Monday 9 July 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Monday, July 9, 2012


Aquino underscores need to improve penology system

President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the importance of improving the Philippines’ system of caring for its inmates saying it was the responsibility of all Filipinos to effect a lasting change and improvement on the country’s penology system.

In his speech keynoting the 21st Anniversary of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology held at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, the President said all Filipinos had to pitch-in to ensure that the correctional system can bring true rehabilitation to the lives of our inmates languishing in jail for their crimes.

“Tungkulin nating baguhin hindi lamang ang sistema ng koreksyonal ng Pilipinas, kundi pati na rin ang pagtanaw ng ilang mamamayan sa kanilang kapwa Pilipinong nasa loob ng bilangguan,” the President said.

“Hindi nagtatapos ang hustisya sa parusa; hindi maitutuwid ang kamalian sa pagyurak sa karapatan ng mga kapwa natin sa bilangguan. Bilang mga responsableng gabay ng mga bilanggo, gawin nating tunay na lunsaran ng pagbabagong-buhay ang ating sistemang koreksyonal,” he added.

He said that in the two-years that his administration has been in existence, improving the BJMP’s ability to care for inmates, through upgrading the agency’s infrastructure and equipment, was on top of his priority list.

Among these upgrades include: the construction of an additional 47 prison buildings to house 69,735 inmates around the country and the computerization of jail records under the National Inmates Monitoring System (NIMS).

“Sa paraang ito, mas mabilis at mas epektibo na ang pag-track sa mga kaso, sa haba ng sentensya at impormasyon tungkol sa mga bilanggo. Sosolusyunan po nito ang kaso ng mga presong tapos na ang sentensya, nananatili pa rin sa kanilang selda. Tutuldukan nito ang mano-manong paghagilap ng datos, at ang magulong sistema na kulang na lang ay isulat sa tissue paper ang pangalan ng mga bilanggo,” the President said.

He added that P500-million has already been allocated to construct 2,000 housing units for the personnel of the BJMP and the Bureau of Fire Protection while retired employees will be able to withdraw their pensions through their bank accounts via ATMs (automated teller machines).

He called on the BJMP to join government efforts to rid the bureaucracy of corruption through its various reforms being implemented and become true instruments of change.

“Tunay nga pong mayroon na kayong gobyernong kumakalinga sa inyo. Ang pakiusap ko lang po --- pangalagaan natin ang magagandang bunga ng ating reporma; iwaksi natin ang kaisipang wang-wang, at maging instrumento ng tunay na pagbabago. Patibayin po natin ang ating bayanihan tungo sa bayang sakdal-laya at puspos ng ginhawa,” the President said. (rck)


Aquino leads awarding of top BJMP personnel

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the awarding of top Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel in ceremonies held during the BJMP’s 21st Year Anniversary in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday.

The President also led the awarding ceremonies for the top local government units who have been long-time partners and allies of the BJMP in the performance of its mandate task of caring and rehabilitating its inmates.

The awardees are: Senior Superintendent Julian Mangomoc – Regional Director of the Year; SSupt. Rex Delarmente – Senior Officer of the Year; Supt. Rinco Montaus – Staff Officer of the Year; Senior Inspector Socrates Nicart – Junior Officer of the Year; Chief Inspector Wilson Banasen – Provincial Administrator of the Year;

CInsp. Bermar Adlaon – District Warden of the Year; CInsp. Renante Rubio – City Warden of the Year; Senior Inspector Jose Esquinas – Warden, Imus, Cavite; Inspector Lawrence Rosales – Municipal Warden of the Year; Senior Jail Officer Cecilia Madianda and Senior Jail Officer Richard Recososa.

The Special Awardees are: Elder Cho Sung Hun – PHL-KHOR Mission Center; Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian – Valenzuela City; Marissa Dumagat-Carilla – Sanguniang Bayan, Burayen, Leyte; Mayor Ronaldo Aquino – Calbayog City; Mayor Vilma Abaya-Dimacuha – Batangas City; Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi – Imus, Cavite; Mayor Michael FariƱas – Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta – Batac City, Ilocos Norte; Jail Chief Inspector Ilna Rita Maderzo – OIC-HSU; JCInsp. Joyce Simplicia Yuchingtat – OIC-Deputy for Comptrollership; Jail Senior Inspector Rammel Bonavente – Chief, Moral and Welfare Division; and JInsp. Xavier Solda – OIC-CRS.

The President extended his warmest regards to the awardees for their dedication and to the BJMP officials and employees for this milestone they and their agency has achieved.

“Binabati po natin ang bawat guwardiya, warden, at ang lahat ng bumubuo sa BJMP sa inyong ika-dalawampu’t isang anibersaryo,” the President said.

