Wednesday 13 June 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Wednesday, June 13, 2012


MalacaƱang assures contingency measures for victims of flashfloods in Mindanao

Malacanang assured that the government has laid down the necessary contingency measures for the victims of flashfloods in the island of Mindanao that was hit by an abrupt rise of water due to the continuous heavy rains last Tuesday.

In a regular press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that all the various concerned government agencies led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD), Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard have been focusing on their responsibilities to attend to the needs of the victims and contain the effects of the flooding in the affected areas.

“The NDRRMC is on top of it, the DSWD has provided 350 food packs in Sultan Kudarat area… 53 food packs in Kidapawan. In Sarangani there were two people missing, and the NDRRMC has rescued 40 individuals from flooding,” Lacierda said.

He added that apart from the assistance of the national government, the local government has also exerted efforts to help the affected residents in the area.

“Governor [Miguel Rene] Dominguez and Mayor [Victor James] Yap have provided relief goods..., the PDRRMC Sarangani and NDRRMC Glan together with the Office of the Civilian Defense Region 12, Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guards are monitoring the situation. They have conducted ocular surveya and damage assessments, as well as needs analysis in the area,” Lacierda noted.

“We are on top of it, the DSWD has prepositioned those goods as early as June 11,” he added.

In the morning of June 12, floods inundated three barangays that include Barangay Big Margus, Barangay Pangyan and Barangay Cross in Glan, Sarangani province affecting at least 568 persons and damaging a total of162 houses, while 111 were partially damaged.

The two casualties were identified by the NDRRMC as a certain Sagapo Cabigding, 63 years old of Purok 5, Brgy. Cross, Sarangani and 40-year-old Rolando Mata of Brgy Saeg Calumpang General Santos City.

Fifteen-year-old Rani Pregoner of Kabatiol, Maasim was still missing as of this morning.

The Small Margus Bridge and Pangyan Bridge were partially damaged by the flashfloods. (jcl/1:40 p.m.)


Palace says education department prepared to carry out K+12 program

Malacanang allayed public fears on Wednesday about the implementation of the K+12 program saying the Department of Education made an assurance that necessary preparations were made for the successful implementation of the program this year.

A lawmaker is pushing for the deferment of the implementation of the program citing lack of proper preparation of the education department particularly the shortage of books, classrooms, and training for teachers.

In a press conference in Malacanang, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he was able to discuss the K+12 program with some Bulacan school officials who said they are excited about it and the DepEd has successfully trained teachers for the program.

The K+12 is an innovation from the Department of Education primarily to comply with certain accords, Lacierda said as he cited the Washington accord, which requires the country to have a 12-year basic education.

Filipino professionals wouldn’t be accepted to enter the work place if the Philippines failed to comply with this requirement, Lacierda said. He also mentioned the Bologna accord that also calls for a similar compliance.

“These two treaties are international treaties. We are not signatories because we have not complied with the requirements provided in those accords. Kaya mahalaga po sa atin to come up or comply with international standards and for purposes also of employment abroad. should someone decide to seek employment abroad...,” he said.

Currently, there is a shortage of 50,000 classrooms in the country and Lacierda said the 20,000 will be built by the local government units, and the 30,000 will be bidded out by the government through public private partnership (PPP) under DepEd.

Aside from complying with the international standards, K+12 is important because it gives students options to immediately find employment should they choose not to enroll in college, Lacierda said.

The government inked several agreements with business organizations through the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry intended to absorb graduates under the K+12 program, he added. (as/1:52pm)


Aquino declares June 19 as special non-working day in Laoag City in celebration of it's 47th Charter Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared June 19 which falls on a Tuesday as a special (non-working day) in Laoag City of in the province of Ilocos Norte in celebration of its 47th Charter Day.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 400 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on June 11, 2012 to give the people of Laoag the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

Laoag was organized as a town in 1585, becoming the first parish and first town in the northern portion of the old Ilocos - Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union.

On June 19, 1965, Laoag became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 4584. It has remained the capital city of Ilocos Norte up to the present time. (js)


2012 Global Peace Index cites Philippines among five most improved countries

The 2012 Global Peace Index citing the Philippines as among the five most improved countries is proof of the Aquino administration's continuing commitment towards improving peace and promoting amity in the country, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda issued the statement following the release of the 2012 Global Peace Index (GPI), an annual report on the state of peace in the world by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

Rising two notches to rank 133rd this year from 135th in 2011, the organization said that the Philippines "showed a robust rise across a number of indicators."

"The report noted that these gains stem from improvements in four indicators: the homicide rate, the number of deaths from internal conflict, the likelihood of violent demonstrations, and the incidence of terrorist acts," Lacierda said.

The 2012 Global Peace Index affirms the report of the Philippine National Police showing the 24% decrease in crime volume in 2011 compared to 2010, according to Lacierda.

The PNP has also noted a further decline in the total crime rate by 16.77% in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same quarter last year.

Aside from the Philippines, also in the list of top five countries that registered "improvements in peacefulness" in the 2012 Global Peace Index are Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bhutan and Guyana.

"This is international recognition of our collective effort to address the safety and security of our people," Lacierda said. (js)