Coloma underscores preparedness at all times of disaster noting need to upgrade current alert systems
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. urged the people to be vigilant and prepared at all times to ensure safety and avert casualty in times of disaster noting the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
In his speech during the Regional Forum on Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) held at the Bulwagang Amoranto, City Hall, Quezon City, Friday morning, Coloma issued the call as he acknowledged the need to further develop the current typhoon alert systems.
“We need to be constantly vigilant, we need to be fully prepared, we need to communicate effectively, we need to work together, we need to rally our citizens and people to protect our families and children,” Coloma said.
“Our current system of typhoon alerts needs to be supplemented by a formal system of flood alert. Typhoon Sendong made us realize the importance of creating heightened citizen consciousness about the perils of abrupt climate change,” he added.
Coloma also bared the various contingency efforts of the Aquino government focusing on disaster risk reduction and the implementation of zero casualties during calamities.
“We have posted in our PIA website geo-hazard maps prepared by the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau of DENR, we are conducting information campaigns in the provincial level and encouraging local officials to implement strict zoning regulations to ensure that homes are not built or will be relocated away from danger zones,” Coloma said.
“An average of 24 typhoons hit the Philippines every year, according to the geo-hazard maps, 66 out of 80 provinces are in constant risk of landslides, mudslides and flooding. Some twenty provinces have been identified as extremely high-risk areas, and before the next disaster strikes we must prepare our local governments and citizens to respond in a manner that will protect lives and minimize casualties,” the PCOO chief added.
Present as the event’s keynote speaker was Senator Loren Legarda who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change. Legarda said that the forum sets off the workshops that will be conducted in all regions of the country.
Also in attendance were Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell and other local government officials, and officers of public and private entities, among others.
The event was made possible through the cooperation of various offices that include the National Disaster Risk Management Council (NDRRMC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the PCOO.
Other partners include the Quezon City Government, the Manila Observatory (MO), UN International Strategy for Disaster reduction (UNISDR), the Asia Pacific Institute for Green Development and the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation (SKNF).
The forum seeks to increase local understanding of natural hazards, climate change and their impacts on the region and surrounding provinces and promote the integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation into local development planning. (PCOO)
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ES Ochoa leads launch of battery-powered commuter bus
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. turned on the ignition of a new breed of commuter bus that was designed to run on batteries thus, produces no greenhouse gas (GHG) and is a boon in the government’s efforts to stop climate change.
The introduction of the battery-powered bus, called eBus, was made possible through the program dubbed ‘Victory Against Climate Change’, a partnership between the Climate Change Commission and Victory Liner, one of the leading transportation operators in the country. President Benigno Aquino III is the Commission’s Chairperson.
Under Republic Act 9729, also known as the Climate Change Act of 2009, the Commission is mandated to promote and provide technical support to local research and development programs that will help address climate change.
“We are looking at the eBus as one of the vehicles that will carry government efforts to address the causes of climate change. The use of gasoline or diesel in our vehicles has been identified by science as one of the causes of climate change as it produces carbon dioxide, one of the major GHG in our atmosphere,” Ochoa explained.
Sec. Mary Ann Lucille L. Sering, Commission Vice Chair, said that the use of battery-powered vehicles is one of the strategies under the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) to help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. She also said that the greenhouse gas inventory of the Philippines revealed that the transportation sector is the highest emitter of greenhouse gases.
“You need not be an expert to recognize the problem of pollution in the cities, particularly in Metro Manila. Just look at our streets and you will see commuter vehicles belching black smoke. That is not only bad for our climate but also for our health,” she said.
Sering said that there is a need to engage the private sector more in the effort to fight against climate change and expressed hope that other transportation companies will adopt the new technology.
The bus runs on 400V “Winston” rare-earth Yttrium Lithium-ion battery with a maximum speed of 90 kph. The bus has 26 seats but can carry a total of 52 passengers.
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. urged the people to be vigilant and prepared at all times to ensure safety and avert casualty in times of disaster noting the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
In his speech during the Regional Forum on Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) held at the Bulwagang Amoranto, City Hall, Quezon City, Friday morning, Coloma issued the call as he acknowledged the need to further develop the current typhoon alert systems.
“We need to be constantly vigilant, we need to be fully prepared, we need to communicate effectively, we need to work together, we need to rally our citizens and people to protect our families and children,” Coloma said.
“Our current system of typhoon alerts needs to be supplemented by a formal system of flood alert. Typhoon Sendong made us realize the importance of creating heightened citizen consciousness about the perils of abrupt climate change,” he added.
Coloma also bared the various contingency efforts of the Aquino government focusing on disaster risk reduction and the implementation of zero casualties during calamities.
