PIA Dispatch - Tuesday, April 7, 2009

WWII veterans’ grandchildren to be recruited for the National Service Corps

Grandchildren of World War II veterans will benefit from government’s newest program for the youth.

During the Araw ng Kagitingan rites at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Bataan, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo instructed Defense Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina to “identify grandchildren of Filipino World War II veterans” who can be recruited to the National Service Corps.  

“We are recruiting such youth to undertake two-year national service commitment with a modest stipend,” the President said, “isang pang paraan upang matulungan ang pamilya ng mga beterano (another way of helping families of veterans).”

The President launched last week the National Service Corps that will engaged unemployed or underemployed skilled youth and collage graduates in education and community service programs. 

The National Service Corps is similar to the Peace Corps of the United States targeting youth aged 18 – 24 years old. 

The President also mentioned the national poverty mapping project by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that intends to locate the poorest among the poor across the country. 

The Php 1-Billion Poverty Mapping project, which has opened more than 10,000 short term jobs, will serve some sort of a GPS locator to guide government in delivering cash transfer, rice subsidies and other assistance to deserving families. 

“The DSWD needs an army of field engineers in assembling a concise picture of the poverty grid and coordinates of where poor households are,” said the President , “This project is a major component of the government’s ‘YES’ or Youth Employment in Summer.

With help from the branches and satellite offices of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, President Arroyo hopes that mapping project will find the poor families of WWII veterans  

“Kaya binibigyan natin ng espesyal na atensyon ang mga natitirang beterano at mga anak at apo lalo na yung mga apo nung mga nawala na. Dahil mga beterano at mga pamilya ninyo, hindi malilimutan ang inyong katapangan at di-matatawarang pagmamahal sa bayan,” the President said.  

The President also awarded the winners of the oratorical, essay-writing (paligsahan sa pagsusulat ng sanaysay) and creative painting contests from various high schools and universities.

Gandiang Esteban of Tagum City National Comprehensive High School got the High School category of the Oratorical Contest while Majid Imran of the Western Mindanao State University brought home the College category.

For the essay writing, the third place went to Jilian Francisco of the Makati High School, the second to Florence J. Surbano of Valenzuela City Science High School and the first to Jejomar Mendoza of the Las Piñas National High School. 

For the creative painting, Jover Gamayao of Dagupan City National High School got the the third place, the second went to Rob Cerezo of Baguio City National High School and the first to Hayami Kudo of the Marikina Science High School.


PGMA expresses gratitude to American Government for recognizing Filipino wartime services

The granting of lump sum payments to Filipino World War Veterans has begun.

During the Araw ng Kagitingan rites in Bataan, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expressed gratitude to the United States Government for approving the Filipino Veterans Equity Benefits under American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009.

“Despite America’s present economic challenges, we thank President Obama and the Congress of the United States of America especially Senators Daniel Inuoye, Daniel Akaka and Harry Reid and Congressmen Bob Filner and Daryl Issa and Speaker Nancy Pelosi,” said the President, “And indeed, dear veterans, after almost seventy years and nine presidents, you have waited long enough to attain a recognition that rightfully belongs to you. You are our living heroes. And we are truly proud of you. “

Together with US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Together with Ambassador Kenney, the President then presented the framed Citation of Approval to the veterans Colonel Rafael Estrada and Brigadier General Felix P. Pestana.


PGMA inaugurates new P1-billion M.A.A.P. facility

Mariveles, Bataan – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today (Tuesday, April 7) flew to the sprawling campus here of the 11-year-old Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) to inaugurate its new P1-billion facility overlooking Corregidor. 

Earlier in the day, the President led the 67th “Araw ng Kagitingan” commemoration ceremonies at Mt. Samat In Pilar, Bataan. 

Upon arrival at the 82-hectare MAAP campus, the President was ushered to the front garden of the new building where she planted a tree to commemorate the inauguration of the spanking new complex. 

Accompanied by the First Gentleman, the President then led the ribbon-cutting and marker-unveiling ceremonies before she was shown the newly-acquired $5-million state-of-the-art simulator which is the first of its kind in the Far East. 

Retired Navy chief Vice Adm. Eduardo Ma. R. Santos, MAAP president, said it was First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo who laid the cornerstone for the new complex in January last year. 

The President was met by Santos and Capt. Gregorio S. Oca, chairman of the MAAP, and by AJSU President Capt. Yoji Fujisawa and IMMAJ chair Tako Manji, among other MAAP leaders and partners. 

The new P1-billion MAAP complex is the product of the partnership among MAAP, the All Japan Seamen´s Union (AJSU), the International Marine Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ), and the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen´s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP). 

Also in full force in the ribbon-cutting and marker-unveiling ceremonies were several ship owners of Japan who prefer the general all-around expertise of Filipino seamen and ship officers for their ships, according to the MAAP. 

Also in the ceremonies were Presidential Assistant for Education Usec. Mona Valisno and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Emmanuel Angeles, among other top government officials. 

The MAAP said the P1-billion campus project consists of a fully equipped, self-sustained Academic building, a mess hall and a dormitory that can accommodate 1,000 midshipmen or cadets. 

