Jala, Rizal on Tuesday.
Palace reporters asked the President about his discussion with the Chinese defense minister following the recent incident in Reed Bank. It was reported that unidentified jets allegedly entered the Philippine air space in the area.
At the same time, President Aquino said he reiterated during his meeting with Minister Liang that the interest of the Philippines is to pursue progress in Asia starting from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and then be expanding to Asean’s trading partners.
“Kailangan naka-focus tayo sa pagyabong ng ating ekonomiya para lalong bababa iyong kailangan na gawin, para magkanya-kanyahan iyong may tension. Kailangan parati iyong pananaw na pag-angat ng lahat kaysa ng iilan,” the President said.
The visiting Chinese defense minister agreed to bring the result of the recent discussions with Filipino officials to their state leadership, the President said.
“So sa palagay ko naman napababa natin iyong potential ng tension,” he said. (PCOO)
President Benigno S. Aquino III declared the month of September 2011 as “Structural Engineering Month,” to express appreciation for the work of structural engineers and to spread awareness of their vital contribution to the country.
By virtue of Proclamation No. 164 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on May 9, 2011, the President declared the month of September as “Structural Engineering Month, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (ASEP).
“The recent global developments related to natural disasters highlight the importance of promoting public safety through the design and construction of safe and sound engineered structures such as buildings, bridges, towers and other structures,” President said.
He further noted that there is a need to increase public awareness about the role and the social and moral responsibilities of Civil Engineers specializing in structural design in relation to promoting public safety.
The ASEP, an affiliate society of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE), is the country’s only national organization of practitioners of structural engineering.
“For the past 50 years, ASEP has been a partner of the government in its commitment to the protection of life and property by promoting responsible structural engineering through various undertakings, such as effective programs for disaster risk reduction and management and continuing professional development,” the President said. (PCOO)
Aquino leads seeding of Laguna de Bay with tilapia, carp fingerlings
President Benigno S. Aquino III led Tuesday a lake seeding activity in Jala-Jala, Rizal, off the waters of Laguna de Bay to boost the population of tilapia and big head carp here.
With the theme, “Bringing Back the Lake’s Bountiful Harvest,” the lake seeding aims to revitalize the lake's fishery resources to improve the livelihood of fishermen around the Laguna de Bay region.
In his speech before local officials and participants of the seeding event, the President said pollution, illegal fishing, and overpopulation in the lake’s shorelines have tremendously affected the Laguna Lake.
He said the catch of fishermen has been so reduced that they can no longer bring home enough fish for their families.
“Malinaw ang daing sa atin ng Laguna Lake. Ang tagal natin siyang pinakinabangan at obligasyon nating suklian ang kanyang pag-aaruga. Pagmalasakitan natin siya upang patuloy pa rin tayong buhusan ng samu’t-saring yaman at pagkakakitaan,” he said.
The chief executive said he spearheaded the lake seeding project because he believes it is his obligation to protect and enrich the lake.
“Walang ibang mag-aaruga at kakalinga dito kundi tayo rin. Ang humigit-kumulang 200,000 fingerlings ng tilapia at big head carp na pinapakawalan natin ngayon ay maghahatid ng mas masaganang palaisdaan at dagdag na kabuhayan para sa ating mga kakabayan.”
Despite government initiatives to protect the lake, the president said there are people who still abuse and exploit the lake through illegal fishing, garbage dumping and unabated cutting of trees near the shore.
“Kaya naman hinihikayat ko ang mga pinuno ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa paligid ng Laguna Lake na aktibong makibalikat sa implementasyon ng Bantay Lawa program,” the President said. “Umaasa rin akong makikilahok kayo sa proyektong Institutional Strategic and Development Agreement for Laguna Lake water o mas kilala sa tawag na ISDA sa Lawa upang bigyang-diin ang tunay na halaga ng Laguna de Bay,” he added.
Laguna de Bay has economic importance and strategic value to nearby communities being a source of food and water. Currently, the lake fishery industry supplies around 700,000 kilos of bangus and tilapia every week and about 300,000 kilos of bighead carp a week to the National Capital Region.
The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), in a bid to boost the fish population, has designated fish sanctuaries so that fishes can grow undisturbed.
The LLDA also crafted the 2020 Laguna de Bay Basin Master Plan Framework that will bring the sanctuaries closer to the community of its intended beneficiaries. Direct involvement of communities in lake management, regulation and protection is also part of the plan.
Tuesday’s lake seeding was undertaken in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Fish seeding or fingerlings dispersal system in communal waters, is a regular activity of BFAR under the fingerlings dispersal program.
From the first quarter of 2011, a total of 240,000 tilapia fingerlings had already been dispersed. The government targets to release two million fingerlings for the whole year.
An additional 5.9 million tilapia fingerlings were dispersed from January to May 2011 to 1,444 fish cage operators affected by typhoon Ondoy in collaboration with foreign organizations and the agriculture department.