“We have posted in our PIA website geo-hazard maps prepared by the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau of DENR, we are conducting information campaigns in the provincial level and encouraging local officials to implement strict zoning regulations to ensure that homes are not built or will be relocated away from danger zones,” Coloma said.
“An average of 24 typhoons hit the Philippines every year, according to the geo-hazard maps, 66 out of 80 provinces are in constant risk of landslides, mudslides and flooding. Some twenty provinces have been identified as extremely high-risk areas, and before the next disaster strikes we must prepare our local governments and citizens to respond in a manner that will protect lives and minimize casualties,” the PCOO chief added.
Present as the event’s keynote speaker was Senator Loren Legarda who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change. Legarda said that the forum sets off the workshops that will be conducted in all regions of the country.
Also in attendance were Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell and other local government officials, and officers of public and private entities, among others.
The event was made possible through the cooperation of various offices that include the National Disaster Risk Management Council (NDRRMC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the PCOO.
Other partners include the Quezon City Government, the Manila Observatory (MO), UN International Strategy for Disaster reduction (UNISDR), the Asia Pacific Institute for Green Development and the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation (SKNF).
The forum seeks to increase local understanding of natural hazards, climate change and their impacts on the region and surrounding provinces and promote the integration of disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation into local development planning. (PCOO)
.
ES Ochoa leads launch of battery-powered commuter bus
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. turned on the ignition of a new breed of commuter bus that was designed to run on batteries thus, produces no greenhouse gas (GHG) and is a boon in the government’s efforts to stop climate change.
The introduction of the battery-powered bus, called eBus, was made possible through the program dubbed ‘Victory Against Climate Change’, a partnership between the Climate Change Commission and Victory Liner, one of the leading transportation operators in the country. President Benigno Aquino III is the Commission’s Chairperson.
Under Republic Act 9729, also known as the Climate Change Act of 2009, the Commission is mandated to promote and provide technical support to local research and development programs that will help address climate change.
“We are looking at the eBus as one of the vehicles that will carry government efforts to address the causes of climate change. The use of gasoline or diesel in our vehicles has been identified by science as one of the causes of climate change as it produces carbon dioxide, one of the major GHG in our atmosphere,” Ochoa explained.
Sec. Mary Ann Lucille L. Sering, Commission Vice Chair, said that the use of battery-powered vehicles is one of the strategies under the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) to help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. She also said that the greenhouse gas inventory of the Philippines revealed that the transportation sector is the highest emitter of greenhouse gases.
“You need not be an expert to recognize the problem of pollution in the cities, particularly in Metro Manila. Just look at our streets and you will see commuter vehicles belching black smoke. That is not only bad for our climate but also for our health,” she said.
Sering said that there is a need to engage the private sector more in the effort to fight against climate change and expressed hope that other transportation companies will adopt the new technology.
The bus runs on 400V “Winston” rare-earth Yttrium Lithium-ion battery with a maximum speed of 90 kph. The bus has 26 seats but can carry a total of 52 passengers.
Coloma underscores initiatives of Aquino administration that are anchored on social contract with Filipino people
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” B. Coloma Jr. underscored the initiatives of President Benigno S. Aquino III and the developmental programs being implemented under his watch anchored on his social contract with the Filipino people.
In an interview following his attendance of the Regional Forum on Effective Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Greater Metro Manila Area (GMMA) held at the Bulwagang Amoranto, City Hall, Quezon City, Friday morning, Coloma said the claims of some groups in their protest actions is contrary to the reality of what the government has been focusing and working on to serve the people and to achieve sustainable development in the nation.
“We take exception, first of all, to the use of the term ‘noynoying’… para namang masyadong derogatory yan sa katauhan ng ating Pangulo bilang leader ng Republika dahil para bang sinasabi nila na his entire person has to be embodied in a protest action, para bang lahatan na walang ginagawang mabuti, sa palagay naming highly inappropriate yun... Nararapat ay suriin nila kung ito ba ay tamang behavior on their part sapagkat ito rin ay nakade-degrade sa dignidad ng ating Republika,” Coloma said.
“Taliwas naman po diyan ang sentimyento at saloobin ng mga mamamayang Pilipino, almost two years into this administration our President enjoys unprecedented levels of performance approval and high trust ratings never before seen... kaya hindi po siguro tama yung pag-gamit ng terminong iyan at hindi po naaayon sa realidad na ating nakikita, lalong lalo na dito sa disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and risk mitigation…napaka-sigla po ng mga programa na isinasagawa ng pamahalaan tungkol dito at hindi masasabi ng sinuman na nagpapabaya po ang ating administrasyon,” he added.