“Congratulations din po sa ating mga awardee ngayong araw na ito. Salamat sa marangal at masigasig na paglilingkod hindi lamang sa mga bilanggguan, kundi pati na rin sa kalakhang lipunan,” he added. (rck)


Aquino declares July 14 as special non-working day in Guihulngan City, Negros Orienteal in celebration of its 5th Charter Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared July 14, which falls on a Saturday, as a special (non-working) day in Guihulngan City in the province of Negros Oriental, in celebration of its 5th Charter Day.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 423 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on July 5 to give the people of Guihulngan City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

In 2007, Guihulngan became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 9409. (js)


President Aquino issues EO to reform mining sector

President Benigno Aquino III has approved wide-ranging reforms in the mining industry under Executive Order No. 79 put in place to strengthen environmental protection, promote responsible mining and provide a more equitable revenue-sharing scheme amid the projected boom in the sector.

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said the new presidential directive, which the Chief Executive signed on July 6, is envisioned to harmonize mining policies and regulations in the country and make players in the mining industry more transparent and accountable.

“The executive order is a product of input from stakeholders at all levels to address their concerns,” Ochoa said. “We are confident that with the EO in place, we will be able to put order in processing mining applications and at the same time reinforce protection of the environment, spur economic growth, and create employment opportunities.”

 The presidential order was based on the joint resolution of the Cabinet clusters on climate change adaptation and mitigation, and economic development dated March 16, 2012 to improve environmental mining standards and increase revenues to promote sustainable development and social growth, both at the national and local levels.

EO NO. 79 identifies zones closed to mining applications – either for contracts, concessions or agreements – including areas in the National Tourism Development Plan, critical areas and island eco-systems, prime agricultural lands covered by RA 6657, strategic agriculture and fisheries development zones and fisheries development zones an fish refuge and sanctuaries declared as such by the Department of Agriculture. Mining is not allowed in areas already identified under the existing laws on mining, agrarian and protected areas, as well as in sites that may be determined by the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR).

Mining contracts, concessions and agreements approved prior to the issuance of the new directive remain binding provided that companies comply with existing laws, rules and regulations, and the terms and conditions of the grant.

No new mineral agreements will be issued, however, pending the passage of legislation that will rationalize the revenue-sharing schemes and mechanisms. In line with this, the DENR and the Departments of Budget and Management (DBM) and Finance (DoF) are also ordered to ensure the timely release of the share of local government units (LGUs).

“These agencies are likewise directed to study the possibility of increasing LGUs’ share as well as granting them direct access similar to arrangements with the Philippine Export Processing Zones (PEZA),” the EO stated.

The DENR may continue though to grant and issue exploration permits under existing guidelines and laws, and grantees will be given the right of first option to develop and utilize minerals in their respective areas once a new law is in effect.

According to Ochoa, the presidential directive also calls for the full enforcement of environmental standards, tasking the DENR and local government units (LGUs) to ensure that large- and small-scale miners comply with the laws or face appropriate sanctions.

On top of this, the DENR-led multi-stakeholder team is directed to assess the performance of existing mining operations regardless of size, punish violators and purge the list of non-moving mining rights holders.

While the EO allows the opening of areas for mining rights and mining tenements over areas with known and verified mineral resources and reserves, including those owned by the government and expired tenements, this should be undertaken through a competitive public bidding, which guidelines and procedures should be formulated by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Potential and future mining sites with known strategic mineral reserves and resources, however, may be declared as mineral reservations for the development of strategic industries identified in the Philippines Development Plan and a national industrialization plan.

To improve small-scale mining operations, the EO outlines steps to ensure that activities comply with the Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 and the Environmental Impact Statement requirements spelled out in Presidential Decree No. 1586. Specifically the law designates Minahang Bayan or the People’s Small-Scale Mining Areas, and mandates the creation and operation of Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Boards.

The use of mercury in small-scale mining is strictly prohibited, the EO stated.

Ochoa also underscored the key provisions of the presidential directive that enjoin concerned national government agencies and LGUs to closely coordinate to harmonize mining policies on conservation, management, development and utilization of the state’s mineral resources.

In fact, Ochoa added, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) will be represented in the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) that will be created under the EO.

The MICC, co-chaired by the head of the Cabinet clusters on climate change adaptation and mitigation, and economic development, is tasked, among others, to conduct assessment and review of all mining-related laws, rules and regulations, issuances and agreements toward the formulation of recommendations for better coordination between the national government and LGUs.

Additionally, the MICC shall launch campaigns against illegal mining, serve as oversight committee over the operations of the Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Boards, monitor the implementation of mining laws and regulate small-scale mining participants, who are equally accountable to the same environmental and social obligations as large-scale mining companies.

Funding for the implementation of the EO, which takes effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation, will come from existing budget of all government agencies involved.


Aquino's suspension of the Kalinga governor affirms government's commitment to protect members of media

President Benigno S. Aquino III's decision to suspend Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac for attacking a radio commentator of government-run Radyo ng Bayan DzRK-Tabuk last year is an affirmation of the government’s commitment to protect the members of the media, a Palace official said on Monday.