“This is designed to ensure a steady supply of competent, loyal and disciplined Marine Officers and Maritime Engineers to exclusively man the expanding Japanese Merchant Marine fleet,” according to MAAP. 

The academy added that the academic building in the new complex “houses some 50 air-con classrooms (25 cadets per classroom), audio-visual room, library and study room, language laboratory, machine shop with 25 lathe machines, drill presses and grinders, welding ship with UNITOR electric, gas and plasma welding equipment.” 

On the other hand, the MAAP’s new pride, the $5-million Simulation Center, “contains the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art, training equipment and laboratories.” 

“The simulator creates a realistic, virtual reality (VR) and interactive environment in order to provide training and skills development without having to use real equipment or go to the actual site. 

“The Center has Full Mission Navigational Bridge Simulator with 360º field of vision on a motion platform which is linked to the full mission engine simulator, a live Integrated Bridge System similar to what is actually installed aboard new ships, a Compact Shiphandling Simulator with Japanese ship models and port, three Type “B” Bridge Simulators with 120º field of vision and 25 entry-level desktop simulators.” 

The MAAP added that the Navigation Simulator has life-like, interactive equipment found on a Ship´s Bridge or Navigation Station; and uses various ship models, including tankers, container ships, passenger liners and navy ships. 

The MAAP Full Mission Bridge Simulator was made by Kongsberg Maritime Systems of Norway, one of the leading simulator manufacturers in the world. 


Police ready to prove charges vs Abu Sayyaf conspirators

Authorities have evidence to prove allegations against persons implicated in the kidnapping of Red Cross workers in Sulu.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno said suspects have been in contact with Abu Sayyaf group whose leading members are either related to the bandits by marriage or by blood.

Puno believed the arrest of alleged supporters during the height of the state of emergency in Sulu forced the bandits to release one of their hostages, Mary Jane Lacaba last April 2. 

Charged with kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention are PO2 Marcial Ahajan, SPO1 Sattal Jadjuli, SPO3 Muhilmi Ismula, Alano Mohammad, Julhassan Awadi, Hadjirul Bambra and Ibnogajir Hadjirul.

Bambra and Hadjirul are suspected Abu Sayyaf members.

All suspects are now under police custody in Zamboanga City. 

Lacaba, Andreas Notter and Eugenio Vagni, were abducted January 15 after visiting a water sanitation project in a Sulu jail.

Both Puno and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro maintained earlier that they will not directly deal with the Abu Sayyaf that still holds Notter and Vagni as hostages.

Government rejected Sunday the Abu Sayyaf’s latest demand to withdraw its forces from five more areas in Sulu.


DOTC urges travelers to be extra-careful during the Holy week 

Pilgrims and vacationers should keep safety in mind to survive Semana Santa without tragedies.

Transportation and Communication Assistant Secretary Thompson Lantion advised motorists and other travelers to observe safety measures and plan their trips before leaving their homes.

Those who would traveling by land, Lantion said they should check the chassis, wipers, tires, batteries, engines and other parts of their vehicles to ensure a convenient and safe journey to their destinations. 

Lantion appealed for safe trip to all vacationers to avoid accidents during the holidays.

Recently in Batangas, a jeepney fell in ravine killing an excursionist and left several companions injured while two children were killed and eight others injured after a van smashed their jeepney in Isabela.  

Lantion ensured that the DOTC is working closely the Philippine National Police to ensure public safety.

He said law enforcers’ presence will be felt through help desks set up in public markets, terminals and other public areas.  

Radyo ng Bayan reported that some cities, such as Baguio City PNP, activated its “cops in the mall” program to watch over growing hordes of vacationers at the city of pines. 

Canine units, meanwhile, are checking baggages at the Araneta Bus Terminal where buses leave for Bicolandia every five minutes.  

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are calling on bus drivers not over-extend themselves to be able to reach their destinations safe and sound.

LTFRB Chair Alberto Suansing said bus drivers should limit their driving time to eight hours to keep themselves effective and alert on the road.

A good sleep, Suansing said, could help bus drivers to steer clear of killer accidents.

Suansing added that all drivers must also avoid rushing and stick to traffic rules.  

The public may send suggestions and other information to the DOTC hotline 7890.


Marina’s Pasa HERO enlists passengers to help prevent sea mishaps 

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) wanted passengers’ assistance to ensure sea safety. 

Marina Administrator Elena Bautista said passengers can help prevent overloading through the Pasa Hero program.

Bautista said Pasa Hero addresses Marina’s problems on budget and personnel are solved by empowering and transforming passengers into partners in implementing maritime laws.  

Under the Pasa Hero program, passengers can report to Marina violations committed by shipping lines. 

Aside from overloading, other violations include drunk shipping officers and absence of lifejackets and directional signs inside ships. 

Once reports are validated, passengers are rewarded with Php Fifty peso worth of cellular phone load from the Marina.  

Reports can be sent to Marina by texting marina_sumbong_ name/location/violation/vessel name to 2985.

Meanwhile, passengers should expect tight security at the North and South Harbors in Manila throughout summer.

DZRB Radyo ng Bayan reported that everyone will pass through x-ray machines and canine unit apart from the usual routine baggage inspections.

Managements of shipping lines urged passengers to come three hours before their departure and refrain from bringing knives and other items considered “deadly”.