He also noted the upswing mode of the country’s economy as characterized by the increase in numbers of the economic performance of the country in the first months of the year.
“Para namang ironic yun na ang ating kabuhayan ay napaka-sigla, stock market’s record is at high levels, yung investment rating natin napakataas, yung inflow ng foreign direct investments has increased by almost fifty percent, we have created more jobs tapos ay mayroon mga element sa ating lipunan na para bang nagbubulag-bulagan…parang ngayon lang sila nagising at nakikita lamang ay iyong nandun sa mga bahagi na taliwas naman sa katotohanan,” Coloma said.
“We live in a democracy, this is part of the dynamics of democracy kailangan po siguro yung ibang mga mamamayan na hindi rin sumasang-ayon diyan at hindi rin naniniwala doon sa ganung ideya ay mag-register po ng kanilang saloobin para malaman ng mga gumagawa niyan na hindi tama yung kanilang ginagawa,” he added.
A recent report of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) bared that the Philippine exports finally ended an eight-month slump by growing three percent year-on-year.
The same report also showed the Philippines was the strongest performer among its East and Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of export growth in January this year.
Such developments were achieved despite the international economic unease and still more encouraging reports on the Philippine economy continue to pour in.
The Makati Business Club, for its part, expressed optimism on the prospects for the country’s economy. In a poll conducted in the second half of February this year, a convincing majority of respondents (79.6%) said that economic growth for 2012 would be higher than last year’s 3.7 percent. (PCOO)
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Aquino nominates Batoon-Garcia Ambassador to Thailand; appoints new judges
President Benigno S. Aquino III has nominated Jocelyn S. Batoon-Garcia as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and appointed two new judges to the lower courts.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte made the announcement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Friday. She said President Aquino signed the nomination letter of Batoon-Garcia, Department of Foreign Affairs - Chief of Mission, Class 1, for confirmation by the Commission on Appointments (CA).
Valte also announced the appointment of Judge Irene Banzuela Didulo to the Municipal Trial Court (MTC), San Joaquin, Iloilo City.
Didulo, 43, obtained B.A. Psychology degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in 1989 and Bachelor of Laws from the Jose Rizal University in 1997. After she was admitted to the Bar in 1998, she started her legal career as a Legal Officer of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) in Makati City for one year. She was then transferred to the Napolcom in Iloilo where she served as a Legal Officer for four years. In 2003, she became the Branch Clerk of the Court of Iloilo, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 43.
The President also named Judge Earl Charito J. Ruelo as the presiding judge of The Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 5, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.
Ruelo, 47, was admitted to the Bar in 1996. He worked as Special Operations Officer of Iligan from 1997 until 2000 and as Branch Clerk of Court of the RTC Iligan from 2000 to 2006. Prior to his appointment as judge, he worked as Assistant City Prosecutor in Iligan City since 2006. He has been a Professional Lecturer since 1997. (PCOO)
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Aquino govt won’t leave any district behind, vows continuing project allocations
The Aquino administration will continue to fund projects even in districts represented by the members of the opposition contrary to allegations that the Palace withholds or delays fund releases to congressmen critical of the present government.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press conference on Friday in Malacanang that the President’s policy is not to leave any district behind with regards to project implementation and will pour money even to members of the opposition.
Aside from legislating, Valte explained that the job of the members of Congress is to identify possible projects in their districts so that the budget department could fund them.
Valte made an assurance that the present administration will always release the necessary allocations to a district even if its congressional leaders are members of the minority.
“Ang policy po talaga ng Pangulong Aquino ay wala hong maiiwan na distrito pagdating po sa mga proyekto,” she said.
Valte also released a list of opposition congressmen who received their allocations for their respective projects. Among them include Rep. Dato Arroyo (second district Camarines Sur), P218 million Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) projects and P51 million Department of Health (DOH) projects; Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, (Pampanga second district), P22 million DPWH projects, P65.5 million DOH projects; Rep. Marc Douglas Cagas, (first district Davao del Sur), P198 million DPWH projects;
Rep. Mitos Magsaysay (Zambales first district) P18.3 million DPWH projects, P22.5 million DOH projects, and P9 million National Electrification Administration (NEA) projects; Rep. Augusto Syjuco, (second district Iloilo), P39.5 million DPWH projects, P46 million DOH projects, P3.5 million NEA projects and P251 million Department of Agriculture (DA) projects; Rep. Danilo Suarez, (third district Quezon) P136 million DPWH projects, P56.3 million DOH projects; Rep. Tobias Tiangco (Navotas) P105 million DPWH projects; and Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla (seventh district Cavite) P4 million DA projects.
The Palace released the list to dispel allegations that the administration isn’t funding the districts whose representatives belong to the minority, Valte said. (PCOO)