"We have always stated that the members of the media should not be subjected to any threat, to any harm - verbal and physical and this affirms our commitment po natin," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.

Reports revealed that Kalinga Governor Baac reportedly attacked Jerome Tabanganay while he was doing his commentaries at the station five minutes before signing off his program.

The Chief Executive ordered the month-long preventive suspension of Baac who "had shown lack of decorum, propriety and respect in his dealings with other people.”

“The conduct and behavior of all officials and employees in the public service should be circumscribed with the heavy burden of responsibility. This is so because the image of the government is necessarily mirrored in the conduct, official or otherwise, of the men and women who work thereat,” President Aquino said in his order.

The President asked Governor Baac to “adhere to the standards of morality and decency in order to preserve the government’s good name and standing for which they serve.”

"The suspension order is dated June 29, 2012 and it was released by the Malacanang Records Office. If you remember, Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma came out very strongly when this incident happened," Valte said.

In his official statement released last year, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office condemned the alleged intrusion of Kalinga Governor Baac inside the announcer’s booth of the said radio station while broadcaster Jerome Tabanganay was doing his radio program “Agenda” in June, 2011.

“We deplore the unwarranted entry of Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac into the announcer’s booth of DZRK-Tabuk while there was an ongoing broadcast by Mr. Jerome Tabanganay, an employee of the Philippine Broadcasting Service since 1988”, the statement read. (js)


Aquino governments assures new mining policy is globally competitive

The Aquino administration assured that the new mining policy is globally competitive and attractive to domestic and international investment.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje issued the statement during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday following the release of Executive Order No. 79 (Institutionalizing and implementing reforms in the Philippine Mining Sector providing policies and guidelines to ensure environmental protection and responsible mining in the utilization of mineral resources).

"Our belief (is) that it is already attractive because I think the attraction would be more on the volume and quality of our deposits. We are already at par with the other countries except for these royalties and excise tax. And if we increase it, for example to five to seven percent, that is still within the international standard and that is what they are paying if they are operating abroad," Paje said.

Executive Order no.79 aims to improve environmental mining standards and increase revenues to promote sustainable economic development and social growth, according to Paje.

With the crafting of the EO, the government is now implementing a stricter enforcement of environmental laws and rules, and holding violators accountable.

The mining policy is also paving the way for the government to implement other measures such as identifying additional areas closed to mining, the conduct of review of the performance of mining operations and cleansing of non-moving mining rights holders, assess and improve small-scale mining conditions, the use of integrated maps and Programmatic Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Department of Enviroment and Natural Resources is tasked to conduct proper accounting of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programs (EPEP) of mining companies and to use geo hazard and multi-hazard maps and climate change forecasts in determining “go” and “no-go” areas.

The Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) is directed to carry out the explore use of mandatory and compulsory insurance coverage for mining affected areas and to adopt the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of the USA. It is also tasked to conduct resource accounting or full-cost benefit analysis. (js)


New mining policy is consistent with national laws

The new mining policy aims to ensure that the ordinances issued by the local government units (LGU) are consistent with the national laws with regard to mining, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje said.

"What the EO (Executive Order No. 79) is saying is that somehow there must be consistency between national laws and local laws. And, of course with this, the local ordinances cannot be against national policies," Paje said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Monday.

President Benigno S. Aquino III signed on July 6, 2012 Executive Order No. 79 (Institutionalizing and Implementing reforms in the Philippine mining sector providing policies and guidelines to ensure environmental protection and responsible mining in the utilization of mineral resources).

"Sec. 12 (of EO No. 79) recognizes the need for national laws and local ordinances to be harmonized to ensure the proper management and regulation of the mining industry," Paje explained.

The EO also aims to reconcile the roles of the national government and the local government units (LGUs) as far as mining is concerned.

With the crafting of the EO, the national government shall coordinate and cooperate with the LGUs in ensuring the proper implementation of mining related laws, rules and regulations, especially small-scale mining.

Concerned government agencies are directed to study possible legislation increasing LGU shares from the utilization of resources and to provide mechanisms to hasten the release of their shares through proper coordination between and among agencies.

The Provincial/City Mining Regulatory Boards (P/CMRBs) will help the LGUs to properly regulate small-scale mining and provide an appropriate forum for the different stakeholders. The local government units, the EO said, shall be a part of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) to ensure that their position and concerns are addressed.

"But if there are local ordinances, like the one in South Cotabato—it remains valid because there is a process in invalidating it. It remains valid until it is invalidated by competent authorities or through the courts," Paje said.

The EO directs the national government, through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), to work with the LGUs to ensure that local ordinances are consistent with and conform to national laws, issuances, and policies, to ensure the proper implementation of laws such as the mining act. (js)