Among those who accompanied the President during the event include Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, LLDA General Manager Rodrigo Cabrera, Laguna Governor ER Ejercito, Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares III and other local officials. (PCOO)
Expect tropical storm Chedeng to bring heavy rainfall—PAGASA
The government expects heavy rainfall in anticipation of the landfall of Tropical Storm “Chedeng” (international name Songda) as it slows down along the westward track line of the Philippine area of responsibility.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr., who is also supervising the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said in a media briefing at the Palace on Tuesday that the public may expect heavier rainfall brought by “Chedeng” adding that it may affect a wider area considering its large diameter.
“Chedeng is huge, its diameter is 500 kilometers. Initial rainfall content would actually be in the vicinity of 20 to 40 millimeters per hour… in the classification of light, moderate to heavy rainfall… that’s extremely heavy rainfall,” Yumul said.
“By definition, a heavy rainfall is only greater than 7.5 millimeters of rain per hour, you can just imagine 7.5 compared to 20 to 40… it tells you how heavy the rainfall Chedeng will bring,” Yumul added.
The storm was spotted 490 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar as of 10 a.m. and was moving in a west northwest direction, packing maximum sustained winds of 105 kph and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
Yumul noted that “Chedeng” will be heading the same track with that of Tropical Storm “Bebeng” which hit the country several weeks ago. It may initially devastate Samar provinces and provinces in North Luzon and Bicol region.
Provinces in Bicol and Eastern Visayas are most vulnerable to disaster when “Chedeng” intensifies, as it has been hit by the previous storm.
Yumul said landslides and flooding may hit the two regions because it is "already soaked" due to the onslaught of “Bebeng.”
He added that due to its strength, Tropical Storm “Chedeng” will be elevated to a typhoon category.
“Chedeng would actually be following the track line of “Bebeng,” those provinces that were hit by Tropical storm “Bebeng” would be affected by severe Tropical Storm “Chedeng which will be elevated to a typhoon category either tonight or tomorrow morning,” Yumul said.
Public storm signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Samar provinces.
He said that “Chedeng" was forecast to pass the by Quirino-Aurora and Cagayan-Isabela areas.
It may bring heavy rains over Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including Mindoro and Batangas.
The public may expect rainfall in Metro Manila by Friday evening until Sunday. (PCOO)
Aquino directs concerned government agencies to ensure ‘zero casualty’ during a typhoon
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed all concerned government agencies to ensure a zero casualty in anticipation of the onslaught of Typhoon “Chedeng” in the country especially in those areas that were already hit by the previous typhoon.
In a media briefing at the Palace Tuesday, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Administration (PAGASA) Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said that upon orders of President Aquino, they are exhausting all necessary measures to attain the goal of a zero-casualty.
“We have to do everything, there are three components of a good forecast and this is something that we always explain… the first is timely and reliable forecast and that is what PAGASA and the Office of the Civil Defense are actually doing,” Yumul said.
The second component, he continued, is good communication to make sure that the public would understand the situation being disseminated by the agency with the help of the media.
Yumul said that the third component of a good forecast is ensuring that appropriate actions are done by the public minimizing the threat being posed by the situation.
“The third critical component is that the appropriate response by the community should actually be attained… kasi baka naman forecast tayo ng forecast, paliwanag ng paliwanag kung yung mga kababayan naman natin ay di makikinig medyo mahihirapan tayo mag zero casualty,” Yumul noted.
“Everybody has to operate, one’s safety is the individual’s responsibility,” he added.
Yumul said that due to the La Niña influence, they are expecting 18 to 21 typhoons to hit the country this year as compared to 11 in 2010.
He added that the public may expect more intensified typhoons in the coming three to four months considering that these are the period when typhoons hit the archipelago.
“Although yung La Niña ay malapit nang mawala sa Pacific Ocean, yung record natin shows na its effect will still be there for the next three months. Yan ang tag-ulan natin, yan ang panahon na nagpapasukan ang bagyo and we expect more intensified typhoons,” Yumul explained. (PCOO)
Aquino reiterates interest in continuing dialogue on Spratly issue with China
President Benigno Aquino III said the tension in the South China Sea has relatively lessened after Philippine defense officials met with visiting Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on Monday.
Napag-usapan ang recent Reed bank incident at may agreement naman sila mula noong umaga na kausap ang ating Department of National Defense kung saan pinagkasunduan na dapat mas agaran iyong tinatawag na komunikasyon para ma-avoid iyong tensions,” President Aquino told reporters at the sidelines of a fish seeding event in Jala-Jala, Rizal on Tuesday.
Palace reporters asked the President about his discussion with the Chinese defense minister following the recent incident in Reed Bank. It was reported that unidentified jets allegedly entered the Philippine air space in the area.
At the same time, President Aquino said he reiterated during his meeting with Minister Liang that the interest of the Philippines is to pursue progress in Asia starting from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and then be expanding to Asean’s trading partners.
“Kailangan naka-focus tayo sa pagyabong ng ating ekonomiya para lalong bababa iyong kailangan na gawin, para magkanya-kanyahan iyong may tension. Kailangan parati iyong pananaw na pag-angat ng lahat kaysa ng iilan,” the President said.
The visiting Chinese defense minister agreed to bring the result of the recent discussions with Filipino officials to their state leadership, the President said.
“So sa palagay ko naman napababa natin iyong potential ng tension,” he said. (PCOO)
